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What should I do if my K1 fiancé visa application is still under administrative processing months after the interview?

K1 VisaVisa StatusAdministrative ProcessingThailandVisa InterviewsUS Embassy BangkokVisa Delays
Jun 17, 2024
6 months ago
Jamie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
My Thai fiance had her K1 fiance visa interview on March 28th in Bangkok. They kept her passport after the interview. It is now June 16th and still no approval, pending administrative processing, with no idea of when it will be approved 'or not!' Feedback appreciated!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user reported that their fiancé's K1 visa application is still pending administrative processing three months after the interview at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok. Community members discussed the irregularities of such delays, potential reasons like paperwork inconsistencies, and shared personal experiences about lengthy processing times. Many noted typical processing frustrations, the uncertainty of timelines, and offered tips regarding document presentation and the importance of communication with the embassy. The discussions also touched on alternative visa processes, including K3 visas and spousal petitions.
Jamie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
5 months ago
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Jacob *******
I had a bad experience with the US embassy in Bangkok and filed a complaint. It was routed back to the embassy. Apparently they are accountable to no one.
5 months ago
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Jamie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jacob ******
 Yes I am finding that out the hard way
5 months ago
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Jamie *********
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Hugh **********
Normal, it took me just under a year to be approved for entry on a spousal visa and that was from the U.K.
6 months ago
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Jamie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
A year after her visa interview?
6 months ago
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Jamie *********
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Jamie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
 I paid a fee for an online service for the I-129
6 months ago
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Jamie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
No help from my state rep here in Vegas either.
6 months ago
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Jamie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
No I saw it recently. Unfortunately it doesn't answer my question about why it is taking so long for the Bangkok embassy to approve my fiance's visa after her interview on March 28th.
6 months ago
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John ********
@Jamie ********
 Does this help?

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6 months ago
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John ********
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Brad *******
Administrative processing can go on indefinitely for year or more. Typically leads to refusal.
6 months ago
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Jamie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brad ******
 How do you know that?
6 months ago
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Brad *******
@Jamie ********
 it happened to me with K1
6 months ago
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Brad *******
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John ********
Did you use an Agent for the K1 or did you complete yourself?

Has the Consular Officer contacted you?
6 months ago
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Jamie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
6 months ago
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Randy ******
Next time, fly to Mehico then sneak in the southern borders… It has more holes than a Nana plaza street walker.
6 months ago
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Pavel ******
For anyone reading this that is not submitted their K1, I took the wife up to LAOS embassy and I think it was faster and less chaotic. Did her medical up there as well. GL
6 months ago
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John ********
@Pavel *****
 Has to do with US Immigration. They are the ones who refused it.
6 months ago
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Pavel ******
@John *******
 Pretty sure once you get to interview stage at an embassy, the people in the building are making the discission. Granted they can research and request more info but it's my understanding the interviewer has all the power at that stage.
6 months ago
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John ********
@Pavel *****
 Says right here but what do I know.
6 months ago
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John ********
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Jamie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
6 months ago
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Jamie *********
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Jamie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
It is going on three months since my fiance had her interview. Anyone have an idea how long it could take to have the visa approved and passport stamped with a visa to go to the States?
6 months ago
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Hugh **********
@Jamie ********
 honestly I wouldn’t worry too much, after my interview and medical it still took 7 months for me to be approved at the London embassy. They are dealing with thousands of applicants with very little manpower. I know it is frustrating but you will get there eventually. Good luck. 👍
6 months ago
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Hugh **********
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Ellwood **************
I NEVER give anyone my passport - a copy is all they need.
6 months ago
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Jamie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ellwood *************
 My fiance had to give the consular her passport, and was told to obtain a new birth certificate.
6 months ago
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Todd *********
@Ellwood *************
 lol. Umm nope. Not if you want a visa in it
6 months ago
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Jamie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
good answer. Carry a copy of passport in case you were to lose the original, God forbid!
6 months ago
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Jamie *********
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Biff ******
It took my wife 18 months to get the visa
6 months ago
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Bill *********
Easier to marry in Thailand than apply for K3 visa .
6 months ago
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Jamie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bill ********
 K3 not an option now.
6 months ago
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Bill *********
@Jamie ********
 yes I - 130 form to US spousal petition. K3
6 months ago
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Bill *********
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James *********
@Bill ********
 It may be easier to marry but, not to immigrate.
6 months ago
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Bill *********
@James ********
 easier to get her to USA on spousal petition K3 visa can’t be denied and less money than a K1
6 months ago
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Bill *********
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Bill *********
A Thai woman has very little chance of getting a Tourist Visa to the US because of the Adjustment Visa Law .

Small chance on a K1 visa without paying for immigration lawyers .
6 months ago
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Wayne ********
@Bill ********
 no it is not a small chance is a very good chance. If you present all the documents in a professional format and submit the application. K-1 visa is very often approved more so than not. The interview at the Embassy is the key to the approval process. 
6 months ago
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Jamie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bill ********
 I somewhat agree with you because she failed her tourist visa back in June of 2021. No reasons given for not passing it. Now fast forward her K1 fiance visa interview on March 28th and we are still waiting for an answer from the embassy!!
6 months ago
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Bill *********
@Jamie ********
 listen to first few minutes ( never ) on Tourist visa

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6 months ago
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Bill *********
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Todd *********
This is the usual treatment of SE Asia passports by the US govt. #refused. Dismal support
6 months ago
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Jamie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Dear KWANLADA SUPYASATHAPORNKUL,

Thank you for your inquiry regarding your immigrant visa case's status.

Our records show that your submitted documents were received by the Immigrant Visa Unit and that your case is currently under administrative processing.

While we are unable to determine how long the processing will take, we appreciate your continued patience as this mandatory processing is being completed.

The Immigrant Visa Unit will advise you once a decision is made or if any additional documentation is required.

Applicant should refrain from making any irrevocable travel arrangements prior to receiving any visa by postal mail.

You can monitor your case status online, using your BNK number, on
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When a decision is made, the case status will be updated to “Ready”. Once the status has changed, you may contact our office again to follow up. Currently, your case status may appear as ‘Refused’ until the administrative processing can be completed.

Please note that you should also keep contact with us by email every 365 days to ensure that your case remains validated. Your case may go into terminated status if you fail to do so.

Regards,

Immigrant Visa Unit

U.S. Embassy Bangkok
6 months ago
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Alan ******
@Jamie ********
 email contact every 365 days, that should raise alarm bells, it's quite obvious there's no political milage to be made out of visa's.
6 months ago
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Alan ******
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Jamie *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
This is what I see when I check the "Visa Status Check"
6 months ago
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Monn *********
@Jamie ********
 in process wold be more nice and acurate.
6 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Jamie ********
 that just means they haven't made a decision yet. It's a "hold" status
6 months ago
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Brandon ************
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Brandon ************
That's highly irregular. The only story I've heard that could cause such a long delay was when the embassy discovered an inconsistency in the paperwork and had to send the application back to either the NVC or the USCIS which can take a while.

But normally that means they just have to wait until whatever issue existed is fixed and sent back to the embassy so they can approve it. If they wanted to deny it they would have done so already.
6 months ago
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Wayne ********
@Brandon ***********
 normally if they send anything back to USCIS, USCIS will contact the applicant and request an RFE, which is a request for further evidence unless they are planning to flat out deny the application, but you are correct that could take a while 
6 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Wayne *******
 that's only if there's a mistakes made by the applicant. Sometimes USCIS or NVC make a mistake. And the applicant wouldn't get any information if it's sent back to them for correction.
6 months ago
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Brandon ************
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