Saiali

I know this response is a bit late but I had my husband do the same to avoid checked bag. He had no problem at SFO. It took him about 1hr to 1.5 hr to come out after his flight arrived around 6pm. Algiers via Spain.

The first years of marriage are always tumultuous. I know for ours, we were two very independent individuals who had to learn how to live together. We had a year where we fought all the time to the point when we even considered ending it. We didn’t have children. This was before my 2 year GC expired so I thought I can really truly “quit” this marriage & finally, we would be done with all the exhausting fighting.
 
One major event happened in my family life and suddenly, we had to forget all our fights and focus on this event. I then realized I could actually count on him during the worst times of my life. He realized what he truly needed to do. It’s been very smooth-sailing ever since, with a few bumps that were quickly resolved. What we realized we weren’t doing well for those first few years — not fully communicating what we needed from each other.
 
I don’t know for sure if this is what you’re going through. But, I wanted to share that in case that’s what you needed. Good communication is something that doesn’t just happen magically because you love each other. It has to be something you two create and patiently work on every single day.
 
However if you think that what’s happened to your relationship is abusive and not just a nasty conflict or misunderstanding, I would definitely consider complete separation.

At least at SFO and LAX, since October 2018, CBP isn’t collecting customs forms or kiosk receipts at the exit from the baggage claim hall.  Instead the passport
control CBP officer keeps them. The CBP Officer at the exit from baggage claim is thus much less likely to know that the person exiting baggage claim is someone moving to the USA.  
 
I am a strong believer in packing at most 7 days clothes.  Everything else can be cheaply obtained in the USA.  Chinese made stuff is cheaper in the USA than nearly everywhere in the world.  
 
And why not start with new stuff? It’s a brand new life.  
 
However another “enhancement” at SFO is that green card holders and Canadians must now go through the foreigner line instead of the USA citizen line.  So indeed, at SFO, unless you are first off the plane, zero time is saved doing carry on. 

Immigration is not fast for law abiding people.....I would suggest you evaluate the advantages of both a K-1 and a CR-1.  Please be aware that the difference in processing time between the fiance visa and the spousal visa is only about 3 months in most cases....
K-1
More expensive than CR-1    
Requires Adjustment of Status after marriage (expensive and requires a lot of paperwork)    
Spouse can not leave the US until she/he receives approved Advance Parole (approx 5-6 months)    
Spouse can not work until she/he receives EAD (approx 5-6 months)    
Some people have had problems with driver licenses, Social Security cards, leases, bank account during this period    
Spouse will not receive Green Card for many months after Adjustment of Status is filed.
 
CR-1    
Less expensive than K-1    
No Adjustment of Status  (I-485, I-131, I-765) required.    
Spouse can immediately travel outside the US    
Spouse is authorized to work immediately upon arrival.    
Spouse receives Social Security Card and Green Card within 2 or 3 weeks after entering the US    
Opening a bank account, getting a driver's license, etc. are very easily accomplished with GC, SS card, and passport.
Spouse has legal permanent Resident status IMMEDIATELY upon entry to US. 
My Final Analysis:  If you can marry your fiance in his/her country or outside the US, CR-1 is a much, much better option

If he gets a work visa with an intent to immigrate, it’s straight up fraud.  Take it off the table.  People paint themselves into a corner if they start off misrepresenting their intent.

Nah, I wish the K-1 was approved!!!  I don't like these processes.  We should decide what is right for us at that moment and then full steam ahead. The K-1 was the correct decision for us then.
 
I don't regret the K-1.  I won't regret the CR-1.  It is life.  Both end up in the same spot and there are dozens of reasons each is better than the other. At this point, at least I am waiting with my wife and not my fiancee.  Both are good options.  It is a personal choice.

Thank u. Medical passed.

Congrats.  We will give u heads up my finance interview is 9/24. He's literally ay his medical appointment right now. 

I know this post is late but u should go bc u may find your way back to each other once u are in the same space. 🙌🧚‍♀️🧚🏿‍♀️👍🤞🧚‍♀️❤. Just know are not alone and don't give up easily. Sometimes a fresh start is as easy as saying I love u and i'm sorry. Focus on the good memories and qualities u both share. 

