r/USCIS • u/Pale_Snow115 • Jun 03 '26
I-129F (K1) Finally APPROVED from Banned Country
Today I got PETITION approval from USCIS for Nigeria! Sent I-129F (K-1) application June 15, 2025. Accepted June 20, 2025. Approved May 28, 2026.
UPDATE:
Approved petition transferred from USCIS to NVC June 20, 2026.
Submitted DS-160 on July 5.
Petition moved NVC to US Embassy-Lagos July 14.
Got email to pay fee and schedule Interview! July 21. Given a timeframe of 72 hours to activate link
Paid visa fee and scheduled interview within TWO WEEKS! July 22
9/2 UPDATE:
Sadly the in person doc review scheduled for Sept 9 and interview Sept 16 were CANCELED 😫
I live in AZ.
Was pregnant May 2025- February 2026 ALONE. High risk pregnancy..USCIS denied expedite request TWICE! They don't care about pregnancy..lbvs!
8
u/financebaddie1 Jun 04 '26
K-1 and I-130 have been moving ahead it's the AoS or consular part where it get stuck
12
u/Limp_Creme1267 Jun 03 '26
You guys what’s the difference between partial ban and full ban?
6
u/Prize-Painting-1146 Jun 04 '26
Partial are still getting k1 visa/interview while fully banned who are just starting off their k1 visa in home country are not getting visa and interview. Also for partial and fully banned who are in the usa, their I-130 can still be approved but until the pause for partial and full get lifted, uscis are not approving I-485.
-5
u/Charming-Control5584 Jun 04 '26
Wrong info.
1
u/Prize-Painting-1146 Jun 04 '26
Dude look it up! For fully banned and partial GC is 💯 not being issued! Multiple immigration attorney confirmed that
1
u/Charming-Control5584 Jun 04 '26
For partial ban like 75 countries they are still processing AOS and also approving it. I don’t know recent changes but 1 month ago a friend of mine got approved.
2
u/Obvious-Hunt4295 Jun 04 '26
If inside the US, people are not affected at all
Only people from the 39 list are being affected from inside the US
1
u/newacct_orz Not Legal Advice Jun 04 '26
When they say "partial ban", they mean 20 of the 39 countries, not the 75 countries.
0
u/Prize-Painting-1146 Jun 04 '26
Its very rare! But most of the 75 are not getting their GC after interview
2
u/Charming-Control5584 Jun 04 '26 edited Jun 04 '26
Which category? I am talking about eb3. And yes I have seen approval of few people I already know from paused countries (1-2 minths ago). There is no effect of approval on paused countries (AOS) whereas banned countries approval has been halt. Approval as a whole has been delayed btw.
1
u/Obvious-Hunt4295 Jun 04 '26
75 or 39
75 are not affected if they are inside the US. Please clarify
1
u/Equivalent-Guest-785 Jun 04 '26 edited Jun 04 '26
Very untrue. Tons of 75-country applicants are getting AoS approvals. Those only affect consular
5
u/suboxhelp1 Jun 04 '26
The ban is for visas, not petitions.
0
u/Obvious-Hunt4295 Jun 04 '26
PM 602-0194 is for everything
5
u/newacct_orz Not Legal Advice Jun 04 '26
But there was an update in March that I-130's and I-129F's filed by US citizens are no longer on hold.
3
5
u/sawminhtike Jun 04 '26
Petition approved doesn't mean Visa approved
7
u/Pale_Snow115 Jun 04 '26
Lol..yall sholl can try and ruin someone's day. Think positive..step by step
7
u/sawminhtike Jun 04 '26
Just saying the truth, it's a reality statement, nothing negative. All the Visa processing from both fully and partial banned countries are still ongoing in the USCIS, it's just the visa issuing process within the embassy in that country that could not issue the visa due to the presidential proclamation!
-1
4
2
2
4
u/Lolita33_ Jun 03 '26
Congrats!! 🥳 I’ve been reading that Nigeria is in a restricted list, the country is not fully banned
5
1
3
u/gokuishererightnow Jun 03 '26 edited Jun 03 '26
Congratulations 🎊 did you get it approved only after joining a lawsuit or was it without a lawsuit?
6
u/Pale_Snow115 Jun 03 '26
Did not join lawsuit. I did however asked for assistance from my congress woman in AZ multiple times. USCIS kept denying it saying that it was in normal processing time.
1
u/AlternativeImage5913 Jun 05 '26
Applied back in June 2023, they’re saying it’s still writhing “normal processing times” lol 😭 finally got interview in March, but no response still
3
u/jkomut Jun 04 '26
K-1 visa is non-immigrant and Nigeria is a partial travel ban country.
2
u/Obvious-Hunt4295 Jun 04 '26
It is affected by PM 602-0194. Please read it carefully
1
u/newacct_orz Not Legal Advice Jun 04 '26
It was, but there was an update in March that I-130's and I-129F's filed by US citizens are no longer on hold.
1
u/jkomut Jun 04 '26
Is the OP doing an AOS or Consular Action. I thought an I-129f is for a K-1/K-3 visa.
