desireelb14

Hi Everyone, 

I received case is ready to be scheduled for interview on the 2nd of November and then today (29th November) Fingerprint review was completed. Has anyone received that message and if so, how long did you have to wait for interview after that. I only expect  my interview to be sometime next year but i'm always hoping for sooner. Still waiting for EAC....THe not working part is energy draining. 

1 minute ago, Vintage girl said:

Hi guys, 

 

I was just wondering what is the appropriate outfit to wear to your embassy appointment? Any advice please?

Nerves creaping in. 2 days till my interview appointment . Having mixed emotions about it but I will try to stay calm about it. 

I would suggest smart casual. It's an important interview, need to show them you care. I wore flats because I knew I would be nervous, smart pants and a smart jacket with a nice top underneath. Nothing to formal but not to casual either. 

You will be fine! Just take a few breaths before and always be honest. All the best! You got this :)

32 minutes ago, amaraimee said:

I’ve been told otherwise. It’s any place you’ve resided longer than 6 months. Legal residency

or not.

I had my interview in June and I never had any problems. I had also asked this question and I was told the USCIS does their own background check anyway so it's not necessary. 

1 hour ago, ZTC said:

Hello all!

 

I was in the US on a student visa for 7 years until March 2018. Reaching out to see if anyone has lived in the US for 6 or more months and needed to get a police certificate from there or any other country they were living in previously ? OR Do I just need to get my South African police certificate?

 

 

You don't need a certificate for The USA. I lived there for 2 and a half years and I only submitted my South African police clearance. 

3 minutes ago, kemm360 said:

Will definitely let y’all know... Safe journey and say hello to Trump for us 😊

Haha, sure will do. Our favorite guy. xx

Just now, kemm360 said:

Congratulations. You really deserve it. Thanks for sharing again. Good luck on your new life... It was definitely worth it... Few more days to go for my own interview... 😊

I cant wait for you to let us know the news. Thanks All. I fly out 18th July. xxx

Hi All, Anyone have New Orleans as their port of Entry for K1? there is a direct flight from London to New Olreans which I want to book. Looking for experiences or tips? Thank you

Hi Everyone, @kemm360 @Vintage girl

I have my VISA in hand. 

On Friday - The day after the interview- the status update was 'Administrative Processing" which almost gave me a heart attack as she said approved. But Once I looked it up, its the wording they use for getting the visa and package ready. If it sent to admin processing, they tell you in the interview.

On the following Monday, it changed to Issued and the next day I received an email saying it was ready to be picked up at Sandton DHL. I went straight away and I have it in my hand. 

Keep pushing Saffa friends. The prize is within arms reach. 

10 minutes ago, Vintage girl said:

Hi girl, shame. It's over now. Now your life start and that is the only thing that matters. Congrats. I knew you will be fine. So happy for you.

Yes, I definitely, I went out today and bought matching luggage to celebrate.

Thank you all for the support and messages. Really appreciated all the information's and good luck messages. When I get the passport back with visa I shall let you know. 

3 hours ago, Vintage girl said:

Well, silence is a good sign too. Maybe you're right, she is overwhelmed by joy and busy to pack her bags. I believe it's a Yes!!!

Hi All, Sorry its taken me so long to get on here and let you know. My visa was approved but it didn't go as smoothly as I expected. 

In the end she said, "well I think I have everything, if everything is fine you will have your visa in 2 weeks".. I  replied with Does that mean its approved and she said yes. So all in all I think I have nothing to worry about and maybe I was expecting to much emotion form her, but it didn't give me any reassurance...am I worrying about nothing here?

Before I tell you how it went, some history, I worked in New Orleans for 2 years on a J1 visa and then changed my visa to a B2 tourist visa, this was approved and I spent another 5 months there travelling with my fiance.

I came back in June last year as per my visa date. 

yesterday, I arrived really early which was probably silly but I couldn't sit in the car any longer. Honestly it didn't get me further in the queue because there were 1pm interviews before me. In the end we were all lumped together regardless of your interview time. They use the Ipad to check you in by asking your name and you go through security. Don't take your laptop. They will keep personal belongings and phones but not lap tops. 

