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K1 Nigerian Travel-can you make flight arrangements b4 the visa is in hand?

By M2MarryN in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures

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M2MarryN Explorer

M2MarryN   2

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Nigeria
 Timeline
Posted

Advice please!

My fiance got approved on Friday Nov. 19th, due to the Thanksgiving Holiday he will have to wait 10 days-until the 29th of Nov.-on Monday to get his Visa. Airline tickets are going up everyday-actually every hour. We are looking for him to fly here on Dec. 10th. Do you think it is okay to get the ticket now to save money as the tickets will be even more expensive in 10 days due to Christmas coming up and such. I have heard of Visas not being ready-delayed 3 days or so, but never more than that. I know they say not to make the ticket until you have the visa in your hand for this reason, but can anyone give me some pointers? Also looking for trip insurance (not medical) for Nigerians coming to America, but I can't find any that are for potential trip cancellation or trip delay-if there was a reason he could not travel on that day-if you know of any please let me know.

Thanks for your help and advice!

I-129F Sent : 2010-05-19

I-129F NOA1 : 2010-06-01

I-129F RFE(s) :

RFE Reply(s) :

I-129F NOA2 : 2010-06-30

NVC Received : 2010-07-01

NVC Left : 2010-07-02

Consulate Received : 2010-07-09

Packet 3 Received : 2010-08-02

Packet 3 Sent : 2010-08-10

Packet 4 Received : 2010-08-10

Interview Date : 2010-11-19

Interview Result: APPROVED!!!! THANK YOU GOD!

VISA in hand 2010-11-29 (due to Thanksgiving)

Flight Reservations 2010-11-29

POE 2010-12-16 YAY WELCOME TO AMERICA!

MARRIED 2011-01-27 Married and happy!

katie & sifa Community Regular

katie & sifa   25

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Kenya
 Timeline
Posted

When my husband picked up his visa, the CO said to triple check that the name was spelled correctly, the expiration date was correct, etc. Apparently a few days before 2 women had come in because the date on their visas had been misprinted (it said 2007 instead of 2010...big error.) They didn't check, went to the airport & were turned away. The embassy said it would take a few days at least for them to re-print them with the correct date. I wouldn't buy ANYTHING before you have visa IN HAND!

K-1
09/09/09 - NOA1 :: 10/20/09 - NOA2 :: 01/11/10 - Interview :: 02/24/10 - POE :: 04/10/10 - Wedding

AOS
05/17/10 - NOA :: 06/08/10 - Transferred to CSC :: 07/02/10 - Biometrics :: 07/16/10 - EAD/AP Approved :: 10/26/10 - AOS Approved

ROC
08/16/12 - NOA :: 09/13/12 - Biometrics :: 04/12/13 - Approved :: 04/19/13 - GC received

Naturalization
08/22/13 - NOA :: 09/20/13 - Biometrics :: 01/30/14 - Interview - Approved :: 02/27/14 - Oath

Ryan H Grand Master

Ryan H   3,834

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: China
 Timeline
Posted

If you buy now before the visa is in hand, you may want to get one with little to no restrictions and/or penalties should it be necessary to change the ticket. However, these are usually the most expensive to begin with. The best suggestion that I have is a re-stating of the embassy recommendation which is not to make any plans until the visa has been issued and is in hand.

Our journey:

Spoiler

September 2007: Met online via social networking site (MySpace); began exchanging messages.
March 26, 2009: We become a couple!
September 10, 2009: Arrived for first meeting in-person!
June 17, 2010: Arrived for second in-person meeting and start of travel together to other areas of China!
June 21, 2010: Engaged!!!
September 1, 2010: Switched course from K1 to CR-1
December 8, 2010: Wedding date set; it will be on February 18, 2011!
February 9, 2011: Depart for China
February 11, 2011: Registered for marriage in Wuhan, officially married!!!
February 18, 2011: Wedding ceremony in Shiyan!!!
April 22, 2011: Mailed I-130 to Chicago
April 28, 2011: Received NOA1 via text/email, file routed to CSC (priority date April 25th)
April 29, 2011: Updated
May 3, 2011: Received NOA1 hardcopy in mail
July 26, 2011: Received NOA2 via text/email!!!
July 30, 2011: Received NOA2 hardcopy in mail
August 8, 2011: NVC received file
September 1, 2011: NVC case number assigned
September 2, 2011: AOS invoice received, OPTIN email for EP sent
September 7, 2011: Paid AOS bill (payment portal showed PAID on September 9, 2011)
September 8, 2011: OPTIN email accepted, GZO number assigned
September 10, 2011: Emailed AOS package
September 12, 2011: IV bill invoiced
September 13, 2011: Paid IV bill (payment portal showed PAID on September 14, 2011)
September 14, 2011: Emailed IV package
October 3, 2011: Emailed checklist response (checklist generated due to typo on Form DS-230)
October 6, 2011: Case complete at NVC
November 10, 2011: Interview - APPROVED!!!
December 7, 2011: POE - Sea-Tac Airport

