K-1- Terrified Under Recent Political Immigration Climate

[LibbyG99 65]

Hi All,

 

I'd love to hear some feel-good stories about K-1 visa approvals, or denials that were turned around. My fiance from Ethiopia and I just sent in our petition in October 2019 and as I watch more and more African countries undergo a travel ban I can't help to feel anxious. It's not a great time to go for a K-1, I know. 😕

 

[Crazy Cat 41,837]

Good luck.....

Edited January 27, 2020 by missileman

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

32 minutes ago, LibbyG99 said:

Hi All,

 

I'd love to hear some feel-good stories about K-1 visa approvals, or denials that were turned around. My fiance from Ethiopia and I just sent in our petition in October 2019 and as I watch more and more African countries undergo a travel ban I can't help to feel anxious. It's not a great time to go for a K-1, I know. 😕

 

The are getting hit with a travel ban because their governments are not sharing information with the USA. Ethiopia should be fine so don't worry 

[Just Paul 4,595]

29 minutes ago, LibbyG99 said:

Hi All,

 

I'd love to hear some feel-good stories about K-1 visa approvals, or denials that were turned around. My fiance from Ethiopia and I just sent in our petition in October 2019 and as I watch more and more African countries undergo a travel ban I can't help to feel anxious. It's not a great time to go for a K-1, I know. 😕

 

You need to understand the context of the travel bans.  Some only involve diplomatic and official government passports being denied.  Some are based upon multiple factors like the country refuses to repatriate their own citizens expelled from the US, have poor and corrupt records that can not be verified making it hard to impossible to vet an applicant or beneficiary, or visa high refusal rates.   

 

Even if a country is on a ban list a consular officer can recommend a waiver.

 

In the age of heighten awareness and terrorism counties will come and go off the list.

 

You can search the timelines in the blue ribbon above for cases reported for Ethiopia.  There is also a regional forum to ask more specific questions.

 

Good luck on your journey.

[LibbyG99 65]

2 minutes ago, missileman said:

What do you mean?  

This year there is talk about adding Nigeria, Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea and Tanzania to the travel ban to the US. A lot of those are very close, geographically to Ethiopia and it makes me worry.....

[Just Paul 4,595]

20 minutes ago, LibbyG99 said:

This year there is talk about adding Nigeria, Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea and Tanzania to the travel ban to the US. A lot of those are very close, geographically to Ethiopia and it makes me worry.....

And all of those have combination issues with documents, refusals and repatriation.  Belarus in Europe is on that list too and that seems odd.

[little immigrant 801]

Why don't you go for the CR1? 

[qrk 104]

11 minutes ago, little immigrant said:

Why don't you go for the CR1? 

I second this recommendation. It seems like you've already filed a K1 though. Your country is safe for now and you'll always have the CR1 as a backup plan. Looking back, I wished we did a CR1. Have we done that, we wont be dealing with adjustment of status, not being able to travel, not being able to work until EAD, AP, etc are done.

[SalishSea 17,819]

14 hours ago, LibbyG99 said:

This year there is talk about adding Nigeria, Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea and Tanzania to the travel ban to the US. A lot of those are very close, geographically to Ethiopia and it makes me worry.....

I believe Sudan and Somalia are already on the list, or have been?

[LibbyG99 65]

15 hours ago, qrk said:

I second this recommendation. It seems like you've already filed a K1 though. Your country is safe for now and you'll always have the CR1 as a backup plan. Looking back, I wished we did a CR1. Have we done that, we wont be dealing with adjustment of status, not being able to travel, not being able to work until EAD, AP, etc are done.

Ya we looked into the CR1 but it is a little tricky here in Ethiopia. They require a certified statement that I am single and able to marry from the US, but the US doesn't produce such a document. You used to be able to get one from the Embassy in Addis but now the Ethio gov no longer accepts that. I could maybe try to get something from my home city hall saying I'm not married and hope Ethio gov would accept. Also, for CR1 don't you have to show you own property together like house/car? We're too poor for that right now ha.

[Besamiot 35]

16 hours ago, little immigrant said:

Why don't you go for the CR1? 

So, if a country is banned from traveling,  does it hit only K-1 and spare other visa types?

[SalishSea 17,819]

11 minutes ago, Besamiot said:

So, if a country is banned from traveling,  does it hit only K-1 and spare other visa types?

No.  

[Besamiot 35]

4 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

No.  

I just asked because I read some quotes where some say it's not a great time for K-1. And others ask why he doesn't go for a CRI. I don't know what it means, but I think if one country is banned, it is banned. My fiance is in Nigeria and it's a scary thought all the way around, if this ban actually happens. 

[SalishSea 17,819]

Just now, Besamiot said:

I just asked because I read some quotes where some say it's not a great time for K-1. And others ask why he doesn't go for a CRI. I don't know what it means, but I think if one country is banned, it is banned. My fiance is in Nigeria and it's a scary thought all the way around, if this ban actually happens. 

In general, CR-1s are preferable for folks from high-fraud or high-risk countries, because denials can be appealed, unlike for K-1s.

[Besamiot 35]

Just now, Jorgedig said:

In general, CR-1s are preferable for folks from high-fraud or high-risk countries, because denials can be appealed, unlike for K-1s.

In hindi sight, I should have just gotten married in May of last year. I didn't want to be in a hurry. I knew generally K1 is supposed to be faster than the other. But here I am, almost 8 months from the day I filed, with just a NOA1 staring at me.😃