General timeframe to America or Western country for RW

[Patagonie]

I have been reading consulate reviews on VJ.  One of the reviewers said that he and his fiancé had to wait 5 hours for a 5 minute softball interview.

When did you go thru the pipeline?

Thank Lord.

[Patagonie]

I disagree with your advice.  First, patagonie isn't American and hasn't done a K-1.  Many posters here have.  Second, 16 months, for a relationship that should last a lifetime, is not particularly onerous.  As for not going soon enough, every "disinterested" poster who posts on the issue says pretty much the same thing - meet IRL sooner, rather than later.
 
No matter what you believe, posters do provide valuable advice on the "mechanics".

What is the link between K1 and the dating phase in FSU ? 
Something i missed linked with the mayonnaise ?   

16 months for each endeavour with a women you don't ever met and at this speed you will be not only retired by also disabled.
You have only one life guy, it is time to make ACTION.

And as this process is huge, with the background you already have, just go do it like i said, and enjoy your time. Ground you with this amazing ladies and WTF get some experience and knowledge.

[Faux Pas]

Re: the Visa, I heard the embassy gives you the VISA the day the interview is concluded.  I also heard 2 to 3 weeks afterward.  What has been your experience?

What is A/R?

Patie gives great relationship advice, jus' sayin'

Nope. They will let them know if they were approved before leaving but the actual visa can take another week or so. It was about a week for my wife. I've heard less, I've heard more

[Fishingguy]

honestly I do feel a bit shady for having a plan B, plan C and plan D.  But it's the smart thing to do. Still I feel a little shady about it. How do you tell 2 or 3 ladies that you genuinely like them all the while knowing you have said the same thing to someone else already.

i guess all part of the game..

3 weeks?  I spent 2 on my first one. If you are going to meet just 1, then 1 week is a good indicator if you have something worth getting into . . . .

[GQBlues]

So it looks like atleast a year from first contact to on average of 16 months if approved for fiancee visa?

*General timeframe* for an American petitioner filing for a K-1 processing:

I went through from filing to POE arrival, less than 8 months. 2004/2005. It seems lately, according to present accounting, it is running a little bit longer.

But before this can take place, you must first....

...start of journey on up to actual filing - highly subjective. Each individual differs in so many level and personal circumstances.


For example:

honestly I do feel a bit shady for having a plan B, plan C and plan D.  But it's the smart thing to do. Still I feel a little shady about it. How do you tell 2 or 3 ladies that you genuinely like them all the while knowing you have said the same thing to someone else already.

i guess all part of the game..

[lordtiberius]

honestly I do feel a bit shady for having a plan B, plan C and plan D.  But it's the smart thing to do. Still I feel a little shady about it. How do you tell 2 or 3 ladies that you genuinely like them all the while knowing you have said the same thing to someone else already.

i guess all part of the game..

That was my plan.  Ask VinVin.  I had my plan K.  But in the end, and Vinny predicted this, I would only go with a Plan A.

Question: who is meeting you at the airport?

btw, did I mention Patie gives awesome advice?  He is real and he looks out for you.

[Fishingguy]

I actually have business associates that I've contracted for IT and graphics work in the past so I'd like for them to pick me up at the airport in both Russia and Ukraine. We've only been in contact via email and skype for small projects so this is a good chance to meet them and they have said they would love to host me. Two of them just happened to be good looking talented women too - I've never delved into personal stuff so who knows about that. It's just good to have someone you have built a little bit of professional relationship with already come.

I've been at the airport many years ago and paid $100 for rides into town or in Moscow $100 from one terminal to the next one.

[Turboguy]

Nope. They will let them know if they were approved before leaving but the actual visa can take another week or so. It was about a week for my wife. I've heard less, I've heard more

It was that way when we did the K-1 as well but I think it has changed.   Here is what it says in answer to "When you will get your visa?" on the US Embassy-Moscow web site.

If you are issued a K-1 visa, the Consular Officer will give you your passport containing the K-1 visa and a sealed packet containing the civil documents you provided, plus other documents prepared by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. It is important that you do not open the sealed packet. Only the DHS immigration official should open this packet when you enter the United States. As the K-1 visa holder, you must enter the U.S. either before or at the same time as any qualifying children holding K-2 visas.
 

[lordtiberius]

[DELETED]

[Faux Pas]

Doesn't make sense TG. How can she use her passport to leave if it's in an unopened package, not to be opened?

[Faux Pas]

Just found out that USCIS has issued Betsy her alien id number and in 30 days I will get an interview date.  More to follow

Congrats! Check with Patie and see what he thinks

[Faux Pas]

It was that way when we did the K-1 as well but I think it has changed.   Here is what it says in answer to "When you will get your visa?" on the US Embassy-Moscow web site.

