| Step / Requirement | OLD K-1 Process (Before ~2020) | NEW K-1 Process (2023–2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Case moves to consulate | Consulate mailed Packet 3 after receiving case | No packet mailed; beneficiary receives nothing from NVC or consulate |
| Form used at consulate stage | DS-156K + DS-160 | DS-160 only (DS-156K discontinued) |
| Source of interview instructions | Packet 3 mailed or emailed | USTravelDocs website only |
| Pre-interview document submission | Required (via mail/email): passport copy, DS-160, photos, police cert | No pre-submission; bring everything to the interview |
| Who schedules the interview | Consulate assigned date (Packet 4) | Applicant self-schedules online via USTravelDocs |
| Packet 3 (P3) | Required step with detailed instructions | Eliminated for K-1 |
| Packet 4 (P4) | Contained assigned interview date | Eliminated for K-1 |
| Appointment letter | Required for entry; sent by consulate | Does NOT apply to fiancé(e) visas (per Guangzhou official website) |
| Case processing style | Treated similar to immigrant visas (CR-1 style) | Operationally treated like nonimmigrant visas |
| Document collection (NVC) | Some consulates required docs; NVC sometimes requested items | NVC collects nothing for K-1 |
| Medical exam timing | After receiving Packet 4 (assigned date) | After scheduling your own interview |
| Consulate communications | Physical mail or email packets | Only the petitioner receives an email; beneficiary does NOT receive instructions |
| Where documents go | Submit ahead of time to unlock interview | Bring originals to interview; nothing submitted beforehand |
| System unlock | Unlocks after completing Packet 3 | USTravelDocs opens immediately with GUZ + DS-160 |
| Role of beneficiary | Responds to Packet 3 tasks before scheduling | Completes DS-160, schedules interview, attends medical |
| Role of petitioner | Minimal role once Packet 3 is mailed | Guides process; reads official U.S. sources; ensures accuracy |
| Common in Chinese groups | YES — most advice based on pre-2020 workflow | Rare — few Chinese applicants know new workflow |
Last active
November 25, 2025 22:18
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K-1 Process - Old vs. New
| 步骤 / 要求 | 旧版 K-1 流程（约 2020 年之前） | 新版 K-1 流程（2023–2025） |
|---|---|---|
| 案件到达领馆后 | 领馆收到案件后会寄出 Packet 3（P3） | 不再寄送任何 Packet；受益人不会收到 NVC 或领馆的任何包裹 |
| 在领馆阶段使用的表格 | DS-156K + DS-160 | 仅使用 DS-160（DS-156K 已废止） |
| 面谈指引的来源 | Packet 3 纸质或电子邮件发送 | 仅来自 USTravelDocs 官网 |
| 面谈前材料提交 | 需提前提交：护照复印件、DS-160、照片、无犯罪记录等 | 无需提前提交；所有材料直接带去面谈 |
| 谁安排面谈 | 领馆通过 Packet 4 安排面谈日期 | 申请人自行在 USTravelDocs 上预约面谈 |
| Packet 3（P3） | 必须步骤，包含具体材料与指引 | K-1 已取消 P3 |
| Packet 4（P4） | 含“领馆分配的面谈日期” | K-1 已取消 P4 |
| 面谈信（Appointment Letter） | 面谈入场必需，由领馆发送 | 不适用于 K-1 未婚妻签证（广州领馆官网明确写明） |
| 处理模式 | 流程类似移民签证（如 CR-1） | 操作方式改为类似非移民签证（如普通 DS-160 类签证） |
| NVC 文件收集 | 某些领馆要求提前提交材料；NVC 可能索要文件 | NVC 不收集 K-1 的任何文件 |
| 体检时间 | 在收到 Packet 4（面谈日期）后进行体检 | 在自行预约完面谈后再去体检 |
| 领馆沟通方式 | 通过邮件或纸质寄送 P3/P4 | 只有美国申请人（你）收到一封通知邮件；受益人不会收到任何指引 |
| 材料寄送目的地 | 提前寄资料以“解锁”面谈流程 | 所有原件带到面谈现场；无需任何提前寄送 |
| 系统解锁 | 完成 Packet 3 后系统才会开放面谈安排 | 用 GUZ + DS-160 立即可在 USTravelDocs 预约面谈 |
| 受益人的角色 | 完成 Packet 3 任务后才能继续流程 | 填写 DS-160、预约面谈、参加体检 |
| 申请人的角色（你） | Packet 3 寄出后基本无事可做 | 需要查阅官方英文原文，指导整个流程，确保信息正确 |
| 中国群组中的常见流程 | 是的 —— 大多数仍停留在 2020 年前的旧版流程 | 很少人了解新版流程 —— 信息严重滞后 |
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