[South Korea] My 6-month K1 Visa Journey in 2021! : immigration

Hiya everybody, my fiancé and I completed our visa interview earlier at this time and thought it might be useful to doc all the course of from begin to end for these curious concerning the K1 visa course of in 2021. Please word: this visa timeline paperwork the method for a South Korean beneficiary, which is likely one of the international locations that has seen quicker processing instances than most different international locations. The method could also be totally different in your nation.

Edit: Included a complete prices run-down on the backside!

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Our Scenario

I’m a U.S. citizen born in America, however I presently stay in South Korea. I moved to Korea a couple of years in the past and met my fiancé after a 12 months of residing right here. My fiancé is a South Korean citizen. I’m presently unemployed, however have been working at a Firm X for 2 years earlier than it shut down in March 2021. My fiancé is unemployed and his work historical past is missing. We didn’t use a lawyer in any of the method. Only a bajillion hours of analysis. 😊

Okay-1 Visa Common Timeline

• Feb 06 – Started getting ready supplies for our Okay-1 visa

• Feb 23 – Mailed our I-129F petition to USCIS by way of FedEx Korea

• Feb 25 – USCIS obtained our petition

• Apr 28 – Discover of Motion, Petition Approval, obtained by way of mail (NOA 1)

• Might 17 – Accomplished DS-160 Type

• Jun 22 – Discover of Motion, NVC despatched Okay-1 Visa petition to the U.S. Embassy in Korea, obtained by way of e-mail (NOA 2)

• Jul 01 – Visa Interview Instruction Packet, obtained by way of e-mail

• Jul 28 – Medical Examination appointment

• Aug 03 – Acquired medical examination leads to a white taped A4 envelope

• Aug 10 – Visa interview

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I-129F Petition & NOA1

We started getting ready for the I-129F petition on February 6. Ultimately, we submitted 78 pages with the next contents:

1. G-1450 Authorization for Credit score Card Transactions ($535 Greenback quantity, 1 web page)

2. Cowl Letter (1 web page)

3. G-1145 Notification of Utility Acceptance (1 web page)

4. Type I-129F (13 pages)

5. Assertion of Circumstances of Assembly (Query 54) (1 web page)

6. Proof of Assembly (12 pages, cowl web page) (resort receipts and footage collectively)

7. Proof of Relationship (39 pages, cowl web page) (cellphone logs, footage of dates and residing collectively, translated textual content messages)

8. Proof of intent to marry assertion and proof (6 pages, signed by each)

9. US citizen’s Proof of Citizenship (1 web page)

10. Copy of Beneficiary’s Passport (1 web page)

11. Two (2) Passport sized images (petition, beneficiary)

I personally translated all textual content messages and receipts that included Korean, signed and dated every translation stating I used to be able to translations. Nothing was notarized. You may see an instance web page from our petition exhibiting an unique textual content message, my translated copy, and my “Certification of Translation” connected to the interpretation right here: https://i.imgur.com/CaOth4y.png

Our purpose when gathering proof was to indicate that we now have constantly stayed in touch since being collectively and bodily met with one another (i.e. resort receipts, dates the place we’re collectively within the {photograph}, pal gatherings). Since we stay collectively, I attempted to incorporate textual content messages/photos that proved our residing association (i.e. messages stating “seize one thing from the grocery!” or “did you do laundry but?”, footage of my fiancé cooking meals). Our cellphone logs present that we have known as one another mainly daily since we began relationship. In fact, once we moved in collectively, we did not name one another as a lot.

We didn’t use a binder (I feel that is discouraged), nor did we now have any stickies or staples. I simply had an enormous clip to ensure every little thing would keep collectively throughout transit. We plopped the petition into the FedEx specific envelope on the morning of February twenty third and off it went!

I listed a member of the family for the US mailing handle. They obtained NOA1 within the mail in early Might and despatched me the next picture: https://i.imgur.com/py3J9Qy.png. It said that the petition was obtained on February 25, 2021. The discover date is April 28. The petition expiration date is August 27.

