I-129F timeline- looking for advice

[J and A 1]

Hi all,

New member here, so if this topic has already been covered- sorry!

My fiance and I are preparing to begin the K-1 expedition and I have a few questions about timing. I'm beginning a new job in August (2014! far away, I know), which includes relocation, and we're trying to plan out a good time-line for the visa process.

I'm thinking: file the I-129F in April, to allow for a good 5 month (at least) window for it to go through. Then hopefully my fiance will have his interview some time between September and November 2014 (I understand we need to be flexible- but I'm a planner so I want to at least have an idea of what our timeline could look like).

I'm predicting that I won't have a great I-134 Affidavit of Support until September, so that is the big piece of the puzzle dictating our timing. I've read that the I-134 isn't needed until my fiance goes for his interview- is that correct? We could file now and see what happens, but I don't want the I-134 to be needed when I'm in transition and I'm not able to provide proof of this new job.

I believe we have everything else gathered that we're going to need in order to file the I-129F, but any advice, or suggestions on other threads to read, is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[lost_at_sea 995]

For the I-134, worst case - you find someone to joint sponsor. Anyone in the US who is over 18 and a USC/LPR can be a joint sponsor if they have sufficient income. You may need to check your embassy excepts joint sponsors as a small handful don't.

In fact, you could just go with that as Plan A, file a little sooner and stand a good chance of relocating to the USA together, if that's something you'd prefer.

And yes, I-134 is for interview time.

Edited December 28, 2013 by lost_at_sea

[Shelbym 2]

My fiance and I filed last May, and we don't have his interview until February, which is later than we planned. Other couples have been approved faster than they expected, which put a hiccup in their plans. Personally, we decided to wait until we were financially comfortable, and the extra time has really been a benefit to our savings. It might not be the best approach for everybody, but we chose to spend a little extra time apart so that his time spent unemployed would be easier.

If you have somebody willing to cosponsor if necessary and you're comfortable with the amount of money you will have (and it sounds to me like you have a good job), I say go for it. But, it all comes to personal preferences, unfortunately.

[J and A 1]

Great advice so far- thanks! I have one more question, specifically regarding the interview.

We'd like to know how much say my fiance will have in scheduling his interview. ie: if he gets the go-ahead in September, will he be able to schedule an interview for late November? I know that's a specific example, but we're both unclear on how much lee-way there is in the scheduling process. Any experience with this? I'd like to be with him for the interview, and that type of travel takes some advance notice- I'm hoping we'll be able to choose when to schedule the interview.

[majikgenie 6]

I was/still am also nervous about the I-134 and thouht I would need a joint sponsor but according to the I-864 guidelines the income for a household of 2 ( you and your fiance) has to over 19K. So if your over that you should be ok. If your not then I could understand why you would want to wait.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Great advice so far- thanks! I have one more question, specifically regarding the interview.

We'd like to know how much say my fiance will have in scheduling his interview. ie: if he gets the go-ahead in September, will he be able to schedule an interview for late November? I know that's a specific example, but we're both unclear on how much lee-way there is in the scheduling process. Any experience with this? I'd like to be with him for the interview, and that type of travel takes some advance notice- I'm hoping we'll be able to choose when to schedule the interview.

It appears you need to schedule your own interview, so you will be able to choose from the dates available that show up when scheduling. Sometimes there are dates farther away you can choose. It all depends on what is available when you go to schedule.

http://nairobi.usembassy.gov/immigrant_visas.html

You must schedule a visa interview appointment. (The U.S. Embassy Nairobi does not schedule an appointment for you.) If you need to schedule/reschedule an appointment, please Visit the following website http://usvisa-info.com/en-KE/selfservice/login or through the assistance of the call center at +254-20-619-0600 (in Kenya) or +1 703-439-2302 (in the United States).

[Tavotevi 9]

It appears you need to schedule your own interview, so you will be able to choose from the dates available that show up when scheduling. Sometimes there are dates farther away you can choose. It all depends on what is available when you go to schedule.

http://nairobi.usembassy.gov/immigrant_visas.html

Im will have to go to ciudad juarez too, however im barely beginning. I just got my noa1, and an update that i got an alien registration number, do u know how long it will be to get my noa2? And how quick can you schedule your interview?

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Im will have to go to ciudad juarez too, however im barely beginning. I just got my noa1, and an update that i got an alien registration number, do u know how long it will be to get my noa2? And how quick can you schedule your interview?

I have no way to know how quickly your K-1?(says K-3 in your profile) will be processed. All you can do is check the processing times for your service center for an estimate. Once approved, it will need to go through the NVC and then onto Juarez. Once Juarez has your case and you get your case # from the NVC, then you can go ahead and follow the instructions for Juarez by filling out the DS-160, registering at the site you are directed to in the instructions and paying the visa processing fee and then seeing the available calendar in order to schedule your interview and ASC appointment. Guesstimate a few months for I-129F petition approval and then another month or 2 until you interview.

[Tavotevi 9]

I have no way to know how quickly your K-1?(says K-3 in your profile) will be processed. All you can do is check the processing times for your service center for an estimate. Once approved, it will need to go through the NVC and then onto Juarez. Once Juarez has your case and you get your case # from the NVC, then you can go ahead and follow the instructions for Juarez by filling out the DS-160, registering at the site you are directed to in the instructions and paying the visa processing fee and then seeing the available calendar in order to schedule your interview and ASC appointment. Guesstimate a few months for I-129F petition approval and then another month or 2 until you interview.

Thanks for the info, ive done research and its very alike. Do you recall how long after your registration number was changed did you get your noa2..( your petiton approval) ?

[TBoneTX 45,319]

*** Thread moved from K-1 Process forum to the K-1 Case Progress subforum. ***

[PBJ 60]

Do bear in mind the K1 is valid for six months so your fiancé has that time to travel to the States.

Your efforts to time this well with other things in your life is understandable but as you can probably tell from trends and averages, there really is no way of knowing for certain.

If it were me i'd be tempted to get the admin wrapped up and see what happens after that. Some people are very unfortunate with the time they have to wait, i'm sure you don't want to be one of them.

All the best with your journey.

[KayDeeCee 4,893]

Thanks for the info, ive done research and its very alike. Do you recall how long after your registration number was changed did you get your noa2..( your petiton approval) ?

They did not send notifications for when someone was assigned their A# when we filed the I-129F. Everyone gets an A#. It is not really any sort of indication of approval.

[None9876543210 1]

Thanks for the info, ive done research and its very alike. Do you recall how long after your registration number was changed did you get your noa2..( your petiton approval) ?

My Fiance and I filed Nov 12, Registration number was changed on Dec 17th and still no NOA2. We had to file a service request yesterday. But I am seeing many filers get approved who filed after me. So it is difficult to nail down a good timeline. I would plan on the longest, six months from NOA1 - NOA2 and then two months from NOA2 to visa. You can also check Igor's list for current timelines. http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/monthly_filers.php?form=1&visa=1&scenter=2&option=3&sortby=2 Good luck to you!!!