biggish data

http://nairobi.usemb...sa-packets.html

Hello VJ's,

My interview date is scheduled on the 28th Oct 2014

I'm waiting for IOM to schedule my medical exams.

So many things to worry about that trip.

i am still looking for accommodation, as all this process might take two weeks, hotel cost a fortune$$.

If someone has experienced and know a nice and secure place not far from the embassy please send me the address because the longer i wait the more expensive it will get.

Will appreciate if someone can help!!!

Hello, these appointments are early it seems. I dont know any place near the Embassy but there is a place in CBD called Hotel Kilepeo which is safe and inexpensive (Kshs 6000 a night). The Hilton has a rate of Kshs 8000 a night, however if your medical and appointment are on different days which they are it can get expensive

The IOM ask for an Appointment letter from the Embassy with the Case Number. If its a Fiancee Visa, then the appointment is made through the payment website and they only send you an email, so not sure what IOM is talking about

David Hansen

Not Telling

2014-09-22 10:53:00

http://nairobi.usemb...sa-packets.html

Hi everyone,

We just got Case Complete from NVC on Sept 16 (wahoo!!). I had to call in to get that information, but the person I spoke to wouldn't give me much information about next steps. I believe we just have to wait for the interview appointment letter? Will we get any communication about when they send our file to Nairobi?

My husband is in Uganda. How long did it take you all to get an interview scheduled in Nairobi from the time your case was completed? And is there anything we can do in the meantime to get things ready?

Any tips are much appreciated!

Hello

Did you go to the Embassy site and look at Packet Three? I believe you have to complete DS-230. I think its different for the K1

Then I imagine the Embassy will be in touch

You cannot email the I-134. It has to have your original signature, unless things has changed at the Consulate and one can is allowed to show a copy of the I-134.

No a hard copy is required with signature and date.

Express Mail by USPS takes about a week to get there with tracking. Has to be sent to your fiancee

David Hansen

Not Telling

2014-09-22 10:49:00

David....

I don't know the woman or her kenyan-american fiance. But my gal was already concerned about this issue, so when a women she met at the medical said her fiance stated this, it made the topic come up again....about whether americans will treat her with respect or not. And I haven't spent much time around any immigrant...but I do know that many americans can be cruel, especially toward things that are "different" so I do in fact it serves a useful experience.

So my question to Kenyans to have come to this country...not just kenyans but any Africa...how have Americans treated you once you have settled here? I think this question does serve a useful purpose...I sorry you feel differently.

Thanks for the reply. Hey I am from Kenya too AND have been discriminated in Kenya AND Uganda*** (I am not black African),...so it happens....then here as well. As long as you put things into perspective things will be ok. Bascially to me, most human beings are 'nasty'...what can I tell you. Look at history. Its the good ones (like many on here) that make the difference..hope it helps.

*** Think along the lines of Idi Amin here.

David Hansen

Not Telling

2014-09-11 16:55:00

Medical Appt was at 7:30....my fiancee' arrived at 7:05 and waited a short time. There was another lady going thru the same process with her from Nakuru. My fiancee had everything but they said the passport pictures were the wrong size (geez I can't believe we screwed that up). They told her that for part 2 of the medical, which is Monday, she will need the correct size photos. Thankfully they let her proceed. They said the consulate will not be as nice. Other than that my fiancee said she got some shots, they did some x-rays, took some blood and it was a lot of waiting around. She said they were very nice to her and things went fairly smoothly.

It was raining and she said the gal from Nakuru offered her a ride to the bank to pay the fee and a ride all the way home....my gal lives in Regen/White House area past Kinoo. So that was very very nice of the gal. The total cost for my fiancee and her son was 38,000KSh, which was a lil bit less than we thought. So far so good...keeping our fingers crossed for Monday. My gal said 2 other things....the medical bldg is a long walk from the bank. They actually drove over. And finally the part I found humorous...the gal from Nakuru, her fiance is a Kenyan living in Chicago, and she told my gal that Mzungu's in the US are not nice to Africans. Sadly I hope that is not true. I know everyone I know better treat my lady with respect and kindness. Most of my friends and family are very much looking forward to her arriving.

John and Liz

No offence but what is your friend still doing in the US IF the mzungus are not nice to Africans? These kinds of comments serve no useful purpose!!!

David Hansen

Not Telling

2014-09-10 22:43:00

I was looking at the Embassy Site and noticed that they say the K1 is processed as an IMMIGRANT visa, then tell us to fill out DS-160. However the link they provide shows something else entirely (see links below). Which one does the embassy accept?

