South African K1 Visa applicants

[JS5220 67]

8 hours ago, Mozam said:

WE WERE APPROVED!

 

We came back exhausted. We ran into a bit of trouble, because our passport photos where not technically the correct size. We had them taken in Moz, so apparently they're doing it wrong. Haha. However, the doctor accepted them without a problem so we didn't think twice. Thankfully, the first guy told us as we were receiving our number to stand in line and my fiancé ran over to PostNet and quickly got new ones. It was an easy fix, but definitely spiked my stress levels for a moment. 

 

We also used a translator. For any future person reading this, do NOT use a translator you meet the day of your interview. Ours was horrible and I was afraid he was going to cost us our interview. He was so cocky and I think the guy interviewing us was even getting a little irritated. They let me stand with my fiancé in the interview, but I saw them make a lot of the U.S. sponsors go sit down. I think this was just because we ended up being last in line because of the photo mishap? Not sure. We only got a translator because I was afraid they wouldn't let me translate, but something makes me wonder that they probably would have let me. 

 

I can't even really remember what he was asked. It was only 3 or 4 questions about how we met and where my (the sponsor) family lives in the U.S. I felt like he was more easy on us, since we were last and we took longer because some information needed to be given through the translator. I was able to hear a few other interviews since we were sitting directly behind one of the interview windows. It was kind of awkward that everyone was in there together. I didn't think it would be like that. 

 

I think one thing we weren't prepared for was at the first window when they collect all your documents. After they collect all your documents they ask a question that is more or less asking where you will be staying/living in the U.S.. They want the physical address with house number and street name. That's something we didn't go over together. We just went over the city and state, because even I have trouble remembering it because we use a P.O. Box. So just some side info you might need. 

 

Feel free to ask questions if you want! Hoping the best for all of you next week!

It sounds like our interviews went a little different, but at the end of the day we both passed!!! Now just need to get those visas! Did they tell you how long yours would take?

[MozambiqueSoninha 50]

so Happy for all of you - 

 

Mozam,  I didnt want to say anything before your interview, but, NVC has proven me wrong.   Mozambique does in fact have a third type of birth and marriage certificate from Mozambique which is called verbatim "Narritivo Completo de nascimento."   It was not an easy document to get though.   We have a friend at the registry who told us the documents have actually been ended and are not technically still valid documents?   He was able to get the paper they are made on and get the registry to fill it in - but said they stopped using them a while ago.   

 

I didnt say anything knowing at this point, already in SA, you wouldnt be able to get it, and knowing that for my wife we used the "assunto de nascimento," and they had no issue whatsoever with the document.  

 

Very interested to hear how long and how you get your visa back.  

 

Congrats again,  I dont know you guys but am so happy for you.   I honestly spent so much time thinking about your interview over the last two days.   Really happy it went well!   Good Luck in your move to the US and though I will still be here till my process is done,  but reach out anytime you guys need anything! 

[Mozam 147]

On 2/7/2019 at 7:43 PM, Pdvdw said:

Happy for you guys! I was also today and the officer said "I will be approving your visa later today and you will receive in 7 - 10 business days". I wonder why they told us different things.

 

Do you guys know if we can check online somewhere when our visa has officially been "approved."

 

Haha, even though we are at the end of this portion of the process, I still get nervous lol XD

 

We were told up to 7 days. We aren't expecting it to take that long. 

 

If we were approved were we suppose to receive a piece of paper? We didn't leave with anything in our hands. They literally took everything except our birthday certificate. 

[Mozam 147]

On 2/8/2019 at 5:14 PM, JS5220 said:

It sounds like our interviews went a little different, but at the end of the day we both passed!!! Now just need to get those visas! Did they tell you how long yours would take?

They told us up to 7 days, but it generally didn't take that long. Curious since we are having our sent to Pretoria if it'll end up taking another day. Hope you get yours soon!

