My Mzuri

Hi. I am very happy for you and thanks for the positive update. I know you must be experiencing the feeling others have been dreaming about right now. Pure happeness. I hope all works out well for you and your spouse. My fiance and I are waiting on the embassy in Nairobi to open. Her initial interview was scheduled for April 14 but cancelled. 😪. Anyway happy you received positive news. 

Further update... 
I received an email this morning telling me to "please complete my medical and schedule the interview within 7 working days", followed by another email, asking me to please deliver my documents at the embassy. Needless to say, This was very unexpected. I called the embassy and they told me to bring all my relevant documents (civil, tax, aos etc, basically everything that was uploaded to ceac). 
While there I was told I will have to complete my medical first, and have the results available to do my interview. The friendly gentleman at the embassy immediately scheduled my interview for a week later, as I could only get a medical for Monday. He told me to only bring "passport, photos, myself..." his words. 
So my interview has been moved to the 21st. I think they do it this way to limit time spent during the interview, but also to have less people there at one time. Maybe, I'm just speculating. Though it is still pretty stressful, everyone was incredibly friendly and helpful

Hi. I am very happy for you and thanks for the positive update. I know you must be experiencing the feeling others have been dreaming about right now. Pure happeness. I hope all works out well for you and your spouse. My fiance and I are waiting on the embassy in Nairobi to open. Her initial interview was scheduled for April 14 but cancelled. 😪. Anyway happy you received positive news. 

I keep seeing in different threads that the consulates will open once the host country is in phase 3 of reopening. Does anyone know anything about that? I can't seem to find that anywhere online but multiple people have said the same thing. 

Coronavirus cases were less ! The countries opened up ! ALL business were opened up! But us embassy were still closed . Spain embassies were opened all others too my friend got his spain visa from Pakistan! Nowww again the coronavirus is getting stronger   so why are we having any hopes anymore ? Why would they open embassy now if they didnt in less cases ?

exactly.  In many countries, businesses are back to work...except for the USA embassy (I don't know and don't care about other embassies).  Tells us (sadly) that this is political rather than health related. And certainly not "let's get back to work related".  (here is where the "don't complain about our awesome government" police pile onto me).

Sorry to hear this and I hope things work out and your mother gets here safely. Please all remember vote in November.

Please consider supporting the #LoveIsEssential and #LoveIsNotTourism petitions:
 
https://www.change.org/p/ylva-johansson-love-an-essential-reason-for-travel-open-eu-us-brazil-external-borders-to-reunite-couples-asap
 
Let us flood the EU Commission, EU Council Press  and Ylva Johansson with our requests. 
 
If you can handle another dose of heartbreak today, watch this:
 
 

I sent the email now! I will follow up with the response. Thank you for the support! 

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. 

O.O really where does it say that if I may ask? I would love to see  

that just goes to show that it’s the department if state’s decision to continue routine visa services and not the host country unfortunately

Nothing in particular about page 3. Was just linking to the document. So do you think they are not returning to routine services right now because of a directive from Washington? Which would get back to the administrations anti-immigration stance?

Have you read the policy document? https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6884940-Diplomacy-Strong.html#text/p3 it specifically says that local conditions will determine when the embassy/consulate can safely open

The horrible side effect of the ridiculous amount of EOs is that it's super hard to Google any specific one, so ugh. I do remember a video of Trump announcing that he's ordered the suspension, so yes, it's a directive from Washington. It's super hard to predict if it's really just temporary because of the workload, or if it's there until he explicitly gives them the go-ahead. I have no idea, it could go either way.
 
All I know is that there are a bunch of countries who've somewhat successfully flattened the curve, but that there isn't a single country where they've processed anything other than mission-critical and emergency visas.

This has nothing to do with us but at least gives us some hope. German embassy in Bosnia is opening up from next week, and day will be processing just some type of visas and one of those is family based. Let’s hope US goes the same way 

Thanks for the update H. I will take a look at the Nairobi embassy and let you know what it says. 

Thanks for the update H. I will take a look at the Nairobi embassy and let you know what it says. 

Hi,
I recently emailed the Moscow Consulate regarding this issue. And here’s the email reply  they sent to me.
“Thank you for your email.  We are aware there are many K1 petitions still pending interview. Once normal operations resume, we will reach out to all those pending K1 interviews, affirm their desire to extend the petition, and schedule interviews. There is no action K1 petitioners or beneficiaries need to take at this time.”   Sincerely, Visa Services Unit
   

I don't know if this is news or interesting to anyone but I saw on the State Departments website they updated a alert to Passport Operations in Response to COVID-19 in which they made a page for FAQ and one of them was discussing Phases in reopenings:
 
2. What services can I expect in each phase of reopening?
The Department will resume processing passports in phases, while protecting the safety of both our staff and our customers.
Phase 1:  Some of our employees will return to our agencies and centers, allowing us to resume limited processing of applications we already received. Applications will be processed on a first in, first out basis, beginning with the oldest applications received. We will continue to prioritize services for customers with life-or-death emergencies by appointment only. Customers must wear cloth face coverings in all common areas, including our lobbies, and observe strict social distancing. During phase one, we will continue to recommend customers wait to submit new or renewal applications as delays will continue.
Phase 2:  Most staff will return to our agencies and centers, and we will be able to resume processing more of the applications we already received. Applications will be processed on a first in, first out basis, beginning with the oldest applications received. While we will continue prioritizing life-or-death emergency cases, we will also offer more appointments at our agencies and centers. Services offered at our agencies will continue to be by appointment only. Staff and customers should wear cloth face coverings in all common areas, including our lobbies, and continue to observe social distancing. During phase two, we will continue to recommend customers wait to submit new or renewal applications as delays will continue.
Phase 3:  All remaining staff return to our agencies and centers, and we plan to resume normal operations. We will offer a processing time commitment for routine service and resume expedited service in this phase. You should continue to make an appointment to apply at an agency or center. We will continue to address applications on a first in, first out basis, focusing on the oldest applications. Staff and customers may wear cloth face coverings in common areas and we will encourage social distancing.
 
I know its talking about passport operations but I thought it might have the same rules or guidelines for routine visa interviews and it was interesting to see it written exactly what the phases are. 
 
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/passport-covid-19.html

Hi. I emailed the embassy in Nairobi twice and each time they replied within a day or so. They extended my approved I-129F for 60 days initially. I may need to ask for another extension soon. But I have heard that technically it stays valid for one year as long as you show that you are still interested in the Visa/application. So send emails etc. 

I reached out to my congresswoman last night in the 7th Congressional district of Virginia about our pending k1 visa. I explained that my fiance had an interview on April 14th which was cancelled due to COVID. I am happy to report that a staffer called me today and was very pleasant. She sent me the form giving them permission to enquire on my behalf at the embassy in Nairobi. I will keep you all posted on what I hear. 

Sorry to hear this and I hope things work out and your mother gets here safely. Please all remember vote in November.

I reached out to my congresswoman last night in the 7th Congressional district of Virginia about our pending k1 visa. I explained that my fiance had an interview on April 14th which was cancelled due to COVID. I am happy to report that a staffer called me today and was very pleasant. She sent me the form giving them permission to enquire on my behalf at the embassy in Nairobi. I will keep you all posted on what I hear. 

Anyone (that actually participates in this forum, not just rumor) actually have an interview yet?