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Trending Immigration DiscussionsTopic Popularity Poster #1 Is this a right time to file for naturalization for a US citizen. She qualify for applying.
Citizenship Discussion- Jaswin
#2 Admin processing 221g
Waiver Discussion- enxm
#3 Problems in Casa (Merged Threads)
Waiver Discussion- Mahedi Benniss
#4 I30 passport photos but spouse is incarcerated
IR1/CR1 Visa Discussion- emmasom
#5 Am I eligible for a VAWA self petition? (Child of abusive USC, filing after turning 21)
Changes in Family Discussion- Keller11
Community SpotlightPSA: If entering the USA 2 years after marriage, kindly remind the immigration officer of this
spicynujac posted a topic in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures,
When we last entered the US, our immigration officer said "Oh, hmm I wonder if I could go ahead and change you an IR-1." The agent right next to him said "Yes, you can do that" and he acted surprised. His comments made it pretty clear he was going to erroneously issue us a CR-1 and he seemed to not even know he could change the visa status until his coworker advised him (THANK GOODNESS she overheard!). I don't know how onerous the process is to correct such an oversight but I'm glad we didn't have to find out!
Just wanted to pass this along in the hopes it saves someone from any problems with the wrong stamp being placed in the passport, as I've read about here before.... I would kindly remind the officer "We married >2 years ago. We can enter with an IR-1 visa now right?"- 19 replies
Traveled to Canada for 20 days after entering the U.S. on a K-1 visa (June 1–22). Seeking reentry under Automatic Visa Revalidation (AVR).
Dovahkiinali0605 posted a topic in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures,
I entered the U.S. on a K-1 visa on June 1st and left for Canada on June 2nd, remaining here for 20 days. I am now attempting to return to the U.S. through Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) using Automatic Visa Revalidation (AVR). My K-1 visa is expired, but my I-94 is still valid. Am I ok?-
- 28 replies
Wrong USCIS application form filed by my lawyer!
narayan333 posted a topic in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports,
Hello, so my wife came in k-1 visa to USA and we got married and all. We filled for work permit and green card together but while doing that my lawyer filed for I-130 no idea why. Will that application make my process for work permit and green card slow? If so how do I withdrawal that application? My lawyer isn’t helpful at all. I need some help…-
- 20 replies
Seeking advice for Thai/US couple - What US visa path to take?
PeachyTocker posted a topic in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures,
My gf and I live in Thailand but spend 2-4months in the US per year. Once/if we have children age 5+, the time split would become vice versa. We have no plans to live full-time in the United States in the next 5 years, but I visit my family and friends 2-3x per year for 2-3 weeks at a time. I would love it if she can join me for those trips and experience that part of my life. What options do we have -- US visa wise, maybe a tourist or fiance visa later? Other?
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- 76 replies
Abandoned AOS and now regret it
Mariammaria posted a topic in Adjustment of Status Case Filing and Progress Reports,
Please be nice, I know I made a mistake... But got my K1 approved and arrived in the US June 25, 2024 and applied for AOS February 25, 2025 -- then left the US (abandoned my AOS). Will I be banned for re-entry to the US -- even under a spouse visa?-
- 32 replies
US Citizen with Foreign Fiancé: When and How to Get Married?
gandalf1989 posted a topic in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures,
I'm currently living and working in the United States. My fiancé currently lives in Japan. We have been dating for about 6 months, and we have met in person several times, but we are not yet married.
My fiancé will be visiting me in the United States on a tourist visa some time in March or April and staying for about 3 months. I want to file for a fiance/spouse visa asap -- what's next?-
- 18 replies
Recent Immigration DiscussionsCEAC Portal Change from CR1 to IR1 Visa Class 12:20 am today
NorthFlatworm495
Read 30 Times
1 RepliesI know it's a moot point that I can just have my spouse bring up when entering into the United States with the border officer when activating the visa but I've heard that once the 2-year anniversary of the marriage goes by, the "Visa Class" section in the top right of the CEAC portal once logged in will change from CR1 to IR1. I haven't seen that happen just yet (2- year marriage anniversary was August 4th). For reference, we were DQ'd January 29th, 2025.
Is it worth emailing the U.S. Consulate (case is currently in Montreal, Canada and our interview is September 8th, 2025) to maybe have them update it, bring it up at the interview or just let it slide until we're ready to activate the wife's visa?
Am I eligible for a VAWA self petition? (Child of abusive USC, filing after turning 21) 9:46 pm yesterday
Keller11
Read 71 Times
4 RepliesHello, I am new here but will attempt to explain as much of the situation as possible to provide a full picture and avoid any confusion.
I am the Canadian born son of a Canadian parent and US/Canadian duel national parent (I am not a citizen by birth nor did I acquire citizenship after birth). The Canadian (Alien) parent and me have both never held any immigrant status in the United States nor have ever overstayed any allowed stay time in the US. My parents were in a common law marriage in Canada. Both before and after I was born annual trips to the US were common, during many of those trips I witnessed battery of my Alien parent as well as cruelty towards me from the USC parent and in at least a couple cases I can recall battery against me as well. Below I have compiled a list of every incident I can confidently provide an affidavit for, at the time no police reports or medical reports were ever documented out of fear. Some of these incidents can also be corroborated by my Alien parent.
