GreenGem

8 minutes ago, RayAndCrisnaLyn said:

Hello.  We received our NOA2 last month.  I'm a bit concerned for 2 reasons.

 

1.  Our case on the website still shows as just "received."  It has not been updated to reflect that we received a NOA2 last month.  Is that normal?  The initial submission was paper, not electronic.

2.  More importantly, neither I (the sponsor) nor she (the dependent in the Philippines) have received any further communication, such as the Manila embassy saying they have the file and we can schedule our interview.

 

Unless I read the various guides wrong, that should be the next step in the I-129 process for Fiance visa, but we're at the 30 day mark and nothing.  Is that normal?  If not, what course should I take to see what the issue may be?

1. There might be a glitch or they might have forgotten to update it or still finalizing everything before they forward it to NVC.

2. It might take up to 6-8 weeks before you would hear from the NVC. 

I suggest follow the time frame given on the NOA2 you have. If nothing comes call or email them for an update.

10 minutes ago, lolita88 said:

I sent out my application 10/01 to Texas. They received it 10/03 (as per tracking#). Got the text on 10/09. I haven't received my NOA letter yet, but I called USCIS 10/18 and the lady told me that they had sent the letter 10/05. I'm going nuts here waiting for that letter, because I sent the application a couple of weeks before the GC expiration (totally my fault). Why is that letter taking that long, though? Almost 20 days to get here?

I hear your frustration. Who knows if that letter was really at the post office on the date they said they sent it. 😂 

Just now, lolita88 said:

Can you get an infopass before getting the NOA letter? I just checked and there are no appointments available in GA, but I'll keep checking.

I'm not sure. I think it depends on the local service center. My hr understood that there will be an extension letter coming for my green card to be extended. And my local service center has no appointment available also. 

Just got a text from USCIS saying that they received my case with receipt LIN19XXXXXX. A little at ease though my green card is already expired. Good thing our hr at work is so understanding. I was thinking of getting an infopass to have a stamp on my passport but there's no available appointment at my local sc. So, I might just wait for the I-797. Happy waiting everyone!

14 hours ago, AnaInAmerica said:

Thanks!  Do you know how far in advance they let you know?  Last year they didn't fly back until mid-december, which seems like it could work out.  Like when the biometrics appt letter is received, is the appt generally a week out, 2 weeks, a month?  

 

I know there probably no "generally" and nothing is set in stone.  But waiting too long to buy tickets for before christmas is going to get expensive! I guess it'll be what it will be... 

 

Thanks! 

That's true, plane ticket prices just raise to the roof specially if the flight would be in December. For what I've observed, since uscis had been trying to fix the delays, from your NOA 1 which is usually sent within 30 days from when they received your packet give it about 1-2 weeks then the biometrics appt letter will come and is usually schedule 30 days from when they created it ( who knows when it's actually sent). I saw a post from the September 2018 filers they received their biometrics appt letter a week before they're appointment. I can say you can purchase the ticket for December, just get a refundable/amendable one just to be on the safe side. 

26 minutes ago, AnaInAmerica said:

Hey all! I'm new to the thread.  We filed my husband and stepkids I-751 this month.  It arrived Oct 3. Check cashed Oct 10.  Haven't heard anything else.  Does anyone know if biometrics appt comes with the extension letter or soon thereafter?  

 

My husband and step son go back to the DR during the winter.  They'll need to buy tickets soon, but we'll have to work around appts.  I'm hoping to know before we buy! 

It might take up to a month till the biometrics appoinment comes. Nothing's for sure. But some of the September filers who sumitted their packets in the beginning of September have had their appointments this week.

19 hours ago, Texas003 said:

Sent out package  Oct 9, to Texas Service Center

delivered on Oct 12.

Case received with receipt notice text today Oct 16 starting with SRC.

 

The problem is I can't check my case online with the receipt #, it says error

Try using this site https://myaccount.uscis.dhs.gov/

1 minute ago, mindthegap said:

Would be the best option. However, if he won't sign then you cannot file jointly. 

 

 

You may be caught out with awkward timing here - If you file with a waiver off the bat, they will at some point RFE you for a final divorce decree. If you don't have it in hand within the RFE period you may have a more convoluted process to contend with involving scary denial letters, NTAs and a date with an immigration judge, plus having to re-file (and pay for) a fresh I-751.

 

If a waiver filing is necessitated, then it is absolutely in YOUR best interests to protect yourself and to file for divorce and get it done ASAP, and to file your I-751 as late as possible, so you don't get caught out with an RFE for a divorce decree that you don't have and can't provide. 

