ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresUS embassy in Ghana

It's more like 15 to 16 months from initial filing for K1 now.


I stand corrected....thanks seaborn.

Its an unfortunate situation that it has to take that long.
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2011-07-06 15:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresUS embassy in Ghana

I cant really email them to ask them for the interview date since he has not turned in, or received packet 3. He has to get packet 3 to do his medicals and stuff.


Unless it has changed, your fiance will get the packet 3 and 4 together with the interview date. Make sure that the medical and police certificate are as close to the interview as possible. Good luck.

Is it really taking a year to get an interview date? I was planning to apply in January but if it is taking so long, I might have to apply a little earlier.so when i send the paperwork here, they then forward it to Ghana? What if it somehiow gets lost?Did you guys make copies of all your documents?At what point do I have to fill out the affidavit of support form? how soon after all the paperwork has been sent initially?


The wait time for an interview in Ghana for a K-1 is about 12-13 months from initial filing. For the CR1 its over 18 months from filing to interview. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

Take a look at the guides (http://www.visajourn.../content/guides) . I'm not sure what visa you are applying for but the guides will give you a good idea for timelines and what is required at each step.
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2011-07-06 11:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAppointment Date
Sorry to say this but be happy that you have a date. There are lots of people who have been waiting much longer and do not have a date yet.

As for changing it, in all my time on VJ, I have NEVER seen anyone be successful in getting an earlier date in Accra. Considering the incredible backlog in Accra I am thinking that they gave you the earliest date possible.

My advice, hunker down and wait it out. The waiting is tough, but at least you have an idea of when it will end.
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2011-07-20 13:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow to get Packet 3 and 4
Your fiance will have to pick up the packet from the embassy. Normally your fiance will receive a letter in the mail telling them when they can pick up the packet. If your petition has been forwarded to the embassy and you have not heard from them you can try emailing them and they will email you the letter for your fiance to pick up the packet.
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2011-07-21 08:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresUSA Embassy Ghana
Nice!!! First time I am hearing of this from Ghana.

You should be able to get the police certificate in time. The medicals should be able to be done too. I think most of the medicals stuff gets done in one day and then she goes back for the results (unless the procedure has changed). Even if she does not have everything she can still go to the interview. If there is something missing the CO will give her a date to come back with the required documents (but I think she should have it all).

Good luck!!
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2011-07-28 21:25:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresHow much is too much?
In Ghana they like to see that kind of evidence at the interview. I would include a few records here and there but keep the bulk of it for the interview.

Good luck.
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2011-08-02 09:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresInterview Date in Dec
You will not have any issues with the expiration as the embassy will automatically extend the petition.

Your interview date is not all that far out considering that there are others who have been waiting much longer.
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2011-08-11 09:15:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresI-134 Co Sponsor Question

It is the realtionship to YOU, the sponsor, they are asking for. "Father" is the correct answer.

If they do not think $45,000 in income and $90,000 in assets is enough there are other problems you are not aware of yet. The requirement for income for the I-134 is not specified, actually, we usually assume it is the same as for the I-864 but it is not. It is up to the discretion of the consulate, plain and simple, to determine that your fiance will not become a public charge. There is no specific amount, no goal line to cross and you "win" However $45,000 is far above the guidelines for a family size of two, if they are using this excuse, what else is wrong? Keep in mind also that for a K-1, the I-134 is only valid for a few months, tops, until it is superceded by the I-864 and your fiance/spouse cannot even remain in the USA unless approved under a different affidavit. To suggest that $45,000 is not enough to keep someone off welfare for 3-4 months is preposterous. But it is an easy "out" for the consulate.

Unless you have a bunch of children you are also supporting. ???


This is exactly what I was thinking. Many I-134's go through Accra with the petitioner making much less and there is no issue about sponsorship.

There has to be something else going on.
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2011-08-17 17:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresOne-Way Tickets on a K1 Visa
No problems here no0pb.gif
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2009-06-12 15:49:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresENGAGEMENT RING REQUIRED FOR VISA

Acknowledged with respect, but again, this might backfire or be used against people who interview at certain consulates. People should consider the future ramifications carefully, is the point.


