AliTan

His visa was issued today!!!!!!!!! 🙌

As an approved K1 visa holder who has not yet been able to enter the US, I HATE the fact that a period of 90 days separates us from those who are already married, when that is our full intention and sworn commitment to do so after arrival, especially when we have spent (in my case nearly a year) of processing & vetting our applications including an affidavit of support to demonstrate that we can be supported by our partner.

Haven’t been on here in a while. I filed my K-1 in 2014, AOS in 2015, had a long delay for ROC from 2017 through 2019, and naturalized in 2019 at which point my ROC was adjudicated simultaneously. But when I heard the news tonight the first thing I thought of was all of you in every conceivable stage of the process. I just wanted to drop by and say I’m sorry and that my heart is with you all. None of this is right, and none of this is fair, and you deserve better. The USA has a responsibility to do better. Sending my love to you all wherever you’re at in the world tonight. 

Alhamdolillah!! Our visas are finally issued. 10 months from filing to visa issuance and 12 months of staying apart. Thanks to Allah we are looking forward to seeing each other soon. I have updated CEAC record of dates since interview to issuance on my timeline. Will post a review with all the details soon insha'Allah (We had our complications, NOA2 expiring, legal permission for my child and related documents, My child's passport not being ready until after the NOA2 expiry, medical being refused for K2 and then the doctor putting me up for Psychiatric Assessment) Few others too but i'll include that in the review. I have summed up details up here because I was so confused with these things and did not find answers in the Pakistan Forum, hence putting it out in the open in case any one in future goes through any such thing. Had it not been for this forum, it would have been much more of struggle. Thanks to EVERY SINGLE PERSON HERE who has shared their information; You have made it so much easier for the rest of us, newbies especially. Thank you VJ and VJayers, eternally grateful. I am not a pro but any questions regarding ISB embassy/my experience are welcome. And one thing that I have found to be true; I read countless times here from admins and senior members to be truthful and honest with all the information in your petition and throughout, well, BINGO! Thanks again everyone!

They are currently not allowing petitioners in.  I was there last week and was not allowed.  This seems to have changed around the time of the recent events with Iran.

Everyone who gets an NOA2 has met the basic paperwork requirements, yet some countries refuse many more visas than others. So country specific reviews and experiences are helpful.

This forum is just people's advice based on their own experience.  Myself and others have been denied without the officer looking at any evidence brought to the interview.  Had it been in the file, at least there would have been a chance that it was seen.  This happens in some countries more than others, so I think it is very wise to seek out country specific advice on these matters.

Your situation may or may not be the same as the OPs..
 
we have no idea what has been discussed between them, this is what they as a couple may have discussed as what’s best for them so it’s not really a case of trying to pull anything, particularly if they have both agreed.. 
 
yes the op has a responsibility to the beneficiary.. but he also has responsibilities to the child as a parent, if they feel that introduction needs to happen prior to marriage to reaffirm everything is ok then again that’s their choice.. making the k1 the best choice for them..  it in no way removes any relationship legitimacy or intention of marriage prior to her arrival 

I wanted to address the negative attitudes we have seen on the rise recently in the upper/ immigration forums towards those who ask beginner/ simple questions, or have unusually fast or slow VisaJourneys.

First, there is a tone difference between the Progress forums- which are mostly for support and cheerleading, and the Info forums, which are mostly to have questions answered.   While all our forums are supposed to be welcoming to all and friendly, this is especially important in the Progress forums, which are not to discuss politics, or be negative towards  those fortunate to have their case dealt with quickly, or  critical of those who voice sadness about their own slow progress. These forums are there to uplift eachother!

Secondly- in the info forums, you may get bad news.  When a question is asked, our members are encouraged to answer truthfully, even if this may not be what the Op wants to hear, because it is important to be informed.  However, the emphasis is still on being welcoming and friendly.  If you need to give bad news, do so gently, and stick to facts; constructive criticism of the Op's plans ARE allowed, but the emphasis is on constructive.  No need to dwell on mistakes (or tell members they should be on 90 Day Fiance- that is a personal attack and automatic suspension), or  illegal actions in the past- instead, encourage and explain legal options for the future.  And ONLY legal options- as per our TOS, VJ does not support, condone or encourage illegal (immigration) actions, and such posts will be removed.

Ultimately, we are here to help all members, old and new, easy cases and complicated, those who write a fact filled bullet point post and those who are panicking and don't make much sense in their first post. Yes, sometimes questions can be easily googled, or answered via a search of our forums.  But if you feel that way, just scroll past- no need to criticise the OP for asking the question. 

