AliTan

Here's my 2 cents... Pakistan is hard.  It will be a difficult process.  More visits and family approval would definitely help, but if that's not possible, don't let it stop you.  Be prepared to explain this all well.  Front load your application with as much solid relationship proof as you can.  If you think it helps your case, send it, because they may not look at anything you bring to the interview.  The fact that you have been together several years is good.  We first applied for a K1 after knowing each other for a year and meeting once.  It was denied.  One of the reasons was that I hadn't had much interaction with his family.  They also said our relationship was a "cultural aberration".  We have now met in person 5 times, two of those in Pakistan with his family.  We applied again.  His interview was in January and he was "approved", but we're still waiting for the visa.  We are not a same sex couple, so I can't comment on if your case would be viewed differently or not.  A denial for a tourist visa would not hurt your case, so if it's an option at some point to try for one for more face time, go for it.  Best of luck to you both!

9 minutes ago, A S said:

There have been occasional instances where it still took a while....what is that mean can you please explain .?

People have at times gotten a new medical and still waited months, but usually the visa is issued shortly after completing the medical.

1 hour ago, A S said:

please some one advise me what this email means. is this a positive sing ?

Yes, it is good.  It looks like they will be contacting you for a new medical exam.  This should mean they are ready to issue the visa, though there have been occasional instances where it still took a while.

Amazing!  Which lab did he use and how long did it take to get the result?  We hope to be doing this soon!

Did your fiancee make it?  Any problems traveling through Turkey?  Did she fly Turkish Airlines?

This makes me so happy.  Congrats!!!

K1 denials are very common in Pakistan, and you're usually left guessing the reason.  We only found out our exact reason after applying a second time and receiving an RFE. 

K1 denials are very common in Pakistan, so don't worry about that.  They kept your passport, so they intend to give you the visa, as long as there are no issues in the background checks.  I have heard of someone getting their visa in 4 days, and then there are cases that take 1-2 years.  Try your best to be patient and live your life.  Inquire every couple of months, if it takes that long, so you are not forgotten.

This is heartbreaking.  Seems like a situation that could be easily fixed if they cared to.  I'm so sorry. 

@F&S2018 have you explained your situation to the medical clinic?  Maybe they would still do the medical if you have something from the embassy requesting it, even without the passport.  I completely understand your frustration with the embassy, they don't respond to us either.  I would definitely still attend the embassy appointment regardless.  It might be the only way to actually talk to them.

I know in Pakistan the clinic will not schedule a second medical unless you have something from the embassy requesting it.  I would think the clinic could tell you.

13 minutes ago, AliTan said:

@Allaboutwaiting gave you the exact RFE.  What I included was a letter explaining the obvious, that we can't make official plans until we know he is coming, but gave example of things we were considering.  I included a few screenshots of chats to back up that we had talked about these things.  I also included new letters of intent, a receipt for the wedding rings, pictures of my dress made in his country.  I agree with @TBoneTX I would include financial support unless specifically asked for it.  I am not advising anyone to pay for something that can't be refunded or do something they weren't already planning to do.  But other examples could be a quote from a venue or catering service, email communication with your county clerk's office or your planned officiant.  Just whatever you have that shows you are in some way preparing to get married.

Sorry, that should say WOULDN'T include financial support.  For some reason I can't edit.

7 hours ago, Captain Ewok said:

Suggestions on evidence?

@Allaboutwaiting gave you the exact RFE.  What I included was a letter explaining the obvious, that we can't make official plans until we know he is coming, but gave example of things we were considering.  I included a few screenshots of chats to back up that we had talked about these things.  I also included new letters of intent, a receipt for the wedding rings, pictures of my dress made in his country.  I agree with @TBoneTX I would include financial support unless specifically asked for it.  I am not advising anyone to pay for something that can't be refunded or do something they weren't already planning to do.  But other examples could be a quote from a venue or catering service, email communication with your county clerk's office or your planned officiant.  Just whatever you have that shows you are in some way preparing to get married.

