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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: South Africa
Timeline

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

 

 

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Mauritius
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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 :)

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: South Africa
Timeline
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.

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Mauritius
Timeline
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 😁

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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

Jan 26th: Mailed I-129F

Jan 29th NOA1

Feb 2nd: Check Cashed

Feb 9th: rcvd hard copy of NOA1

Aug. 28th Notified of RFE being mailed

Sept. 1st received hard copy of RFE in the mail

Sept. 4th mailed response to RFE

Sept. 10th received txt that my response to RFE was received

Oct. 10th Received txt that we were approved (NOA2) 30days after RFE response

Oct. 13th received hard copy of NOA2

Oct. 31st case arrived at NVC

Nov 2nd received case number

Nov. 19th Case is "ready" to schedule an interview

Feb. 14th Interview (2019) APPROVED!!!!!!

 

AOS

July 24th: mailed AOS pkt

July 31st: received txt msg of receipt numbers for all documents

Aug 5th received NOA hard copies dated July 31st

Aug. 9th received Biometrics letter in the mail

Aug. 19th Biometrics appt.

Sept. 20th notified of RFE via website 

Sept. 25th Received hard copy of RFE (copy of BC)

Sept. 27th Sent response to RFE

Sept. 30th Response was delivered

Oct. 2nd... Response to evidence received updated on website

Feb 12, 2020 case is ready to schedule for interview

Feb 12, 2020 New card is being produced (EAD)
Feb 13, 2020 Notification that EAD  and AP was approved

Feb 18,2020 received hard copies of AP and EAD approval

Feb 18,2020 notification AOS interview scheduled and EAD mailed

Feb 20, 2020 received EAD card

Feb 24, 2020 received interview letter (March24th)

Aug 4, 2020 received notification of new interview date(rescheduled because of pandemic)

Sept. 14th new AOS interview
Oct. 30th AOS approval

Nov. 9th New card is being produced
 

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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 :)

Luflolady

Jan 26th: Mailed I-129F

Jan 29th NOA1

Feb 2nd: Check Cashed

Feb 9th: rcvd hard copy of NOA1

Aug. 28th Notified of RFE being mailed

Sept. 1st received hard copy of RFE in the mail

Sept. 4th mailed response to RFE

Sept. 10th received txt that my response to RFE was received

Oct. 10th Received txt that we were approved (NOA2) 30days after RFE response

Oct. 13th received hard copy of NOA2

Oct. 31st case arrived at NVC

Nov 2nd received case number

Nov. 19th Case is "ready" to schedule an interview

Feb. 14th Interview (2019) APPROVED!!!!!!

 

AOS

July 24th: mailed AOS pkt

July 31st: received txt msg of receipt numbers for all documents

Aug 5th received NOA hard copies dated July 31st

Aug. 9th received Biometrics letter in the mail

Aug. 19th Biometrics appt.

Sept. 20th notified of RFE via website 

Sept. 25th Received hard copy of RFE (copy of BC)

Sept. 27th Sent response to RFE

Sept. 30th Response was delivered

Oct. 2nd... Response to evidence received updated on website

Feb 12, 2020 case is ready to schedule for interview

Feb 12, 2020 New card is being produced (EAD)
Feb 13, 2020 Notification that EAD  and AP was approved

Feb 18,2020 received hard copies of AP and EAD approval

Feb 18,2020 notification AOS interview scheduled and EAD mailed

Feb 20, 2020 received EAD card

Feb 24, 2020 received interview letter (March24th)

Aug 4, 2020 received notification of new interview date(rescheduled because of pandemic)

Sept. 14th new AOS interview
Oct. 30th AOS approval

Nov. 9th New card is being produced
 

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Mauritius
Timeline
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 :)

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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!

Luflolady

Jan 26th: Mailed I-129F

Jan 29th NOA1

Feb 2nd: Check Cashed

Feb 9th: rcvd hard copy of NOA1

Aug. 28th Notified of RFE being mailed

Sept. 1st received hard copy of RFE in the mail

Sept. 4th mailed response to RFE

Sept. 10th received txt that my response to RFE was received

Oct. 10th Received txt that we were approved (NOA2) 30days after RFE response

Oct. 13th received hard copy of NOA2

Oct. 31st case arrived at NVC

Nov 2nd received case number

Nov. 19th Case is "ready" to schedule an interview

Feb. 14th Interview (2019) APPROVED!!!!!!

 

AOS

July 24th: mailed AOS pkt

July 31st: received txt msg of receipt numbers for all documents

Aug 5th received NOA hard copies dated July 31st

Aug. 9th received Biometrics letter in the mail

Aug. 19th Biometrics appt.

