jamesfreddyc

1 minute ago, ThaOne said:

It only expires in October 2021. Normally it is advised to renew 6 months before it expires, but you should check on USCIS website, I believe I have heard a mention of just having a temporary stamp that can be requested which just extends the GC for months or maybe a year (?). That is for people who are waiting for their new GC or in the process of getting their n400 so they don't have to go through the whole GC renewal.

Either way, if you file your n400 now chances are it could be completed before October anyway. When you have those long 24-30 months processing times it doesn't mean necessarily that's how long you wait. The processing time at my office when I filed was around 14 months. I filed a month before lockdowns. Despite the processing times being about 14 months, originally my case was supposed to be completed just 8 months later in September. Then the lockdown delayed it. Nevertheless my interview is now in just a couple of days. So despite the delay and lockdown, my case didn't even get to the "official processing times" they list. For some it may be (way) longer for some it may be (way) less. The only thing is they are not really required to give you any updates until you get to the stated processing times. Some big offices are notoriously slower. Check the forums. But not everyone is unlucky to wait that long.

Thank you for commenting with your personal experiences!  Yes, I understand the processing times is a guesstimate and will vary for cases.  I am only concerned should my wife need to travel with an expired GC!  You are also correct that we are still more than 6mo away from expiration, but I was also looking at the processing time  which could potentially be longer!  

Thanks again!  Much appreciated.

4 minutes ago, NancyNguyen said:

Her GC expires not her status. By law you have to renew it. Many choose to apply for citizenship without renewing it then they learn the hard way when they want to travel.

Ah, that's what I was concerned about!  Thank you.

I've had concern about what happens should she need a valid PR card and travel is absolutely something of concern.

Ok!  Off we go to renew!

Thanks again.

Edit: this was in reply to Lucky Cat (I didn't correctly quote the post)

Thank you for the fast response!

My concern is an expired perm resident card but it sounds like there is nothing to be concerned about?  What about things the may require a valid PR card?

My spouse's Permanent Residency expires 10/2021, has had residency since 10/2011.  She would like to now begin filing N-400 for citizenship but I am aware of the processing time up to 24-30 months.

Question: should we go ahead and renew the permanent residency now in tandem with the N-400?

My concern is her going out of status during the wait period for the citizenship application.

Thanks a bunch!

James

Got the e-mail from USCIS last night........ AOS Approved, Green Card Production Ordered!!......... Yay!

I won't be happy till I have it in my hands though

Good luck to all other June filers

Wow! Congratulations!!! All that effort and time is finally coming to fruition -- be happy and enjoy your moment! (but yeah, don't get too excited until you get that GC in your hands. Just in case Karma thing... ) But no, congrats!!!

Guess I will add to the flurry of activity for June Filer's!

ASC Appointment Notice recieved for biometrics. Scheduled for August 18th.

Sig updated.

Just received TEXT/EMAIL messages for Interview Appointment 8/22/2011. Today is my birthday! Wonderful gift!!!

Congrats! yay!

June File'ers here! Sent 6/14/2011, package delivered 6/16/2011, 7/13/2011 still waiting for NOA

Finally! NOA1's arrived last Saturday! That took right around 1 month -- not sure if there were any specific reasons why, the only thing I can think of that we may be different from others is that we also filed an I131 App for travel doc.

I'll update my sig a little later today.

Hang in there. I had long wait like you. This whole process just sucks!

Thanks!

I see you had about a month wait too. Also, I see in your sig (and other's) that you specify a "NOA Date" in addition to the NOA "Hardcopy date" --- is what is the difference? Is the NOA date just what is printed on the actual NOA? Or do you log in somewhere to actually see if the NOA was issued (before getting anything in the mail)?

June File'ers here! Sent 6/14/2011, package delivered 6/16/2011, 7/13/2011 still waiting for NOA

If they've got an approved I-130 which hasn't expired, then they should be able to check box 1 and include the approval notice. And they had to file the I-130 in order to get the K-3.

I don't know how long an approved I-130 is good for, though. I'm not even sure if it's got an expiration date, though I assume it has some sort of finite lifetime after which it's no good, and a new I-130 would have to be filed if you wanted to adjust status. In all the cases I'm familiar with, people want to use it ASAP, so expiration doesn't become an issue.

I just looked on our I-130 and there is no language that suggests an expiration date.

Thanks for the tip about checking Box 1 on the I-485, as this was one of the things I was confused on and prompted my original post.

Thank You!

James

if she did biometrics in the USA, then that was MOST LIKELY done for an EAD, yes?

Otherwise, is no reason for a K-3 holder to do biometrics in the USA.

