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So you chose to ignore all the warnings in your previous thread and go ahead with this plan anyway. No. She was granted a green card based on the assumption that she would be living with her USC parent, who petitioned her for family reunification, not to take her to the US to live with her grandparents. You don't seem to realize how serious this is. Green cards can be revoked if found out to be granted in error or as a result of misrepresentation.

I'm going to skip a bunch of stuff previously mentioned. As your granddaughter is not living with her USC father and in his physical and legal custody inside the US when she entered she will not automatically gain citizenship through him. She must wait until she turns 18 and apply on her own. Minors cannot apply they must wait until 18.

No it will not be a moot point.... No matter the financial situation of the primary sponsor, the joint sponsor is liable for the immigrant until, (A) The get their citizenship, (B) Work 40 quarter (usually 10 years if working continuously), (C) They leave the country and forfeit their LPR status or (D) They die. The I-864 is not disclosed on any credit reporting agency's database. If he and his wife file taxes jointly then she will need to fill out and sign the I-864A unless he wants to only qualify with his own income and then he will need to submit W-2s along with the tax return transcripts in his I-864 and only claim that income in the form.

Don't! It's IR-1 status. Contact your Congressman's immigration liaison immediately. You'll fill out an easy form (perhaps available on their website) to give permission for their office to intervene on your behalf. The office has contacts within USCIS that you have no prayer of reaching. --- Thread is shifted from the CR-1 Case Progress subforum to the main CR-1 Process forum.

I had my interview this morning at the Manchester office. It went very well. I recommended for grant of citizenship and sent home with a letter that said so. Was told to wait for oath to be scheduled. I was way over prepared. I uploaded additional relationship evidence a week before, then as more stuff came in over the week, I prepared even more to take to the interview. I also prepared a packet to demonstrate good moral character. Husband and I went together to the USCIS office in Manchester, assuming they would want to interview us together, but at the door they asked if the interview was only for citizenship or also ROC. Since no ROC, they said he couldn’t come in. The interview itself was a lot simpler than expected. Literally just asked 6 questions, then asked me to read a sentence, write a sentence and moved on to the N400 form and security questions. Nothing subjective at all. Must also add, everyone at this office were super nice, professional, and friendly. Can’t tell you how much that helped me, as I was a little nervous. Especially when I found out husband wasn’t going in with me. They saw our expression and reassured me, “you got this!” My officer was also nice and kind. It was over quickly. 20 minutes I think. Just really relieved. Will update here when I hear about my oath.

Marry and file concurrent I-130, I-485, I-765 packages.....asap

Crisis averted! We found the Birth Certificate

Concur. Filing to remove conditions will only add to the confusion.

If I am reading your post history correctly, it seems the father is still in China. Is that correct? If so, something is off here, as an immigrant cannot enter the US prior to the petitioner entering. Perhaps came to US with child, then returned? What am I missing?

Fear mongering. Unlawful and probably unconsitutional. Ain't going to happen any time soon. This would not benefit the US and I haven't heard any proposals. US citizens must report (and many times pay) taxes on world wide income. This would cut off this tax revenue for the US, as many would choose to renounce their citizenship if they couldn't get a passport

She waits 5 years and then applies, if she's met the criteria in 2030. There's no other way if your son or daughter-in-law aren't going to be living in the US. It is odd, as without the petitioner living in the US (or proving they will once the visa is granted), then the visa shouldn't have been granted. https://fam.state.gov/fam/09FAM/09FAM060114.html#M601_14_7 If your son was honest throughout the process that he lived in China and had no intention of moving back to the US with his child, then that's one thing. The concern is that he claimed to be re-establising US domicile when that wasn't the case, which could have much bigger repercussions. We're simply flagging it as something you might want to check on. Good luck.

I have to agree. If you have managed to remove yourself from an unlucky situation, landed in Australia and have built a good life, stick with that. Commit to Australia and get yourself into a healthy financial situation where you can put your child through university and get your wife and yourself happily and comfortably into retirement. Create and fund a travel fund and visit your family in the US. Back up plans are great, but a lack of planning and commitment is inevitably going to lead to failure. Immigration is very much a privilege and absolutely not a right. By pushing the limits of what your American visa is for may blow up spectacularly in your face. The current administration is not playing games when it comes to following the rules. You may find yourself without a greencard and even worse, potentially with a travel ban to the US. You also have to think about your child in all of this - if that child activates their LPR and never moves to the US, they are on the hook for filing income taxes for the rest of their life. My kids would be pretty angry with me if I set them up for a commitment like that when they weren't old enough to have a say.

