Newer

I'm in the same boat of changing embassy. It's been 3 weeks since the transferred and still nothing. Why does it take so long to transfer only the file?

Hello everyone!

What is the average time for AOS get approved now? I see lot of people only within 3 months, that’s fast. Especially for office in southern California?

Does anyone here knows?

Hello everyone!

Does anyone knows how long it take to transfer case file from one U.S Consulate to another? 

I had requested to transfer my case file from Sydney, Australia to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. They (Sydney) have sent the file on Jan 7th via Diplomatic Pouch. It’s been more than 2 weeks now, and I still haven’t got any update for my case yet.

Anyone had the same situation and know how long does it take for the file to be delivered? 

Thank you! 

10 hours ago, frontgear said:

You would have to complete the required steps prior to being able to book an appointment. Those steps are outlined in the K1 Instructions sheet that they with the letter (aka Packet 3) or you can review it in the below link:

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/K1/HCM_Ho-Chi-Minh-City.pdf

Thank you frontgear!

I see lots of people started booking an interview when their NVC case number became Ready. I just wonder if we can do the same to get the soonest appointment available. Thank you!

Hi everyone!

With the Consulate in Vietnam.

If We have our NVC case number. Is it possible to book an interview appointment before the Packet 3 arrived?

Thank you!

21 minutes ago, AlicerCooper said:

 

Hello,

 

I would say wait 10 days to make sure NVC has received your case. Otherwise if you request to change embassy before they get the case they will just keep telling you "we have not received your case"

 

Phone NVC and request your case number. If they have it and have assigned it then you need to fill out the public enquiry form.

 

Dont worry, they already assigned mine to London, but I filled out the public enquiry form straight away and they reassigned it to Sydney. 

Thank you very much AlicerCooper! 

Hi!

How many day after NOA2 you sent them a request to change the consulate? 

It takes about a week for them to respond. Is it too late? Because I am afraid that they will assign the case number before they read the request. 

3 hours ago, emm21717 said:

Today marks my 5.5 months since our NOA1 was received. Website says May 4 but hardcopy says May 9. I have been following both April and May since it was sent before May 1! I fall in to both months I guess. BUT I AM SO IMPATIENT! 165 days went by so fast! Our time is coming !!

Hope our time comes soon. But I think don’t expect the NOA2 any sooner than 7 months, because I see some people with NOA1 in March or even Feb still haven’t got anything yet.

Good luck to all of you here!!! 

54 minutes ago, AlicerCooper said:

Thank you Greenbaum.

 

I just received the email today that it has been sent to Sydney.

 

The only thing I would suggest for people changing embassy is to fill out the online public inquiry form rather than send the email directly to asknvc. I know it's not a huge difference but that's what the NVC told us to do and it seemed to work quicker than all the emails I sent requesting to change embassy.

 

Also I had to include a picture of my Australian passport showing I am a citizen in Australia.

 

Cheers & good luck all

Hi AlicerCooper!

What is the online public inquiry form for changing the Consulate? 

Just now, Greenbaum said:

To be safe I would include from the both of you.

Thank you Greenbaum for all of your helping us out.

22 hours ago, Greenbaum said:

If your case is not on the way to the embassy yet, changing Embassy's should not cause delays. Your USC fiance simply contacts NVC via email and gives them the information below.

 

Remember that you need to be a legal resident in the country you want to do your medical and interview in.

 

Address an email from the petitioner to NVCINQUIRY@state.gov

Subject: Beneficiaries Case number / Beneficiaries name / Change of interview location

In the memo area (Where your write the normal email).

1. Beneficiaries case number

2. Beneficiaries full name

3. Beneficiaries date of birth

4. Petitioners Full name

5. Petitioners Date of birth

 

Sir or Ma'am,

I would like to request my beneficiaries interview location change to (Put your local embassy here) due to that being his/her work country. Attached is a copy of the scanned biographic page, and the visa page showing they live in that country.

