K1 Visa
|
| Event |
Date |
| Service Center : |
Vermont Service Center |
| Transferred? |
No |
| Consulate : |
Caracas, Venezuela |
| I-129F Sent : |
2011-09-19 |
| I-129F NOA1 : |
2011-09-21 |
| I-129F RFE(s) : |
NO |
| RFE Reply(s) : |
NO |
| I-129F NOA2 : |
2012-01-19 |
| NVC Received : |
2012-02-01 |
| Date Case #, IIN, and BIN assigned : |
|
| NVC Left : |
2012-02-03 |
| Consulate Received : |
2012-02-07 |
| Packet 3 Received : |
2012-02-27 |
| Packet 3 Sent : |
|
| Packet 4 Received : |
2012-02-27 |
| Interview Date : |
2012-04-03 |
| Interview Result : |
Approved
|
Second Interview
(If Required): |
No |
| Second Interview Result: |
|
| Visa Received : |
2012-04-16 |
| US Entry : |
2012-04-20 |
| Marriage : |
2012-05-17 |
| Comments : |
Interview Day:
It was an amazing experience overall, The only negative were 5.5 hours we had to wait.
Our interview was set for Tuesday April 3rd at 8:30 am according to our interview appointment letter, we went through a short line for security and they checked our belongings (make sure not to bring bags, cellphones, or any forbidden item listed in their website) and when we went in we saw a bunch of lines of people waiting. I remember a VJ member mentioning do not stand in lines because those were for tourist visas. We saw a security guard and let him know we were on a family petition and he walked us inside of another building within the Embassy facility. There were a bunch of open booths (like 12) where they were having tourist visas interviews. At the end of the hall they have a small waiting section and 3 open booth just in front of these area.
This area in particular is only for family/work base visas. We grabbed a number a just waited. There were probably 3 cases before us (My fiance attended the interview with me) : a girl with a k1 visa, a student visa, a working visa and a family reunification. My number was finally called aprox. 2.5 hours later and I approached one of the open booths. A lady asked me for my documents (ds230, ds156, ds156k, birth certificate, police record, i134 and only taxes) I brought his letter from the bank and work but she didn't want them. Then she asked how we met, for how long, how many countries we have visited together, when we got engaged, etc. Then she handed me a receipt and asked me to go to the back and pay the interview fee (You can pay in Bolivares or USD) and then once I'm back to go and sit down to wait for my second interview.
Like 2 hours later, probably around 12.20 pm, a second lady calls my number and the 1st thing she asked me was for the receipt I just paid. My fiance had it so I asked him to give it to me, as soon as she realized my fiance was there with me, she asked me to call him, she then proceeded to interview him. She asked him some basic question about my family (very very basic questions), then she asked me if I speak English which I said yes and asked me if I'm going to work in the US, she asked me about my profession etc, then she asked to the both of us some of our wedding plans.
With a big smile she said "I have nothing left to ask your visa has been approved, Go to DHL window to pay for your visa delivery". We were thrilled!!! We cried like babies!!! She then handed us a paper and kept my passport. We walked outside to breath some fresh air and to calm down and the walked to the DHL office that is within the Embassy premises. In DHL they told that we have to wait 15 days for delivery due to Easter (is in 2 days). We were lucky enough to take the last taxi available and we just left.
In general terms it was GREAT but the wait is really tiring not only due to the waiting period but also because I was too nervous to sleep the night before and it kind of sucks not being able to have our phones with us.
We enter on 7.30 am and we left by 1.00 pm. Make sure to eat well before you leave. Try to go earlier, we, were lucky and it wasn't crowed (holly week is in 2 days) but usually people takes longer. Avoid paper clips, and big bags.
UPDATE April 16th,2012
Our interview was 13 days ago and 2 days later the embassy was closed due to Easter and Holly Week. My fiance went back home on Easter Sunday because he needed to go back to work, we knew I wouldn't be able to go back with him due to the time the visa/passport processing takes but at least this time around was not the typical sad and depressing goodbye we were use to. I worked until last Friday 13th but for the last 13 days I didn't have any update about my package. Today is monday 04/16/12 and I woke up with a text from DHL that my package was ready!!! As soon as I got it, I got ready and went to pick it up at my local DHL. Once I got home, I opened it and it contained one large package and inside there was a big manila (yellow) envelope with red stamps everywhere "DO NOT OPEN" and a very small envelope that had my passport on it. Less than an hour later, I had my flight booked for this upcoming Friday 04/20!! I leave in the last flight of the day route to Miami, Fl!!!! I just called my fiance and we can't believe we are going to be together forever in just 4 days!!! After 7 months and 1 days since we first applied, we are finally going to live our happily ever after.
