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jetzaleski

Should I go to the Interview

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline

I know this is a ridiculously long process and every case is different. I'm between NOA1 and NOA2 and like everyone else I want to be with my fiance as soon as possible. My question is if I go to the interview with my fiance (in Manilla), will this affect how quickly she can come to the US? Also, does using an immigration sevice to put together the K1 package etc. actually speed up the review process aside from protecting us from RFE's? Just trying to get some advice from those who have been there. Is there anything else I can do to expedite this process in any way?

Thanks!

'

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
Timeline

In general, the USC's presence during the interview NEVER hurts and may very well help. If you're not allowed in the interview, or even in the building, hand your U.S. passport to your fiancee to show the consul that you're there. Doing so will always score big points, and in some instances you may even be invited into the interview.

Your presence could be absolutely crucial if you've had few or short visits, if your evidence of a bona fide relationship is thin, or if there are red flags of any kind.

A GOOD immigration service can be an asset for you, if forms and detail are not your thing or you simply have no time to compile the paperwork. You've already filed the I-129F petition if you're between the NOA1 & NOA2.

The only thing (besides waiting for the NOA2) that you can do is to ensure that your fiancee knows everything about you. When the interview is scheduled, be sure that she has an entire photocopy of your I-129F petition (you kept one, si man?) and the other required forms and papers. See the Philippines regional subforum for details about those. Another in-person visit or two, and the evidence that you collect and produce, will be your best insurance.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

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I know this is a ridiculously long process and every case is different. I'm between NOA1 and NOA2 and like everyone else I want to be with my fiance as soon as possible. My question is if I go to the interview with my fiance (in Manilla), will this affect how quickly she can come to the US? Also, does using an immigration sevice to put together the K1 package etc. actually speed up the review process aside from protecting us from RFE's? Just trying to get some advice from those who have been there. Is there anything else I can do to expedite this process in any way?

Thanks!

'

you coming to the interview will not make the process go any faster.

with all the guides here on VJ, there really is no need for any immigration services unless there are special circumstances that you think will affect the process.

since you're already pretty much knee deep in the process, having the necessary original documents so as to avoid delays because you didn't have them will be the only thing to do now.

hope that helps. :thumbs:

NVC

4/14/2011: NVC RECEIVED-NO CASE NUMBER YET

4/19/2011: CASE NUMBER ASSIGNED

4/21/2011: AOS BILL PAID

5/04/2011: IV BILL GENERATED AND PAID

5/11/2011: AOS & IV PACKET SENT

5/13/2011: NVC RECEIVED

5/24/2011: RFE

5/25/2011: RFE SENT

6/02/2011: ADVANCED MEDICAL DAY 1

6/03/2011: ADVANCED MEDICAL DAY 2 PASSED

6/08/2011: SIF

6/09/2011: CC

7/15/2011: 2 YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

8/03/2011: INTERVIEW

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Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Ethiopia
Timeline

I afraid the your presence makes a big impact on the out come of the interview. It might help a little showing the interest of you on your fiancee. However, the embassy is not checking yours but how really your fiancee is in a bona fide relationship. I don't discourage you from being with her but I want to remind you not to expect a dramatic change due to your presence there.

Good luck

K-1 Time Line

Service Center:_California Service Center

Consulate: _Frankfurt, Germany

I-129F Sent: _2011-03-20

I-129F NOA1:_ 2011-03-30

I-129F NOA2:_2011-06-18

NVC Received: _2011-07-19

NVC Left:_2011-07-20

Consulate Received:_2011-07-25

Packet 3 Received: _2011-07-28

Packet 3 Sent: _2011-07-29

Packet 4 Received:_ 2011-08-09

Interview Date: _ 2011-08-24

Interview Result:_ Approved(After 3 weeks AP)

