1k1please

A big thank you to everyone who helped my wife and I throughout our journey so far with all the questions we had along the way. You folks on this forum are ireplaceable!

My greencard arrived in the mail yesterday nearly exactly 1 year after my arrival to the US last August (2014).

Here's a quick basic rundown of the key points from our visa journey to help others in a similar position/give a hopeful timeline to y'all: (my full timeline is up-to-date on my profile for a more in-depth look if you wish)...

Dec 3rd 2013: K1 process started with mailed-in I-129F package

July 17th 2014: K1 visa Interview in London, UK (approved)

Aug 6th 2014: Visa (in passport) received in mail

Aug 7th 2014: Arrived in the US on K1 visa

Oct 23rd 2014: Married in San Francisco, CA (within 90 days of arrival to the US)

Nov 13th 2014: AOS packaged mailed-in

Dec 8th 2014: Biometrics appointment - photo, fingerprints

Jan 28th 2015: EAD/Advance Parole card received

Aug 25th 2015: Conditional 2 year greencard received in the mail! (interview waived)

Overall a 1 year, 8 months and 22 day process!

So I'm set for 2 years (-90 days) then it's time to lift those conditions and go after my 10 year GC. See you then VJers!

Warm regards, and thanks again.

Great! Thanks a lot for all your info folks, much appreciated.

Hi all, not sure if you are fimiliar with this BUT,

I am now officially state-side... apartment, utility bills, BofA bank account, work authorization, travel authorization, etc. I still have a UK Halifax bank account that I use (linked to the residence that my parents are still at in the UK) and I use it often due to using my Paypal account with it but just absorb the fees when withdrawing dollars from it here in the US. I have an overdraft on tht account that I use sometimes too. Just wondered if anyone knows if it is strictly allowed to have a UK bank account still whilst living in the US? They haven't said anything to me yet and obviosuly can see all my transactions are US based so just wanted to know what people think? And if anyone is in the same boat?

Thanks!

First off, I know this type of thread has been posted many times before. I've ready quite a few of them. And I'm very confident I'm in the clear and all prepared, but to help me sleep better, I'd greatly appreciate a few comments of "Looks good" or "Hey stupid you forgot form blah blah blabbity"

Also, as we get closer to the finish line, thanks as always to the community here, (Nich is my wife's superhero of immigration). Anyway back on topic.

Here's the cover page: (Is the address right for where to send express or signed deliveries?)

ADDRESS STUFF 11/09/2014

United States Department of Homeland Security

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

P.O. Box 805887

Chicago, IL 60680-4107

Nature of the submission: I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence – Original Submission

Concurrently Filing: I-767 Form: Application for Employment Authorization

I-131 Form: Application for Travel Document/Advance Parole

To Whom It May Concern:

Enclosed please find forms I-485, I-765 and I-131 filed with supporting documents and payment. My eligibility is based on admission as the fiancé of a U.S. citizen and marriage to that citizen within 90 days of entry.

Contents include:

- Payment of $1,070 for I-485 and Biometric Service Fees

- G-1145: Form for E-notification of Application/Petition Acceptance for I-485, I-765 and I-131

- I-485 Application to Adjust Status and Supporting Documents:

• Copy of Applicant’s Passport Biographical Page and K1 Visa Page with Entry Stamp

• Copy of Applicant’s I-94 Form

• Copy of Applicant’s Birth certificate

• Certified copy of Marriage certificate

• Copy of I-797 Notice of Action: Approval Notice of Fiancee Petition

• G-325A Biographic Information for Applicant

• Two passport style photos of Applicant

• Copy of DS-3025 from UK medical for Applicant

• Form I-864: Affidavit of Support and Supporting Documents completed by Spouse/Sponser

o Copy of Federal Income Tax Return Transcript of Spouse/Sponser for 2013, 2012, and 2011.

o Letters from Spouse’s Employer and Bank

- Form I-765: Application for Employment Authorization and Supporting Documents

• Two passport style photos of Applicant

• Copy of Applicant’s Passport Biographical Page and K1 visa Page

• Copy of Applicant’s I-94 Form

- Form I-131: Application for Travel Document and Supporting Documents

• Two Passport Style photos of Applicant

• Copy of Applicant’s Passport Biographical Page and K1 Visa Page

• Copy of Applicant’s I-94 Form

• I-131 Supplement Part 7

Copies of documents submitted are exact photocopies of unaltered documents and I understand that I may be required to submit original documents to an Immigration Officer at a later date.

