Britt & Stenio

Hello everyone,

Just figured I'd share my experience regarding my Immigration process hoping it could help someone if need be. So I got here on a K-1, got married, got the EAD, got the green card with conditions and applied for the green card without conditions over the last 5 years. As I was waiting for the removal of conditions for my green card (I-751) to be approved, I became eligible for citizenship. I started to research online others' experiences about what happens if you get called in for your citizenship interview without actually having your full green card. The consensus was that it was based on the officer you got because they could either expedite the application and do the interview for the I-751 at the same time as the interview for citizenship or they could send you home and tell you to contact them once you receive your green card--there was no guarantee it would work.

I decided to go for it and applied. I received my citizenship interview appointment for August, 2023 in New York City and I got really lucky that the officer was fantastic; she was really helpful. I brought my wife, just in case the interview for the I-751 would be conducted right then, and told the officer about the situation. I brought all my documents regarding the I-751 and she went to the back to see what she could do. She came out maybe 10 minutes later and said she looked over our I-751, reviewed the application and checked the proof. She requested for it to be approved. She didn't need us to go back and interview since we gave enough evidence through our application, especially our tax returns as we file together.

Going this route, and with the luck of a nice officer, it did expedite my I-751 approval. After she requested approval for the I-751, she took me to the back and conducted the citizenship test. She asked me seven of the questions that were on the study guide as well as asked me to read a phrase out loud and write a phrase down in English. She told me I passed but couldn't officially congratulate me since my I-751 needed to be adjusted from pending to approved. She told me it takes about a month, which it did, for my I-751 status to update. Once that was done, I received a letter in the mail about my oath ceremony and officially became a US citizen a little over a month and a half after the interview in August! 

Jose, this was the only way it worked for me as well. Thank you for sharing! I hope other people find this as well.

4 hours ago, NewbieFeb said:

We’re in a similar position. No changes on combo card since Dec 17, 2018 - 197 days today 😩

 

Our only difference is I-485: case is ready to be scheduled for an interview (as of 18 days ago). While it was good to see a sign of life which shows some movement, our LFO is New York and their estimated timeline is 20.5 to 35.5 months so it’s not exactly cause for celebration. 

 

We’re still hoping and wishing for the EAD/AP!

We filed my husband's on 12/10/18 and just got approval for the EAD/AP 6/19/19. Our office is NY as well! It's frustrating how long it all takes to get the green card because I'm pretty sure with the timeline we're going to have to reapply for the EAD/AP and pay a fee all over again. But on the bright side  we did eventually get the EAD approval, hopefully yours will be coming soon after!

Hey guys. I filed for AOS on 12/10/18 and have been basically looking every week online for my husband's EAD/AP approval. Looked today and saw that the processing time on their website went up from 5-7 months to 6.5-8.5 months  feeling a little defeated but hopeful some news will come earlier than that.

On 10/23/2018 at 6:37 AM, Otenu said:

I was following this post cause me and my fiance are in a similar situation. Did they request a co-sponsor from you or your income was sufficient? Did you have to add assets to your i-134? Thanks in advance Britt & Stenio. I’m happy that everything worked out for you guys  

So how my fiance described the experience was that he went to the interview and the guy there asked for the I-134. He told the man he had two and the guy asked for both so he handed both in. It wasn't talked about after nor did it result in a denial. I know people say that having a co-sponsor can affect you but I don't think so  I told him just to hand the one in and see if it was fine before handing in my dad's (I created a letter and everything). But in telling the guy that he had the second one they were both asked for up front so we ended up using both just to be safe. I only added my annual income and savings/ checkings to my I-134, no other assets. Hope this helps! If you have any other questions feel free to ask  and good luck! 

On 10/23/2018 at 8:50 AM, Danny & Carlos said:

My fiancé and I had our  interview yesterday. My joint sponsor and I filled out I-134 , However at the end the counselor officer said the joint sponsor was actually supposed to fill out 1-864 . And was not supposed to fill out I -134. She kindly told us to go back home and submit the correct one and send it by email to the embassy in Bogota, Colombia. I had never heard of I-864 being requested during the interview but just wanted to let you know that could be a possibility for you.

I haven't heard that either, that's very strange. We used the I-134 for both me and my co-sponsor.

Hey guys! I know that there were questions earlier on in this group of the layout/times of when the visa arrived after the interview. This was ours:

10/1/18- visa interview

10/4/18- visa issued

10/15/18- visa arrived at the house

My fiance lives in the northeast so it took a bit longer than others. Also the Brazilian holiday impacted the timing as well.

