Will Expedite work on K-1 visa now?

[J&A1234 181]

Hey OP

Just wanted to share that me and my fiancée were in a very similar situation, albeit we are much earlier in our journey. I decided to come back to the US in June since I found a good job (in the middle of an economic crisis no less), and while separation is awful, I knew I needed to  find something to support her, especially given the delays in AOS and EAD. We tried to frame it that we were planning for the long term instead of just the easy gratification of being together. So just know you’re not alone.

 

Also regarding the attitudes of some people here, I think the large majority of people have good insight and do have good intentions, even if some of them come across as pretty cold and unsympathetic. 

[Crazy Cat 41,886]

1 minute ago, J&A1234 said:

even if some of them come across as pretty cold and unsympathetic. 

I prefer the term "Realistic"......

[J&A1234 181]

3 minutes ago, Lucky Cat said:

I prefer the term "Realistic"......

I think there’s a line between realistic and unsympathetic that often gets blurred here, but that’s just my perception and opinion. Maybe its my mistake thinking this was more of a supportive community. Keep doing you. 

[Crazy Cat 41,886]

15 minutes ago, J&A1234 said:

I think there’s a line between realistic and unsympathetic that often gets blurred here, but that’s just my perception and opinion. Maybe its my mistake thinking this was more of a supportive community. Keep doing you. 

All of us, here, have suffered (or are currently suffering) through this process, so I don't think think anyone here is unsympathetic. What is "supportive"?  In my book, it's providing accurate information and honest opinions when asked.  Sometimes, those opinions aren't what questioners want to hear.

Edited August 29, 2020 by Lucky Cat

[SalishSea 17,835]

3 minutes ago, Lucky Cat said:

What is "supportive"?

Some would rather have things sugar-coated than explained in realistic terms.

[Nehan 5]

2 hours ago, Olga88 said:

I dont think USCIS will expedite your case. Your petitioner can return to the states and work.  You might wait for your interview for another 6 months or a year....you can work while you are waiting....no need to tell every employer that you are planning on leaving 

Why do you guys talk like that ?....you guys come out like you work with the embassies and therefore is gonna take 6 months or a year to get a visa . Stop drawing conclusions 

[DaveAndAnastasia 2,092]

It's generally recommended that K-1 beneficiaries not quit their job or do anything else that puts a timetable on moving until they have their passport in hand with the K-1 in it, because you can't really tell how long things are going to take.

 

And if you have good reason to be concerned you might be fired if your employer learns you're planning on moving, I'd agree that you don't have any obligation to tell them.

[SteveInBostonI130 3,455]

4 hours ago, willygoeswrong said:

Hi. We got our NOA2 in April, since then our case is stuck at the NVC, no info about Moscow embassy reopening interviews. I just requested Expedite interview from the NVC (i guess you suppose to do it through them), as the main reason i've mentioned financial hardship (we really do have a problem with it right now, especially me, who is stuck in russia and cannot work). Do you think this might work out? 

Hi,

 

There is a problem with the reason for expedite that you stated.  Granting you a K-1 visa right now will not alleviate your financial hardship.  It may, in fact, increase your financial burden.  How?

 

1)  If you get your visa and travel to the US, you could not work for the next 3-9 months.  It's been more like 6-9 months recently with timelines for EAD.

 

2) Cost of living is higher in US than Russia.  Even with maintaining separate households.  My wife's monthly expense in Ukraine is about $600.  That is everything - housing, food, incidental expenses.   And she could actually get by with only $400, but she is staying at a nicer apartment near the city center.  $300 if she roommates with someone...

 

3) The visa itself will cost you $300-$400 to obtain (medical and K-1 DS-160 fee).  Travel to the US would add about $1000.  Filing fees for AOS is $1225.  If you need vaccines, then the cost goes up for whatever vaccines you need (especially if you get them in the US.