NOA2 & Visa Interview Prep

There have been some e-mail points (all emails from NVC and USCIS had been despatched to spam and I by no means verify spam…), so though NOA2 was e-mailed to me on June 22, I did not know till late-July. I made a collection of calls over the span of some weeks to USCIS, NVC, and the US embassy making an attempt to determine the standing of our petition. It was a really irritating time, largely as a result of I believed that the e-mails weren’t being obtained on our finish. Anyhow, it obtained all dealt with (used a unique e-mail), and we proceeded with the directions offered by the instruction packet.

Right here is every little thing we needed to receive earlier than the interview:

• Two (2) US-sized Passport Pictures (5cm * 5cm)

• Six (6) Korean-sized Passport Pictures

• DS-160 affirmation web page (you may obtain the affirmation web page after you have stuffed out the DS-160 type and submitted on-line at https://ceac.state.gov/ceac/)

• Citibank Visa Price Receipt $265 (you should print out the instruction web page for the MRV and present it to the Citibank consultant earlier than paying the visa charge. The fee takes a few day to course of within the backend.)

• Interview Appointment Affirmation (that is the web page you may obtain after you make your appointment on https://ustraveldocs.com/kr/kr-niv-appointmentschedule.asp. You MUST have paid your visa charge at Citibank earlier than you may make your appointment.)

• Delivery Certificates and Translation (for Koreans, this implies your “Fundamental Certificates (Detailed)” and “Household Relations Certificates (Detailed)”, which may be obtained in-person at your native Gu or Dong workplace. English Translation template for the certificates is accessible on-line.)

• Marriage Certificates/Divorce Decree and Translation (may be obtained in-person at your native Gu or Dong workplace. English Translation template for the certificates is accessible on-line.)

• Police Certificates (for Koreans, you may request it at your native police station; these already come translated)

• Copy of Immunization Information (may be obtained on-line). Notice: In case your fiancé served within the army, there could also be an opportunity that a few of his vaccinations throughout his service was not recorded onto his immunization data. Name the army to verify, and in the event that they have not achieved so, ask them to replace the immunization data to indicate what vaccinations got.

• Medical Examination Outcomes (mailed to you or may be picked up; takes a few week to obtain by way of mail since appointment date)

• Type I-134, Affidavit of Help (stuffed out by the US sponsor)

  • [Required] US Federal Revenue Tax Return 2020 (if relevant)

  • [Required] Related W-2 Varieties (if relevant)

  • [Required] Letter from all US banks stating account balances and account opened date

  • [Required] Letter from present employer stating sort of employment (contract, everlasting, and many others.), wage quantity, and size of employment

  • Additional proof of revenue: *These are additional paperwork I included in my affidavit as a result of I didn’t have a job and didn’t presently stay within the US. It is advisable to set up proof of revenue and proof of U.S. domicile*.*

    • 7 months’ value of paystubs till unemployment (to indicate dependable work historical past)

    • 2020 year-end bank card statements (proof of US domicile)

    • Shares & Bonds Portfolio Assertion (proof of US domicile)

    • Life insurance coverage insurance policies (proof of US domicile & revenue)

*All certificates (beginning, marriage, police) and immunization data had been retrieved on the identical day we went to our native Gu / Dong workplace. We simply waited in line, offered proof of identification, and advised the officers which paperwork we wanted with official stamps.

Medical Examination

We scheduled our medical examination for July 28, 2021. The method took about 1.5 hours. My fiancé had 3 photographs I imagine, and did a collection of checks like X-rays, urine check, blood checks, peak/weight measurements, and many others. We obtained our outcomes by way of mail every week afterward August 3. There MUST be somebody who can signal for the bundle; it can’t be dropped off within the mailbox.

To schedule the medical examination, it’s important to select one of many accredited hospitals that may conduct the Okay-1 Visa medical examination. There are a couple of places in South Korea, however the Seoul Nationwide College Hospital is the most cost effective (~$350), whereas the Gangnam hospital is the costliest (~$480). The opposite hospitals have charges in-between (~$400). I known as all of the hospitals to retrieve these quotes.

With a view to schedule an interview at any of those places, you want the next info ready:

They require the next gadgets in-person in the course of the appointment:

• Six (6) Korean-sized Passport Pictures (with beneficiary’s identify written on the again)

• Visa Interview Appointment Affirmation Letter

• Copy of Immunization Information

• Passport

• Charges ($300 ~ $500)

Type I-134, Affidavit of Help

I imagine it is a extra lenient model of the I-864 type (stuffed out for a inexperienced card), which doesn’t require proof except requested. I, nonetheless, wished to incorporate proof as a result of I don’t have a job however have a considerable quantity of liquid property and checking account balances to subsidize my lack of employment.

