banshee

My husband (from Russia) entered on a K-1 visa in March 2014. We got married in April 2014. I filed an I-485 Adjustment of Status packet and an I-765 EAD request together.

Question 1: I only received a NOA for the I-485. Is this normal since I filed them together? When I pull up the case number in USCIS, it also just states the I-485. I hope they are still processing the EAD?

Question 2: My husband got his fingerprints taken 2 weeks ago at the biometrics appointment and yet it still says "Acceptance" on the USCIS case status website. Is this normal for them to be this slow in updating?

Thank you for any information you can provide. I am starting to worry because we really need him to be working soon, and I hope that this EAD is being worked on and that it wasn't just overlooked/ lost.

Congrats!!!! You all must be ecstatic. I am so glad it went well!

WE DID IT!!!! She is on her way to the hotel now she said she had to redo DS-160 there but she said visa ill be there in a week!!! i will post the details soon

No problem! You're going to know soon! Best of luck to you! Today will be the longest day of your life, if you're anything like me, haha. I felt like the hours leading up to the approval were soooo loooong. But soon you will know!!!

Hey thanks alot for your answer..i really hope we will be over prepared as well I will know first thing at 5:00 am how she did Eastern USA time! I will deff post my detailed account too once my fiancee comes down and says everything to me

Wow you're right! It was exactly 90 days! We are so lucky and blessed... I've seen ones that take much, much, much longer.

Wow, that is so awesome Banshee, approximately 90 days from NOA1 to Approval. WOW.

I definitely wish you the best! Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

I want to thank everyone here for answering my questions as I weaved my way through this process. My fiancé and I are so excited to start planning the next chapter, and we both hope to have a great celebration on Friday afternoon together in a Springtime Moscow.

Awesome congrats!! how many questions did they ask u how long was the process?

Thanks! =) The process for him was about two hours total, so pretty quick. That was just the total time he was at the embassy. He accidentally showed up with a flash drive, and they told him, "You either get rid of that, or stay outside" so he literally just threw his flash drive and his headphones on the ground. He said many other people had to do the same thing, but no big deal. They did take his phone.

He said the actual interview was very short... maybe 10 minutes, tops. They asked him about the pet names he calls me. They asked him how he met me, which languages we speak in, has he met my parents (he has through Skype), were we in Russia together, and where I lived in the United States. He said it felt pretty informal to him, and he was definitely "over-prepared"... he kept wanting to show them more documents. Then all of the sudden after the few questions they asked the woman said, "Your visa is approved." He had her repeat it several times because he was in shock. He was definitely really nervous... we talked after it was approved, and I could see that the whole process had been stressful for him.

The people at the Embassy said that the visa should be ready within a week or less, so fingers crossed he'll be here soon!

Good luck, by the way! Soon you'll have your answer, too!

It's 2:30AM, and I'm exhausted, but I wanted to share the news... **APPROVED**!!!!

I will definitely let everyone knows how it goes! I can't wait! It's 7 hours out now... because it's at 8AM Moscow time. His medical exam went really smoothly today, thankfully.

I totally understand you! Where are you visiting in Russia? I think you're going to have a great time, and I completely understand that nagging worry about the long wait afterwards. It's hard to get married and then have to spend so much time apart.

I also understand you about the Russian Orthodox church ceremony. Zhenya is also Russian Orthodox and would have liked to have gone that route... but we had read that the K-1 was faster, and being apart as much as we have was enough, as is. I'm also finishing school, so I understand your hesitations about moving in the interim. (What are you getting your PhD in? )

Best of luck to you both. Your trip is so soon, and it's going to be life-changing. It's going to be great.

Banshee;

If all K-1 visas were processed with that speed, I would certainly go that route. However, we both wanted to get married in the Russian Orthodox church so that her family could attend. The timelines for CR-1 and K-3 is much much slower. I have not even started the process and it is already painful.

