steveblue

I think you misunderstood my post.
 
There are people here on VJ saying that you cannot enter the US on a CR1/IR1 or K1 if your USC/Pet is not *physically* in the US.
I'm asking why is this rule is as such, and you're saying one can enter on an immigrant visa regardless of where the USC/Pet is. Now do you see how this adds to my confusion? Maybe someone here knows the answer?
 
My post wasn't about entering the US on a tourist visa, so, kindly, read it again. Thanks.

Finally got approved this week almost exactly 24 months after filing (at the San Francisco Office). Approval was one day after the interview. Thanks be to God!

We filed a Writ of Mandamus in December. That appeared to speed up the combo card renewal and the scheduling for an interview although they waited until one day after the legal response period to do so (61 long days).
 
The attorney for USCIS in Missouri (NBC) filed a Motion to Dismiss saying 35.5 months (upper limit of SF waiting times, which previously was 44 months) was a reasonable period to wait before filing a mandamus! We counter-argued and a judge is reviewing that.
 
I found it ridiculous that the wait time in SF for an interview should be equal to or longer than the wait period (3 years) to acquire citizenship – not to mention the gross inequality of people's results and paths to citizenship depending upon their geography.

At long last! Congratulations!!!
 
Our status finally updated to “Case Ready to Be Scheduled for Interview” last Friday.

Status update 
 
card being Produced.
 
 
 

Exciting news, we've been stuck on "fingerprints taken" since biometrics in August 2020 and tonight our status changed to "new card being produced!" Looks like after several congressional inquiries, a lawyer inquiry, and a few Tier 2 officer calls, they've finally decided to approve us without an interview. Has anyone else skipped directly through to approval?

I had a friend in college who was quite short and he would buy clothes from the children’s section, which often would fit him very well.

Mine went to under review right after my interview in March… didn’t hear anything until mid Sept and finally got the green card in the mail yesterday 

Just updating that we were informed our interview was scheduled today! We are in Kansas City, filed in April 2020, did bio in January 2021. Fingers crossed it's scheduled not too far out and that approval doesn't take too long either. My wife really needs to be able to visit home finally (though fingers cross COVID doesn't stop that either).

hi everyone, How long does it take when status changed to "New card produced". this is for the EAD. I just got a job offer, I don't know what to do. 

So after an unsuccessful congressman inquiry we placed a service request online for case being outside normal processing time on November 4th. Last Monday we decided to call and try pleading our case to a tier 2 officer. When we called they said that no action was taken on our case, we asked if we could speak to a tier 2 officer. We were told that we can be placed in queue to get a call back in 7 days. Today an officer called back and was able to schedule us for a biometrics appt. Now we wait for the official notice in the mail. PD April 27th.  Jacksonville FL.

SO EXCITED!
 
Wifey was approved in MNL on a surprise Expedited Appointment for her CR-1 today.
 
Counsul told her FOUR weeks until delivery (possibly due to COVID,) but I'm sure we'll see it sooner than that.
 
SUPER STOKED!
 
 

AOS Checklist
Cover Letter listing Table of Contents (Check Payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security - $1,225.00)  
Form I-485 (completed and signed by non-US Citizen/beneficiary)
Form G-1145  Copy of beneficiary's Passport with biographical page  Copy of beneficiary's K1 Visa from Passport and entry stamp  Copy of NOA2 Approval letter (from K1 process)  I-94  Copy of beneficiary's Birth Certificate  translation of birth certificate (if needed) Certified copy of Marriage License  Passport Photos (2) name written on the back  Copy of DS-3025   
Form I-864 (completed and signed by USC) (goes with form I-485)
Proof of USC's citizenship (copy of birth certificate, copy of passport bio page, or other) 2018, 2017 (optional), and 2016 (optional) Tax Return (with W-2) or Transcripts Employment Verification letter (updated one - not the one used during K1 process)  Paystubs (last 3 months)   
Form I-765 (completed and signed by non-US Citizen/beneficiary)
Copy of beneficiary's Passport with biographical page  Copy of beneficiary's K1 Visa from Passport and entry stamp  I-94  Passport Photos (2) name written on the back  Copy of NOA2 (from K1 process)   
Form I-131 (completed and signed by non-US Citizen/beneficiary)
Copy of beneficiary's Passport with biographical page  Copy of beneficiary's K1 Visa from Passport and entry stamp  I-94  Passport Photos (2) name written on the back  Copy of NOA2 (from K1 process  
 
