UK K1 visa - pretty fast process compared to other countries?

[Meisha&Jake 869]

Just curious, were a loooong way off receiving NOA2 but just wanted to know if being in the UK (low fraud country? as ive seen stated elsewhere on forums) does that mean quicker approvals for people from UK? I've seen a range of UK beneficiarys being approved just over 4 months, rather than the standard 5 across all countries at the moment.

 

Also, how long do you have to do the medical & interview once you receive NOA2? is there a expiry date? only reason i ask is because im just preparing in my head about getting time off work for medical & interview dates (when it comes to that)

 

Many thanks in advance

[NatO23 235]

1 minute ago, Meisha&Jake said:

Just curious, were a loooong way off receiving NOA2 but just wanted to know if being in the UK (low fraud country? as ive seen stated elsewhere on forums) does that mean quicker approvals for people from UK? I've seen a range of UK beneficiarys being approved just over 4 months, rather than the standard 5 across all countries at the moment.

 

Also, how long do you have to do the medical & interview once you receive NOA2? is there a expiry date? only reason i ask is because im just preparing in my head about getting time off work for medical & interview dates (when it comes to that)

 

Many thanks in advance

Generally speaking, the country of origin doesn't make much of a difference until your case is picked up to be worked on. The delay you're facing at the moment does not usually come from the time it takes for a case to be processed, but instead from the waiting time for cases to be picked up. Your case will be sat in a stack of others from all over the world for a few months, and unfortunately there's nothing that can be done about the fact that you'll be mixed in with some more difficult cases for the time being. 

 

On the day that your case is picked up, THAT is when being from the UK can be an advantage. The forms will all be (presumably?!) in English, it's a low fraud country as you pointed out, and background checks are easily obtained between the US and UK. As a random example - if your case is started at the exact same time as a case with the same background/circumstances as one from a high-fraud place like Cambodia, the chances are that yours will be processed faster. So I would say that strictly speaking when comparing your case to others with the same background but different country of origin, there's not too much time to be gained due to being from the UK. Maybe a day/week or so, but not a huge amount.

 

As for the NOA2 'expiration', I don't want to give you wrong or false information so I would suggest poking around the site and seeing what you can find out for sure. I think it's valid for 6 months, but I blasted through my medical and interview super fast after getting my NOA2 because I was desperate to be with my now wife asap, so I didn't really pay too much attention to the fact that I could have waited a little while! I'm sure someone else can chip in here with the exact answer, but all I'll say is that you will have plenty of time to book a day off work/give notice on your job/pack etc. It's not something you have to fit into the space of 2 weeks.

 

Best of luck with the wait... try to stay sane! 

 

 

[S*UK 543]

1) No. You will wait just as long as anyone else. Country has no bearing. I have seen UK filers waiting up until the 6 month mark.

2) There is an expiry date on the NOA2 of 4 months.

[Meisha&Jake 869]

2 minutes ago, NatO23 said:

Generally speaking, the country of origin doesn't make much of a difference until your case is picked up to be worked on. The delay you're facing at the moment does not usually come from the time it takes for a case to be processed, but instead from the waiting time for cases to be picked up. Your case will be sat in a stack of others from all over the world for a few months, and unfortunately there's nothing that can be done about the fact that you'll be mixed in with some more difficult cases for the time being. 

 

On the day that your case is picked up, THAT is when being from the UK can be an advantage. The forms will all be (presumably?!) in English, it's a low fraud country as you pointed out, and background checks are easily obtained between the US and UK. As a random example - if your case is started at the exact same time as a case with the same background/circumstances as one from a high-fraud place like Cambodia, the chances are that yours will be processed faster. So I would say that strictly speaking when comparing your case to others with the same background but different country of origin, there's not too much time to be gained due to being from the UK. Maybe a day/week or so, but not a huge amount.

