nandojourney

It depends on the office. NYC office allows phones, laptops...

Review of biometrics today in Florida, Orlando, near the airport.
I had my ID and the appointment letter, I had filled out the information beforehand. I arrived half an hour earlier, my documents were checked at the entrance and I was allowed into the waiting room. At registration I showed the same documents, then sat with my husband, who was waiting for me. The phone could be used, only the sound was turned off. The line moved quite quickly so we left within an hour. They took a photo of me, fingerprints, and that's it. The letter of invitation was given back to me stamped. The atmosphere is positive and relaxed. The staff is friendly and professional. Good luck!

Thanks everyone for their feedback. We were a bit lucky since the office we were assigned is in the middle of "nowhere" lol and not the city. It was all straight forward:
 
1. Not entering the building any earlier than 15 minutes, as stated on the letter
2. Bringing a valid ID, as stated in the letter
3. If the name on the ID does not match what the letter,  bring supporting documentation (in our case my wife is not using my last name until AFTER the process because it can be a bit more work), as stated in the letter
4. Bringing the form filled out (double check everything)
 
The appointment was last week at 2:00 and she got out of the car at 1:44 and started to walk to the entrance and the guard came out to greet her, looked at her ID and form  to ensure her appointment time. She was then directed to go in. We saw a few of people being asked to go back to their cars to wait because a) too early b) other appointments were still in process.
 
They took her prints, photos, and stamped her form and she was out the door by 1:56. I can only imaging the wait in the city.
 
The only other note was you are not allowed to bring someone in with you and your phone off. If you need an interpreter or have other valid reasons its states on the form to call ahead (way ahead).
 
Thanks!
 
- Nando

The only thing I forgot to bring was something to do while you wait. It was about an hour sitting there and phones have to be kept stored away. So bring a book or a sketch pad or something. Otherwise you'll have nothing to do but watch the looping Public Service Announcements on the video screen.
 
Also, it seemed to me that they gave several people (like a dozen) the same appointment time. They have you take a number when you get there and wait your turn. So if a lot of people have a "10 am" appointment, the people who get there at 9:50 are going to be done 60-90 minutes sooner than the people that get there at 10:05.  This was at the Pittsburgh (Monroeville) office earlier this month so your mileage may vary.
 
 

Bring MC to confirm name change if name on Biometrics notice is married name (as you file AOS in married name) and passport is maiden name.

Her are the steps:
 
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-1-submit-a-petition.html
 
First letter was I-130 Petition received . . . next was I-130 Petition Approved ... then update for I-824 application and following steps are explained above in the State Department Site. I am sure someone can provide a friendlier timeline with each steps My wife is now at the I-184 step since here case was delayed ( 9 months ) due to a clerical error by our attorney and both my daughter and wife should have been all set at the same time, and was just fixed to expedite the I-184 process TODAY . At least my (step)daughter is here :).

UPDATE: My daughter arrived last week :). Her interview was rescheduled 2 weeks prior and were only given a week to depart because of "expiring documents/ medical exam" even though none the fault of her own. The State Dept extended the expiry 30 days from Sep 9 to Oct 9 and of course we did not get rescheduled notice until 2 weeks ago with her interview the following week so we had to scramble.
 
Thank you all for following this journey. The pandemic really did a number on the process but at the end its all good!

Sorry for the delay in updates! Latest update:
Dear XXXXXX XXXXX,
 
The National Visa Center (NVC) updated the status of your immigrant visa application. Please go to the Department of State's Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) at https://nvc.state.gov/ceac. You will need your NVC case number and invoice ID number to log into your account.
Once you have logged into CEAC, please look in your message box or on the Status Chart at the bottom of the page. If NVC has feedback on any items you submitted, there will be a new message with details. If not, please simply follow the updated instructions on your Status Chart to complete your case. If any column says "Pay Now", "Invalid Doc", "Incomplete", or "Re-Opened", that means you must take action by paying a fee, submitting a form, or uploading a corrected/missing document.
 
Regards,
National Visa Center,
U.S. Department of State
https://nvc.state.gov/ask
 
**** To all new to the thread the "wait" was not typical since we had challenges obtaining the required birth certificate for my step daughter. During the process there was a change in what was accepted. We basically did not press the issue and let things happen as they came and my stepdaughter was starting school soon so we slowed down. Initially we were very optimistic that for things to wrap up between October to November 2019 but we all know how life can throw a wrench in things :) . . . So far we are 17 months into the process that "usually" takes 12-15 but every case is different  (I always add 2-4 month either way to set expectations).