September 17, 2013: Mailed I-751 to CSC

September 23, 2013: Received NOA1 in mail (receipt date September 19th)

October 16, 2013: Biometrics Appointment

January 28, 2014: Production of new Green Card ordered

February 3, 2014: New Green Card received; done with USCIS until fall of 2023*

December 18, 2023:  Filed I-90 to renew Green Card

December 21, 2023:  Production of new Green Card ordered - will be seeing USCIS again every 10 years for renewal

 

patient2010 Experienced

patient2010   93

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Nigeria
 Timeline
Posted

I would definitely wait!!

November 5, 2010 Interview 7am APPROVED!!!!!! (6months 4weeks 1day) THANK YOU LORD!!!!!

(look at my about me page in my profile if you want to see my entire k1 journey)

AOS Journey:

Feb.4, 2011 Mailed AOS packet

Feb. 7, 2011 Pkt delivered in Chicago

Feb. 10, 2011 Received txt and email of NOA for AOS, EAD, and AP

Feb. 11, 2011 Check cashed for AOS

Feb. 12, 2011 Touched

Feb. 14, 2011 received hard copy of NOA for AOS, EAD& AP

Feb. 18, 2011 received appt letter for biometrics

Feb. 28, 2011 biometrics appt @10am

Feb. 28, 2011 received txt/email AOS case transferred to csc

Mar 1, 2011 AOS Touched

Mar 3, 2011 received hard copy of AOS transfer to csc

Mar 4, 2011 AOS Touched

Mar 28, 2011 Received txt/email saying card production has been ordered. (1month 3eeks 3days)

Mar 28, 2011 Received 2nd txt/email saying we have registered this customer permanent residence status

Mar 29, 2011 Received 3rd txt/email says card production has been ordered.

April 1, 2011 greencard and welcome letter in hand!!

April 5, 2011 received txt/email EAD card production ordered

Will Start Removing Conditions Dec 2012!!!!

Dec. 26, 2012 mailed ROC paperwork

Dec. 28, 2012 NOA for ROC paperwork

Jan. 7, 2013 received bio appt letter

Jan. 24, 2013 bio appt.

June 22, 2013 10yr green card received

68z00wwuiyl.png

Gary and Alla Grand Master

Gary and Alla   3,694

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ukraine
 Timeline
Posted

Until the visa is in hand, you are taking a risk. There is no guarantee you will get it on November 29th and if you don't...too bad for you.

I would check out the penalties for cancelation or changes and decide if you can live with that. If a change costs $150, for example, and you feel the tickets will cost more than that within the next 10 days...then it is a fair risk to buy the tickets now. If it is a "too bad for you, you are out all the money" deal...I would wait.

You pays your nickle and you takes your chances.

VERMONT! I Reject Your Reality...and Substitute My Own!

Gary And Alla

NigeriaorBust Grand Master

NigeriaorBust   4,087

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Nigeria
 Timeline
Posted

Almost all tickets have a fee to change the dates. IF you are buying RT tickets to get them cheaper make the return date as far away as possible. Then is something comes up you only have one fee to pay. Nigeria is famous for last moment surprises so there is probably a decent chance that "something" will happen.

This will not be over quickly. You will not enjoy this.

Aztec&Taino Proficient

Aztec&Taino   144

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Dominican Republic
 Timeline
Posted

Advice please!

My fiance got approved on Friday Nov. 19th, due to the Thanksgiving Holiday he will have to wait 10 days-until the 29th of Nov.-on Monday to get his Visa. Airline tickets are going up everyday-actually every hour. We are looking for him to fly here on Dec. 10th. Do you think it is okay to get the ticket now to save money as the tickets will be even more expensive in 10 days due to Christmas coming up and such. I have heard of Visas not being ready-delayed 3 days or so, but never more than that. I know they say not to make the ticket until you have the visa in your hand for this reason, but can anyone give me some pointers? Also looking for trip insurance (not medical) for Nigerians coming to America, but I can't find any that are for potential trip cancellation or trip delay-if there was a reason he could not travel on that day-if you know of any please let me know.