 

 

Thank you. We're in Las Vegas and divorce here is fast. 1 month for a joint filing which is what we're going to do. But I might reach out to him and he might sign the I-751 filing jointly so I can breathe freely since my window is almost over. Then I can focus on the divorce and requesting to switch to a divorce waiver later.

Hello,

I need some insights. Thank you in advance. My window for filing is closing on Oct. 20, 2018. We're going to get a divorce. But due to financial constraints filing the divorce is being pushed and pushed on a later date. On my estimate we might be able to file the divorce on November. What do you think should I do? 

1. File jointly and once I have the divorce decree inform USCIS that I'm switching to divorce waiver? This is given that he would sign, we're not on talking terms. 

2. File with a divorce waiver and put pending on the divorce decree and wait for an RFE? I'm worried about this due to the new uscis policy regarding denying an application that has incomplete papers. Instruction specifically states that the divorce decree should be attached when filing a divorce waiver. They had been considerate before but since they had released a new policy it made me worried. 

Any insight will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

15 minutes ago, aleful said:

hi

 

not for filing, eventually you will get an RFE requesting the divorce decree, but you don't need it right away. you can file without it. but you should start the divorce process as soon as possible.

 

 

 

That made more sense now. Thank you. I'm researching more about this process now. I just finished doing my packet now I have to re-do my I-751 form. This is so stressful. Thank you so much for your help. 

3 minutes ago, aleful said:

hi

 

so sorry,  start the divorce process and wait a little bit longer until you have proof of starting the divorce. you will have to file removal of conditions on your own with a divorce waiver, and show that you entered the marriage in good faith.

 

you will eventually need the final divorce decree

That was what I was thinking. I will be needing the final divorce decree. 

3 minutes ago, Roel said:

http://www.visajourney.com/content/751guide

Plus if you divorce, you'll need a divorce waiver.

Thanks, do you have a link saying more about filing with divorce waiver? 

Hi everyone,

I'm back after two years of a roller coaster ride. I won't sugar coat anything but let me just get to the point because I'm not really sure what to do. My husband wants to get a divorce for our relationship isn't working anymore. I've lost all my will to fight for us. I'll be filing my I-751 Removal of Conditions this month, on the 20th is the start of my 90 days period. I don't know what to file and no matter how much I try to dig in understanding how the process work I can't comprehend anything right now. Any help will be appreciated. Thank you.

Hello everyone. Just had my interview yesterday at Oct 20, 2016 and got approved on the spot. Congratulations on all the other approvals on to those whose waiting just hang in there. See you in two years.

My tips for finding a job (I work in a corporate professional role, so my advice is based on that and on the advice / conversations had with recruiters - your experiences may differ):

1. Make sure you clearly state you are a Lawful Permanent Resident, or whatever wording states that you are able to commence work immediately.
2. Here in the US, it's a Resume, unless you are an academic, in which case it's a CV.
3. Make your Resume short. In Australia, my Resume was 10 pages long because I've been working a long time. Here that won't fly. 2-4 pages max.
4. Order (besides basic contact details) is core competencies, education, work history, references.
5. With references, list out the names and the titles, even if you don't give out the contact details. As it happens, my employer didn't bother with the reference check but she said she likes having them there on the Resume.
6. Always do a covering letter. Think of your resume as the product, and the cover letter as your elevator pitch. Keep it to one page explaining why you are the best person for the role AND stating, once again, your ability to work immediately in the US.
7. Americanize your spelling.
8. Differentiate your resume, without overdoing it. My resume got me calls from recruiters where I wasn't right for the role, but the layout and presentation of my resume had them saying 'Look, I know this isn't the role for you but can we meet anyway and talk through your resume'. Don't underestimate the impact of a visually impressive resume.
9. Treat job hunting like a job. Each morning I had an email arrive from Indeed.com with roles that suited my skills. I would, after dropping the kids off at school, sit down and narrow down the ones I wanted to apply for. I then spent the morning creating cover letters (make them unique, the recruiters can tell what is copy and pasted) and submitting applications. I kept a spreadsheet of each role I had applied for and when.
10. Follow up a few days after you submit. It doesn't hurt and it shows you have hustle.

As I mentioned previously, I was looking for five weeks and, in the end, had three excellent offers from which to pick. I did all of the above. I didn't get my dream job. But I got my dream organization and I figure, I'm in now and it's up to me to target and get that dream job.

Thank you so much for this Emily. I had been looking for a job for 4 months now and landed 2 interviews but no offer yet. It's really hard. Can I seek your opinion about my resume? It's only a page long. The only job experience written was the one I had before I migrated here and I've had the same job for five years. Will that be ok?

