K-1 visa process has finally reached its final stages! I received instructions from the embassy this week. In this update, I will share the timeline from when our case was transferred from NVC to the embassy and the contents of the instructions. Note: I am going to have an interview at the Tokyo Embassy in JAPAN.
Timeline since received “READY” sign
Here’s the timeline leading up to receiving the instructions. Our case became “READY” on March 31st, and we submitted the DS-160, received the police clearance, and made an appointment for the medical examination.
And on April 6th, I received the instructions via email from the embassy!
Until Instruction comes
Seven days after the case became “READY,” we received an email from the embassy addressed to the beneficiary. The contents of the email were as follows
Step 1: Create and submit DS-160: https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/
Step 2: Email scanned copies of the below documents to ○○
1. DS-160 confirmation page with barcode
2. A copy of your fiancé(e)’s current passport’s biographic data page (photo page)
3. A copy of any U.S. visa(s) in your fiancé(e)’s passport(s)
As soon as we receive the email with the documents listed in Step 2, your fiancé(e) will receive interview instructions at the email address listed as the applicant’s email address in the DS-160.
He forwarded the email to me and I immediately began preparing the required documents, which included a copy of the DS-160 confirmation page, the current passport (photo page), and the old passport with the expired student visa stamp (if applicable).
Although I had a PDF file of the DS-160 confirmation page, I was not sure if scanning it would suffice, so I printed it out and then scanned it (which turned out to be fine).
It’s worth noting that the DS-160 confirmation page is required for the interview, so it’s important to have a printed copy regardless!
After scanning the required documents, I had my fiance send them to the embassy’s email address. Some people had their beneficiary email the embassy directly, but we had my fiance (the petitioner) send the documents instead.
As it turns out, the instructions were sent to the email address provided in the DS-160, so it seems like either way works.
Roughly an hour later, I received the instructions via email.
The contents of the instructions
I referred to information from K-1 visa bloggers and people who have experienced K-1 prosess I’m connected with on Twitter, and it seems that many people who had their visa become READY around March 2021 received instructions by email.
The details of the instruction.
I deleted a hyperlink, but the instructions included a hyperlink to the process leading up to the interview and a PDF pamphlet about domestic violence. There are two pieces of information provided.
Booked an interview
After receiving the instruction, I immediately made an appointment for the interview. Once the appointment is made, you will receive an email saying “Congratulations, your appointment is confirmed!”
This email is also necessary for the interview, so make sure to print it out.
Due to the health checkup and financial documentation, the interview will be in May. Until then, we will prepare the remaining documents with plenty of time.
Finally, this week we can have the health checkup. I will write a report about it later.
For now, the process until the interview is finished. It was really a long journey ( ；∀；).
We have also roughly planned the date for our marriage registration and traditional wedding ceremony. If everything goes smoothly, we plan to go to the U.S. in June, just as we had planned from the beginning!
