Immigration Forum / USA Marriage Base / September 2004

So there is truly no way of knowing how long it will truly take. I can
tell you are a newbie to the K1 because you're not quite using the
correct terminology. Here is a simplified step-by-step process of the
K1. Just to let you know, my husband came over on a K1, so I've got some
K1 experience. ;)

1) US citizen fiance applies for the I-129f at his Service Center. Since
  he lives in Washington he has to file at Nebraska. If you go to http-
  s://egov.immigration.gov/cris/jsps/Processtimes.jsp?SeviceCenter=Neb-
  raska you'll see that Nebraska is working on I-129f's filed on June
  7th. That means they are about 4 months or so behind. So you could
  estimate that could take 4 months for the I-129f to be approved
  (assume early to mid. Jan)
2) After I-129f is approved, it is sent to the National Visa Center for
  some more processing before being forwarded to the foreign consulate.
  Estimate about a month for this to happen (puts you at mid. Feb.)
3) The NVC forwards the I-129f to the Montreal? consulate. At this
  point, the timelines drastically differ depending on the consulate. I
  would estimate about 2 months before you go through your interview
  and obtain the K1 in your passport. (mid. April)

Most of us on here say that it could take anywhere from 3 to 9 months to
get the K1 visa.

However, what I stated above is SUBJECT TO CHANGE at any time. Nebraska
could speed up or slow down considerably, you may not send in the
correct documentation with the I-129 and could be asked for more
evidence. Your name could come up with an IBIS hit. IBIS is a computer
system that contains names of various terrorists, criminals, etc. and
one could have a similar name to yours & would have to be investigated.
There is additional paperwork you will need for the interview, and it
could take additional time for you to get it, thus holding up your
interview date.

But the one thing that could help pacify your boss could be for you to
tell them that once you have the K1, you have 6 months to use it. So
even if you get the K1 in February (by some chance) you have until
August to use it. So if your tax season is at the same time as ours
here, then that should give your bosses some peace of mind. :D

Good luck!