K-1 Visa Interview resulted in INA 221(g) "White Slip"

[big_tex_69 20]

All of the folks on this forum are amazing. I do appreciate the help and sharing of knowledge !!!

 

Kudos to all of you !

[rikko 93]

@big_tex_69 Did you find any info on expected timelines during your research? 

[big_tex_69 20]

@rikko per the us embassy in poland's website https://pl.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas-fiancee-visa/case-status/?_ga=2.265004428.228747549.1710862596-153925293.1710862596

 

Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the visa applicant’s interview by a consular officer. Applicants are advised of this requirement when they apply. Most administrative processing is resolved within 60 days of the visa interview. When administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on the individual circumstances of each case.  You can check the status of your visa application on ceac.state.gov.

 

i was planning on emailing them at the end of this month to check in.

[rikko 93]

11 hours ago, big_tex_69 said:

@rikko per the us embassy in poland's website https://pl.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas-fiancee-visa/case-status/?_ga=2.265004428.228747549.1710862596-153925293.1710862596

 

Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the visa applicant’s interview by a consular officer. Applicants are advised of this requirement when they apply. Most administrative processing is resolved within 60 days of the visa interview. When administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on the individual circumstances of each case.  You can check the status of your visa application on ceac.state.gov.

 

i was planning on emailing them at the end of this month to check in.

After our interview, the CO told my fiancé to expect a 2 month wait or less, then in December/January they told us to expect 9 months, then in February/March they told us its usually 4 months but can be longer. (They being Jerusalem). It's possible expected wait times changed each time they gave us a number, but their variance is huge!

Given that its been 8 months of 221g, the overall K-1 process being on its 3rd year, and apparently writ of mandamus currently useless because the judge thinks 16 months of administrative processing is reasonable, I'm just feeling kind of anxious/desperate. Here's to hoping for the best for all of our cases here on VJ! 

[millefleur 5,047]

49 minutes ago, rikko said:

After our interview, the CO told my fiancé to expect a 2 month wait or less, then in December/January they told us to expect 9 months, then in February/March they told us its usually 4 months but can be longer. (They being Jerusalem). It's possible expected wait times changed each time they gave us a number, but their variance is huge!

I'm not even sure the CO's at the embassy have any idea how long it can take. Based on this post, it sounds like it goes on behind closed doors among other staff, and thus total AP time may not be known to the CO's:

 

Thus I would take whatever estimated time they give with a grain of salt. They may just me giving random estimates based on hearsay. :/

Edited March 20 by millefleur

[TBoneTX 45,591]

1 hour ago, millefleur said:

I'm not even sure the CO's at the embassy have any idea how long it can take.

This is correct -- the process is 100% opaque to the COs.

 

Complicating matters is that one security clearance can expire while another is still being investigated, necessitating a repeat of the first one.

[K1visak2 1]

On 3/19/2024 at 11:14 PM, millefleur said:

I'm not even sure the CO's at the embassy have any idea how long it can take. Based on this post, it sounds like it goes on behind closed doors among other staff, and thus total AP time may not be known to the CO's:

 

Thus I would take whatever estimated time they give with a grain of salt. They may just me giving random estimates based on hearsay. 😕

I’m in the situation also , my Russian fiancé just got her 221G I’m not sure how long it will take after we submit the requested documents. in our case they requested more documents

[rikko 93]

In our situation we got 221g and it's been 9 months. They asked for a CV, we gave them the CV, then months later they asked for the CV to include his high school information. Our case has not been updated since August 20th, 2023 in the CEAC website.

[big_tex_69 20]

@rikko man sorry to hear that, that is ridiculous 😬 we interviewed on the 20th of February, they asked for all of the additional information including resume, we gave it to them the next day. CEAC website didn't show update until 29-February. Then nothing for 1 month and then asked for it again because the printout was hard for them to read. so we emailed it directly to them like they asked. The CO then responded and said thank you. 

I'm hoping it is being worked on 

[big_tex_69 20]

@K1visak2 it has been about a month and a half for us. from previous advice i got from others on the forum, it seems like us embassy in poland is doing this to almost every russian fiancee.

the polish website https://pl.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas-fiancee-visa/case-status/?_ga=2.259673613.648768127.1712750814-153925293.1710862596 says that most cases take 60 days for administrative processing, but based on what @rikko has experienced it could be much much longer.

[K1visak2 1]

On 4/10/2024 at 7:10 AM, big_tex_69 said:

@K1visak2 it has been about a month and a half for us. from previous advice i got from others on the forum, it seems like us embassy in poland is doing this to almost every russian fiancee.

the polish website https://pl.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant-visas-fiancee-visa/case-status/?_ga=2.259673613.648768127.1712750814-153925293.1710862596 says that most cases take 60 days for administrative processing, but based on what @rikko has experienced it could be much much longer.

Now they are asking us to do a second interview by phone .we are still in ap since April 8th .not sure how long it will take .but at wondering if it takes too long then maybe we should fly back home and wait for answers .everything is very expensive in Israel .and rent alone is costing us $2500 a month not mentioning the high cost of food ,and transportation .can we send our passports in the mail once they approve us ?

[rikko 93]

i wish they'd just hire more people or relocate existing workers from other departments. 256 days and counting just for the last CEAC update... our lives have been so disrupted by this process...

[K1visak2 1]

1 hour ago, rikko said:

i wish they'd just hire more people or relocate existing workers from other departments. 256 days and counting just for the last CEAC update... our lives have been so disrupted by this process...

It’s very frustrating .are you also in Jerusalem ? Everything is expensive here and not sure how long our AP will take .we are thinking to return to Russia and wait till they ask for the passports .even though not sure then how to send them her passport from Russia after AP process .

[rikko 93]

16 hours ago, K1visak2 said:

It’s very frustrating .are you also in Jerusalem ? Everything is expensive here and not sure how long our AP will take .we are thinking to return to Russia and wait till they ask for the passports .even though not sure then how to send them her passport from Russia after AP process .

Our case is in Jerusalem, we are in Armenia now. I heard if they didn't ask for your passports it's likely your AP may take awhile. Once AP is done, I believe you go back to the embassy to pick them up. 

If you intend to stay in Israel, it will be cheaper if you stay in East Jerusalem or Bethlehem. Both are West Bank, but it'll be $40/night instead of like $200/night in Israel. 

[Olvaranim 24]

On average, it takes about a year for russian citizens to be cleared for a visa after AP in Poland. 

That's a disturbing statistic, but accurate. 

There's even a case with 15 months long AP (still in progress). The couple in question is getting ready to file writ of mandamus. 

Another visa was issued recently after 296 days of AP and also thanks for mandamus.

The vast majority of these cases (K1 and CR1/IR1 both) were triggered by petitioner's current occupation, listed in TAL, or some sort of a government related job.