Agree with T-Bone on this. At some Sub-Saharan Africa consulates this is a no-no.
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2011-10-08 10:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSING

plse i wanna knw if anybody has gone 2ru this at the Ghana embassy. i went for interview and they asked me to go again on another date wt more proof of relationship and a joint sponsor. they told me our case is in administrative processing. i wanna knw if they said administrative processing becus of the thns they asked for or for sm other reasons. wht can my fiance and i do abt it. we r gathering more evidence though bt i wanna knw is there is antythn else we can do. either by him emailing them and asking y administrative processing. Ur suggestions r welcomed, thank u


Gather the information that they want and go back on the date that they gave you. Other than that, there is not much else you can do. When you do go back I would suggest going with all the proof of your relationship that you presented at the first interview and anything else you can add between now and your second appointment. This is pretty routine for the Ghana embassy and in most cases you are approved after the second interview.

a little off topic here - but can someone please explain to me how to join the Ghana portal?
thanks


You need to put your country as "Ghana" and then when you click on "Portals" above you will automatically be redirected there.
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2011-08-11 08:34:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK1 Visa (Fiance Visa) or CR1 (Spousal Visa)
If I were you I would take a careful look at the timelines from Ghana and see how long it is taking. The spousal visa is taking longer than the fiance visa (the last time I checked). Also, it looks like many people from Ghana are having to go back for a second interview. Others who have been through the process more recently can give you more accurate estimates.

Good luck.
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2011-11-29 09:22:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPOE
You can walk through together as Enigma11561 said. You should be able to get the form on the plane to fill it out before landing.
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2011-12-07 12:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresAccra embassy - still long waiting period!!!
You can try asking for an earlier date.

Considering that the wait used to be MUCH longer I would say that this is an improvement.
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2012-01-05 12:45:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresProof of Meeting
I sent in my itinerary, my frequent flier statement and return trip boarding passes. At the time I filed the K1 I had sent my passport to be renewed so I did not have passport stamps. I also did not send any pictures.

I think what you have is a lot of proof.

Good luck!!
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2012-01-20 09:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPLEASE HELP WE ARE SO LOST
Head over to the Sub-Saharan Africa forum for more Ghana specific questions ( http://www.visajourn...ca-sub-saharan/ )

Accra seems to have its ups and downs when it comes to the interview so knowing what you are up against now can help a lot in filing your petition.

Welcome to VJ and good luck on your journey :D
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2012-01-24 10:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWife did not make it past homeland and got k-1 cancelled
What a mess.

Edited by Zee Bee, 26 April 2012 - 11:55 AM.

Zee BeeFemaleGhana2012-04-26 11:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresIR or K-1 visa which one works fastest?
If you don't have pictures now but plan on visiting him in the future you can file the K-1.

Pictures are not required for the initial filing; you need to prove that you have met sometime in the past 2 years and you can do that with passport stamps, boarding passes, etc.

When we filed we did not have any pictures to send with the petition and we were approved with no problem. I had a visit between the filing and interview and we took pictures then to submit at the interview.
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2012-06-21 10:48:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresThe fiance ask to not file anymore?
It looks from your timeline that you have not filed papers yet.
I've read a few cases where the beneficiary changes their mind but I don't think any of them are on VJ anymore.
Is there something specific you wanted answered?
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2012-07-29 09:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDS-230 Part I for consulate in Ghana
The k-1 is a non-immigrant visa but with immigrant intent. It is processed the same way as other immigrant visas.
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2012-08-06 11:16:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDS-230 Part I for consulate in Ghana
You submit that at the interview (someone correct me if things have changed).
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2012-08-06 10:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPoverty Line - Fiance has job offer but starts Aug 2008
QUOTE (SydneytoWaco @ Apr 8 2008, 01:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thank you for both of your replies. I understand that she will need her letter of employment from the employer once she has started working there and I am confident that if we send our application in late April, as we plan to do, that should leave enough time for her to start working.

I am however failing to find anywhere that states that you need past tax returns to prove your income. Wouldn't a letter of employment and some pay checks/copies of bank records showing the depositing of a steady income be sufficient?

If there are instructions stating that she needs her tax return to reflect her income can you please point me to that.


A tax return is used to prove the income earned. It is the easiest, simplest, most hassle free way of proving income to the CO. It may not be on the instructions, but the consulate will most probably ask for it. From the OF-167 which outlines the public charge provisions:

QUOTE
To substantiate the information regarding income and resources the sponsor should attach two or more of the following items to the affidavit:
  1. Notarized copies of his or her latest federal income tax return;
  2. A statement from his or her employer showing salary and the length and permanency of employment;
  3. A statement from an officer of a bank regarding his or her account, the date the account was opened, and the present balance;
  4. Any other evidence adequate to establish financial ability to carry out his or her undertaking toward the applicant for what might be an indefinite period of time.


