What’s New in the 2025 K-1 Visa Interview Appointment Process (Abu Dhabi Embassy)

When I went through my K-1 visa journey as a Filipina with my American fiancé, the process felt long but manageable. I’ll be honest, when our case was stained with the dreaded 221(g) administrative processing it made us extremely exhausted of the uncertainty when our visa will get approved. As we approached 2025, I recall the significance of securing a K-1 Visa Interview Appointment promptly. But one thing I remember clearly about interview appointment process is that I only had to go to the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi – UAE once, and that was for my interview. But as of 2025, the process has changed.

What’s new in the 2025 interview appointment process (Abu Dhabi Embassy)? Here’s an important update: The U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi now follows a two-appointment system for K-1 and immigrant visa applicants.

In this blog, I will walk you through the differences between the old and new K-1 visa interview appointment process and what you can expect.

Disclaimer: Please note that this is based on my personal research and does not constitute any legal advice. You can find all the details about what’s new in the 2025 K-1 visa interview appointment process (Abu Dhabi Embassy) in the official U.S Travel Docs portal.

Then vs. Now: Old vs. New K-1 Visa Interview Appointment Process (Effective May 30, 2025)

The old system (ais.usvisa-info.com) was officially discontinued on May 14, 2025, and the new system via U.S. Travel Docs (ustraveldocs.com) began operating on May 30, 2025, for the Abu Dhabi Embassy. A transition period took place between May 15–29, 2025, during which the appointment system was offline for the vendor migration.

Below is a comparison to help you understand the key changes:

What Changed and Why It Matters

The big change is that the Abu Dhabi embassy now requires two appointments:

1. First Appointment: Document Submission + Biometrics
   • You submit all required documents (passport, DS-160, I-134, NBI/police clearances, proof of relationship, etc.)
   • Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) taken
   • No interview on this day
   • After this step, you’ll receive your interview date
2. Second Appointment: The Interview
   • This is your actual visa interview with the consular officer
   • It takes place a week or more after your first visit

Why did they change this? The embassy now reviews your documents ahead of time to streamline the interview process and reduce delays caused by incomplete or missing paperwork.

Honestly, I couldn’t help but think if this system had been in place during my time, maybe we wouldn’t have been put under 221(g) administrative processing and waited nearly three months, all because of a document issue that could’ve been caught earlier. Check out our 221(g) extensive timeline and how our K-1 Visa process concluded. It was such a stressful and uncertain time. With this updated process, you’ll know much sooner if anything is missing or needs clarification. Looking back, I see it as a positive change, just make sure to plan and come prepared.

Who Assigns Your Interview Date and How?

Once your first appointment is done, the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi will review the documents you submitted. If everything is complete and your medical exam has been received, the consular section will assign your interview date. You don’t choose the interview date yourself. Instead, you will receive a notification via your U.S. Travel Docs account and/or email, usually within 1 to 3 weeks after your document submission. It’s important to keep checking your portal and email (including your spam folder) regularly.

Is This Change Only in Abu Dhabi?

Yes, as of now, the two-step K-1 visa interview process (document submission + interview) is specifically implemented at the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi. This change reflects that each U.S. embassy or consulate may have its own procedures for handling visa applicants, depending on their internal capacity, volume of cases, and regional needs.

Why is it only in Abu Dhabi?

1. Post-specific decision: The U.S. Department of State gives each embassy discretion to adjust its operations based on local logistics and resources. Abu Dhabi adopted this two-step system to streamline interviews and reduce delays due to incomplete documentation.
2. Not a global standard yet: Other embassies like Manila, Bangkok, or Frankfurt may still follow the traditional one-appointment model for K-1 visas, where everything happens on the interview day.
3. Volume of applicants: Abu Dhabi serves a large number of visa applicants from the expat population (including Filipinos, Indians, Pakistanis, etc.), so this change may help them manage interview time better by filtering complete cases early.

Where to Schedule Your K-1 Interview in 2025

The old scheduling site (ais.usvisa-info.com) is now down. To schedule your appointment, go to the new official site: 👉 https://www.ustraveldocs.com. Select United Arab Emirates → Abu Dhabi

Here’s how it works:

1. Register an account and log in
2. Link your DS-160 confirmation number
3. Schedule your first appointment (document review + biometrics)
4. Wait for your interview appointment to be assigned after the first visit

What Documents Do You Need to Bring?

The list of required documents is mostly the same in both the old and new system. For the first appointment, prepare the following:

• DS-160 confirmation page
• Valid passport (at least 6 months validity)
• Birth certificate (original + copy)
• NBI/Police clearances
• Medical exam results (sealed envelope)
• I-134 Affidavit of Support + supporting financial docs
• Proof of relationship (photos, messages, receipts, etc.)
• Two U.S.-size passport photos

Pro Tip: Use a clear folder with labeled dividers to keep your documents neat and accessible. Since phones aren’t allowed inside the embassy, make sure to bring only printed copies and originals. For our proof of relationship, I organized everything in a binder almost like a scrapbook which made it easy for the officer to flip through.

My Advice for Filipinas and Everyone Doing the K-1 Process in UAE (2025)

If you’re doing your K-1 process this year, know that it’s a little more involved but nothing to fear. Here are my tips:

• Schedule your medical exam 1-2 weeks before your first appointment (results are required on day 1)
• Organize your documents early
• Be ready to visit the embassy twice
• Keep checking the appointment site for open slots, they go fast

Final Thoughts

If you are applying from a different U.S Embassy, always make sure to check the official U.S embassy or consulate website for that location. Follow the instructions specific to your processing post and don’t assume that all embassies now require two appointments for 2025 K-1 visa interview appointment.

Even though the process has changed, one thing remains the same, that this journey is truly worth it. I remember feeling so overwhelmed, nervous, excited, unsure of what to expect but always hopeful. Every document we submitted, every update we waited for, every sleepless night spent double-checking requirements all led to that unforgettable moment when I finally held my K-1 visa in my hands.

I cried not just from relief, but from joy. After all the prayers and patience, it finally happened. The long-distance calls, video chats, and counting days apart were coming to an end. That feeling is indescribable. A dream turning into reality.

To those of you still in the process, you’ve got this! I know how stressful and uncertain it can feel, especially now with the added steps. But just stay prepared, double-check everything, and trust the process. Every step, no matter how small, brings you closer to the life you’re building with your partner.

If you have questions or need help organizing your K-1 documents for Abu Dhabi, please feel free to leave a comment below. I’m always happy to support fellow kababayans and everyone on this journey.

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