Jamaica US Marriage Visa Approvals by Month (K1 Visas Down, IR1 Visas Up)

[Captain Ewok 1,891]

We've had tons of questions on whether the Kingston US Consulate in the Jamaica has been approving marriage based US Visas (and if so at what rate).  To answer that, we dug into the official US State Department data and plotted visa approvals for K1, CR1 and IR1 visas over the last 2 years. Here is what we found:

 

• K1 Visa processing is down by 50% from pre-Covid levels, with an 6 month backlog of cases.
• IR1 Visa processing is back to pre-Covid rates.  It appears the consulate focused here to reduce backlogs.
• CR1 Visa processing (couples married less than 2 years) is similar to IR1 Visas.
• IR-5 Visa processing is WAY DOWN with a small uptick in April.  This is after a full 12 months of virtually no cases processed.  This year long backlog will take 8-12 months to clear unless the consulate prioritizes things.  It appears they slowed down on IR-5s to focus on IR/CR-1 visas.

 

What do you think of the data (below)?  Do you think the US consulate in Kinston is artificially slowing down IR-5 processing to prioritize other work or for other reasons?

 

[PAULINE WILLIAMS 0]

Thanks for the update of the Jamaica Embassy. I’m truly happy to hear this news.

[Sarah Warwick 0]

On 6/1/2021 at 5:08 AM, PAULINE WILLIAMS said:

Thanks for the update of the Jamaica Embassy. I’m truly happy to hear this news.

Where are you Pauline? I'm in Grand Cayman and I believe that is the embassy I will be using.

[PAULINE WILLIAMS 0]

I am in NY

[EmpressMc 5]

Very frustrating. We have been waiting for an appointment since Oct. It looks good, but I can't believe it.

[MariB 1]

Our visa process was actually quicker than what was expected because of Covid. We got approved for the NVC last year as soon as the pandemic hit, March 31st. Then the entire country (Jamaica) shutdown, no air travel , no sea travel.  The NVC sent our petition to the Embassy in September of 2020. Appointments we're opened in November of 2020 for Embassy interview.  K1 visa approved December 2020.  Fiance came to the states December 26 2020. Married February 2021. Applied for the AOS, Work permit and travel doc now, waiting for reply. 

[SarahWar67 0]

Thanks for sharing your story MariB.

That is reassuring.

We are still waiting approval but am obviously hopeful and interested in the timelines in Jamaica as that will be my embassy.

My other headache will be getting to Jamaica from Grand Cayman and back again! 

Hopefully our borders will open soon and quarentine reduced or lifted.

:)

Good luck and congratulations!

[Winniefred 0]

What is happening to the F2A category at the Jamaican Embassy. Need to know their timeline.

Edited July 12, 2021 by Winniefred
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