1. On the Nairobi US Embassy Site the Visa it says to fill out the
DS-160 form

http://nairobi.usemb...sa-packets.html

2. ON the DOS Site it says something completely different. (see bottom
of webpage).

http://evisaforms.st...gov/default.asp

David Hansen

Not Telling

2014-09-03 03:15:00

Hello, does anyone know what happens once the Embassy in Nairobi receives the I-129f from the NVC? Do they send one an email with the Case #? I already got that by calling the NVC number in Portsmouth NH

Hey,

A Certificate of Good Conduct is good for one year. He can apply now or wait a few months. Just don't apply when its too late plan ahead of time.

Good luck

Hope I can help here. The fiancé has to go personally to CID HQ in Nairobi (or Mombasa/Upcountry) and apply with their passport and two photos. In Nairobi it is 'supposed' to take 2 weeks. They then give you a Certificate valid for 6 months.

David Hansen

Not Telling

2014-09-03 01:59:00

National Visa Center (Dept of State)

Hello I wanted to check what to expect at the Embassy in Nairobi for the K 1 interview. Right now the petition is with the NVC. Do they email the information my fiancé requires?

David Hansen

Not Telling

2014-08-16 17:55:00

STUCK @ NVC for AP Part II

Hello. Our case was processed at the TSC and it took 7 months. I did get an email from TSC saying the file is being sent to NVC. It took 9 days. Now I am told it is in AP at NVC and its 8 days and counting. They did give me the case number.

Should I go ahead and have my fiancée get an appointment for the medical and the interview for lets say a months time?

Any advice?

David Hansen

Not Telling

2014-09-11 17:21:00

K1 visa Interview Questions

You list them on the form and that is it--at least it was for us. People get denied for tourist visas all the time. She may be questioned why 4 times and why you got engaged so soon afterwards. If she come across as desperate to come to the US it may raise a red flag and she may get more scrutiny. As long as your relationship is legit, you will have no problems.

Good luck,

Dave

Very true about why soon afterwards. We were of course friends so she listed that on the DS-160 B2 application since 'lovers' is not a politically term I suppose. She was to come here, visit, then go back, then we would have got engaged on the phone.

I will ask her to state it that way. Also, me going twice a year to visit her for over three years now will help I suppose. I enclosed all the photos and boarding passes etc for the Bahamasair airline and hotels

Thanks for the advice

David

David Hansen

Not Telling

2014-07-08 17:50:00

K1 visa Interview Questions

_{I have a question about past B2 visitor denials. Last year my fiancée tried to visit me here in the US four times to get a B2 and was denied..seems like she did not make enough money to visit the USA? At the interview will this be an issue.}

_{Her last time to try was last year. We got engaged three weeks after that last time.}

_{Any help is appreciated}

David Hansen

Not Telling

2014-07-06 19:02:00

Kenyan Embassy K1 Appointments

This is an update on the Medical. It is a little confusing (what isnt with this process). They want an email with the following:

a. Photo scanned

b. Passport biometric page scanned

c. Letter from the Embassy showing the Case # PLUS the appointment date.

The issue is with ©...they dont do the appointment. It has to be done via another site...www.usvisa-info.com/en-Ke then the latter emails you the appointment time (very efficient)but they do not include the Case #.

David Hansen

Not Telling

2014-09-22 23:16:00

relationship evidence for the interview (photographs)

I think brining too many shots and papers enought to show you cut down an entire forest is not worth it. Gets unwieldy and the CO could get annoyed if one is fumbling around looking for documents etc. best thing is to be targeted. Perhaps a few shots...say 10, maybe 10 pages of various dates of chat logs, phone itemizations etc would be better. After all it is a story and a consistent one is what they are looking for

David Hansen

Not Telling

2014-09-22 16:48:00

Any knowledge of Discrimination during interview?

Good luck....discrimination is the hardest crime to prove, and trying to sue the government for discrimination makes it 100 times harder.

US Posts or other country Diplomatic posts are immune from lawsuits...nice try about discrimination.

Just dress neatly AND ready for business (which the interaction is). Suit is better but careul attention to appearance is part and parcel of ANY interaction...

David Hansen

Not Telling

2014-10-07 08:51:00

IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

How long does it take to get the RFE hard copy

Hello it took exactly four days from the TSC to New York for us

David Hansen

Not Telling

2014-08-01 23:48:00

^thank you so much! And thanks to everyone
Visa is now on hand but i'll be flying to the US on January, 2015.

