General timeframe to America or Western country for RW

[Fishingguy]

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

[Daveman]

Depends on how much time you spend together prior to beginning the visa process.


My wife and I first met in August 2009, visited four times - engaged on 4th visit, then married in Ukraine on the 5th visit in July of 2011, Filed for CR-1 about 3 months later and she arrived here December 2012.


so about 3.25 years from first meeting until her arrival here.  Of course that could be done, as she might say, "quicklier". Twelve to sixteen months could be an average.  I think the last word was that the K visas were running about 9-10 months for that aspect of the process.

[lordtiberius]

applied for K1 in April.  Sent them an RFE dated Aug 19.  They said they will need 2 months to get back with me.

[Fishingguy]

all the best!

applied for K1 in April.  Sent them an RFE dated Aug 19.  They said they will need 2 months to get back with me.

[lordtiberius]

cheers

so whats your status?

[Fishingguy]

I'm looking...talking...and want to prepare for the arduous journey ahead. I just don't want anyone to feel that I'm stringing them along but I feel that most women who want to go on this journey know that it will take some time.  And perhaps dreaming ahead...

I know personally some terrible immigration stories from friends who are on their 5th year because they did something wrong or a technicality has held their process up. It seems logic and common sense dont' work with the State Department sometimes.

From all the checklists I'm set on my end - income, never married, financial stability etc.

[lordtiberius]

when is your first trip?

[Fishingguy]

I've been to Eastern Europe probably 5 to 6 times about 10 years ago for work and vacation.

I was hoping to go in the spring of 2014 but it seems that things run out of steam after two months of emails if you don't visit - or the dynamic reaches a certain peak after that time and anything else is down hill. I totally understand it too. I'm talking to a few women and I'm sure they are talking to a few gentlemen too. I wish I could go next month or sooner but I guess the ones who are truly serious will wait..but then I also know it's all about the timing.

[I/O]

FG: I firmly believe that this caper is pretty basic - he meets she or she meets he and so it goes. The result is largely dictacted by what "will be" and not much else.

[lordtiberius]

FG: I firmly believe that this caper is pretty basic - he meets she or she meets he and so it goes. The result is largely dictacted by what "will be" and not much else.

without credible commitment kind of a waste . . .  I wouldn't correspond with anyone unless I knew I had a trip planned and plane ticket paid for in three months.  I think that is a good rule of thumb.  Survey says?

[Fishingguy]

yeah I don't want to miss out on a good thing. What to do what to do. Maybe I should just take a break and start up again in the new year..

FG: I firmly believe that this caper is pretty basic - he meets she or she meets he and so it goes. The result is largely dictacted by what "will be" and not much else.

[lordtiberius]

You should go

[Patagonie]

without credible commitment kind of a waste . . .  I wouldn't correspond with anyone unless I knew I had a trip planned and plane ticket paid for in three months.  I think that is a good rule of thumb.  Survey says?

+1

[Patagonie]

yeah I don't want to miss out on a good thing. What to do what to do. Maybe I should just take a break and start up again in the new year..

No.
If you are almost ready to go, go.
Go in october, the weather is still nice. Choice a city, contact a maximum prospect in this city, contact two translators and book an appartment. Try to go two weeks, arriving a friday and taking off a monday if possible to keep free THREE week end.
Take a break ? A break from what IMHO you have never started something serious till now. Even if you have gone  5 or 6 times, chasing is NOT visiting.
GO.

[lordtiberius]

No.
If you are almost ready to go, go.
Go in october, the weather is still nice. Choice a city, contact a maximum prospect in this city, contact two translators and book an appartment. Try to go two weeks, arriving a friday and taking off a monday if possible to keep free THREE week end.
Take a break ? A break from what IMHO you have never started something serious till now. Even if you have gone  5 or 6 times, chasing is NOT visiting.
GO.

Concur.

I think the best thing for you is to contact someone (like Patie or Jumper) thru message or privately and have them mentor you.  They can guide you as they have been through it and you don't have unhelpful people disrupt your search with negativity.  What you are doing is a private matter and you need someone who you respect and respects you.  You do not need a disinterested committee influencing you.

[Boethius]

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".
 

[Muzh]

Concur.

I think the best thing for you is to contact someone (like Patie or Jumper) thru message or privately and have them mentor you.  They can guide you as they have been through it and you don't have unhelpful people disrupt your search with negativity.  What you are doing is a private matter and you need someone who you respect and respects you.  You do not need a disinterested committee influencing you.

Fishingguy, I'm pretty sure your eyesight is fine, but I have to make sure I point you to those little green letters under his avatar.

Precious.

[Muzh]

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".

Jeez, there you go again Boe, being negative and all that. 

[Turboguy]

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.   


As far as any advice I would have it would be use Skype.  It will help shorten the time in getting to know each other and may save a wasted trip.  When you find the right one, not just the pretty one that seems to be close to what you hope to find, don't drag it out too long.  It is a lot cheaper to go in the off season.   Late fall and winter fares are half the price of spring and summer can be really expensive fares.  Get to know someone before you make a lifelong (hopefully) commitment.    From the time I met my wife on the first trip until she arrived we had spend more than 3 months of 24 hour days together.   You are far from this point but do your K-1 application yourself.  Don't don't don't use an immigration attorney.

[Fishingguy]

thanks all..I do appreciate all the input. I just can't take 3 weeks off like that. Maybe in spring I can. 

[lordtiberius]

thanks all..I do appreciate all the input. I just can't take 3 weeks off like that. Maybe in spring I can.

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 . . . .

[lordtiberius]

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'

[Turboguy]

A/R is Administrative Review.   They basically send files to the FBI for background checks.  When I was in A/R I think they forgot to tell the FBI what they were supposed to do.  There were thousands of us in A/R that all got released on the same day. 


When I did it you did not get the visa the same day but I believe that now you get it when you have the interview.  Also when I did it only the fiancee was allowed in and now both can attend.   Things keep changing, some for the better, some not.

[lordtiberius]

A/R is Administrative Review.   They basically send files to the FBI for background checks.  When I was in A/R I think they forgot to tell the FBI what they were supposed to do.  There were thousands of us in A/R that all got released on the same day. 


When I did it you did not get the visa the same day but I believe that now you get it when you have the interview.  Also when I did it only the fiancee was allowed in and now both can attend.   Things keep changing, some for the better, some not.

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?

[Daveman]

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?

That's a similar time frame for my wife at her interview.  I can't remember exactly now, but something like 4 hours wait for a 5 min interview.  This was Sept 2012.  She received her passport with visa attached in the mail about a week later.