K1 Visa Approval - Sharing My Experience

[Dzny85 3]

Hi Guys,

I've been lurking around these forums for the past 12-18 months without ever really feeling the need to post anything. But for some reason today I feel like sharing my own little Visa story which is coming to a happy conclusion.

My fiancée submitted our petition back on 29th August 2012, having received a refusal on a previous application a month or so before. In hindsight the original refusal was a blessing in disguise though we certainly did not see it that way (Refused for submitting insufficient evidence, in case you were wondering) - we were both very nervous about submitting again and I had spent days looking at posts and discussions on this forum to ensure that we had everything correct the second time around.

After a few months of panic and worry we received our NOA2 on 27th February and on 13th March 2013 I received the "package" of information from the US Embassy in London. I issued all relevant documents back on 15th April, scheduled my medical and sat waiting for the next stage.

Fortunately for me I had recently moved to London for work reasons, so my medical was much smoother than I thought. The very nice South African doctor who gave me my check up could clearly sense I was very nervous (I mean, who wouldn't be a bit nervous about having a random person fondling their bits?) but all went well and I received a letter from the embassy confirming my interview date for 25th June.

I arrived promptly at 8.30 (for a 9:00am interview slot) and was greeted with the customary huge queue to get in - luckily the weather was nice and I work near Bond Street so it wasn't a problem and eventually got my ticket and a seat in the waiting area. I don't know if this is the standard but the "I" visa's were processing at an incredibly slow speed...I was I-118 and when I got in they were on I-110...great I thought, only 8 people in front of me, shouldn't take too long...WRONG - at 10:30 I got to the window for the first time, for all of 5 minutes (What was everybody else taking so long for?) and then sat waiting again until 11:30 for my "interview".

I was greeted by an incredibly nice American man who reminded me of Jim Halpert from The Office...his casual happiness put me at ease immediately and we went about the standard signing documents and fingerprints (why do you have them taken twice by the way?) - off the top of my head he asked me the following questions:

• How did I first meet my fiancée
• When did we first meet (we met online so this was after the above)
• How many times have we met since
• When did we last meet
• When was I last in the US, and where did I go
• Where was my fiancée born, and where does she live now
• What does my fiancée do for a living
• When do we intend on getting married
• Does my fiancée intend on taking my name once we are married

I think that was everything. In list form it seems like he gave me a bit of a grilling, but really it felt very relaxed and laid back - he had a bit of a laugh and made a few jokes with me and in the end happily confirmed that I had been approved. After that we spoke for another 5 minutes or so about things I need to do when I arrive in the US, and what actions could void my visa before I happily went about my business.

Apart from the long wait it was a wholly un-stressful process...the biggest worry I had (and my other half had) was during the first phase as you really don't know what is going on or when you're going to hear from anybody.

My fiancée has just visited me in London for a week (great/lucky timing for us) and I'll be flying over to the US in a month or so.

More than anything I wanted to share my "good news" with the community and thank everybody who has contributed to the various discussions and posts on these forums, the advice given really did put my mind at ease and helped me when I was in difficult or confusing situations.

Next step...Adjustment of Status!

[midnightblue 3]

congratulations!!!!!!!

[Smiley-one 13]

Congratulations

[AA_4ever 1]

Wow.. First off, many many congrats )).. Reading your story really put me In good place... It's always great hearing stories of couples who are going through the same roller coaster of emotions. I can't wait till we get approved )))

[Darnell 8,478]

medical people are never 'random', so it's perfectly acceptable for any medical person to fondle yer bits.

nonewithstanding the bit fiddling or lack thereof,

Congratulations on Yer Approval !

Whatcha cooking, to celebrate ?

[Jeannie & Al 18]

Congrats and thanks for sharing your story.

[godsrule 7]

Congrats