SanneW

Some of you guys are still trying to get your greencard? Cant be real!! Hope everyone has been doing great lately, especially with the holidays coming up :)i havent been on here for a while since life has been crazy!!

14 hours ago, mrs.hernandez189 said:

Hi how did it go? I am planning to join the military same branch as my husband but I am not fit  like I can't push ups and sit ups . I am 5'3 and 125lbs to me I feel like over 200lbs when I tried sit ups can't even lift my back lol I never workout so I am a little bit nervous about this. please let me know how it goes.

It went better than i expected! I made sure to let my RDC's know my weak points (fitness) and i managed to go from 0 push-ups, few situps to what is needed and even over and i halved my run time in bootcamp and i passed my mid-prt even so the final one was for sure. As long as you push yourself. If anything you will "just" graduate later and go to fit... 

But be sure about your choice, especially dual-military... its pretty tough times.. but since june ive been to the azores and new orleans so im havin fun

All I can really say, and I don't know if it'll help you at all... we are in war time, and I jumped from conditional greencard to citizen within 5 weeks during basic training. The only difference is that I am active duty tho. But at least now you know that we are in war times when it comes to naturalization etc, war vs. terrorism.

Hey guys! So I have been gone for about 2 months, and have finally access to electronics again! yey, ow and internet...!!! haha. I really hope all of you have had GOOD news so far. My thoughts are with those that haven't gotten it yet. But I am sure you all will!! Keep hope and faith.

I only have a little update about myself. Since may 10th I am a u.s. citizen (yes, no joke, I am). And as of may 12th I can call myself a sailor as well =). I am still in schooling, and in june I'll be moving to Virginia. Things went so fast!!! But ofc. I haven't forgotten about you all! <3

Thanks guys! And ye no fb, nothing! Maybe my hubby puts some updates on fb tho ill think of yall!

Just wanna say that ill be gone for 2-3 months, no phone or anything.... I hope that once im back and check in here you all have your approvals! Goodluck

On 3/4/2017 at 4:57 PM, PaddyGirl13 said:

Eek... Our mailbox got knocked over last night, was battered on the ground went out to see how badly and sitting inside were 2 priority envelopes.... Our Green Cards!!! I know they weren't there yesterday, so the mail lady must have put them in there this morning when it was already on the ground, haha!! 

Omg, you guys are so lucky nobody took them or lost em or something when the mailbox got knocked over! And/or that they still delivered the mail with it being knocked down congratz tho

1 hour ago, sparkles_ said:

OMG is that K1 medical time frame for real?? That is so unfair  

Thats what i have heard/read i saw that some got "away with it" and some got screwed...

Tho maybe its in a certain time in the process and not in the end

26 minutes ago, Chelleyandaaron said:

Thank you - I did a bit of searching after reading these posts - and I think I can bypass a medical during my AOS as long as my vaccination record is properly transcribed by the clinic in London and I submit it with my AOS application within a year of the medical - so I am glad I saw your post because it has reminded me that I need that form from the clinic next Monday!

 

Thank you

Your k1 medical is valid for a year. If your AOS gets processed before the year you fine. If it takes longer and your medical was longer than a year ago you need a new one

Goodluck you all with the interviews today!!! Don't be nervous! As long as your marriage is legit I am sure theres nothing to be worried about! Just be yourself. Don't tell anything that's not asked for and show them the love!

And I hope you will clear the background checks soon linyahui! And that the waiver stays giving you a nice surprise in the mailbox soon-> the GC ^^

And I MIGHT be able to come to New York as well but really depends on my training... I should be graduating early may if all is fine. But even then its not sure if the other training is straight after or if i get to go home for 1-2 weeks (my home is in Rhode Island... not too far from NYC ^^)

Having grown with you all I just going to put this here. A bit more than 2 weeks to go, and still didnt start on my civics. 

Rushing citizenship really is no joke. Seeing what I all have to learn right now, before I leave. 

I might move to the naturalization people, tho still hard to let you all go!!! Especially since theres still some waiting

If anything...if this topic is still active in may ill stop by with hopefully good news again from myself but also you all

10 hours ago, mamu said:

People in this forum usually received their cards within 7 days. USCIS mails out cards using Priority 2-day, so you will receive yours this week.

I have a stupid question. When you go to an interview, and the officer hands you the decision letter saying that "Your application has been recommended for approval..." Does it mean they approve you on the spot? I am confused because I think if you are approved on the spot, it should say something like "You application has been approved..."

I never had an interview so cant say for sure. But logic would be that the interview got approved but they still gotta check something thats not related to the interview... thats what i would think...

16 hours ago, fort knox said:

It took 6 days to get case approval update on online status and got case approval notification paper in mailbox 10 days after interview.

Now waiting for Card. But I don't know how long it takes to receive the card. Anybody knows?

