Interview?

[Wismer 5]

Hi.

 

Our I-129F application was just approved today (got the text alert today). 

 

A month ago I called USCIS and the person I spoke with told me that we MAY have to go through an interview- as not everyone has to. Is this true?

 

Also, there is mention of receiving an information pack that only USCIS(?) can open.

 

Who gets mailed this pack? The petitioner? The beneficiary? Is this what is referred to as NOA2?

 

Thanks.

 

[geowrian 22,337]

It's technically possible for USCIS to interview the petitioner, but this is almost fringe-level of circumstances. I would not expect an interview for the I-129F.

The beneficiary WILL interview for the visa abroad (after I-129F approval, NVC processing, etc.). No way around that.

Not sure on the packet reference...? If approved for the K-1 visa, the beneficiary will get a packet to carry with and deliver to CBP (although there are reports that this is being sent electronically for some countries as recently as last week).

[Jeanne Adil 1,651]

everyone goes thru the interview at embassy in Canada

Quote

the visa packet is the one u can not open/ turn it in at POE upon arrival

petitioner gets all correspandence

Edited July 11, 2018 by adil-rafa

[Wismer 5]

Thank you. So, "case approved" does not really mean that,  then, does it. It seems to mean you are merely approved to go for the accept/deny interview (if medical and police checks are approved,  of course).

[geowrian 22,337]

9 minutes ago, Wismer said:

Thank you. So, "case approved" does not really mean that,  then, does it. It seems to mean you are merely approved to go for the accept/deny interview (if medical and police checks are approved,  of course).

The I-129F is only the first step in the process.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1guide

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1flow

[Wismer 5]

Thank you. So, what exactly were we applying for with the I-129F? I.e an "application" for what?

[Wismer 5]

I am asking because immigration legal people were saying "just go get married", and things will be expedited to start our lives together. 

[geowrian 22,337]

47 minutes ago, Wismer said:

Thank you. So, what exactly were we applying for with the I-129F? I.e an "application" for what?

The I-129F is a petition to recognize the relationship between petitioner (a USC) and beneficiary (a foreign national) for the purposes of applying for a K-class visa.

 

46 minutes ago, Wismer said:

I am asking because immigration legal people were saying "just go get married", and things will be expedited to start our lives together. 

You can get married (anywhere) then go for a CR-1 (spousal) visa instead. there are many advantages to this, although it does take a few months longer to get the visa (~8-12 months for a K-1 and ~12-16 months for a CR-1).

Edited July 11, 2018 by geowrian

[EmmNM 179]

50 minutes ago, Wismer said:

I am asking because immigration legal people were saying "just go get married", and things will be expedited to start our lives together. 

 

From what I understand you already have an approved i-129f and you are just waiting to do the medical/ interview. If you get married at this point in your process you will have to start all over with a i-130 and a 13-15 month wait on that. On the bright side you would get to skip Adjustment of status. No it will not be expedited unless you have an extreme medical or financial issue that can be proved.

Edited July 11, 2018 by EmmNM

[Wismer 5]

Thank you.  So, are we looking at another 3 to 6+ months to complete this? I see that in the USCIS history web page, the K1 process has more than doubled in elapsed time since 2016.

[geowrian 22,337]

2 minutes ago, Wismer said:

Thank you.  So, are we looking at another 3 to 6+ months to complete this? I see that in the USCIS history web page, the K1 process has more than doubled in elapsed time since 2016.

In Sept/Oct 2016, the I-129F alone was taking roughly 30 days. Now it's ~6-8 months.

 

Edit: I actually just saw your timeline. Expect about 30 days or so for USCIS -> NVC -> embassy processing, then ~2 months for an interview in Montreal. So it's likely closer to 3 months at this point, assuming your timeline is updated.

Although, your timeline also says the marriage will be next Friday...?

Edited July 11, 2018 by geowrian

[Roel 7,192]

13 hours ago, Wismer said:

I am asking because immigration legal people were saying "just go get married", and things will be expedited to start our lives together. 

Don't listen to those people because getting married won't expedite anything. In fact, you'll have to start a whole new, longer process from a scratch. Your K1 will be denied and you'll have to apply for spouse visa which takes a year to approve.

Edited July 11, 2018 by Roel

[sumbunny 566]

I don't mean to be rude, but how are you THIS far into the process, and don't have any idea what you were even applying for, or what the next step is...? All of this sounds really odd.

[Amadia 711]

1 hour ago, sumbunny said:

how are you THIS far into the process, and don't have any idea what you were even applying for

I agree with @sumbunny, when applying for a US visa, you need to read ALL the processes and guidelines to ensure you are applying for and following the accurate visa process. I-129F is just the start on the long trail to being together.

 

Best of luck!

[Dave_and_Jessa 212]

Yeah, always best to know the process before you jump in as there are multiple steps.  Your petition was approved with Homeland Security, the visa can only be approved by the embassy, which is part of the State Department.  Then after that is the green card process which is a whole different process by itself.  So technically, yes you could still be denied, but as long as your relationship is genuine you'll be fine.  K1s have slowed down a lot thanks to the current US administration, but at this point you're close to the end so it's better to see it through.