A&D25612

On 4/27/2021 at 11:17 AM, al-9000 said:

 

I guess if you completed your DS-160 less than a year ago, then it remains valid and accessible. I could not retrieve my previous one - it kept failing on the security question, even though it was correct.

 

... and this is what the embassy told me on Monday

 

 

 

Strange... mine was definitely done over a year ago, yet it let me retrieve it. I was able to book and complete my medical and my interview date. I emailed the embassy for clarity- hopefully they get back to me before my interview! 

As I'm also waiting for a reissuance, I already done my DS160 last year. I can  retrieve my application as I still have my log in details. It doesn't have an expiry date so are you sure we need to reapply ? I can't find anything that says we need to reapply and the embassy hasn't told me anything about it... 😕   All I can find is that the ds160 is valid as long as none of the details have changed (e.g. address) 

On 4/23/2021 at 4:36 PM, al-9000 said:

Hi mrsaberhagen - I am in the same situation as you, also since last March, so understand how completely frustrating this past year has been. I had the medical 3 days before lockdown began.

 

And after checking almost daily for the past year, I was very relieved to find available appointments - although there were only 3 remaining towards the end of June, I didn't hesitate to to grab one. 

 

I also have the the CEAC notification that the registration was cancelled - which does still worry me slightly as I've not had confirmation that this just an automated response - it would be great to get clarification on this.

 

Can I ask, were you advised to get a new Medical, or are you just doing it again to be 100% sure? I tried to get clairty on this from the embassy  but they just pointed me at the FAQ which isn't clear. The FAQ only mentions possible extending medicals for RE-issuing K-1 visas.

For reissuance, you must have your medical redone if it expired. Same for interview. I was waiting for ages but the embassy told me last week I need to book my medical first, then use the form to request my interview once I've attended medical. Hope that helps

I've used the london embassy's email, and the london cbp email, and both online forms for NIV and IV on the uk gov site lol

11 hours ago, Wuozopo said:

Have you email the Immigrant Visa Unit since the change has been announced to ask for a renewal? Their FAQ mentions that. I wouldn’t think you would need another interview time slot, just a new medical exam and courier in your passport. 

Yeah logically we shouldn't need to. But each embassy have their own procedure and annoyingly London is one of those that require you to have another interview AND medical with an expired K1 (whether it was out of your control or not). It's stupid but that's how London does it 🙄 I totally agree with a partial medical, especially covid testing and vaccination, but an interview? Something that takes 20 minutes and will be the same questions etc as before? Oh and let's not forget the fingerprint they take... yeah, like my fingerprint has changed since last year 😅 But haha jokes on us for thinking the immigration system follows any logic. That's one thing I've learned from all this lol

1 hour ago, olivia77 said:

I saw the London Embassy's tweet - they're basically saying they're not planning to resume yet and NIE is only for valid K1s. There are almost no valid K1s because they all expired! All the rest that are valid are from lawsuits.

 

This is how many valid K1s there are / were issued during the last 6 months:

October 2020 - 1

November 2020 - 1

December 2020 - 8

January 2021 - 19

February 2021 - 2

 

Consider it used to be 100+ issued per month before March 2020. It's a huge backlog.

Hmmm so what does this mean lol, I also recently just got confirmation from the London embassy too, I've attached their response below

Just saw an update on the https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/u-s-visa-and-travel-faqs/ 

I also received an email response from the CBP london embassy which I've attached as well. Hope this helps!!  

16 hours ago, olivia77 said:

 

Good luck!

I probably should have mentioned that our K1 has expired and we've not had any green light regarding it being re-issued in London. We've not been part of the legal action.

Legit in the same situation. Guess all we can do is continue to wait like we've been doing the past 1+ year 😅

3 hours ago, Wuozopo said:

It all boils down to we are in a global pandemic situation. What “used to be” isn’t always safe anymore. Fairness (comparing embassies) sometimes gives way to the severity of Covid in a particular country and local covid precautions in place. Two countries with rules to mesh. And yes, there’s always been those who come up with ways to jump the queue and possibly push others back a bit in the process. Immigration has never been first come, first served. Things happen. You’ll get there, but the wait can unhinge you for sure. I hope you get sorted soon. 

I'm definitely aware of that. As well as immigration was never exactly fair. But doesn't mean we can't complain about it. I also hope our cases get sorted soon. It's been over a year an a half since I've even seen my partner, and being told by london embassy that they're not dealing with K1s when they have been is getting beyond exhausting and frustrating. It doesn't take over a year to stamp a passport. 

On 4/10/2021 at 1:25 AM, Aliciawrfc said:

It’s my understanding that you won’t need a new visa issued. Since they’ve put out that all K1 visa holders fall under the exemption. Someone I know called the London embassy today about that as she’s in the same boat as you. And they told her she didn’t need an updated visa. She can proceed directly to the USA on the one already issued to her. 

I don't understand how they managed to call them and even get through to someone, when the recorded voice clearly states they don't discuss anything visa related. When you try to talk to someone you just get shut down. Hence why I've only ever been able to send emails.

