Lainie B

When you apply for AOS, EAD and AP each get their own case number and they are usually consecutive. Did she apply for the EAD? Maybe you are looking at the approval for the EAD not the GC. Check the NOA1s for what was submitted if you have them. Case numbers don't change as far as I know.

When you apply for AOS, EAD and AP each get their own case number and they are usually consecutive. Did she apply for the EAD? Maybe you are looking at the approval for the EAD not the GC. Check the NOA1s for what was submitted if you have them. Case numbers don't change as far as I know.

Expediting visas for the Philippines has nothing to do with the AOS timeframe. She already got her visa and entered and married. It's the green card that is in question.

To add, you can only get a 1-year EAD when you apply with or after AOS. Applying for the EAD with or after AOS is free. If you apply for the EAD before your AOS, you have to pay the fee AND it expires when the I-94 expires, essentially making it a waste of money.

To add, you can only get a 1-year EAD when you apply with or after AOS. Applying for the EAD with or after AOS is free. If you apply for the EAD before your AOS, you have to pay the fee AND it expires when the I-94 expires, essentially making it a waste of money.

You can book tickets up to 12 months in advance. I don't know where you got the idea that you can't get a return date 6 months ahead. They will absolutely not let you into the US unless you have a return ticket (or an onward ticket), whether you have a tourist visa or use the VWP.
The B-visa refusal rate for New Zealand is 14%. So it's not true that just because you are from a VWP country that you can't get a B-visa. However you will need to convince them that you are just there to visit, you have funds to support yourself, you won't be working, and that you will be returning after you leave, which is not always easy to prove. It is also true that if they deny the visa then you will have trouble getting ESTA approved, which you need to use the VWP, so this is a risk you need to consider.
http://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Statistics/Non-Immigrant-Statistics/RefusalRates/FY13.pdf
Another suggestion would be to visit under the VWP for 3 months, come back for 6 months, and then go again for another 3 months.

You can book tickets up to 12 months in advance. I don't know where you got the idea that you can't get a return date 6 months ahead. They will absolutely not let you into the US unless you have a return ticket (or an onward ticket), whether you have a tourist visa or use the VWP.
The B-visa refusal rate for New Zealand is 14%. So it's not true that just because you are from a VWP country that you can't get a B-visa. However you will need to convince them that you are just there to visit, you have funds to support yourself, you won't be working, and that you will be returning after you leave, which is not always easy to prove. It is also true that if they deny the visa then you will have trouble getting ESTA approved, which you need to use the VWP, so this is a risk you need to consider.
http://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Statistics/Non-Immigrant-Statistics/RefusalRates/FY13.pdf
Another suggestion would be to visit under the VWP for 3 months, come back for 6 months, and then go again for another 3 months.

You will need to be able to sponsor her whether you do the K-1 or the "sneaky" way.
Do not violate immigration law. Do the right thing and apply for K-1.

You make it sound like a shopping trip, which tickles me pink for some reason.

Yes, it's fine. They don't care who pays.

bring her to Canada and call it a day.

God: Adjudicator Supreme

Judging by another popular current thread it is all down to God.
Which begs the question what have you done to piss him or her off?

Most of what you mentioned here is not needed for the petition to be approved. You must only prove that you have met in person within the past 2 years, you must be free to marry, you must show the petitioner is a US citizen, and you must include letters of intent to marry. The lack of handwritten letters, tax returns, job proof, a letter from your employer, income proof in the petition package would not be a reason for denial of the petition. Income proof comes later in the process during the actual visa application when the I-134 is submitted.

Most of what you mentioned here is not needed for the petition to be approved. You must only prove that you have met in person within the past 2 years, you must be free to marry, you must show the petitioner is a US citizen, and you must include letters of intent to marry. The lack of handwritten letters, tax returns, job proof, a letter from your employer, income proof in the petition package would not be a reason for denial of the petition. Income proof comes later in the process during the actual visa application when the I-134 is submitted.

Most of what you mentioned here is not needed for the petition to be approved. You must only prove that you have met in person within the past 2 years, you must be free to marry, you must show the petitioner is a US citizen, and you must include letters of intent to marry. The lack of handwritten letters, tax returns, job proof, a letter from your employer, income proof in the petition package would not be a reason for denial of the petition. Income proof comes later in the process during the actual visa application when the I-134 is submitted.

Most of what you mentioned here is not needed for the petition to be approved. You must only prove that you have met in person within the past 2 years, you must be free to marry, you must show the petitioner is a US citizen, and you must include letters of intent to marry. The lack of handwritten letters, tax returns, job proof, a letter from your employer, income proof in the petition package would not be a reason for denial of the petition. Income proof comes later in the process during the actual visa application when the I-134 is submitted.

Yes, via the AR-11, or you can do it online.
Your husband as sponsor will also have to, via the I-865

How long is a piece of string?If you are looking for an exact number of days defined by Customs and Border Patrol, there isn't one. It is up to the officer on duty at the immigration desk whether you get in or not. One might say..oh you were just here last month. Welcome back. Another might say...you were here 90 days and now a month later you want to come back? That is too often so I'm putting you on the next plane home. A good rule of thumb is stay out as long as you were in the US, and don't appear to by trying to "live" in the US on visa waiver. It is always a guess, but many 90 day visits is going to minimize you chances. Plus it could indicate you have no responsibilities to go home to and are thus considered more of a risk that you won't leave.

Once you have the 2-year green card you can travel outside the US on it.
You don't have to submit the I-131, but I recommend that you do, in even if you don't have any immediate plans to travel outside the US. You never know what might happen, and the green card can take up to a year to be approved. If you don't submit the I-131 then you will be stuck in the US for that time. It is free to apply for the I-131.

You can't volunteer to work unpaid for a job that would normally require payment. So you can't work for free in the meantime and then switch to being paid.

You can't volunteer to work unpaid for a job that would normally require payment. So you can't work for free in the meantime and then switch to being paid.

I have never heard of or experienced such a thing. And I am significantly over 25 and have no kids.

The same could be said of CR-1 visas. They are definitely not immune to fraud either.

I have never heard of or experienced such a thing. And I am significantly over 25 and have no kids.