Thank you for your time and patience. Signed:

NAME

Applicant U.S. Citizen Spouse (Sponser)

Looks good, same as mine just sent, out of interest though what was your I-131 supplement? And I guess your DS-3025 from the London medical was complete and you didn't need any extra vaccines?

I'm confused. Are six copies of passport photos required?

Yep. 6 photos in total; 2 for I-485, 2 for I-131, 2 for I-765...

I went to walmart but even there it's $7.44 for 2 photos, much better than CVS's $11 or whatever it is though... Maybe you could find one of those photo booths like they have back in the UK.

Thanks so much folks, as always, you've helped make the process a little smoother.

Our A.O.S. package has been sent today! Now back to waiting...

Regards,

Hi all,

1 last quick question before I finish up my A.O.S. package and send it off. Then toast to finally getting everything together and sent off, job done! (for now)

On form I-864 Affadavit of Support, Part 6: Question 14 it asks for photocopies of federal tax returns from the second and third most recent tax years. This is optional. I already have my sponsors 2013 tax photocopy + 2013 W2 which covers the manditory most recent tax year. I do have my sponsors 2012 and 2011 tax return photocopies but no W2's. My question is: Is it worth submitting these tax returns without the W2's just as additional evidence OR should I just leave them out of the package as they are optional anyway?

Your thoughts are much appreciated.

Thank you!

They tell you in the instructions. Read them carefully.

" If you were not required to file a Federal income tax return under U.S. tax law because your income was too low, attach a written explanation. "

That's her reason, so the statement is all needed.

You need more fromAuntie too.

"A joint sponsor can be any U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident who is at least 18 years old, domiciled in the United States, or its territories or possessions, and willing to be held jointly liable with the petitioner for the support of the intending immigrant."

Prove that with a document.

This part that you said " .. but she does have a complete transcript from 2011 so we've listed that on the income section."

Which income section? 13c? Not her current income section

Great, thanks Nich-Nick, you always provide clear and helpful answers for us and it's always nice to clarify things on here. Much appreciated.

And yes, exactly, the income from 2011 we have put into 13c, and put 2012 (13b) and 2013 (13a) as 0 in the other sections above it.

We also have a proof of naturalisation from her auntie and passport copy so we'll decide which one to use.

Thanks!

Oh! I just posted with this question myself. It's an interesting one, from everything I have read so far though I only ever see a statement explaining why the taxes were not filed for and nothing RE a non-filing receipt but I guess it could be case-by-case thing...

Hi all, it's AOS package time!

So for the form i-864 affadavit of support this is what we have...

1 x form i-864 filled in by my wife who has not filed tax returns for the last 2 previous years (2013, 2012) due to having under-the-tax-threshold income and in the later year being unemployed/living off savings while we traveled, but she does have a complete transcript from 2011 so we've listed that on the income section. We will write a letter explaining why she has not filed the past 2 previous years due to low income/unemployment.

1 x form i-864 filled in by my wifes auntie who is our only joint sponsor, she has filed all 3 previous tax years and we have her transcripts stating her income is way over the poverty guideline.

My main question is, will we need to get a "varification of non-filling" from the IRS to confirm my wife's non-filing for 2013/2012 or will the statement be enough in this case?

Your comments are much appreciated.

Thanks so much.

Visa received today! Around 3pm. Am flying tomorrow.

So from interview (Thursday 17th July 2014) until today (Wednesday 6th August 2014) it took 20 days (16 business days) for my visa to arrive post interview approval. This was obviosuly extreme circumstances due to the big system crash and backlog last week/the week prior so future folks reading this don't always vouch on it taking this long but just know that it can happen.