I didn't say anything about booking a venue.  People are getting RFEs for intent to marry despite sending the usual letters.  So I am recommending sending any additional proof of wedding discussions or plans that they have, such as receipts for rings or the dress or quotes from venues, etc.  I'm not suggesting doing anything they weren't already doing, just send whatever proof they have.  The OP asked about sending screenshots of their conversations, so I suggested conversations related to wedding planning, or future life plans together.

That is true.  Especially recently.

I'm not here either to tell you what to do, or not. These are very personal issues that depend SO much on the people involved -- you, him and the other woman. But I do know that sometimes a marriage is worth fighting for -- and sometimes it's not. For me, honesty and openness are the bedrock of marriage, as much as love is, and sometimes even more. There are days when you may not feel like you love your spouse as much as you should, but without honesty the love is hard to maintain. I have to say, an ongoing multiyear affair for me would be a dealbreaker, much more than a one night stand, or a brief fling that was firmly over when I found out about it. Something short-lived can be the kind of mistake that also shows that there is remorse and recognition that this is wrong. Just as an example, I recently found out a good friend is cheating on his wife. He is not willing to end the affair, and his wife is saying that counselling will fix everything. I don't think it will if two people want diametrically opposed things -- one wants a monogamous husband, and the other wants his wife and his girlfriend -- and neither is willing to budge.
 
When you find out things like this, it feels like your life is going to end -- the axis of the earth is off kilter, nothing looks right even though superficially to outsiders everything looks the same. My ex walked out on me and when he did, I felt like life never would be the same again. Actually, that was correct -- life is different now without him, but significantly better, because I chose to make it better. If -- if! -- you choose to move on, trust that you will live. Even if you don't, it's time to gather your team together -- friends and family, wherever they may be -- and lean on them as hard as you need. I couldn't have made it without mine. You deserve happiness -- and if this isn't what happiness looks like, you can find it elsewhere. ❤️ 

Hello to all of you that replied to my topic, 2 years or so ago. Here’s just a little update. I emailed a couple forms for her interview in the middle of October. I got a interview date on Halloween for November 14th. Which is today. She went to the interview prepared and they only asked her 3 questions and told her that her Visa will be ready in a week. Glad to find out that all the people that said, ya right she won’t get was wrong. And to all the people that had incite full information about how to go about it I thank you very much. I will be going in February and I will not be waiving to her as I walk into the airport, because she will be coming home with me! 
 
 
 
 
 

Unfortunately due to the reactions they get I'm not at all surprised.   
 
 

I think this will answrr your questions.
 
As part of its benefits adjudication process and as required by law, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) conducts background checks on petitioners and applicants who seek certain immigration benefits. These background checks consist of four separate checks against systems within Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In order to facilitate the collection and transmission of information necessary to complete background check processes, USCIS maintains five information technology electronic systems: the Fingerprint Masthead Notification System (FMNS), the Customer Identity Capture System (CICS), the FD-258 Tracking System - Mainframe (FD-258 MF), the Benefits Biometrics Support System (BBSS), and the Interagency Border Inspection System (IBIS) Manifest. USCIS is conducting this privacy impact assessment (PIA) because FMNS, CICS, FD-258 MF, BBSS, and IBIS Manifest collect, use, and share personally identifiable information (PII). This PIA replaces the previously published USCIS PIA for the "Background Check Service (BCS)" which describes planned background check-related systems that were never implemented. Upon publication of this PIA, the BCS PIA will be retired.
Additional screening and background checks based on country of birth, citizenship, or residency in the “State Sponsors of Terrorism” (T-7) list: Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Sudan, Syria; or from the “List of 26”: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE, Yemen. This is a mandatory stop list and allegedly takes 2 to 4 days, thanks in part to the partially rolled out PATRIOT (Pre-Adjudicated Threat Recognition and Intelligence Operations Team) system managed by ICE, but often take 3 to 6 weeks and if there is a hit who knows how long.
Security Advisory Opinion (SAO) or Washington Special Clearance,[1] commonly called security clearance, administrative clearance, or administrative processing,[2] is a process the United States Department of State and the diplomatic missions of the United States use in deciding to grant or deny a United States visa to certain visa applicants. The process involves sending a request from the visa issuing post to the Department of State's headquarters in Washington, D.C., to investigate an individual's case for possible espionage, terrorism, and illegal export of technology out of the United States. 
 