Because of the expiration date, you MIGHT have to file an I-130 as well.

She will need to file a complete medical exam , these are only good for one year. She might be current with her vaccinations, so that's a good thing.

I'd suggest an hour with Marc Ellis, on a consult - tell him all, let him ask you questions, then go forth.

google 'Marc Ellis Immigration' for his contact info, and Good Luck !

We already have an approved I-130. Yes on the medical. I was not sure what box to check for Part2 in the I485 as there was nothing specific to our case. From the cross thread post Crosspost link --- it's suggested to check box 1.

Thanks!

James

Of course they don't file a new I-130. Any K3 visa holder already has a filed and probably approved I-130 petition. They just file AOS. The expired visa only means they need to remain in the USA until they have their green card. Visas are only used to ENTER the USA.

This is correct. We were married in Colombia, applied for the K3 visa and recieved an approved I130. Basically, you are exactly right: we need to just file AOS! In the other thread I was also asking (per the post title) which box to check for Part2 on the I485 because I didn't see any language that suggested our specific situation (K3 filing for AOS) --- But I see in a post on this thread that I just need to check box 1.

Thanks for the comments!

Take Care,

james

1. Don't know but I would assume A.

2. You don't explain anything. It's likely they're expired. If they're not needed they will tell you. If they are needed, tell them. Did you receive anything saying biometrics was done? If so include it, otherwise, don't bother. A lot changes in 3-4 years.

3. Is the alien number. See below.

4. Found on the NOA2 from applying for the K3, above her name. Also should be on the visa in "annotation". it's a number beginning with A, 9 digits long, or 8 if you exclude the first 0.

I don't know much about K3, but is there anything difficult about you applying now that it's expired?? Like applying for another I-130 because yours is expired or something? I don't know, I'm just asking.

Thanks for the comments!

Hmmmm... Well, the K3 visa is pretty much the same as a K1 EXCEPT that the spouse (not fiancee) enters the US as a non-immigrant. Kind of weird that the i485 doesn't have an option for us. Well, if anyone knows we'd appreciate a confident answer on which box we should check for Part2.

The reason why I asked about the biometrics was because of the fee --- since we already did that, I was thinking that we need not pay for it again a second time. I find it strange that you'd think they would "expire" though. Do you think that the biometrics file gets removed or something like that?

Thanks again for your time -- it's much appreciated!

j

Bump TTT

Anyone?

My wife and I are finally in a financial position to continue with AOS from her originally entering (12/28/2006) on a K3 visa (currently expired). So we are assembling everything for a package to send in (I485, I864, G325a, etc). Couple of quick questions...

1. on the I485 form Part 2 we are unsure of which box to check. She entered on an approved K3 visa and is my legal spouse.

2. She already did the Biometrics, how do we explain this when assembling the package we intend to send in? (When she first arrived, we did what we could with our financial situation at the time, which was apply/acquire Work Authorization (curretnly expired), Biometrics (which she did back in 2006/07), and a Social Security Card (which she does have).

3. On the G325-A form, what is the "File Number A"?

4. On the G325-A form, what is the "Alien Registration Number A"?

TIA for any comments!

james

$1000 to file AOS is simply not going to happen at this point. I-94 expires end of December and we still have not filed for AOS (we have gotten work approval, SS#, etc. but have not applied for EOS).

Any suggestions? Is form I-593 the correct form to file? What exactly should we do until we can have the $1000 to file for AOS?

Thanks so much for any information.

Take Care,

j

Thank You!

$1000 to file AOS is simply not going to happen at this point. I-94 expires end of December and we still have not filed for AOS (we have gotten work approval, SS#, etc. but have not applied for EOS).

Any suggestions? Is form I-593 the correct form to file? What exactly should we do until we can have the $1000 to file for AOS?

Thanks so much for any information.

Take Care,

j

My wife entered into U.S at Miami Int'l Airport on 12/28/2006 as a K3 visa holder. We are now just beginning to try and determine our next steps (EAD, AOS, SS#, etc..).

She says she doesn't have an I-94 ---- Is this something that was supposed to be given at the POE? What is it? If we don't have it, how do we get it (I see it's needed for the I-765)

Thanks,

James & Sendy

Dre, Congratulations on getting your interview date. Your persistence paid off. I will cal today and hopefully learn our date as wll. Dre I know you were nervous, but shouldn't you have asked if they sent packet 4? At this point packet 4 is more important I would think. Because, I thought you need to have the interview letter in hand when you go for the medical. But maybe they have mailed that packet along with packet 3 also.

Mystery thanks for the number also!