Thanks for your help and advice!

First of all, congratulations on your fiance's approval!

As everyone else has said: Wait until the visa is is your fiance's hands and everything is correct. Have you checked for prices of flights for Christmas day or New Years? Usually, flight prices during these days are cheaper because most people do not wish to fly during these holidays. I understand that you want to get the ticket now so that you do not have to spend more money later, but if the visa is delayed, then you will be out much more money!

August 23, 2010 - I-129 F package sent via USPS priority mail with delivery confirmation.

August 30, 2010 - Per Department of Homeland Security (DHS) e-mail, petition received and routed to California Service Center for processing. Check cashed. I-797C Notice of Action by mail (NOA 1) - Received date 08/25/2010. Notice date 08/27/2010.

After 150 days of imposed anxious patience...

January 24, 2011 - Per USCIS website, petition approved and notice mailed.

January 31, 2011 - Approval receipt notice (NOA 2) received by mail. Called NVC, given Santo Domingo case number, and informed that petition was sent same day to consulate.

Called Visa Specialist at the Department of State every day for a case update. Informed of interview date on February, 16 2011. Informed that packet was mailed to fiance on February, 15 2011.

February 21, 2011 - Fiance has not yet received packet. Called 1-877-804-5402 (Visa Information Center of the United States Embassy) to request a duplicate packet in person pick-up at the US consulate in Santo Domingo. Packet can be picked-up by fiance on 02/28.

March 1, 2011 - Medical exam completed at Consultorios de Visa in Santo Domingo.

March 9, 2011 at 6 AM - Interview, approved!

March 18, 2011 - POE together. JFK and O'Hare airports. Legal wedding: May 16, 2011.

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.

-Henry David Thoreau

Nwanyioma Rising Star

Nwanyioma   11

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Nigeria
 Timeline
Posted

Congratulations on your fiancees visa approval! I will definitely advice for you to WAIT for your fiancee to receive the visa in his hand before making any flight arrangements. My husband went to Victoria Island 3 times before he was able to receive his visa in hand. I see that you live in Maryland? I will definitely check out the prices differences to BWI, Washington-Dulles and Regan International.

AOS Timeline
7-23-2010 AOS package mailed priority via USPS to Chicago Lockbox (expected delivery date 7-26-2010)
7-27-2010 AOS package delivered
8-3-2010 NOA 1 AOS/EAD/AP (received hard copy NOA 1's in mailbox 8-7-2010)
8-6-2010 AOS/EAD/AP Touched
8-9-2010 AOS/EAD/AP Touched
9-15-2010 Biometrics walk-in at Alexandria,VA ASC(original appointment date 10-5-2010)
9-15-2010 AOS/EAD Touched
9-16-2010 AOS/EAD Touched
9-22-2010 EAD/AP Touched
9-22-2010 EAD card production ordered. Approved!!!!!
9-23-2010 EAD/AP Touched
9-30-2010 EAD received in mail
10-4-2010 Received interview letter in the mail
11-9-2010 AOS interview 11:00am in Baltimore, Maryland
11-9-2010 Greencard approved!!

baron555 Veteran

baron555   934

Posted
Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Kenya
 Timeline
Posted

Advice please!

My fiance got approved on Friday Nov. 19th, due to the Thanksgiving Holiday he will have to wait 10 days-until the 29th of Nov.-on Monday to get his Visa. Airline tickets are going up everyday-actually every hour. We are looking for him to fly here on Dec. 10th. Do you think it is okay to get the ticket now to save money as the tickets will be even more expensive in 10 days due to Christmas coming up and such. I have heard of Visas not being ready-delayed 3 days or so, but never more than that. I know they say not to make the ticket until you have the visa in your hand for this reason, but can anyone give me some pointers? Also looking for trip insurance (not medical) for Nigerians coming to America, but I can't find any that are for potential trip cancellation or trip delay-if there was a reason he could not travel on that day-if you know of any please let me know.

Thanks for your help and advice!

Since the visa is good for 6 months from issue date, I don't see a problem of booking tickets say 3 or 4 months after the interview. You ought to know by then what the decision is.

Phil (Lockport, near Chicago) and Alla (Lobnya, near Moscow)

As of Dec 7, 2009, now Zero miles apart (literally)!

 
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