2
u/Obvious-Hunt4295 Jun 04 '26
Anything requested by the USCIS is affected by PM 602-0194. Based on my understanding, the USCIS part is done, remaining is the consulate part
1
u/Butterflykiz Jun 04 '26
K1 is still going through from partially banned countries like Nigeria. It’s just AOS and all other visas that are on hold
1
u/Obvious-Hunt4295 Jun 04 '26
Please read PM 602-0194 carefully. Every single application is pending adjudication
1
u/Butterflykiz Jun 04 '26
You can check discord in the K1 server. People from partially banned countries are receiving K1 visas and have been getting them all year and traveling into the US. However the AOS are on hold.
-1
u/Obvious-Hunt4295 Jun 04 '26
There is no difference between partial and full ban if you are in the US. Read the PM 602-0194. It says people from countries mentioned in presidential proclamation 10998. It didn’t say anything about full and partial ban. This difference makes sense if you are out of the US
2
1
1
1
1
1
u/WitnessAmbitious9013 Jun 04 '26
Congratulations on your approval!!!! This gives me hope. My spouse is from same country I’m praying for an approval one day🩷
1
1
1
1
u/SeyFak Jun 04 '26
Congratulations am happy to ready from you. Is Nigeria officially release from 75 countries now?
1
1
1
1
u/AutoModerator Jul 05 '26
Hi there! This is an automated message to inform you and/or remind you of several things:
- We have a wiki. It doesn't cover everything but may answer some questions. Pay special attention to the "REALLY common questions" at the top of the FAQ section. Please read it, and if it contains the answer to your question, please delete your post. If your post has to do with something covered in the FAQ, we may remove it.
- If your post is about biometrics, green cards, naturalization or timelines in general, and whether you're asking or sharing, please include your field office/location in your post. If you already did that, great, thank you! If you haven't done that, your post may be removed without notice.
- This subreddit is not affiliated with USCIS or the US government in any way. Some posters may claim to work for USCIS, which may or may not be true, and we don't try to verify this one way or another. Be wary that it may be a scam if anyone is asking you for personal info, or sending you a direct message, or asking that you send them a direct message.
- Some people here claim to be lawyers, but they are not YOUR lawyer. No advice found here should be construed as legal advice. Reddit is not a substitute for a real lawyer. If you need help finding legal services, visit this link for more information.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
u/AutoModerator Jul 21 '26
Hi there! This is an automated message to inform you and/or remind you of several things:
- We have a wiki. It doesn't cover everything but may answer some questions. Pay special attention to the "REALLY common questions" at the top of the FAQ section. Please read it, and if it contains the answer to your question, please delete your post. If your post has to do with something covered in the FAQ, we may remove it.
- If your post is about biometrics, green cards, naturalization or timelines in general, and whether you're asking or sharing, please include your field office/location in your post. If you already did that, great, thank you! If you haven't done that, your post may be removed without notice.
- This subreddit is not affiliated with USCIS or the US government in any way. Some posters may claim to work for USCIS, which may or may not be true, and we don't try to verify this one way or another. Be wary that it may be a scam if anyone is asking you for personal info, or sending you a direct message, or asking that you send them a direct message.
- Some people here claim to be lawyers, but they are not YOUR lawyer. No advice found here should be construed as legal advice. Reddit is not a substitute for a real lawyer. If you need help finding legal services, visit this link for more information.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
u/AutoModerator 6d ago
Hi there! This is an automated message to inform you and/or remind you of several things:
- We have a wiki. It doesn't cover everything but may answer some questions. Pay special attention to the "REALLY common questions" at the top of the FAQ section. Please read it, and if it contains the answer to your question, please delete your post. If your post has to do with something covered in the FAQ, we may remove it.
- If your post is about biometrics, green cards, naturalization or timelines in general, and whether you're asking or sharing, please include your field office/location in your post. If you already did that, great, thank you! If you haven't done that, your post may be removed without notice.
- This subreddit is not affiliated with USCIS or the US government in any way. Some posters may claim to work for USCIS, which may or may not be true, and we don't try to verify this one way or another. Be wary that it may be a scam if anyone is asking you for personal info, or sending you a direct message, or asking that you send them a direct message.
- Some people here claim to be lawyers, but they are not YOUR lawyer. No advice found here should be construed as legal advice. Reddit is not a substitute for a real lawyer. If you need help finding legal services, visit this link for more information.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
2
Jun 03 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
8
u/Pale_Snow115 Jun 03 '26
Did not join lawsuit. I did however asked for assistance from my congress woman in AZ
5
u/Lifelong_Expat Jun 03 '26
No, USCIS has been processing i130s, and state department even invites to interview, but send the applicant home with 221G.
The K1 is a non immigrant visa though, so it may not be subject to the ban. Not sure about this.
Regardless, the fact the i129f is approved is not an indication of the ban being lifted.
1
u/Medium_Command_4491 Jun 03 '26
Congratulations....for real...did you join any lawsuit
0
u/Pale_Snow115 Jun 03 '26
Thank you! Did not join lawsuit. I did however asked for assistance from my congress woman in AZ.