Merry Christmas!

Tony

We were told that we could pick up the Packet #4 on a Thursday (forget which window to go to). However, what I did on that phone call was to request that they send me the Packet #4 here in Florida. It arrived in about 1 week and then I sent it back to my wife (including the I-134 and other docs) via DHL.

Also -- we finally recieved Packet #4 AFTER we got the visa!!!!! jajajajajja....

Hope this helps.

Take Care,

james

Very good freind of my wife experienced major problems with their marriage shortly after arriving to the U.S. While the circumstances are probably too different to warrant writing what she did to resolve the issue, I'd simply suggest that you do what she did initially --- obtain a competent Immigration Attorney.

http://stlouis.lawinfo.com/attorney/immigration.html

A quick search on google will produce a ton of resources which you will have to follow up on your own accord. But the above link was at the very top of the search page from the search: "immigration +attorney +st. louis"

Hope this helps,

James

Peter and all....

I can't thank you enough for helping Sendy and I work through our visajourney --- your tips and comments were incredibly valuable. As some of you may know, Sendy still has not recieved delivery of any Packet 3 or 4! But by following this thread, we were able to complete our visajourney.

Sendy recieved the approval from the CO/Interviewer today. Monday she will return to pick up the visa.

We wish all of you still working to complete your visajourney much success!!!!

Thank You. From both Sendy and I, Thank You.

Take Care,

James

Approved.

Wow. My wife and I are incredibly happy and want to thank the VJ website and all of the people that participate in this community. A special thanks to Peter from the "Colombia Club" for helping --- we never did recieve any Packet 3/4 (poor mail system) and his advice was very valuable in making Sendy's and My VisaJourney a success.

Sendy and I truly appreciate everyone's help and thank you from the core of our hearts. We wish all of you success in your VisaJourney!

Take Care,

James

I seem to recall other members of the board indicating that you COULD call the Bogota embassy directly (although now I can't find the thread), albeit only on certain days and time. In fact, James mentioned that possibility in one of his posts in this thread (or at least I interpreted his comments as meaning you could contact the embassy directly).

Does anyone know which is true? And if you can call the Bogota embassy directly, what days and times do they take calls on K-3s (I believe James indicated he thought it was Thursdays from 2-4 p.m.)?

We still have not recieved Packet #3, and the only reason why I was able to get Packet #4 was by calling and requesting that they send it to me here in Florida -- which I then sent via DHL to Cartagena. Also, by waiting for the mail to never arrive, we never knew our Interview date. So...

Calling the Embassy and requesting info related to our K3 petition, they connected us to a person who handles these ---- apperantly, they only work on Thursdays between 2pm-4pm

In a previous post on this thread, I laid out the entire process that I went through -- so, take a few minutes and read through the last few pages.

Personally, I would give them 1-2 weeks from the time you know that NVC has forwarded your petition to the Embassy before you call. I simply do not know the exact process they go through in recieving and entering the information into the system. You should wait, at the very least, until you recieve the I-797C from NVC because this notice will have the case number (starting with BOG....) --- you will need this for them to pull up the file when you call.

Hope this helps!

Take Care,

James

I have been thinking about the possibility of calling the Bogota embassy next week to check on things. But I am getting a little confused by some seemingly conflicting information (or maybe it is just how I am reading it).

The Bogota embassy web site indicates that they do not accept calls....that you must use the Visa information call center and pay a fee.

I seem to recall other members of the board indicating that you COULD call the Bogota embassy directly (although now I can't find the thread), albeit only on certain days and time. In fact, James mentioned that possibility in one of his posts in this thread (or at least I interpreted his comments as meaning you could contact the embassy directly).

Does anyone know which is true? And if you can call the Bogota embassy directly, what days and times do they take calls on K-3s (I believe James indicated he thought it was Thursdays from 2-4 p.m.)?

On another note, some may be wondering why we are going to fax our paperwork to the embassy next week without knowing for sure that our case has been input into the system. Here is my rationale. I know that the cut-off for January interviews is somewhere between December 15 and 20. So, if we want a January interview, we need to submit our DS-2001 and DS-230 by then. If we do not, we'll have to settle for a February interview. So, I figure we'll send in the forms. If the petition has been logged into the system, we'll get our January interview. If the petition has not been logged, then the embassy will either hold the materials or discard them and we won't get the interview. But we'll still have plenty of time to re-submit the data later so that we can get the February interview. Make sense? What do you think Andrea? Tony?

Mike

Dre,

I just wanted to say that your Avatar/Image is awesome. It's soooo Colombiana! I can't help but think about Sendy each time I see it!!!

james