It all depends. Sometimes you get it quick, sometimes not... mine took a while because something went wrong with the first card that was made... because my name was long or something... i think it took 3 weeks or so for me to finally get a card ><

I made an infopoint when it took forever and she told us the first card was bad... and she got me a stamp in my passport to use until i get my card since she didnt know how long it would be (if they succeed 2nd try or even need a 3rd, 4th....)

1 hour ago, sparkles_ said:

So guys, my local office is processing May 2, 2016.....and I've had a theory about our AOS for a while. Which was that even though we filed in March, we got an RFE which was sent back and received in May 10. I'm interested to see if we get an interview notice in the next 4 weeks. If so, it could prove my theory right. Same thing basically happened to our i130, it did not begin the processing time til after a transfer to another service center, and once that happened the times matched up from that transfer date. Hope I made sense!!

Hope you are right and you hear something soon

Its better when it makes a bit of sense other tban being lost

6 hours ago, Ninahi said:

Guys I'm so heartbroken here! I've been glued to the news, social media, forums and articles for the past two days in complete disbelief of the madness and pandemonium that's been unleashed. This is absolute tyranny. I swear I'll kick anyone who scoffs that "why are you mad, this doesn't concern you" at me. I may not be immediately affected, but that doesn't mean I can't be appalled by the atrocities committed against people!

 

Stay strong March fam, and everyone. I deeply hope the EO will fizzle out as unconstitutional. Meanwhile wife and I are donating money.

"This doesn't consern you"... all I have to say is that all of us are close to this subject. Even if you or your spouse doesn't come from one of those few countries, it shows how easy it is for ONE (!) person to deside the fate of others. It could have been other countries, our countries. This sure as hell concerns ANYBODY associated with immigration... who knows what's next...

6 hours ago, Linyahui said:

Friends, I need some advice and/or a sounding board. Over the past six months, my husband has become increasingly homesick, although he tries to hide it. I can see he's not happy here in MN, especially now that we're in the worst/coldest/least amount of sun part of the winter. Jan/Feb in this region are brutal, and many people experience a drop in energy/motivation/general happiness. It sucks. Plus, hubby hasn't been able to find a full-time job and is working part-time at a job he really doesn't like. He feels like he's not contributing enough because I'm the primary breadwinner right now--it's not a machismo thing, it's more that he wants us to be equal and not like he has to depend on me, which I understand.

 

Additionally, he's the eldest child and the only son (two younger sisters), and in Chinese culture, it's his job to take care of his parents. His father passed away a few years ago, so his move to the U.S. means his mom is alone much of the time. One of his sisters has been in NYC for 10+ years and the other is still in Taiwan but works a lot. People are always in each other's business in Taiwanese culture, and his mom's relatives have not been shy about letting her know that her son is not fulfilling his filial responsibility. Naturally, he feels extremely guilty, and I don't know how to handle that.

 

When we were in Taiwan over the holidays, his spirits were soaring and he was loving every minute of it (naturally). But since we've gotten back, I just feel like his happiness has taken a huge nose dive and I don't know how to help him. He's so down about his job, the weather, and our finances (which are actually fine, btw), that pretty much every conversation has a negative sheen to it. It's starting to affect me, too. I'm trying to be there for him, suggesting that we go to a Chinese restaurant for brunch, or go to a coffee shop he likes, etc. etc. to try to raise his spirits, but he just seems not interested.

 

Is there anything I can do besides listen to him when he's down and reassure him that it will get better/easier? MN is a notoriously difficult place to move as an outsider (I'm from Wisconsin and even I can count on one hand the number of friends I've made since moving here five years ago). We're working on that, hoping to relocate as soon as one of us gets a job in a warmer climate. But, in the meantime, what can I do to better support my hubby while he's going through this difficult transition? 

I am having a hard time myself, I hate my parttime job so much and didnt really make friends yet, i found out majority is two-faced... I dont really know how to advise, looking forward to go to bootcamp helps me since that litterally fixes me a job, a move, house... technically a fresh start. 

Maybe he can look around and apply for jobs in a different place so you guys can move with a "for sure" income in the new place. 

Btw, i dont mind keeping contact with anyone here eventho i wont be here for roc etc just pm me n ill giv u info n all ^^

Edit: my hubby be staying in our apt until i finish boot and school then he moves in once they stationed me (hopefully in cali!!!) So i will be without him a while... 7-8 weeks no electronics but we will write letters at least 2x a week! (So romantic!) And in school we got skype, yay! 

On 1/21/2017 at 2:35 PM, Linyahui said:

I would just like to say that I am SO GRATEFUL for this forum. It has gotten me through the past 11 months since submitting the AOS docs. There is only so much family and friends can say when they don't have personal experience dealing with USCIS, the frustration, the impatience, the stress...

 

You guys have been amazing. I hope we continue to check in with each other until after RoC and beyond. Would be fun one day to all meet up IRL! 

I wish I would join you all but I am about to skip ahead and get citizen around march/april/may... I am leaving to bootcamp march 6!!!! Excited and nervous...already studying for naturalization...

just got back from a much needed cruise to recover from all the immigration stress!  You all, once you have your greencard, take a nice vacation you ALL deserve it 100%!!!