Sept. 20th notified of RFE via website 

Sept. 25th Received hard copy of RFE (copy of BC)

Sept. 27th Sent response to RFE

Sept. 30th Response was delivered

Oct. 2nd... Response to evidence received updated on website

Feb 12, 2020 case is ready to schedule for interview

Feb 12, 2020 New card is being produced (EAD)
Feb 13, 2020 Notification that EAD  and AP was approved

Feb 18,2020 received hard copies of AP and EAD approval

Feb 18,2020 notification AOS interview scheduled and EAD mailed

Feb 20, 2020 received EAD card

Feb 24, 2020 received interview letter (March24th)

Aug 4, 2020 received notification of new interview date(rescheduled because of pandemic)

Sept. 14th new AOS interview
Oct. 30th AOS approval

Nov. 9th New card is being produced
 

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: South Africa
Timeline
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?

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Mauritius
Timeline
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 :)

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: South Africa
Timeline

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

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: South Africa
Timeline
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! 

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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 

Luflolady

Jan 26th: Mailed I-129F

Jan 29th NOA1

Feb 2nd: Check Cashed

Feb 9th: rcvd hard copy of NOA1

Aug. 28th Notified of RFE being mailed

Sept. 1st received hard copy of RFE in the mail

Sept. 4th mailed response to RFE

Sept. 10th received txt that my response to RFE was received

Oct. 10th Received txt that we were approved (NOA2) 30days after RFE response

Oct. 13th received hard copy of NOA2

Oct. 31st case arrived at NVC

Nov 2nd received case number

Nov. 19th Case is "ready" to schedule an interview

Feb. 14th Interview (2019) APPROVED!!!!!!

 

AOS

July 24th: mailed AOS pkt

July 31st: received txt msg of receipt numbers for all documents

Aug 5th received NOA hard copies dated July 31st

Aug. 9th received Biometrics letter in the mail

Aug. 19th Biometrics appt.

Sept. 20th notified of RFE via website 

Sept. 25th Received hard copy of RFE (copy of BC)

Sept. 27th Sent response to RFE

Sept. 30th Response was delivered

Oct. 2nd... Response to evidence received updated on website

Feb 12, 2020 case is ready to schedule for interview

Feb 12, 2020 New card is being produced (EAD)
Feb 13, 2020 Notification that EAD  and AP was approved

Feb 18,2020 received hard copies of AP and EAD approval

Feb 18,2020 notification AOS interview scheduled and EAD mailed

Feb 20, 2020 received EAD card

Feb 24, 2020 received interview letter (March24th)

Aug 4, 2020 received notification of new interview date(rescheduled because of pandemic)

Sept. 14th new AOS interview
Oct. 30th AOS approval

Nov. 9th New card is being produced
 

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Mauritius
Timeline

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!!! 

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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

Luflolady

Jan 26th: Mailed I-129F

Jan 29th NOA1

Feb 2nd: Check Cashed

Feb 9th: rcvd hard copy of NOA1

Aug. 28th Notified of RFE being mailed

Sept. 1st received hard copy of RFE in the mail

Sept. 4th mailed response to RFE

Sept. 10th received txt that my response to RFE was received

Oct. 10th Received txt that we were approved (NOA2) 30days after RFE response

Oct. 13th received hard copy of NOA2

Oct. 31st case arrived at NVC

Nov 2nd received case number

Nov. 19th Case is "ready" to schedule an interview

Feb. 14th Interview (2019) APPROVED!!!!!!

 

AOS

July 24th: mailed AOS pkt

July 31st: received txt msg of receipt numbers for all documents

Aug 5th received NOA hard copies dated July 31st

Aug. 9th received Biometrics letter in the mail

Aug. 19th Biometrics appt.

Sept. 20th notified of RFE via website 

Sept. 25th Received hard copy of RFE (copy of BC)

Sept. 27th Sent response to RFE

Sept. 30th Response was delivered

Oct. 2nd... Response to evidence received updated on website

Feb 12, 2020 case is ready to schedule for interview

Feb 12, 2020 New card is being produced (EAD)
Feb 13, 2020 Notification that EAD  and AP was approved

Feb 18,2020 received hard copies of AP and EAD approval

Feb 18,2020 notification AOS interview scheduled and EAD mailed

Feb 20, 2020 received EAD card

Feb 24, 2020 received interview letter (March24th)

Aug 4, 2020 received notification of new interview date(rescheduled because of pandemic)

Sept. 14th new AOS interview
Oct. 30th AOS approval

Nov. 9th New card is being produced
 

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