Consider recommending that K1s include additional evidence of intent to marry, more than just letters of intent.  This has become a fairly common RFE.

39 minutes ago, Carlcayl said:

Yeah we actually had no idea about how the green card process worked. I did a tiny bit of research and saw that there were two options: K1 and CR1. Everyone was saying to do CR1 because it's less expensive but I didn't actually understand the difference until AFTER  we got married. It was really, really dumb. If we'd have known I could've done something before we got married, we would have. Instead we've been married over a year and only just started the CR1 process, and then Covid. It's gonna be a loooong (expensive) time. ❤️ 

With a lot of visas being suspended, maybe your case will speed up.  CR1s at least have been safe.  It's the uncertainty of it all that drives a person crazy. 

We’re K1, but I hear you.  People have no clue what this process is like unless they have been through it.  We first applied Dec. 2017 and were denied.  We’re on our second go-round and we were so close to the visa when embassies closed.  Since then I feel like I obsessively check for any shred of hope out there.  Every time we have an update on our case I get excited thinking we’ll have the visa in a few days...nope.  I find shopping for wedding items or just things we’ll need for his arrival helps me feel like there’s still something in my control.  But my bank account and my sanity will be happy when I am no longer consumed by this process.

This happened to us as well, despite having the letters of intent.  It seems to be more common in the past year.  I personally think everyone should start sending more proof with the application to prevent this delay.  We addressed it by sending letters again along with: receipt for the rings, picture of the dress held up by my fiance's family because it was made there, screenshots of chats talking about the wedding (didn't have much because it's usually video calls), and I wrote a statement explaining why we can't make specific plans until we have the visa (They should know this!) but listed some things we were considering.  The petition was approved within 2 weeks if I recall correctly.  Oh, and we sent proof of another meeting since the petition was sent.

14 minutes ago, AandH said:

No not yet. I was here visiting and I have been unable to go back for the last 3 months 

Any updates on your end?

Oh darn, I was excited!  Ours hasn't changed.  Have a safe flight!

1 hour ago, AandH said:

I’m traveling via QAtar this weekend from Lahore to the USA. I’ll keep you guys updated but if you check the Islamabad embassy main page they’ve announced which flights to the USA are operating and how often a week they will fly. 

Did you get your visa?

Has anyone seen a K1 get issued from Pakistan recently?  Our last update was May 21st from AP to Application Received.

This is the most entertaining thread I've read on VJ, and I'm not a beauty person.  I'm just too lazy.  Occasionally I do try something though, and I recently fell in love with Pacifica's bedtime lip treatment.  I have chronicly dry lips, and this actually works for me.  Any other vegan favorites out there?  (I only read about the first 10 pages of this thread, so I apologize if I missed something.)

1 hour ago, Mask said:

Hi, I understand this is the wrong thread to post in, but I've been trying to search and I'm unable to find anything related to the interview experience itself. Can anyone guide me to threads if there are any, regarding what the interview at the London Embassy was like. Thank you so much! 

Go to your portal and then consulate reviews.

The Pakistan call centers and document delivery are opening June 8th. It originally said May 31st, then changed to closed until further notice, now June 8th.  

I'm hoping those who have received a K1 visa through Islamabad could comment on their CEAC status and processing time after the interview.  Specifically, I am wondering how long after the change to nonimmigrant visa on CEAC did it take for your visa to be issued?  We all know extended APs are common for Islamabad.  I'm just trying to get a sense of if the cases spend more time in AP under immigrant status or nonimmigrant status, and in general if the switch to nonimmigrant means the wait should be ending soon or if people have had extended APs under nonimmigrant status.

Our case has done the following:

1/28/20  Interview, told approved

1/31/20  AP (Immigrant)

2/4/20  Date update, no change in status

2/26/20  Application Received (Nonimmigrant)

3/12/20  Date update after inquiry

4/1/20  AP

5/21/20  Application Received

(My timeline still reflects our first case, which was denied.)