K-1 Timeline, Part 1

Peter (Moderator) says on Jan 6, 2003, 21:00:

RE: Travel Agents: Why can't I book a holiday in Colombia? (Written by Lunna)
Hello,

I understand what the travel agent are saying about the situation but as I have said before if u know where to go and u r with good company u will not be in trouble, you mentioned u wanted to come to Bogotá let me know the dates so I can help you with some info about accomodation, Hoteles, Hostels, ASparta-Hoteles, places to go and cost... Do not be Panic it is not as bad as everyones says .... I have living here more than 20 years and I am fine... My situation was worsr when I lived in London... You will be Ok . Let me know what you need.

Poor but snappy

0 funny, 0 helpful.

utopiacowboy says on Mar 16, 2005, 07:25:

Your scenario is a little optimistic on the embassy end but fairly accurate overall. I would say that 16 to 20 weeks is realistic. Of course I hope you know how lucky you are to be dealing with Vermont, the fastest of the four service centers.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

N2Aquatix says on Mar 16, 2005, 11:00:

Texas Service Center Sux!!! Yeah, no doubt, UC!!! Texas is a pain in the butt! They haven't changed their review date of August 27, 2004 in the past 3 months!!! What's up with THAT??? I think I'm going to move so I can use Vermont. ;-)

Jay

0 funny, 0 helpful.

fzrdan says on Mar 16, 2005, 11:14:

In the past I have seen the California center was fairly slow, but the last time I checked (a few days ago) they were reviewing apps dated in January. Not exactly speedy but not too bad.

USCIS Reported Processing Times

California
https://egov.immigration.gov/cris/jsps/Processtimes.jsp?SeviceCenter=California

Texas
https://egov.immigration.gov/cris/jsps/Processtimes.jsp?SeviceCenter=Texas

Vermont
https://egov.immigration.gov/cris/jsps/Processtimes.jsp?SeviceCenter=Vermont

Nebraska
https://egov.immigration.gov/cris/jsps/Processtimes.jsp?SeviceCenter=Nebraska


According to this website, Vermont is servicing apps dated January 29 and California January 1. California is even better than Nebraska!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

802MARK says on Mar 16, 2005, 15:55:

VISA I SENT MINE INTO TEXAS ON SEPT 22TH.. NOW THE PAPERWORK IS IN BOGOTA AND THEY SAID THEY MAILED HER THE NOA3 PACKAGE, WELL THAT WAS A MONTH AGO AND WE ARE STILL WAITING FOR HER TO GET THE NOA3. THE MAIL IS CRAP IN COLOMBIA. I GOT THE TWO OTHER FORMS SHE HAS TO FILL OUT AND NOW WE ARE WAITING ON A INTERVIEW..

0 funny, 0 helpful.

utopiacowboy says on Mar 16, 2005, 16:00:

Don't wait any longer for the Packet 3 to arrive from the embassy. She can send someone to the embassy with a notarized letter authorizing them to get the packet along with her case number (BOG2005...) The packets are frequently lost - this happened to us and we had to send her sister for the packet. I advised someone else to do this and their mother was able to get the packet yesterday.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

802MARK says on Mar 16, 2005, 20:29:

WHATS IN IT? I DIDN'T WAIT MY LAWYER HAD THE TWO FORMS AND HE FILLED THEM OUT WITH HER AND THEN HE FAXED THEM IN,, NOW I AM WORRIED ABOUT WHAT ELSE WAS IN THE PACKET3 THAT THEY SAY SHE WILL NEED TO GET AND BRING AT THE INTERVIEW TIME? DOES SHE HAVE TO HAVE A DOCTORS CHECK UP? OR SHOTS?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

utopiacowboy says on Mar 17, 2005, 07:30:

The packet contains the checklist and the forms she needs, DS-156, DS-230 and I-134 along with instructions for getting the medical and labwork done. You can find a list of the acceptable doctors and the lab on the US embassy's web site. Your lawyer probably has the list as well.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

gstern says on Mar 18, 2005, 20:12:

13 weeks? That would not be optimistic, I think it would qualify for a new world record. Has anyone ever gotten through this in less than 6 months?

I would say from the visa discussion boards I frequent that K1 is typically about 9 months, give or take a couple and K3 is 9-12 months.

Personally, I am at 10 months on a K-3 right now.

Greg

0 funny, 0 helpful.

platano says on Mar 18, 2005, 20:24:

Greg, I agree.... The more realistic estimate is 9 to 12 months unless things have gotten a lot more efficient recently. A longer estimate also has the advantage of the possibility of a pleasant surprise if it arrives in 6 or 7.

Plátano

plátano

0 funny, 0 helpful.

utopiacowboy says on Mar 19, 2005, 08:20:

You're comparing apples and oranges. The National Benefits Center which handles all of the K-3s is very slow right now. In fact I don't know why anyone even bothers to file a K-3 petition now - chances are your I-130 will get approved while your K-3 is still sitting on a shelf in Missouri. On the other hand, the K-1 petitions are handled by the four different service centers. I have seen a K-1 petition approved by Vermont in as little as a week. So yes 13 weeks is possible.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

platano says on Mar 19, 2005, 09:49:

UTC, thanks for the clarification! I retract my comment. And I'm glad to hear about the efficiency in handling the K-1's.

plátano

0 funny, 0 helpful.

EdGunn1 says on Mar 19, 2005, 20:31:

K-1 visa Utopiacowboy, I have been reading over the commentary here and its appears you are very kowledgable on this subject. However reading some of this is freakin me out a little on the timetable............I hope it does not take 6 months to a year. Long story short, I have been with my Colombiana now for a year and a half and we are ready to make the move for a visa. I am really not sure where to start or if I need an attorney. I will be returning to Bogota in April and want to get the ball rolling, anyone have any advice? Thanks, Ed

0 funny, 0 helpful.

utopiacowboy says on Mar 20, 2005, 07:10:

I hate to tell you this, Ed, but unless you are dealing with the Vermont Service Center, it may well take 6 months to a year. If you go to the USCIS web site you can see the processing times for the 4 service centers as well as the National Benefits Center for the K-3.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

DeltaDawg says on Apr 5, 2005, 13:48:

K-1 Timeline Hey all, new here and first post. I have been researching this subject myself. When I do finally start I will go K-1 as well because ive heard its half the wait time of the K-3. I will be using a full service visa attorney which is pricey but helps the fiancee with all paperwork as well. she said that because I am in California my time line is 5-6 months. Some states slightly faster some slower but thats the time line I was given for CA. Good luck.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Bikerboys332 says on Apr 7, 2005, 16:36:

Processing Jay,

My papers were received in Texas on dec3, 2004 and we are now waiting on packet 4. Good luck.



Richard

0 funny, 0 helpful.