CMJuilland

Personal experience: when I had my medical for my K1 many many moons ago, there was a question about if I had ever sought professional help for mental issues (I can’t remember the actual wording). I disclosed truthfully that I had had more than one hospitalization for anorexia and bulimia, that it had been a problem for almost 20 years, but that I considered myself stable and recovered. At that point, my last session with a mental health professional had maybe been 5 years ago or something along those lines, and the only follow-up question I was asked at the medical was whether I thought this would become a problem again or if I considered my self stable. I said, no to the first and yes to the second part, and that was that. Nobody asked any further questions ever. I don’t know what the situation is now, but just be honest and then see if they need to refer you so a mental health professional can give you the good-to-go. Best of luck!

I second what everybody else has said - language skills are key, and it looks like once she masters that, there’s nothing that stands in her way in terms of becoming a citizen. My first career was as a language instructor, and whether you do an intensive program or just a night or two a week, classes and especially conversation practice helps and usually faster than people would think. Based on your profile, you’re in the Baltimore MD area, which should even have some free stuff. I would recommend small classes, preferably with other immigrants of different native languages. Also, improving her English skills doesn’t have to be uniquely geared toward the English portion of her N400 as once her skills are at an adequate level, the N400 part will be quite easy. As a plus, she will be a lot more comfortable when she is in situations where there are no other people with her language background. Best of luck, and contact me if you want me to leverage my network to find something around the Baltimore area.

As far as legalities and potentialities are concerned, you got great responses from @Boiler and @SalishSea, two members way more qualified to give them than myself. While you didn’t ask for advice, I am still going to take the liberty to ask a few questions/provide some perspective: Have you considered what it will mean for M to be here in the States, unable to work, unable to drive (most likely, at least for a few weeks), and unable to leave the country in case of an emergency back in Europe? Have you familiarized yourselves with how long AOS (and even EAD/AP) takes these days? Have you discussed alternative routes, i.e. getting married and then filing I-130 with the goal to obtain a spousal visa? The AOS limbo is often underestimated, especially by people who are used to having a routine (job, school, etc.) and having at least some independence (being able to get around -> driving, etc.). I have personally been through it when processing times were still somewhat bearable, and I wouldn’t do it again. Yes, long-distance relationships are difficult, and being “on hold” like that isn’t fun. However, AOS can put a real strain on y’all’s relationship, and while the short-term gain (yay, we can stay together in one place) may seem to outweigh the potential problems, it is worth considering them. As it seems right now (and I have no proof of that), USCIS seems to gear up to discourage AOS, which may mean even less resources will be provided for that part, and that may make the whole process even longer than it already is. Just something to consider. Unsolicited statement: if it were me, I would seriously consider getting married, getting all the forms for I-130 ready, and submit them once F has naturalized. Yes, it means long-distance for a while longer, but especially medium to long-term, it may pay off. Best of luck to both of you, and I hope your naturalization date comes soon!

I had an excel file where I listed my foreign travel. Also, if you don’t purge your email account regularly, you should be able to find at least most of the tickets/reservations/confirmations with dates. Use those. And if you’re not sure, give the best approximation you have.

Great discussion! Except for cashier’s checks, we used a mix of all of the above. However, we only used a personal check once. The very first application we submitted made it to USCIS, and the check was cashed, but no case number or NOA1 was generated. We tried to resolve the issue, but - as we all know - USCIS is not always the most helpful place, so finally, after about four months of trying to get USCIS to move, we accepted that we lost the money and refiled, this time with a money order. (So, the beginning of our relationship with USCIS was rocky already: gaslighting and ghosting). Once credit cards became an option, we used those - for the same reasons mentioned by many posters before me: points and miles. We never had an issue with a credit card institute blocking the USCIS fee, but I believe I got an alert once where I had to login and approve the fee. Not sure anymore though.

I know you want more info on the K1 visa, but I’ll just second what others have said: my suggestion would be to get married and have him file for a spousal visa. We went the K1 route way back when K1 was actually a lot quicker than CR1, but in hindsight, we would never do this again. It felt like forever for us to get my work permit and advanced parole approved, but back in 2017, it “only” took us about five months. These wait times are a lot longer now. And that’s not even a green card yet. As suggested, I wouldn’t get hung up on the couple of months you *might* shave off with a K1; it really isn’t worth it. Marrying would be relatively easy for you guys assuming that, since he can’t leave the U.S., you are the one usually making the trip. Just have a court house wedding next time you visit, and then file the necessary paperwork. You can plan a reception with all of your family and friends once you have set up shop together. Should you still want to pursue the K1, it should be relatively straight forward. The guides on here are very helpful, and the necessary documents needed should be relatively easy to obtain for you in Switzerland (at least that was my experience). Best of luck!

Love the answers! Especially the creative ones OP, my I-485, first DL, etc. said 5’8” as that’s what I was measured at sometime back in Switzerland. Upon my first physical here, my height was given as 5’7”, and I have gone with that since. No one cares. Not USCIS, not the ATF, not the DMV. Don’t worry. And as for the weight issue, ha! I used to teach at the State Department, and most FSOs said that they usually lose around 10-20 pounds when they go abroad (there are exceptions in terms of countries) and gain them back when they come back to the U.S.