bgd

Hi. Did you have the same problem too?

Yes, I was out of US between 6 months and a year twice. I got the opinion of an immigration consultant and also got an infopass from USCIS. They told me that in case there is no good evidence such as tax transcripts, lease, credit card statements, utility bills, school transcripts, etc, they strongly recommended me to wait until I had 4 years and 9 months continuous residence. I did not have any of these evidences except driver licence.

Looking at your dates, it would have been best if you had applied 4 years + 1 day after your return from the long absence. That would be 1/18/2013. That is just a little more than 6 months away. Worse case scenario, you can reapply then.

4 years + 1 day is for only absence more than a year. It does not apply to absence between 6 months and 12 months. Also, it only applies if you have a re-entry permit. I learned this from USCIS officials when I got an infopass appointment.

Regarding to taxes that you did not file, you can always file 1040X for those years.

I think you should provide additional evidence so that you have ties to US. If you do not have tax receipts, bank accounts etc. Any cell phone contracts, utility bills under your name? Your parents presence in the country is a good indication on your side. However, if I were you, I would try to find additional evidences.

Good luck

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N-400: May 2012 Applicants

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USCIS Dallas/Lewisville, Texas Lockbox

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UserName............|Sent.......|ChkCashd.|NOA......|Fprints..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|FieldOffice

Birdysboy...........|05/02/2012.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Charlotte, NC

gus123..............|05/02/2012.|--/--/--.|05/09/12.|06/12/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|City, ST

Jamaican JNR........|05/02/2012.|05/07/12.|05/07/12.|06/22/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|New York, NY (EB 06/08)

Ms.Frias............|05/03/2012.|05/09/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Kendall, FL

Princess In Love....|05/05/2012.|05/11/12.|05/10/12.|06/14/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Boston, MA (EB 06/08)

cybpiero............|05/05/2012.|05/11/12.|05/10/12.|06/21/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Dallas, TX

kmehmood1...........|05/08/2012.|05/11/12.|05/11/12.|06/25/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Houston, TX (EB 06/14)

Rainbow007..........|05/08/2012.|05/15/12.|05/14/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|New York, NY

dang2012............|05/08/2012.|--/--/--.|05/24/12.|07/03/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Dallas, TX

Yodit...............|05/10/2012.|--/--/--.|05/16/12.|06/27/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Houston, TX (EB 06/13)

sjo.................|05/11/2012.|05/18/12.|05/14/12.|06/14/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Norfolk, VA

Chuck76.............|05/14/2012.|05/18/12.|05/18/12.|06/18/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Fairfax, VA (EB 06/08)

Kirsty..............|05/14/2012.|05/18/12.|05/18/12.|06/15/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Fairfax, VA (EB 06/01)

Andy-n-Maricar......|05/14/2012.|05/22/12.|05/21/12.|06/12/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Oklahoma City, OK

Johnnie J...........|05/15/2012.|05/17/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Newark, NJ

raunous.............|05/15/2012.|05/21/12.|05/29/12.|06/12/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Charleston, SC

HelloMiffy..........|05/17/2012.|05/24/12.|05/23/12.|06/29/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Buffalo, NY

gucludd.............|05/17/2012.|05/23/12.|05/23/12.|07/09/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|New York, NY

Shari...............|05/21/2012.|05/30/12.|05/29/12.|07/13/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Atlanta, GA

Nina~...............|05/21/2012.|05/24/12.|05/24/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Houston, TX

Razorback...........|05/22/2012.|05/29/12.|05/28/12.|06/27/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Atlanta, GA

*julez*.............|05/24/2012.|06/13/12.|06/08/12.|06/29/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Buffalo, NY

nksgod4eva..........|05/25/2012.|--/--/--.|06/05/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Norfolk, VA

Mayfilerpali........|05/29/2012.|06/07/12.|06/06/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|New York, NY

eng_ashraf12........|05/30/2012.|--/--/--.|06/07/12.|06/26/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Fairfax, VA (EB 06/11)

