Post I-129 acceptance timing- advice???

[Lena & Sasha 0]

Hi everyone! My name is Elena (a U.S. citizen) and my fiance is Alexander (a Ukrainian citizen). Just yesterday we got our I-129 approved! (Yay!) It actually happened much faster than we thought it would so we've been a bit caught off guard. Currently, I'm in Ukraine visiting him. I've been here since December and was planning to leave (I have a ticket home) on March 4th. Now, however, I'm not sure what to do because I really want to be with him for his interview but only have 3 months (and a little more) left on my tourist visa after March 4th. (I'm writing freelance so I have the freedom to stay as long as I want otherwise).

Either I can change the date of my ticket home until the end of May and hope that everything is set by then, or go back to America in March and then come back here in April (is that too soon to have an interview set up?)... but if I do that then when do I set my return ticket for? I sort of want to avoid buying one-way tickets because, well, it's very expensive. BUT, I'm worried that I will miss the interview somehow... What should I do? Should I just stay and hope everything is wrapped up by the end of May? (That gives us almost 4 months since the I-129 was approved on Feb. 10th) Or should I come back in April and spend three months... giving us 5 or 6 months for the interview to happen.

Also, where do we find out where he can get his medical exam? From what I read here it has to be pretty specific. Would anyone recommend going to the American embassy and bothering them by asking questions like this?

Thank you guys so much, I am so happy I found this site!!!

Elena

[cassi9879 20]

Hi everyone! My name is Elena (a U.S. citizen) and my fiance is Alexander (a Ukrainian citizen). Just yesterday we got our I-129 approved! (Yay!) It actually happened much faster than we thought it would so we've been a bit caught off guard. Currently, I'm in Ukraine visiting him. I've been here since December and was planning to leave (I have a ticket home) on March 4th. Now, however, I'm not sure what to do because I really want to be with him for his interview but only have 3 months (and a little more) left on my tourist visa after March 4th. (I'm writing freelance so I have the freedom to stay as long as I want otherwise).

Either I can change the date of my ticket home until the end of May and hope that everything is set by then, or go back to America in March and then come back here in April (is that too soon to have an interview set up?)... but if I do that then when do I set my return ticket for? I sort of want to avoid buying one-way tickets because, well, it's very expensive. BUT, I'm worried that I will miss the interview somehow... What should I do? Should I just stay and hope everything is wrapped up by the end of May? (That gives us almost 4 months since the I-129 was approved on Feb. 10th) Or should I come back in April and spend three months... giving us 5 or 6 months for the interview to happen.

Also, where do we find out where he can get his medical exam? From what I read here it has to be pretty specific. Would anyone recommend going to the American embassy and bothering them by asking questions like this?

Thank you guys so much, I am so happy I found this site!!!

Elena

It really depends on the timeline for the consulate (Kiev?). We were approved in May but didn't have the interview until August (notice in July). So you'll want to return home and come back later.

[dispozo 0]

Hi, Elena

We will have our interview on Monday. It took just over one month from NOA2 (1/2)1 to our interview (2/23). I would call the NVC, there is a good chance it has already left for Kiev. Our was at NVC for only a few days. When you call NVC ask for your KEV# with this you can get a medical appointment (more info. here: http://kiev.usembassy.gov/visa_K1K2_eng.html). Download info packet.

Good luck!!

[Brad and Vika 129]

Hi, Elena

We will have our interview on Monday. It took just over one month from NOA2 (1/2)1 to our interview (2/23). I would call the NVC, there is a good chance it has already left for Kiev. Our was at NVC for only a few days. When you call NVC ask for your KEV# with this you can get a medical appointment (more info. here: http://kiev.usembassy.gov/visa_K1K2_eng.html). Download info packet.

Good luck!!

Once you have the KEV# - call the number to schedule (it costs $12 for a PIN), and ask what days are available. If there is a cancelation they may be able to work you in early. It does take some time to get your actual file to the embassy and into the system, but then you are good to go.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hi everyone! My name is Elena (a U.S. citizen) and my fiance is Alexander (a Ukrainian citizen). Just yesterday we got our I-129 approved! (Yay!) It actually happened much faster than we thought it would so we've been a bit caught off guard. Currently, I'm in Ukraine visiting him. I've been here since December and was planning to leave (I have a ticket home) on March 4th. Now, however, I'm not sure what to do because I really want to be with him for his interview but only have 3 months (and a little more) left on my tourist visa after March 4th. (I'm writing freelance so I have the freedom to stay as long as I want otherwise).

Either I can change the date of my ticket home until the end of May and hope that everything is set by then, or go back to America in March and then come back here in April (is that too soon to have an interview set up?)... but if I do that then when do I set my return ticket for? I sort of want to avoid buying one-way tickets because, well, it's very expensive. BUT, I'm worried that I will miss the interview somehow... What should I do? Should I just stay and hope everything is wrapped up by the end of May? (That gives us almost 4 months since the I-129 was approved on Feb. 10th) Or should I come back in April and spend three months... giving us 5 or 6 months for the interview to happen.

