William2011

Good Afternoon, I was just wondering if anyone knew if my wife which is a LPR and holds a Philippine passport needs to redo her CFO in order to exit the country. She arrived in the states on a K1 Visa, and we have since gotten married, and she has a 2 year green card now. She has the old CFO documents in her passport, but she is going to renew her passport with her married name this week at the Philippine Embassy. Does she need to take out the CFO documents that is stapled in the passport for future use in the new passport.

I am sorry if all this might be a dumb question, but I just don't want any surprises later on and when we visit the Philippines next year. I am hoping that someone can explain if she has to be bothered with the CFO regulations at this point in time. Thanks in advance.

I really wish I could have your attitude about the extra long wait times for the AOS. It does bother me not really knowing if my wife can stay here with me or not. There is no reason they should not approve it, but I really would like to have it to know for sure. USCIS has done some weird things over the years. The longer the wait times, the more I wonder what happened to the application.

The EAD/AP combo card is ok. We are going to re file for this next month, but this is temp card. That card does not guarantee anything really. I have heard stories from people who could not board airplanes and who were not hired, because they don't have a green card. All of this is wrong and illegal really, but the vast majority of people don't know what a EAD/AP combo card is. They know what a green card is. We are fixing to go through this again while getting a State ID. I want her to have this State ID, so when she is asked for ID, they wont in turn ask about her immigration status.

This really is a shame how the US treats people who come to this country legal. I filed a K1 for my wife back in late 2010. She has been here one year now, and she still does not have a real status yet. Like I said, I wish I could have your positive attitude. God Bless.

Keep pushing...the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Go in person to your rep/senator's office and talk to the immigration liasion. I have found it really helps for them to see you as a real person rather than a random name on a piece of paper. I would bug the heck out of everybody I could until someone listened.

Don't know much about how it works, but you may want to consider contacting the USCIS Ombudsman. Google it here and you will find threads that talk about how to do it.

Best of luck to you!!!

I have been thinking about using the Ombudsman service also. Has anyone used this service and what did you think of it? To the OP, I totally feel your pain. Me and my Wife are coming up on the 10 month mark. The service requests and contacting our congressman and senator has only told us we have to keep waiting with no time frames. This is why I am curious if someone is really way over the processing time frames that this Ombudsman service might help. Let me know what you think. Thanks.

Good Evening,

First off, I am not an expert, but I can relate to my own dealings with USCIS since I first filed for my wife’s K1 visa over two years ago.

My experience is this. There is absolutely nothing you can do. You can file a service request from the USCIS website now, call the USCIS customer support line, call and write your federal government officials. You can do all these things but does it really help? In my experience it is all a complete waste of time. It makes me feel like I am doing something. That is about all it does.

You can request that your application be transferred out of the NBC to your local USCIS office. I think only the ones who are deemed necessary to have an interview are sent there. Will they transfer your case? I think the answer is no. There is no oversight into this organization at all. I think you and everyone else is completely at their mercy. They make the decisions and they work at their own pace not yours or mine.

You asked what the next step is outside of contacting your government officials and putting in a service request. The answer is simply to wait. I would advise to keep talking to your government officials and put in a service request again has soon has the online tool will let you. I had to wait 45 days to put in another one myself. I would tell everyone you can to not get a K1 visa and go the spouse visa route. This is just my opinion. I did have a higher level IO tell me that the family based I-485 (especially the ones transferred to the CSC like mine) can and probably will take up to 12 months to process. I would start thinking about filing for another EAD/AP card four months from the expiration date.

I wish you and everyone else the best of luck, and we should remember that this will all end sooner or later. We can get on with our lives without worrying about the next step.

Hi All,

My husband and I are waiting on his AOS application to be approved. We sent out our application in late June 2012 (within two weeks of getting married), were transferred to CSC on July 23, 2012, and since then we don't have any news at all about his application. (It still says "Initial Review" on the USCIS website, and that it was last touched on July 27, 2012.) I know that applications wait a long time at CSC, but it seems like this getting a little extreme: we have waited more than 8 months now. Looking at the AOS timeline on this website, it seems like lots of couples that were transferred have waited this long (or longer), but there are so few updates to those timelines that I'm not sure if that is comprehensive.

