South African K1 Visa applicants

[Vintage girl 146]

Hi Guys

 

It seems like the USCIS started with October 2017. I really hope that they will get to the December files soon. I am so excited!!! The timelines is definitely moving.

Have a great Easter weekend you all. Soon we get good news.

 

Zel

 

 

[amaraimee 109]

Quick update: my fiancé’s visa was sent to DHL Sandton yesterday afternoon and today we went to DHL to inquire and it was there!!! We’re going home together Saturday

[Vintage girl 146]

3 minutes ago, amaraimee said:

Quick update: my fiancé’s visa was sent to DHL Sandton yesterday afternoon and today we went to DHL to inquire and it was there!!! We’re going home together Saturday

Oh well, that is fantastic news! New beginning starting now... good luck home. Have a safe flight.

[amaraimee 109]

2 hours ago, Vintage girl said:

Oh well, that is fantastic news! New beginning starting now... good luck home. Have a safe flight.

Thank you very much!! Good luck to everybody 😁

[LuFlolady 881]

2 hours ago, amaraimee said:

Quick update: my fiancé’s visa was sent to DHL Sandton yesterday afternoon and today we went to DHL to inquire and it was there!!! We’re going home together Saturday

WOW! this gave me chills Congrats and safe Journey home... How long did it take from approval interview to visa being sent to DHL Sandton? Did you have to pay DHL for the pick up of the visa?  

[LuFlolady 881]

6 hours ago, Vintage girl said:

Hi Guys

 

It seems like the USCIS started with October 2017. I really hope that they will get to the December files soon. I am so excited!!! The timelines is definitely moving.

Have a great Easter weekend you all. Soon we get good news.

 

Zel

 

 

Yes October is underway they should start on December if my theories are correct by late May that is my theory I am a January Filer so I still have time but I am trying to speed up the process in my head lol

[amaraimee 109]

22 minutes ago, LuFlolady said:

WOW! this gave me chills Congrats and safe Journey home... How long did it take from approval interview to visa being sent to DHL Sandton? Did you have to pay DHL for the pick up of the visa?  

Thank you!! We were approved on March 20, so 9 days total from interview to visa in hand (minus one day for DHL to receive it)! That's including a weekend and a public holiday, so 6 business days total but they sent it yesterday. Not too bad, we were very worried since we already had our tickets booked and both Friday and Monday are public holidays. We got lucky! We did not have to pay! I think you only have to pay if DHL is shipping it somewhere. We chose the pickup option when we filled out his DS-160 online

[LuFlolady 881]

8 minutes ago, amaraimee said:

Thank you!! We were approved on March 20, so 9 days total from interview to visa in hand (minus one day for DHL to receive it)! That's including a weekend and a public holiday, so 6 business days total but they sent it yesterday. Not too bad, we were very worried since we already had our tickets booked and both Friday and Monday are public holidays. We got lucky! We did not have to pay! I think you only have to pay if DHL is shipping it somewhere. We chose the pickup option when we filled out his DS-160 online

perfect! thank you and again safe Journey home!

[GazLoestie1994 14]

5 hours ago, amaraimee said:

Thank you!! We were approved on March 20, so 9 days total from interview to visa in hand (minus one day for DHL to receive it)! That's including a weekend and a public holiday, so 6 business days total but they sent it yesterday. Not too bad, we were very worried since we already had our tickets booked and both Friday and Monday are public holidays. We got lucky! We did not have to pay! I think you only have to pay if DHL is shipping it somewhere. We chose the pickup option when we filled out his DS-160 online

At the interview - were you required to present the email that the Joburg Consulate sent you (the packet 3 email instructing you to schedule the appointment etc)? Or did they not ask for that?

[amaraimee 109]

40 minutes ago, GazLoestie1994 said:

At the interview - were you required to present the email that the Joburg Consulate sent you (the packet 3 email instructing you to schedule the appointment etc)? Or did they not ask for that?

No, we weren’t! I think we did at the medical, but the interview itself no

[Wouter Erwee 11]

Good Morning Everyone,

 

Sorry for the delayed response, we were celebrating the whole of yesterday.  We are APPROVED!!!

