This is a petition for the opening of the US Embassy in Moscow to begin giving K-1 interviews to beneficiaries. Since March, the Embassy in Moscow has been closed for K-1 interviews. 

Other US Embassies throughout the world have considered K-1 Visas as being related to family, and therefore put them as “priority,” and accepted interviews on this basis. As I’m sure you know, the K-1 Visa is the “fiancé visa;” so for every K-1 interview not being conducted, you have an American Citizen who is awaiting the formation of his new family. 

We understand that the Embassy closed for these normal proceedings due to COVID-19. However, it is also our understanding that interviews have always been conducted behind glass; we simply cannot see any reason why the spread of COVID-19 cannot be prevented or mitigated through the use of masks, and the already used glass barrier between the consul officer and the beneficiary.

Also, we would like to know if it is possible to start doing interviews via digital means. Since the visa process is a legal one, and since countless legal proceedings are currently being done via digital means, it would only stand to reason that K-1 Visa interviews could be done via Zoom, Skype, etc. This would be absolutely de jure.

The normal lengthy process for the K-1 visa is already difficult enough. Being separated from our loved ones for this exceptionally extended period of time, however, is emotionally straining to all of us. The undetermined amount of time that the embassy is closed has been absolute mental torture for everyone waiting for it to open for interviews. Not only that, but some of us aren’t even able to meet our fiancés/fiancées in a neutral country due to travel restrictions and other complications. On a purely emotional level, the US Embassy in Moscow being closed for K-1 interviews is, on its face, torturous. We beg you to consider opening for interviews.

Thousands of Americans are waiting for their loved one.