They say be patient and they mean it! Booking flights/making plans before you have your passport and new visa in hand is a gamble, somtimes it pays off, sometimes it doesn't. It's your choice. But the house always wins!!!

Does anyone know how long it usually takes to receive the passport/visa, after your ceac status says issued?? Cheers

My status turned to Issued on Friday 1st August and I just received the email from the courier today saying that my passport will be delivered tomorrow! So I guess 2 business days from Issued you get the email and then 1 more business day for delivery.

Congratulations to you too Courier seems to be working quickly so you should get that email soon. Good luck with the wedding :)

I am hoping for it to go to issued by tomorrow or I will request our passports back to travel on VWP for a holiday and do the visas later.

Fed up with it all now

Thanks so much. I did feel the same but then saw movement so became more postive. you will see something very soon. Losing the flight was the killer as mine was non-refundable but hey, hang in there!!! We're all in the same trans-atlantic boat! It'll be worth it.

Yes. The embassy called and said they are aware he needs to be here by Friday so they are overnighting his passport and said it will be ready for pick up tomorrow

Awesome. Good job!

it's been issued! The wedding is still on!!! My fiance will be on a flight this Wednesday and by Saturday we will be spending a glorious week in Cape Cod doing absolutely nothing but relaxing!

Excellent news! Are you certain the passport will be back in time for your fiance to fly? I know I've seen it take 2 days from issued to get the courier email then another day for it to arrive in the post/be ready for collection.

My status changed to issued on Friday so am waiting for the courier email either today or tomorrow.

Immigration is a nail biting process huh!? Jeez.

Any luck with your status changing? I remember that you interviewed a day or two before me.

Fingers crossed for you

Hey, thanks for your message yep I'm at issued since Friday and am now just waiting on the email from the courier!

I just booked direct to Denver, cost a bit more but can't be bothered with the hassle.

Send me a PM if it looks like you're flying Wednesday too and I'll let you know my seat number!

Ahh nice one, I'll be flying to LAX though! Maybe cross paths at the airport in London though, who knows.

Visited Denver before, was very nice, super cold in December!

Just received my visa! Didn't ask for any ID, and spelled my name wrong on the electronic sign thing, but it's here in my hand.

Best of luck to you guys, I'll continue to monitor to see how you're all getting on.

Brilliant! I'm hoping this to be me Monday/Tuesday.

Looks like we may both be flying out on Wednesday!!! Which is ideal as flights go down then

How are we all doing!? I guess moves are being made at the embassy today, my status just turned to ISSUED! It was so good to see it switch, I had to do a double take!

Here's a quick look at my CEAC status timeline:

Thursday 17th July, 9am: Interview, approved. CEAC said "ready" on Immigrant side, and "no status" on non-immigrant side. Last update: 17th July.

Thursday 24th July: Status changed to last update: 21st July and my case switched over to "ready" on the non-immigrant side.

Tuesday 29th July:, 1pm: Status changed to "Adminitrative Processing". Last update: 29th July.
Friday 1st August:, 11am: Status chaned to "ISSUED". Last update: 1st August.

TOTAL: 15 days from Interview to issued (11 business days)

It doesn't seem like much when you type it out like that, but it felt long.

All the best to everyone else waiting.

Regards,

Thanks for the encouragement. I know our interview was a few days after yours but we are hoping to hear tomorrow! I'm being the typical bride and panicking. A lot of time and money went in to this wedding and it's going to be a hard pill to swallow if we have to cancel it next friday.

Absolutely! All the best for tomorrow...

You just have to think: In hindsight this will all be one hell of a story! Haha, we're really going to appreciate the land of opportunity once in and legit!

I'm really sorry you guys haven't heard anything yet.

I really hope none of you take this as boasting, as I'm only updating my status as per what we agreed at the beginning of my post.

I have received an email from the Embassy today telling me my visa was with the delivery company (DX Group) now.