I went in and stood in a queue, where you are checked in again and given a number and then I had to sit in the court yard. After about 20 minutes, They called us in 3 people at a time. The first window, I was asked to give fingerprints, my appointment letter, my unabridged birth certificate and a copy, my police Clarence -no copy they keep the original and my proof of relationship .

I had my proof of relationship all organised in a binder with tabs and plastic sleeves only to be told it wouldn't fit in the little slot under the window, so I had to give her a selection of things from the binder. SO my suggestion is to have a binder but also a small package of photos, proof of wedding planning, a few chats combined together with a big paper clip, no plastic sleeves or files. 

She asked me a few general questions and then I was asked to sit back down. Not long after that I was called to the second window and my interview started. The lady was nice, I had to say an oath and then questions began.

Who petitioned for me to be here today? JM - My fiance

when did i meet him? 2015 November

Why were you there? I was an Au Pair. 

Did he ever come to south Africa? Yes, last october

When did you come back to south Africa? I came back in June

Then she looked at my support form and went thoroughly through his tax information, went through all my photos and said they were really nice. 

She asked about my J1 again, and I told her I was on a J1 and changed to B2, I have the document with me from the USCIS that says status was changed - She asked me if I was sure I changed to a B2, I said yes, would you like to see the document? She said there was no need to see it, she was just concerned as it didn't show up. 

Then she said, "it does show a denial for a B2?"I said yes, earlier this year, I had a week off from work and so did J and he wanted me to come visit. I applied for a tourist visa, but was told to wait for the K1. 

She said "that's fine. well I think I have everything, if everything is fine you will have your visa in 2 weeks".. I  replied with Does that mean its approved and she said yes.

I definitely think I proved my case with relationship to my fiance, there was no question there, it was just past USA visa history which seemed to be an issue but I was honest about everything. 

I guess I just have to wait and see now. You get a little note saying that the visa will be ready within 7-10 days and you will get an sms. 

I hope this gives you insight. If you are prepared and confident you will be fine. After the interview I had mixed emotions. Of course If its approved im over the moon, but after 8 months I wanted to hear " your visa is approved" from her mouth. Instead I got 'IF everything is fine, you will get your visa". 

Hey All, Can the peeps that have been approved at Sandton please give tips on interview layout of proof relationship. I know it sounds silly but I worry about everything. Can your proof of relationship and having met in the last two years be organised in a folder separate from everything else. I stress about staples and too many sleeves....My interview is 28th June Sandton. Thank you.

1 hour ago, Vintage girl said:

Here is the address for Home Affairs office Pretoria

 

Postal Address:
Department of Home Affairs

Private Bag X114,

Pretoria

0001

 

Email : hacc@dha.gov.za

 

I lodged a complaint to this email and I also send the package to them asking them in a letter to amend with correct details. They respond really quick if you write them the reason and concern in a letter. I received my unabridged in 2 weeks time.

Thanks for this. I emailed them with my concerns and I will make a trip to the office where I applied as well. 

Oh my gosh how horrible.  I can't even get hold of the head office on the phone, I have emailed them as well just trying to get a status update and to get the waybill number as DOC ASSIST a company that expedites these documents for a fee say they can help but they need the courier number so they can search for the documents, How did you log a request? by going there?

Fellow South Africans, i have a dilemma, i applied for my unabridged birth certificate in January, giving me enough wait time for June/July. They came back in March saying that they had lost my records and i needed to fill in two extra forms. This was two months ago and the lady says they haven;t received any further information and it could take another 4  months????? I don't have 4 months to wait. Have any of you used a service to get it quicker or had the same experience. Freaking out a tiny bit has I made sure I had 5 months wait time.

2 minutes ago, kemm360 said:

Lol we waited 10 months for our NOA2 we’re used to it. But we should get a case number this week though. It’s 19 days now from NOA2. All the best. If yours comes first pls keep me posted if it’s mine I’ll do the same. 😉

Oh gosh that's a long wait. I will definitely keep you posted. 