 

As for the NOA2 'expiration', I don't want to give you wrong or false information so I would suggest poking around the site and seeing what you can find out for sure. I think it's valid for 6 months, but I blasted through my medical and interview super fast after getting my NOA2 because I was desperate to be with my now wife asap, so I didn't really pay too much attention to the fact that I could have waited a little while! I'm sure someone else can chip in here with the exact answer, but all I'll say is that you will have plenty of time to book a day off work/give notice on your job/pack etc. It's not something you have to fit into the space of 2 weeks.

 

Best of luck with the wait... try to stay sane! 

 

 

Thank you! That makes sense, we understand there is a long wait but so soooo worth it  just glad we finally have the ball rolling! (we got NOA1 yesterday)

Yeah our case is all in english, nothing needing to be translated

I want to hand my notice in for work just before 'estimated' NOA2 but i've read this isnt a bright idea (im not silly) because i want to sort out belongings, bills etc. before i have my medical & interview as like everyone else, i wanna fly out to my fiance ASAP when we get the visa, i guess its just about balancing, i think im thinking too far ahead & trying to be abit too organised haha

2 minutes ago, S*UK said:

1) No. You will wait just as long as anyone else. Country has no bearing. I have seen UK filers waiting up until the 6 month mark.

2) There is an expiry date on the NOA2 of 4 months.

Good to know! thank you

[geowrian 22,337]

Just to add to the above...

 

The initial expiration of the NOA2 is 4 months. The embassy may (and usually does) extend this so long as the case is still being worked on.

[NatO23 235]

51 minutes ago, Meisha&Jake said:

Thank you! That makes sense, we understand there is a long wait but so soooo worth it  just glad we finally have the ball rolling! (we got NOA1 yesterday)

Yeah our case is all in english, nothing needing to be translated

I want to hand my notice in for work just before 'estimated' NOA2 but i've read this isnt a bright idea (im not silly) because i want to sort out belongings, bills etc. before i have my medical & interview as like everyone else, i wanna fly out to my fiance ASAP when we get the visa, i guess its just about balancing, i think im thinking too far ahead & trying to be abit too organised haha

Good to know! thank you

My advice here would be to wait until your NOA2 before you hand your notice in. Do it on the day you get the notice, if you want, but definitely not before just in case of any delay. Don't forget - when you have the NOA2 you then have around 2 weeks to wait for your NVC number, then around a week for the transfer to embassy. You can't book your medical without the NVC number, so you'll be looking at at least 3 weeks between NOA2 and medical. Probably more like 4. 

 

It sounds like you've got your head screwed on though, so I'm sure you'll play it safe. Being organised is a good thing, just don't go crazy under the pressure o the waiting and move to fast on the big steps ;-)

 

Thanks to others for the correct answer on the NOA2 expiration!

[Meisha&Jake 869]

1 hour ago, geowrian said:

Just to add to the above...

 

The initial expiration of the NOA2 is 4 months. The embassy may (and usually does) extend this so long as the case is still being worked on.

Thankyou! I appreciate the clarification

 

 

1 hour ago, NatO23 said:

My advice here would be to wait until your NOA2 before you hand your notice in. Do it on the day you get the notice, if you want, but definitely not before just in case of any delay. Don't forget - when you have the NOA2 you then have around 2 weeks to wait for your NVC number, then around a week for the transfer to embassy. You can't book your medical without the NVC number, so you'll be looking at at least 3 weeks between NOA2 and medical. Probably more like 4. 

 

It sounds like you've got your head screwed on though, so I'm sure you'll play it safe. Being organised is a good thing, just don't go crazy under the pressure o the waiting and move to fast on the big steps ;-)

 

Thanks to others for the correct answer on the NOA2 expiration!

That makes my plans abit clearer for me, thank you!

[June2017UK 430]

Generally, employers love a ‘heads up’... ie I am going to resign because I’m waiting on a visa to emigrate. They’ll then advertise your job but be thankful for any delay until they find the ‘right’ replacement. Do not worry.

We’re all in a pile waiting to be looked at in some kind of date order. If your names ... petitioner or beneficiary resembles a common name like John Smith or John/Jane Doe, then it might take a little longer. 