The address of the beneficiary is;

Beneficiaries address in that country.

The phone number of the beneficiary is; (Your Phone number).

The phone number of the petitioner is: (Petitioners phone number).

 

The petitioners full name

The petitioners phone number

The petitioners address

Include the scanned copies of the Biographic page, and the Visa page as attachments (PDF or JPG preferred).

Do the petitioners need to scan her/his Biographic page and Visa page as attachments? Or just a beneficiaries need to do it? Thanks!

9 hours ago, DaveAndAnastasia said:

- Every office is different, and some are much faster than others (others are much slower)

- The USCIS estimates on the web site are the range from 50% being complete to ~90% being complete, so 50% of cases are actually finished before the lower bound of that range

Thank you! 

I see lots of people here get approval just in few months. There are some topic for June or even July got approved just in 4-5 months. It looks great! 

Hello everyone!

I checked on uscis website estimates for AOS 12 month and more for the most office in the States. I see lots of people got approved just by a few months. How come? 

Thanks!

4 hours ago, geowrian said:

Yes, you can have a wedding celebration anywhere afterwards. You can even do so with AP instead of the green card. It's just a party since you are already married.

I mean it is like the real wedding ceremony, we dress up like groom and bride, go to the church and have big dinner but not register for marriage. 

She has a big family and they can’t travel to U.S to celebrate with us. So we think of having 2 sides wedding. One in US and one in her home country. It is totally Okay to do that right? 

Can we do the same as thankyousomuch said. After K1 visa approved, enter the U.S and get marriage license in courthouse, then apply for greencard. After greencard approved and we the fiance have the greencard on hands. Can we go back to fiance home country to have a wedding ceremony there? no marriage register there, just a wedding ceremony to invite relatives celebrate with us.

50 minutes ago, Newer said:

Thank you so much 👍🏽

Do you know how long do they take to approve the AP?

Is there any chance that they will deny re-enter the U.S at airport? (Even my fiance has the AP)? 

 

30 minutes ago, geowrian said:

The exact process varies by state & county. Usually you apply for a marriage license first. Some states have a minimum waiting period between license application and when you can marry (e.g. PA has a 3 day waiting period).

But yes, a court marriage is perfectly fine for AOS.

 

Once married, you should apply for AP (I-131) + EAD (I-765) alongside AOS. AP will be your travel document to exit and return to the US. EAD will be your work authorization. ETA: ~4-6 months currently.

If you have a firm job offer, you can request an expedite of the EAD.

Usually they issue a combo card that acts as an EAD + AP.

There are no additional fees required for AP and EAD...nothing to lose by applying for them.

https://www.visajourney.com/content/k1k3aos

Thank you so much 👍🏽

Do know how long do they take to approve the AP?

Is there any chance that they will deny re-enter the U.S at airport? (Even my fiance has the AP)? 

9 minutes ago, geowrian said:

No photos of the wedding are required for AOS...many people with a K-1 have a small court wedding. Some have a larger ceremony later.

The amount of time AOS takes depends mostly on your local USCIS field office. Some can be completed in as little as ~4 months., Many are taking a little over a year nowadays.

Thank you georwian!

We just do it simple as go to the court and register for marriage status. Just like go to sign something in business. It’s totally okay with AOS right? 

Is there a way that we can travel out of U.S while the AOS processing? Then go entry safely? 

Thank you two for letting me know. 

If my fiance comes to the U.S and we go to register for marriage certificate in court. We don’t actually have a wedding ceremony, which means no photo of wedding. Is it affect anything when we file the AOS? 

And how long does the entire process of AOE takes to get the green card on hands? 

Thank you! 

Hello everyone!

I’m wondering that if we can have a wedding ceremony in Vietnam after our K1 visa is approved? Then we will flying to U.S to register for the marriage certificate in court. Is it okay to do so? Thank you.