K1 interview estimate/shift to spousal?

[GarLeb 11]

Hello,

 

I'm a newbie member here but have been reading posts and following others with similar cases since last year. I just wanted to know if there is a way to get an estimate of when we'll get an interview. From reading around here, I understand that there's a whole lot of people WAY ahead of us in the queue (going back to 2019 cases), and that based on the current pace that the embassy is going re: K1s, it'll take 3-4 years to clear the backlog. We applied in June 2020, and right now, our case is at NVC. Using that 3-4 year time frame, just wanted to know where we lie in that frame (front, middle, last of the pack?  Unfortunately, I'm not very good with numbers and stats).

 

That's one of the hard things about this really, is the uncertainty of when that interview will happen. I understand the we-have-to-wait-a-lot-longer part -- my fiancé and I have conditioned our minds to that. I just wish the NVC or the embassy has what USCIS has, an estimated time of processing, so that we can at least manage our expectations better and/or so that we can decide whether to shift to spousal visa or not -- which is also one thing I wanted to hear your opinions on -- at this point, should we shift? 

 

Thank you for taking time to read this, and I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts. A big hug to everyone here who are in a similar situation -- we feel everything you're feeling. Let's get through this together. ❤️

[Hank_ 9,174]

 

No one really knows.  Embassy has no clue as the Philippine government has the country in lockdown.

 

Immigrant visas are being processed, every so slowly (once again, thanks to the Philippines being in CONTINUAL lockdown) but they are being processed,

 

Should you start over with an IR/CR-1 spouse visa (immigrant visa)?   It isn't a shift over, it is a DO OVER if you decide to get married and start the spouse visa process.

[Joe Kano 327]

No one know, and as stated above this is all on the Philippines Government since they have pretty much had the country on lockdown for the last 18 months.

 

There is no light at the end of the tunnel for them opening the country back up any time soon.  One thing the Philippines Government has proven since they locked the country down back in March 2020 is they can and will double down on a stupid plan and keep on doing it even though it has proven ineffective. 

 

If I wanted to bring my partner to the USA it would be with a spousal visa.

[brightfuture78 118]

As others said, there is no estimate.  I can imagine that many relationships have probably ended because of this uncertainty. The marriage route as opposed to the K1 might be sound advise if you were just now thinking about starting the visa process, but the fact that you've already been in the K1 queue for a year... for all you know, staying on your current course might get you to the finish line sooner, as opposed to going to the back of the line for a spousal visa. No one really knows.

Edited September 14, 2021 by brightfuture78

[flicks1998 1,044]

14 hours ago, GarLeb said:

Hello,

 

I'm a newbie member here but have been reading posts and following others with similar cases since last year. I just wanted to know if there is a way to get an estimate of when we'll get an interview. From reading around here, I understand that there's a whole lot of people WAY ahead of us in the queue (going back to 2019 cases), and that based on the current pace that the embassy is going re: K1s, it'll take 3-4 years to clear the backlog. We applied in June 2020, and right now, our case is at NVC. Using that 3-4 year time frame, just wanted to know where we lie in that frame (front, middle, last of the pack?  Unfortunately, I'm not very good with numbers and stats).

 

That's one of the hard things about this really, is the uncertainty of when that interview will happen. I understand the we-have-to-wait-a-lot-longer part -- my fiancé and I have conditioned our minds to that. I just wish the NVC or the embassy has what USCIS has, an estimated time of processing, so that we can at least manage our expectations better and/or so that we can decide whether to shift to spousal visa or not -- which is also one thing I wanted to hear your opinions on -- at this point, should we shift? 

 

Thank you for taking time to read this, and I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts. A big hug to everyone here who are in a similar situation -- we feel everything you're feeling. Let's get through this together. ❤️

You may want to follow @top_secret and see when they come up for an interview.  Also if you search his posts there are plenty of details if you want to meet in a 3rd country and switch to a spousal visa.  I believe they were debating on the K1 or even switched from the K1, met in a 3rd country in December last year and filed for the CR1 in April this year.  I may have the months off by a little, but the timeline is close to that.  They are just waiting for an interview which likely will be this year.  Plus, they will no longer have to adjust status and apply for work and travel permits.  The work and travel permits are taking upwards of 10-11 months, plus the adjustment of status interview could be years.

 

USEM processed 149 K1s for the month of July which was triple from previous months but still behind the 500-600/month pre pandemic.  August numbers should come out on the State Dept site around October 1 or 2nd so you may want to check that as well.  As others have stated, its a crapshoot if you switch over especially now, but I would estimate 1 year for the CR1 to process, maybe a little shorter.

[RO_AH 1,667]

There are other things to consider as well. We have no idea when Philippines will open up for tourism again. At least if you get married you can go see her. If you decide to go the CR1 route, I would advise a online Utah wedding,. That would allow you to go there the fastest and file the fastest.

[Joe Kano 327]

8 hours ago, brightfuture78 said:

 I can imagine that many relationships have probably ended because of this uncertainty. 

