US Embassies can now process more visas

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

19 minutes ago, Dougefresh56 said:

I don't want to be rude. But its easy for you to say that you are not separated from your loved one. So as much "sense" as it makes dont wag the finger at other people for being frustrated.

I started off sympathizing with the poster- AND said I understand their frustration. So I'm not sure how I am wagging my finger at other people peoples frustration when I said myself I understand it. I was only trying to point out that it CAN make sense but some people will only look at things with blinders on clearly.. You are right, I am grateful I am not separated from my loved one but I also don't throw out there that our embassy has been closed for months at a time due to political turmoil in the country when I see the Philippines and other countries breeze through their 10,000 k1s they process a year. 

[kris&me 572]

I am wondering what is happening to this part of the EO

 

Sec. 4.  Termination.  This proclamation shall expire 60 days from its effective date and may be continued as necessary.  Whenever appropriate, but no later than 50 days from the effective date of this proclamation, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Labor, recommend whether I should continue or modify this proclamation.

 

Has anyone seen an extension or news report of the EO being terminated ?  the effect date was 23rd of April and we are looking at 60 days coming fast.

[agataa 88]

5 minutes ago, kris&me said:

I am wondering what is happening to this part of the EO

 

Sec. 4.  Termination.  This proclamation shall expire 60 days from its effective date and may be continued as necessary.  Whenever appropriate, but no later than 50 days from the effective date of this proclamation, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Labor, recommend whether I should continue or modify this proclamation.

 

Has anyone seen an extension or news report of the EO being terminated ?  the effect date was 23rd of April and we are looking at 60 days coming fast.

There are no official news yet, but I think most of the rumors are that the EO will be extended with some non-immigration add-ons. We’ll probably know more soon

[Jody and Misho 99]

1 hour ago, SETETA said:

Vietnam has updated their page too https://vn.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas/: 

 

 Partial Resumption of Immigrant Visa Processing: Beginning Monday June 29, the Consulate will conduct interviews for IR-1, IR-2, CR-1 and CR-2 immigrant visa applicants who had appointments scheduled in March, April and May that were canceled because of COVID-19. Please visit this page to make a reschedule appointment. Please note that currently we are only allowed to interview these four categories; if applicants for other immigrant visa categories make appointments, they will be canceled. Also note that at this time, we are only allowed to issue IR-2 and CR-2 visas to applicants who are under 21 years of age.

* For all immigrant visa applicants other than IR-1, IR-2, CR-1 and CR-2, the Consulate is not conducting routine visa appointments. Please click here to request consideration for an emergency appointment. We will resume routine interviewing as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date at this time. We will post instructions for rescheduling interviews for applicants who missed previously scheduled appointments because of COVID-19 cancellations.

* Previously Issued Visas and Visa Renewals: If you already have a U.S. immigrant visa that has not expired, you may still use it to immigrate to the United States. If your immigrant visa has expired due to factors beyond your control, please contact our office here for instructions on how to renew it; there is a fee, and you will need to undergo a new medical examination. Note that we presently cannot renew visas in categories suspended by President Trump’s April 22 Proclamation.

Wow.  K1s left hanging.

[kris&me 572]

13 minutes ago, Jody and Misho said:

Wow.  K1s left hanging.

for years getting a K1 from many high fraud countries is next to impossible and i am not surprised they are left hanging

you might consider meeting and doing a CR1 (there are so many benefits to doing this visa over a K1)

the fact you can find work as soon as you come to the US

get a driving license without stipulations 

it is cheaper in the long run as AOS and all that follows tend to add up expenses

and not a guarantee for visa approval but stands a lot better chance

[retheem 564]

1 hour ago, Luckycuds said:

I started off sympathizing with the poster- AND said I understand their frustration. So I'm not sure how I am wagging my finger at other people peoples frustration when I said myself I understand it. I was only trying to point out that it CAN make sense but some people will only look at things with blinders on clearly.. You are right, I am grateful I am not separated from my loved one but I also don't throw out there that our embassy has been closed for months at a time due to political turmoil in the country when I see the Philippines and other countries breeze through their 10,000 k1s they process a year. 

No matter how you say it, some people will never see it your way. And you can't control that.

[8bithearts 104]

It may not be good news for K1s at this time but at least it's progress, something all the visa applicants have been hoping for. I hope they provide some clarity for K1s soon 

 

I don't know if it applies to the London Embassy as yet but I'll take any news over nothing. 

Edited June 18, 2020 by 8bithearts

[Jody and Misho 99]

18 minutes ago, kris&me said:

for years getting a K1 from many high fraud countries is next to impossible and i am not surprised they are left hanging

you might consider meeting and doing a CR1 (there are so many benefits to doing this visa over a K1)

the fact you can find work as soon as you come to the US

get a driving license without stipulations 

it is cheaper in the long run as AOS and all that follows tend to add up expenses

and not a guarantee for visa approval but stands a lot better chance

I agree with that, in retrospect, would have been the best way.  I kind of want to see the K1 through now, for as much work as I have put into it.  If that fails, will go the CR1 route.

