BeanCamp

Hey we still have not received our visa. Still waiting. Our last status update was 7/11 . There have been a total of 8 status updates on CEAC. So our case is moving. I will probably never know exactly what is being verified or if any of those times had to do with email inquires. Not all the ceac dates coincided with email reply dates. I miss my fiancé like CRAZY, but I have come to terms and accepted I need to be patient There is nothing that could be done about the length of time. I put my faith in God, believe God knows what he is doing, and remain positive that this will soon come to an end.

Thank you ladies. I have to keep reminding myself this is the government and the whole process is just inefficient! I really can't wait for him to get here to not have to deal with anymore Jamaican government employees. I swear they bask in the statisfaction of knowing they have a little power over peoples lives. As you both may know our experience was not so easy (interview level). I have and will keep calling DOS I just wish when the government comes up with these tools to "make it easier", these tools would be efficient and provide useful information.
That's it rant over.
Thanks again.

Yes, something we look for in a partner outside of immigration. However, the article illustrates perfectly how the culture and community is. You have to use some serious observation and listening to keenly identify the ones with the real morals and values. Don’t just fall for dem pretty words.

They should have the skill set to become self sustaining. Otherwise, you are building  on an unhealthy attachment. We all have to naturally feel we are contributing and can care for ourselves.

Before you immigrate someone from Jamaica, consider whether or not the man you met, can support you financially, mentally, and emotionally. This article, see link below, was published by one of the major circulating newspapers in Jamaica. Think wisely because once you immigrate someone, it is life changing. Can be good or bad, ultimately, your experience will be determined by whether or not you took your time to discern and make sure this person will add to you.
 
God bless.
 
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/breeders--not-fathers_11200276
 

Thank you ladies. I have to keep reminding myself this is the government and the whole process is just inefficient! I really can't wait for him to get here to not have to deal with anymore Jamaican government employees. I swear they bask in the statisfaction of knowing they have a little power over peoples lives. As you both may know our experience was not so easy (interview level). I have and will keep calling DOS I just wish when the government comes up with these tools to "make it easier", these tools would be efficient and provide useful information.
That's it rant over.
Thanks again.

4/5/2013
I wanted to come back and post my experiece with the NVC for others who may find themselves in a similar situation. My package left NVC yesterday 4/4/2013; 11 working days after NVC received my petition. On 3/21/2013, I sent an email to the NVC asking they update the beneficiary's mailing address. Two days later I called NVC to inquire about the case status and beneficiary address update. At that time I updated his mailing address over the phone. The rep stated emails are processed in the order they are received. I updated it over the phone because I thought to myself, i didn't want them to send out the case without the address being updated. (silly me)
On 4/2/2013 I received a response email from NVC advising my case was undergoing "necessary administrative processing. You will be notified with further instructions when the processing is complete." In between, I called pretty much every day. Some of the responses I received from reps was my case is undergoing additional processing, administrative processing, one guy even told me my case sits in a box until it fills up after which it is sent to the embassy. (of course I went onto VJ checked out similar timelines and saw some with NOA2 after me had already had their cases forwarded to the same embassy as me) and was infuriated.
Here are some of my observations. If there is any activity email/address update submitted via email, there is a chance your case comes out of the normal shuffle and put into "necessary administrative processing". Reason being, I got the email from NVC on 4/2/2013 and two days later my packet went out. Which would be consistent with most timelines.
I have done extensive research on what "administrative processing" means for K1's. Most of what I read states that NVC only enters your case in the system and ships it off to the Embassy. I also read the NVC randomly selects files and puts them through security checks. I never found actual confirmation that this takes place, NVC never confirms it I did go onto the government website and even read a newsletter posted by the NVC which describes how they process cases. click here to read. http://digitaledition.state.gov/publication/?i=108925&p=37
Throughout my quest for answers, I came across a fellow v'jers post about how to check your NVC case status. Here is the link https://ceac.state.g...er/Status.aspx?. When I entered my case number, a pop up box appreared stating my case was processing and to contact NVC if I hadn't been contacted by them. An hour later I re-entered my case number and an error appeared stating my search did not return any results. I immediately contacted NVC. Once I was able to get a live person, I was told my case had been sent out today.
This process has been quite frustrating, especially seeing others going in and out of the NVC in no time. My advise for anyone, wait until the embassy receives the case and then update the beneficiary's address. We are going through Kingston, and it seems as though Kingston is very responsive to email inquires.
Good luck, and God bless you all through your journey.
Next stop... Interview!

This is correct. For K1 visas, once a CO has made a decision to issue the visa, the CEAC category switches from Immigrant to Non-Immigrant. When this happens the case creation date will change to the date the category switches to non-immigrant. This happens when the visa is set to be issued. Be on the look out, your visa is on its way.
I believe the embassy is picking up the pace due to experiencing a back log over the last few months. I believe with changes in administration(recentl developments came out about embassy employees taking bribes to issue a US visa to a JA artist). I'm happy for so many who have been receiving their visa rather quickly. I hope this continues.

Have you tried having your local congress/senator person verify status for you? Five months is really long especially if they have all the required documents.

DHL are the one's that issue the waybill #. It can take 3-4 days for it to post on the US-Visainfo site. Oftentimes,you get the waybill number your visas/passports will already be available for pick up. This part of the process is very inefficient as there is a lag between DHL waybill# creation and the waybill# posting on CSC -usvisainfo.
It make it more complicated when trying to make travel arrangements, especially now that it is the busiest time of the year to travel...and expensive.

it means you will be getting your visa within 2-3 business days..... if it was already picked up by DHL today. You can contact DHL and have them check and see if they can verify if your visa is at the main sorting center in Kingston.....only if you guys are in a rush to get the visa and immediately leave JA. You could wait for an email with the Waybill number to track. But chances are once the waybill number is posted the visa is already ready for pick up. The embassy does not generate the waybill numbers- DHL does. Once the visa is picked up by DHL, it goes to the main sorting center where the visa is entered into the CSC system and then routed to its final pickup destination.
Congratulations....you made it through Kingston Embassy.

