C and E

47 minutes ago, Scandi said:

There are even people who babysit for friends and family for free and it's still considered working illegally. You don't seem to want to listen to what people are telling you but instead try to find ways around the law, so I won't be responding to you anymore now as it has no effect anyway. 

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1 hour ago, C and E said:

That's why I am doing the planning now...business isn't the priority (it will be a side thing and we will both have other jobs) but rather being together, so it sounds like we will just have to wait...as nothing is worth putting being together at risk after this long process! Thanks for the replies.

 

I will also just add to my apology that the above was my initial response to your reply -- saying that it sounded like would have to wait (for the business) as being together is the more important thing, and then thanking you for your reply. So I really don't think your accusation was merited. 

Just now, Coco8 said:

Then he should get a non-drivers license. It matters for several reasons (1) He can prove during AOS that he lives in the same place as you do if necessary (2) he needs an ID so that he doesn't have to use his passport everywhere (if the passport gets lost it will be an issue; trust me, I lost mine in the US and it was a pain!).

 

Usually you have to have an unexpired i-94 to get a drivers license. Though it varies by state and in some you can get it with the receipt that USCIS got your AOS application. It varies a lot so check requirements for your state and search VJ. In some you can only do it before K1 expires. It can get tricky.

 

Moreover, the time frame for the social security number can be short because it depends on the i-94 (the date given to him when he gets into the US, it might be the 90 days in which you guys have to marry). Here is the guide:

 

http://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn

 

If you don't file on time then he cannot get a SSN and he cannot be on the joint account (better to produce one for AOS) or get his own personal account. He will have to wait until he gets the EAD to get a SSN if he doesn't do it following the guide (so like 4 months!).

 

 

 

 

Ah OK, gotcha -- in my state we call it a State ID. Yes, will definitely get that! And thanks for the tip on the SSN process! 

Just now, Scandi said:

There are even people who babysit for friends and family for free and it's still considered working illegally. You don't seem to want to listen to what people are telling you but instead try to find ways around the law, so I won't be responding to you anymore now as it has no effect anyway. 

 

I am sorry, I really didn't mean to be rude. I am grateful for the responses and am indeed listening. If I didn't suspect there might be an issue, I wouldn't be asking this question. 

I am surprised to hear that looking after friends and family's children for free is considered working illegally. I really didn't know that. I am really sorry but it appears I am just not informed which is why I am trying to inform myself.

Is there a resource which presents these kinds of rules and information online? You said "law", where does one find this information written? Or people's experiences? 

I really do apologize, I am learning here. 

2 minutes ago, Coco8 said:

There is no K1 work permit if this kind.

 

 

 

Here's something I found about the work permit I mentioned: http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/free-books/fiance-marriage-visa-book/chapter5-22.html

Perhaps it no longer exists? In any case it doesn't help. 

Curiously why is it important to get a drivers license as soon as possible and why do you mention the short time frame? Is it not possible to do later on? My fiance doesn't know how to drive and I wasn't considering that a priority. 

Gotcha on the citizen versus immigrant logic, and thanks for the info about 4 months out. I'd rather plan safely than sorry. 

Is it not possible to go to a local office and speak with an immigration officer in person with questions when going through AOS?

7 minutes ago, June2017UK said:

I think it would only be a moot point if you're setting up the new venture as a not-for-profit organisation / obtaining charity status. But as you mention 'business', then they presume the intention will be a profit-making one. 

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Well nonprofits are also businesses, and knowing a lot about nonprofits through previous experience I know it wouldn't be the right option for what I want to do, but the profit I would be making would be pretty marginal. A lot of people run these kind of "businesses" under the table without really thinking about it but publicly advertise and it is unheard of that the authorities come after them. Kind of like people who do tutoring or give music lessons on the side, or rent a space and teach sport workshops, etc.

I'm curious in the VJ community if there hasn't been anyone who has taught or tutored during the waiting period? Foreign languages, music, sports etc?

I don't want to take any risks, but at the same time, as this is our common passion, it seems sad to make my fiance stay home during this period. Could my fiance be present? Is there some resource which presents a legal definition? 

Previously I volunteered as a teacher in a similar profit-making business for over a year...later I was also paid for it...but I started volunteering. I would get an exchange -- discount on other classes or something like that. I also worked in another similar setting (for profit teaching business) which regularly took unpaid volunteers, and openly recruited them online without issue. Of course none of the volunteers in these situations were in the tricky situation of immigrants in process married to the legal business owner. 