UPDATE 04/19
It's Thursday night (8.00pm) and everything is ready for my big day tomorrow. It feels completely surreal that today is our 7 months anniversary since we filed our k1 visa and TOMORROW I'm finally going to be able to be with the love of my life in my new home. As you read above (thank you if you made it to this point), I received my k1 package and passport on monday 04/16. That same day I booked my flight and spent the past 2 days between visiting friends and family, packaging and making sure I don't forget ANYTHING. I had to packed all 5 suitcases (thank God my fiance brought an extra one when he came to the interview and left it with me)...is incredibly how difficult can be to packed your life in 5 suitcases: of course I packed my clothes, shoes, accessories, pictures, personal documents and sentimental objects and of course I had to left a few stuff behind.
The past 3 days have been pretty hectic to say the least and honestly I can't wait to be at home. Not having any family here (they all leave in Spain) but my grandmother makes things easier but it's crazy knowing that the only life I knew so far is about to change. Today I waited for my fiance to get home like I did all these days, we had dinner together through skype while I was also reviewing my endless lists of items. I blew dry my hair and we just talked about the wonderful life is waiting for us tomorrow. For more than a year, Skype and whatsapp was pretty much our channel of communication so we celebrated our very last skype call. He hired someone to clean our house (I can't believe it!! OUR house)...we renewed our kitchen, paints the house, and got new furniture a few months before, so he got flowers and wanted the house to be spotless for my arrival...he even went grocery shopping to buy my favorite food and get me my personal toiletries .
We usually go to bed super late talking but we decided to make the exception for tonight taking into consideration the busy and crazy day we have tomorrow, so by 7.50 pm we said our good nights although I already miss him. Can't believe this is my last night in my home, can't wait for tomorrow!.
UPDATE 04/20/12
Sooooo I'm finally at the airport!! is 3.30 pm and my flights leaves in hour approx. I've been awake since 5 am in the morning making sure everything was ready and honestly I was TOO excited to go to sleep. I woke at 5 am, took a shower, cooked breakfast and I cleaned my granny's home and spent some time with her before I started getting ready. Our closest airport is like 45 minutes away with no traffic so a friend of mine offered himself to take me to the airport around 12.45pm so by 12 I was completely ready. Saying goodbye to my grandmother was harsh especially because is highly probable is going to be the last time I see her (she is 84) but my heart was so full of love and excitement for the future so was hers.
By 12.45 my friend pulled over and helped me with my 5 suitcases, and then we proceeded to our route. Caracas is one of the most dangerous cities in the world, and robbery even in your own car is very very common. So I had my package and my passport beneath the seat. We arrived to the airport fairly quick around 1.30 pm which is a great luck taking into consideration it was a friday. As soon as we arrived, he left me at the entrance (the airport parking lot has NO security) and is extremely dangerous, so no time for sad goodbyes. I think because Easter just passed, the airport was pretty much empty, so I checked in right away.
The staff from AA were very nice and I got a great deal for my extra luggage, and then walked to immigration. I was in shock on how empty the place was, I made no lines. I had my purse and a small carry on bag with my laptop, personal documents and my k1 package. The instructions are very clear that you have to carry it with you because you have to submit it at the POE, but was scared that a venezuelan officer wanted to opened it. Luckily for me it was not the case, when they stamp my passport they asked why I was leaving and for how long and I told them it was just for 2 weeks vacation and I was coming back before mother's day (it was a fat big lie but telling Chavistas employees you are moving out of the country for good will make things harder for you) so that's why I bought a 2 ways ticket.
By 2.30pm I was sitting in my gate and then went to get something to eat and to buy a few venezuelan souvenirs for my fiance, his family and my new home. I forgot to mention that I'm pretty much aware that I will be going through the infamous immigration room so my fiance brought me a prepaid cellphone so I could call him or text him once my flight lands in the US as my phone won't be too helpful.
How I feel? honestly, I feel tired...the past 2 months have been the craziest of my life, a lot of errands, endless paperwork plus the anxiety of the process and the last 2-3 weeks everything intensified. And this week have been crazy, exciting and also very bittersweet. I few minutes ago I was able to skype with my family in Spain and I have been chatting with my fiance throughout the day. He is at work now and the poor soul has been watching the clock all day jajaja!!! He leaves at 5 pm, is going home to shower and change and then go to the airport to pick me up. I can't believe I'll be with him at home in a few hours!!!!
I would like to thank Visajourney for taking me to this point and for 7 months of amazing support!! and if you read this to this point THANK YOUUUUU! I hope my personal experience can help you in this journey.
I'll be updating my experience at the Port Of Entry (POE) (Scroll down) probably tomorrow or sunday so WISH ME LUCK!!!
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Processing
Estimates/Stats : |
Your I-129f was approved in 120 days from your NOA1 date.
Your interview took 195 days from your I-129F NOA1 date. |
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ver 5.0