Ann Blair

Hi! You said your SSN was created the same day. Did someone confirm that for you or are you thinking because you checked the box requesting the SSN on the I-130 that they did it? My husband arrived in the U.S. January 19, 2022 and we waited a month for his SS card and it never arrived. We started searching visa groups on Facebook and learned that some people are getting the SS card within a week of arriving, some within a month, some not at all. We called SS office and made an appointment and he took his passport with the temporary visa stamped inside (and I think birth certificate and marriage license…) to SS office. He got the number at the appointment and the card arrived about a week later. If you’re in the same situation just assuming it’s coming, don’t wait anymore and go ahead and call SS and make an appointment. Best to you. 

My husband’s I-601 waiver got approved. Like most of this process, they aren’t forthcoming with information. The case tracker reads: If you do not receive your approval notice by December 15, 2021…. As I understand it, that’s just USCIS mailing a paper copy of the approval notice to him. USCIS notifies the Embassy (London Embassy for us) and they will send a “next steps” letter detailing whatever he needs to do. 
 
Can anyone speak to how long it typically takes to get the “next steps” letter?
I read once he has the approval notice he can call the Embassy directly and they can tell him over the phone. Anyone know if that’s correct?

I’m so sorry. The legal immigration process is awful. After waiting nearly a year to get an interview, my husband was refused and then it took another full year to get a 601 filed and approved. We worked with Kathleen Martinez from DIY Consular Processing 469-519-1030. They have a Facebook and a website www.martinezimmigration.net where you can read reviews. We talked to 8-10 attorneys before choosing her. It wasn’t cheap, but was certainly not the highest we were quoted. Kathleen is great and she offers payment plan options.

We had 2 lawyers quit on us (both were recommended) so we lost a couple months filing the waiver. 130 days total from filing to approval, but we did expedite and I got Senator McConnell’s office to help us or it probably would have taken a lot longer. USCIS current processing time without expedite is 5.5 - 7.5 months. We did hire an immigration lawyer. You can do it by yourself and you might get passed, it does happen, but if they refuse the waiver, you’ve lost x many months and have to start over and pay the fee again and wait almost another year for an answer. 
 
Just wanted to throw out, I don’t know the Senator personally. Every state has 2 Senators and a staff member that helps with immigration. Regardless of your party affiliation, they work for everyone in your state. Every Senator has a website and contact information so if you need help you can contact them. I sent an email and explained the situation and asked him for help. 

My husband’s I-601 waiver got approved. Like most of this process, they aren’t forthcoming with information. The case tracker reads: If you do not receive your approval notice by December 15, 2021…. As I understand it, that’s just USCIS mailing a paper copy of the approval notice to him. USCIS notifies the Embassy (London Embassy for us) and they will send a “next steps” letter detailing whatever he needs to do. 
 
Can anyone speak to how long it typically takes to get the “next steps” letter?
I read once he has the approval notice he can call the Embassy directly and they can tell him over the phone. Anyone know if that’s correct?

Somehow every private company has figured out long ago how to do business in spite of COVID (at least the ones the government overlords allowed to open). If they don’t, they’ll go out of business. But government bureaucracies haven’t managed to figure it out and are still using COVID as an excuse for their incompetence. If they don’t adapt, the consequences for them are zero, and you having to stay apart from your family isn’t a thing.
 
And Biden doesn’t want to fix the logjam, because that would actually make sense, and politicians don’t do those things.

I was definitely aware CR1 was a longer process than K1 which was averaging about 6 mo start to finish pre-Covid. I do think there were some screw ups along the way though like our case getting misrouted which further delayed the DQ. If anything does come of writing to Biden, it will likely be long past us getting approved, but maybe it’ll help people in the future. I hope it does change. I feel for everyone separated from loved ones and wish everyone the best. 

All - If you’ve been following U.S. politics and President Biden’s executive orders and initiatives then you know he’s expressed a desire to focus on a path for illegals in the U.S. I would like to ask him to also focus on fixing the legal immigration process. I want him to look at the K1 and CR1/IR1 process that so many of us are stuck in. I am a U.S. citizen and have been separated from my U.K. husband for nearly a year. Now we’ve run into yet another delay and I’ve had to hire an immigration attorney. There is a form to contact the White House and share your concerns. I don’t think, President Biden is reading this inbox himself, but I’m thinking about volume here. If enough of us send messages urging him to look at this, maybe someone will put these messages in front of him and say, ‘Sir 100’s (1000’s!) of U.S. citizens, voters, tax payers have been writing and sharing their stories.’ My message will include NVC’s 1 hour hold time, how our DQ got delayed due to NVC “misrouting” our case, about the 2 expedite requests I submitted including a Dr’s note and both requests were denied... and about the emotional stress and hardship that this broken process has caused us. Please take a minute and share your story. There is character limit on the form so if you’re wordy like me, you may have to edit your post for length. Maybe if enough of us write this could get looked at. I’ve included the link below. 
 