However, I continue to look forward to my trip to Russia (April 16-June 8) and our marriage May 27. I just fear the long wait after the marriage for the visa. If I was not teaching fall semester, I would certainly consider moving to Russia till approved but I need to complete my PhD and earn money so that we qualify for the visa based on my salary.

I like small, intimate weddings - I'm sure it was a great time!!! =) Yes, Zhenya speaks English, but he's still at what I'd call an intermediate level. I usually speak in Russian to him, and he will respond in English. His comprehension came sometimes take time, but that's normal when learning a second language. I am the same way when someone speaks Russian to me, though I'm getting better.

I hope we'll all be celebrating soon! Right now he is on his way to his medical exam, and in about 25 hours, he'll be at the embassy for his interview. I am so excited. (I know I've said that a million times!)

Your review of the Moscow Embassy was pretty positive and thorough -- thanks for sharing! ~ Samantha

Thanks for the congrats! It was a small and simple ordeal and I loved it that way! We went to Galveston and Downtown Houston for our honeymoon (later we'll go to New York when things settle) and it was a blast! We even got "caught it the rain" which added to the romance.

Be strong! It'll go well, I'm sure. We'll all be celebrating with you soon! Does Zhenya by any chance speak English?

They mailed the visa to the Pony Express office nearest him. That is probably what Zhenya is talking about. He will be able to check his status here https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx?eQs=o/iS8zDpeAKjMWCuebHqOw==

By the way, if you'd like you can read my review of the Moscow Embassy experience. http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profile.php?id=149189 Pardon the spelling errors. I was so excited while typing it and I haven't had time to edit it.

Thank you so much! Good luck to you, too! =) I hope everything goes well for her in Kiev! Let us know.

Good luck to you and hope u get that visa easily my fiancee is on the train ride to Kiev as we speak for her medical and interview to get the visa on the 20th!!

Good luck to you and hope u get that visa easily my fiancee is on the train ride to Kiev as we speak for her medical and interview to get the visa on the 20th!!

Victor,

I agree with you. Also for anyone else who might be worried (like my fiance and I were at first!), my fiance actually called the American embassy in Moscow and inquired about the sanctions and if it will affect K-1 filers, and they assured him that it only affects those politically involved with what's going on in Ukraine right now...

... so I think most will be unaffected at the moment. I hope!! ~ Samantha

First, I don't see how any visa restrictions would affect Green Card holders. Second, these visa restrictions affect only polititians and officials as it says "individuals and entities responsible for activities undermining democratic processes or institutions in Ukraine", so once again I don't see how they would affect your wife unless she was actively involved in that revolution in Ukraine.

- Victor from Russia

Thanks! Yes, it went much quicker than we had anticipated. I'm not sure why, but I'm certainly not complaining! Now only if we can just get an "approved!" on Wednesday. I hope your's will go quicker than you anticipate, as well!

eieio and banshee;

Thanks for the suggestions. I hope to return for visit for the New Year, I agree; one year is to long to not return for a visit.

Wow, Samantha, you process went really quick. Filed December and interview in March. Best of luck with the interview on Wednesday. I am sure he will do well.

@paws057:

Thanks so much for your support and encouragement!

Also thanks for the heads up about the long line. I passed that information along to him. He's checked into his hotel in Moscow, and we both just can't wait for this interview!

The medical exam is about 12 hours from now, and the interview about 36 hours from now.

I am glad that the whole process went smoothly for you, and that the people at the Embassy were polite! I wish the same for him tomorrow. I think we're both a little anxious just because we want it to be "yes" so much and of course the decision is in someone else's hands, so that always adds to it.

~ Samantha

Aw, thanks for your support! (By the way, congrats on your wedding!)

He landed in Moscow, and we're now in the under 48 hour waiting time period, which is amazing, but also nerve-wracking, as you know. I've also heard many good things about the Moscow embassy, but you still always just worry about that little possibility that something might go wrong...

I don't think I'll stop worrying until he's actually here, haha.