Hope this helps!

45 minutes ago, SilverMonk said:

Oh okay, so he didnt ask you a bunch of questions regarding if you had lived in the us in the past or had a visa denied? lol

Do you know if I need to bring a copy of my vaccination records or will they keep the original one there for a day or two? and did you need to get any additional vaccines or where all good?

Thanks for that explanation. That was very insightful! My fiance will be joining me for the interview so I might arrive a few days early to get the medical done at go to the CASV. So from your information I know that it takes 3 days from the day I get the exams done to the day I get the results back.  On the 25th, did you get the exams done in the morning and then go into the medical in the afternoon?
 

He didn't ask any questions like that.

I did all the vaccines for my age range, which he sends in a list with all the vaccines one should have if he is of a certain age. He states they are not required to get into USA, but you will need them for the next step. This facilitates your process when you are applying for the AOS so you don’t have to go to the panel physician’s there.

I brought my original vaccination records only. They were given back to me at the end of the physical appointment.

I did Blood and Urine exams in the same lab (Lab Lamina), then I did the X Ray (Clinica Cavallieri), and finally my physical appointment was on the same day at 2:30 pm.

If you don't have the instructions, send an email for rjconsultorio@gmail.com. They answer you really quick. Their instructions are very clear and easy to understand 🙂

30 minutes ago, SilverMonk said:

Thanks you for that! And congratulations on your approval!! Hopefully I'll be in your same situation in about a month

 

I was originally gonna get my medical in Belo Horizonte but I'm now thinking of getting it in Rio.

 

My friend got his medical done in Belo and he said the doctor was not friendly and asked him a bunch of random non medical questions. She even asked if he had lived illegally in the US at any time of his life.

 

Would you mind sharing how your actual medical went, what questions were asked and stuff like that?

The physical appointment wasn't what I expected. I expected it to be more intensive, but it was mainly questioning and superficial checkups.

First I paid the R$ 700 to the secretary, gave my passport and ASC confirmation page (Which has my RDJ number), gave 6 3x4 photos, and my vaccination records, and filled out something she asked me.

The doctor asked me If I had any surgery during my life, asked if I donated blood, asked if I had done HIV testing (I did when I donated blood). I showed him my eyes exam and told him I had nystagmus. When I said that, he focused a part of the appointment on it. He asked when I first detected it, how it interfered with my life, what was the cause of it, etc. For him, only diseases could cause nystagmus, I explained to him that that was not the only cause. He did some research on Nystagmus while I was explaining that to him and he saw what I meant. He also asked if I could drive, I said that I can but I don't have a driver’s license because of my sight limitations. It was not in a rude way, it was fine. He gave me the DS-3025 together with my vaccination records.

After the questioning he measured my height, my weight, he took my forehead temperature, checked my throat, my heart pulses, my blood pressure and my ears. He then explained to me that my visual limitation is considered a "disability" and that I wouldn't be able to do some kind of works. I said I understand, but for my area of work it does not impact me that much (I am a Software Engineer). That was it.

When I went there to pick the sealed envelope up, the secretary also gave me the exams I took (Urine, Blood, X-Ray). She said I will need them entering the USA. Those exams were not sealed.

14 hours ago, SilverMonk said:

For those who got the medical done in Rio. How long did it take from the day you got the exams and the physical done to the day you had the results in hand?

I did all the exams and physical on the same day (Tuesday September 25th), I got my DS-3025 at the end of the physical. The sealed envelope was available for me to pick it up September 28th.

14 hours ago, SilverMonk said:

Oh okay, thank you.

 

And about the interview. I thought that fiancé visa interviews where only held on Tuesdays. I didn't know they opened up Mondays too?

 

But good luck tomorrow!

I thought it was only offered on Tuesdays as well. However, when I was setting up the interview, they offered Today`s date (a Monday).

Thank you for the Luck, it worked, because we were approved today :)

The appointment was straightforward: I arrived at the consulate, showed my passport, went upstairs to the second floor (where those visas are done). I was greeted by an employee that gave me two papers: one showing the list of documents I needed, and another one to fill out with contact information. The contact information form was asking for my address and phone number, my fiancee’s address and phone number and where I was staying in Rio. The list of documents were the ones described on their website, you just need to put them in order. The employee that gave you the two pages will check everything, and ask you to sign the sworn statement.

Once I was done with the documents, I was directed to wait for the documentation check. This part is the longest. You will be asked about your living situation, employment history, get your fingerprints, etc. Your original documents will be returned in this step. This is not the interview yet.