Do you think I should contact USCIS about this? If so, what are the steps-- who should I call, what should I say, etc?

Anyone else waiting this long out there who wants to sympathize?

Best,

Laura

Me and you have almost the exact timeline. My AOS case was last updated at the CSC on the 27th of July and with a transfer date of 26th July. I have put in a service request and contacted all my Senators and Congress people about 30 days ago. All the responses were the same. They said its being worked on and keep waiting and it should be approved/deny within 30 days. We have not heard or had any updates since. I do not think there is much other than try those options. Once you have tried those options there does not seem much to do but prepare to fill for the EAD/AP extension in May. My current EAD/AP expires in September also. You can do a service request by using this link https://egov.uscis.gov/e-request/Intro.do;jsessionid=abcmU_kw-ymdLak3hsv1t

On a side note, we are really worried about this now. There has been some posts on this site about people having to redo their medical/get more shots etc. because of the long wait times. By not having the green card makes me nervous. This country should really be ashamed about the quality of service from USCIS.

I don't think you should be worried...just more of a painful wait than anything else.

Pretty amazing that some people who filed in NOVEMBER already have their green cards yet others like you are still waiting.

The efficiency of the government knows no bounds

I just got through reading the post on this site about the people who were deemed to have an interview was because there might have been red flags in their application that needed more attention. The applications that were not transfered were the ones who were simple and easy cases. Yet, the ones who "needed" the interview are the ones who are being approved in about half the time (more or less).

I just got through reading another post here that was done back in 2007. It was from a former USCIS officer. He actually stated that most of these cases actually only take about 15 minutes to process and make a decison on. I remember reading here back in 2010, the chat with the VSC director. It was a pinned thread on this site. He stated that a K1 visa should only take 30 mintues to process. Back in 2007 people were upset about having to wait up to 90 days for the K1. Remember this 90 days was more or less the max wait time.

After reading the quoted posted, I can not help but think just how far the USCIS has gone down hill in processing these cases. But what can we do?

I don't think immigration should be a "whoever can pay the most gets the better service" kind of process.

If I had the choice, I would pay more for faster service than what we have gotten so far with USCIS. I do however agree with this statement. Many people here have expressed that this whole process on ALL applications should be first come first serve. However has long has 90% of the american public does not know what USCIS stands for and will never file an application, I feel that nothing will be done with the legal immigration issues such has long wait times at USCIS service centers. Thats my opinion.

I applied for AOS June 28, 2012 and transferred to CSC July 27 and received EAD/AP end of August. Have heard nothing since. Just wrote my congresswoman to see if she can help!

Me and my wife wrote our congress and senator last week about our case and requesting help with it. Just a few minutes ago we got a letter from the senators office stating that the CSC is processing I-485 applications from April 2011. I do not what else to do except to write back stating that this is a family based application and please do a formal inquiry about it. I did do a service request, and I recieved a letter stating the standard blah blah just keep waiting. There were no timelines or anything in the letter. Does anyone keep up with time lines here and knows if they are actually approving applications that were transfered to the CSC?

I would have to refer you to the post that I made earlier about our AOS case. I had to go through a tier 2 officer to get a service request in, because I ran into a lot of road blocks everywhere else. Call the number back and ask to speak to a tier two officer. The wait times are very very long, or you can ask for a call back. The bottom line is everyone who got transfered right before the 1 August deadline may have gotten screwed over. The officer told me flat out to start getting ready to renew the EAD card, and the AoS cases can take up to 12 months now for people who got transfered for the "speedy" processing. I dont want to start rumors or anything, but that is the information given to me when I called.

Sorry guys for another post, but I just got a call back from a tier 2 officer. The officer went ahead and did a service request, but he did tell me that the AOS cases are taking no less than six months and up to 12 months to process at the CSC. He also said that we should prepare to refile for the EAD four months from the expiration date on the card. He said no cases are being transfered out unless a interview is needed. This is not the news that we wanted to hear, but I hope it helps others who are waiting and wondering about their case like we were.