Also, where do we find out where he can get his medical exam? From what I read here it has to be pretty specific. Would anyone recommend going to the American embassy and bothering them by asking questions like this?

Thank you guys so much, I am so happy I found this site!!!

Elena

Kyiv should have your file and be ready to make an interview about 3 weeks after your NOA2, usually. If YOU are ready, call them as soon as they have your file and make an appointment. They are running 2-3 weeks right now (as of the last two weeks) so it is possible to have an appointment with 5-6 weeks of your NOA2. Send them an email at kyiviv@state.gov and ask if your case is in the system, use your KEV number as a reference. When you have the KEV number you can schedule a medical appointment. Of course you can wait longer, and then your travel plans would be up to you. Your petition will expire 4 months from when it is approved unless you ask for an extension, so you must have an interview before June 10 or get an extension. After the visa is granted you have up to 6 months to enter the USA.

[Brad and Vika 129]

Hi everyone! My name is Elena (a U.S. citizen) and my fiance is Alexander (a Ukrainian citizen). Just yesterday we got our I-129 approved! (Yay!) It actually happened much faster than we thought it would so we've been a bit caught off guard. Currently, I'm in Ukraine visiting him. I've been here since December and was planning to leave (I have a ticket home) on March 4th. Now, however, I'm not sure what to do because I really want to be with him for his interview but only have 3 months (and a little more) left on my tourist visa after March 4th. (I'm writing freelance so I have the freedom to stay as long as I want otherwise).

Either I can change the date of my ticket home until the end of May and hope that everything is set by then, or go back to America in March and then come back here in April (is that too soon to have an interview set up?)... but if I do that then when do I set my return ticket for? I sort of want to avoid buying one-way tickets because, well, it's very expensive. BUT, I'm worried that I will miss the interview somehow... What should I do? Should I just stay and hope everything is wrapped up by the end of May? (That gives us almost 4 months since the I-129 was approved on Feb. 10th) Or should I come back in April and spend three months... giving us 5 or 6 months for the interview to happen.

Also, where do we find out where he can get his medical exam? From what I read here it has to be pretty specific. Would anyone recommend going to the American embassy and bothering them by asking questions like this?

Thank you guys so much, I am so happy I found this site!!!

Elena

Kyiv should have your file and be ready to make an interview about 3 weeks after your NOA2, usually. If YOU are ready, call them as soon as they have your file and make an appointment. They are running 2-3 weeks right now (as of the last two weeks) so it is possible to have an appointment with 5-6 weeks of your NOA2. Send them an email at kyiviv@state.gov and ask if your case is in the system, use your KEV number as a reference. When you have the KEV number you can schedule a medical appointment. Of course you can wait longer, and then your travel plans would be up to you. Your petition will expire 4 months from when it is approved unless you ask for an extension, so you must have an interview before June 10 or get an extension. After the visa is granted you have up to 6 months to enter the USA.

It looks to me like the OP wants an earlier interview, so she can stay for it. Am I missing something?

[Lena & Sasha 0]

Thank you all! I think I'm going to stay and get things done as fast as I (we) can! (That was what I wanted to do, since it would be cheaper and less stressful...) I am jumping off the walls excited!

I have two other questions...

First, Alex and I both lived in Greece before coming here to get our visa. Am I correct in thinking we need to get a police report there and then a translation of that report? Does anyone know who is certified to translate? I have a friend who is a professional translator who has offered to do the translation for us, but she said the "stamp" she has is only accepted by SOME embassies.

Second, because I am still young and poor, and make almost no money, (In Greece I worked in publishing making pennies and then returned to America for 4 months to run a State Senate campaign... which was decent money but wasn't quite a steady job and now I'm working freelance and making, again, pennies), I'm having my mom "sponsor" Alex financially. I'm wondering what financial information I should have her provide. The guidelines seem vague to me.

Thanks again!!

[Brad and Vika 129]

Thank you all! I think I'm going to stay and get things done as fast as I (we) can! (That was what I wanted to do, since it would be cheaper and less stressful...) I am jumping off the walls excited!

I have two other questions...

First, Alex and I both lived in Greece before coming here to get our visa. Am I correct in thinking we need to get a police report there and then a translation of that report? Does anyone know who is certified to translate? I have a friend who is a professional translator who has offered to do the translation for us, but she said the "stamp" she has is only accepted by SOME embassies.

Second, because I am still young and poor, and make almost no money, (In Greece I worked in publishing making pennies and then returned to America for 4 months to run a State Senate campaign... which was decent money but wasn't quite a steady job and now I'm working freelance and making, again, pennies), I'm having my mom "sponsor" Alex financially. I'm wondering what financial information I should have her provide. The guidelines seem vague to me.

Thanks again!!

In reverse order - a tax return should do, if mom's income is being used. There are lots of places to get a translation done, but I am not sure about the Greek.