After that, I waited a little more. The Consul called me by my name, I went there, I was sworn in with my right hand up that I understand the proccess and such, then I signed with my fingerprints again. The Consul only asked me three questions, How and where we met, the last time I visited her, the last time she visited me. After that, she said everything was fine, said my visa will be ready in two weeks, and stated I can't marry before getting to USA and that I needed to do that within 90 days once I am there.

Although my appointment was for 9:20 am, I arrived there at 8:10, I was allowed to go in and start filling out the form and organizing the documents. My interview was at 10:30 ish.

The interview itself took 5 minutes at the most. The questioning was 2 minutes at the most.

Good luck for everyone!

9 hours ago, SilverMonk said:

Oh okay, thank you. Because I filled out ds-160s in the past and fiancé was not considered to be an immediate relative back then so I was unsure what to put.

 

Anyone else care to chime in?

I put yes because it had the hint on the side that said the fiancee is considered an immediate relative. I'll let you know if it was correct because my fiance is going to the interview Monday 😁

14 hours ago, derikmelo said:

From my experience getting a B1/B2, they just need your passport and DS-160 confirmation page at the ASC. I don't know if it's different for K1.

Update: He went to his ASC appointment today for the K1 and that's all he needed--- the current passport and the DS-160 confirmation page. Thanks for the info!

Hey guys,

I was just wondering if anyone has attended the ASC appointment outside of the Embassy yet and if they have any information about what specifically to bring to the appointment. If not, I will tell my fiance to bring everything and then once the appointment is over we will share the specifics of that information with everyone else here. Thanks  

1 hour ago, SilverMonk said:

But could you have filled it out even before it said ready?

Yes, we filled ours out after we got the RDJ number (even though we honestly could have done it before then). We just didn't submit it and get the confirmation page until after we saw the status change to 'in transit'. 

7 hours ago, Chair_force1 said:

How far from the consulate is the location to get your biometrics taken?

From Google Maps it looks like it's a 20 minute car ride 😱 My fiance signed up the get the biometrics done the friday before the interview.  

3 hours ago, SilverMonk said:

Yes! I asked my fiancee to email them last night and they have already answered lol.

 

We asked " Dear Immigration Rio,

I (the petitioner) am looking into how to schedule my fiancé's K-1 visa interview since our case is currently at NVC. By doing so, I came across an announcement informing that after August 28th, immigrant visa applicants must have their biometrics collected separately before the interview. 

That said, I would like to know if he can have his biometrics collected at the Belo Horizonte ASC about two weeks before the interview in Rio de Janeiro since he will already be in Belo Horizonte for his medical appointment, or must he have his biometric appointment at the Rio ASC?"

 

And they simply said " 

Thank you for your message.

 

As informed on our website, this service is provided by all ASC branches throughout Brazil: https://br.usembassy.gov/visas/fiancee/before-the-interview/"

 

I also called the Belo Horizonte CASV today and the lady told me that I could schedule it in Belo and go for the interview in Rio. But she said that when I log into the system I'll be able to see if Belo is available and how far out they are. 

 

But thanks for the help. I'm gonna continue to gather my documents here and hope to get a NVC number by Thursday 😀

That's really good to know, thanks for sharing that  

12 hours ago, SilverMonk said:

Yup, Im going to the k1. 
Yeah im about to do that because i'm still a little confused about the the biometrics since no one had actually been through the process after they decided to separate it.

And on this site ( https://ais.usvisa-info.com/pt-br/iv/information/announcements#381-important_information_for_immigrant_visa_applicants_20180828144126 ) its talking about people who '' receberam uma carta do NVC, KCC ou Consulado dos Estados Unidos'' need to get the biometrics done at the CASV, so since we dont get a letter that threw me off. You think if I call the CASV they'll properly explain this?

 

I'll probably be in Rio a few days before my interview since my fiancee will ne flying down to join me in the interview. But since i'll have to go to Belo more than once because of medical I was thinking of getting the biometrics done there and killing two birds with one stone.

Oh okay. But yeah, it seems like there are times that she is busier. I called a few months back just to get some into and she was 3 weeks out for appointments. This week I called her on monday and the next available appointment was for thursday lol.

But thank you very much!
 

1 - Oh okay. Got it! You guys scheduled it after august 28th right?
2 - I know that the interview can only be done in Rio but I was thinking that I could get the biometrics taken at the CASV, ill call them tomorrow to ask. Also, Ive tried calling the consulate before and they dont have live agents lol Is emailing the only way for me to reach them?

