Confused about I-797 received today

[Technicalglitch 3]

My Fiance and I started the paperwork for a K-1 in August. We sent the forms, forgot a document, they wrote and asked for it, and we mailed it off to them. (I'm the one immigrating, I am Canadian and am currently visiting my fiance in the US)

Today he received an I-797 in the mail that says it's an "Approval Notice", with a 4-month validity date. It says it's not a visa, but that a copy of the form has been forwarded to the consulate, and to contact them with questions about visa issuance. It gives info about how when I enter we have to marry within 90 days. It doesn't mention any upcoming interviews or medicals or anything.

Is it really that easy, am I really approved to get the K-1, or is this just an indicator to contact the consulate for further direction? It doesn't say that, it says it's an approval notice, and gives actual dates for how long it is valid.

If it is a real approval, since I am actually here right now (and they knew that, we put it on our original paperwork that I was currently visiting), could I get the K-1 issued somehow down here and marry before I return home? I do have to return home, I work in Canada, so travel back and forth will be in my immediate future no matter what (I know that I have to apply for an exit permit if leaving once I have a K-1).

Thanks for any help anyone can give in figuring out this notice ... it has a number to call, but considering the office is already closed for the day and the Tea Party plans to shut down the government at midnight, I thought I would see what you guys have to say. ;-)

[kmiami15 8]

You must return to Canada and process the visa over there... there´s no way to process the K1 visa while in the US.... please look at the flowchart under the tab "guides" on top of this site.... basically now your petition goes to the National Visa Center and you have to call them and keep calling them, hard to get thru according to a lot of VJers (I would say start calling within two weeks) to get information you are going to need to complete the rest of the process... good luck and congrats.... you said you filed in August and got approved already? wow! that´s amazing.. it must be California Service Center... keep us posted...

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1flow

Edited October 1, 2013 by kmiami15

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

The K-1 visa process has a few steps. You just completed the first step, the petition process. The USC sends a I-129F petition to establish a family relationship between the USC and the beneficiary. That is approved.

Now you have to do more steps, and actually apply for the visa. You have the gather paperwork, have a medical exam, and attend an interview in Canada. Once that is all done and approved you will get a physical visa in your passport and enter the US, which will start the 90 day clock to get married.

After you are married then you need to apply to adjust your status to that of a permanent resident. The K-1 visa by is not permission to live in the US forever.

Another issue, you mention that you work in Canada and go back and forth? Once you get the K-1 visa and marry, you cannot travel internationally until you file for AOS and get a travel permission. Otherwise you would be stuck outside the US and unable to return.

I have never heard about needing an exit permit for Canada.

You are on step 4 on this chart: http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1flow

Check out the guides up top.

Edited October 1, 2013 by Harpa Timsah

[Technicalglitch 3]

If this is the step 4 notice, then do you know what the dates mean? There is a 4-month window, starting 3 days ago and going 4 months. "Notice Type: Approval notice Valid from (4 month window dates given)." I didn't think there was a time limit on getting an interview and medical done, or is there?

What's the National Visa Center? This notice says to contact the consulate. They don't give any info about the National Visa Center on the notice, or any directions to call them.

Thanks both for the info so far ...

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

There is a timeline to get a medical and a visa, yes. If you communicate with the embassy and it takes longer, they will extend that time for you. If you do nothing, the petition approval will expire.

A K-1 just goes to NVC for a little bit to get logged and to be assigned a consulate case number. It's a technical aspect but nothing for you to worry about. Some people call NVC to get the case number to initiate communication with the embassy.

[Technicalglitch 3]

OK, I think I am understanding a bit better now - the approval notice sure doesn't explain much, thank goodness for these forums on the internet! So it looks like that approval notice gets sent from the California service center to the National Visa Center, who then sends it to the consulate in Canada, who will then send me a letter in Canada telling me to book my medical and interview once they get it. Is that correct?

[emilchik 1]

Hi VJers

I also filed in the end of July, got approved last week and received my NOA2 notice by mail today (62 days from NOA1-NOA2 ). Also, today I received status update email stating that case was sent to NVC.

My question is how long does it take for NVC to receive and enter the case into their system to issue embassy case number?

Is there any website to track the status or just by phone with representative?

[kmiami15 8]

Hi VJers

I also filed in the end of July, got approved last week and received my NOA2 notice by mail today (62 days from NOA1-NOA2 ). Also, today I received status update email stating that case was sent to NVC.

My question is how long does it take for NVC to receive and enter the case into their system to issue embassy case number?

Is there any website to track the status or just by phone with representative?

I can take anywhere from 2-8 weeks from what I have seen from other VJers... congrats!!!! follow the flowchart on the "guides" section on top of this site... good luck!

Edited October 1, 2013 by kmiami15

[baron555 934]

OK, I think I am understanding a bit better now - the approval notice sure doesn't explain much, thank goodness for these forums on the internet! So it looks like that approval notice gets sent from the California service center to the National Visa Center, who then sends it to the consulate in Canada, who will then send me a letter in Canada telling me to book my medical and interview once they get it. Is that correct?

It's a standard form used for many other types of visas and such. The expiration dates are meaningless for K-1s.

[Ontarkie 14,540]

~~Thread returned to k-1Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures, from Progress Reports~~

[trippys88 0]

There is a timeline to get a medical and a visa, yes. If you communicate with the embassy and it takes longer, they will extend that time for you. If you do nothing, the petition approval will expire.

A K-1 just goes to NVC for a little bit to get logged and to be assigned a consulate case number. It's a technical aspect but nothing for you to worry about. Some people call NVC to get the case number to initiate communication with the embassy.

Are you sure of that? Im just waiting for packet 4 , you tell me that if i dont call them before the expiration date everything will be ended?