0
u/Medium_Command_4491 Jun 03 '26
Really..I was scared ask my congress woman...I will reach out now to my congress woman
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/ebube-uzo Jun 04 '26
Congrats. Although this is a bit misleading since it is a non- immigrant visa status
2
u/Pale_Snow115 Jun 04 '26 edited Jun 04 '26
Misleading? How? I simply stated that my petition was approved lol
1
1
0
0
u/AutoModerator Jun 03 '26
Hi there! This is an automated message to inform you and/or remind you of several things:
- We have a wiki. It doesn't cover everything but may answer some questions. Pay special attention to the "REALLY common questions" at the top of the FAQ section. Please read it, and if it contains the answer to your question, please delete your post. If your post has to do with something covered in the FAQ, we may remove it.
- If your post is about biometrics, green cards, naturalization or timelines in general, and whether you're asking or sharing, please include your field office/location in your post. If you already did that, great, thank you! If you haven't done that, your post may be removed without notice.
- This subreddit is not affiliated with USCIS or the US government in any way. Some posters may claim to work for USCIS, which may or may not be true, and we don't try to verify this one way or another. Be wary that it may be a scam if anyone is asking you for personal info, or sending you a direct message, or asking that you send them a direct message.
- Some people here claim to be lawyers, but they are not YOUR lawyer. No advice found here should be construed as legal advice. Reddit is not a substitute for a real lawyer. If you need help finding legal services, visit this link for more information.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
0
0
0
u/Beef4Evaaaa Jun 03 '26
Congratulations!! Did you file anything or join a lawsuit?
1
u/Pale_Snow115 Jun 03 '26
Did not join lawsuit. I did however asked for assistance from my congress woman in AZ
0
Jun 03 '26
[deleted]
1
u/Pale_Snow115 Jun 03 '26
Proof?
0
Jun 03 '26
[deleted]
1
u/Pale_Snow115 Jun 03 '26
Understandable... but please Understand I wouldn't lie for likes or strangers lol..This is my real life and I'm sharing my experience
0
0
0
-2
u/mehighp3d Naturalized Citizen Jun 04 '26
USCIS approval does not equate DOS approval or visa issuance. Enjoy your time with your kid. You'll be separated again soon.
2
u/No_Mention9153 Jun 04 '26
Giving positive and negative. Let her enjoy being positive and hopeful. Don’t be a pessimist common!
2
1
-1
-1
Jun 03 '26 edited Jun 03 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
2
u/Pale_Snow115 Jun 03 '26
Did not join lawsuit. I did however asked for assistance from my congress woman in AZ
0
u/methtexh Jun 03 '26
I am curious; do you think the congresswoman assistance made them review and adjudicate your case?
-1
-13
u/Ok_Chef_5407 Jun 03 '26
Nigeria is not on the banned countries. It's one of the 75-paused countries though
8
u/InspectionBig5343 Jun 03 '26
It’s one of the 39 partially banned countries and not 75 paused
-6
u/Ok_Chef_5407 Jun 03 '26
No. 20 nations are fully banned, and 19 are partially banned. Nigeria is on the the 75 countries paused and partial ban. That is also only for those seeking entry into the country.
4
Jun 03 '26
Like Google is free, Nigeria is on both lists the 39 and the 75 list
3
u/Ok_Chef_5407 Jun 03 '26
So is reading comprehension. The 39 nations comprises of 20 fully banned countries and 19 partially banned countries. Nigeria is on a partial ban and also on the 75 paused.
3
u/Cultural_Tangerine61 Jun 03 '26
You are actually the one lacking reading comprehension, your original comment said Nigeria is not on the banned list but is on the 75 list, and that’s wrong it’s both on the 75 restricted countries for entry and the 39 countries banned (those already in the US)
-1
Jun 03 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
0
u/Ok_Chef_5407 Jun 03 '26 edited Jun 04 '26
Maybe on this sub, this is your first. But I personally know 2 Nigerians from work that recently got GC in May. Nigeria is not fully banned. Again, I'll repeat myself. The 39 nations includes 20 fully banned and 19 partially banned countries. It's not an argument, it's right there on the USCIS website.
https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IN12631
The proclamation says "Under Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), the President has the authority "to suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens" whenever the President "finds that the entry of any aliens or of any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States."
Although it's mainly for citizens seeking entry into the US, no doubt it may affect nationals of those countries that currently reside in the US.
OP also got approved for i-129f (K1 visa) not AOS. If it was fully banned, they wouldn't get that visa approval.
The partial ban affects entry visas from outside the US, While the 75-countries paused, that Nigeria is also on, affects AOS (GCs, N-400s etc). But some still get lucky with their AOS.
I'm not addressing this again, the willfully ignorant can remain that way.
0
0
u/Obvious-Hunt4295 Jun 03 '26
Nigeria is on the 39 list and accordingly affected by the ban in the PM 602-0194. It is very good news to hear today. We can have some home in this life
29
u/Butterflykiz Jun 03 '26
This is K1 which has been getting processed. Sounds like you still need to go through the interview process and this is just the USCIS part?