Deagle

On 11/22/2023 at 5:52 PM, AHtothemoon said:

Hi just checking any updates ? How long did the ds5355 take to get approved? We just got one and I’m worried it’ll take forever 

Yes - the DS-5355 was approved after 20 days of sending it via email to the US embassy. The visa was issued the next day after approval. Good luck.

For everyone here asking about the DS-5535 for US embassy in Beirut. My family member was issued one of these. We completed and sent it back to the embassy by email. They approved their visa and issued 20 days after submitting the form to the embassy. Good luck all.

Just now, Boiler said:

When his case is due in say 4 years he can deduct the time it took for the I 130 to be processed to see if he is still under 21.

 

Father and anybody else eligible can petition him

So the due date starts after the I-130 is approved? His case case will be "due" for what, an interview? If for example a such case was approved in November 1st 2023, the "due date" will be in 4 years? Sorry for the questions but I am trying to understand.

Just now, Boiler said:

Yes

 

Currently there is a 4 year or so wait for PD, CSPA will apply so impossible to say if he will age out or not.

 

Nothing currently to expedite

 

He has a chance of a F2a but really guessing here.

 

 

Who determines the F2A option and at what point? I assume after the I-130 is approved?

Regarding the CSPA - I am reading about it but still not understanding how it works. It there a simplified explanation?

Will there be an issue if the father files another I-130 for the son?

Thank you

Hello everyone,

I have couple of questions about the situation below and I am hoping to find some answers:

Parents who are in the US now as PR since July 2023, wanting to bring their son who just turned 19. The mother has filed I130 petition for him in August 2023.

• Can the father file another I-130 for the same son (in case something happened to his mom) while the 1st I-130 is still pending? Any negative/positive consequences?
• Should the son get the visa before he turns 21 to be in the same category, or he is considered in the "under 21" category at the date of when the I-130 is filed/approved?
• The son now is in a country where a war is very possible (Lebanon) and the US department of state issued a "Do Not Travel" notice. He already suffers from anxiety disorder and what is going on making things worse. Are these enough reasons to request an expedite since the son is there by himself?
• Is there a way to get a reasonable estimate of how long will this process take?

Thank you and good luck for everyone

16 hours ago, pbblue said:

I am,  so I know I can move it to France. Concerning lebanon, if your timeline is correct I would have around 3 more months to wait. So it does seem like moving it would not help, do you agree? (I don't know if you know how fast it goes in France? Couldn't find clear info but it seems to be around 3 to 4 months)

I am, sorry message under ^^

I have seen 2 people here who reported getting an interview scheduled in Beirut in about 6 months after getting DQ'd.

Who is the french citizen? Regarding the wait time in Lebanon, from what I have been seeing, it takes between 5 to 7 months to get an interview appointment at the US embassy in Lebanon.

1 hour ago, JessAtallah said:

My mother-in-law has her IR5 interview Monday. We sent a digital copy to NVC but because my husband needed his original birth certificate for his own immigration progress we have the original, here in the U.S. Can we get a certified copy or can we send a digital copy of the original and get it translated again? Any advice? 😭

Certified copy will do. I was in the same situation as you. The embassy called few days before the interview and requested the petitioner (me) birth certificate. I have the original one here. I sent a copy of it and they just translated there and stamped it as certified. The US embassy accepted it. Good luck.

2 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

Not really.  There are other who are seeing the same thing.  

That's what I thought. It seems like just an auto update for some reason lol.

Hello everyone,

I tried to look if this question was asked before here but I couldn't find a thread.

Family member attended an IR5 interview and were given paper to complete DS-5535 and send back. They completed this few weeks ago, since then the "Case Last Updated" date keeps changing every 2 or 3 days but the status still says "Refused".  Last update was last night.

Does this really mean anything?

Thanks

Hello,

After reading different posts here I can see that in some cases the embassy asked to fill in DS5535 and either kept their passports or gave the passports back to the applicants.

What is the logic or difference between keeping a passport vs giving it back? Is there really a meaning behind each case?

Thanks

8 hours ago, Joujoute said:

Hi everyone. My husband had his interview in August 2022 in Beirut, Lebanon. He was asked to fill out form DS5535 and he emailed it the next day. It’s been almost 10 months with no updates. The embassy in Beirut can’t update us since it is under AP. Has anyone received their Visa after that long of a wait? It would be helpful to hear some positive feedback. 

I know someone who got their visa from the US embassy in Beirut after 11 months from sending the DS5535. Hopefully your case will be approved soon. Did they take his passport or gave it back to him?

31 minutes ago, Mel1995 said:

Would it affect our petition if we request an expedite process? In case we get denied the expedite request?

No. Give it a shot. No harm. I believe the situation in Lebanon worth trying.

Good luck.

I am in the same boat. Filed October 2019 and still waiting. I get the same response about background checks.

11 hours ago, nykolos said:

Lawyers,  or rather the paralegals who do most of the footwork, can pad the invoice as much as they want and it's almost impossible for client to disprove the # of hours.. I would never pay an attorney in full, because once you do, you lose ALL your negotiating power once payment has cleared.

 

As for these Mandamus lawsuits, theirs meritless IMO due to the pandemic, take the pandemic out of the equation and you'd have a case.

 

 

I hired a lawyer few months ago. I paid in full but the lawyer did not do what he said he will (timeframe wise). I asked for a refund and that I did my part of the contract by paying what he asked for, but he didn't fulfill his part by filing on time. He said he was understaffed and apologized, gave me a full refund and few weeks after I got an email from their quality team apologizing again and offered 20% discount for any future business. 

Yes, COVID delayed a lot.

34 minutes ago, Loren Y said:

Does the voluntary withdrawal come with a refund?

34 minutes ago, dangime said:

I made him that offer. 

Usually what happens in this case is:

If the client had paid in full, the lawyer will charge them only what he worked so far based on hourly wage + filing/court/postal fees and refund the balance.

If the client is on payment plan, they will only pay what the lawyer worked so far and the contract gets terminated with no further financial responsibility.

In this case, the lawyer might agree to refund you in full minus the court/filing fees. 

18 minutes ago, dangime said:

It confirms the part about potentially losing K1 mandamus cases, but not the lack of renewals in general part. I'll email the embassy and see if they say anything. 

Let us know if you know something new. Good luck. 

2 minutes ago, dangime said:

This is shocking news if true that Biden's plan to clear the backlog is to just cancel all the K-1 visas and not renew them! Any other sources confirming or denying this would be appreciated. 

Maybe what your lawyer is saying is the other source.

Watch the video below for a quick update regarding K1 visas and WoM for K1 delays - start at minute 11:00

https://youtu.be/cvx8tZ7MaN8

So did you file writ of mandamus? If yes, how did it go?

No. 

You can take a screenshot from the insurance portal and print it. I had the same issue with the dental insurance. I added my wife but didn't receive the cards, however I was able to see her added on the portal. I took a screenshot with both our names under the same policy and printed it.

Good luck.

Approval for what? What is your case?

A friend of mine filed few days before me. Living in the same city same state. That was in October 2019. He was done and did the Oath after 4 months. I am still waiting for interview. As @arken said, welcome to the maze. Good luck.