Source: http://www.exit.com/.../Visa/of167.htm
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2008-04-08 12:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresPoverty Line - Fiance has job offer but starts Aug 2008
The point where income is asked for is at the interview stage. At the petitioning stage, they will not ask about it.

When it comes time for the interview she may be asked to supply a letter from her employer, tax returns and W2's, paystubs, etc. They will need to have proof of employment, not just an offer letter.
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2008-04-06 14:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresNOA 2 Approved - NVC Still Does Not Have Any Record
You need to speak to someone pat NVC. Like someone said press 1, 5. K1s are not entered into the automated system.

Your approved petition is probably sitting at the consulate.
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2008-04-09 12:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresQuestion about validity of medical
In general the medicals are only valid for 1 year.
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2008-04-11 13:12:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresplease someone spell it out for me! i'm stupid
QUOTE (KimandRuss @ Apr 10 2008, 10:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (monyfer @ Apr 10 2008, 10:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Beneficiary's birth certificate is not necessary at this point (filing petition) correct? Only at interview stage?


Correct. It's not asked for until the interview.


Some people have been issued an RFE for the beneficiary's birth certificate though.

Doesn't hurt to just add a copy with the petition. But it is definitely needed for the interview.
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2008-04-11 09:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresplease someone spell it out for me! i'm stupid
It is true that the beneficiary's birth certificate is not required, but some people have been asked for it.

Only send copies. Take the original with you to the interview.

Good luck smile.gif
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2008-04-10 20:52:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTiming
QUOTE (CassandraHaydar @ Apr 12 2008, 12:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Also, does the country of the fiance matter? It is highly likely that your fiance is going to go through more security checks because he is from a Middle Eastern country. This process can add a few weeks or months to the whole process before he is issued a visa.


What kind of security checks?


Background security checks and namechacks. They are performed on all beneficiaries, but since your fiance is from a Middle Eastern country they will do more extensive checks. Especially if he has a name that is common and comes up as a hit in the FBI or other database, it can delay the visa by a long period of time.

QUOTE (CassandraHaydar @ Apr 12 2008, 12:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Since we are doing this in South Korea, I am hoping the second step (interview) will actually happen in the 4-5 weeks they are telling me. What exactly IS the next step? Once you get approved the petition goes to NVC (National Visa Center) and then it is forwarded to the embassy. They will send your fiance a packet 3 with information on forms to fill out/medical exam info/police certificates (he needs one from every country he has lived in for 6 months or more since the age of 16) and other info. He will also get an interview appointment letter (either at the same time he gets the packet 3 or after). You may want to look into the police certificates now because some can take a month or more to get.

Since my lawyer is getting the paperwork, I'm not really sure of where I am in the time line. All I know is I am waiting for USCIS to process. We've already got the police records from Iraq and Korea. Right now we are waiting on a new passport.

Can I go with him to the interview? What kind of questions are asked?


Since you filed at the end of November, you should be getting a response by the end of May (when your 6 months is up). Like I said before, sometimes it can take longer, other times shorter.

In some countries you can go with him to the interview, in other countries you cannot. I would suggest asking in the regional forum about this.

They will ask all kinds of questions about your relationship, communication, family, etc. Take a look here for embassy reviews: http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/

QUOTE (SnowyTater @ Apr 12 2008, 12:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
ZeeNusah hadn't posted when I was writing this. If there are any contradicting answers refer to ZeeNusah's, they know more what they're talking about than me tongue.gif


I think we agree on everything smile.gif But, from the way I read it, she wants to get the visa before she leaves S. Korea in July, so they need to do everything as quickly as possible.
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2008-04-12 11:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresTiming
QUOTE (CassandraHaydar @ Apr 12 2008, 11:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi everyone... you all look friendly and knowledgeable so I thought I would bounce this off of you.

My fiance and I are living in South Korea. I am an English Teacher here. We submitted our K1 and it was received 11/27/07. The USCIS processing time leads me to believe I should be hearing about the next step sometime early May. However, after watching these times, I notice they post about two weeks late even though the date is listed around the middle of the month.