My fiance both got an email this morning that they opened up the calendar for available appointments.  When he went in there were 4 available for October and only 5 for November.  We snagged 10/15 - woohoo!

This would be a good document to have saved on your phone or other device when travelling or going to the DMV etc, - It falls to us to educate the people who don't understand the system... we can make life easier for those who come after us!

This! I'd suggest even wait until you meet 2 or 3 or 4 times before you file anything. It doesn't only increase your chances of approval but it gives you time to truly meet someone and be sure that you actually want to spend the rest of your life with them. 

You can call your local health dept too. There are programs state funded for moms called Healthy Moms Healthy Kids which is somewhat like Medicaid but has co pays and only covers pregnancy/birth. They can also set you up with a provider. I've been a nurse 16 years and worked in OB, now I'm at a peds clinic. There are all sorts of resources you just need to know where. Feel free to msg me if you get stuck. 

1.  Dissolve your previous traditional marriage
2.  Reapply for CR-1  spousal visa.
 
 
Two lessons for everyone here...again....
1.  Traditional marriages can be legal according to US immigration.
2.  Attorneys make mistakes.......but rarely pay any consequences. 

Congrats

fiancee finally got his visa back on Friday... sorry everyone.. has been a hectic week. 

No problem, Sis. I'm right at your service.
Anything you want.
 
Now, let's start counting days for USCIS to send your case to NVC. Give it 14 days to call NVC for the case #.
 
My case took 20 days to get to NVC. I got the case # the same day (after 3 hrs) they received it.
 
After 3 days, it left NVC and after 2 dats, it was Ready (EMBASSY received it). 
 
So, it took my case 6 days (4 Business Days) from NVC Received (At NVC) to Ready (At Embassy).
 
Now, you can do the following as you wait for NVC #;
 
1) Download and start filling Affidavit of Support Form (I-134) and try to get the Supportimg Documents for it.
https://www.uscis.gov/system/files_force/files/form/i-134.pdf?download=1
 
 
https://www.uscis.gov/system/files_force/files/form/i-134instr.pdf?download=1
 
2) You can start filling the DS-160 Online Form, save it but don't sign &  submit it yet. 
 
https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/
 
3) Start compiling Evidence of Relationship.
 
*Make Screenshots from the App (e.g., Whatsapp). Have 3-4 screenshots from each month and arrange them 6 screenshots per page of MS Word. Gather Screenshots of Chat, Call, Facetime showing your phone numbers (you and your Fiancé).
 
* Pictures, from 6-30 of you two together, including family. DON'T INCLUDE PICTURES OF TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE!!
 
*Boarding Passes (If you wish)
 
4) Your Fiancé should get ready with his Passport, Birth Certificate.

Itemized deductions = schedule A

We all must just keep supporting each other through this amazing journey. 

So I called in yesterday after this and asked a couple of questions, because like so many of us I received the update text. Outside of update question, my primary call was because I change divisions within my company so I wanted to clarify I was still working for the same company but just in a different division.  Anyway, whether our files are being touched or not I do know the rep I spoke to told me we would probably get a RFE for I-134 affidavit of support since we didnt send it in with our intial application. She would neither confirm or deny if the file had been touched or give estimated time lines. She only said everything looks good so far other than the probable request for the I-134 and to wait until we get official notice if we need to send it or not.

We all must just keep supporting each other through this amazing journey. 

Oh I will have him grab all the information then from his tax guy. I'm sure my grandfather keeps everything but gest get it off his guy! Ty guys! I know this is far in advance but I'm keeping hope that Mr. BEAN takes on all November filers lol

Im only going off one of my older friends who retired f
 
Am am the sponsor,  I do know in the past when I have cashed out one of my retirement plans. I received an annual tax notice of it being taxable income. Of course it was double taxation because of my age. 

Wouldn't her grandfather get a yearly tax statement from whomever is issuing his monthly annuity payments? If so I'm thinking his monthly retirement would be considered taxable income and he would could go online for free at IRS.gov and print out his annual tax transcripts if he has been filing taxes still in the last few years. Just a thought I am no tax expert but I do know you can print a copy of your annual wages and tax transcript for each yr on IRS.gov after your taxes have been finalized each yr.

Fun fact: I am telling everyone to get informed delivery here thinking we already had it last week I learnt my fiancé didn't verify himself....
 
now we have it