December 2007-2008? - USC parent slid car into snow bank after driving recklessly, witnessed Alien parent being punched by USC parent, witnessed from back seat (Pennsylvania)
March 2009 - USC parent abruptly left with travel documents, car and money to look for drugs (Florida)
- Forcibly yanked and pulled on aggressively in public to hurry me up by USC parent (Florida)
- While everyone else was out in town, USC parent, who was supposed to be watching me, fell asleep in bathroom and could not be woke up, no food on the property I could prepare myself (Florida)Unknown month 2009-2010 - while on fishing trip with USC parent, fishing rod was forcibly taken from my hands and bashed against nearby log (Canada)
March 2010 - smacked in back of the head at checkout of publix in (Florida)
- abruptly left in similar manner to previous year with car and money taken to search for drug dealer (Florida)
- Similar to 2009 forcibly yanked and pulled on aggressively in public to hurry me up by USC parent (Florida)March 2011 - Parents split up, me and Alien parent placed into protective custody by police (Canada)
Unknown month 2014-2015 - Multiple attempts of coercion related to a promise of citizenship in exchange for custody (Canada, during custody visit)
November 2018 - attempted coercion with promise of naturalization under CCA in exchange for USC parent to get full custody from Alien parent (North Carolina)
Unknown month 2020-2021 - Additional attempted coercion using potential naturalization, called Alien parent on phone asking what I should do (Canada, during custody visit)
Unknown month 2022 - USC parent ceases to pay child support earlier than obligated (Canada)
Unknown month 2022-2023? - Verbal threat relating to USC parent discovery of my possession of a credit card in my name (Canada, during visit)
Above are main standout incidents that I can recall confidently enough to provide an affidavit for, does not include the many verbal threats over the years that I cant recall as clearly, nor does it include any legal or police documents and proceedings. There is paperwork from police reports and law proceedings that I would have access to, however all of that would detail incidents in Canada, there is no paperwork or reports in the US. Up until 2011 I lived with the USC parent and Alien parent together exclusively, after 2011, a custody agreement was reached where I had visitation periods with the USC parent.
I currently live and work in Canada and do not hold any immigrant status in the US. The reason I did not file sooner was out of fear of any possible retaliation if the USC parent were to find out as even though they aren't as brazen with behavior in recent times, I imagine a petition like this would cause quite the violent reaction in the event they find out, but I am finally in a position where I believe I can safely file such a petition without the knowledge of the USC parent.
For those who want to know why I want to obtain permanent residence is simply because regardless of where I go, Canada or the US, the USC parent will be able to follow so safety is irrelevant, I'll simply have better prospects for a future in the US that I want to pursue.
From my research all of the incidents listed above from 2007-2023 would be considered either a form of extreme cruelty or battery as outlined by USCIS in Volume 3 Part D Chapter 2 of the Policy Manual, however only the incidents that occurred in the US would count, but am I incorrect in assuming that the Canadian incidents could be used to substantiate the claims of incidents in the US or would they just be disregarded altogether? Another problem I foresee is that I'm applying after turning 21, since I can reasonably show that there is a long track record of verbal and physical abuse is it conceivable that it would demonstrate that the abuse would play a factor into the delay in filing my petition? Also for the US incidents since only me and my Alien parent can provide affidavits, would that be considered non-credible evidence?
I have done my best to research VAWA to see if I am eligible but beyond the USCIS information I can't find a single similar case due to most cases discussed being spouses filing. So I wanted to seek a second opinion here.
I30 passport photos but spouse is incarcerated 9:04 pm yesterday
emmasom
Read 110 Times
3 RepliesHi,
I am living in the US and my husband and I are applying for my i30 to allow me to stay here.
Unfortunately he is incarcerated right now, and we have a lawyer ready to file our I30 for us. He is expected to be released in March 2026. One of the requirements for the i30 is passport photos of us both. How will this work? Should I contact with the prison to get these? Has anyone been through this before?
K1 visa - Chinese birth certificate 7:51 pm yesterday
BubblyJoe
Read 65 Times
2 RepliesMy fianc and me are stressing out a bit. I recently submitted I129-F for approval so I'm sure I won't hear back in 6-9 months. Packed it full of evidence of our relationship.
What has me worried though is when she goes to the k1 visa interview they will ask for her chinese birth certificate. It sounds like she was never issued one. Also getting one notarized sounds like a nightmare because of all the documents and paperwork they want.
The issue is that the father never stayed to raise her and abandoned the mother when my fiance was young. I think she knows his name, but has no idea if he is dead, alive, or where he's located. Not to mention tracking down someone who abandoned you before you were born is jarring. I, knowing her father was never there, put down N/A under the father's section in the I129-F form. I hope this won't cause us more problems.
She is already very stressed just thinking about it. What are rhe best steps to take and her potential options? I'm stressed about doing this the wrong way and getting denied the visa.
I don't think she has the capacity to get half that paperwork because the parents were never married and the father is gone. And yes she is pre-1996 making things more difficult it sounds like.
Advance Parole Document Was Produced 4:52 pm yesterday
JoeMc
Read 115 Times
2 RepliesA resident friend filed an I-130, Petition for Alien Relative for her adult alien son many years ago.
The case was updated this month to:
Advance Parole Document Was Produced
On August 3, 2023, we produced your Advance Parole Document for your Form I-131, Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records,
What does this mean?