Did they mail the visa right to you? Zhenya said he selected some option where he can pick it up back in Ekaterinburg. Did you all do something similar? How did you know when it was ready? =)

~ Samantha

Vicmvarela,

I actually got the e-mail before I got the notice in the mail from NVC, probably due to a weather delay in the post this winter. =) You should get the e-mail soon, I imagine. It will be sent to you, the petitioner. It will be in both English and Russian, if I recall correctly, and will tell you to forward it to your fiance (Maya). That's great that Maya has wonderful English skills... she should have no problem with the paperwork, then.

Also when Zhenya (my fiance) went to schedule his interview, there were a lot of times open -- I thinkt here was even an opening for like the next weekend from when he completed the paperwork, so I imagine you will have a lot of flexibility when scheduling your interview.

Best wishes to you both! =)

~ Samantha

Thank you so much for your support! I am a nervous wreck, haha, even though I know the outcome is totally out of my control. Also he scheduled the medical for the day right before, which I wish he would have scheduled it like you did... hopefully everything goes well!

After your visa was approved, how long did it take you to receive the visa in hand?

Also any idea what will happen if we are not approved? ugh I will be so heartbroken if that happens.

It was nerve-wrecking! We just stayed inside mostly because it was terribly cold weather. But the first day we arrived in Moscow, we went straight to get his medical done. That took ALL day. We got food and went back to the hotel room to rest. The next day we just walked around but stayed inside mostly because the weather was still teeth-chattering cold. The next day was his interview and we were up early and in and out in no time at all. Approved and happy! Actually everyone who were petitioning for immigrant visas were approved. Good luck to you!

=) For us, an e-mail was sent from the Embassy in Moscow and it provided a link for Zhenya (my Russian fiance) to go to in order to fill out the packet and necessary information for the interview. It took him several, several hours to fill out this information because he did not always understand everything and I was at work at the time, and unable to assist with translating. So it would be helpful if you can be available to help, depending upon your fiance's level of English.

When Zhenya finished filling out the information, and paying the fee, there was a list of dates presented as options for the interview, and he chose one. Then he called and scheduled the medical for the day before.

Did you already receive the e-mail from the embassy in Moscow? =)

~ Samantha

Wow, Irina and Moose... I really feel for you. A year will be along time to wait.

Zhenya and I did K-1, so our wait was a little shorter. We helped the time to pass by talking on Skype as often as possible. We also sent each other snail mail semi-frequently to mix it up. =) And we'd also add variety by Skyping with each other's friends and family together, too.

Also, it may sound silly, but Zhenya also would record himself reading and send me the recording. I'd burn it to a CD and sometimes listen to it in my car. It was basically a book on tape, but also helped me to feel close to him even when we were living in different countries.

Another good thing we did was set a definite date we would see each other, regardless of the visa process status. For us it was May 01 2014. We both said, "No matter what, we will see each other by May 01 2014" even if the visa is not approved by then. Luckily, we now have an interview date March 19, but had we not, I would have started to plan another trip to Russia in the beginning of April. Having a definite "light at the end of the tunnel" really helps when waiting on a visa that takes an unknown amount of time. It was sort of comforting and made the wait more bearable. =)

Best of luck to you both!!!

~ Samantha

I posted a lot of questions (and received a lot of great help, advice, etc.) during this entire K-1 process and our interview is finally almost here! It's the morning of March 19 (Wednesday) in Moscow. My fiancee is currently on his way to Moscow for his medical exam (03/18) and then the interview.

I am so nervous! I can't even express how much I want it to be approved. I feel like my nerves are the worst now that the interview date is finally here, because I am so scared about something going wrong!

For those of you who completed the process, how did you deal with those last few days leading up to the interview? They're incredibly exciting, but also terrifying.. can't wait to hear a "I got approved!" from my fiancee...

*fingers crossed*

~ Samantha =)

Hello!

So I received my NOA2 on January 17th, and am now waiting on the NVC to send me their notice.