I bet there has been many break up

[GarLeb 11]

14 hours ago, flicks1998 said:

You may want to follow @top_secret and see when they come up for an interview.  Also if you search his posts there are plenty of details if you want to meet in a 3rd country and switch to a spousal visa.  I believe they were debating on the K1 or even switched from the K1, met in a 3rd country in December last year and filed for the CR1 in April this year.  I may have the months off by a little, but the timeline is close to that.  They are just waiting for an interview which likely will be this year.  Plus, they will no longer have to adjust status and apply for work and travel permits.  The work and travel permits are taking upwards of 10-11 months, plus the adjustment of status interview could be years.

 

USEM processed 149 K1s for the month of July which was triple from previous months but still behind the 500-600/month pre pandemic.  August numbers should come out on the State Dept site around October 1 or 2nd so you may want to check that as well.  As others have stated, its a crapshoot if you switch over especially now, but I would estimate 1 year for the CR1 to process, maybe a little shorter.

Thanks, @flicks1998. Yup, been following @top_secret's case, as well as the recent Utah-Zoom marriages from the Philippines. Wishing all of you good luck on your cases!

 

Thanks for the tip about the August numbers, appreciate it -- will keep an eye out for those. 

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts, greatly appreciate them. My fiancé and I have decided to wait it out a bit, see what the situation looks like next year. Hopefully, we get to see some progress then. At this point, all we can do is wait anyway, whether it's K1 or CR1. This is gonna be one heck of a marathon. Gonna need lots of Gatorade and patience!

[hopefulfor2021 31]

On 9/14/2021 at 11:21 AM, GarLeb said:

Hello,

 

I'm a newbie member here but have been reading posts and following others with similar cases since last year. I just wanted to know if there is a way to get an estimate of when we'll get an interview. From reading around here, I understand that there's a whole lot of people WAY ahead of us in the queue (going back to 2019 cases), and that based on the current pace that the embassy is going re: K1s, it'll take 3-4 years to clear the backlog. We applied in June 2020, and right now, our case is at NVC. Using that 3-4 year time frame, just wanted to know where we lie in that frame (front, middle, last of the pack?  Unfortunately, I'm not very good with numbers and stats).

 

That's one of the hard things about this really, is the uncertainty of when that interview will happen. I understand the we-have-to-wait-a-lot-longer part -- my fiancé and I have conditioned our minds to that. I just wish the NVC or the embassy has what USCIS has, an estimated time of processing, so that we can at least manage our expectations better and/or so that we can decide whether to shift to spousal visa or not -- which is also one thing I wanted to hear your opinions on -- at this point, should we shift? 

 

Thank you for taking time to read this, and I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts. A big hug to everyone here who are in a similar situation -- we feel everything you're feeling. Let's get through this together. ❤️

Are you both currently in the Philippines..? If so, I think this is a good idea. Or maybe you can meet in a different country, one that permits tourists and get married there. That way, you can enter the Philippines too. You can also check Utah marriages (?). Bottomline, if it was me, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

 

YES you will have to do everything all over again  but the 'spousal' visa (in my view) will make your "wait" count. With the backlogs of the Embassy, we can't really tell when any of us would get interviewed. At least, with a CR1, the wait counts.. no need to do AOS, can travel back and forth, can immediately work etc. This is also what we're planning to do if my fiance would be able to come back here by the end of the year.

[GarLeb 11]

12 hours ago, hopefulfor2021 said:

Are you both currently in the Philippines..? If so, I think this is a good idea. Or maybe you can meet in a different country, one that permits tourists and get married there. That way, you can enter the Philippines too. You can also check Utah marriages (?). Bottomline, if it was me, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

 

YES you will have to do everything all over again  but the 'spousal' visa (in my view) will make your "wait" count. With the backlogs of the Embassy, we can't really tell when any of us would get interviewed. At least, with a CR1, the wait counts.. no need to do AOS, can travel back and forth, can immediately work etc. This is also what we're planning to do if my fiance would be able to come back here by the end of the year.

Hi, @hopefulfor2021. Unfortunately, we are not together - he's in the U.S., and I'm here. Yeah, I agree the CR1 route looks to be the most appealing and beneficial choice right now. But for now, we've decided to wait a bit, see how things go by the end of this year to early next year. We are, however, still also considering and researching how to get married outside the Philippines (and also figuring out if I'll even be able to get out of the Philippines, given I'm a single female). Although we would have wanted to get married here, I thinks it's nearly impossible with all the arbitrary lockdowns and quarantines. At this point, we feel like we're experiencing analysis paralysis, weighing all pros and cons and worrying about "what if we do this, then this happens? What if we get married, then the K-1s suddenly go faster?" type of things. It's all just so confusing, stressful, and overwhelming. But reading these forums and your and other members' thoughts certainly puts things in perspective,  clarifies a lot of stuff for us, gives us comfort, and makes us feel less "alone" regarding this situation, so thank you all for sharing your opinions.

[hopefulfor2021 31]

2 hours ago, GarLeb said:

At this point, we feel like we're experiencing analysis paralysis, weighing all pros and cons and worrying about "what if we do this, then this happens? What if we get married, then the K-1s suddenly go faster?" type of things. It's all just so confusing, stressful, and overwhelming.

Right there with you. Another way to look at it is - is any of this under any of our control? If not, then it's easy to let these thoughts go. But seeing as how you have options, that makes it more difficult to decide. I 100% understand how you feel. Hopefully you'll be able to sort things out