I just wanted to add an update on our case that was transfered to the CSC on 23rd July 2012. Since we are now past the 180 day mark, me and my wife decieded to call the USCIS to put in a service request on the application. We called a total of three different times on different days, and we got three different reasons to why we can not request a service request for the application being outside processing times. It really is just a lot of conflicting information. We asked to talk to a tier 2 officer and spent a total of two hours each time on hold with no answer. Im starting to wonder how many people who were transfered to CSC and have not got any updates on their case? Has anyone had trouble requesting a service request about their case?

I am going to ask my congress man to make a request on our behalf and see what happens. I look forward to hearing others updates or opinions. Thanks

Just like quite a few people here, I am also just waiting for some news about the AOS. I just looked back at my profile and saw that the interview was 404 days from the time that the K1 was filed. I remember that I was simply going crazy while waiting and wondering if this was ever going to happen. I really felt that the goverment was trying to stop me from marrying my now wife. Now, It is not so bad while waiting. I do worry about the AOS just because having that green card means everything here. I do have to say it is kinda sad just how bad USCIS has failed in the job at processing cases. I have family members that came here in the 90's and 80's, and the whole process from start to finish was just a few months. How the world has changed since then. I heard stories of how you had to wait in line at the emabassy just to check the status of your case. I heard the line in Maynila was always long lol.

Anyways, Just keep your head up high while waiting and remember that your not the only one in limbo during this long (yet unnecessary) process. It could always be worse.

Dont feel bad, My wife's AOS was transfered on 23rd July, and we have not heard anything either. The K1 took about a year and now this is dragging out. I just cant wait to see how long the ROC takes. Do you guys think that doing both a service request and getting both the congress man and Senator involved right at the 180 day mark would be wise. I just worry that that doing all the above might be counter productive.

Good Morning,

Going by your timeline, it looks like you were transfered on the 9th of July. This is not far off from my wifes transfer date of 23rd July. You, me, and everyone else that got transfered right before the cut off date are going to have to wait it out at least 180 days from the transfer date to inquire about our cases. I inquired about this awhile back, and the advice that I got was to wait for the 180 day mark. After that, you can make a service request by phone with USCIS. Also, to start getting congressmen/Senator involved in your case on your behalf. So by the 9th of January, you can start calling USCIS and contacting your goverment officals.

I totally agree that this whole process is kinda nuts. I think it would be much better if they simply could get to and process peoples applications sooner than they are. The US goverment is going to tackle the immigration problems sooner or later. I would advise you to contact your goverment officals and ask that these problems with legal immigration and the service centers be looked into. Anyway, I hope this helps.

We are just waiting like everyone else. I have been wanting and waiting to hear from people who were transfered to the CSC in July to see if there has been any movement from them.

Anyone else from this thread have any updates or movement on their file? Seems like everything has come to a stand-still.

Hello All,

I was simply wondering if there has been any approvals from CSC lately with the K1 AOS that were transfered. I am starting to have serious doubts about how long this is going to take since our AOS was transfered on the 27 July which may be one of the last to be transfered to the CSC. I have been reading on this web site about people that were transfered in the first part of this year, and they are still waiting. This is starting to be a concern about just how fast CSC is processing these cases. Then I read about people that filed in August, and some have already received their approvals for AOS. Some had interviews and were approved in a matter of a few months. All of it seems very confusing about the processing times.

It has been four months since our case was transfered. About how many months till we start making requests or contacting goverment officals to ask about the case? Is it five or six months since there seems to be no processing times for the AOS from a K1 visa listed on the USCIS website.

I posted something similar in another post, but I totally agree that the spouse visa is the way to go. From what I understand right now the CR-1 visa is taking about the same amount of time has the K-1. When I filed for the K-1, I got a lot of bad advice from family and friends saying that the K-1 was the way to go. No one told me of just how long the entire process really is. I guess years ago K-1 visas where taking 2-3 months and the AOS was just has long. This is not the case anymore. You did not bring up the ROC either. In reality it will be years before you get the offical 10 year green card. I would have to say that filing for the CR-1 would save you a lot of money in the long run and time waiting for USCIS to process your case. It is a no brainer to me for someone who is serious about getting married and planning to live full time in this country.