In the meantime, I am trying to gather up all the remaining documents I need to send to my fiance before his interview -- am I missing anything below? Does anyone know of any additional documents that I should also send? I want to send everything FedEx in one batch.

* I-134 Form

* Letter from employer on business letterhead including type of employment, salary, and date of hire

* Letter from bank on bank letterhead stating present balance, date account opened, and amount of deposits into account for 2013

* Copy of I-797 NOA2

* Letter re-affirming my desire to marry my fiance with original signature

Is there anything else he will need or that will help him for his interview? I hope I will get a letter from the NVC soon! =) Thank you in advance for your help.

~ Samantha

Thank you both for your comments!

I hope I receive the letter from the NVC soon!

~ Samantha

^^ Scratch the above where I say I'm waiting on NOA2. Checked USCIS today and they said they sent the NOA2 on Jan 17! Woohoo! I'm still wondering about the beneficiary change of address, though.

Also, do you get any kind of notice when the NVC receives your petition? How long does that usually take? I'm so happy the petition got approved. I hope we continue to have good news.

~ Samantha

Hello!

Does anyone know if I need to do anything if my fiancee has had a change of address? He is in Russia, and is switching apartments. We are still waiting on our NOA2. I can't find any information on what to do if a beneficiary's address changes.

If anyone knows, it would be so helpful.

Thanks!

Samantha

Sorry for the late reply! It was a busy week at work, and the weather hasn't been so great here.

@Hollyday: Thanks for the tip! He has already started to get his documents in order regarding the police certificate, and found a place that will give him an official translation. I am glad he is really on top of things, because otherwise, I would be lost. Now I am just concerned about getting my financial support paperwork in order, which I really should look at this weekend.

@ Misha's Girl: Wow, thanks for all of your information and for your help! How is life in Volgograd? I read about the recent terrorist attack there; horrible. I am sure you are getting enough concerns about that from your family stateside, though. When I first traveled to Russia, my family seemed to think I was headed to my imminent doom, haha. Now they're planning their own trips. My fiancee is in Yekaterinburg, actually, and pretty much continually burdened by snow, by his account. I'm definitely above the poverty line, and just need to get started on the financial paperwork. I'm not sure if I should start it now or if I should start it when I get the NOA2. I have to look into it, but if you know anything, please let me know. I would definitely like to be there with him for the interview, but it will depend on timing, because I don't get that much vacation time every year, and it'd be a shame to pay so much money to fly to Moscow (which surprisingly I'm not eager to see -- I'd rather visit him in Yekaterinburg) for only a few days, but if it would make a huge difference, I would do it. I think it's awesome that you get to live with Misha in Russia, and that you get to go to the interview with him. Best of luck.

@Neonred: That is such encouraging news! Thank you!

Now for a separate question: My fiancee wants to change his address / change apartments. Is this going to affect my K-1 visa application? Is there anything I need to file with the government to report this change if and when it happens? I imagine it will happen within the month.

Thank you all so much! ~

~ Samantha

Ahh that sucks that you forgot the G325a for yourself, but it sounds like everything worked out, anyhow. Thanks for sharing.

I could see how it would look better if a person was there with his/her fiancee.

Did your fiancee have any trouble getting his documents prepared for the interview? Did any particular documents take longer than others?

Also when you got your NOA2, did you have to send him documentation or were you already living with him abroad, maybe? That's great that you two were able to stay together in Russia. My fiancee and I have that as a plan b if this visa fails. Where in Russia are you, if you don't mind me asking?

And yes I agree with you -- the whole process is very expensive! But it's worth it. No complaints, really, so long as it all works out.

Thanks for the links, and for the information. I didn't know that it was allowed to have a joint interview in Moscow -- that's interesting! It would be expensive to fly there, but I will consider it. =) Is it frowned upon if I am not there -- as in, do the chances of approval decrease if I am not there?

Also I saw you had an RFE on your timeline -- if you don't mind me asking, what was it for? =)

Good luck on your interview! =)

~ Samantha