We interview under US laws but the culture in the country plays a big part in the interview
and the following will tell you why she doesn't want her parents to know
 
Under Islamic law, regardless of the school of thought, Muslim women may not marry non-Muslim men
 
you can read further on this site:
https://www.loc.gov/law/help/marriage/interfaith-prohibition.php

If things haven't changed, the beneficiary should receive an email from the embassy 3-4 weeks after the NVC forwarded the petition.  You can go ahead and fill out the DS-160.  We had actually scheduled the interview before getting the email from the embassy, because we didn't know there was an email coming.  But you would definitely want confirmation that they have your case before actually going to an interview.  You have to have an interview date before you are allowed to schedule the medical.
 
Here is what the email from the embassy said. Hope this helps.
 
We are pleased to inform you that our office has received the subject case from the National Visa Center to initiate the visa processing of this case.   Please follow the link below in order to get the complete information on “How to set an online appointment and what documents will be required at the time of interview?”
 
http://www.ustraveldocs.com/pk/pk-iv-kvisa.asp

He didn't have any trouble getting the UAE visa.  Actually, you might be able to fly through Qatar, which is now visa on arrival for Pakistani passports.

I feel very good about our package and our story. I’ve learned unfortunately this is a lurking site not a participating site.  There is nothing helpful when I start off with I had a good experience and it was short money for me to tell me I wasted my money , etc etc etc   Someone tells you your dress is ugly that you liked and already purchased is not helpful. Comes off defensive?  Ok. 
 
Agreed I was not asking a question or even asking for opinions. I had a good experience, I thought I was passing forward some information to be part of the community and said many times if not for you cool. To keep harping on why I did something is weird to me. I feel good about my experience. I have the money. It gave me piece of mind...so who cares.   You don’t need to use the service don’t. You had an easy process great.  I wish nothing but best of luck to all couples in no matter how they get their journey completed.   
 
I wish I could close this thread or stop commenting at this point. Use him. Don’t use him. Hire someone. Don’t. It was just my experience. Good luck to all 

Alhamdulillah no doubt ALLAH is the best planner. Got visa 

AP can depend on a lot of factors.  Travel history, common name, where you live or other details no one outside the embassy really knows.  This website gives great advice for the most part (after you bypass the many judgmental post).  Anyone waiting almost a year in the black hole called AP would have some sense of desperation.. and moving to Pakistan maybe a thought but as an American woman the last resort.   Not everyone can just pick up and leave there entire estate, children (if any) and career just like that.   Besides that fact that AP could result in a denial (which then you could make these types of plans) OR an issue of the visa.  Without any concrete answers as to how long and the result its difficult to make such challenging life changes.   
 
You and your wife have all life together.   After several years of marriage when you look back to the few hard years in the beginning it will just be  a memory.

Your educated guess was spot on.  Interview is scheduled for October 23rd.  Thanks for all your help!

Baz20---Thanks for the kind words. Sometimes I think people on here probably think that my husband probably really IS still married to his ex and is lying to me or he would not have written that coerced false confession. Nobody can believe that anybody would do that, but when you are a kind, mild, law-abiding citizen (not corrupt like so many) and you are screamed at, intimidated, and threatened, nice people tend to be scared out of their minds and do what they are told to escape a horrifying situation. We have applied again for our CR-1, filed a formal complaint against that Embassy, and will continue on until the end, even if we remain a long-distance couple. I am happy to report my sweet husband is now working in Dubai, is getting his confidence back, and after only 2 weeks working as a Customer Service Manager for a Marriott there, has already been assigned to travel around training new hires. (He has over 20 years experience as a travel agent/owner). We have been together 7.5 years now. It's so ludicrous for them to think he is still married to his ex (especially since his entire family AND his ex have appeared before a judge and testified that they are indeed divorced)...but you know the truth is, the embassy knew then and they know now he wasn't still married to his ex, they just didn't want to give him a visa. The real crime is that our own US Embassy hires locals to destroy their own countrymen. They don't want to get their own hands dirty. And isn't it a coincidence that none of the "interviews" aren taped or recorded? No record=no evidence. Where else in the world would that happen in any type of important meeting? We will continue to fight until the end...we're not scared. They can deny us, but they can't destroy us or our marriage. God knows the truth.
 
PS--For you people that say they are just doing their job---you're full of it! They can interview people in a decent way without using terror tactics. There is absolutely NO excuse for the way they are treating people!!

That was exactly what I needed.
 
Thank You.