Crazy Cat

Can you us tell how you concluded that?

I assume you are in the US right now....Are you out of status? A denied I-485 is a serious and urgent matter.

Obviously not an immigration attorney. Where are you right now? It seems that both the I-130 and I-485 had significant issues. I would consider hiring an attorney to straighten out the case.

Yes....But the I-130 has been pending for 17 months? That seems longer than normal.

Yep. I agree. EADs seem to be processed quicker than a year ago.

The OP already has the issued K-1 visa in hand.

When we arrived, the security guard asked if we had received an email instructing me to be there. I said yes....and the rest is history...

OK. Thanks. I have a theory that requesting a combo interview ahead of time might prompt the officer who is going to do the N-400 to get the I-751 file.......just a theory. I was notified only 2 days prior to the N-400 interview that it would be a combo.

Our officer at Dallas was also pretty nice. Maybe you'll take the oath in Plano soon.

But You did not request a combo before the day of the interview...correct?

Normal until the I-751 is transferred to him. Question (for my personal research): Did you request a combo interview at any time before the N-400 interview?

Agree.

You have ESTA/VWP? now?

No more significant than the many, many others who visit during the spousal visa process....and this site is full of then. You can visit during the process.

Why?

No way to predict it....some are pretty fast, while others are exceedingly slow. Good luck.

To clarify for me, the visa has been issued, and now you are contemplating starting from scratch with a spousal visa?

Your I-129f petition was approved 3 months ago? You're almost finished with a K-1....

Your local office can vary, but VJ data shows about 8 months, on average, after submitting the I-485. It is a small sample size.

If working soon after arrival is a big priority, then I would eliminate the K1 option.

According to other VJ members data, the time difference between filing to interview is as follows: K1- Average time from filing to interview is 495 Days CR1- Average time from filing to interview is 551 Days About 2 months only.

Every couple has their own priorities, and each couple must decide which visa is better for their situation. K-1 Much More expensive than CR-1 Requires Adjustment of Status after marriage (expensive and requires a lot of paperwork) Spouse can not leave the US until she/he receives approved Advance Parole (approx 3-6 months) Spouse can not work until she/he receives EAD (approx 3-6 months) Some people have had problems with driver licenses, Social Security cards, leases, bank account during this period Spouse will not receive Green Card for many months after Adjustment of Status is filed. A K-1 might be a better choice when 18-21 year old children are immigrating also In some situations, marriage can affect certain Home country benefits, making a K-1 a better choice A denied K-1 is sent back to USCIS to expire K-1 entrant cannot file for citizenship until after having Green Card for 3 years. Once an I-129F has been approved, delaying the case is difficult to impossible if the need arises. CR-1/IR-1 Less expensive than K-1 No Adjustment of Status(I-485, I-131, I-765) required. Spouse can immediately travel outside the US Spouse is authorized to work immediately upon arrival. Spouse receives Social Security Card and Green Card within 2 or 3 weeks after entering the US Opening a bank account, getting a driver's license, etc. are very easily accomplished with GC, SS card, and passport. Spouse has legal permanent Resident status IMMEDIATELY upon entry to US. The clock for citizenship filing starts immediately upon entry to the US. A CR-1/IR-1 case can be delayed indefinitely at NVC if the need arises. ***Moved to What Visa Do I Need?***

Based on what I have read in your posts, yes, I think so. Time to file that I-130!!

***Moved to Working and Traveling during US Immigration*** Once you enter the US, your visa will be endorsed by CBP. The stamped visa will serve as a temporary Green Card until the plastic one arrives (up to a year). You will be authorized to work immediately. Your new employer might want to see a SS Card before being able to pay you.

Numerous Visa Journey couples have married via a Utah online ceremony, then filed after meeting. You sequence of events (online marriage, then meeting, then filing I-130) is the proper process. Good luck.