Be sure to  double check for the current fees as fees do sometimes increase for the new year, so please check. Additionally check the forms as listed above i.e., current version and or edition date. Consider sending tax transcripts instead of the 1040, and W2's. Also consider preparing a cover letter for each form in addition to the main  cover letter. Hope this helps in your preparation of your AOS. When in doubt ask questions.

Thank you. 
Thank you! We are hitting the 2 month line. Just waiting patiently.  

god!!!! help us Samantha god help all vj travelers!!!!! good luck to u too keep in touch a thanks too all!!!

http://www.usaimmigrationattorney.com/Secu...tiveReview.html

Alhumdulilah, with the grace of Allah, my visa has been issued. And I am in USA😊
 
Total time in AP with DS5535 is 15 months 3 days
Embassy is Islamabad

Hi my wife’s visa was in AP and now says issued on CEAC.
 
What do we need to do now? How long does it usually take to get to the speedex office? 

I think it depends a lot on your experience, location, etc. But I know several people who struggled to find a job and ended up at Walmart. May not seem ideal, but they quickly moved to higher positions in their store.
 
I think I got very lucky. I had started subscribing to several job newsletters while I was waiting for my EAD, and saw a job opportunity that was exactly the type of job I was looking for. My husband encouraged me to apply even though I did not have my EAD yet, just to practice the application process and maybe an interview. I got offered the job, and my employer waited patiently for 6 weeks until I finally had my EAD.
 
The only way to find out is to start looking for jobs in the area where you'll be living, and maybe even applying when your moving date comes closer. Good luck!

I recommend a spousal visa.  Finance visas are tough as long courting periods are not common in Pakistan and the visa has been used as a faster route to bring a spouse to USA which is fraud.  
 
There is no issue with marrying on the first visit if you are Pakistani and this marriage was arragned between families (if first cousins there could be other issues) as its customary.  I've seen plenty of couples go through the process and have no issues with marrying on the first visit.   You must be sure to prove a bonafide relationship after the wedding.  Plan trips every few months and do as much commingling as you can.   

The best advice for you is to meet in person many times, save all the evidence of time spent together, then marry in Pakistan, start to co-mingle finances and collect documents showing this, then file the I-130 petition.  In that order.  Good luck!

Pakistan is a tough consulate, and Pakistani males often face long APs.  Spousal visa is probably the best route, but marrying on the first visit and not having much time spent together in person are red flags.

221g is a refusal. They did it correctly. 
 
Technically, all visas have to be either approved or refused. You were refused under section 221g for missing documents which is the correct police certificate. When you submit that, the refusal can be “overcome” and they can issue a visa. That’s how that works. 

I have a pet peeve in that visa applicants/beneficiaries on this site from Pakistan almost NEVER post a timeline. Which means their cases are largely unhelpful for anyone in a similar situation or with a comparable visa. The site is meant to help, explain, and encourage other applicants but when critical information is missing on like applications, there is no way to gauge whether one's own case is reasonably on track or not. I would hope my brothers and sisters from South Asia and Pakistan would reconsider the sharing of information which could be of benefit to us all. 
 
 

Could not agree more! It makes it that much harder to compare when you have to go through posts after posts to find something similar. Can't wait to update my timeline further 

I have a pet peeve in that visa applicants/beneficiaries on this site from Pakistan almost NEVER post a timeline. Which means their cases are largely unhelpful for anyone in a similar situation or with a comparable visa. The site is meant to help, explain, and encourage other applicants but when critical information is missing on like applications, there is no way to gauge whether one's own case is reasonably on track or not. I would hope my brothers and sisters from South Asia and Pakistan would reconsider the sharing of information which could be of benefit to us all.