Kefa and Sarah

No it's the CR-1/IR-1. I think that NVC schedules spouse visas which is probably where the hold up is...K-1 you can just schedule yourself.

(FYI, K-2 is for dependant children of K-1 visa holders.)

OOO, sorry for my mixup! My knowledge is only in K-1. Hope I didn't confuse anyone!

Thank you for the information but when i contact NVC they tell me that they are waiting on the embassy and when I did contact the embassy they said that NVC has to schedule them. I am contacting both today asking to speak to someone that will tell me something. Does the embassy schedule Spouse visas?

Is the spouse visa a K-2 visa?

We have been waiting for NVC to schedule an interview date since april 18. They say that they have to receive openings from the embassy in KEnya. I have no idea what is taking so long. Everyone else is getting their dates. What is going on with the embassy, please schedule us.

Have you received an email from the US embassy in Nairobi stating they have your case? It was this email that allowed us to use the new internet based system to schedule our own interview. The NVC only forwards your case to the embassy, they don't do the scheduling in Nairobi. If you haven't received an email, you should call or email the embassy to make sure they have your case. This website will give you more information on the new process: http://nairobi.usembassy.gov/immigrant_visas.html and I would recommend using this email: ImmigrationVisaNairobi@state.gov to contact the embassy, they respond pretty quickly.

Hope that helps! Good Luck!

She did finally get her passport. On Friday she went to DHL 1st thing and they did not have it. She went back to the embassy and they told her she had to go back to DHL because it should be there. She went back and waited FIVE hours before they told her it got sent to the WRONG DHL location. I didn't ask her if she verified the information it it to be correct, so I hope she did because she is almost on her way home already. It would be a bad thing for her to get back to Mauritius and find out something was printed incorrectly! Anyway. Still very relieved. Although she did not have a Waybill number, there is one that is supposed to be listed on the visa website. I am assuming she did not have one because she scheduled her interview in February. Back before the new method went into effect.

VERY happy to hear the news! Hope everything goes smoothly from here on out for you two! I'm gonna go try and find that waybill number!!

She tried to go to pick it up today and the DHL people said that they have not received ANY passports and people have been trying to get them all day long. What a heartache! This has become almost as difficult as the time leading up to her interview. She said she NEEDS to get her passport on Friday because she leaves on Saturday. She can't leave with no passport. She is supposed to be joining me in just over a week. What a pain in my ####! They try to make it easier by doing the DHL thing but it makes it more difficult.

I was worried this would be the case when they decided to send it through DHL. boo. Did she finally get it? Or where did she contact to find out information? I really hope they can get this process working better - on the new website it says you can track your visa, however you aren't given the information ( a bill number?!) to track it. I'm just confused. Anyone have anymore information?

Hope things worked out in time xthemasterx! Keep us all updated.

I am so happy to hear all the good news! Kefa and Sarah and John and Yveline...it's all just great. Congratulations to everyone! I am shocked that they let you in Sarah...wow, looks like things change there almost on a daily basis. Let's hope when we have our interview that I will be allowed in as well. Congrats again to everyone.

I was SHOCKED when I get let in too, but honestly the all of the security guards were really nice - if you insist, I don't think getting in will be a problem. The lady who interviewed my fiance was the only one who seemed to have a problem with the American citizens in the waiting room, so if nothing else at least you can get in and wait on the shaded, soft benches right outside the waiting room!

Congrats on your NOA2! You'll be here in no time - the process really moves after you receive it. Good Luck with everything!

Hello Fellow Nairobi Embassy-ers!

My fiance and I were APPROVED of our visa this morning!!! We seem to be the 1st people to get through the process using the new computer system. It actually went more smoothly than could have expected, I was even let into the embassy. A couple ahead of us had gone in together, so when the guards checking my fiance with the metal detector found my passport in his pocket, he asked "where is she?" and then asked me to come in. He said I could go with him, just not to the counter. So I got to sit with him, until the lady at counter 10 (blond, white American) saw us sitting holding hands and called the security guard over and said "There are petitioners in the waiting room. Who is letting US citizens in the waiting room, they are NOT allowed?!" - she then proceeded to announce that all American citizens had to leave the waiting room. So the other guy and I had to leave - thankfully, just right outside the waiting room. I could hear my fiance's name called to counter 10 and then about 10 minutes letter he came to the door smiling!!! And just like that, we had a visa!

He said she asked When we met - then asked for proof of relationship, noticed our Western Union and asked about me sending money - then about if he had ever met my parents/been to the US. He was in the process of getting the affidavit of support and photo album out of our file, when the lady said "No, I don't need those. I'm going to issue the visa!!!" - best words EVER!! She said our visa will be sent out today or tomorrow through DHL to Mombasa, and we should expect it by early next week, but in case of any problems to bring the receipt back to the embassy. I truly believe the individual in counter 10 looks at how confident you are, how quickly you can answer the questions, and your body language. My fiance even heard her say, " I can see a fraud marriage from a mile away!" , when she denied another couple!! So be confident, and things will go well.

