Marieke H

I generally don't recommend using a lawyer, but I think you clearly need some help navigating the process. You already filed the wrong form, and now you seem to struggle to understand the I-751 process. Get some help to make sure it is done correctly this time.

I think it's a great idea to have him take some classes! It's a long wait, so anything he can do to stay busy is awesome! I don't think it looks like he is settling in too quickly; it just looks like he is accepting his fate and trying to find a way to get through the long wait without losing his sanity!

Okay, let me get this straight. You are tired of waiting, so now you are exploring valid reasons for requesting an expedite, and once you have found a reason that seems useful, you will fabricate any documentation to back up that request. That's not how expedites work, or how immigration in general works. I'm pretty sure that it is against the terms of service of this forum to discuss any of these "options". Just wait in line like everyone else.

If you go to the SSA after your marriage, they likely will not be able to issue a SSN to you, because the records in the system (from when you entered the country) do not match your current status (you are married, while you entered the country as single). You would then need to wait until you have some kind of government issued documentation (and EAD or green card) before they can issue a SSN. You do not need a SSN for the AOS application; you will need one for the new hire paperwork at your job. So it would be nice to have that done already, but it usually doesn't take very long to get done. Because EADs are taking so long right now, USCIS is getting tons of expedite requests; chances of approval are small, but you could be lucky. I attempted to expedite my EAD years ago, after I had been waiting for 6 months already and I had started to look for jobs because I thought I would get my EAD "anytime now". I still don't know if my expedite request and the Senator's involvement actually affected anything or if it was just my time to get that approval, but about 6 weeks after I got the job offer I received my EAD. You have a VERY short timeline; you would need to get so much done in just 2.5 months: arrive in the US, get married, submit AOS, get receipt notice (this can take weeks), get biometrics notice (this can take weeks or months), request the expedite, submit requested documentation, the expedite requests needs to be processed (this can take weeks) and then finally you would need to receive your EAD (and get a SSN if you haven't done so yet). I think 2.5 months for all this is not realistic. You'll need to ask for some flexibility with the employer's required start date, or you would have to let this job go.

That definitely is not a delay, especially considering the holidays. Be patient. I agree that the K-1 isn't the best choice, but it's too late for that now.

I agree with everyone else. Get married and file for his Adjustment of Status. Here is the guide to do so: Of course, he'll need to be ready to stay here instead of flying back. He won't be able to work and travel until he has his EAD/AP, which can take up to 8 months. He was going to go through that after entering on the K-1, but make sure he is okay with it. The option to file for AOS is there exactly for your situation; circumstances can change. It makes perfect sense for you guys to get married and file for AOS. Don't stress about a wedding; just go to the courthouse and get it done. You can always have a nice ceremony later if you want.

If your spouse is currently outside of the US, your ONLY option is consular processing.

Definitely go to the appointment, even if you do get through to someone on the phone. It's better to show up and not be needed there, than to be marked as a no-show for a biometrics appointment.

What makes you think that she will easily be approved for all these visas you are going to have her apply for? The spousal visa application will not give her a visitor visa. There are no shortcut or loopholes.

It is a sign that they are reusing your fingerprints, so you will not have to redo them. Nothing more, nothing less.

I would agree. I think you put together a very thorough, complete packet!

Yeah... good luck. Just accept that separation is part of the process and go through the legal process instead of trying to fraud her way into the US.

There are so many things wrong with your assumptions, that I don't even know where to start... How will you be able to "take her to Canada"? Why would it be quicker for her to get a tourist visa as an Indian national while visiting Canada? She is still an Indian national, and she will not easily get a visitor visa to the US. To get a visitor visa, she will need to be able to show that she plans to return to her home country, which she clearly does not. And then... Even if she would get a tourist visa to VISIT the US, she would be committing visa fraud if she would use her non-immigrant visa to immigrate to the US. You want her to immigrate. You apply for an immigrant visa. It will take a while.

You will be separated for a while, like most couples here. If she has a valid tourist visa, she may be able to come for short visits during the process. And you can visit her as well.

To clarify my vote, my experience and satisfaction varied for each process. K-1: 4 (took long, and we got a very unclear RFE) AOS: 4 (another RFE; my birth certificate in 12 languages needed an English translation, while English was one of the 12 languages on it...) EAD/AP: 2 (horrible communication when I tried to expedite due to a job offer) ROC: 10 (relatively quick, biometrics and interview waived; this was during COVID) Average score: 5

You don't just get to pick the visa based on the processing times. You need to apply for the appropriate visa for the purpose of her travel. She can't immigrate on a visitor visa.

I don't think you are getting what @Crazy Cat is telling you. You are currently in the CR-1 process. Your options are: 1. Continue with the CR-1 process. You can be in the US to visit, but you can't stay permanently yet. You will interview in Canada. 2. File for Adjustment of Status. This is a new petition, with new fees. You will be able to stay in the US, but you can't work or travel until you have your EAD/AP, which can take 8 months. This option definitely is not what I would recommend.

I saw your profile picture show up under the recent VJ approvals, and I got so excited for you guys, and I had to go find the post where you shared the news! I know the I-751 was taking forever, so I am glad to hear that you are finally completely done with USCIS. Congratulations to you and Mrs Crazy Cat!

Even if you would withdraw the application, that doesn't mean that whatever triggered the RFE will just go away. If you end up submitting another petition in the future, for this person or someone else, USCIS will have access to previous petitions, and they will see the same issue and the RFE that you didn't respond to. If you do not address the issue that triggered the RFE, by obtaining the required documents, you will have 0 shots at ever bringing anyone to the US.

You are aware that not everyone who goes through this process is on VisaJourney, right? There might be someone out there who has successfully petitioned 6, 7, 8, ... people. There is no limit, but a waiver may be needed sometimes. And of course, the petioner has to be financially capable of sponsoring another immigrant.

It's difficult to help you if you don't tell us what you originally submitted. You're making everyone just guess what the issue could be. What did you submit as part of the I-864?

There is no magic number of 5. All people were telling you, is that we have seen someone on this forum filing a 5th petition. There is no limit or magic number. If you want help here, you'll have to be more specific. What exactly was the RFE about? Which background question are you referring to?

Why would your visits count against you if you would end up applying for a spousal visa in the future? It is normal that couples spend time together to get to know each other before they eventually decide to get married. As long as you are always honest about your intentions when visiting, there is no problem. Eventually, evidence of your visits to the US will be proof of having spent time together, which is needed for a spousal visa application.

USCIS won't tell you when you are eligible to apply for citizenship. You just file when eligible. Filing N-400 may or may not speed up the I-751. Which service center is processing your I-751? Some are faster than others, but a processing time of 2+ years is not very unusual. You will find the service center on your receipt notice. You can check the processing times here: https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times/. When you scroll down, you can also enter your receipt date (again, you find this on your receipt notice) and you can see when you are out of normal processing and can submit a case inquiry.

An important lesson I have learned during my immigration process is that in order to be successful you just have to carefully read instructions, follow them exactly, and just do as you are told. Don't waste time wondering why they are asking for documents or a second interview or a translator. Don't bother trying to call the consulate to ask why a second interview is requested. They have reasons to ask what they are asking, and they likely will not share with you what those reasons are. Just follow the instructions.