Unless the child is living with the petitioning USC PARENT (not grandparent), they won't get the citizenship. CCA 2001 applies and grandparents are not substitutes. Calling @jan22 to provide input on this. Reside in the U.S. in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent.

It was an example of what would hurt, not an accusation. The way you asked your initial question was suspicious. Now that you have clarified, don't expect a problem. Others have tried saying they are married when they are not, then they get caught lying and it's all over. Since your husband told the truth both times, nothing to worry about. His denials were for immigrant intent, meaning he could not overcome the required assumption. Immigrant intent is good, not bad in a spouse visa case.

That proves past domicile, but not future. When is the petitioner moving back to the US? They need to be in the US ahead of your brother (or enter at the same time as him).

No, all marriage based applicants now receive interviews. Someone else recently asked this same question after seeing this on their progress line. They later received an interview appointment.

I got a notification, this morning, that my oath ceremony has been scheduled.

Presumably you have experience in caregiving which is why they want you to do it? So make sure you include proof of that, to show it's a genuine job offer and not just one made up by family to get you to the US sooner. Include your resume and pay stubs from previous care jobs, plus anything else relevant.

S2N said: So you're not disagreeing. Genuine evidence is not just the best evidence, but the only evidence!

My interview midday went well. Unfortunately, my oath ceremony could not be schedule because, in my area oath ceremony takes place once every three months (the officer told me). They have to wait on the scheduling department for that. I had my interview in San Antonio which is about 3hrs drive from my place of abode. My Experience. Filled under the 5 years rule and divorced. The officer asked for dates, date I got married and divorced, children's dates of birth and later concentrated on them, asked a lot of personal questions about them. I had uploaded evidence of child support payment, but to her that was not enough she asked about their school, how often I visit them, if I have their birth certificate on me, told her no, she found them in my file after a thorough search, she then asked if I file taxes, I said yes, she asked for my transcript, told I uploaded my tax compliance report from IRS, showed her the copy with me, she was satisfied with that and later asked for a copy of the evidence of child support payment and that was it. She congratulated afterwards.

Unfortunately, the time to hold it is when it's still at NVC, before a case is DQ'ed, as then it can be held indefinitely. Once it's DQ'ed and an interview is being scheduled it's too late to pause for long really. You certainly can try the re-entry permit, and it will buy you some time. But if you think your future lies in Australia you may not want to. In terms of taxes, it will depend on your personal situation and also which state you'd be 'resident' in. I'd get really good tax advice because the moment you land and activate that visa, you are a LPR and subject to all US taxation, so you might want to consult a pro first just to double check what your obligations will be. There may be income tax, capital gains tax, potentially exit tax if you decide to give your green card up at a later date. Probably other stuff too that I don't know about - CGT is top of my list at the mo as we're about to sell our UK property! You'll have to file taxes each year, including FBAR (massive penalties if you don't). But you may have nothing to pay (other than a couple of thousand annually for an accountant to file for you), as I said it will depend on your situation so best to get professional advice. You'll certainly need healthcare when you are resident, but again cost will depend on your personal situation. Ours was approx $2500 a month for a family of four when we were self funding if that helps, now we pay about $400 a month as it's subsidised by an employer. Good luck.

As @OldUser said, why would you trust a random YouTube video over the link I have given you, which is from USCIS and clearly states you can’t leave until you’ve had biometrics done? It also says it on the I-131 application form - “If we require biometrics, the alien must appear for any required biometric services appointment BEFORE they leave the United States.” Plus of course, even if it were allowed then from a practical point of view you may struggle to get back in time - my daughter received notice of her biometrics the day before her appointment (it had been mailed 10 days before). Remember that re-entry permits are for permanent residents who need to leave for an extended period, but you do have to establish that permanent residency first. 3 weeks may not be enough anyway (my daughters biometrics were about 6 weeks after applying for hers), so as I said in my first response I think you may need to plan to stay longer. But whatever time it takes make sure you use it to establish some ties to the US - get yourself a bank account, a phone number, a driving licence etc. Anything to show you do intend to return and have started to make the US your permanent home. You won’t have your GC anyway by that point but should have your SSN and ideally get that first. It’s too late now I know, but just for anybody else reading in the same situation, if you can’t move to the US straight away then just delay things at the NVC stage (where it can be delayed indefinitely) instead until you are in a position to move. What’s your reason for not being able to move straight away? Keep good evidence of that too in case questioned at a later date, i.e. if it’s to care for a terminally ill family member, get a letter from their doctor, if it’s for a critical work project, get evidence from your boss, if it’s to finish a course of study keep academic records, etc. Best of luck.

Thanks for the reply. I found a joint sponsor and submitted everything 3 days ago, just waiting for NVC to review the docs.