Scenario: I’m presently unemployed. I’ve been unemployed since March 2021, however have a secure work historical past (2 years at Firm X making first rate revenue) and plenty of “property,” as outlined by the US authorities. In all, I maintain 6-figures’ value of liquid property by checkings/financial savings, portfolio shares & bonds, private property, life insurance coverage money give up worth (not all life insurance coverage have money give up values). Additionally, I accepted a U.S. job provide in February 2021 and the long run employer is prepared to attend for my arrival within the states earlier than I start my job. I used to be provided a 6-figure wage.

IMPORTANT: The I-134 requests TWO COPIES of your financial institution letter(s) and your present employer letter, each of that are required in your affidavit. Name your financial institution and employer prematurely to retrieve these letters!

Paperwork Included in Affidavit:

• Type I-134 (8 pages)

• Proof of Revenue (36 pages, cowl web page)

  • U.S. Federal Revenue Tax Return 2020 (21 pages)

  • Letter from [U.S. BANKS] (confirming account balances and account open date) (2 copies, 2 pages)

  • U.S. Employer Letter, signed (job provide letter stating size of employment, sort of employment, and wage) (2 copies, 4 pages)

  • Paystubs from August 2020 to February 2021 (7 pages)

  • U.S. Forex Account Steadiness at [KOREAN BANK] (1 web page)

  • Bitcoin Portfolio Steadiness, July 2021 (1 web page)

• Proof of Domicile within the U.S. (16 pages, cowl web page)

  • 2020 12 months-Finish Credit score Card Statements at [U.S. BANKS] (5 pages)

  • Worldwide Wire Transfers from [KOREAN BANK] to [U.S. BANKS] (5 pages)

  • June 2021 Portfolio Assertion from American Brokerage Service (3 pages)

  • Life Insurance coverage Insurance policies and Money Values (3 pages)

    • Not all life insurance coverage insurance policies have a “money give up worth.” That is the money worth if you wish to “money out” of your life insurance coverage coverage for some fast cash. That is solely accessible for “Entire Life Insurance coverage” insurance policies. In case you have life insurance coverage, ask your supplier if that is the kind of coverage you’re on.

  • Copy of Sponsor’s U.S. Passport (1 web page)

*Notice: As a result of I don’t have a job, however had a signed provide letter from an employer, I used that letter in lieu of a “present employer” letter.

The Visa Interview

Lastly!! The visa interview. My fiancé and I went collectively to the U.S. Embassy in Seoul.

Appointment: August 10, 2021 @ 7:45am (South Korea)

Common course of and tough timeline:

• [5:45AM] Arrived on the premises and waited at an area café (my fiancé and I practiced some potential questions, largely about each of our unemployed statuses, our greatest fear)

• [7:10AM] Acquired in line on the U.S. Embassy in Seoul. We had been one of many first folks there, a couple of people earlier than us.

• [7:20AM] Folks had been being checked into the U.S. Embassy. When it was our flip, I used to be requested if I used to be becoming a member of. I initially mentioned no, however they had been confirming identities. The receptionist was anticipating each my fiancé (beneficiary) and me (U.S. petitioner/sponsor)! I went to the reception desk considering that I would just cheer on my fiancé as he went inside, however they out of the blue requested “Who’s [U.S. petitioner name]?” and I mentioned it was me they usually mentioned “you must go inside too.”

• [7:25AM] We went to the 2nd flooring to submit the preliminary paperwork (appointment affirmation letter and US passport images) and was admitted to the following flooring to attend for our appointment.

• [7:35AM] Throughout the ready time, we got a guidelines of paperwork to organize in a particular order (i.e. passport, medical examination, beginning certificates, and many others.)