 

So here's how the whole thing went down:

 

I arrived at Sandton City a bit early, my appointment ws only at 13:00 the afternoon.  Took a chance and went to the security at the consulate at around 12:00 but was told to come back at 12:45. Went for a coffee in the mall and returned at 12:45.  I was one of only 5 K1 visa applicants.  Started chatting to the other Saffas, 2 girls and another guy. (Sorry I am really bad at remembering names, one girl was from Port Elizabeth moving to NYC, another from Evander moving to Texas I believe and the guy from Pretoria going to Fort Lauderdale. There was another gentleman there too, but did not get the chance to talk to him.

 

1 - Checked us in on a tablet at the security gate, phones off and then you enter the security building.

2 - Went into the 2nd building and was checked in again, they check your passport, give you instructions on the DHL delivery and give you a number.  Then you sit and wait.  There consulate was really quite.  We were basically the only ones there.

3 - They call your number to a window where they collect all your documents.  I met with a really nice man, making jokes and conversation as you go along.

4 - I was very well prepared with all the documents and copies, but I believe the best approach is to only give them what they ask for and not submit anything extra. He asked for the following:

DS-160 form

Payment Confirmation

Unabridged Birth Certificate

Police Clearance

I-134 form ( affidavit of support)

Tax Returns and other supporting documents

US size passport photos

Proof of relationship

The man combined all the documents into a folder and told me to sit down again.

5 - Get called up for the interview.  Met a nice US lady who asked the following questions, very casual, not intimidating at all. (They must read the documents from your original submission because she knew that we met working onboard cruise ships...)

- So I see you guys met onboard a cruise ship?

- How long ago was that?

- Has she visited South Africa before?

- When was the last time she was here?

- Have you visited here in the US?

- Where are we going to live in the US?

Then she said "Great, I see no reason why I can't approve you visa application." and that was it, approved!!

6 - She then proceeded to cancel my C1D and B1B2 visas and told me that I could collect my passport within 7-10 days.

7 - She said that I would also receive an envelope with my visa to take with me to the US and give to the CBP officer at the port of entry. She instructed me very seriously " Do Not Open the Packet", haha. and that was it, out the door with an approved K1 visa.

 

Not sure if the other Saffas got approved as I was out the door first, but I believe all went well for them. whole process from start to finish was about 90 mins.

 

Not sure if I should go ahead and book a flight yet or wait till I have my visa in hand. If anyone has any input, please let me know. ...

 

I must say that I have found this South African forum very useful and would like to continue on the forum as we move along with with process.

 

Thanks for all the wishes and let me know if anyone has any questions.

 

Thanks 

Wouter

[Vintage girl 146]

4 minutes ago, Wouter Erwee said:

Good Morning Everyone,

 

Sorry for the delayed response, we were celebrating the whole of yesterday.  We are APPROVED!!!

 

So here's how the whole thing went down:

 

I arrived at Sandton City a bit early, my appointment ws only at 13:00 the afternoon.  Took a chance and went to the security at the consulate at around 12:00 but was told to come back at 12:45. Went for a coffee in the mall and returned at 12:45.  I was one of only 5 K1 visa applicants.  Started chatting to the other Saffas, 2 girls and another guy. (Sorry I am really bad at remembering names, one girl was from Port Elizabeth moving to NYC, another from Evander moving to Texas I believe and the guy from Pretoria going to Fort Lauderdale. There was another gentleman there too, but did not get the chance to talk to him.

 

1 - Checked us in on a tablet at the security gate, phones off and then you enter the security building.

2 - Went into the 2nd building and was checked in again, they check your passport, give you instructions on the DHL delivery and give you a number.  Then you sit and wait.  There consulate was really quite.  We were basically the only ones there.

3 - They call your number to a window where they collect all your documents.  I met with a really nice man, making jokes and conversation as you go along.

4 - I was very well prepared with all the documents and copies, but I believe the best approach is to only give them what they ask for and not submit anything extra. He asked for the following:

DS-160 form

Payment Confirmation

Unabridged Birth Certificate

Police Clearance

I-134 form ( affidavit of support)

Tax Returns and other supporting documents

US size passport photos

Proof of relationship

The man combined all the documents into a folder and told me to sit down again.

5 - Get called up for the interview.  Met a nice US lady who asked the following questions, very casual, not intimidating at all. (They must read the documents from your original submission because she knew that we met working onboard cruise ships...)

- So I see you guys met onboard a cruise ship?

- How long ago was that?

- Has she visited South Africa before?

- When was the last time she was here?

- Have you visited here in the US?

- Where are we going to live in the US?

