Why the long wait before interview is scheduled

[Zee Bee 61]

I COMPLETELY understand your feelings Zee - it doesn't make heart sense at all. But look at our government and the laws - married couples get more tax advantages, are legally recognized, in most states you can legally sign documents for your spouse, in the event of a death - unless there is will - a fiance doesn't get a thing from the death, in the military if someone dies in the line of battle - their SPOUSE receives a flag not a fiance. The GOVERNMENT places higher priority on marriage. I don't know when the fiance visa was created but I am willing to bet that it was A LOT later than the spousal visa.

And so what?

Does that mean it is OK to move the K1's to the side so that the spousal visas get processed faster?

[WhidbeyGirl 1]

I COMPLETELY understand your feelings Zee - it doesn't make heart sense at all. But look at our government and the laws - married couples get more tax advantages, are legally recognized, in most states you can legally sign documents for your spouse, in the event of a death - unless there is will - a fiance doesn't get a thing from the death, in the military if someone dies in the line of battle - their SPOUSE receives a flag not a fiance. The GOVERNMENT places higher priority on marriage. I don't know when the fiance visa was created but I am willing to bet that it was A LOT later than the spousal visa.

And so what?

Does that mean it is OK to move the K1's to the side so that the spousal visas get processed faster?

In the eyes of the govenment - yes.

In my eyes - no, should be FIFO.

[Sylvia_n_Joseph 3]

Haven't K1's been historically faster than CR1's the only fast track marriage is the k3 which is the more expensive route because you get the adjustment of status here

[Zee Bee 61]

Haven't K1's been historically faster than CR1's the only fast track marriage is the k3 which is the more expensive route because you get the adjustment of status here

Exactly. K visas are designed to get SO's here faster.

[WhidbeyGirl 1]

Haven't K1's been historically faster than CR1's the only fast track marriage is the k3 which is the more expensive route because you get the adjustment of status here

My understanding (which isn't much because I just started this journey) is that the K1's were historically faster so that's why the K3's were created. But now that the K3's are taking about the same time as the CR1's they are pushing the CR1's faster where they can ie scheduling interviews ahead of K1's. Don't take my word as "the word", it's just what I have been hearing.

[Zee Bee 61]

Haven't K1's been historically faster than CR1's the only fast track marriage is the k3 which is the more expensive route because you get the adjustment of status here

My understanding (which isn't much because I just started this journey) is that the K1's were historically faster so that's why the K3's were created. But now that the K3's are taking about the same time as the CR1's they are pushing the CR1's faster where they can ie scheduling interviews ahead of K1's. Don't take my word as "the word", it's just what I have been hearing.

The scheduling for K visas and CR1 visas is different (one is by the consulate, the other by NVC). The interviews (from what I have read) are scheduled on the first available date no matter which route is taken. I have yet to hear of a K1 interview being pushed in preference to a CR1.

Maybe they are pushing the CR1 because, from what I have read, it seems to be taking a long time to get an I-130 approval (why so many cases have been transferred from VSC to CSC).

[Bassi and Zainab 1]

okay, i've never seen that attached chart before, but what i've noticed from zee's tracking is that K1/K3 visas wait anywhere from 4-6 months for an interview, while the CR1/IR1 interviews seem to be scheduled within two months of their case completion at the NVC...which would be in keeping with other NVC cases. i am also hoping for a march interview! i was under the impression that the NVC schedules the date for the CR1/IR1 interviews, while the embassy itself schedules the K1 interviews. i don't know if that is correct since i did not look into a K1 visa, but if true it could explain the discrepancy.

It makes sense, to me at least, that the CR1/IR1 would have priority over K1 because those filing the CR1/IR1 are already married while K1 is "intending" to be married. I know when you're on the receiving end of the longer time it doesn't make sense but if you step back and look at it from the governments perspective it does.

I don't mean to be rude, but just because you are married it does not mean that you have more of a right to be reunited with your loved one than someone else. There are many factors that go into couples choosing a spousal visa vs a fiance(e) visa.

The difference in the interview scheduling times is because K visas (compare the scheduling times for K1 and K3 visas, they are almost the same) are scheduled by the embassy whereas the CR1 visa is scheduled by NVC.

The difference is because K visas are NON-immigrant visas and CR are immigrant visas. In Ghana, there are large numbers of applications for non immigrant visas such as tourists, business and student visas. So it takes longer to schedule all of them.

