When you’re going to petition your fiance/fiancee to join you in the USA, you will use a K1 Visa. Below, if tried to list a few questions and answers that you may encounter as you go through the process.
1. How soon can a K-1 Visa be approved?
My Fiance and I went through this same process. We applied for a K1 Visa instead of CR1 Visa so that we could be together ASAP. It took us four and a half months of waiting from the day of filing to the day we both flew from Philippines to the US.
2. What factors could delay the K1 Visa process?
Here are the factors that I know will lengthen the processing time for your petition:
-the petitioner had typo while filling out the form submitted to USCIS
-lacking documents sent by the petitioner during the initial filing
-lacking documents during your interview at the US Embassy Manila
-complicated status of either/both the petitioner/beneficiary
-waiting for the physical packet to arrive before scheduling an interview
3. I just got my NVC Case Number, but my Physical File says it is still in transit to Manila. Do I have to wait for it to arrive before I can pay my BPI fee and move the process along?
-This is from my own experience as a beneficiary. As soon as you get the CASE NUMBER, you’re good to go. You can start the ball rolling.
Fill out form DS-160 and then you can download the form for the medical fee which you will use to pay at BPI. You cannot pay at BPI unless you have the form. NEVER LOSE THE FORM AFTER THE TELLER STAMPS YOUR PAYMENT FORM AS PAID.
Reminder: I waited two days after my Case Status online said “In Transit” before I paid BPI. I paid PHP 12,720 for the medical fee in July 2016. I don’t know the exact amount that you should pay at the time of writing, but the form you need to print out will have the exact amount due.
-After you pay at BPI, you have to wait until the payment says “POSTED” before you can schedule your MEDICAL EXAM.
4. How many days after the medical exam should I schedule my interview ?
– For my medical exam and interview, we scheduled my interview ONE WEEK after my medical, just in case there was a problem getting to the medical center or something unexpected happened. My interview was July 28th, 2016, and my medical was around July 20th 2016.
5. What time should I really go for medical exam at St. Luke’s?
-As early as 4:00am. Of course you’d like to be the there early so that you will be accommodated first and you will be done within the day. The result will be given the next day. We were told to go back at 9:00am for the result, but we went back earlier than 9:00am, like around 8, but the result was given anyway. If you passed, you will proceed to vaccination and then wait for the packet that will be given to you for your interview.
6. What are the things that I need to bring to the interview?
EVERYTHING that your petitioner sent to the embassy, you should have your own copy and other documents from you. To name a few:
-copy of confirmed appointment
-your NSO Birth Certificate
-CENOMAR
-NBI for Travel Abroad
-Police Clearance and Brgy Clearance
– Medical Packet from St. Luke’s
-Proof of Relationship
-Screenshot of Case Status online that says Ready to Schedule an interview. (because you don’t have to wait for the packet that will be sent to you, otherwise, it will take you years before you can be with your petitioner)
7. Do I need to wait for the packet to arrive before I schedule my interview at the US Embassy Manila?
-No. As soon as your CASE STATUS ONLINE says Ready to Schedule for Interview, you can already book an interview and medical exam.
8. How will I book my interview at the US Embassy Manila?
-Do it by yourself online. Don’t call the US Embassy Manila for booking. Again, just do it by yourself online.
9. What should I do during my interview at the Us Embassy Manila?
-Dress professionally.
-Be confident. Look at the interviewer in the eye.
-Smile.
-Just answer what is being asked. No need to elaborate.
-Don’t forget to smile and maintain that professional look.
-Be happy. You’ll be approved. 🙂