Beth Moskov

We applied in November 2020, got an RFE in May 2021, everything went to the NVC in January 2020. After that things started to move much faster. It took about 8 weeks to get to the embassy (Algeria). Then the additional paperwork and visa interview was June 5 (approved) But it took the embassy another 2 months to return his passport. In our communication with the embassy they continued to confirm he was approved, but that they were short staffed. My fiance finally arrived this weekend! During this time we had to work every day to ensure the process did not consume us and ruin everything we had worked so hard for. We read books together, watched movies together, had virtual date nights... Try and focus on you two and not constantly talking about the case. Too frustrating! Hang in there! It will eventually work out!

I got divorced in Texas and my lawyer sent me an electronic certified version of my divorce decree. You should go back to your divorce lawyer and request that, they should have it on file already. Then you can print out the electronic version and that's fine that's what I did and there was no issue. Good luck.

Hi there definitely file now unless you are going to get married and go for the K3 visa. The process is taking so long the quicker you can file the better. I think as has been stated you can then visit each other as many times as you'd like so that when your fiance goes for the interview they can bring the additional evidence to show all the other trips that you took together. It will help not only in your case but in your relationship that's good to have as much time together. Good luck!

I would not switch as you would have to start the clock all over again! And the K-3 takes longer. There is a serious backlog . We applied in November 2020 and my fiance was approved for his Visa in June 2022. It is tough because the wait game not seeing each other is discouraging! Do your best to find ways to stay connected have virtual date nights, movie nights, we had our own little book club and we would discuss our favorite books, do all you can to create the best semblance of a normal relationship despite being across the world from each other. The best way to get through this. Eventually you will hear back from them.

Yes they said 5 days. I would wait a few more days and then start messaging the Embassy. Keep in mind that over the summer is when Embassy staff is transferring to new posts so it it is a smaller embassy there can be additional delays due to staffing shortages! Good Luck

Hi there it's so different depending on the embassy. My fiance's k1 Visa was approved during his interview on June 5th of this year in Algeria. The Embassy then didn't do anything until literally today when you notice the status update to administrative processing. We did multiple times message them and they did send us a message back that said his visa was approved but due to the resource constraints they were delayed and issuing visas. I checked with my colleagues at State department and they said sometimes happens during the summer season when concular officers are changing posts smaller embassies can get delayed. So even though they told my fiance he would get his passport back with his visa within 5 days We are still waiting. In most cases you should get it back in 1 to 2 weeks It just depends on the embassy and what's going on. They should have told your fiance how long it will take. I think they normally say 5 days if it's been 2 to 3 weeks and you haven't heard anything start emailing them. We also went back to the State department in Washington to the desk officer there to ask for help. Good luck!

Hang in there!! I know it's tough! We initially filled in November 2020 and my fiance got his visa approved June 5th 2022. We had to do all we could to stay connected.... Movie date nights, we had our out little book club to discuss books we read together, we would cook "together" online... Anything fun we could do virtually.... It is such a challenging and stressful process.... It's a wonder any couple survives... Communication is the key... Talk about the stress with each other and double down your commitment... We looked at this process as a way to get closer as we had to discuss EVERYTHING to get ready for his interview... We feel even closer going through this.... Hang in there!

Thanks so much It's now been a month CEAC website still shows the application as ready like we can book the interview but does not even show that he had the interview which was on June 5th So the website has not been updated since June 5th.. I've also read places where this can happen his passport is on someone's desk somewhere. We've emailed the embassy number of times and still haven't heard back. I found the email of the State department desk officer for Algeria and Washington who was on leave but hopefully he can help.

Greetings all We just want to get a sense of folks experience. My fiance's k1 Visa was approved on June 5th. The embassy said it would take about 5 days to process the visa and then he could pick it up from their processing center. It is still not ready and CEAC shows that the application is ready for interview but hasn't been updated since the interview to show that the interview has happened and that the visa has been issued. I've heard all kinds of crazy stories about the time it can take. Would love to hear from others about how much time it takes. Thank you!

So an update .... My fiance had his interview this morning and he was approved! He was only asked 4 questions which focused on this work and mine. Then the consular officer thanked him for all the strong evidence and that it "made his job easy". I guess maybe all that evidence wasn't such a bad idea after all! We could not be happier!!!!! ❤️❤️

Hi there, Thank you so much for your message! We have been going over every aspect of our relationship. We have photos of all the times he has spoken to my daughter, my family and friends as well as the evidence our most recent trip to Dubai and photos chatting with his family. We have done a number of practice interviews... maybe overkill! Anyway I really appreciate your feedback! Thanks so much!

Thank you so much! This is really helpful! I appreciate this!

So I have had many conversation with his mom and siblings and we have photos of them all. She completely approves of this relationship. Also he has never wanted children... I do have 2 children, my son is out of the house but my daughter is 14. He and my daughter have developed a nice relationship and we have photos of their exchanges.

Indeed I agree, we would have spent more time together but COVID had other ideas. The good news is I spent 23 years in the foreign service posted oversees (with USAID not State but posted at embassies none the less). I retired from the FS and am now a University professor. He is a lawyer with a masters degree in Economics and very well educated and did some work with some folks for State before we left and as it turns out we have some mutual friends we did not even know about (folks we met through work). He is a fluent English speaker and I am a fluent French and Arabic speaker and we have significant interests in commons (favorite authors, values etc etc) I say all this as he is not typical from his country nor am I. We are able to overcome many of the points raised by the embassy but the age difference is there. Despite that difference, we are very connected and committed.