 

5 hours ago, MozambiqueSoninha said:

so Happy for all of you - 

 

Mozam,  I didnt want to say anything before your interview, but, NVC has proven me wrong.   Mozambique does in fact have a third type of birth and marriage certificate from Mozambique which is called verbatim "Narritivo Completo de nascimento."   It was not an easy document to get though.   We have a friend at the registry who told us the documents have actually been ended and are not technically still valid documents?   He was able to get the paper they are made on and get the registry to fill it in - but said they stopped using them a while ago.   

 

I didnt say anything knowing at this point, already in SA, you wouldnt be able to get it, and knowing that for my wife we used the "assunto de nascimento," and they had no issue whatsoever with the document.  

 

Very interested to hear how long and how you get your visa back.  

 

Congrats again,  I dont know you guys but am so happy for you.   I honestly spent so much time thinking about your interview over the last two days.   Really happy it went well!   Good Luck in your move to the US and though I will still be here till my process is done,  but reach out anytime you guys need anything! 

That's what we used! My fiancé had one that he had to get when he entered university. So thankfully, we didn't have to do anything extra with that. 

 

I'll definitely update when we actually receive our visa.

 

Thanks for thinking of us! We are happy it went well. I hope things speed up for you and that your process isn't too much longer. Is your wife waiting in Mozambique throughout this whole process? 

[madameMaison 204]

Omg I am so happy, my fiancé booked an impromptu trip to South Africa so he can attend the interview with me on Thursday.. 😭😭✨❤️🌸... I wasn't expecting that at all. 

 

This has just made the time feel shorter. 

 

Just wanted to share my positive vibes with you all. ❤️✨🙏🏽

[LuFlolady 881]

8 hours ago, madameMaison said:

Omg I am so happy, my fiancé booked an impromptu trip to South Africa so he can attend the interview with me on Thursday.. 😭😭✨❤️🌸... I wasn't expecting that at all. 

 

This has just made the time feel shorter. 

 

Just wanted to share my positive vibes with you all. ❤️✨🙏🏽

Awwweee how nice good luck to you on Thursday!

[Mel & Llew 11]

On 2/7/2019 at 3:04 PM, JS5220 said:

We've been approved!!!! I'm so happy right now words cannot express it.

 

My fiance said they only asked her a few super easy questions, and it was at a teller's booth. It took her all of probably 2 minutes.

 

1) Do you promise to tell the truth, and everything in the packet is truthful?

2) Whats the petitioners name?

3) Where will you be living? (Just the state)

4) Have you ever been married?

5) Do you have any kids?

6) Has he ever been married?

 

And that was it!

 

When my fiance comes to America, I'll type a full review of the Joburg Consulate.

Congratulations guys! Glad the interview went quickly and smoothly, from the sound of it. 

[Mel & Llew 11]

On 2/9/2019 at 9:25 PM, madameMaison said:

Omg I am so happy, my fiancé booked an impromptu trip to South Africa so he can attend the interview with me on Thursday.. 😭😭✨❤️🌸... I wasn't expecting that at all. 

 

This has just made the time feel shorter. 

 

Just wanted to share my positive vibes with you all. ❤️✨🙏🏽

Best of luck with your upcoming interview! 
Regards, Mel & Llew

[Mel & Llew 11]

Hey guys. This might be useful to those who need to apply for a new passport before leaving for the US (has to be valid min. 6 months after arrival in US). I would highly recommend making use of Home Affairs online, and selecting the bank branch closest to you: https://ehome.dha.gov.za/echannel create a profile, login, apply for a new passport, pay via your internet banking site, schedule an appointment time with the closest bank branch, wait and then collect at the same branch. 

 

The application - from walking into the bank to leaving was 20 minutes. I received an sms notification exactly 1 week later that my passport is ready for collection. Not bad! 

 

Cheers,

Mel & Llew

[lau--lau 4]

Hi guys ,Congratulations to those whose interviews have been approved and good luck to those attending theirs soon.

 

just seeking a little advice here. Do you guys think we should include receipts from monetary transactions?  