Also side rant, it's great things have moved the way they have but it's not exactly happened fairly. I'm annoyed at the situations where people have got further in the process than me and others who already had their visa but needed a renewal. It is what it is but it's frustrating af, especially how some plaintiffs who were in much earlier stages have now got their visa, yet all I needed is a new stamp. Anyhow, all we can do is wait still so not much has changed in that respect. I imagine my interview will be later than those of plaintiffs but we shall see.. at least we don't need to go to another country for 14 days (which I could never do anyway cause money issues)

2 hours ago, MarieJames said:

We got an email telling us they were in the process of scheduling our case on March 9th, and then on March 30th they sent us an email confirming the interview date. It was exactly 3 weeks later.

Ah ok thanks! I had my email on the 8th March and haven't got an interview date yet.... I'm guessing this is a plaintiff vs non-plaintiff issue. Even though all I needed was a reissuance and already had my medical and interview early last year.. 🙄

On 3/30/2021 at 1:57 PM, MarieJames said:

Got an email with an interview date today! They scheduled us for June 29th. 

On 3/31/2021 at 12:41 PM, sillylilly said:

Got our interview date too!! but its for July 13 looong way to go  

How long did it take for you to receive a date? Like the timeframe between the email that said to wait for an interview date, and the actual interview date notification? 🤔

3 minutes ago, MarieJames said:

Yes! We're round 3 plaintiffs.

Ah okay. So my date will likely be way longer then June. When will this nonsense end.... I seriously hope they make exemptions for us so we don't have to do the 14 day thing in another country because I cannot afford that. So I worry if I do somehow miraculously get my reissuance, it'll just expire all over again and I'll be back to the beginning 

12 minutes ago, MarieJames said:

Got an email with an interview date today! They scheduled us for June 29th. 

Congrats!!! Are you a plaintiff though? 

 I also received that email saying:

"Following the UK national lockdown effective January 5, 2021, the Immigrant Visa Unit is only providing limited visa services. We are in the process of scheduling your case and you will receive notification as soon as your interview appointment is confirmed" after me emailing asking them on an update on the situation at the embassy/my case.

Fingers crossed! I've waited long enough for a reissuance... 

10 minutes ago, EricLT said:

They haven't even filed this motion. I think next week they will ask to add South Africa and then another motion to make original ruling universal. Not sure if they are filed at the same time 

Ah okay, thanks. So probably quite the wait then. A few weeks at the least I'm guessing  😥

14 hours ago, sillylilly said:

does anyone know the email for consulate for London? It says this on their website "There is at present no general embassy email address; nor is there an email address for visa enquiries." but I need to email them regarding round 3 approval. also congrats to all round 3 couples!

This is the only one I know of LondonInfoUnit@state.gov

Have the lawyers given any indication as to when the judge might give his answer on the motion about it applying to ALL k1s, not just plaintiffs? 

12 hours ago, EricLT said:

March 4th is just for status updates. It's not the time he will give decisions 

Oh. 😧 Do you know if they even have a date for the decisions?   

1 hour ago, EricLT said:

I would suggest waiting a little bit and not to sue individually. If the judge agrees to make his original ruling universally applies to all k1, you won't need to sue. 

I mean, for people in similar situations to me, we have no choice but to wait. However, if you can afford it then go for an individual mandamus so you can increase your chances of getting to your loved one sooner, but personally I'd wait it out and see what he says. I think the 4th March is when there's a meeting with the Judge, but I'm not sure if this is just a briefing or if the Judge will give any final decisions. Either way, it's just another date we got to feel hopeful towards and try and get by until then. 

 

41 minutes ago, Plaxerous said:

Ah sorry to hear about that! It sucks how arbitrary the travel bans seem to be.

 

Did you try the individual mandamus yet or are you just trying your best with the embassy?

Thanks. And no, we can't financially afford a mandamus, which is also why we didn't participate in the lawsuit. Couldn't quarantine in another country for 14 days either (not that I could at the time because I didn't have enough days on my visa to have allowed it) as money was also an issue. The k1 process is pretty tough financially anyway, and now I got to go through the medical and interview etc again (when they eventually begin the reissuance process) so I got to try save for that, and likely more plane fares if my current voucher expires (the company we bought from extended it to June 2021). If we had the money spare we definitely would have joined the first round. 

11 hours ago, Plaxerous said:

Are there any participants here who have received their K1 visas but expired before they could travel to the US due to the travel ban? Has the lawsuit helped your consulate re-issue your visa?

 

Also bummed out that my situation was covered under their lawsuit but did not join Round 3 in time... I am considering an individual lawsuit

This is my situation but I'm not a plaintiff. My case should have been straight forward but they are using the travel ban as an excuse to not process non-plaintiffs. London Embassy have been dealing with k1 plaintiffs from round 1 and 2 as far as I'm aware. I'm not sure about round 3 though. I just hope things start getting better. Getting through each day is becoming more and more difficult, as I'm sure it is for the thousands of other couples out there (both visa and non visa related). 

Congrats! I wish they'd help non-plaintiffs too though. My embassy are only helping plaintiffs... 😢

Nope nothing yet. I'm keeping track of it but nothing yet- at least in relation to my case (London) 

27 minutes ago, thebob said:

Has anyone heard any success for non-plaintiffs?  Seems like the only hope is to join the lawsuit and drop $2k.

Not yet. Still waiting but get the same BS 'replies'. They're focusing on plaintiffs only atm it seems...