Our K-1 (fiancée) visa process took place from 2011-2012. It was a long and time-consuming process, with its fair share of stress and anxiety for both of us. But we got through it eventually – with the help of a firm of immigration attorneys – and here is our complete visa timeline, from start to finish:
October 6th, 2011 – I129F PETITION FOR FIANCÉE submitted to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Our immigration attorney sent this petition to the USCIS, along with forms G-325A and official documents (copies of passports, birth certificates etc). She also sent evidence of our relationship (itemised phone bills, email logs, Skype call history etc), and evidence that we had met in person within the last two years (copies of boarding passes, and photos of us together). We also had to submit signed statements to confirm that we intend to marry within 90 days of Carla entering the US.
October 11th, 2011 – NOA1 receipt notice from USCIS
Our attorney advised us that they had received the first Notice of Action, confirming that USCIS had received our petition and supporting documents. The attorney advised that it would take around 3-5 months for USCIS to process our application and complete the background checks on Larry (the US citizen partner). We’d be able to check the status of our application on the USCIS website… and the waiting began.
February 28th, 2012 – NOA2 – confirming approval of I129F PETITION
We received our Notice of Action from USCIS, which confirmed that they had approved our I129 petition. Yay! They had transferred our case to the U.S. Department of State’s National Visa Center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, for background checks on Carla (the non-US citizen partner). This would take around 2-4 weeks.
March 12th, 2012
Carla sent her Police Certificate application to the Association of Chief Police Officers in the UK.
We received confirmation that the National Visa Center had finished their processing of our case, and would now forward our application to the US Embassy in London.
March 16th, 2012
Carla received a letter from the US Embassy in London confirming that they had received an approved petition in support of our K-1 visa application. The letter stated that the K1 petition would be valid for four months from the date of action (the date at the top of the letter). We needed to collect the required documents and complete the appropriate forms before arranging a medical exam in London. The requested forms were: DS-230 part 1; DS-156 (in duplicate); DS-156k, DS-157 (in duplicate); and checklist DS-2001. We only needed to send the forms; no documents at that stage.
This letter also mentioned the fee payable for the interview, which we’d need to pay by credit or debit card, by phoning the given number before the interview.
March 23rd, 2012
Carla received her Police Certificate, which confirmed that she does not have any criminal convictions. Phew. Well, we knew that, anyway… but these things are always a bit scary.
April 1st, 2012
Carla sent a letter to the US Embassy, enclosing her Notification of Applicant Readiness (form DS-2001), and completed forms DS-230, DS-156 (in duplicate), DS-156K and DS-157 (in duplicate). She also confirmed in this letter that she had booked her medical exam for 2nd April, and that we hoped to get married on 11th August 2012. Our attorney had advised us that it was a good idea to give a hoped-for wedding date. It showed that we were making solid plans to be together and get married.
April 2nd, 2012
Carla’s medical exam took place in London. The results of the medical exam would be delivered to the U.S. Embassy in around four days’ time.
April 19th, 2012
Carla received a letter from the U.S. Embassy, giving the date of her interview with a Consular Officer in London.
May 24th, 2012
Carla’s interview at the U.S. Embassy in London – K-1 VISA APPROVED. Woohoo!
June 1st, 2012
Carla’s passport was returned to her by courier, with the visa inside!
Please remember that all information given is from our own personal experience only. We’re not immigration experts, and nothing on our website should be construed as legal advice, or relied upon for your own visa process. Every case is different – and for expert help and advice, we would always recommend that you contact an immigration attorney.
If you’d like to talk to us about your own visa experience, or your long-distance relationship, you’re welcome to get in touch with us on our Facebook page. We can’t give legal advice or financial help, but we’re always happy to hear from people in long-distance relationships.
© Larry and Carla Sue
