kotze13

Hi Everyone.

I'm from South Africa and my fiance is from the States. We met online in September, and I came to visit him on a tourist visa in October.

We got engaged in November and are now filling out our K1 visa applications. We should have all our forms together by Friday next week, and will be sending it off with fingers crossed for a short waiting time.

I have to return home to South Africa in April, and we've booked a wedding venue in Oregon for the end of July... How long do you think we're going to be waiting to get our interview?

I know you've probably heard that question a million times, but we're hearing one hundred different things from all over the internet. Anything from 3-9 months, supposedly.

Is there another couple from South Africa that could tell us what to expect?

Thanks so much.

C

Hi. Have a loot at my timeline... I can surely say that end if July will most likely be impossible... My visa was approved 5 months and 2 weeks from the day we received our NOA1, and my fiancé and I really put a lot of effort into it, ensuring all the paperwork is done correctly and everything is in order before we sent in the I-129F... I received my visa today in my hand, as I didn't have the right birth certificate at my interview (thru all the stress I overlooked this one detail, make sure you have an unabridged birth certificate) and today has marked almost 6 months to the day we filled the I-129F.. I would also recommend as soon as you arrive in SA, apply for your police clearance if you don't have one yet, it takes a long time. It might seem like a long time, but true love is worth fighting for! If you have any questions you can msg me. Hope this helps a bit. And good luck! Remember, love and hard work will make this easier.

Do anyone know about how long it takes for the Johannesburg consulate to schedule an interview

Hi, after I sent in my packet 3, I had to wait for my police clearance certificate to come thru, the consulate told me to just phone them when I got my police clearance certificate. But from my NOA1 For the I-129F it took 157 days to get an interview date.

When I called the consulate after receiving my police clearance, I got an interview the following week. Make sure you have got an unabridged birth certificate. Hope it helps.

Oh sorry I didn't notice you applied for a different visa! So this probably won't help at all, sorry

How heavy it can be? It really depends. I sent over 80 pounds stuff from India thru Fedex air mode.

It should actually be the same as that... Is FedEx the best? Actually what I'm also trying to figure out is, if it's best sending it in a normal box, or a suitcase, or a barrel or what? I sent a barrel from the US to south Africa and that was a nightmare, although I did it thru a shipping company

Weight for 2 boxes?

Will probably be heavy, as most of it will be books I used during my studies. Haven't packed or weighed yet, just wondering what's the best way of getting stuff there

Hi all, I'm wanting to ship a couple of boxes of personal items to the US when I move there in may... Any advince on how to get it there or who to use? It's not furniture, and not a lot, maybe two boxes of stuff. Any advice would be helpful, thanx!

Congratulations!!! It is a long stressful journey!!!!

I have my interview in johannesburg next week and I'm already pooping in my pants with nerves and excitement, knowing the next part of our lives are hinging on this interview!!!

Congrats again!

Hey, don't let your nerves get to you... Just relax and stay calm, I know it's not easy to do that, but once you hand over your papers and wait for the interview to start, you've done all you can... The people are real friendly and they know you are nervous... They only ask questions that you should know being engaged... No trick questions, it's just like telling someone you just met how you and your fiancé met. So just get all the papers in order with evidence, and you should be fine! Good luck to you and your journey!

Congrats. Pls can you explain what you mean by Abridged?

Thank you... Abridged is the "short" birth certificate.. With just your name, birth date and place and parents ID numbers (that's the south African one)... They need the unabridged one which is an A5 page, they refer to it as the "long" one... It has all your parents details on it etc.. hope it helps.

I had my interview yesterday and was approved!!! Thank God! Has been a long journey but well worth all the trouble! I just did not have an unabridged birth certificate, I had an abridged one (my fault for over looking that, as I was too focused on all the other paperwork.) I will be getting the unabridged one by Friday hopefully, then will just need to take that to the consulate with my passport and I will be given my visa. Interview went erynwell and interviewer was real friendly. So happy!