South African K1 Visa applicants

[amaraimee 109]

2 hours ago, LuFlolady said:

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

Thank you!! It was so smooth it didn’t feel real haha I’m not sure, when we went to pickup his passport, they only took the passport out and resealed everything else in an envelope- we aren’t allowed to open it.

 

[LuFlolady 881]

1 minute ago, amaraimee said:

Thank you!! It was so smooth it didn’t feel real haha I’m not sure, when we went to pickup his passport, they only took the passport out and resealed everything else in an envelope- we aren’t allowed to open it.

 

gotcha! ok thank you for sharing Congrats again and ENJOY!

[HOORAY7 165]

On ‎3‎/‎27‎/‎2018 at 11:06 PM, Vintage girl said:

The thing is everyone's situation is different and some cases you have to compromise or make sacrifices for your loved one. If there is kids involve I would say sponsoring the Dad would make you a Hero but it can also put strain on your relationship with the fiance. We can only do what is right even if it seems outrageous. But listen to your heart and think things through carefully and discuss this with your fiance and see if you maybe can work something out that benefit both of you. Strongs. But in the long run she made her choice to start over with you. Maybe she should stick with the choice and give her kids a better future and look forward. There is always skype, Facebook, email etc to communicate with the ex husband.

Sorry everyone, just getting back in the groove of things, I was home in Iowa visiting my family and i'm back in Washington now. Kerren and I worked it out, but I told her i'm not sponsoring anyone, anyone can apply for a tourist visa without sponsorship, it's harder of course, but i'm not putting myself on the line for anyone but her and the boys.  Rough week, but we are pushing through it, thank you everyone for your advice.

They are still waiting on the visa's to be issued and are scheduled to fly 12 Apr, so we hope they get the visa's this week! 

Saw some progress with some folks getting their visa's and interview approvals, congrats to you all!!!!  Love this SA forum, keeping everyone in touch with constant changes or lesson's learned, awesome to see!!!

[amaraimee 109]

19 hours ago, LuFlolady said:

gotcha! ok thank you for sharing Congrats again and ENJOY!

Thank you!!!

[HOORAY7 165]

On ‎3‎/‎29‎/‎2018 at 11:34 PM, 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

So happy for you, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

[LuFlolady 881]

11 hours ago, HOORAY7 said:

Sorry everyone, just getting back in the groove of things, I was home in Iowa visiting my family and i'm back in Washington now. Kerren and I worked it out, but I told her i'm not sponsoring anyone, anyone can apply for a tourist visa without sponsorship, it's harder of course, but i'm not putting myself on the line for anyone but her and the boys.  Rough week, but we are pushing through it, thank you everyone for your advice.

They are still waiting on the visa's to be issued and are scheduled to fly 12 Apr, so we hope they get the visa's this week! 

Saw some progress with some folks getting their visa's and interview approvals, congrats to you all!!!!  Love this SA forum, keeping everyone in touch with constant changes or lesson's learned, awesome to see!!!

glad everything worked out and hoping they get the visas soon and have a smooth POE

[Vintage girl 146]

Guys I'm just wondering what is the worst of this K1 process : The waiting on the NOA2? The interview? The POE? Gosh this waiting is very frustrating. We are now on day 111 and still a long way to go. I just wish that the process with the NOA2 will go faster. I miss my Fiance so much. I can't wait to start my life with him.

[HOORAY7 165]

7 hours ago, Vintage girl said:

Guys I'm just wondering what is the worst of this K1 process : The waiting on the NOA2? The interview? The POE? Gosh this waiting is very frustrating. We are now on day 111 and still a long way to go. I just wish that the process with the NOA2 will go faster. I miss my Fiance so much. I can't wait to start my life with him.

The worst part by far is waiting on the NOA2!!  Ours took 5 months, that was the longest time of our lives!!  Once you get that NOA2, it goes by quicker and with much more professional people.  Use this time wisely to get the things together you can without going past the 6 month deadline.  Anything requiring a 6 month deadline, wait until you get your NOA2, such as police records.  Keep the faith, your time is coming!   

[Vintage girl 146]

2 minutes ago, HOORAY7 said:

The worst part by far is waiting on the NOA2!!  Ours took 5 months, that was the longest time of our lives!!  Once you get that NOA2, it goes by quicker and with much more professional people.  Use this time wisely to get the things together you can without going past the 6 month deadline.  Anything requiring a 6 month deadline, wait until you get your NOA2, such as police records.  Keep the faith, your time is coming!   

I agree. The waiting and uncertainty of the NOA2 is the most torture part of this journey but I will stay positive and focus on the goal. I know that after this I can spend the rest of my life with the one I love and if destiny agree with my wishes then everything will be what is meant to be. I am looking forward to finish this journey with a positive attitude. And maybe we can inspire other couples who is going through the same thing. Lets keep our fingers crossed. Counting the days.

[LuFlolady 881]

9 hours ago, Vintage girl said:

Guys I'm just wondering what is the worst of this K1 process : The waiting on the NOA2? The interview? The POE? Gosh this waiting is very frustrating. We are now on day 111 and still a long way to go. I just wish that the process with the NOA2 will go faster. I miss my Fiance so much. I can't wait to start my life with him.

the waiting on the NOA2 is the hardest for me....What part of SA is your fiance?

[Vintage girl 146]

18 minutes ago, LuFlolady said:

the waiting on the NOA2 is the hardest for me....What part of SA is your fiance?

Im the one in SA Potchefstroom area. My fiance is in Florida. 

[LuFlolady 881]

Just now, Vintage girl said:

Im the one in SA Potchefstroom area. My fiance is in Florida. 

ok my fiance is in Green Point

[HOORAY7 165]

Good evening/morning to everyone!  I have a question for you all.  My fiancé there in SA will be emigrating next week here to Washington State (hope we get our visa's before next Thursday!) and she has been given some jewelry from her mum that has been in her family for a while and wants her to have.  Does anyone know if she needs to claim this at customs and if so, pay anything on it?

[Vintage girl 146]

4 minutes ago, LuFlolady said:

ok my fiance is in Green Point

Oh Capetown a beautiful city. Im a but up North-West. 

[HOORAY7 165]

Just checked out status on the AIS website for my fiancé and her boys visa's, her's has been issued, but now the boys are under administrative processing.  UGH!!  Not what I wanted to see, I've heard this could take weeks!!  Oh boy, I hope this doesn't take long or it's time to reschedule everything!  Anyone know how long AP could take with children?