What is difficult for the planning aspect is determining when then my fiance could begin. Looked into the K1 work permit application process but what is the point of applying for a work permit as a K1 visa holder if it takes 45 days to process and expires at the time you apply for the Green Card and are no longer considered a K1 visa holder? Seems nonsensical to begin with but especially for a side gig hobby business which wouldn't really bring in much cash as it costs almost as much as the 1-129f fee.

As a work permit can be applied for directly following the marriage along with AOS -- seems the best options is to wait the 90 days for the permit to be received -- is that right? Are there typically delays here as in the NOA1-NOA2 delays typically experienced? 

As for particulars, do you guys think it would be wise to contact the local immigration office to pose these questions? I really don't want to do anything wrong but as this is creative work there's a lot of things we could do that could be interpreted as "working" which are gray areas, especially if I go forward with getting the business set up during the waiting period. 

1 minute ago, Scandi said:

It would be considered working and it would be illegal. If being able to work instantly after POE you should have chosen the CR-1 visa, not the K-1. Planning and research is the key.

 

That's why I am doing the planning now...business isn't the priority (it will be a side thing and we will both have other jobs) but rather being together, so it sounds like we will just have to wait...as nothing is worth putting being together at risk after this long process! Thanks for the replies.

4 minutes ago, Coco8 said:

 

 

 

Thanks for the information you provided and the advice. But I have done the same kind of job in the same kind of setting as a regular volunteer for over a year -- so I don't necessarily "agree" with the logic that someone else would be hired -- although a check by immigration if what I would fear. Do you know a good resource to look further into this? There are a few additional "what ifs" I am considering but it is all too much detail for VJ. 
 

Hello, I have a I-129F in progess for a K1 visa for my fiance. We plan to start a business together doing teaching. I would like to register the business now (purchase business license, get bank account set up, etc). I will do this in my name. We plan to marry within a month of our arrival in the US.

Coming in on a K1 visa, I know there is a three month period where my fiance will not be able to legally work. But, I would like for my fiance to begin right away helping in classes and I would like to be able to put my fiance's name and bio on the website, etc. I would not be making any payments, and everything would still be in my name.

Is this legal? Would my fiance be able to be considered a "volunteer"? Is there any kind of language I would need to avoid, or anything to look out for? I would hate to have an issue come along where my fiance's ability to stay would be at risk...

UUGGHH WHYYYYY....

I know this is off topic itself -- but my question is -- does anyone know when this would go into affect and if our current cases could beat that happening? 

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/02/us/politics/trump-immigration.html

Just now, Chris2870 said:

I'm still trying to figure that case tracker out lol. I also searched 500 before and never left my date 4/10/17. 

RFE's suck but were they for the 4th?

 

Sorry I meant to say my received date was March 29 -- all of the other cases I have searched were K1 visa petitions received March 29. The tracker is the "Case Tracker" app. I am guessing they were all NOA1 on the 4th if they were all received March 29...

Hello all...first to all thanks for the uplifting and sympathetic words after my previous post! For some reason VJ did not alert me that anybody replied so I just saw now. Also thanks to those who explained how the trackers work! I went in there and put in a scan for 500 K1 cases around my received date (April 4). And bad news....an RFE bomb just dropped! 6 in the past few minutes, I wonder if more will come...so far I don't see my case number, but hopefully nobody here on VJ is affected...sorry to anyone who does get one. Praying and wishing and hoping for good news....

1 hour ago, krizia said:

Hello everyone! 

 

Just wanna ask if we call USCIS on Saturday are they open? Some says they are. And do we ask TIER 2 specifically? I mean is that the correct position we will ask or we could just say 'Transfer me to someone who has higher access' Thanks! 

 

I also want to know how people are getting through to speak to an actual human. Every time I call I just have to go through their phone system pressing buttons and navigating menus, and in the end I only hear the same information it says online about my case -- "received". 

1 hour ago, DJ2017 said:

Hi guys, can i know what forms and paper works you send to USCIS for your K1 application? Thanks all, hopefully i can send mine this weekend

This isn't the right place to ask this question -- this is the thread for people who filed in April to discuss related matters. Really, this isn't a thread question unless you have something more specific to ask. For an overview of what you need for the initial K1 application, you need to check the guide posted on the VJ website, or just google the term "K1 Visa Process" and you'll find several other sites listing answers to your question.

That said, it's going to take you longer than one weekend. Among other things you need current printed photos of your fiancé as well as their signature one 2 documents -- a letter of intent to marry and a biographical form. You need to check the K1 guide on this site and elsewhere. Good luck. 