• [7:50AM] We had been known as to one of many counters at 7:50am, the place the worker double-checked all paperwork we had been submitting. We submitted the next gadgets:

  • 53 pages – I-134 plus supporting paperwork

  • 80 pages – a duplicate of our I-129F petition

  • 10 pages – paperwork of our preliminary wedding ceremony plans

  • 25 pages – additional copies of all paperwork that I believed can be good to have simply in case (didn’t submit, I simply had these in case one thing went mistaken)

  • Every part besides the additional copies and I-129F petition (they already had a duplicate) was submitted and accredited. Additionally they wanted the ORIGINAL Citibank receipt that was used to pay for the visa utility. Additionally, I used to be requested if I (U.S. petitioner) presently resided in South Korea and I mentioned sure, and as she was skimming and confirming paperwork, she identified to my employer’s provide letter and mentioned “Is that this a suggestion letter?” I mentioned sure, and she or he nodded her head.

  • We had been advised to attend once more till the interview officer was prepared for us.

• [8:15AM] We had been known as as much as the counters once more to satisfy with the interview officer. The method was easy:

  • My fiancé was advised to lift his proper hand and swear that every little thing said within the paperwork was true and that going forth something mentioned in the course of the interview is true. They then scanned his fingerprints.

  • Our interview officer was extraordinarily form, considerate, and tremendous candy. My fiancé will get very nervous at interviews and it was fairly apparent, he even blurted out “oh my gosh, I am so nervous!” And the officer mentioned “Hey, it is okay. Don’t fret! It will be alright.” It was very touching!

  • Officer requested questions in a mixture of English and Korean (purpose said beneath), and my fiancé responded in largely Korean (his English is not one of the best for the time being), with me often serving to translate a couple of phrases he may not have understood. He was requested only a few questions:

    • How did we meet?

    • When did your relationship begin?

    • Have you ever met any of your fiancée’s household? Has your fiancé met any of your loved ones?

    • [Question for U.S. Petitioner] How do you two talk?

    • Earlier than the interview formally began, it was apparent my fiancé’s English wasn’t one of the best, so the interview officer requested us how we communicated. I mentioned “Konglish” (a mixture of Korean and English), however really for us, it is like 98% Korean and a couple of% English phrases sprinkled in our conversations. Our officer mentioned “Okay, then I’ll use Konglish too!” oops, lol. Most likely ought to have mentioned Korean – my fiancé was struggling just a little.

    • [Question for U.S. Petitioner] You are presently working in South Korea?

    • I defined that I ended working in March 2021, however obtained a job provide again in America and am going to begin my new employment as quickly as I arrive within the U.S.

  • The interview took most likely 5 minutes tops. It was in entrance of all the ready space (with all of the counters), so I am fairly certain most people ready heard our interview lol. Additionally, I used to be actually stunned that it was out in public, and the interview was extraordinarily brief, and I (U.S. Petitioner) was requested questions straight!

  • After the interview concluded, our officer mentioned our visa utility was accredited and to anticipate the visa to be mailed to us inside every week. She then handed again our wedding ceremony plan packet (10 pages) and mentioned “Have enjoyable!”

• [8:25AM] We left the premises, and once we retrieved our electronics from the safety room, the guards had been shocked and mentioned “Wow, they should have began actually early at this time.”

Whole Prices: ~$1,824 (tough approximation)

Right here is an approximate run-down of prices throughout all the course of:

• $110 – Making use of for a passport for fiancé (he did not have one)

• $35 – Print and supplies value for I-129F type and extra paperwork

• $35 – Print and supplies value for I-134 type and extra paperwork

• $65 – Tons of passport images (Korean measurement and US measurement)

• $535 – I-129F Petition value

• $50 – FedEx I-129F petition from South Korea to America

• $265 – Visa Price (paid at Citibank)

• $360 – Medical Examination

• $5 – Delivery, Household, Marriage Certificates and Police Information

• $150 – Fuel, tolls (we stay EXTREMELY distant from the embassy and accredited hospitals)

• $14 – Visa supply charge

• $200 – Put up-interview USCIS immigrant charge

The Finish

And now right here I’m scripting this put up. We’ll be ready for my fiancé’s visa to reach and within the meantime, we’ll be packing, promoting issues, reserving flights, and many others.! We’re extraordinarily excited to maneuver ahead. I feel we had been fortunate in that every little thing went typically easily (minus the e-mail hiccups) in lower than 6 months. 😊

I am comfortable to reply any questions on our journey if I can (South Korea Okay-1 Visa)! Please word that the Okay-1 visa utility course of varies by nation and a few of my steps might not apply to you!

Thanks~