If anyone currently going through the process has any questions, feel free to ask. Thank you all for your support through our long journey! Damn it feels good to be here!!!

Hello, my husband and I are nervous because we just made it to NVC and we dont know exactly when the kenyan embassy would schedule an interview for us. I just bought my ticket to kenya for april 20-may 11. It was difficult to take time off of work because I work as a RN. For the people that had interviews already, did you attend the interviews with your spouse or fiance? I keep hearing of how strict the embassy may be. I just dont know if I will be able to make it especially if they do not allow USC to attend. Also, how do you contact the embassy to actually speak to someone? ::thank you

Hey SKK526 - I actually just got to Kenya on sunday, seeing how the embassy has our case in their system, I thought it would be no problem to be on my return flight for April 12th - unfortunately their are some changes to the process. They don't have any openings until May and you can't even book until April, because they are changing their system. We begged and asked for more information, with no luck. So keep your eyes to the website the beginning of april to see what the changes are going to be.

Sorry to be a downer, but I just don't want you to be surprised when you look into things. Hopefully things will be figured out by the time you get here and you'll have no problem!

Yes, definitely. It will happen!

Thanks for all the support guys! I did call the embassy back yesterday and begged for more information, the option of filling in if smoeone cancelled, and that I was in the country specifically for the interview - no luck. She said that she doesn't even have the information, so I need to keep watching the website for the changes. I agree with Andrea, I think it might be moving to online booking - but not completely sure, just a guess. I think I'll try and contact my senator's office, see if they can get me some more information - it's worth a shot! We'll just have to wait and see!

Hope you all are having a good week!

Hello everyone! Kefa and I called the embassy today to try and schedule our interview, however the visa department had some surprising news - NO interviews until May and they are changing their interview scheduling process. They told us to watch the website the end of March to get the details on how the new process would go and what we can do to schedule an interview. Anyone aware of these changes? Any suggestions as to how we can get them to give us an interview before then? Anything you have to offer would be much appreciated. Asante!

Maybe try to get a letter from your employer with an estimate (based on like...what you've earned in the last 6 months or something) of what you will earn in a year? I think that would maybe work, combined with pay stubs and/or bank statements. Tough decision...but good that you have a co-sponsor, so if they don't like however you calculate it you have a back up!

Sifa says he just put down his secondary school & colleges for the education question, if he remembers correctly. I think that would be ok. And he estimated start/end dates if he wasn't sure.

I have a letter from my employer that states my hourly rate and my guaranteed hours for each pay period - so I think I've decided to just multiply it out and give them that number. Like you said, if nothing else they can turn to my co-sponsor. Here's to hoping for the best!

Asante to you and Sifa for your help! I was hoping that was the answer you would give me - it's nice when they don't make it too difficult.

I'll have to ask Sifa about the schools. If I had to guess he probably put just secondary and beyond but I'm not sure.

43A - Even if you check yes, they will not issue an SSN automatically to a K-1 visa holder so it really doesn't matter. You'll need to go into the SSA about 2 weeks after he gets here to apply for an SS number and card. I think we checked no, but...I don't think either way hurts/helps.

I think we checked no on the question about someone assisting you with the paperwork since we figured it meant more like outside help (ie, a lawyer or something like that) not the petitioner. We didn't have any trouble.

I would put whatever is on your W-2 from last year (if you worked for the same company the whole year.) If not...I'm nnot sure how you would calculate. I'll think about it some more.

Thank you SOOO much for the quick reply Katie! It really helps to calm me down - as you might expect, I'm starting to really go crazy!!!

Unfortunately I didn't work for the same company, I just started in August of 2010. I have been planning on needing a co-sponsor (My Mom) since the beginning, we have all her stuff together and she more than meets the income requirement. My thinking is, as long as the number can be proven mathematically or is the number is what was on my 2010 W-2, I'll need a co-sponsor. So maybe either way!?!? Any more thoughts?

Hey All - Hope you guys had a nice weekend! I am leaving for Kenya on Saturday , However I'm starting to freak out a bit about having all the information we need for the interview together before then. So here are some questions -

On the DS-230 (biographic data) form, question #33 asks for all educational institutions attended. They only provide 4 spaces. Are they looking for just the most recent 4 or completely back to his primary schools so I should attach an extra sheet of paper? How important is it to be exact on the month and dates - my fiance isn't exactly sure on them.