 

4) By NOT granting you a K-1 visa, both of you can work.  Your fiance in the US, and you in Russia.  Granting you a visa actually puts you in a more disadvantageous situation, financially,

 

 

These are all negatives that will go against the NVC or Embassy from expediting your case based on financial hardship alone.  But, it doesn't hurt to try.  Hope for the best, but plan for it not going your way.   Your best option now is for both of you to gain employment and save up for the expenses that you'll incur down the road.

 

Good luck!

[Crazy Cat 41,886]

3 minutes ago, SteveInBostonI130 said:

There is a problem with the reason for expedite that you stated.  Granting you a K-1 visa right now will not alleviate your financial hardship.  It may, in fact, increase your financial burden.

This is a very good point.

[Treasure1 243]

3 hours ago, J&A1234 said:

I think there’s a line between realistic and unsympathetic that often gets blurred here, but that’s just my perception and opinion. Maybe its my mistake thinking this was more of a supportive community. Keep doing you. 

You're so right 

[BlinkerFluid 7]

 

6 hours ago, willygoeswrong said:

Hi. We got our NOA2 in April, since then our case is stuck at the NVC, no info about Moscow embassy reopening interviews. I just requested Expedite interview from the NVC (i guess you suppose to do it through them), as the main reason i've mentioned financial hardship (we really do have a problem with it right now, especially me, who is stuck in russia and cannot work). Do you think this might work out? 

From what i understand, even by some chance an expedite in your case happens, NVC is not going to fast track you past getting DQ. Have you been DQ? and seem like most embassies are prioritizing IR and CR who are already married. 

 

5 hours ago, willygoeswrong said:

The petition was approved in april. I am only waiting for the embassy to reopen. 

there are only about 100,000 other people across the world waiting for an embassy interview. And now there is a 6+ month backlog growing. 

[Dougefresh56 201]

6 hours ago, willygoeswrong said:

Hi. We got our NOA2 in April, since then our case is stuck at the NVC, no info about Moscow embassy reopening interviews. I just requested Expedite interview from the NVC (i guess you suppose to do it through them), as the main reason i've mentioned financial hardship (we really do have a problem with it right now, especially me, who is stuck in russia and cannot work). Do you think this might work out? 

I requested because my fiancée had a medical issue. The NVC said they couldn’t because K1’s were processed expedited already but I hope it works for you.

[JeanneAdil 6,510]

1 hour ago, SteveInBostonI130 said:

Hi,

 

There is a problem with the reason for expedite that you stated.  Granting you a K-1 visa right now will not alleviate your financial hardship.  It may, in fact, increase your financial burden.  How?

 

1)  If you get your visa and travel to the US, you could not work for the next 3-9 months.  It's been more like 6-9 months recently with timelines for EAD.

 

2) Cost of living is higher in US than Russia.  Even with maintaining separate households.  My wife's monthly expense in Ukraine is about $600.  That is everything - housing, food, incidental expenses.   And she could actually get by with only $400, but she is staying at a nicer apartment near the city center.  $300 if she roommates with someone...

 

3) The visa itself will cost you $300-$400 to obtain (medical and K-1 DS-160 fee).  Travel to the US would add about $1000.  Filing fees for AOS is $1225.  If you need vaccines, then the cost goes up for whatever vaccines you need (especially if you get them in the US.

 

4) By NOT granting you a K-1 visa, both of you can work.  Your fiance in the US, and you in Russia.  Granting you a visa actually puts you in a more disadvantageous situation, financially,

 

 

These are all negatives that will go against the NVC or Embassy from expediting your case based on financial hardship alone.  But, it doesn't hurt to try.  Hope for the best, but plan for it not going your way.   Your best option now is for both of you to gain employment and save up for the expenses that you'll incur down the road.

 

Good luck!

just to add to this good explanation October 2nd the AOS fees go up to over $2000

[mryrth 72]

I tried to get an expedited appointment due to my dad and Granny who were both very ill and they didn't approve us. They said our reasoning wasn't cause for an expedited visa. And then my Granny died. I hope my dad can hold on long enough for us to get married. 

[Unlockable 7,314]

***Thread lock for review. It is turning into a tirade of round about comments and generalization. 

 

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