Tm and Je

14 minutes ago, Tm and Je said:

It is ColOmbia, not ColUmbia. 🤗

I highly recommend getting married in Colombia and applying for an IR1 visa instead of a fiancée visa. A K1 is more expensive than an IR1 and she won’t be able to work until she gets an EAD or Green card. However, she won’t be able to bring her son as IR1, but she can with a K1. Food for thought.

It is ColOmbia, not ColUmbia. 🤗

My son’s case was originally F2A but his case was returned to NVC after his interview because his category was converted to F2B. Finally, his PD is current in the visa bulletin and the NVC scheduled an interview for him for June 2024. However, when l check in the CEAC check status site, it still says “Returned to NVC.” Other beneficiaries status say “Ready.” When do you think is going to be updated by NVC? What should l do?

21 hours ago, The Professor said:

can anyone recommend a good immigration atty that is on top of things in south Florida to file my k -1, please provide a phone for them and name   thanks

Luis Victoria Law. 305-482-1595

31 minutes ago, Jay0596 said:

Had my interview in Bogotá last week and the agent requested an original birth certificate. Got the document and mailed it in. My account is already showing document received. 
 

Does anyone know how long this embassy is taking to process requested documents? This is the last thing needed for approval. 

According to a video they posted on YouTube last week, they will respond within 30 to 60 days from the received date of the document. 

14 hours ago, peacefulSurfer said:

I see. Will consider opting out as soon as I hear back from the NVC. Thank you.
We’ll see what the NVC respond will with in 2 weeks time.  

What is it specifically that you mean by DQ? 

Your Documentarily Qualified date refers to when your case was completed at the NVC (National Visa Center). What is your DQ date? 

5 minutes ago, Tm and Je said:

When you report your U.S. citizenship status, the category will change to F1. If you see that the PD is current in F2B, then you should send an inquiry requesting to opt out from F1 to F2B. Usually, it takes 15 days (at least in my case). You can do it right away because the waiting time for F2B is shorter than F1 but with them, we never know. 

What is your DQ?

16 hours ago, peacefulSurfer said:

Thank you for the very helpful advice.   

 

Update: 

So I just wanted to confirm, when we report our citizenship status, would we get the case converted to F1 by default? 

 

And, if we see the PD is current on the initial category (F2B), will there be enough time to "opt out" of the category conversion then and would this interfere with the interview scheduling process at the Embassy?  

When you report your U.S. citizenship status, the category will change to F1. If you see that the PD is current in F2B, then you should send an inquiry requesting to opt out from F1 to F2B. Usually, it takes 15 days (at least in my case). You can do it right away because the waiting time for F2B is shorter than F1 but with them, we never know. 

11 hours ago, peacefulSurfer said:

Yes, no problem.  I still don't understand how the F1 category could also have a longer wait time than F2B in certain countries. In which countries does this take effect and what would be the reasons for this? 

 

I understood that I would still be recommended to inform NVC about my citizenship status either way. How would we go about informing the NVC about the citizenship status usually for an ongoing case?

According to the latest visa bulletin (May 2024), the Philippines is the only country where F1 is more advanced than F2B. Indonesia falls into “All chargeability areas.” You should notify NVC because if you do not, the consul will discover it during the interview and then the case of your son will be put in administrative process while they ask for DHS authorization on your behalf. It would be better to do that in advance (send an inquiry to NVC). However, wait until the priority date, Sep 2016, is current in the chart A, whether it is in F1 or F2B, to take action (Opt out of the conversion to F1 and remain an F2B visa applicant).

What is the country of origin of your son? I am asking because the F2B category might be faster than F1 depending on the country.  Anyway, you should notify the NVC that you are now U.S. citizen. He will convert to F1. However, he can opt out to F1 if F2B is more convenient. Please check the latest visa bulletin. Lastly, filing another petition won’t help at all. You don’t need to do it. A new petition will start from scratch and it will take almost 9 years. 

31 minutes ago, AnaMaria&Andrew said:

The NVC finally gave my Colombian wife a date for her visa interview, and we are looking at the pre-interview checklist.

 

It says the following:

The appropriate Form I-864 Affidavit of Support for each financial sponsor along with a photocopy of the sponsor’s IRS transcript or most recent U.S. federal income tax return, and any relevant W-2s.

 

Do I have to send her the original of the I-864? I ask because Colombia doesn't have a reliable postal system anymore, so it costs over $100 USD to send documents by international courier, such as FedEx (and that's with a membership) or DHL.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

 

No. You don’t have to send the original affidavit of support by mail. 

You will find the following information in the interview letter:

 If a financial sponsor submitted an I-864 Affidavit of Support form, you must give the consular officer a signed version. It can be a photocopy, but the signature cannot be typed or electronic.

There is also a video in YouTube posted last week by the U.S. embassy in Bogotá where they talk about this topic. 

27 minutes ago, Kujaja said:

Hi Everyone -

I have a question regarding the civic test portion.

 

For a question like the one below

What does the Constitution do?