Then she said "Great, I see no reason why I can't approve you visa application." and that was it, approved!!

6 - She then proceeded to cancel my C1D and B1B2 visas and told me that I could collect my passport within 7-10 days.

7 - She said that I would also receive an envelope with my visa to take with me to the US and give to the CBP officer at the port of entry. She instructed me very seriously " Do Not Open the Packet", haha. and that was it, out the door with an approved K1 visa.

 

Not sure if the other Saffas got approved as I was out the door first, but I believe all went well for them. whole process from start to finish was about 90 mins.

 

Not sure if I should go ahead and book a flight yet or wait till I have my visa in hand. If anyone has any input, please let me know. ...

 

I must say that I have found this South African forum very useful and would like to continue on the forum as we move along with with process.

 

Thanks for all the wishes and let me know if anyone has any questions.

 

Thanks 

Wouter

Fantastic news !!! Congrats!! So happy for you! 

[LuFlolady 881]

7 hours ago, Wouter Erwee said:

Good Morning Everyone,

 

Sorry for the delayed response, we were celebrating the whole of yesterday.  We are APPROVED!!!

 

So here's how the whole thing went down:

 

I arrived at Sandton City a bit early, my appointment ws only at 13:00 the afternoon.  Took a chance and went to the security at the consulate at around 12:00 but was told to come back at 12:45. Went for a coffee in the mall and returned at 12:45.  I was one of only 5 K1 visa applicants.  Started chatting to the other Saffas, 2 girls and another guy. (Sorry I am really bad at remembering names, one girl was from Port Elizabeth moving to NYC, another from Evander moving to Texas I believe and the guy from Pretoria going to Fort Lauderdale. There was another gentleman there too, but did not get the chance to talk to him.

 

1 - Checked us in on a tablet at the security gate, phones off and then you enter the security building.

2 - Went into the 2nd building and was checked in again, they check your passport, give you instructions on the DHL delivery and give you a number.  Then you sit and wait.  There consulate was really quite.  We were basically the only ones there.

3 - They call your number to a window where they collect all your documents.  I met with a really nice man, making jokes and conversation as you go along.

4 - I was very well prepared with all the documents and copies, but I believe the best approach is to only give them what they ask for and not submit anything extra. He asked for the following:

DS-160 form

Payment Confirmation

Unabridged Birth Certificate

Police Clearance

I-134 form ( affidavit of support)

Tax Returns and other supporting documents

US size passport photos

Proof of relationship

The man combined all the documents into a folder and told me to sit down again.

5 - Get called up for the interview.  Met a nice US lady who asked the following questions, very casual, not intimidating at all. (They must read the documents from your original submission because she knew that we met working onboard cruise ships...)

- So I see you guys met onboard a cruise ship?

- How long ago was that?

- Has she visited South Africa before?

- When was the last time she was here?

- Have you visited here in the US?

- Where are we going to live in the US?

Then she said "Great, I see no reason why I can't approve you visa application." and that was it, approved!!

6 - She then proceeded to cancel my C1D and B1B2 visas and told me that I could collect my passport within 7-10 days.

7 - She said that I would also receive an envelope with my visa to take with me to the US and give to the CBP officer at the port of entry. She instructed me very seriously " Do Not Open the Packet", haha. and that was it, out the door with an approved K1 visa.

 

Not sure if the other Saffas got approved as I was out the door first, but I believe all went well for them. whole process from start to finish was about 90 mins.

 

Not sure if I should go ahead and book a flight yet or wait till I have my visa in hand. If anyone has any input, please let me know. ...

 

I must say that I have found this South African forum very useful and would like to continue on the forum as we move along with with process.

 

Thanks for all the wishes and let me know if anyone has any questions.

 

Thanks 

Wouter

WOW! Congrats 

[amaraimee 109]

My fiancé is now in the USA! Poe was Chicago yesterday. The point of entry was the easiest thing ever. He only had to hand over his passport with visa, packet from DHL and the brown packet from his medical (chest X-rays). Wow!!! 

[LuFlolady 881]

5 hours ago, amaraimee said:

My fiancé is now in the USA! Poe was Chicago yesterday. The point of entry was the easiest thing ever. He only had to hand over his passport with visa, packet from DHL and the brown packet from his medical (chest X-rays). Wow!!! 

wow! congrats whats in the DHL packet? CONGRATS on smooth POE