Skyler2017

Thanks all for your input, I appreciate your insight!
In fact, I'm so ready for all the work travel to be over. I wish it was over already because it is extremely tiring. I have now booked the interview and the medical.

Hi VJ fam,
I travel extensively for work and I'm finalizing my projects within this month as we are getting closer to K1 finalization. I'm at interview scheduling phase and a slot just opened up at the Johannesburg consulate that I desperately want to book (and probably will be doing so after I write this post - so I am mostly looking for confirmation lol).
 
My concern is that with work travel, I have to be available on short notice to travel to site and there is an off chance that I might need to reschedule my interview appointment - I know, I wish I didn't have prioritize work over being with my love (and waiting so long for this moment!), but sometimes this is unfortunately how the cookie crumbles, so please don't tell me "skip work, attend the interview".
 
My question is - can I book the interview slot and consequently book my medical exam and say for example I have to reschedule the interview - will I be ok to reschedule my interview but still attend my medical appointment? I know this is probably consulate-specific but if you've experienced something like this or just have some wisdom to share, please do!
 
Thank you!

After almost a month of checking daily, finally able to schedule an interview appointment for October

I prepared a flexible binder with protectors to topic specific files like
 
Green Folder: Affidavit of support with a simple Table of Contents and applied detailed post-its on each part of the forms. (Tax Documents, Bank Statements, Employment Verification etc.)
 
Blue Folder: Updated Proof of Relationship (since submission of application), Post-its (September 2016, October 2016..., Hongkong Trip Jan 3-6, Airline tickets, Accommodation,  etc.)
 
Expandable (Accordion type) Folder: Labeled important documents to pull out easily like ( NOA forms, NBI Clearance, Visa Photos, Appointment papers, DS-160...)
 
That's how mine is. As long as its not the hard cover binders because you have to slip the folders through a fair sized hole through the window.

Has been explained well multiple times already, but I just confirm again, I also had an old SSN from an F1 student visa from 2000 because I worked on campus. After my immigration in 2016 on EB1A I soon went to the closest social security office in town, I think I was even able to book an appointment at the time. Wait wasn't that long and everyone was friendly and my status got updated. I didn't have my original card anymore so they mailed me a new one and also the I-551 Stamp was sufficient for identification.
 
Good luck! 😊

Hi folk,
My fiancé had her interview this morning and was granted k1 visa. It literally took us 572 days in total from NOA1 to finish line.
I hope everybody gets to hear the good news soon. Best wishes to all!
 

Thanks all for your input, I appreciate your insight!
In fact, I'm so ready for all the work travel to be over. I wish it was over already because it is extremely tiring. I have now booked the interview and the medical.

Thanks all for your input, I appreciate your insight!
In fact, I'm so ready for all the work travel to be over. I wish it was over already because it is extremely tiring. I have now booked the interview and the medical.

Hopefully you are fully mentally prepared for no work and no travel for 7-8 months once you get to the US. I was in that exact position when I moved, and back in 2017 it was "only" 4 months wait for EAD/AP - I was still climbing the walls. I transfered within the company and had my work all ready to go as soon as I got the EAD, but it was still pure agony, especially since I went from multiple international trips/month to nothing at all while I was waiting.
 
At least I took up yoga for a few months...
 
Best of luck!

South Africa specific advice/opinion:
You want to JUMP on that medical date. 
Take it and make sure you go to it... many people struggle to get appointments in SA. In addition, they can really drag at sending the medicals to the embassy so a few people have had to wait a month or so after interview to receive their visa. Others are only able to go to the medical AFTER the exam as they are so difficult to obtain.
General K1 advice/opinion:
I believe you are able to re-schedule the k1 interview up to 3 times after that you need to pay the fee again. 
In addition, if you delay the visa for too long the consulate might doubt whether the relationship is genuine. 
Work might come first now. But, you have to think long term.
It is not just about reuniting with your love but actually obtaining the visa and being able to travel to the US.
Good luck
Main takeaway: make sure you go to the exam. It might be before the interview. It might be after. 
 

Following up on my most recent post: I was approved during my interview today!! 💕 

I just wanted to share that I’ve booked an interview for next Thursday, August 18th! The Montreal embassy didn’t have any appointment dates open up for a month and the waiting was agony! My NOA1 was Feb 7, 2022 and NOA2 was April 4, 2023. 

Good Morning,
 
My fiance had the interview in Buenos Aires and was approved.  She should get here in the next 4 weeks or so.  First week of September.

Good evening to the most patient love-drunk folks I know (myself included🙋‍♀️ 🫣😝). Update from us:
NVC "sent to consulate" mail: 18/7/2023
NVC "Ready" on CEAC: 25/7/2023... furiously types mail to Johannesburg Consulate
JHB Consulate sends P3 (which really is just a list of next steps & docs to bring to interview): 27/7/2023
We complete DS-160 & make the $265 payment - same day
Only interview available now is 10/8/2023 - not feasible for us.
Waiting for next available interview date (apparently released monthly).... [insert last-of-my-last said patience]
 
Fingers crossed for everyone still waiting!!!
 

Hi all,
 
My case is now ready and I have booked my medical and interview.
 
Just wanted to say....
 
Thank you so much to everyone who has posted on this forum, you've all kept me positive and optimistic beyond belief and your messages made me feel like i was not alone or lost in the process.
 