5 hours ago, SatinderSabiee said:

USCIS was working today on 27th & 29th march cases .These all approved cases were processed on 27th of july.

 

What program do you use to get this info?

Hey guys, how do you get information on other people's cases? I only have my own case in both my tracker apps, which is quite boring since it never changes! 

How do you see information on other cases?

It's currently 1 pm in California. Let's hope they crank out approvals this afternoon and tomorrow!  

Just now, Knifeboxx said:

Got electronic notification that my case is approved. 

03-25 mailed

03-28 received

04-04 noa1

Forget what day we got it in the mail ^^

07-27 noa2!

 

 

Wooooo!!! Congrats!!!! Soooo happy to see this! I just saw your VJ timeline update and posted it at the same time.

How did you get the update your posted, on which service/app??? I check the website and it still says "received", I am also NOA1 on April 4. 

2 hours ago, KozmicBlues said:

OMG!! This is not a drill....MY NOA2 IS ON ITS WAY!!!!!!!!!!! I'm literally so happy I could cry and scream and freak the eff out! I have goosebumps!!!

 

I have very mixed feelings about posting this because I know there are many of you with NOA1 way before mine that are still waiting, but I'm hoping that it helps others to see I got positive result from contacting my senator. I feel so bad that mine was approved before others because I know how it feels, but I wanted to share so you guys can try contacting your senator also. His office inquired with USCIS on July 24th and coincidentally my case was (according to the email below) approved on July 25th. I can only assume the inquiry prompted them to pull my case and approve the petition. Here's the text of the email I received back from my Senator's office. Took some text out for privacy. 

 

Hello Traci,

 

I received the below response from USCIS in regards to your case. Good news – you should soon have the approval notice in the mail! Let me know if you have any questions!

 

Thank you,

 

Immigration Specialist

 

From: USCIS California Service Center Congressional Unit
Sent: Thursday, July 27, 2017 9:31 AM
 

RE: I129F case #-WACXXXXXX

 

Good Morning,

 

Thank you for your July 24, 2017, inquiry on behalf of your constituent, XXXXX, regarding the I129F petition filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

 

In receipt of your inquiry, a thorough review was completed on your constituent’s case. USCIS records show the following:

The California Service Center approved and mailed a Notice of Approval on July 25, 2017 for this case. The Notice of Approval was mailed to the address of record at:

XXXXXX

I hope you find this information helpful and have a good day.

Respectfully,

Congressional Liaison| DHS – USCIS | Congressional Liaison Unit - California Service Center

 

 

 

Hello! Thanks for this info. My case was received March 29 so we are on similar timelines. Unfortunately I am stuck in-between countries right now and not sure how I am going to work out going to my fiance's country for the interview as it is quite complicated in terms of $$/how long I can stay, so I am really feeling pressure to sort things out SOON and nail down an interview date so I can make a move. Thought this would have been done a few weeks ago!

How did you find out how to contact your congressperson? What process did you use to find the right e-mail?

Also, what was the original e-mail/letter you sent? Would you mind sharing the letter here (without personal details) as a template?

Thank you in advance!! 

Anybody lucky today?

Also how can USCIS be processing cases as of April 2 if April 2 was a Sunday? I'm confused...

Happy Monday! So...who has checked the mail today?

37 minutes ago, SatinderSabiee said:

did anyone here whose background check has been completed? i got my noa1 on 14th june and just called uscis & they said your background check has been done.i am just assuming that next step might be no2 & it  might be very close

 

What number did you use to contact USCIS and how did you get them to give you that kind of information? 

Your VJ timeline says your can expect NOA2 in October...I think you are further off than you think. 

But you raise a good point -- what else does USCIS do during this time? Anybody know?

8 minutes ago, spike198 said:

Hi all!  I'm reading through everyone's comments and I really admire all of the positive attitudes.  I wish I could say I was feeling the same way but I'm not.  Watching the timelines shift day after day doesn't make me feel like I'm one day closer.  As a matter of fact, I feel the exact opposite.  I know it's just an estimate, but it feels like we are running a marathon and we thought we just had one more corner to go around and when we turn that corner, the finish line isn't there.  So we keep running to the net corner and when we get there, the same thing happens.  Now, our Administration just approved an additional 15,000 (yes, 15,000) visas to be issued for temp workers in the US.  Again, I want to be positive, but you can't tell me that that won't affect the process.  It's so frustrating

 

Girl, that is exactly how I feel...here's hoping that the happy day is SOON.