The link to DX shows delivery of my visa tomorrow, but not heard anything from them directly so not getting carried away just yet.

I'll update again tomorrow with any news, really hope you guys get some news soon.

Nice one Marshall, really good news man!

Since my fiance had his interview only a few business days after you we are hoping to hear something back by the end of this week if people are starting to get updates. Desperately hoping at this point so we can get married next Friday which is a bit scary.

Quick update: My fiance's case was updated again, but this time the creation date was updated to today's date. Absolutely no idea if that is a sign of anything or not. If they're taking the time to update the date of his case status I'm hoping that means they're working on his case.

Aparently the London Embassy is back on track now since the system crash so you should definitely hear something very soon! They seem to be pushing a lot of cases through now.

Thanks I had only been using the AA number but using the LND number it says ready with the last update on the 29th, not sure why I didn't use that number before so thank you.

Not great but do feel a little better plus I am not planning on heading out until September so I do have some time. Sorry to hear of your change in plans LDN2DEN

Good stuff!

And an update from me... I'm still in AP for the time being, so hopefully tomorrow issued, it's being a little slower than I hoped for! I already had to cancel my flight - I made the classic mistake of finding a cheap ticket before having my visa in hand! Anyway, hope to be back in Cali next week so we shall see! For now, skype it is! Missing Fiestas, family birthdays, gigs, but hey, at least I didn't have to cancel wedding plans or anything yet, really sorry to hear that from others.

Keep your heads up!

Sorry forgot to say its the K1 visa

Ok cool, same as me and majority of others on here. You should have a case number starting LND... It will be at the bottom of the letter you received from the London embassy RE your interview appointment date. You can enter it on the CEAC status check site but your AA number should also work correctly as it does for me. I can use both the non-immigrant and immigrant side of the website, seems the K1 is kind of a cross-over of the two, grey area if you wish.

I had my interview at 9am on the 17th July also, and it's been slowly updating. Now it's at "Administrative Processing" but I believe a lot of cases have been very delayed and affected by the big embassy computer system crash last week.

You should contact the embassy about your case on the visa contact form just so they are aware that you haven't seen any movement since March! http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/visa_contact_form.html

Hi all I had my interview on 17th and nothing has been updated on my CEAC since March...... also when trying to check my status I do not have an Immigrant visa case number I seem to only have a non immigrant one that begins in AA.

Feeling a little worried can anyone shed light on this?

Which visa are you applying for?

He had his interview on the 22nd already, but since then his CEAC status has had the date updated twice, but has been stuck on ready with the pre-interview instructions. We know it's a bit too soon of an answer for the case, but we're wondering if anyone has been able to successfully get in contact with someone or get an email response back because we're trying to get in contact with them.

Hi! So I have emailed the visa unit at the London embassy twice now and have had a response once. This is what they said...

"

Thank you for your inquiry.

Embassy records show that your application is currently being processing. As processing varies in each individual case, we regret that we are unable to guarantee processing by any set date.

Once processing of your application has been completed, your passport will be handed to the courier company for delivery. On receipt, they will send you an email with a tracking number which can be used to track your delivery online at https://ais.usvisa-info.com You will be required to sign into your account and go to the “Applicant Summary Page” to check the status.

Sincerely,

Consular Information Unit

U.S. Embassy, London

CONS/CIU/BW"

- so nothing really much to go on here. My ssecond message was RE the new "system glitch/backlog" situation which I'm yet to hear anything back on. You can use the contact form via here http://london.usembassy.gov/niv/visa_contact_form.html

I had my interview on the 17th July for the K1 and was approved then. My case stayed as "ready" right up until yesterday when it switched to "Adminastrative Processing". Am hoping for "Issued today" so that I can at least have hope of getting back to Cali for this weekend/early next week!

Just this second changed to Issued:

Your visa is in final processing. If you have not received it in more than 10 working days, please see the webpage for contact information of the embassy or consulate where you submitted your application.

Great news! Hopefully mine and others turn to issued soon also... Let us know what you receive anything from the courier!