I wish and pray all of your cases go successfully and hastily going forward !
 
Thanks again...
 
Osman.

Good evening to the most patient love-drunk folks I know (myself included🙋‍♀️ 🫣😝). Update from us:
NVC "sent to consulate" mail: 18/7/2023
NVC "Ready" on CEAC: 25/7/2023... furiously types mail to Johannesburg Consulate
JHB Consulate sends P3 (which really is just a list of next steps & docs to bring to interview): 27/7/2023
We complete DS-160 & make the $265 payment - same day
Only interview available now is 10/8/2023 - not feasible for us.
Waiting for next available interview date (apparently released monthly).... [insert last-of-my-last said patience]
 
Fingers crossed for everyone still waiting!!!
 

Good evening to the most patient love-drunk folks I know (myself included🙋‍♀️ 🫣😝). Update from us:
NVC "sent to consulate" mail: 18/7/2023
NVC "Ready" on CEAC: 25/7/2023... furiously types mail to Johannesburg Consulate
JHB Consulate sends P3 (which really is just a list of next steps & docs to bring to interview): 27/7/2023
We complete DS-160 & make the $265 payment - same day
Only interview available now is 10/8/2023 - not feasible for us.
Waiting for next available interview date (apparently released monthly).... [insert last-of-my-last said patience]
 
Fingers crossed for everyone still waiting!!!
 

Good evening to the most patient love-drunk folks I know (myself included🙋‍♀️ 🫣😝). Update from us:
NVC "sent to consulate" mail: 18/7/2023
NVC "Ready" on CEAC: 25/7/2023... furiously types mail to Johannesburg Consulate
JHB Consulate sends P3 (which really is just a list of next steps & docs to bring to interview): 27/7/2023
We complete DS-160 & make the $265 payment - same day
Only interview available now is 10/8/2023 - not feasible for us.
Waiting for next available interview date (apparently released monthly).... [insert last-of-my-last said patience]
 
Fingers crossed for everyone still waiting!!!
 

Good evening to the most patient love-drunk folks I know (myself included🙋‍♀️ 🫣😝). Update from us:
NVC "sent to consulate" mail: 18/7/2023
NVC "Ready" on CEAC: 25/7/2023... furiously types mail to Johannesburg Consulate
JHB Consulate sends P3 (which really is just a list of next steps & docs to bring to interview): 27/7/2023
We complete DS-160 & make the $265 payment - same day
Only interview available now is 10/8/2023 - not feasible for us.
Waiting for next available interview date (apparently released monthly).... [insert last-of-my-last said patience]
 
Fingers crossed for everyone still waiting!!!
 

Good evening to the most patient love-drunk folks I know (myself included🙋‍♀️ 🫣😝). Update from us:
NVC "sent to consulate" mail: 18/7/2023
NVC "Ready" on CEAC: 25/7/2023... furiously types mail to Johannesburg Consulate
JHB Consulate sends P3 (which really is just a list of next steps & docs to bring to interview): 27/7/2023
We complete DS-160 & make the $265 payment - same day
Only interview available now is 10/8/2023 - not feasible for us.
Waiting for next available interview date (apparently released monthly).... [insert last-of-my-last said patience]
 
Fingers crossed for everyone still waiting!!!
 

Hi all,
 
My case changed to 'in transit' just now.
 
Very excited and nervous. !
 
I have to wait till its 'ready'  in order to book an interview right? 
 
Hope everyone else receives some good news this week..!
 

Got my P3 on July 29, sent it back July 30 and received my P4 today!
No interviews available to book yet but getting excited!!

Fiance had her interview today and was approved!  We received packet 3 last week on the 10th and she was able to schedule her medical appointment and interview within a week.  She said the interview was short and not many questions were asked by the consular officer she spoke to.

The DS-160 is an online form. Either one of you can fill it out. Id suggest working on it together and gathering all your documents first because it's not the easiest form to get done. I know because Ive already submitted my fiance's DS-160 along with her son's. The embassy will want a form DS-160 completed online for EACH applicant, including all children that will also be receiving a visa. If your fiancée will be bringing 4 children, then you will need to complete and submit a DS-160 for all 4 children, plus your fiancée. The DS-160 will require the ALIEN to upload a 2x2 passport size photo of the ALIEN with a white background. You must upload a picture or it will not allow you to submit. When you have completed the form and uploaded the picture you will click the SUBMIT BUTTON. Once you submit it, it will be sent directly to the US State Department and it will instantly provide you with a confirmation page. You MUST print the confirmation page (or choose the email option to print later) and take it to your embassy interview. They do not want you to bring the entire form, they only want you to bring the confirmation page. Special Note: If you spend too long on any page the system will think you are no longer there and it will time out and you will lose everything on that page and have to start over, so try to move quickly through it.
 
DS-160 online form https://ceac.state.gov/GenNIV/Default.aspx
Instructions https://ceac.state.gov/GenNIV/Common/Instructions.aspx
FAQ's https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/forms/ds-160-online-nonimmigrant-visa-application/ds-160-faqs.html
Digital image requirements https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos/digital-image-requirements.html

After inquiring weekly, we just got our case number from NVC inquiry 3 days ago (NOA2 4/20), now it's already at the Embassy with a status of Ready, so guess we just wait for the packet now. It's all finally happening! and fast!