Initial Location for Interview in K-1 Application

[dundun 0]

Hello all,

 

I am finishing up the packet for the K-1 visa I-129F petition for my fiancee who is Russian and lives in Russia. I understand that the chances of her receiving a Schengen visa to conduct the interview in Warsaw are very low and from what I've been reading on this forum Almaty, KZ looks like it could end up being the best option for the interview. Yerevan would be more convenient for us but I've read that they are refusing transfers (can anyone verify?) and it seems like a potential conflict is brewing there with Azerbaijan.

 

My question is for the initial location request on the initial application is it possible and advisable to immediately put down Almaty? It is question 62 on page 8 of the form. The exact wording is

"Your beneficiary will apply for a visa abroad at the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate at:

62.a City or Town _______

62.b. Country        _______".

 

The form instructions appear to allow for it since they say:

 

"Item Numbers 62.a. - 62.b. U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate Requested.

Provide the city or town and country of the
U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate where your beneficiary will apply for his or her visa.
NOTE: Designation of a U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate outside the country in which your beneficiary resides does not
guarantee acceptance for processing by that foreign post. Acceptance is at the discretion of the designated U.S. Embassy
or U.S. Consulate."

 

So it seems like you can put an alternate location. I'm wondering if anyone has had success in immediately putting down a location besides Moscow and also if Almaty is still the best option. She does not have residency in any other country.

 

Thank you in advance for any advice and thank you to the community here for providing such a wealth of knowledge.

 

[Simplytex 387]

20 hours ago, dundun said:

Hello all,

 

I am finishing up the packet for the K-1 visa I-129F petition for my fiancee who is Russian and lives in Russia. I understand that the chances of her receiving a Schengen visa to conduct the interview in Warsaw are very low and from what I've been reading on this forum Almaty, KZ looks like it could end up being the best option for the interview. Yerevan would be more convenient for us but I've read that they are refusing transfers (can anyone verify?) and it seems like a potential conflict is brewing there with Azerbaijan.

 

My question is for the initial location request on the initial application is it possible and advisable to immediately put down Almaty? It is question 62 on page 8 of the form. The exact wording is

"Your beneficiary will apply for a visa abroad at the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate at:

62.a City or Town _______

62.b. Country        _______".

 

The form instructions appear to allow for it since they say:

 

"Item Numbers 62.a. - 62.b. U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate Requested.

Provide the city or town and country of the
U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate where your beneficiary will apply for his or her visa.
NOTE: Designation of a U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate outside the country in which your beneficiary resides does not
guarantee acceptance for processing by that foreign post. Acceptance is at the discretion of the designated U.S. Embassy
or U.S. Consulate."

 

So it seems like you can put an alternate location. I'm wondering if anyone has had success in immediately putting down a location besides Moscow and also if Almaty is still the best option. She does not have residency in any other country.

 

Thank you in advance for any advice and thank you to the community here for providing such a wealth of knowledge.

 

Basically, it doesn't really matter what you put there - NVC will follow their own instructions to set up the interview in Warsaw. Only when the case is complete at NVC, can you then start asking around to other embassies if they will accept the case transfer. 

[Simplytex 387]

On 4/17/2023 at 12:11 AM, dundun said:

also if Almaty is still the best option

I realize I didn't reply to that part of the question. Hard to say for sure, but I'd say regardless to try to transfer at least to Almaty and Jerusalem. It seems like my wife and I got super lucky, as recently a lot more folks (apparently, according to the chat groups my wife is a part of) have mentioned that Almaty has been denying transfers, but then again I haven't been following that part of the chat groups as much since we got our transfer 😅

[dundun 0]

Thank you for the advice.

[TamaraTammy 0]

Hi there, sharing our experience. We went through K1 visa process in September 2021-April 2022. 

In the forms we added Moscow for consulate (even though it stopped all the work).

When they approved our case it was automatically assigned to Warsaw consulate. I had Schengen visa at the time, but was hoping that I wouldn’t have to use it because it was hard to go there due to all restrictions even with having Schengen visa for years.  
A month later after approval, we received a notification that our case was transferred to Jerusalem. Then as soon as we received a confirmation via email from Jerusalem embassy, we got an access to account online to fill out the necessary forms and pay the fee. As soon as we paid the fees they gave us calendar with openings to schedule an appointment. 
The rest is history  but it was quite an experience! Best of luck to you and your fiancé!