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USCIS Phoenix, Arizona Lockbox

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UserName............|Sent.......|ChkCashd.|NOA......|Fprints..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|FieldOffice

cdj122952...........|05/01/2012.|--/--/--.|05/07/12.|05/24/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Los Angeles,CA (EB 5/15)

EspoMan.............|05/02/2012.|05/09/12.|05/11/12.|06/21/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|San Bernadino, CA

indatti.............|05/03/2012.|05/09/12.|05/08/12.|05/29/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Omaha, NE

i-migrate...........|05/04/2012.|05/10/12.|05/12/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|St. Paul, MN

savethispatient.....|05/09/2012.|05/17/12.|05/16/12.|06/29/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Seattle, WA

demonking...........|05/10/2012.|05/17/12.|05/15/12.|06/22/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|San Diego, CA

Tamara143...........|05/10/2012.|05/16/12.|05/15/12.|06/26/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|San Francisco, CA

7Rivers.............|05/11/2012.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|San Diego, CA

pinay28.............|05/17/2012.|--/--/--.|05/30/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|City, ST

cardilene...........|05/18/2012.|05/22/12.|05/26/12.|06/22/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Phoenix, AZ

dale_trisha.........|05/20/2012.|05/24/12.|05/23/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Saint Paul, MN

DrVS................|05/21/2012.|05/29/12.|05/24/12.|07/03/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|San Francisco, CA

blondprincess ......|05/21/2012.|05/24/12.|05/23/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Phoenix, AZ

baba@sharif.........|05/21/2012.|05/29/12.|05/24/12.|06/19/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Seattle, WA

pRetTy_aNgeL........|05/22/2012.|05/30/12.|05/29/12.|06/19/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Chicago, IL (EB 6/08)

IsilandAlex.........|05/29/2012.|06/05/12.|06/01/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|St. Paul, MN

believer............|05/31/2012.|06/06/12.|06/07/12.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|Denver, CO

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USCIS Lincoln, Nebraska Lockbox (Filing Under 319b, 328, or 329 of the INA)

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UserName............|Sent.....|ChkCashd.|NOA......|Fprints..|Int Ltr..|Intview..|Oath.....|FieldOffice

Example.............|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|--/--/--.|City, ST

Hi,

My spouse lives here under F1 visa with me. We got married two years ago and I filed I-130 for her. Since I am a permanent resident, we have been waiting for visa become available.

Last week, she was told from her school's international office that traveling while pending immigrant visa is risky and she can be denied at POE. We did not know this so far. Actually, we traveled to abroad a couple of times since I filed I-130. We have an upcoming international travel soon. Do you know is there any thing we should do as a precaution? Or at worst case cancel our trip?

To my logic, immigration process via F2A is lengthy and she should be travelling in case she has valid F1 visa, etc. We appreciate any kind of suggestions/help.

Sorry link in my last post was not the correct one, here it is:

http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/bulletin/bulletin_5197.html

I have just check Dec 2010 Visa Bulletin. It says:

"From early 2009 through September 2010, the level of demand for numbers in the Family-sponsored preference categories was very low. As a result, the cut-off dates for most Family preference categories were advanced at a very rapid pace, in an attempt to generate demand so that the annual numerical limits could be fully utilized."

Here is the link

http://www.travel.st...letin_5197.html

I guess there might be a rapid acceleration on cut-off dates for coming VB?

I have just check Dec 2010 Visa Bulletin. It says:

"From early 2009 through September 2010, the level of demand for numbers in the Family-sponsored preference categories was very low. As a result, the cut-off dates for most Family preference categories were advanced at a very rapid pace, in an attempt to generate demand so that the annual numerical limits could be fully utilized."

Here is the link

http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/bulletin/bulletin_5197.html

I guess there might be a rapid acceleration on cut-off dates for coming VB?

