Pat&Vince

16 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

San Francisco in particular is not desirable from the standpoints of expense and crime, and one could make that case for some or all of California.

We live in SF (I have been here for 6 years) and it’s an absolutely safe place to be, not more or less than any other large cities in this country. Media, for some reasons,, are painting a gross image of this gorgeous city that is absolutely untrue.

There are neighborhoods in the city that are problematic (the infamous Tenderloin to name one), and places around the bay that may be less desirable, but again nothing more than anywhere else in this country. It’s a beautiful area to live in with TONS of possibilities and a buzzing work scene… however it is very expensive due to the prevalence of the tech industry and its high salaries. 

14 hours ago, ivi_legaz said:

Well, it with be UI/UX Design more than graphic design. So, for a company to sponsor me, it has to be a specific job, or can't it be that the company wants me there and decides to sponsor it?

 

Again, I am sooo new to all of this so, they are all genuine questions

Immigration to the US is a real journey, you should consider the DV (green card) lottery as well. I know a few people who won, so it’s not that rare.

Getting married would be the easiest path (though you’ll need to be patient…) as it grants a green card and the authorization to work.

14 hours ago, SalishSea said:

Work visas are limited to certain types of jobs that are hard to fill in the US.   Graphic design is not one of them.

 

That is simply not true. A lot of tech companies rely on graphic/UX designers, of which many are from abroad and secured a job in the US via a H1B. However that visa, I think, does require a college degree as starter.

21 hours ago, Tere&Cami said:

Me and my partner are looking for the best way to proceed. I'm from Italy, he's USC.

Since the waiting time is almost the same, we're leaning to get married and proceed with a CR-1 visa, more than picking the K1 path.
Our concern about this is the traveling while the I-130 is pending.

What are the chances of a tourist visa getting denied because of this? Would this be a problem only with a pending I-130 or also with a pending I-129F?
I know for this purpose there's the K3 visa, but the waiting time is the same so there's no point.
We are willing to wait for the whole procedure to go through, but not being able to see each other in the meantime would be crazy.

Thank you for the help!

I entered the country twice to visit my husband while the I-130 was being processed, going through custom was a breeze, no questioning whatsoever. Both times I had some solid evidence of ties to my country of origin should have they been needed.

no need to worry, you’re doing everything legally! Use the ESTA and don’t bother with a tourist visa.

2 minutes ago, nastra30 said:

Context matters. If you are following the thread in contextual manner, you'll see that I basically meant you'll have to file to remove conditions first, before you file for N400. If you take that statement in a literal silo then it's obviously it won't be a correct statement.

Couldn't agree more on the importance of context! My understanding is that your statement, regardless of any context, was not ambiguous or left to interpretation. On a website where people seek help (and full disclosure I am not a lawyer) choice of words and phrasing are important.

1 minute ago, nastra30 said:

Yes you can. Have you read the full thread?

That's exactly what I'm saying - that you can.

I'm pointing out that your statement says otherwise, again that's your quote: "You'll have to remove conditions (of course) first before filing N400".

I'm clarifying that you don't have to wait until conditions are lifted to FILE for N400.

Just now, nastra30 said:

Why isn't it correct?

re-Read my previous full answer.

You can FILE for N400 even if conditions aren't lifted yet. You stated that "You'll have to remove conditions (of course) first before filing N400" - which is incorrect.

3 minutes ago, nastra30 said:

What is not correct?

This part:

"You'll have to remove conditions (of course) first before filing N400"

15 hours ago, nastra30 said:

CR is conditional but I'm telling you today it still makes you a LEGAL PERMANENT RESIDENT. So regardless of whether you entered on CR or IR you are a permanent resident. You'll have to remove conditions (of course) first before filing N400.

That is not correct. You can file for N400 on the 3 years rule even if your lifting of conditions is still being processed. I filed N400 as soon as I could (90 days prior to the 3 year anniversary of becoming a conditional resident) and had a combo interview lifting of conditions+naturalization at the same time. The process isn't completely linear and you can stack the I-751 and N400 timelines. N400 will be pending until I-751 is approved, that's a pretty common path.

9 minutes ago, eric_and_teresa said:

Oops!  I meant July 2021 and had expired in February 2022, I swear I never know on which day I am and now I am living in the future! Lol 

Haha, no worries! And apologies for being a bit cheeky… I’m with you, what year is this anyway, can’t remember myself. I guess that Covid has thrown all of us in a weird timeloop!