It helped a lot! Thanks for the attention 


P.S: My birth certificate was pretty old and ripped so I got one of those new ones in April at my local Cartorio (notary). It looks like the attached image, but obliviously with my personal information and signed a sealed by the notary. I took it with me to get my passport and my new ID so I would only assume that it's good for the consulate also lol
l 

Yupp! We scheduled the 6th or 7th of September. They say online that the only way to be in touch with them is through email so every time we've had to ask a question we used that. They answer relatively fast though, each time we emailed we got an answer back 1-2 days later   https://br.usembassy.gov/visas/fiancee/where-to-apply-2/

On 9/15/2018 at 3:22 PM, SilverMonk said:

 

Thanks guys. I put together a little collage thingy of our skype logs, Whatsapp call (including the duration of some) and a few screenshots of what we talk about normally.


And already following up with more questions lol 

1 -  For those of you who know or who have scheduled the interview after august 28th, Do I use this (https://ais.usvisa-info.com/pt-br/iv) site to schedule the interview AND the biometrics?

2 - And regarding the biometrics. I live close to Belo Horizonte and that is where I will get my medical done. So I want to know if I can get the biometrics done in Belo and then the interview in Rio. Or must I get both the biometrics and interview all done in Rio.

P.S. Im trying to create an account already on the AIS website. Which of the following options should we choose?

1- Yes you book  the interview and biometrics appointment on the same website at the same time (the website you put). You'll choose the day and time for both the interview and ASC right after. It's fairly straightforward once you go onto the interview website 

2- I don't think you can do anywhere other than Rio. When my fiance set up for the interview/ ASC there were only time slots available, not places and times. But you can always check with the embassy to see!

3- choose the second option

Hope this helps! 

10 hours ago, SilverMonk said:

Sorry to come in here without an invite lol I got approved yesterday so I'm a September NVC  waiter (because a person that waits is now a waiter lol).

 

But have many of you had success in scheduling an interview while their case was still as "in transit"?

Yes. My fiance and I are going to Rio as well and we were able to book when it said in transit a few days after it changed to that. 

4 hours ago, Chair_force1 said:

Don’t take my word for it, my fiancée checked , so maybe there are a couple for the beginning still.  But guess what, the others from Brazil are telling her she can’t be on her menstrual cycle at the same time as the medical.  I found this hard to believe but she said it’s true.  So she said she has to plan the appointments around that time of month.  Has something to do with the urine test

Hey, they say on here that you can still have the medical even if you're menstruating:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/interview/interview-prepare/medical-examination-faqs.html

She can definitely call to confirm but I don't see how they can turn you away for that, that's not very nice 😛 

5 minutes ago, Greenbaum said:

That's interesting. Along, I thought that the DS-160 is generic with no Embassy ties but that seems to be not true. So, along the way of filling out the DS-160 the determine your Embassy and then personalize if requested from the Embassy to reflect their standards or what they require once you arrive for your interview. So, if it ask for a photo then one should be uploaded. If it requires (per your example) to do something different or skip the photo altogether then that's how we handle it going forward till such time as it is changed to something else.

 

Thanks for adding this to the thread. Very informative.

 

Yup, it's true, old dogs can learn new tricks.

No problem! Glad to help any way I can! Especially to someone whose been so incredibly helpful to all of us

26 minutes ago, Britt & Stenio said:

 

Hey guys, sorry for a bit of a late response (I'm also not sure if anyone responded to this and answered) but my fiance started working on the DS-160 and once he got to the photo section it said 'Photo will be taken at the ASC'. But with the response that maybe it was a glitch I looked into it a bit and found this article (I know it's from 2014 but I think it still may be relevant): https://www.path2usa.com/blog/digital-photograph-requirements-while-filling-us-visa-application

My fiance has also gotten a student visa and a tourist visa in Brazil, both of which required that the photo be taken at the embassy. But thank you guys for the information! I'll try it on different places but I'm pretty sure Brazil is one of the countries that doesn't require an uploaded photo. I'll better research it though. 

 

* Also this is just a screenshot of the page that my fiance got when getting to the photo section

And this was totally answered and put to rest. Sorry guys!

4 hours ago, B-B said:

Hopefully somebody can help me with a question about the Affidavit of Support (I-134)

So the petitioner (my fiance) is currently unemployed because he has been living with me in The Netherlands for the past 18 months. 

While I was still in school he started a master program which he graduated from recently.

He will be moving back in September but will not have a job lined-up for when he is back.

Because of that we have his dad as a co-sponsor. He makes way above the proverty line with his retirement.

 

My questions are:

- Does the co-sponsor have to include me and my fiance (the petitioner) in his household since we will be living with him?