On the same form -#43a it asks if you have ever applied for a SSN number - he hasn't. So under the No selection it asks if you want the social security administration to assign you a SSN and issue a card? - do I answer YES or NO to this?

This same form and some others ask if you were assisted in completing this application - seeing how it would be easier for me to print things off here in the US, I'm planning on filling out the forms and making enough copies to bring with me. Will it be a problem if I answer YES to these questions? As in, will it draw any red flags?

As for the I-134, I'm confused as to what I should state as my annual income. I am a full time employee, that gets paid hourly, with a guaranteed amount of hours for my 2 week pay period. Would I do the math for the year and have this be the number I state? Or the letter from my bank states an annual amount that is in my bank account - is that number I should put? The 1st number will be below the needed amount (no problem, also have my mom as a co-sponsor who makes enough) and the bank account number is just above.

Your feedback is much appreciated. THANK YOU ALL!!!

Jealous that you'll be in Kenya in 16 days! Just heading to Mombasa or any other exciting plans while you're there?

We'll just be getting all the visa stuff/interview done in Nairobi, then spending time with family and friends there and back in Mombasa. It will be almost 9 months since I've seen Kefa once I get there. So just being with him and back in Kenya will be MORE than exciting for me!

Thanks for encouragement ladies! It helps to talk to people who really understand what you are going thru. Now it's time for me to suck it up and focus on the good stuff! Only 16 days until I head to Kenya!

Katie - that's a crazy story! I bet you guys couldn't believe it huh?

Andrea- I'm going to keep the faith that you are right and it will head to Nairob by the end of the week!

Well I guess all this waiting with be in Kefa's favor, we'll get back to the midwest in time for spring and he can slowly adjust to the cold!

How long did it take your case to get to the NVC Katie? Do you remember? I've been following Andrea's journey, (just praying we'll be as fast as her's) and it seems things have slowed down. I called again this morning Andrea, our case is still not in the NVC system. Ok, it's not that bad! It's only been a week - But after all the USCIS waiting and everyone saying how fast it is after the NOA2, I had hopes of FLYING thru the rest of the process. Honestly, time seems to be going the slowest since we got approved. Any advise on how to distract myself!?

Hope you all are having a great day! Thanks for the advise!

Cool! Sifa had nothing but nice things to say about Dr. Patel & his staff. He lived in Kwale while we were doing all the visa stuff, so not too far to come over on the ferry.

This makes me very happy to hear. I think he's a little scared, seeing how up until now people haven't been to nice or helpful. I'll make sure to tell him.

The ferry! - I miss Mombasa! How did Sifa do with his 1st winter? I'm scared my Coastal man, will be less than happy with the cold.

Just wanted to make sure I was on the right track, thanks for the reassurance!

My fiance lives in Mombasa, so it's good hear that it won't take too long to get the Medical exam out of the way.

1. I'm not sure about the medical exam - when Sifa did it he had all of his paperwork and an interview date already lined up. Maybe someone else will have some advice here.

Here where you say, "all of his paperwork", what exactly does that mean? From my understanding, we just print all the papers we need off the embassy website? Or am I completely off on this one?

Thanks very much for your response/help!

Hello my fellow Nairobi Embassy-ers!

After 5 months and 3 weeks, my fiance and I have FINALLY received our NOA2 today! SOOO happy!! I have been reading this thread for a few weeks now, just waiting to be able to write this message and ask my questions. So here I go!

-Is is possible to get a medical exam with just the case number from the NVC, before the packet reach the embassy? or do we have to wait?

-What documentation is needed for the I-134 form? just 2 or 3 of the most recent paychecks and a letter from the employer? what did you use?

-My mom is going to be our co-sponsor, do we both fill out the same paper work? did any of you use a co-sponsor? Was it it any trouble at the embassy?

That's all I can think of for now. Thank you all very much in advance for your help. It's a big confidence booster to know I have a whole thread of people who have been through all of this successfully before me!

Hello fellow RFE-ers,

I received my RFE today asking for proof that the petitioner and beneficiary have met in person. It specifically states needing the front page of the passport with names and any stamped entry to Kenya pages. Originally, I just sent black and white copies of the pages with stamped entries to Kenya, along with photos, and itineraries in my K-1 packet. In response to my RFE, I was planning on sending colored copies of all the necessary pages of my passport, copies of my bank statements for the months I was in Kenya showing ATM transactions, receipts from hotel stays, a personal statement from my friend who traveled to Kenya with me my last trip with her passport stamps, receipts, and photos, along with another longer explanation of the circumstance of our meetings.

I was wondering if it mattered if only my fiance's name was on the hotel receipts? Does anyone have anything I can add? And most importantly, will this be enough evidence to get us approved?! Any advise would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!