L and E

Hello if you've found this post. I haven't seen anything like this so I wanted to start a place where people who submitted for their children can have a place to exchange info on the process. I am filing for my stepchild who lives in Colombia currently. We filed online and our process is being "actively reviewed" at the Texas Service Center. I'll post updates in case this is helpful for people in a similar position. Hopefully theres some people out there that would like to participate in this thread! I'd love to hear if anyone has insight into whats going on regarding these cases at USCIS right now.... Cheers!

If someone could clarify for me... when you are uploading evidence to the application there is a part that says "upload no more than 5 documents at a time" ... that doesn't mean you can only submit 5 pieces of evidence for each section does it? I'm not the most tech savvy so I thought I'd ask here just in case...

Also, a couple years ago we applied for a tourist visa for stepson and it was denied. I am submitting the application online and I'm not sure where to disclose this. I was advised that it does NOT go under the "Other Information/Prior petitions" section, but I don't want to be perceived as trying to hide anything 

I see.. so he will have an in person interview at the embassy. Thank you! Is there any rhyme or reason as to why it might take longer to get him here? do certain countries or situations cause the process to take longer/shorter? 

Hi VJ community, 

I am posting because I am about to file to bring my 9 year old stepson over.. I feel nervous because this is so important and my husband and I have been waiting patiently for this moment.. So here are my questions (I have tried to search this site and apologize in advance if this needs redirecting)...

-How long is this process taking on average from submission to approval?

-Besides passport and birth certificate with translations are there any other documents required for bringing a stepchild over? His mother is a part of his life and she is supportive of him coming to live in the US with us... I have a notarized letter from her stating she has met me and I have spent time with her son but is there an official document we need to get for this kind of a situation?

-Any tips or experience is welcomed... thank you!

Hi all..

hoping someone has insight on USC need to change maiden name to married name on their passport.. we are planning a trip to Colombia in March and I haven't changed my name on my passport to my new married name.. considering my husband has his gc because we are married, will it be necessary for me to change my name on my passport before this trip? Also, wondering if expediting is recommended or if these things generally get processed pretty quick? Any help is much appreciated 

i get a session timed out page or it says my info is wrong.. which im positively sure that it isnt. im using a mac computer/firefox browser

Is anyone else having issues with retrieving recently created DS 160 applications? I'm going crazy over here trying to get this website to allow me to get this done!! please help 😥

Not even 20 minutes ago I started a DS 160 application for my mother in law. Some how the page closed, and when I went to retrieve the application it keeps telling me that the name and or birth year is incorrect. I know I did not make an error in my info entry. I'm SO frustrated and I'm on like the 3rd page of the application for the 1st of 3 of my relatives 😭 has anyone had this issue? I know DS 160 is problematic but of course now I'm on a time crunch... fyi, was using firefox browser

Thanks to anyone who has input on this..

Just wanted to update the info here... went to the CA DMV office today and my husband was able to get his permit. He will be able to get his license after passing his behind the wheel test but just fyi, they accepted his I-797C (gave them all of those related to the AOS process) and they said because it is "in process" and not "denied" they will be able to use the documents to issue him a DL valid for one year. When he gets his EAD we can go back and update the length of validity of his license. 

Long story short, if you are waiting on EAD, you DO NOT have to wait to get a DL in California. Bring your Notice of Actions (along with all other required documents) and they should accept those for the time being  

8 hours ago, Boiler said:

EAD is usually what they want to see. CA does have AB60.

So would it be beneficial to use our appointment to get just a CA id card instead of a driver's license which now I see he is not eligible to get yet?

6 hours ago, mushroomspore said:

TSA is federal but their job is security and safety of air travel, not immigration checks. CBP takes of immigration when people enter the US from international travel. They're the only ones who ask about your status upon entry. I traveled domestically last year only 3 months after filing. No EAD and nobody asked me about my status. So yes you're worrying for no reason. Carry his NOA's though if you wanna be safe.

Cool, makes complete sense. Thanks for explaining. I think we'll leave the NOAs at home in a safe place 😉

Stopping by to join October AOS filers... its come full circle, I-129 October filer and now AOS October filer. Anyways, we received our notice of action that they received his I-485 and work and travel docs last week and I logged into my USCIS account and I don't see any record of any new filings since the I-129... what should I expect as far as timelines.. what are you earlier October filers seeing? What are the timelines looking like? roughly....

36 minutes ago, mushroomspore said:

Immigration is controlled at the federal level, not at the state level. So he is allowed to travel domestically.

 

CA DMV is unlikely to even recognize NOA's and what they mean. Their website also doesn't list NOA's as proof of residency or identity. Best to wait for the EAD.

is TSA state level or federal? Idk the flying without documents scares me.. anyone have experience flying domestically while awaiting EAD? am I worried about this for no reason?

I have made an appointment at the DMV for my husband to get his drivers license. He has his social security number but I was wondering.. what proof do we have that he is here legally? We received the action notice that says they received his i485 and work and travel applications... Is that what he needs to prove that he is here legally? Also same question applies to airlines.. is it a good idea to fly within the US before he gets his approvals? Just sort of in limbo here as to his legal status.

If anyone has experience getting a drivers license in CA after arriving on a k-1 I would greatly appreciate anyone to share their experience/tips

Thanks!

Good question, we had a similar issue. My guess was because my husband arrived on the west coast which is PST and the system records in EST. just a guess.... I put the date that was listed on his I-94 even though it is technically incorrect. for his arrival date I put the actual correct date. On one section it says "about what date was the arrival date" or something like that so I figured they see this a lot and they could figure it out. But now that someone else is asking id like to know as well

1 hour ago, K1visaHopeful said:

It says here in this post that it's not relevant for concurrent I485 filers...

https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/415600-form-i-131-part-7/

Thank you!! 

1 hour ago, K1visaHopeful said:

?

hm must mean it isn't relevant... its easy to get lost in here lol 

I printed this example form off but Im not entirely sure if I should make one and include it in our AOS packet... whats the purpose/necessity of it? Is it important to include? 

1 hour ago, geowrian said:

That's not uncommon for a newlywed couple. Send what you do have, then gather more evidence while the case is pending and provide that for the interview later.

Makes sense! Ok great thank you 

When filing AOS, we will obviously include our marriage certificate... but I was wondering what other supporting documents are needed? We can include photos of our ceremony and a copy of our rental agreement to prove joint residence but the only other thing we have is a joint gym membership which I don't know what kind of document I could use to prove that. We don't have any bank accounts together yet because he just recently received his SSN. Any ideas/recommendations would be greatly appreciated. 

actually, i don't think they require me to say I'm fluent in spanish, only that it was the language we communicated in and that he is fluent... still wondering if i am both the interpreter and preparer or just the preparer though

actually nope... read little further they do require that i say i am fluent

I am the USC and my husband is filing for AOS.. however, he speaks limited english so I am preparing his papers.. My question is... Do we mark both Part 10 1b. and 2 or just 2? I speak a sufficient amount of Spanish but I don't necessarily feel comfortable saying I am fluent which is what they seem to require from an "interpreter".. am i the "interpreter" and "preparer" or just the "preparer"?

3 minutes ago, K1visaHopeful said:

 

I'd be more specific in stating what training he had and what role he played. Keep in mind that soldiers are not looked upon in a bad light if presented well.

Ok that makes sense.. thank you!

3 minutes ago, K1visaHopeful said:

You have to mark yes and then elaborate in the Additional info section....even if it sounds bad.

Ok... when elaborating... do you think it would be sufficient to say something like "soldier in Colombian national military" or do I need to be more specific?