US government forms are written at Grade 4 English level by law. Therefore they don’t use the word “domicile” because in 90% of cases it would confuse people. You’re the 10% where it would be useful to use adult words. Only list your legal domicile when they ask for “physical location” and if you’ve never been domiciled together say you’ve never lived together.

Marry her, or go the K-1 (Engagement/Fiancee) route. None of this will be quick, but at least you can get going this way! Sukie in NY

My interview was just scheduled for 11/18/25 in Fort Myers.

Luckily the government is more disconnected than you think. USCIS does NOT have your tax transcripts nor would they ask the IRS for them, hence if they ask for them they ask the applicant...

Hi all, I just applied and filed my n-400 online. Let the last journey begin. Good luck to us 🙂

Had my interview in KC this afternoon, answered the first 6 questions correctly so moved onto the verbal and written part. She was happy with all my answers going over my application and gave me the paper recommending my for approval. Case status was already updated to show Awaiting Scheduling of Oath Ceremony (no same day ceremonies in this area) so just waiting to hear when that will be!

Yes, they will check all previous applications. There's no way to know which details might be noticed not to match. If you "forgot" something trivial, it's probably no big issue. If you intentionally omitted something relevant, that's enough for a denial.

I would suggest they come back before December if possible. Nothing to do with your brother, but in terms of risking their LPR status with the current administration, and also breaking continuous presence if they decided they might like to apply for citizenship at some point. It doesn't sound like they have a lot of ties to the US at the moment, so I wouldn't risk more than 6 months personally. Once they've got flights booked, that will also help with providing intent to domicile.

No.

A year ago, this wouldn't have been a big deal. In October 2025, I'd say you should move heaven and earth to avoid ever being out of status. Do not under any circumstances send an incomplete packet though.

1) How do you have an immigrant visa that is valid for 3 years ? they are usually only valid for 6 months max.

Ok, so the selective service registration is not required. Great! If never activate visa and never travel to the US on immigrant visa, you won't become a LPR. If you come to the US to activate visa, leave, and don't travel there for 3 years, there's great chance of being stopped at border after 3 years and being referred to immigration court (NTA). At immigration court you have to prove you had ties to the US allowing you to keep LPR status. If you don't have job, don't have property or lease, bank accounts etc in the US, it will be nearly impossible to prove you have sufficient ties to the US. And at that point, judge will likely take status away and you will have to apply for visas to visit the US

@Beeptweet to elaborate on taxation point @appleblossom mentioned already in this thread... US is a pretty unique country. Green card holders (LPRs) and US citizens must report their world wide income every year to IRS. So even if you don't live in the US and make money elsewhere, you must report your income and potentially pay taxes in the US too. There is foreign income exclusion and other things which are complex. The penalties for non complying can be severe. And you only stop being LPR when you file and sign form I-407 or immigration judge takes away your status. Think twice before activating your immigrant visa, especially if you're not sure about living in the US. You may get obligations you never asked for. Good luck!

Just so you know 1) Bank accounts : Most banks will not open an account unless you have a social security number. Some will open but you will be a foreigner holding a US bank account rather than a US resident if you cant get social security number 2) Social security number will take at least 2-3 weeks ( this is being super optimistic . they will only deliver to a US postal address 3) Drivers license cannot be obtained without a residency proof in a state. You need to have address proof of residency like electricity bill, car registration etc . its not a given that they will give you license with a immigrant visa . you also need to pass a drivers license exam to get DL. Make sure to plan accordingly and good luck with your goals

I skimmed through the textbook, and then just focused on the 100 questions. I have spent some time today going over the entire N400 form, and the documents submitted. I also talked over with my husband about what the interview will be like. Watched some YouTube videos about it. Yeah, my husband did help in orally quizzing me on the questions. We be doing more of that the day before the interview. Just two days away. Nervous and excited!

Is this genuinely the only reason? Or are you trying to get citizenship in that country before moving? I’m just struggling to understand why you’ve applied for an employment visa, based on your skills being in the national interest of the US, yet don’t want to go and work there? Surely if you applied for an employment based GC for the US, your plan is to build your career there, not somewhere else? I’d be very careful, as your whole visa is based on your job moving to the US, so I would be wary of using ‘not wanting to abandon your career in another country’ as the reason for your re-entry permit personally. You must have given plans and evidence of your intended career in the US for your petition, so be mindful of potential misrepresentation if anybody might think any of that wasn’t true. Some applicants can have their biometrics reused, but you can’t count on that being the case. My daughter had to redo hers, even though she’d only got her GC a few months before. Honestly, it doesn’t seem as though your two plans are going to come together, if you want to be out of the US for several years then you shouldn’t have applied for the visa yet really. I think you may need to decide where you want to be rather than try and have your cake and eat it too.