To same sex couples who are now in the US;
Where did you guys get married? We're planning to have a civil wedding in New york since it is not legal in Florida. Any other suggestions?

Hello

Yes there are so many places in NY. How about Gramacy Park? Central Park? The great thing it doesnt cost anything. We will be doing one as well and splurging on the brunch afterwards

David Hansen

Not Telling

2014-10-01 19:31:00

1.Biometrics: (American)
Window 43

What's your name?
What's your birth date?
Fingerprints

2. Documents & Screening (Filipina)
Window 50
Provided the documents such as:
NBI, cenomar, Interview payment, birth certificate, Form 1040 and W2

Conversation in Tagalog
My name. .
Age. .
Petitioners name..
When & How did we meet
When did we make it official
Job of my fiancee
Been married or with kids
If i've ever been to the Us or applied for a Us visa
If i have visited other countries, where, for how long and purpose?
How many times did my fiance visited me and for how long?
Showed the proof of meeting (pictures, tickets, boarding passes etc)

3.Interview at window 66
American consul

What's your name?
Age?
What's the name of you fiance?
How old is she?
Married or with kids?
Fiance's job?
How many times did she visit?
Then the consul gave me the domestic violence pamphlet and told me to wait again for my number to be called at last window

4. filipino guy (window 72)
Ano number mo (what's your number?)
He checked my folder and his computer

Pangalan? (What's your name)
Pwede ka na umuwi. Mail nalang namin visa mo (you can go home now. We will just mail to you your visa)

When we passed the I-129F, we also sent them our proof of meeting and relationship which includes pictures, chats, text messages, tickets, passports, boarding pass, reservations, letters, remittances and mails.

The Filipina Consul asked me if i'm really sure that my fiance and I were together during her vacation here so i immediately showed her our proof of meeting. The American Consul was looking at our pictures (which we sent together with the I-129F packet) while asking questions.

They didn't ask me anything about being in a same sex relationship.

Thanks....

Why did they give you a domestic violence pamphlet? That's a little unusual?

Also Philippines is a homophobic country. How come local staff interviewed you?

David Hansen

Not Telling

2014-09-28 11:58:00

I had my interview at USEM last monday and thank God I got approved currently waiting for my visa to be delivered

Thanks to everyone! And Goodluck to those who are still waiting for the big day

I know its a different country and embassy, but was wondering what questions did they ask you? What did you have to show them? I have sent so much paperwork by email that even I am dizzy.

David Hansen

Not Telling

2014-09-26 16:49:00

That is incorrect. The requirement is to have met in person within the past 2 years. No knowing each other for 2 years. You could have met yesterday and filed today with no issue.

Yes you are correct. I mistook knowing with last having met. Here is the correct information:

Source USCIS Website

You met each other, in person, at least once within 2 years of filing your petition. There are two exceptions that require a waiver:
1. If the requirement to meet would violate strict and long-established customs of your or your fiancé(e)?s foreign culture or social practice.
2. If you prove that the requirement to meet would result in extreme hardship to you.

David Hansen

Not Telling

2014-01-21 14:39:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

I too am applying for a K1 visa for my fiancé.....with heterosexual K1 applications the period of knowing each other has to be 2 years maximum, so you are within the time. Refusal of a previous visa (UNLESS due to visa fraud)...simple 214(b) refusal doesn't count. They could ask you why you didn't tell them about your boyfriend in the USA, they should know that it is dangerous to say that of same sex couples in other countries.

Whether or not you work in Phillppines is not their issue. If your fiancé in the US signs and provides proof of income to support both of you before you start working here is the what they would want. Letters, photos from friends/family/chat logs/phone calls/ etc etc to document your relationship is what they will want

David Hansen

Not Telling

2014-01-21 12:58:00

Same sex partner fiance(s) interviews at US Embassies

Thank you...I do know of a situation (albeit this individual applied for a B2 Visitor Visa) and provided his CV to the check in staff woman (sub-Saharan woman) who said in a loud voice..oh you are one of those gays??? Apparently people in the room stopped chatting with this individual.(he got the B2 to travel here). However this could be a very bad situation should be have been encountered on the outside.

At the very least the local African embassy employee should have been fired.

David Hansen

Not Telling

2013-12-27 02:45:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Same sex partner fiance(s) interviews at US Embassies

Does anybody have any experience of their fiancé(e) being interviewed at a US Embassy in countries deemed to be either homophobic or have outright laws jailing gays? eg Cameroon, Uganda, Nigeria etc?