By additional 6 months I mean, we are able to start AOS after our PD becomes current which means we have to X months wait until our PD become current and Y months (usually 6 months) for AOS process. On the other hand, in consular case, NVC starts processing as soon as they get our petition and they complete the case in 4 months while we are still waiting for PD become current. Processing is done except for the interview. Therefore, for F2A case, once it is current NVC sets up an interview in a month at the consulate of your home country. Then click!! You are done. That's why, in consular processing, waiting time is usually X months + 1 month.

In summary,

AOS: X months for visa waiting + Y months for AOS

CP: X months for visa waiting + 1 month for interview

Actually, 6 months AOS processing time is average. In some USCIS Field Offices, it might take up to a year.

We do not know what to do. My spouse is pursuing her PhD. She has to travel internationally for conferences for her career. Therefore, we absolutely have to renew her F1 visa first while in green card process. Because it is ridiculous that they expect from us to not to leave country for years!

I contacted US Embassy in Ankara and asked this situation. They are evidently uneducated on immigration process in the US. We really need help to renewing F1 visa in immigration process.

I am also pretty much on the same boat as you. I feel AOS is better because if you want to do a Consular Processing, you will have to go back to your home country to do rest of the process. Maintaining the F1 status is the best bet I guess. Because if you leave the country chances are less to get back until the entire process is complete. That means you PD is still far away and in between this time if your spouse wants to enter the US, she might be denied entry due to dual intent(if s/he plans to apply for f1 visa while your f2a process is going on i.e. clash of intent). Eventually it is better to stay together than far away. By the way I didn't get your point on how AOS 6 more months? Can you elaborate?

Again it depends on luck as mentioned by other VJers. But I wouldn't take that chance. I am currently in F1 and my spouse is a LPR. I have been maintaing my f1 status for a long time now.

By additional 6 months I mean, we are able to start AOS after our PD becomes current which means we have to X months wait until our PD become current and Y months (usually 6 months) for AOS process. On the other hand, in consular case, NVC starts processing as soon as they get our petition and they complete the case in 4 months while we are still waiting for PD become current. Processing is done except for the interview. Therefore, for F2A case, once it is current NVC sets up an interview in a month at the consulate of your home country. Then click!! You are done. That's why, in consular processing, waiting time is usually X months + 1 month.

In summary,

AOS: X months for visa waiting + Y months for AOS

CP: X months for visa waiting + 1 month for interview

I am wondering why the student spouse needs to renew her F1 visa. As long as the spouse maintains her status as student and does not leave the country then she can legally stay in the US. These are the only requirements I know of.

My daughter (f2a child) has the same predicament last year. When her I-130 was approved there was a precondition that she is not eligible for AoS. Rather than contesting that advice I sent her home for consular processing. From what I have read it looks like others are being allowed. I can't understand why the USCIS personnel are selective. I am an LPR , could this be a reason?

I agree it is more expensive to go on consular processing.

This is only for your information rather than an advice.

Thank you very much for your responses. We are not sure to decide on a strategy yet. Our priority is to renew my spouse's F1 Visa first and then focus on immigration process. It is pretty a painful and discouraging process for F2A applications.

We applied I-130 for my spouse with F1 visa under F2A category. Our I-130 was approved recently and our priority date is Sept 2010. Most of posts I saw on internet is the comparisons for IR category so that people in this category can file both I-130 and I-485 (AoS) concurrently. I have two questions.

Q1- What do you say for F2A category?

Apparently, consular processing seems faster for us. Since when our PD becomes current, Adjustment of Status would add another 6 months for processing. But AoS has some other advantages such as employment authorization, advance parole etc. However, becoming Permanent resident sooner is our primary priority. Another parameter is that my spouse will apply for F1 visa renewal soon. Thus,

Q2- If we choose consular processing, is there any risks of F1 visa denial because of pending immigration visa?