K-1 Visa Approval Rate -- 95%

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Any of those were in AP and still got approved? Its good to get the stats, but just dreading the AP

Star

The ones that say "Waived/Overcome" means they were initially denied, but were eventually approved, either because they got a waiver for an inadmissibility (Waived), or because they overcame the reason for the initial denial (Overcome). A portion of those may have been in AP, but it depends on the conditions surrounding the AP. If they were initially denied before being placed in AP (e.g., they got a 221(g) notice), then they would be included in that number. If they were placed in AP before any decision was made, then they would be included in either the "Issued" or "Refused" count, depending on the final outcome after the AP.

[BlueTrap 0]

All, I agree with Jim. These are the statistics from the Department of State (not USCIS), dicing the total applications into "issued" (VISAS ISSUED) and "refused". When added together, they equal the total applications. I am assuming the "waived / overcome" numbers are coming from the "refused" column; however, I could be mistaken -- they could be from the "issued". Regardless, 95% worldwide makes me feel a *bit* more comfortable.

These statistics are ONLY for nonimmigrant visas (including K-1 and K-3). This goes along with a general study I read, stating that about 20% of nonimmigrant visas (work, religious, fiance, tourist, etc.) are refused by the United States every year.

In my obsession, I tried to find these same statistics by country (or consulate). The only thing I've been able to find is the NUMBER of visas issued by country in each category (see original post). If anyone else uncovers statistics or approval rates, please post!!!

@Star: I'm soooooo sorry about your situation! Though I do not write, I try to get an update on your journey daily and pray for the best. I would think AP would go into the "overcame" category, but I may be mistaken.

[mike101 8]

All,

For those of you stuck in the same boat as me -- the all-consuming nervousness of the K-1 visa process -- statistics is on our side! While no one can guarantee us a successful interview with immediate visa approval, worldwide, they are approving 95% of K-1 petitions: http://www.travel.state.gov/pdf/FY2009NIVWorkloadbyVisaCategory.pdf

If I'm reading this correctly, 95% of petitions are initially approved. Adding in the "Waived / Overcome" column, there is a 99.37% approval rating. There are similar statistics from the Department of State in recent years:

2008 -- http://www.travel.state.gov/pdf/FY2008.pdf

2007 -- http://www.travel.state.gov/pdf/FY2007.pdf

The State Department website also has many other statistic one can sort through, including information by country: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/statistics/statistics_4582.html

While this does not quiet the butterflies in my stomach and heart, it does give my logical brain some relief.

Hope this helps you guys, too!

Blue

This was a great post.

Thank you kindly sir :-)

[Starlight95 1]

Thanks Blue and Jim for the clarity . So, today I called DOS and they told me the case has been sent back to Mumbai. My fiance should be hearing from the consulate in a week. So, my case was in AP at DOS. I am confused. I thought when they say internal processing its at the embassy. Not jumping into any conclusions.

Star

[BlueTrap 0]

That's good news, Star -- although I understand your confusion and hesitation!!!

From your previous posts, it seems as if YOUR documentation is all correct and checks out, but they are following some background check protocol (in my opinion). Almost seems like you are victim to racial profiling, but -- they don't want to name it as such -- so they keep telling you "AP". From experiences I have read on these boards, if the name sounds remotely like something on someone's "Check" list, they will run thorough background checks to have their bases covered.

Fingers crossed that you hear something from Mumbai by the end of the week!!!

Edited April 27, 2010 by BlueTrap

[K and L 27]

If I'm reading this correctly, 95% of petitions are initially approved. Adding in the "Waived / Overcome" column, there is a 99.37% approval rating. There are similar statistics from the Department of State in recent years:

You are not. Let's look at the K1 line: 27,678 approved visas (first column) + 1,449 denied visas (second column) = 29,127 applicants. If you look, it says that there were 29,127 applicants (third column) and 1,266 overcome visas (fourth column).

This means that the 1,266 overcome were included in the approved visas. This means that initially, 26,142 K1 visas were approved and 2,715 K1 visas were denied, giving an at-interview approval rate of 91.68% and an at-interview denial rate of 9.32%. Ultimately, there was a 95.03% K1 approval rate (and 4.97% were denied and NOT overcome on appeal). Of the initial 2,715 K1s that were denied, 46.63% were overcome on appeal.