(my fiance and I will not be financially depending on his dad since we have a lot of savings)

 

- Will the unemployed of my fiance make the chances of getting denied higher?

(will evidence, showing that my fiance has been living in the Netherlands for the past 18 months, be enough to show that he couldn't find a job?)

 

- How can I prove that I, as the beneficary, will not become a public charge or anything?

 

Already thank you for the people who will respond to my questions!

Hey I'm going through a similar (not really) thing. I've been getting my masters up until May when I graduated but I've been working part time during and since. An answer I received is to write a letter (and kind of attach it to the I-134) stating what's been going on, that I've been a student, I haven't had full-time work yet because of it but I'm looking, here' s my degree for proof of that, if you need a co-sponsor here it is, etc. I did find the information helpful so I definitely think explaining the situation is an option for you. I'm a nervous Nancy as well when it comes to that stuff because I don't want the process to take any longer so even just writing the letter for piece of mind is good enough for me. Hope this helps! 

On 8/28/2018 at 1:47 PM, Chair_force1 said:

A friend from Brazil just completed the DS160, she states it did not require her to upload a photo

On 8/28/2018 at 2:08 PM, Jorgedig said:

Just my .02:  we found that there were glitches when trying to complete the DS160 using Safari.  My fiance had to switch to Chrome for the Mac in order to make it work, and I had to do the same thing to read over his completed form before he submitted it.  I would be pretty surprised if a United States visa application did not require a current photo.

Hey guys, sorry for a bit of a late response (I'm also not sure if anyone responded to this and answered) but my fiance started working on the DS-160 and once he got to the photo section it said 'Photo will be taken at the ASC'. But with the response that maybe it was a glitch I looked into it a bit and found this article (I know it's from 2014 but I think it still may be relevant): https://www.path2usa.com/blog/digital-photograph-requirements-while-filling-us-visa-application

My fiance has also gotten a student visa and a tourist visa in Brazil, both of which required that the photo be taken at the embassy. But thank you guys for the information! I'll try it on different places but I'm pretty sure Brazil is one of the countries that doesn't require an uploaded photo. I'll better research it though. 

* Also this is just a screenshot of the page that my fiance got when getting to the photo section

42 minutes ago, Suny & LeLe said:

i tried the calendar several time and it doesn't work.  

I don't know if this helps, but put the full name and birthday for the beneficiary under principal applicant and only the petitioner's full name  where it says petitioner. I put my name at first (the petitioner) under principal applicant until I read that that space is devoted for the person immigrating to the US. Also make sure to use the full names on the passports that you used on the I-129f. Hope this helps!

On 8/20/2018 at 5:14 PM, Damara said:

Not sure what Brazils policy is on the 134. Search the forums for Embassy specific info and experiences.

 

Generally speaking no one can tell you 100% if you will qualify. The approval of the 134 (and later on the 864) is subjective to the reviewing Officers discretion. Often when someone has a reasonable explanation- like being a student and now employed full time based on said studies- the Embassy will accept it.

 

Is that your case? Is your current job related to the degree you earned? If so prepare a letter of explanation about how you earned less previously due to school and are now employed as whatever because of your degree. Attach proof of your decree and a job letter stating what your job is and that it is a permanent job,

 

assets can be considered but you need proof of them. Bank statements, appraisals etc. How much in assets do you have?

 

Yes- it is a good idea to bring a co-sponsor form with you. The Officer will review the 134 in the interview (they probably also looked at it beforehand) they will tell the applicant if it is not sufficient. Your fiance can then present the 134 from your father.

 

Some people wait to be told its not good enough and give them the co-sponsors form. Some dont wait to be asked. Its up to you guys how to handle it. The worst case scenario is you are told they cant make a decision (and they dont say anything about the 134) and then you get a 221g saying you need a co-sponsor. Then you have to turn it in and wait to be processed. This can cause a time delay. So if hes not told hes approved in the interview and nothing is mentioned about the 134 he should inquire if it was accepted and let them know he has a co-sponsor form ready to submit if they need it.

I currently am in a part time job in the midst of looking for full time work. But I'm definitely going to make a letter and include my degree (just in case) so hopefully there aren't problems. And I'll also have my dad's there as a backup. Thanks for the help! This was super informative

On 8/20/2018 at 8:33 PM, Jorgedig said:

I would say best to have it on hand at the interview if you are marginal on income.  Best of luck!

Thank you!!!! Yeah, I definitely will. This gave me a bit of a piece of mind. I've been going back and forth on everything but this really just kind of solidified what I'll do. Thanks guys <3