K1 from Canada

[mikeg1 2]

Hello,

 

My name is Mike, my fiancé Sarah and I have started the K-1 visa process and currently have a NOA1 from California dated 9/8/20.  She's lives near Toronto so we would be doing everything in the Montreal consulate. 

 

I've read through the forums/picked my lawyer's brain and wanted to see if I have a complete understanding of what the entire process/have some questions.

 

We wait for the California service center to send our case to the NVC.  Once this happens and we get the confirmation/case number, we log into the state department's page and file out the DS-160/pay fees.  Two questions... Other than filling other fees and the DS-160 there is no other action that needs to occur just have to wait for the NVC to finish processing the case.  Does the DS-160 have to completed before they start the process or is the process in the works/we have to submit this at 'some point'.  Our intent is to immediately complete it but I wanted to make see how this works. 

 

While we wait we compile all the information needed in Packet 3, hold off on the criminal records as they're only valid for a certain period of time?   Since Sarah did not commit any crimes, the regular name check is sufficient?  Can this be done at any police station? 

 

The NVC sends us something confirming the case has been transferred to Montreal, is this via mail or email?  

 

Once the case is transferred we submit all the packet 3 paperwork via email immediately and await our packet 4?   Packet 4 is issued and Sarah applies for the interview, gets medical exam, and waits.

 

Is this pretty much it in a nutshell?  

 

I've gone through the processing time tables on this website and noticed they're VERY long at this point, is this due to the backlog caused by COVID?  I know its purely guessing at this point but is there any news about this backlog being taken care of/things get back to normal in 2021 when 'in theory' our case would be completed? 

Thank in advance,

Mike. 

[Zaraliaya 122]

On 10/29/2020 at 6:19 PM, mikeg1 said:

Hello,

 

My name is Mike, my fiancé Sarah and I have started the K-1 visa process and currently have a NOA1 from California dated 9/8/20.  She's lives near Toronto so we would be doing everything in the Montreal consulate. 

 

I've read through the forums/picked my lawyer's brain and wanted to see if I have a complete understanding of what the entire process/have some questions.

 

We wait for the California service center to send our case to the NVC.  Once this happens and we get the confirmation/case number, we log into the state department's page and file out the DS-160/pay fees.  Two questions... Other than filling other fees and the DS-160 there is no other action that needs to occur just have to wait for the NVC to finish processing the case.  Does the DS-160 have to completed before they start the process or is the process in the works/we have to submit this at 'some point'.  Our intent is to immediately complete it but I wanted to make see how this works. 

 

While we wait we compile all the information needed in Packet 3, hold off on the criminal records as they're only valid for a certain period of time?   Since Sarah did not commit any crimes, the regular name check is sufficient?  Can this be done at any police station? 

 

The NVC sends us something confirming the case has been transferred to Montreal, is this via mail or email?  

 

Once the case is transferred we submit all the packet 3 paperwork via email immediately and await our packet 4?   Packet 4 is issued and Sarah applies for the interview, gets medical exam, and waits.

 

Is this pretty much it in a nutshell?  

 

I've gone through the processing time tables on this website and noticed they're VERY long at this point, is this due to the backlog caused by COVID?  I know its purely guessing at this point but is there any news about this backlog being taken care of/things get back to normal in 2021 when 'in theory' our case would be completed? 

Thank in advance,

Mike. 

Once it hits the NVC they send it to the Montreal embassy. Who then sends you packet 3. That is when you fill out DS160. It may take NVC a bit longer due to a back up, since they haven't been sending any cases to the embassy since April / May ish due to covid. But you can continuously check the status of it once you get your case number from them.

 

They then send you packet 4 after sending in p3, and that's when you pay your fees because that's when you will get an interview date.

 

Once you have packet 4 is when you can schedule the medical because they will ask for proof of the packet 4 email to schedule it.

 

As for police check, she will want to get one under the privacy act. She has to go in for this, as they take her finger prints, but she will receive in the mail one without them and that's what she wants. It's valid for a year.

 

There is a Canadian facebook group for K1s and CR1 couples if you'd like to join, so much helpful information and many people who have gone through the process or are going through it there.

Edited November 7, 2020 by Zaraliaya

[NikLR 13,231]

Have you guys looked into the differences for the CR1 and the K1?  Both prices, timelines and limitiations?

[mikeg1 2]

21 hours ago, NikLR said:

Have you guys looked into the differences for the CR1 and the K1?  Both prices, timelines and limitiations?

We did K1 as we're not married/I haven't been able to enter Canada since March.

[NikLR 13,231]

6 hours ago, mikeg1 said:

We did K1 as we're not married/I haven't been able to enter Canada since March.

She can enter the USA.