Hello everyone,

Anyone filed a service request for their GC? I was thinking of doing one since it's almost 6 months since they received my AOS application. I already have my EAD/AP

She is abroad, you cannot file an I-485.

She should just file an I-360 with the Embassy/Consulate.

I just realized that. Thank you.

Here's another confusion, if we file for her I-360 should we file with a concurrent I-485? She filed that last March 2016. Will there be a problem if we file it again?

I believe she can continue the AOS as a widow of USC

https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-through-family/green-card-through-special-categories-family/widower

http://www.visajourney.com/content/immigrate-to-america-widow-er-of-us-citizen

Thank you for the links. These are very helpful.

First, sorry for your lost.

She could continue with the AOS, however, the problem is that she left the US without an AP. The usual step would be that the spouse would in turn file for a spousal visa for her to return. Since he has passed would it still be possible?

A child filing for her may be the only option left. It will take about a year to complete. Hopefully someone with better knowledge can weigh it.

Good luck.

Thank you. We're going thru the Widow(er) of the USC route. Thanks for the response. Appreciate it.

Thank you everyone! We feel relieved.

https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-through-family/green-card-through-special-categories-family/widower

She has to apply within 2 years of his passing.

Thank you so much for the link. We appreciate it.

She did but nothing came or there was no update until she left the US. She didn't get to wait for the AP.

My mother in law entered the US thru a K1 visa on Oct 15, 2014. Married my father in law on Jan. 1, 2015 filed for AOS on March 2016. But she left the US last June 8, 2016 with her AOS pending. Why? My dad in law was diagnosed with cancer stage 4, he can feel that he's about to die and wanted to spend his last days in our birth country, Phillippines. My mom in law didn't want to leave his side so she risked going back not knowing what will happen to her adjustment. What can we do to bring her back here? My dad in law passed away and we don't want our mom in law to grieve there alone. Any wisdom please?

Hello fellow VJers,

I am really hoping someone could help us out on what to do because I haven't encountered or read or none that I am aware of in this situation we have. Please bear with me on the long story. Thank you.

My mother in law (47 y.o) was petitioned by my father in law (54 y.o. he recently passed away) thru k1 visa in the year 2014. (They've been living in together eversince in a common marriage but was not soon legally married until my mother in law got here in the US last 2014) They have six children, everyone is here in the US and only one has been naturalized (my husband). My mom in law and dad in law got married last Jan. 1, 2015 my mom in law entered the US on Oct 15, 2014 again thru k1. they got married on time was it took a long time for them to apply an adjustment of status because my dad in law got series of surgeries, one of their children had an accident, all misfortunes. They just filed the adjustment of status last March 2016 and another misfortune happened my dad in law was diagnosed with Lung Cancer stage 4 and the tumor had spread out all over his body and the doctor said nothing can be done anymore. So, my dad in law wanted to spend his last days in our birth town, Philippines. My mother in law, knowing that her application for adjustment of status is still pending risk going back home with my dad in law. She didn't want to leave his side.

So, our dilemma, how are we going to bring my mom in law back here in the US. My dad in law passed away. He was a USC btw. We were thinking of filing a son to mother petition or can we still use the pending AOS. Any wisdom will be appreciated. Thank you.

PS. To any admin if my post is in the wrong forum please feel free to move it. Thank you.

A job search can be discouraging and it's hard to think that immigration may be another barrier to be selected for a position. We had submitted so many applications for him trying to find something that would be close or accessible on the bus. I came across a food handler certification that impressed some of the interviewers on the interviews he did have. He was getting discouraged on not getting called back after the interview, but I saw the interviews as a positive thing. For about a week, he had several, but it took about three weeks on average to hear back after submitting the application.

Just keep looking. Keep going and keep trying. It's tiring and can be emotionally draining, especially if you spend hours on a computer filling out forms and personality tests without knowing if you would ever get any response for all your time spent. We didn't know what kind of position my guy would get seeing how he had limited experience, but today, we are grateful to all the places that didn't call him back after the interview! So far it has worked out, but I would say it took a good two months to get to this point. Don't give up, keep going!

I feel encouraged with your words Amara. Thank you. It's been a month since I got my EAD and been 3 weeks since I filled a lot of forms online for a job. And yes, it's draining me emotionally. And was turned down today for a car loan that my husband tried to apply for so that I can atleast go around with our kids and cheer myself up. It's really depressing and I was just crying earlier but reading your post I felt I wasn't alone. My husband told me that it's not what you can do or how professional you are, it is who you know. That's what he said so you can get a job fast. Sorry for ranting. Just really feel low. But thank you for sharing your husband's experience. I felt well.