JF&JC

Thanks Merrytooth, really helpful!

My (potential) employer has confirmed they can check the authorisation online.

As you say, from the website link you gave me, it doesn't look as though every employer will/can do this, so for any others in this situation, they should check with the employer.

Hi everyone,

Apologies if this has been covered in another thread, I couldn't find the answer from looking.

I arrived on a K-1 visa in late November, got married in early Jan, applied for AOS in late Jan, and the EAD at the same time.

On Monday (2/29/16) I received a job offer. I accepted and promised I'd do all I can to start as soon as possible. So I called USCIS, and applied to expedite the EAD process, stressing both financial difficulty (my wife is a student) and non-profit work. At the same time my (American) wife called up our Congresswoman's office, and we sent all the documentation they asked for that same day.

USCIS say they give an answer to an expedite request in 5 days, so we should hear from them any time now. However, even if, with our Congresswoman's help, they approve immediately, I'm concerned at the length of time it might take to produce and mail out the card.

On another thread, I read someone mention that the actual card is NOT necessary to show your new employer to start work - rather, you can ask your employer to go online to check the E-verify record.

Does anyone know if this is accurate? I've looked online at USCIS but haven't found anything. If you believe this is correct, could you point me to somewhere I can see this in writing?

Many thanks, and good luck with all your applications!

Jake

4 wk 2 days Feb 11 (TheAndies)
6 wk 3 days Feb 17 (kristenxo)
3 wk 4 days Feb 17 (Pheebs)
6 wk 3 days Feb19 (DaveNot)
3 wk 5 days Feb 23 (Kimberley95)
3 wk 6 days Mar 3 (vicks5721)
5 wk 1 days Mar 5 (Shana)
4 wk 0 days Apr 2 (TeamJS)
5 wk 6 days Apr 7 (Pilot)
6 wk 0 days Apr 9 (Chrismorrison)
9 wk 0 days Apr 13 (Allison_Simon2014)
5 wk 2 days May 18 (wbeem)
5 wk 4 days May 18 (bonzaigirl aka Tim + Ann)
7 wk 0 days May 27 (E + S)
7 wk 3 days May 29 (jenate)
8 wk 4 days Jun 2 (xbritto)
5 wk 5 days Jun 5 (Yanirose))
6 wk 0 days Jun 6 (DeborahNeil)
7 wk 4 days Jun 15 (JamesRenee)
7 wk 6 days Jun 15 (TLSR2014)
8 wk 4 days Jun 15 (luckyanna)
5 wk 5 days Jun 16 (Howeetest D)
7 wk 1 days Jun 17 (FoamoftheDaze)
5 wk 3 days Jun 18 (RLT8990)
7 wk 1 days Jun 19 (signalsfly)
5 wk 3 days Jun 22 (BryterMoon)
6 wk 6 days Jul 1 (Babushka545)
6 wk 4 days Jul 14 (MSCastillio)
5 wk 6 days Jul 14 (sarahandtom11412)
7 wk 0 days Jul 16 (gjrhopkins)
7 wk 2 days Jul 16 (stevehaze)
5 wk 4 days Jul 17 (Earthyn)
5 wk 6 days Jul 20 (ChasUno)
5 wk 3 days Jul 24 (Tabitha and James)
5 wk 1 days Jul 27 (kaisara)
4 wk 0 days Jul 28 (rob999)
6 wk 2 days Jul 30 (yuna628)
3 wk 5 days Aug 5 (wooderz)
6 wk 3 days Aug 6 (UKPaul)
5 wk 5 days Aug 10 (Dave013012)

7 wk 6 days Aug 20 (JF&JC)
​6 wk 0 days Sept 03 (Tween)
6 wk 0 days Sep 14 (Britandconfused)
6 wk 3 days Sep 17 (LEL)
6 wk 2 days Sept 25 (Racheal&David)

By the way that's an average of exactly 6 weeks, if my calculations are correct.