I would email them the DS-230 part 1 signed by the beneficiary (have the beneficiary print, sign, scan) and email to the IVappointment inbox referencing your case#, petitioner and beneficiary name and DOB. then begin to prepare for the police cert, no impedement cert, collecting all pertinent documents. After you email the DS-230 part 1 wait about a week and call DOS to confirm if an appointment has been scheduled (if you haven't heard anything back from the embassy during the week you email the DS form)
Here is the link to the Checklist for packet 3. http://www.visajourn...aica-checklist/
You may or may not ever receive it.
Welcome to the wonderful world of dealing with the IV unit at the US Embassy in Kingston. We are all here to help don't hestitate to post any question. This is the last step before you are reunited, and can be quite cumbersome.
Best of luck with your journey!

I agree the K1 is expensive and involves lots of waiting. Yes, it is nice to be united with loves one (although K1 is at times processing just as long as i-130). At times I think to myself, if I knew then what I know now I would have applied for the Cr-1. However, I agree with the OP this is an expensive route and does bring financial hardship. But I guess that is the sacrifice one makes to be with their loved one. Nothing is perfect, that's just life.

Yes the date has some relevance. if I recall correctly, you have to have your interview scheduled before the expiration date. The CO at the embassy will extend the date if they need to. Our expired while in AP. I had emailed the embassy and called DOS a week later. DOS confirmed the date was extended. Some will say after the interview it has no bearing..... But if that was the case not sure why our date was extended after the interview.

My fiance and I were married this Saturday! We plan to have a religious ceremony next September. I really thought about the intent of this K1 visa and defintely feel the 90 days is not enough time to plan an appropriate wedding. (ok a big wedding) This is definitely an expensive route. Next stop is AOS. Can't wait for my baby to get his EAD card since he is going crazy staying home. I gave him a project list and he is pretty much all done.

I understand your frustration. I was in AP in JA for 11 weeks. It took a congressional inquiry for our case to see movement. We were approved at the interview and my fiance recieved the green stub with DHL sheet. (by the way when my fiance arrived a green stub was stapled to his passport). So don't worry, if the CO said approved and took the passport it is coming. Do not stress over whether or not they will issue the visa. If they approved it, unless your documents are fake or your fiance has a criminal past or there were fraudulent statements made in any of the immigrant forms you will be good. It is very frustrating. All you can do is try to remain patient, keep your faith in God (this really helped me calm my emotions..PRAY), and keep yourself busy with friends and family. Use the time to prepare for your marriage and AOS. I can tell you from our experience I had over 9 CEAC updates some related to email some not. Keep track of everything. I would say unless there is some outstanding question they are not answering, wait till you get closer to the 60 day mark and then contact your congressperson or senator and speak with their staffed immigration specialist.
I hope you hear something soon. It does look like the embassy is moving alot faster than they were. I know you want this to be over. It is completely frustrating being a US Citizen and having no rights when it comes to this process. You are completly at the mercy of the US Embassy. I would say if it helps you, write a letter to the ambassdor (be pleasant and polite). I feel if enough people express their concerns over how inefficient the Jamaican embassy is, someone will take actions. At the end of the day they may have deciding power over who they issue visas to, but they are still required to be efficient because they are being paid by American tax dollars and their budgets are set by Congress.

The no-impedement and police cert take about a week to process. I would wait because too far ahead could bring problems. Just familiarize yourself with all the steps that need to be taken before your interview. Read the reviews. Gather all the necessary documentation. Jamaica10 gave a pretty good account of what is required. Once you receive your NOA2, NVC still needs to issue you a CASE#. Without it the embassy will not schedule the interview for you. Also, before the embassy will schedule the interview they must receive your case from NVC.

I'm am filled with emotion right now. My baby just picked up his visa, and is on his way to the airport. Ticket bought this morning.God is good!!!! My baby will be arriving tonight at mid-night. Thank God I am at work and have lots to keep me busy, because the next 13 hours may feel like longest ever.
Thank you to all of you who offered your support, kinds words, and wisdom. This has truely been a journey, but I wouldn't change anything about it.... ok maybe I would change the waiting in AP for so long. Best of luck to you all with your journies. Next stop ..... marriage!

I'm am filled with emotion right now. My baby just picked up his visa, and is on his way to the airport. Ticket bought this morning.God is good!!!! My baby will be arriving tonight at mid-night. Thank God I am at work and have lots to keep me busy, because the next 13 hours may feel like longest ever.
Thank you to all of you who offered your support, kinds words, and wisdom. This has truely been a journey, but I wouldn't change anything about it.... ok maybe I would change the waiting in AP for so long. Best of luck to you all with your journies. Next stop ..... marriage!

I'm am filled with emotion right now. My baby just picked up his visa, and is on his way to the airport. Ticket bought this morning.God is good!!!! My baby will be arriving tonight at mid-night. Thank God I am at work and have lots to keep me busy, because the next 13 hours may feel like longest ever.
Thank you to all of you who offered your support, kinds words, and wisdom. This has truely been a journey, but I wouldn't change anything about it.... ok maybe I would change the waiting in AP for so long. Best of luck to you all with your journies. Next stop ..... marriage!

Good luck! May God be with you both.

Amen!

Amen!

Amen!