3 minutes ago, kemm360 said:

Yes that’s it. I’m also in South Africa and just got my Noa2 on 19th April. NVC don’t have a case number for me yet though. The doctor is Dr Hoosen. He’s located in Sandton City Mall just opposite the US Embassy in Sandton. Hope that helps. Goodluck to us... 😊

Okay great thank you. So getting a case number can take a awhile. Its okay though, i'm good at waiting after these 6  months, its become a skill. Thanks for the information. All the best. 

On 2018/02/22 at 11:41 PM, HOORAY7 said:

Hi everyone in South Africa!  My fiancé and I are almost done in our process, she lives in South Africa and I live in the Seattle Washington area.  It took us 5 months to get our NOA2, so be prepared for a wait and don't lose the faith!!  Go on this and search for your month and K1 visa and you will probably pop into a forum, we had one for us in the May 2017 forum.  Help me out a lot to know we were not alone.  We have a lawyer, so I wasn't too concerned about the process, but the waiting is to die for!

Best thing for you all to do is get your police certificates BUT they cannot be older than 6 months.  If you were 16 and older and lived in another country besides S.A., then you will need a police certificate from there as well, so be prepared. 

Start gathering documents, originals of birth certificates, divorce decree's, pictures and other evidence of your relationship that was not included in your original package (since it will take some time, they still want to see you are still an active couple).  Any passport photo's cannot be older than 6 months old. 

When you get your NOA2, give it about 10 days before you call NVC and asking status of your case.  You can always call USCIS for your status, but they are not the friendliest and I wouldn't even but them until at least 90 days minimum, I highly doubt they have caught up with the backlog, especially with all the immigration and DACA stuff going on.  The NVC is much friendlier, when you get there and will help you with no problem with any update you are asking.  But normally when you get your NOA2, like I said give it at least 10 days before you call them.  They didn't get our package for at least 14 days.

After you get your NOA2 and your package goes to NVC, it goes pretty quick, so use this time wisely to gather all your documents.  The petitioner needs to provide pay stubs (3 months), I-134 Aff. of Support, Employment verification letter, VA eligibility letter, if applicable, to show as part of income and last 3 years of tax records.

Then once NVC processes your package, a medical appointment can be made, you only have 2 options, one in Joburg and one in Cape Town.  My fiancé went to Joburg.   It's a 2 day process, but spread between 3 days.  You go one day for bloodwork and xrays and the next for shots and discussion with the dr., so plan on that.

Your finance, not the petitioner, will need to fill out the Visa app online, DS-160 and pay the fee.

Make sure you set up your online account correctly and schedule the interview, she finished her phyicals (her and her boys) in November, but we missed the interview's for Dec/Jan/Feb, due to holiday schedules.  They only do K1 visa interviews there at the consulate the last 2 weeks of the month and only on Tues and Thursdays.  So our interview is 20 March, we scheduled it 26 Dec, because they kept telling her there were no appointments, then we call and it jumped 3 months!  So plan wisely.

Hope this helps some.  Any questions let me know, i'll try to help.

 

Good luck to you all!!

Hey thanks  for such great info. We just received the NOA2 and the more Info I read regarding the next steps the mote confused I am. I understand I should wait +-14 days and the. Call NVC. After that do I book the medical with the case number ? How do we find the address for the JhB doctor? I have my police Clearance which will be valid for another 5 months and I've applied for the unabridged birth certificate in January! We will work on the support form soon. 

Hi there, my fiance and i have been through something similar not too long ago. I had time off work in January 2018 and wanted to visit my fiance for a week in the US. I searched and searched for a direct answer to whether we should try but I couldn't find one. So I went ahead booked my interview and attempted to get a tourist visa. I had all the proof in the world to prove I had every Intention of coming back after a week. When I went to the interview the first thing  they saw was the petition my finance had filed, the counsler officer asked me to confirm that I am currently in process for a k1 , I said yes (never ever lie). After that he just handed me a letter and said I suggest you wait for your K1 visa and said I was illegible for a visa. He didn't even ask for to see any of my proof. I tried to tell him I had proof but said sorry he can't help. Once you apply for the K1 visa you already showing Intent to immigrate. I would suggest just avoid the whole idea. You visit her and save yourselves time, money and tears.