In my personal opinion, I highly recommend filing the CR-1 Visa rather than the K-1 Fiance Visa. My husband and I looked into both options and found that getting married first, then filing, is the easiest (and sometimes quicker) way of getting your loved one to the U.S. Look into both processes and I think you'll see what I mean.

For a K-1, you file for the Fiance Visa, wait 5-7 months for approval (often longer), pay fees, then your Fiance comes to the US, you marry within 90 days, file an Adjustment of Status (from a Fiance to Spouse), pay more application fees, file an Employment Authorization application so she can work (which takes around 3 more months, I think) and pay more fees again! Many K-1 filers end up waiting the same amount of time, or longer, than many CR-1 filers (K-1 visas used to be faster approval)

For a CR-1, you get married and then your foreign spouse has to go back to his/her own country while you file (small sacrifice in the long run and you can still travel and make visits while your CR-1 is in process) and pay one application fee. Once you complete the entire visa process (if you look at my timeline, my husband and I are at almost 6 months exactly since the start of our visa journey), your spouse enters the US as a Lawful Permanent Resident...no more paperwork to file. They get their Green Card in the mail automatically, can immediately get their SSN, and have the right to work in the US from the moment they arrive.

My husband and I have been at this less than 6 months and when he comes to the US at the end of the month, we are done! No more paperwork, fees, nothing! And we made a few visiting trips to see each other in between and didn't have a single issue traveling on a tourist visa while our CR-1 was in process. That's just my two cents...hopefully it gives you something to consider. Good luck on whichever path you choose!

My wife got hers in the mail within three days. It was sent priority mail. I was really surprised they sent it that way and not by bulk mail.

Can someone correct me on this, but I thought they really only use the photo from your biometrics appointment for both the Green Card and the EAD card? Ive always wonder why they needed more passport style photos. I wonder if they have a end of the year party and everyone brings the "worse" photo that they have received or something. Makes me wonder.

Just some additional advice...before you decide to go with a K-1 Fiance Visa, take a look into an IR1/CR1 Spouse Visa (where you get married first, then file your visa paperwork). Some find it's a good option since, at the moment, it's taking around the same amount of time to go through the entire process. My husband (who's a UK citizen) and I chose the Spouse VIsa route because when all is said and done, he will enter the country as a Legal Permanent Resident and does not have to file any adjustment of status or any work eligibility paperwork. It ends up being a little less paperwork and less fees in the end. The downside is that we've had to spend some time apart as a married couple, but we married in April 2012, filed at the end of April 2012, and his interview is October 15...so our entire process from filing to POE is going to be right at 6 months and when he finally gets back home to California, all we have to do is wait for his Green Card to arrive in the mail and get his SSN, then he can live and work here with no extra paperwork or waiting.

I know the CR1 Visa may not be the option that best fits every situation, but we are happy we did it this way. Just wanted to share another option that may fit you better...or at least give you something else to look at. I've seen K1 visas take as long or longer to get approved and then there's still the marriage, AOS filing, and Work Eligibility filing that takes several months afterward. Good luck on your journey!

I would have to second this also. I wish I would have known more and thought about the spouse visa, before I filed for the K1 visa. If I would have known what I know now about the K1, I would not have filed for it at all. Once you are married under the K1, you are going to have file for the AOS. Make sure if you go this route that you make enough money or have a co-sponser to sign the I-864. Some people are waiting up to eight months just to recieve their green card right now. Then after that, you only recieve the 2 year green card. You will have file again for the 10 year card. You will have to send in lots of evidence that you are married etc.. I heard that is taking even longer than the AOS is rigth now also. My understanding is at any point until you get your 10 year green card you can lose status in this country. Say you let your 2 year green card expire then you are no longer a LPM, but your 10 green card expires that is not the case.