[David and Anna 118]

3 hours ago, Kate.Alday said:

This is written on official site of USA in Poland: 

 

The Embassy is currently processing immigrant visa cases for the spouses and children of U.S. Citizens (visa classes IR-1, CR-1, IR-2, and CR-2) only.  We can only process children of U.S. citizens if they are currently under the age of 21.  We are in the process of contacting those applicants whose original visa appointments were cancelled and who are now eligible for processing.  With the exception of certain emergencies, the Embassy is not currently processing any other classes of immigrant and diversity visas.  Please consult our Frequently Asked Questions regarding rescheduling of appointments and the applicability of exceptions for certain travelers, as well as how these restrictions impact citizens of Belarus.  Please see our nonimmigrant visa page for information relating to tourist/business (category B1/B2) visas, student visas (categories F and M), exchange visas (category J) and work visas (categories H, L, O, P and R).

Thanks for posting this.  I'm going to try and call them and see what I can learn...(likely nothing).

Edited June 18, 2020 by David and Anna

[Kate.Alday 113]

11 minutes ago, David and Anna said:

Thanks for posting this.  I'm going to try and call them and see what I can learn...(likely nothing).

Keep us posted what you will find out! 🙏🏼

[Ellie_7 103]

I would have loved it if they said K1 visas are mission-critical! I am thankful that they're starting to process some visas, though! 

On June 15, it was reported that the State Department office in DC started Phase I of reopening. I interpret this June 17 update as a reflection of their Diplomacy Strong model which talks about resuming mission-critical matters for Phase I, and for Phase II "limited non-essential".  I don't think one can extrapolate from this update that K-1 is not being given interviews due to the EOs on travel or on immigrant visas. @geowrian What's your take on the June 17 update? Also have you seen any thing else that would shed light on it?

[David and Anna 118]

2 minutes ago, Ellie_7 said:

I would have loved it if they said K1 visas are mission-critical! I am thankful that they're starting to process some visas, though! 

On June 15, it was reported that the State Department office in DC started Phase I of reopening. I interpret this June 17 update as a reflection of their Diplomacy Strong model which talks about resuming mission-critical matters for Phase I, and for Phase II "limited non-essential".  I don't think one can extrapolate from this update that K-1 is not being given interviews due to the EOs on travel or on immigrant visas. @geowrian What's your take on the June 17 update? Also have you seen any thing else that would shed light on it?

fwiw, the Warsaw embassy website, where it mentions that they are processing again, then points people to the March 17 EO on travel restrictions for any exceptions.  (no mention of the April 22 EO on immigration stoppage).  I don't know what to make of that as it relates to K-1s, but just passing it along.  My *guess* is that the embassies are processing only those cases that are exempt from both the March 17 and April 22 EO's.

[RPete 73]

4 minutes ago, Ellie_7 said:

I would have loved it if they said K1 visas are mission-critical! I am thankful that they're starting to process some visas, though! 

On June 15, it was reported that the State Department office in DC started Phase I of reopening. I interpret this June 17 update as a reflection of their Diplomacy Strong model which talks about resuming mission-critical matters for Phase I, and for Phase II "limited non-essential".  I don't think one can extrapolate from this update that K-1 is not being given interviews due to the EOs on travel or on immigrant visas. @geowrian What's your take on the June 17 update? Also have you seen any thing else that would shed light on it?

I find it really interesting that this news is under the Executive Order portion of the DOS website. It makes me insanely curious as to the correlation between the EO, "suspending all routine visa services", and all that. Personal Opinon: the suspension of visa services merely served as a precursor that has very little to do with the pandemic, and a lot to do with current perspectives on immigration. Hopefully we see some exceptions made for family-based non-immigrant visas, or the ONLY one of it's kind: the K-1.

[Klassified 1]

7 hours ago, Sparkle Sparkle said:

We all need to understand that K1 is a hybrid visa. it is non immigrant but with migration intent...By the standards of migration K1's are recognized as spouse of US citizens. As to being a hybrid visa it can be confusing most time to which category it belongs to. For those of us that watched the US embassy in Jamaica facebook live chat yesterday, the question of K1 was raised again and the lady answered that K1's will be processed!

What did they say about IR5 parents of us citizens too... Since the EO ends next week?

[sl1pstream 551]

1 hour ago, RPete said:

I find it really interesting that this news is under the Executive Order portion of the DOS website. It makes me insanely curious as to the correlation between the EO, "suspending all routine visa services", and all that. Personal Opinon: the suspension of visa services merely served as a precursor that has very little to do with the pandemic, and a lot to do with current perspectives on immigration. Hopefully we see some exceptions made for family-based non-immigrant visas, or the ONLY one of it's kind: the K-1.

Trump ordered the suspension, so that's probably why it's on there.