Visa Received:_2011-09-21

US Entry:_@ JFK 2011-11-16

Marriage: _2011-12-20

AOS, EAD, AP

Date Filed: _2012-02-07

NOA Date: _2012-02-13

Bio. Appt. Notice recieved_2012-02-17

Bio. Appt.:2012-03-12@ 8:00 AM in Columbus OH

Bio Done:2012-03-05 WALK IN- Columbus OH

State ID: 2012-03-05

DL Permit: 2012-03-08

AOS Transfer: 2012-03-14

AOS Touched @ USCIS: 2012-03-21

EAD/AP Approved & Card Producton: 2012-04-03

EAD/AP on Hand:2012-04-11

AOS_RFE: 2012-09-28

RFE Sent: 2012-11-09

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Philippines
Timeline

Getting an immigration service wont speed up the process.We did it by ourselves and Visa journey step by step K1 visa procedures helped a lot during the preparations of the documents.I advice you and your fiancee should work hand and hand,do some research and ask someone who have went through the process if something you don't understand.I'm sure there's a lot of people here that could answer your questions.

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Your presence will help to ease her nerves but wont make her get the visa quicker.. and using a service won't guarantee no rfe's either. My hubby attended the interview with me and it was easy and lasted about 5 minutes. A lot of girls didn't have their hubbies though and they were also still okay :)

Edited by Messybrownhair
My Journey:

We met through a study-abroad program in Shanghai, China in August of 2009

We got engaged March of 2010

I received my K1 VISA in 6 months (June-December 2010)

We were married 04/02/2011
I received my conditional 2-year greencard (AOS) in 2.5 months with no interview (April-June 2011)

Our son was born 02/03/2013

I received my masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology 04/17/2013

I received my 10-year greencard (ROC) in 3 months with no interview (March-June 2013)

My husband returned from deployment 06/20/2013

My naturalization journey took 4 months (April-August 2014)

I became a US citizen on 08/01/2014

Received passport in 3 weeks (regular processing)

Thank you, VJ! smile.png

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Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Philippines
Timeline

jetzaleski - Yes, agreed, your being at interview will not expedite process. However, you may be interested in the following thread in the Philippines forum which discussed pros and cons about attending interview in Manila:

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/316234-should-i-attend-interview/

Agree with previous posters regarding immigration service.

As you wrote, process is long. I and my fiancee have been trying to at least "mentally"/"emotionally" make the time pass quicker by keeping busy, sharing in a number of activities, including studying info on VJ to prepare for steps after NOA2 receipt.

We all strongly empathize with your longing to be together. So, with great sincerety, here is wishing you continued success in this and all parts of your visa journey.

Sincerely, RK

Edited by RK_and_Inday

K-1
May 4, 2006 - We first meet in Singapore
[March 2008 to October 2011] - RK visits Inday in Philippines; multiple visits
April 11, 2010 - RK proposes on Palawan Island; Inday says "Yes! Yes!"
Apr 4, 2011 - I-129F mailed
Apr 11, 2011 - petition received, NOA1, application routed to VSC
Aug 3, 2011 - NOA2! I-129F petition approved!! Yahoo!!!
Aug 10, 2011 - NVC forwards petition to Manila
Aug 17, 2011 - Petition arrives Manila
October 4, 2011 - Medical passed; thank you for answered prayer!
October 12, 2011 - K-1 Visa approved!! Thank you for more prayers anwswered!!
November 24, 2011 - POE! (Thanksgiving Day) Prayers answered!!!! Many Thanks!!!!
Feb 5, 2012 - Wedding Ceremony!

AOS
June 14, 2012 - AOS filed (EAD & AP concurrently filed also); sent via FedEx courier
June 19, 2012 - text notification indicating receipt AOS package
June 25, 2012 - hardcopy AOS, EAD, AP "NOA1"s (I-797C) received
June 29, 2012 - appointment letter for biometrics received (appointment: mid-July)
July 14, 2012 - Biometrics appointment: complete
July 18, 2012 - Case transferred to California Service Center notice received
August 27, 2012 - Combo EAD & AP card received

April 25, 2012 - Permanent Resident card (conditional) received; Yahoo!!! (no interview)

REMOVAL OF CONDITONS
March 28, 2015 - I-751 filed; sent via USPS priority mail, signature upon delivery requested

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