Hi Folks, Quick update on my case: 07.08.2025 - N-400 submitted online 07.08.2025 - Receipt notice 07.08.2025 - Biometric Usage notice 07.08.2025 - case is being actively reviewed by USCIS 10.03.2025 - Interview scheduled for 11.07.2025

No, that is inadequate evidence of domicile. Especially since it would obviously be fake - adding your name to a lease where you do not live.

Whether you get a same-day Oath Ceremony or not depends on your particular field office and it can even be a "day by day" thing too. Some field offices do same-day Oaths all the time, others (like mine in Los Angeles) did not do it when I had my oath during the pandemic. However, L.A. had oath ceremonies every Tuesday, so if you had your interview early enough on a Tuesday, there was time for them to get your certificate ready and you could attend your oath ceremony that same Tuesday, later in the day. So again, it differs a lot, even within the same field office. If you have a name change, some field offices require you to take your oath in front of a judge, which can take months as courts don't have time doing this all the time. My field office in L.A. did not have a judge present and we did our oath outside the USCIS building. So not all field offices require a "judicial ceremony" when you change your name. You just get your name change document (signed by a judge) in hand together with your certificate at the end, when you hand in your greencard. You are a greencard holder until you take the oath. That means you are still a greencard holder even after you pass the interview, so you can keep traveling with your greencard even after the interview, until you take the oath. If you cannot get a US passport in time for your travel, you can let the IO know at the interview which date you will be back in the US and they won't schedule your oath until then. Many have been successful with this, however, it's still USCIS and anything can happen. Personally I would not let anything get in the way of me becoming a citizen and get my US passport, especially not something as unimportant as "travel". Once the citizenship and passport part is done, you're DONE with USCIS and can do whatever you like, including travel without restrictions.

It also depends on how many N400 interviews are happening that day at that office- in my case,I had oath ceremony after 2 hours with ~10 others outside the office in the garden area of the office.

I went through Sweden earlier this year. I think the website to schedule just requires you to have the number from the DS-160 so technically you can just submit it and then schedule your interview, but they are sort of notorious for not having any spots open. You have to book the time slot yourself, they will not contact you about it. They only did interviews for K1 on Mondays when I did this, and I am assuming it is the same now. I also think they just do a few every day. I couldn't tell you when they release the appointments, it seemed random to me. I just kept checking twice a day until I found one. I was able to book one for June during April, and only the Mondays in June were open for me. Nothing earlier or later. I do know someone logged in april 1st and got an appointment in May though, so who knows how it works. I know it is discouraging and a bit scary, but there will eventually be an opening, just keep checking. Good luck!

Ok here are a couple of options 1) You decide you want to get married. She comes to Canada. Get married in Canada. Immediately she files paper work or sponsor you for IR1/CR1 visa . She also needs to make enough money to sponsor you. It will take 15-24 months before you can move to US. You have to stay put in Canada in that period. You can visit her in US but you cant move permanently during the process. once the process is complete you will get a visa on your Canadian passport. Once you arrive on US soil with an approved IR1/CR1 visa you are a permanent resident aka US green card holder. You will have all freedom to work on any job or not work at all 2) Option 2 : there is no other choice as you do not have qualification for TN visa aka minimum requirement is a bachelors degree or a GED + 3 years experience

Nothing there suggests a route, anyway look at a TN, much the easiest route

I-485 Interview was yesterday (oct 2) approved on the spot and told she already approved on her end and to wait 24hr and itll appear on my account. It did, less than 24hr later, today (oct 3) case approved on account. Thank you all for your support throughout my k-1 and i-485 journey.

You do have to stay for biometrics, so I’d plan on longer than 3 weeks. https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/guides/B5en.pdf

Unusual but not unheard of. There are people on the forum who've had their I-130's adjudicated in just a few months, but it's rare - and doesn't seem to have any correlation to a K-3 app being filed. It is also very consulate dependent, some people will still have to wait over 2 years just for an interview date, but Ho Chi Minh City is one of the quickest consulates so that will have been a factor too. I still don't understand why on earth spousal apps can't have priority processing as an option just like employment based do. It's always seemed crazy to me that somebody reuniting with a spouse may have to wait so much longer than somebody applying under an EB category!

I see some movement today; my application has been updated. Status has not changed, but at least I know it's not lost among the other cases. Maybe someone dug it out after so many inquiries. "Application for Naturalization","updatedAt":"2025-10-02","updatedAtTimestamp":"2025-10-02T16:19:57.