I know the CO's are usually Americans but the ancilliary staff usually are locals.

David Hansen

Not Telling

2013-11-10 17:32:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

noa2

Hello, this is rather confusing. My application is being processed at the TSC. However the application is mid-January so it is over 4 months waiting. I did call one of my Senator's Office and was told to wait another two weeks before contacting them. I did call the 1-800 # and they told me they are looking at November 19th 2013 applications...really waiting is tough.

David Hansen

Not Telling

2014-05-24 00:02:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Interesting analogy but the people answering questions on the phone and responding to congressional inquiries are not the same ones processing the applications. If one is pulled, it would probably be by the T2 or other rep that goes to the desk of the adjudicator and grabs it from under the 8 foot stack personally after checking who has it in the computer. Not much of a delay really...and that is assuming they are even at their desk in the first place.

I don't know what thread that was on, but someone said they maybe having a bake sale and are like 'the heck' with these winey K1 filers.....would love to be having coffee and cake with them..I sure they have stories....like we do.....

David Hansen

Not Telling

2014-06-18 14:19:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

      If you are standing in a long line waiting to buy a ticket and you go up to the person selling the tickets to ask them how much longer the wait is going to be don't you think it will slow the process down? Now what if 100 people went up to the ticket seller to ask how longer they are going to have to wait in line. The ticket seller is going to be so busy answering your questions they won't be able to sell tickets. Thus the wait has just become much longer.

     USCIS is required to answer every Congressional inquiry within a set number of days. So the person has to stop adjudicating the cases to write a letter/send an email/make a phone call. Now imagine if they had to respond to 20 Congressional inquired daily...when would they have time to adjudicate cases?

     Contacting your representative to discuss an issue with a government agency is your duty as a citizen. But making an inquiry into your personal case when it is within processing times is not.

    BTW I did contact my congressperson in regards to my case AFTER it had been in AP for six months. I didn't ask them to check on it a week after it went into AP as that would have been useless.

Agreed on the airline situation...however in that case the free market (or whats left of it these days) takes care of the airline and income (people go to other airlines). However in our case this is a monopoly and enough said on that score.

However you are right about contacting them before 5 months is up is wasting time. You are right about the case status and Congressional Responses

David Hansen

Not Telling

2014-06-18 13:29:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

And how many adjudicators are having to stop looking at petitions to go pull yours from the warehouse? How many adjudicators are having to stop reviewing petitions to respond to your Congressperson? How much are all of you that are doing inquires actually slowing down the process?

That is not the point. I will not get into an argument here with you or anyone else about the role of government but these kinds of posts piss me off. The government is supposed to be FOR and BY the people..civics 101 here. From what I can see that is not the case with USCIS. We as either USC or beneficiaries are the solution not the problem. Oversight and outcomes are lacking here as is evident as is consistency. Therefore to the extent we can do this, having our ELECTED representatives check for us is not overstepping anything.

David Hansen

Not Telling

2014-06-18 13:12:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Thanks for the thread and letter. The only concern I have is disclosing my identity and TSC ID to the Senator. Is there a possibility of 'repercussions'?

David Hansen

Not Telling

2014-05-28 00:07:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Thanks everyone for the write ins to VJ. I can see the emotions here and its unsettling indeed. I think for me the issue is to inconsistency between service centers which maybe we can address with the Senators. Someone said an anti-reform Senator would be of no use...I think the contrary....One of the reasons we are in this mess as lawful citizens applying for LAWFUL entry of non-citizens we are being shafted......I think immigrations reform is just another way of saying make the 'illegals' legal. ie jump the fence and soon enough one will be a citizen...therefore that Senator might help out more...

For myself I am waiting 4 months and two weeks since application at the TSC. I think the inconsistency is my issue....and writing the senator preferably both for my state together with a Whitehouse.gov letter would probably be better. I plan on doing this

David Hansen

Not Telling

2014-05-27 16:14:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Yes the filing for us was Jan 22nd or so and no movement on the website. Very interesting process. Any January filers for the TSC got approval yet?

David Hansen

Not Telling

2014-05-05 23:42:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Yes seems like the California Service Center has faster approvals...

David Hansen

Not Telling

2014-04-27 06:52:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

For us its been exactly three months with no notice of anything other than change of the A Number. Filed Mid-January. Anyone in this situation at the TSC?

David Hansen

Not Telling

2014-04-26 11:13:00