Sorry for the late response! As for the questions asked it really truly depends on a lot of factors. In our case they only asked my stepdaughter her name. However, they did ask questions to my wife' cousin who accompanied her. Things such as where is she going, with who, etc. Due to her age MOST of the time there are simple questions.
 
What I do suggest is that WHOEVER does go (they typically will only allow one person with the child) that that person NOT provide any more extra information than asked. Just simple YES and NO. Provide direct answers without "stories" behind an answer. Of course lying is not going to fly :). The persons that are asking questions typically have all the answers provided as part of the case and should be the answered the way they were in the application.
 
For example another family we knew had an aunt bring their 7 year old child. They asked the child their name and where they were going, why, with who. When they started speaking to the aunt they were having a conversation about a better life here etc when the aunt brought up the stepmother losing her job and due to the pandemic and its been tough. The interview tone changed and focused on that. The interview then asked then how will they provide for the stepchild. The aunt said "oh its ok she found a new job today". Lets just say there was a LOOOOONG pause and eventually approved (she knew right away what she had done wrong and was horrified).
 
Hope all went well!
 
 
 
 
 

UPDATE: My daughter arrived last week :). Her interview was rescheduled 2 weeks prior and were only given a week to depart because of "expiring documents/ medical exam" even though none the fault of her own. The State Dept extended the expiry 30 days from Sep 9 to Oct 9 and of course we did not get rescheduled notice until 2 weeks ago with her interview the following week so we had to scramble.
 
Thank you all for following this journey. The pandemic really did a number on the process but at the end its all good!

UPDATE: My daughter arrived last week :). Her interview was rescheduled 2 weeks prior and were only given a week to depart because of "expiring documents/ medical exam" even though none the fault of her own. The State Dept extended the expiry 30 days from Sep 9 to Oct 9 and of course we did not get rescheduled notice until 2 weeks ago with her interview the following week so we had to scramble.
 
Thank you all for following this journey. The pandemic really did a number on the process but at the end its all good!

UPDATE: My daughter arrived last week :). Her interview was rescheduled 2 weeks prior and were only given a week to depart because of "expiring documents/ medical exam" even though none the fault of her own. The State Dept extended the expiry 30 days from Sep 9 to Oct 9 and of course we did not get rescheduled notice until 2 weeks ago with her interview the following week so we had to scramble.
 
Thank you all for following this journey. The pandemic really did a number on the process but at the end its all good!

UPDATE: My daughter arrived last week :). Her interview was rescheduled 2 weeks prior and were only given a week to depart because of "expiring documents/ medical exam" even though none the fault of her own. The State Dept extended the expiry 30 days from Sep 9 to Oct 9 and of course we did not get rescheduled notice until 2 weeks ago with her interview the following week so we had to scramble.
 
Thank you all for following this journey. The pandemic really did a number on the process but at the end its all good!

UPDATE: My daughter arrived last week :). Her interview was rescheduled 2 weeks prior and were only given a week to depart because of "expiring documents/ medical exam" even though none the fault of her own. The State Dept extended the expiry 30 days from Sep 9 to Oct 9 and of course we did not get rescheduled notice until 2 weeks ago with her interview the following week so we had to scramble.
 
Thank you all for following this journey. The pandemic really did a number on the process but at the end its all good!

I have seen online this a few times now and glad this was a quick approval. The reason I have been reading is "simple" ... with COVID19 this gives USCIS plenty of time to process other things like applications etc since most embassies and other immigration and non-immigration processes are on hold (interviews, travel visas, etc etc).
 
Super!

Every couple has their own priorities, and each couple must decide which visa is better for their situation.
K-1
    Slightly faster arrival in the US 
    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.
    A denied K-1 is sent back to USCIS to expire
  
CR-1
    Slightly slower arrival in the US 
    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.
  �

 

You are overthinking it. The question is very simple. Yes, they have been in the US. No, they currently are not in the US, so the following questions do not apply.

Read the questions. If your parents have ever been to the US, the answer is "yes". The next few questions only need to be completed if they are CURRENTLY in the US.

In my case, NO, since the father is not on the birth certificate (and not in the picture) AND the laws in Honduras give the mother many rights (even if the father came out of the woodwork).

Let me send you the link to the State Dept site. It's actually a pretty good Step by Step guide of all the process . . . I'll need some time to find the flow chart and will update you soon

Great news my stepdaughter's I-130 petition was approved :). I meet with my attorney tomorrow to hand in the next phase info to submit. In total the petition took 8 months to approve (from date of receipt by USCIS). I will update date this topic with more news as it comes!