Redro

Just updating that we got our NOA1 on the 17th.
 
Incase it matters to any future readers, they noted it was received on the 3rd, despite USPS tracking showing it delivered on the 4th.
 
Thank you all once again for your advice and support!  

Unless it's a dream job or position in very niche industry, I wouldn't bother continuing employment with the firm based in NZ.
 
Here are the reasons:
1) You cannot legally work until you get SSN + EAD (after marriage and filing AOS packet)
2) When you have SSN + EAD, is the pay competitive with what US employers offer? Coming from Europe I found salaries are higher in the US for skilled workers on average.
3) Are you ready to deal with tax implications related to working for remote employer in another country?
4) Don't you want to build US work experience to strengthen your employability in the future?
5) What timezone are you going to be working in? Is it worth it?
6) US employers provide medical insurance (very expensive). Are you going to pay it yourself?
 
Seems like you did a good job and your boss doesn't want to lose you, but sometimes it's just time to move on
 
When I was leaving to the US on work visa, my boss back in Europe was jokingly asking whether I can take him to the US 😂
 

short answer: you aren’t allowed to work until you marry, apply for AOS and EAD and receive your EAD. so, you cannot work as soon as you arrive to the US. 
 
Long answer: 
You are not allowed to work any jobs including remote jobs/ jobs based in another country. 
Additionally, the job you are working now would have to go through a process to be compliant working with someone based in the US (and pay your U.S. taxes and  other costs) or you would have to be working as a contractor and pay taxes on the income you earned yourself.But you have to be authorized to work in the US. So, you will be sitting around the home waiting for the EAD Or green card before you can work. hopefully it will only be 3 months or so but be prepared to wait up to a year. 
 

If I could have done it all over again, I would definitely would just go with the CR1, the timing is about the same but is far cheaper than the K1.  

Hi all!
 
I apologize for the delay - but here's the update:
 
My parents had no issues and both got approved. They were asked literally 3 questions: 1) What did you do for work? 2) Reason for visiting the USA and where in the USA are you visiting? and 3) Do you have any family members in the USA? Obviously, they responded with the truth. They were in and out of the Embassy in no time.
 
They were able to come to my wedding, and we all had a great, great time!
 
Thank you everyone for your responses and for your time!
 
 

We got it this morning, she has her passport back in hand with an IR1 stamp and we're ready to go back soon. 
 
When her interview was over and I was watching her walk out the door of the Embassy, I gave a thumb up/down gesture, she gave thumbs up and it immediately felt like 50lb weights were taken off my shoulders at that exact moment. It was very emotional to know that our fight is over, we can sleep knowing that we have the rest of our time on this planet to wake up and see each other everyday, I don't fly home alone this time. Getting the visa in hand was what made us realize this is real and we can finally rest after years of battle. 
 
I think those here that have fought for years to have their significant other with them in their home country know the feeling of finally getting approval, but it's impossible to describe in words, I look my wife in the eyes and I'm filled with emotions never experienced before. I wake up and say thank you that we're finally allowed the same benefit every human should be. 
 
I'm sure it may sound sappy or even hard to understand for some who have had immediate approvals and never had to deal with K1/C-IR1 immigration for seven years. We never gave up we never questioned our love and we never stopped pushing to have our future together. 
I know I'm not the first and I won't be the last to feel like this, I hope life works out for every real couple out there fighting and they are also finally given the opportunity to rest their stress.

Thanks, we did get it figured out. It's for in person pick up but it's at a different building and not the embassy itself. 

It was a follow up question: why does she want to vote: 
Potential answers (that don’t require full sentences)
Choose my leaders
choose the president 
have my voice heard 
choose propositions
politics is important
and POLITICAL PARTICIPATION or 
Participate in politics 
 

Many people from 3rd countries interviewing in Montreal encounter the DS5535 which significantly increases the waiting time. In your case, I would highly recommend the spousal visa over K1  but of course it is your decision. 
 

It was a follow up question: why does she want to vote: 
Potential answers (that don’t require full sentences)
Choose my leaders
choose the president 
have my voice heard 
choose propositions
politics is important
and POLITICAL PARTICIPATION or 
Participate in politics 
 

Your wife needs to practice answer the questions on the N400. Many applicants with limited skills believe they only have to know 6/10 questions and then it’s a done deal. But, applicants with limited English ability often get tripped up by the “unpracticed” questions. Have her sign up for citizenship classes (like others have suggested) or listen to example questions on YouTube.
Then also have her practice giving out her phone number… I think this is the second account this year I’ve heard of someone not passing their citizenship test because they didn’t know their phone number… 
ETA: Also Work on follow up questions with her… I think that’s where many people get tripped up. Going through the form is a de facto English test but you still need to be able to answer the questions accurately 

You need to add updated evidence ANY evidence you haven’t already submitted. include an explanation on why you haven’t been living together. (Add evidence). And your plans to reunite. 
 
Additionally, weigh up the options
 
1. is GC more important than taking care of your mother
2. If the case is denied while you are out of the country are you okay consular processing 
3. if called for an interview can you return in time

You must reply to the RFE though… otherwise your case will be denied. 

Essentially you can be thrown out of that apartment any moment without warning. I wouldn't want to live like that. Get on a lease, @Redro is right.

Get added to the lease. Especially if you are still living there. 

Get added to the lease. Especially if you are still living there. 

As a F-1 student it's a big no. Only US citizens can register to vote.

drivers licence? Any bills you pay? Bank or credit card statements. Registered to vote? Etc. lots of other options. What official (ie government or banking) mail do you receive at your address?

What Are the Top 12 Benefits of Having a US Citizenship? Legal Rights and Protections. Travel Benefits. Education and Scholarships. Family Reunification. Government_Benefits. Increased Job Opportunities. Political Participation. Access to Government Services. More items... • Sep 11, 2023

I told my interviewing officer (who was a judge) because I'd already been in the US on a work visa prior, so I had nearly a decade in the US and my oldest will be headed to university soon so I want said child to be eligible for any and all scholarship opportunities, including ones only available to US citizens.  He must have taken that as satisfactory because here I am, a citizen, waiting on N-600's for my kids.  
 

Is there a reason why you are going with the K1 vs CR1 visa? 
CR1 would indicate he is more serious about the process this time around… 
Has your partner visited the US or traveled around the world since the last K1. 
It probably won’t be a big deal though to be honest. As long as you disclose the previous petition on the form. 

That one answer you got previously was very specific...and accurate.  Good luck on the rest of your journey.

Your I-129F petition was only approved in February.  Montreal is very backlogged for interviews, it could take many months before yours is even scheduled.  Even after you get an interview scheduled, there is no guarantee that the K-1 visa will be approved, and if it is, no set timeline for how long after the interview it will take to get your passport back with the issued visa in it.  Some in your situation have even seen Canada Post lose the passport.  As for wedding planning, it is impossible to predict exactly when you will have the K-1 visa, so you should be flexible and not commit to any specific date for the wedding.  We have seen other couples here on VJ who made wedding plans, sent out invitations, spent money on expensive, non-refundable deposits for venues, etc. and then saw K-1 visa delays and had to change everything.  On rare occasions, a K-1 visa holder is denied entry at the US entry point.  Hopefully, none of those delays will affect your case, but they could.  The US Dept. of State clearly warns visa applicants: "Please do not make firm travel plans, such as buying a ticket or scheduling events, until you have your visa and IV packet in hand." 
 
https://ca.usembassy.gov/visas/fiancee/visa-approval/
 
 
 

I thought I answered your question very clearly last time you asked.

Your question was answered in your previous thread:
 

180 days from the medical exam.