7 hours ago, daveyjoe! said:

O
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@NewYorkaos!  THANK YOU FOR TELLING ME TO CHECK! I'm currently in Italy (Florence this weekend) and decided to do what you said and check! 

MY INTERVIEW IS FOR FEBRUARY 23RD! THEY SAID THEY SENT ME A LETTER OUT ON THE 19TH!

THIS.
IS.

HAPPENING.

 

- Semi-terrified because currently we are both unemployed. The challenge to find a job is officially ON! 
Sigh - nothing is ever easy is it? 

Should I still put in my EAD card renewal or no? 

THANKS FOR EVERYTHING GUYS! You are literally my sanity!

Tbh, I think you should post for the renewal. It is good to have for a backup just in case the unemployment gives you another RFE or so. It is better to be safe than sorry I would say.

17 hours ago, Linyahui said:

All right, gang! I've just conducted some highly unscientific research in the Immigration Timelines portion of this website and thought I'd share the data with you all. Keep in mind that these numbers are based solely on self-reporting figures and I was doing this over my lunch hour at the office (i.e. take it with a grain of salt). 

 

I was looking at all VisaJourney members around the U.S. who reported applying for green cards from K-1 visas during the month of March 2016. Here's what I found:

 

Total # of folks reporting filing for GC from K-1 in March 2016 on VJ: 113

(caveat: there could be tons more around the U.S. who don't know/care about this website)

 

# of March filers who've either had an interview or received an interview date: 33

 

# of March filers who've received their GC without an interview: 64

 

Total # March filers now holding a GC (with or without interview): 97/113

 

SOOOOO, those of us still waiting are just in that lucky group of 16!

 

I went back and looked at the number of people who reported filing the same time my husband and I did (week of March 8-15) and, of the total 113 in the month of March, 52 couples filed during that week alone! So that may explain why some of us have gotten lost in the shuffle--if you filed around that time, you were filing as a mass influx of applications were coming in.

 

AND THEY SAY THEY PROCESS IN ORDER OF RECEIPT. 

 

 

Wow... I filed the 10th, I guess they got sick of all the applications and just approved my paperwork on spot to get rid of it! 

But especially for a K-1 aos it takes forever! I tought they already do all tests and checks BEFORE you even file AOS... that it should be smooth sailing 0.o

On 1/14/2017 at 9:07 AM, sparkles_ said:

How's things going?  I think you're right, 90 days after the background check is the time frame they have to get the case back to the NBC and transferred to a local office. 

 

There must be something special about our foods here lol. My husband has gained about 15-20lb as well lol. 

Things are going well I guess. Homesick a lot and very much out of shape... 

Tbh still waiting just like all of you, tho different reasons haha. My life is pretty much still on hold. Maybe februari but at least in may ill be going finally!

And I dont know if its the food, or maybe the sudden insane change of life... and the stress of the greencard process helps a lot in gaining weight!

Since i entered the us a year ago i gained about 20 pounds... talking about abs huh... on a diet atm lol

And if i read it correct I think it might be 90 days after background checks are completed. I mean I can be completely wrong but maybe they mean that the background checks have been completd at jan 3rd, and they "received the case back" at NBC for further processing which can take up to 90 days. 

If anything I hope for you that this is what it means n youre out of the background check

My positive toughts are with you all, and those abs will appear once you guys are out of the stress-mess

My case isnt pending anymore for a very long time, but i will miss you guys too much when I leave

I will be skipping the removal and do naturalization a lot earlier as it looks like atm...

But im still here reading everything hoping with you all that you getting approved soon, at least before the year passes!!!

The only thing I could say is that even as enlisted you cannot sign for any clearance jobs, eventho you can get citizenship in bootcamp, you can only pick resident jobs. So I think it isn't any different for officer. They are pretty strict on it. I wish you all the luck tho, and I hope one way or another you'll reach your goal. I wanted to be officer in the Navy, but chose the enlisted route, because of citizenship.

Contact uscis through the military helpline, u get faster n better (for you) help.

I cannot help you on the expedite part since my husband wasn't getting deployed, and it wouldn't have been any faster anyways for me.

I can tell you that when my husband had to go on training for 2 months I went back to my country of birth myself on a temporary greencard, to stay with family. For about the same reason, being alone and not having any transportation. As long as you dont work abroad, or change residency to another country you are fine. And definately don't stay away too long, it also is abandoning your status. I think 4 months wouldn't be too much of a problem. But if anything you can ask them while calling for the expedite.

Hi Guys, we are so frustrated with the pace USCIS is moving at.We forwarded our petition in October received NOA1 on 21st Oct 2016 and 46days later we haven't received NOA2 yet, why is it taking too long? We have been tracking our case online,it has not yet been updated yet. Gosh, this wait!!

46 days? Thats nothing. Be patient