 

And to give you peace of mind, after NOA2, some UK beneficiaries have got to interview within 35-37 days after NOA2 on VJ. 

 

My sincere best wishes for a speedy approval to you and your fiancé 

Edited October 19, 2017 by June2017UK

[Wuozopo 4,293]

3 hours ago, Meisha&Jake said:

Just curious, were a loooong way off receiving NOA2 but just wanted to know if being in the UK (low fraud country? as ive seen stated elsewhere on forums) does that mean quicker approvals for people from UK? I've seen a range of UK beneficiarys being approved just over 4 months, rather than the standard 5 across all countries at the moment.

 

Also, how long do you have to do the medical & interview once you receive NOA2? is there a expiry date? only reason i ask is because im just preparing in my head about getting time off work for medical & interview dates (when it comes to that)

 

Many thanks in advance

Compare processing times of different consulates right here. That is how long after your file has reached the consulate. http://www.visajourney.com/content/consulate-k1-historical

 

Today London is looking fairly fast. It wasn't that many months back when it averaged 75 days from receipt of the file. It won't be the same as today by the time your case gets there.  

 

Right now USCIS is simply going to check if US citizen is eligible to bring a fiancé to the US. Low fraud benefit comes into play more at the visa application stage (consulate). London interview day will probably be easier on you than if you lived in another country where they have to be a bit more suspicious. 

 

Your NOA2will have a four month expiration date written on it. Not a problem if you interview before 4 months. Still not a problem if you delay up to a year. London asks you to bring a new letter of intent from the American to the interview if you messed around past the four month expiration. For info straight from the source, see the sixth FAQ on this London website page https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visa-faqs/the-interview-2/

Edited October 19, 2017 by Wuozopo

[Meisha&Jake 869]

22 hours ago, June2017UK said:

Generally, employers love a ‘heads up’... ie I am going to resign because I’m waiting on a visa to emigrate. They’ll then advertise your job but be thankful for any delay until they find the ‘right’ replacement. Do not worry.

We’re all in a pile waiting to be looked at in some kind of date order. If your names ... petitioner or beneficiary resembles a common name like John Smith or John/Jane Doe, then it might take a little longer. 

 

And to give you peace of mind, after NOA2, some UK beneficiaries have got to interview within 35-37 days after NOA2 on VJ. 

 

My sincere best wishes for a speedy approval to you and your fiancé 

Yeah my colleagues are aware i am going to be moving to America, im quite open about it (not an issue at work) but i have to work a months notice so i was just trying to think ahead.

 

Thats pretty good for the rate of days once NOA2 has been recieved to interview, im hoping to be approved & flying out by end of May (nothing booked, just when id like to fly out if possible)

Thank you! best wishes to you too & thank you for your knowledge

 

22 hours ago, Wuozopo said:

Compare processing times of different consulates right here. That is how long after your file has reached the consulate. http://www.visajourney.com/content/consulate-k1-historical

 

Today London is looking fairly fast. It wasn't that many months back when it averaged 75 days from receipt of the file. It won't be the same as today by the time your case gets there.  

 

Right now USCIS is simply going to check if US citizen is eligible to bring a fiancé to the US. Low fraud benefit comes into play more at the visa application stage (consulate). London interview day will probably be easier on you than if you lived in another country where they have to be a bit more suspicious. 

 

Your NOA2will have a four month expiration date written on it. Not a problem if you interview before 4 months. Still not a problem if you delay up to a year. London asks you to bring a new letter of intent from the American to the interview if you messed around past the four month expiration. For info straight from the source, see the sixth FAQ on this London website page https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visa-faqs/the-interview-2/

Thanks Wuozopo as always, you know your stuff! I appreciate it (Sorry for all the questions, it plays on my mind if i dont ask haha)

My fingers crossed that we don't get any RFE's!

[Tim & Tiff 8]

Try not to pull your hair out waiting - you're now in the worst bit! I'm hoping to realistically move at end of January 2018 and I'm an early June filer!

 

Good luck