▪ sets up the government

▪ defines the government

▪ protects basic rights of Americans

 

Do we have give all the answers? If i reply protects the "basic rights of American", does that suffice?

 

Thanks!

Yes. Only one answer is required. 

On 2/26/2021 at 1:20 PM, Luke! said:

My naturalization interview has been scheduled for 3/24. I need to travel internationally on 3/26 and know already that I won’t have time to receive my new US passport. Is it possible to request at the interview that the oath be taken later? I don’t mind waiting a few extra months to complete the process. 

Last June, after l passed my interview, the IO asked me if l wanted to take the oath immediately. So, l think you can say "no" and they will schedule your oath ceremony for a later date. 

I submitted my original certificate of Naturalization to update my citizenship. I received my original document back three days later. I used USPS. No issues.

15 minutes ago, CoxJeff91 said:

Yes, it was a court house type of wedding and we were both there together.  I just want to know if hiring a lawyer makes the process easier rather than doing it myself.

Some people use lawyers because they do not have enough time to spend on their process, they are lazy to read or their cases are not easy ones. I have read many cases where lawyers have delayed cases because they have sent wrong information or didn't send the right documents. 

1 hour ago, CoxJeff91 said:

I'm a US citizen and my wife is from Colombia, we got married on October 23rd through a notary in Colombia. I'm currently living in Indiana and looking for a good lawyer to help us with the process. I'm also asking what paperwork we will need to get the process started.

I am from Colombia and yes, your civil marriage is recognized here in the U.S. Not many people understand the word "Notary" for marriages. It is better if you use the term "Civil ceremony." In this site, you will find guidelines about the CR1 visa. It is a DIY process. Good luck. 

10 hours ago, Pachaking said:

Combo filer still in limbo. Anyone else? 

I-751 filed in 9/2017

N-400 filed 9/2018

 

Like GermanG, in June we received a RFE for the time between 2018 to present, which we responded to right away. In late July we received a notice saying we are to be scheduled for an I-751 interview, not an N-400 interview. No one can tell us why, being that I am a USC and our case should have zero red flags. Two months have passed since that notification and still waiting for the interview to be scheduled. Contacted Cantwell's office and the USCIS Ombudsman, neither of whom were of any assistance. 

I know a couple others out there received this same 'to be scheduled for an interview' notice. Any news on your end?

Just in case you are interested: 

Ombudsman's Webinar Series: USCIS’ Processing of Concurrently Pending Forms N-400 and Forms I-751

Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman's Webinar Series: 

USCIS’ Processing of Concurrently Pending Forms N-400 and Forms I-751

Wednesday, October 7, 2020 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time

6 hours ago, Aropastor said:

I would like to spend Christmas season in Spain. Would it be possible for me to leave the US with my Spain passport? I know I cannot return in the US without it, but how about leaving? I could apply for the US passport with the embassy in Spain? 

Yes. You can leave using your Spain passport. 

15 hours ago, Aropastor said:

I have finally been scheduled my interview for October 19th (since my cancelled appointment in March 18th)! Yay! 

 

Now I have a doubt: Can I still use my passport from Spain to travel (to Spain), or I have to wait to get my US passport? I have been wanting to go see my family but this process has been excruciatingly long. 

 

 

When is your trip? If you decide to take the Oath the same day of your interview, USCIS will collect your GC. So, you will need a U.S. Passport to return to the U.S.

1 minute ago, GermanG said:

Excellent! Mine has been cooking for 2 months already. Another trick is to apply for the Enhanced DL.

At least you can leave by land or sea.

 

I already received my passport book, passport card and my certificate of Naturalization. My visa journey is completed!! 

On 9/9/2020 at 10:02 AM, GermanG said:

Hi there,

I applied for my US Passport on July 20, 2020.

As of today, they are done with 92% of the application received during April, May and June. So, it's not true that it can take 5 months.

I expect to have it by December.

Hey German. My passport application was approved today. It took almost 2 months. 

7 hours ago, Can-thePNWhobbies said:

Washington Passport Agency is on phase two. 

Yes, that is correct. Washington Passport Agency located in Washington D.C., is on phase two.

5 minutes ago, GermanG said:

Hi there,

I applied for my US Passport on July 20, 2020.

As of today, they are done with 92% of the application received during April, May and June. So, it's not true that it can take 5 months.

I expect to have it by December.

Hey, l applied the same day!. I checked it out my application this morning and the status is " In process." I also realized that Seattle office is still in phase one. 

The first thing that l did after my naturalization (June 24, 2020) was to register to vote, then l updated my SS and one week later,  l applied for my passport. I am in Washington State. I am not sure if it is different in other states.  

1 hour ago, Summan said:

Tm and Je                                                         Do you send return envelop for Back shipping also or not ???what service do you use when u send ur documents plz guide me 

I used normal USPS mail. I could track my envelope using the tracking number that was on the receipt. No. I did not send return envelope. They received my envelope Monday, July 13, 2020 and l received my Naturalization certificate back (in perfect condition) next Saturday, July 18, 2020.