I didn't check either and I simply put "N/A - in support of K1 fiance visa process for permanent residence", and my fiance was approved with no problems (through London). I chose that wording because it's similar to what's on the VJ sample I-134 form (see above on the toolbar under Form Downloads). As I understand it, the I-134 is a general form which is used for several different types of visa applications, and K1 is kind of a special case.

Thanks for the thorough response, Nich-Nick!

So, my fiance has been granted a K1 visa and I'm looking ahead to AOS. Obviously, we want to file ASAP after our wedding so he can begin working. However, I anticipate a couple of issues because of the timing of our wedding, which will be on January 2nd, 2016.

First of all, the I-864 instructions state that my "Federal individual income tax return for the most recent tax year" is required. I interpret this to mean that we will need my 2015 tax return for the application. Can anyone confirm whether this is correct? If so, then we won't be able to do AOS until I file for 2015, which would be a hassle since my employer doesn't usually issue W2s until the end of the month.

Secondly, what is the necessary timing in this case to submit notice of my name change to both employer and the SSA? I know that it can be an issue if the name on my tax return doesn't match the SSA, but if my employer issues my W2 under the old name and the SSA doesn't know yet, does it hurt anything to file my taxes under the old name and notify them both later? I figure that could save some unnecessary headaches and possible delays. (Although in that case maybe I couldn't file as married? Argh so confusing!)

On the other hand, if I'm supposed to instead send the previous year's tax return (2014) with the AOS application, then I have another problem. Because I only began my current job in August 2014, my return only shows a few months' worth of salary, which adds up to less than the 125% needed (although my full yearly earning is above that level). Before that I was a student, so previous returns are no help. Will the partial-year tax return be sufficient to establish that I meet the requirement, when coupled with pay stubs and the employer letter? (I could get a joint sponsor if necessary, but I'd like to avoid that if at all possible.)

Any advice is appreciated, and I would be especially interested to hear from anyone who has dealt with a similar time crunch due to a January wedding!

A few things first. Is your final POE going to be Heathrow or do you have a connecting flight? The last several times I traveled with my fiancé there was no need to split up. The officer encouraged us to come up together, since we were traveling together. One time we were interviewed separately standing next to each other, another time we were interviewed at the same time.

You should be aware that the UKBA, is often no friend of non-EEA citizens, especially young females (but seen it happen to spouses too!), and may give her a hard time. There is a real possibility of denial, especially with current immigration behavior there now. However, for the many bad experiences people have had, including one on this forum just recently, some still manage to get through fine. I say this only as a caution and it may not reflect your experience. You have something that often works in your favor: and that is bona-fide evidence that you exist, since you are standing beside her. That being said, be prepared for any outcome if it comes to it.

You should never lie to the UKBA. Dead serious here. Don't even try to cover it up or twist it a little. Not mentioning you and coming in as a single female would draw their ire perhaps even faster. She should never attempt to enter the UK without as much evidence as you can muster of proof of ties and proof to return to her home country (yes even despite this evidence I have seen denials, but if she brought none, she'd be out instantly). If she is employed bring a letter from her employment, or school, if she has some sort of home or mortgage, a return ticket is absolutely necessary, travel insurance with return date too, hotel booking if you have one. One of the UKBA's sticking points will be the issue of money and support. They may question her if she brings too little money in cash holdings, or too much. It's obvious that most people have bank cards and credit cards, but they still insist and like hard cash on the person. They will certainly ask where she is staying, who with, and who is supporting her. Has she entered the UK before? This can also sometimes work in her favor as proof of successful entry/exits.

All you can do is try and give it your best and be prepared. Good luck.

I'm a young female, and I just returned from a trip to visit my fiance in the UK. Thankfully, the experience wasn't anything like what's described here! The officer asked me the purpose of my visit, and I told her straight up that I was visiting my fiance. She asked how we knew each other (university) and how long I was staying, etc. and then waved me through. It was no more intensive than any time I've come through US Immigration on re-entering the US. Of course, that said, it's never a bad idea to have supporting documents on hand, like the ones listed above - just sharing my experience.