Our issue is mainly that my contract is up at the end of June. I have told my boss I want to extend my contract for a month. She has booked someone to take my place after that time. I've heard this process take as little as 6 months and as much as 1.5 years. What do you think the chances are that we might be all set to go by the end of July? This will depend on when you get approved. The VJ timelines just give you an estimate based on what people on this website have put in their timelines. Sometimes it does take longer than the posted 6 months to get approval. After that, it is going to depend on how quickly the consulate in South Korea works.

Also, does the country of the fiance matter? It is highly likely that your fiance is going to go through more security checks because he is from a Middle Eastern country. This process can add a few weeks or months to the whole process before he is issued a visa.

When do you actually need your passport? He is having a hard time getting a new passport from Iraq. He will need the passport at least for the interview. In some cases, a passport is needed for the medical exam. You may have to ask the consulate about this.

Since we are doing this in South Korea, I am hoping the second step (interview) will actually happen in the 4-5 weeks they are telling me. What exactly IS the next step? Once you get approved the petition goes to NVC (National Visa Center) and then it is forwarded to the embassy. They will send your fiance a packet 3 with information on forms to fill out/medical exam info/police certificates (he needs one from every country he has lived in for 6 months or more since the age of 16) and other info. He will also get an interview appointment letter (either at the same time he gets the packet 3 or after). You may want to look into the police certificates now because some can take a month or more to get.

Thanks,
Cassandra


smile.gif
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2008-04-12 10:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresExtending I-129F petition before expiration date
I sent an e-mail to the consulate just because I wanted to mkae sure they extended it. They replied and said that they extend them automatically. No worries.
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2008-04-12 18:23:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresis 2weeks meeting in person enough?
As long as you met sometime in the last 2 years you are good good.gif

My fiance and I were only physically together for about a total of 24 hours when we filed.
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2008-04-14 08:14:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhat are they looking for?
I think at the service centers they look to see if you qualify for the visa: hence the free to marry documents, divorce decrees, etc, the proof of meeting within the last 2 years. They do a background check on the USC (IMBRA questions) and then they pass it on the NVC. At the service centers they also do some checks on the beneficiary.

At NVC what they basically do is they assign the embassy case number and then forward the approved petition to the consulate. There have also been some people who get stuck at NVC.

I think a majority of the time the petitions are at the service centers they are collecting dust...just my peronal feeling.
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2008-04-14 11:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresStupid Acronyms
Packet 3 is the instruction packet your fiance will get from the embassy once the petition is approved at USCIS. It will have information about the medical exam, police certificates and other things to bring to the interview.

Packet 4 is the interview appointment letter.
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2008-04-14 09:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFiance Visa denied for a silly reason
I feel bad for you but can you blame the CO? You presented him with pictures that looked like a wedding ceremony. The burden of proof is on you to show that you are NOT married. The CO is there to prevent fraud, and the final visa approval is based on what the CO thinks. If he thought you were married....

Adding those pictures was risky to say the least. Did you not have other pictures or evidence of your relationship?

Good luck to you.
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2008-04-10 14:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresWhat the purpose of K1
The purpose of the K1 is to allow the fiance(e) of a USC to enter the US to get married. If you want to get married in your own country then you can get either a K3 or CR1 visa.

Yes there are restrictions but thats why you need to do your research before deciding what visa to go for.

Decide what is important to you and then pick the visa that is best for you.
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2008-04-15 08:40:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedureswill our age do anything to affect our application?
QUOTE (Stephen1 @ Apr 14 2008, 07:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
being young shouldnt effect you unless you are 17. You must make over 120 125 percent over the poverty line though.


If you do not meet the poverty guidelines you can look into getting a cosponsor who meets the requirements.

As for the age, as long as you are of age (or if you are underage have the parents consent) then you should be fine.
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2008-04-15 08:42:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresdo not have pics together
We did not have any pictures either for our petition.

I provided the boarding passes from the trip and my flight itinerary. My sisters also wrote affidavits that we had met. That was all I included and we had no problems.

Good luck.
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2008-04-15 08:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresFly anywhere in USA??
As long as she does not leave the US you will be fine smile.gif
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2008-04-15 12:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduressecret clearance and background check
I'm sorry you are going through this....I hope you get your NOA2 soon rose.gif
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2008-04-15 19:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Proceduresnew to the k1 visa
Welcome to VJ and good luck on your journey smile.gif
Zee BeeFemaleGhana2008-04-15 13:55:00