I would really think over your options before you file for either and make the right choice for you and your loved one. Either way you go, you can expect a decent amount of time apart waiting for the famous or infamous USCIS. Good Luck.

This is something that I have been on pins and needles about since I filled for AOS. When I did all the research into it a few years ago, there were people who actually got an RFE over the DS-3025. That being said I took a chance and filled the DS-3025. Has long has the medical was done within one year of filling for AOS, you should be ok. I have not heard of anyone actually getting a RFE over this in quite some time. I went back to some posts going back to 2010 when this was a hot topic on these fourms, and all the people and timelines i checked showed no RFEs when they submitted with just the DS-3025.

Has long has the medical is done within one year of filling and the blanket waiver box is checked, I think and hope we all should be ok.

We'll be filing our AOS for my fiancé (well, will be wife when we file).

I see conflicting info recording the Civil Surgeon and need to file I-693.

We have the Vaccination record from her medical in Philippines, and also a copy of her second Varicella shot. In Manila they gave her TDAP, MMR and the first Varicella.

I believe those are the only 'required' ones for this, except I've read on other pages that all immigrants are also required to have Flu shots, and Hepatitis B. Does she need to get these?

If not, do I really need the I-683 form, or can I just include copies of her vaccination record from the medical?

This is something that I really struggled with has well. My wife got the TDAP, and everything else was marked not age related etc. with the incomplete with blanket waiver box checked. This link here really helped me understand this better. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/101202-faqs-forms-i-693-and-ds-3025/

I have heard that some people just send in the DS-3025 and have no problems, and i have heard that some people get a RFE for the I-693 form with vaccinations on it. We went ahead and took a chance on it since no Civil Surgeon here (or withing 300 miles) would just copy the info from the DS-3025 to the new form without having to redo the entire medical exam. This is something that I have been watching for is if people are getting a RFE just for this reason and have the blanket waiver thing box checked. If you have the blanket waiver box checked you can take a chance on it like we did, or you can have everything redone and get a new I-693 just to be safe. The big problem is having a Civil Surgeon do just the vaccinations and not the entire medical. I had some long talks with various offices over this issue. They couldnt understand that if we had the medical done then where is the I-693 form. Anyway, I hope this helps some.

hi...did you get the RFE letter yet.... pls update us. Thank you

I am wondering the same thing. Any updates to this would be appreicated. Me and my wife only sent in the DS3025 for the vaccinations. I am hoping that the CSC are not sending out RFEs for a DS 3025 marked incomplete with the blanket waiver thing checked.

Hello all,

I hope I am posting this is in a somewhat correct fourm here. My wife will hopefully be recieving her 2 year Green Card hopefully the first part of next year. The problem that I am facing is that I might be offered a inter company transfer to Australia sometime in the next year or two. If we leave the US with this 2 year card to live and work in a foriegn country, How bad is it for her to return to the US to live or even to visit? Would waiting for the 10 year card make it any easier? I understand that waiting for her to become a US citizen would simply be the best bet since she can keep dual citizenship between the US and Philippines. (On a side note how cool is that? Even chilidren can keep both and dont have to choose at 18!) This is going to be a tough choice since a chance at a good job close to both our relatives would be hard to turn down. Any advice or experience is something like this would be good.

WOW thats quite LONG time as compared to AOS via k1 because some on k1 gets like an interview in 3-4 months or if k1 does not go thru interview, its like 8months to 1 year wait time....

I did not know that AOS via Employment is that LONG..and would u know HOW Long is the Green card issued for those AOS via Employment???

The Bottom line is the whole process takes a long time. The best thing to do is just wait. If you file and are counting the days since you filed for a particular benefit, you will become angry and frustrated with the whole process. I wish USCIS could stream line and become more efficent at working on cases, but that is not going to happen anytime soon. Things are only getting worse with USCIS or INS. Most Americans do not have a clue what USCIS even is, and I would say 99.9% of Americans could care less about it. This is something they do not have to deal with so why should they care? This is why nothing will change to make it a better process for all.