Hi there! My fiance and I were recently in a similar situation, but with the London embassy. His original interview date was a day he couldn't get time off from work, so he had to request a new date. Like in your case, they wouldn't immediately reschedule him, he had to just request to have the date moved and then wait for the embassy to act. I assume they did this to be fair to people who had scheduled interviews in the meantime. I was really nervous about this, but thankfully they emailed him his new interview date about a week later, and it was less than a month after than the original date. I would assume Dublin and London are fairly similar in how they operate, although I have no actual evidence for that.

Good luck!

Thank you! Yes, the letter of instruction did state that as long as I send another letter for him to take to the interview, it should be no problem.

Hi everyone -

In need of advice/reassurance! I received the NOA2 for my I-129f petition back in March. For various work-related reasons, my fiance has been slow to schedule the medical, but it has now been scheduled for June 26th. The problem, which I've only just realized, is that there is in fact an expiration date on the NOA2, which in our case is July 5th. I feel like this is cutting things uncomfortably close and I'd feel a lot better if someone could answer these questions:

1) First of all, what has to happen before the expiration date? Is it just that the medical needs to be completed and contact made with the embassy to schedule the interview? Or does the interview actually need to take place before then? Or is it something else I haven't thought of?

2) I have heard that London will automatically extend the NOA2 validity if necessary - is this true? Do we need to contact them to request this? Is it even necessary in our case? I would feel a lot better if someone could confirm this for me.

I'm really stressing out about this - please help!

I am sponsoring my UK-citizen fiance for a K1 visa. Last week, he was notified that our case has been received by the London embassy and that he should start collecting the necessary documents, including the I-134. Of course I knew this would be required, so I have had certification from my bank, letter from my employer, etc. prepared for some time. Will it be ok for these documents to be dated 2-3 months before his interview date, or should I prepare a new set?

Well spotted! FYI you can post questions in advance - I just did!

Thanks Nich-Nick and Boiler - you were both right, of course. After a fourth request to double-check the letter, my fiance decided he had read it wrong!

Hey everyone,

My fiance and I are in the process of applying for a K1 visa. Our case has been sent to London, and my fiance just got the letter from the embassy. Everything I've read on VJ says that he will need a filled-out I-134 Affidavit of Support from me, but in the letter, they're telling him he needs to bring the I-864 instead. I'm very confused (not to mention kind of annoyed because I've already filled out the I-134 and gathered all the necessary paperwork). I've asked my fiance several times to double-check the letter because this doesn't sound right to me, but he swears that's what it says. Any other recent interviewees who were told the same thing? Is this a new procedure, or is it UK-specific, or has someone made a mistake? Advice appreciated!

Ugh, that's super annoying and makes no sense! Sorry they seem to be going so slow in your case. It's enough to make you crazy, trying to figure out why one application gets processed right away and other similar ones take ages.

So is there anybody else who has been approved by the CSC in Feb/early March and their case still hasn't reached NVC yet?

Mine is creeping up to the 35 days mark. Tried speaking to uscis but didn't realise the beneficiary was unable to hear information regarding the petition. To me that doesn't really make Scence because the petition is about the beneficiary anyway. That's irrelivant so I'll just leave that where it is.

Just strange for me when petitions approved after March 06th 2015 (my NOA2) have already reached the NVC and been give their case numbers.

For what it's worth, once I managed to get a hold of an actual person at the NVC they said that my petition was forwarded to London a week ago, but I still haven't received a letter in the mail. So it's entirely possible that the NVC has already received and processed your case, and they just haven't gotten around to telling you yet. You can call them at (603)-334-0700 to check on your status - they can tell you if it's been forwarded and give you your case number over the phone.

I received my NOA2 on March 6th and have not received any notification from NVC since then, so I've been trying to get a hold of them through the immigrant visa helpline (603-334-0700). Despite calling many times over the course of several days (and at different times of day) I can't get through. Instead I get a message saying they're too busy to take my call. Anyone else having this problem, or is there a trick for getting around this that I've missed?