When to buy airfare for your fiance per K-1?

[Mark9 1]

     I learned today that it takes 4 months to complete a K-1 fiancé visa once it's approved per the I-129F.  At this time air fare is so low in cost I could buy both

her ticket to N.Y from Moscow, and also fly into either Moscow, or her town and fly back with her.  However I don't know If we can trust an averaged timeline?

     At what point in our case going to National Visa Center, and then to the State Department does a couple learn of what date they can safely get the air fare?

There are so many things to keep in mind that will cost money we are on  a budget, even though we have the money for all that's needed.  I'd hate to buy now and

then see we have to wait past the departure date with airline.    

[Dashinka 24,930]

1 minute ago, Mark9 said:

     I learned today that it takes 4 months to complete a K-1 fiancé visa once it's approved per the I-129F.  At this time air fare is so low in cost I could buy both

her ticket to N.Y from Moscow, and also fly into either Moscow, or her town and fly back with her.  However I don't know If we can trust an averaged timeline?

     At what point in our case going to National Visa Center, and then to the State Department does a couple learn of what date they can safely get the air fare?

There are so many things to keep in mind that will cost money we are on  a budget, even though we have the money for all that's needed.  I'd hate to buy now and

then see we have to wait past the departure date with airline.    

The prevailing advice you will get is to not spend any money on airfare, wedding plans, or anything else until the visa and passport are back in your fiance’s hands.

 

You cannot trust average timelines, they change all the time.  Last year California Service Center was processing ROCs in a little over six months, this year, it is more like 14-15 months.

 

Good Luck!

[RJandHamid 1,133]

Timelines are just an estimate, and anything can happen before or after the interview, including an unknown amount of time of administrative processing. Most people recommend waiting until the visa is in hand to book the flight, unless you purchase flexible tickets that allow you to change the dates of the flight. 

Edited December 12, 2017 by RJandHamid

[Jeanne Adil 1,651]

it is taking about a year for the K1 now

and BTW the CO at embassy does not have to approve the visa

it can be denied for many issues

[mytruelove18 608]

1 hour ago, Mark9 said:

     I learned today that it takes 4 months to complete a K-1 fiancé visa once it's approved per the I-129F.  At this time air fare is so low in cost I could buy both

her ticket to N.Y from Moscow, and also fly into either Moscow, or her town and fly back with her.  However I don't know If we can trust an averaged timeline?

     At what point in our case going to National Visa Center, and then to the State Department does a couple learn of what date they can safely get the air fare?

There are so many things to keep in mind that will cost money we are on  a budget, even though we have the money for all that's needed.  I'd hate to buy now and

then see we have to wait past the departure date with airline.    

Each case is diferent, my cousin case took at nvc only 1 week, mine took 2 months.

My cousin got his visa in hand 4 days after interview.

I am in ap from my interview on november  20, so dont buy any titket until visa in hand.

[Paul & Marina 53]

I hope to file our I-295F in Feb or Mar. I have been to Russia twice and always fly Aeroflot. I will be making another trip in Mar-2018. Prices are really good now. I buy a Flex so for $100 to $150 you can change dates. Before I went the first time I signed up in Aeroflot's bonus miles program. They are part of SkyTeam so I got the Delta credit card (I hate Delta but miles can be used on Aeroflot) for more miles. I put all my stuff like, phone, cable, internet, car ins, gas, groceries, anything I would put on Debit-Card. So, building miles at a good pace. Every Sunday night I pay the balance of what I charged during the week from the account that my Debit Card is on. So same amount goes out each week. For me this works to build miles faster.

 

OK, let’s talk about Aeroflot. First time did my research and there were many positive reviews. Friends & family were freaked out. I will tell you 2 flights 4 segments each 8 total. I always had a great experience. They have one of the newest fleets, cabin crew was great and took good care of us. Food was Russian so be ready for that 90% was good.

Avoid fly anytime before or after the World Cup in June as Russia is Host county and rates are sky high.

 

Just food for thought.

 

I whish for you and all the best.

[OutOfThisWorld 87]

Consider buying a one-way award ticket for the fiancee. So, indeed, use this time to stock-up on airline miles.

 

This is a nice perk of award tickets - two one-ways both ways added together are priced the same as the corresponding round-trip. With any other type of airline ticket purchase round-trips are almost always cheaper.

 

Aeroflot is fine. You should be able to buy Aeroflot tickets with Delta miles, but be prepared to hunt for dates and for low availability.

[Paul & Marina 53]

When you go on Aerflot site and put in travel date it shows a ranger of prices before and after your date. You can scroll larger range of dates to get idea.

[tanderson64 201]

Since you haven't filled out your timeline it is hard to give you advice.  But my experience is that it is not hard to find an inexpensive flight to and from Moscow most of the year.  Don't know about flights to other Russian cities.

 

But keep in mind the world cup is in Russia in 2018 and starts June 14th.  Flights will be very expensive and hard to find before, during and after the world cup.