If you are issued a K-1 visa, the Consular Officer will give you your passport containing the K-1 visa and a sealed packet containing the civil documents you provided, plus other documents prepared by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. It is important that you do not open the sealed packet. Only the DHS immigration official should open this packet when you enter the United States. As the K-1 visa holder, you must enter the U.S. either before or at the same time as any qualifying children holding K-2 visas.

AH, passport and a sealed packet. Doesn't say upon approval or the like though. Generally, it takes a few days to get the visa processed

[Ade]

Congrats! Check with Patie and see what he thinks

 


LT has his knickers in a twist because he was given some constructive criticism on the other forum that he didn't like. The fact that he, like a sap, trusted a dodgy someone in situ to do the necessary paperwork to "expedite" the process, was told not to by several people with many valid reasons, refused the advice and then was proven to be a sucker doesn't sit well with him I think.

[GQBlues]

Congrats! Check with Patie and see what he thinks

LMAO !!! TFF!

Maybe Patie ought to tell him alien # is actually issued a few days after NOA 1 - which is the first notice of receipt. LOL. But we'll just wait and see what Patie thinks.

[Patagonie]

http://www.familybasedimmigration.com/forum/k1flowchart.php

and

http://www.familybasedimmigration.com/noa.html

[lordtiberius]

Congrats! Check with Patie and see what he thinks

Cheap shot - disappointed

[Ade]

Cheap shot - disappointed

No it wasn't but it was very amusing.

Cheer up though, soon you'll have a newly minted FSUW at home - then you won't need the attention you crave from us.

[Faux Pas]

Cheap shot - disappointed

Be disappointed if you wish, nothing cheap about it. You'll get over it I suppose, or not. No skin off my nose either way. You've asked a number of questions and quite frankly received some excellent, truthful answers from many, including Patie. Yet, you wish to be a dick to many of those that have given you those answers. Fine, continue on your path.

[lordtiberius]

Be disappointed if you wish, nothing cheap about it. You'll get over it I suppose, or not. No skin off my nose either way. You've asked a number of questions and quite frankly received some excellent, truthful answers from many, including Patie. Yet, you wish to be a dick to many of those that have given you those answers. Fine, continue on your path.

?


Are you sure you are talking to the right guy?

[flitabout62]

I have seen all kinds of time frames.   For me it was just over 15 months from the time we first met till we walked down the aisle.  There was about 2-3 months of communication prior to my visit.   The K-1 itself took 9 months.  It was usually faster at the time but we got held up in A/R for 3 months or so.  Now it is slower.  I would say 8-9 months is typical now.  I have heard of people who spend 5-8 years getting a K-1 but those are rare exceptions.    Don't worry about that.   Visa Journey is a great source of timelines and visa help.   

+1
I agree with the above.  Every couple is different so you can't push too hard to meet an arbitrary timeline. 
I began writing in Jan '12 for two months before asking to meet first time -best time for both of us was summer (4 months later).  11 months after that I filed for K1 and am in process of waiting.... (2 months so far)  -  It's been a total of 5 trips and cumulative 55 or so days together so far.

[Anotherkiwi]

I actually have business associates that I've contracted for IT and graphics work in the past so I'd like for them to pick me up at the airport in both Russia and Ukraine. We've only been in contact via email and skype for small projects so this is a good chance to meet them and they have said they would love to host me. Two of them just happened to be good looking talented women too - I've never delved into personal stuff so who knows about that. It's just good to have someone you have built a little bit of professional relationship with already come.

I've been at the airport many years ago and paid $100 for rides into town or in Moscow $100 from one terminal to the next one.

You really were taken for a ride!     Good luck for this trip.

[Faux Pas]

You really were taken for a ride!     Good luck for this trip.

Depends on where you go. From one airport to the other yeah, he got reamed. Going into Moscow from either is a $50 U.S and another back

[Misha]

You really were taken for a ride!     Good luck for this trip.

I don't even bother with taxis anymore. For ten bucks you can take the train from the main airports to the metro: http://www.aeroexpress.ru/en/pda.html

[Faux Pas]

I don't even bother with taxis anymore. For ten bucks you can take the train from the main airports to the metro: http://www.aeroexpress.ru/en/pda.html

The train and metro is a bit overwhelming for the non speakers. I eventually tried it on my second trip at DME when I had a lot of time to kill. If one is on a short schedule, it's probably not a good idea

[ML]

I don't even bother with taxis anymore. For ten bucks you can take the train from the main airports to the metro: http://www.aeroexpress.ru/en/pda.html

And how do you suggest a person manage two large suitcases, a carry on, rain coat, umbrella, etc.?