[Zee Bee 61]

The difference is because K visas are NON-immigrant visas and CR are immigrant visas. In Ghana, there are large numbers of applications for non immigrant visas such as tourists, business and student visas. So it takes longer to schedule all of them.

I forgot that bit

[jamesandwanda 0]

I like your answer the best, it gives me more hope of a March interview.

okay, i've never seen that attached chart before, but what i've noticed from zee's tracking is that K1/K3 visas wait anywhere from 4-6 months for an interview, while the CR1/IR1 interviews seem to be scheduled within two months of their case completion at the NVC...which would be in keeping with other NVC cases. i am also hoping for a march interview! i was under the impression that the NVC schedules the date for the CR1/IR1 interviews, while the embassy itself schedules the K1 interviews. i don't know if that is correct since i did not look into a K1 visa, but if true it could explain the discrepancy.

It makes sense, to me at least, that the CR1/IR1 would have priority over K1 because those filing the CR1/IR1 are already married while K1 is "intending" to be married. I know when you're on the receiving end of the longer time it doesn't make sense but if you step back and look at it from the governments perspective it does.

I don't mean to be rude, but just because you are married it does not mean that you have more of a right to be reunited with your loved one than someone else. There are many factors that go into couples choosing a spousal visa vs a fiance(e) visa.

The difference in the interview scheduling times is because K visas (compare the scheduling times for K1 and K3 visas, they are almost the same) are scheduled by the embassy whereas the CR1 visa is scheduled by NVC.

The difference is because K visas are NON-immigrant visas and CR are immigrant visas. In Ghana, there are large numbers of applications for non immigrant visas such as tourists, business and student visas. So it takes longer to schedule all of them.

[aba anoma 0]

yes, as far as i can tell, we should both be in line for a march interview! from the CR1/IR1 forum, i've learned that the NVC does the interview scheduling the first two weeks of each month. so we've missed out on january but our cases should be complete in time to get in line for scheduling in february. generally- unless the country is v. popular- they seem to arrange the interviews for the following month- in our case, march. looking at the timeline here, it looks like the people who waited two months between case completion and interview were still interviewed the next month following their scheduling (if that makes sense)- ie they completed their case after the first two weeks of the month and so missed that month's scheduling session.

of course, anything can happen- but here's hoping!

[Enlighten one :) 5]

okay, i've never seen that attached chart before,

Chart was derived from VJ Immigration Timeline search for petitions going through Ghana then sorted by Interview date. I cut and pasted it into a spread sheet. Click link below to see actual data.

VJ Immigration Timelines

[Perseverance 1]

To add my own experience here, I used a lawyer, his advice was to go the K1 fiance route that it is historically faster than trying to get married. That if we got married it could be drug out for years.

Now when it came time for the interview the CO tried to use the fact that we were not married against us. "If you are so in love and want to be together why didn't you get married already?" Our response was that our legal counsel advised us not to. At which time the CO had to find another line of questioning.

Bottom line no matter how you file you can fly through the first part of the process, but if the CO wants to hang you up and prolong your case, they can. They can order home investigations which I have seen in some cases (right here on VJ) take years. They do this to try to protect us against fraudulent cases.

okay, i've never seen that attached chart before, but what i've noticed from zee's tracking is that K1/K3 visas wait anywhere from 4-6 months for an interview, while the CR1/IR1 interviews seem to be scheduled within two months of their case completion at the NVC...which would be in keeping with other NVC cases. i am also hoping for a march interview! i was under the impression that the NVC schedules the date for the CR1/IR1 interviews, while the embassy itself schedules the K1 interviews. i don't know if that is correct since i did not look into a K1 visa, but if true it could explain the discrepancy.

It makes sense, to me at least, that the CR1/IR1 would have priority over K1 because those filing the CR1/IR1 are already married while K1 is "intending" to be married. I know when you're on the receiving end of the longer time it doesn't make sense but if you step back and look at it from the governments perspective it does.

I don't mean to be rude, but just because you are married it does not mean that you have more of a right to be reunited with your loved one than someone else. There are many factors that go into couples choosing a spousal visa vs a fiance(e) visa.

The difference in the interview scheduling times is because K visas (compare the scheduling times for K1 and K3 visas, they are almost the same) are scheduled by the embassy whereas the CR1 visa is scheduled by NVC.

The difference is because K visas are NON-immigrant visas and CR are immigrant visas. In Ghana, there are large numbers of applications for non immigrant visas such as tourists, business and student visas. So it takes longer to schedule all of them.