15 hours ago, scotty2009 said:

Hello! I have the following info:

- green card expiration 02/01/22

- n400 application receipt:  Jan 2, 2022

- interview schedule - April 27, 2022

 

I have been reading VJ since early today & came across some threads which made me think if I should have filed for an extension of my 

green card prior to filing for n400? I still am currently working in the USA as of today. Am I not eligible to work since I have an expired green card? 

Thank you!

My extension letter (and thus my green card) was expired by 6 weeks when I got my i-751/N400 combo ITW. By precaution, I got my passport stamped, though that process itself took 5 weeks, so it didn't really matter at the end of the day.

Unless you need to travel, there shouldn't be a problem until you can get a US passport.

1 hour ago, eric_and_teresa said:

I was on the same boat, I applied in July 2022, my green card expired in February 2023 while my N-400 was still processing. I have been working all this time as well and was wondering if my employer would ask me for a new green card since my file probably shows that I am expired.  I did some reading and researching and like Arken explained above, found out that your resident status does not change just because the green card itself expires. You should be fine. I had my interview last week and got approved and will take the oath next month. 

Do you live in the future? 😉

On 3/19/2022 at 8:24 PM, SKB2017 said:

Anyone have San Francisco for their local field office and have an interview date yet?  I've been 'ready for a scheduled interview' since the beginning of August 2021 and nothing since. 

I was "ready for ITW" in June 2020 and got the letter early July in 2021 - 13 months later. Mind you it was a combo ITW, so it might have sped up the process.

SF is quite backlogged. 

17 hours ago, Lili08 said:

Hi! I had my n-400 interview this week. I passed my civics, written and oral test but IO checked option B " Decision cannot be made".  For those of you who have gone through the same how long did it take you to hear back from USCIS? I got an email this morning saying "We have taken action on your case"  but when I log in there's no update. The status is still interview was schedule. 

Thank you in advance for your answers!

Hi there,

That's pretty normal. I had the same situation (felts a bit distraught at first!) and ended getting confirmation of approval 19 days later. Sometimes the OP you talk to needs thumbs up from leadership. I wouldn't worry too much... once you're approved, things move fast, I had my certificate in hand 40 days after the ITW, voted the very next day and got my US passport two weeks later. I know how excruciating that can be towards the end, but hang in there, your immigration journey is almost over :-)

Took about three weeks, I received the confirmation for the ceremony slightly before confirmation that I-751 was approved, oath ceremony took place 10 days later. So ITW to oath: less than 5 weeks.

On 10/9/2021 at 5:54 PM, bing10 said:

 

Yes, my understanding is that you have to go in person to change a name or citizenship. (My US Citizen wife also had to go there in person when she changed to her married name)

 

I thought @Pat&Vince might have stumbled on a loop-hole, but it seems not.

 

Yes absolutely.

So I lucked out, as I checked for appointments availability today, a slot was available the same day at 7PM, I literally jumped on it and went to the global entry at SFO.

showed up 30 minutes ahead, was the only guy there and they let me in at 6:30… out at 6:35 approved and citizenship updated, easy peasy!

On 9/22/2021 at 5:55 PM, randy32 said:

Not sure how Dept. of State counts their passport backlog or I just got lucky.

I got my passport in just under 4 weeks (renewal). Not expedited.

 

Currently waiting for my supporting documents to be returned.

Per their website, I should expect it within 10 days of passport receipt.

I did mine expedited and received the book in 19 days, the card in 23 days. Still waiting for the certificate….

17 minutes ago, bing10 said:

 

That's interesting that it let you enter the new citizenship. Perhaps you've discovered a back-door way to update your account without an in-person visit.

 

I'm curious, if you login to your Global Entry account, do you see the button 'Apply for APEC Business Travel Card' as shown below? If that's there, then the system knows you are a US Citizen. If not, I'd say an in-person visit is still needed.

 

It now actually says "Conditionally approved" in a brown frame, and only give me the option to schedule an interview... of which 0 are available at my location, whether in person or via ZOOM, ugh!

I feel like the easiest way to go through it should be upon re-entry, next time I leave the country and come back. I'll try to go in person, but per SFO's website they don't allow it because of COVID, I might try just to see.

11 hours ago, bing10 said:

 

Yes, you have to go there in person.

 

Also, requesting a new card before you have updated the citizenship is the wrong order. You'll just get another card showing your original citizenship. You need to order that up after you've updated the citizenship in person.

I figured that, and I think I did it r IG hit as the reason for a new card is the new citizenship. In the print-out of the application, it shows that the citizenship has been updated as well as my updated address.

we’ll see…

9 hours ago, bing10 said:

 

I went to Dayton OH.