Just a quick background: my fiancé and I have been together for almost 7 years, 5 and 1/2years of those years were spent practically living together. We have a 3 year old son together. Because I recently  graduated he insisted on helping pay off my student loan before I leave as he didn’t want it to be a reason for the visa being rejected ( perhaps it would look like I was trying to evade paying off my loan) and because he didn’t want us to enter into the marriage in debt anyways. Therefore every month he sends money for the loan as well as necessities for our son and I. 

 

Should I bring this up in the interview? Would it work in our favor (evidence of relationship) or against us ? Would it raise any red flags???

 

thanks in advance and congratulations again to everyone 🌸

[LuFlolady 881]

5 hours ago, lau--lau said:

Hi guys ,Congratulations to those whose interviews have been approved and good luck to those attending theirs soon.

 

just seeking a little advice here. Do you guys think we should include receipts from monetary transactions?  

Just a quick background: my fiancé and I have been together for almost 7 years, 5 and 1/2years of those years were spent practically living together. We have a 3 year old son together. Because I recently  graduated he insisted on helping pay off my student loan before I leave as he didn’t want it to be a reason for the visa being rejected ( perhaps it would look like I was trying to evade paying off my loan) and because he didn’t want us to enter into the marriage in debt anyways. Therefore every month he sends money for the loan as well as necessities for our son and I. 

 

Should I bring this up in the interview? Would it work in our favor (evidence of relationship) or against us ? Would it raise any red flags???

 

thanks in advance and congratulations again to everyone 🌸

If you want you can add the receipts there wont be anything wrong with that. also at the interview only answer what they ask.....

[MozambiqueSoninha 50]

On 2/9/2019 at 1:24 PM, Mozam said:

They told us up to 7 days, but it generally didn't take that long. Curious since we are having our sent to Pretoria if it'll end up taking another day. Hope you get yours soon!

 

That's what we used! My fiancé had one that he had to get when he entered university. So thankfully, we didn't have to do anything extra with that. 

 

I'll definitely update when we actually receive our visa.

 

Thanks for thinking of us! We are happy it went well. I hope things speed up for you and that your process isn't too much longer. Is your wife waiting in Mozambique throughout this whole process? 

My wife is here in the US with me, she arrived on a tourist visa and adjusted status to permanent resident, but we had also already been married close to 10 years at that point.  

 

The current process is for my 16 year old step daughter

[Mozam 147]

1 hour ago, MozambiqueSoninha said:

My wife is here in the US with me, she arrived on a tourist visa and adjusted status to permanent resident, but we had also already been married close to 10 years at that point.  

 

The current process is for my 16 year old step daughter

I remembering you saying this previously. I just wasn't sure if she was there waiting with your step daughter. Will she go there closer to the date of the interview? As always best wishes! Hoping it doesn't last too much longer. 

[Mozam 147]

@Pdvdw @JS5220 Did your status update today? Or have you been updated about your visa? I was hoping the CEAC site would at least update by the end of the day today. We are hoping to be back in Mozambique this week. 

 

I doubt it'll come to this but my fiancé's visa for SA expires next week so I'm not sure what we would do if he didn't get his passport back before it expired. We would be stuck because we can't go back to Mozambique without his passport. 

[JS5220 67]

4 hours ago, Mozam said:

@Pdvdw @JS5220 Did your status update today? Or have you been updated about your visa? I was hoping the CEAC site would at least update by the end of the day today. We are hoping to be back in Mozambique this week. 

 

I doubt it'll come to this but my fiancé's visa for SA expires next week so I'm not sure what we would do if he didn't get his passport back before it expired. We would be stuck because we can't go back to Mozambique without his passport. 

My CEAC website says "Case Last Updated 08-Feb-2019". Previously it said 07-Feb-2019. So I dont really know what that means but i guess its good?

 

Shes still waiting to get the visa... Theyre gonna make us sweat it out until the very end!! 🤣