 

Looking at the interview locations, it looks like only LAX in California that is listed as appointments only:

 

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/enrollment-centers/california

 

To get a replacement card, you can do that online once your citizenship has been updated. I did that from the parking lot, immediately after getting the citizenship updated. They charge $25 for that.

 

Also, if you do any business travel in the Asia/Pacific region, you can apply for the APEC card immediately after as well. I did that too, and went back into the Global Entry office for my 'APEC interview' which they also did without an appointment.

 

Yes I did the online update and paid the 25$ fee, but I still need to go there in person to update the new citizenship, right?

15 minutes ago, bing10 said:

 

 

Yes, for Global Entry, you have to do it in person to update your citizenship, but you don't need an appointment for that, you can just pop-in to any one, or go to the office at the airport when you make your next entry.

 

I just did mine this week, and it only took a few minutes.

What airport did you go to? 

I looked at SFO’s website and it specifically says to not come for a walk-in… ugh!

I also went to the trusted traveler website to update info and going through review to replace the card and update info, so it sounds like it has to go through initial review first? This is so confusing. I might go in person and see what happens.
 

On 9/23/2021 at 6:58 PM, androidhk89 said:

My wife has her N400 interview on 10/18. She also has a pending I-751 that has been waiting for an interview since July 2020. 

 

Hopefully she gets her oath and naturalization certificate by end of October. Then we will apply for her passport right away because we are traveling in middle of January. 

 

If all goes well it gives us 1 montb to get her visa before our flight...everything is on the edge as I am not sure how things will go with passport processing time. Definitely paying to have it expediteated. 

 

Please let me know how much your time takes. 

3 hours ago, happytree said:

That’s a good point. I had forgotten about global entry. I got it while I was a PR. I am now a citizen and my global entry is still valid for an extra 3 years. 
 

do I have to apply again ? Or just update my citizenship somehow ? 

Maybe I should post this as a separate post. 

 

I guess it’s fine to have it posted here? There might more answer under the “passport’ thread though.

From what a I’ve read, update to citizenship must happen in person, I tried to do it online but the system won’t let you. I’m in San Francisco and Ithink they don’t allow walk-ins… and getting an appointment is a pain, so hopefully there isn’t a 6 months wait for it!

On 9/23/2021 at 6:58 PM, androidhk89 said:

My wife has her N400 interview on 10/18. She also has a pending I-751 that has been waiting for an interview since July 2020. 

 

Hopefully she gets her oath and naturalization certificate by end of October. Then we will apply for her passport right away because we are traveling in middle of January. 

 

If all goes well it gives us 1 montb to get her visa before our flight...everything is on the edge as I am not sure how things will go with passport processing time. Definitely paying to have it expediteated. 

 

Please let me know how much your time takes. 

So I just received my passport book today, in 19 days! Definitely worth paying the extra 65$

Funny though yesterday, the status on state.gov still said “under review” and was changed to approved this morning… pretty much just as the postman was delivering the priority mail.

Now waiting for the card and my original CS.

Next is global entry and other I9 updates.

22 hours ago, DMenace83 said:

The interview is next week, and I'm curious, the appointment letter says if I'm here because of marriage, I need to bring my spouse's birth certificate? Is that necessary, or is a passport good?

 

Also, I watched many videos, and people brought tax return transcripts. However, the letter doesn't mention this. Do I need to bring that as well?

 

Finally, anything else I'm missing? So far I have:

 

Green card

Marriage Certificate

State Issued ID

Passport

Tax Returns Transcript (???)

Spouse Passport (or do I really need birth certificate??)

 

Depending on when you have applied, you probably haven’t submitted the latest tax documents. If you go to the IRS website, you can download or request a paper version of the tax transcript, showing you have no tax debt. The IO asked for ours, and I had all the transcripts for the past 5 years, she was only interested in the most recent one though.

in short, any additional evidence that you may have in addition to when you submitted, take it with you! There’s a high chance they won’t ask for anything, but if they do, you‘ll be prepared.

and… relax, it’s a great step forward, be ready to celebrate!

On 9/22/2021 at 4:25 PM, mwert said:

I see that New York general election voter registration deadline is October 8. My naturalization ceremony is scheduled for October 12. Election will be on November 2, when I am going to be a citizen already.

Is it ok to register on October 8?

Any pointers to applicable laws and cases are appreciated!

THAT'S A BIG NO

Funny thing: I did register a couple hours after my naturalization, not thinking I would be allowed to vote the very next day. I don't know how it works in NY, but here in California, I was able to cast a provisional ballot (pending the verification of my registration), and I was able to track it and it ended up being counted. Couldn't have been a better timing...