Contact the White House: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwi2sODSodPuAhXOHM0KHUNZC-0QFjAAegQIAhAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.whitehouse.gov%2Fcontact%2F&usg=AOvVaw12w3dIHKsIMB8cvnk4mAf-
 

All - If you’ve been following U.S. politics and President Biden’s executive orders and initiatives then you know he’s expressed a desire to focus on a path for illegals in the U.S. I would like to ask him to also focus on fixing the legal immigration process. I want him to look at the K1 and CR1/IR1 process that so many of us are stuck in. I am a U.S. citizen and have been separated from my U.K. husband for nearly a year. Now we’ve run into yet another delay and I’ve had to hire an immigration attorney. There is a form to contact the White House and share your concerns. I don’t think, President Biden is reading this inbox himself, but I’m thinking about volume here. If enough of us send messages urging him to look at this, maybe someone will put these messages in front of him and say, ‘Sir 100’s (1000’s!) of U.S. citizens, voters, tax payers have been writing and sharing their stories.’ My message will include NVC’s 1 hour hold time, how our DQ got delayed due to NVC “misrouting” our case, about the 2 expedite requests I submitted including a Dr’s note and both requests were denied... and about the emotional stress and hardship that this broken process has caused us. Please take a minute and share your story. There is character limit on the form so if you’re wordy like me, you may have to edit your post for length. Maybe if enough of us write this could get looked at. I’ve included the link below. 
 
Contact the White House: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwi2sODSodPuAhXOHM0KHUNZC-0QFjAAegQIAhAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.whitehouse.gov%2Fcontact%2F&usg=AOvVaw12w3dIHKsIMB8cvnk4mAf-
 

All - If you’ve been following U.S. politics and President Biden’s executive orders and initiatives then you know he’s expressed a desire to focus on a path for illegals in the U.S. I would like to ask him to also focus on fixing the legal immigration process. I want him to look at the K1 and CR1/IR1 process that so many of us are stuck in. I am a U.S. citizen and have been separated from my U.K. husband for nearly a year. Now we’ve run into yet another delay and I’ve had to hire an immigration attorney. There is a form to contact the White House and share your concerns. I don’t think, President Biden is reading this inbox himself, but I’m thinking about volume here. If enough of us send messages urging him to look at this, maybe someone will put these messages in front of him and say, ‘Sir 100’s (1000’s!) of U.S. citizens, voters, tax payers have been writing and sharing their stories.’ My message will include NVC’s 1 hour hold time, how our DQ got delayed due to NVC “misrouting” our case, about the 2 expedite requests I submitted including a Dr’s note and both requests were denied... and about the emotional stress and hardship that this broken process has caused us. Please take a minute and share your story. There is character limit on the form so if you’re wordy like me, you may have to edit your post for length. Maybe if enough of us write this could get looked at. I’ve included the link below. 
 
Contact the White House: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwi2sODSodPuAhXOHM0KHUNZC-0QFjAAegQIAhAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.whitehouse.gov%2Fcontact%2F&usg=AOvVaw12w3dIHKsIMB8cvnk4mAf-
 

The sad thing is that Biden will most like put the illegals ahead of thousands and thousands of people that have done the legal filings and spent lots of money to come to the US. It makes me mad that those that sneak across the border would have ANY priority over anyone legal. I’m glad my husband is here already and we don’t have to go through too much more going forward. 

All - If you’ve been following U.S. politics and President Biden’s executive orders and initiatives then you know he’s expressed a desire to focus on a path for illegals in the U.S. I would like to ask him to also focus on fixing the legal immigration process. I want him to look at the K1 and CR1/IR1 process that so many of us are stuck in. I am a U.S. citizen and have been separated from my U.K. husband for nearly a year. Now we’ve run into yet another delay and I’ve had to hire an immigration attorney. There is a form to contact the White House and share your concerns. I don’t think, President Biden is reading this inbox himself, but I’m thinking about volume here. If enough of us send messages urging him to look at this, maybe someone will put these messages in front of him and say, ‘Sir 100’s (1000’s!) of U.S. citizens, voters, tax payers have been writing and sharing their stories.’ My message will include NVC’s 1 hour hold time, how our DQ got delayed due to NVC “misrouting” our case, about the 2 expedite requests I submitted including a Dr’s note and both requests were denied... and about the emotional stress and hardship that this broken process has caused us. Please take a minute and share your story. There is character limit on the form so if you’re wordy like me, you may have to edit your post for length. Maybe if enough of us write this could get looked at. I’ve included the link below. 
 
Contact the White House: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwi2sODSodPuAhXOHM0KHUNZC-0QFjAAegQIAhAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.whitehouse.gov%2Fcontact%2F&usg=AOvVaw12w3dIHKsIMB8cvnk4mAf-
 

All - If you’ve been following U.S. politics and President Biden’s executive orders and initiatives then you know he’s expressed a desire to focus on a path for illegals in the U.S. I would like to ask him to also focus on fixing the legal immigration process. I want him to look at the K1 and CR1/IR1 process that so many of us are stuck in. I am a U.S. citizen and have been separated from my U.K. husband for nearly a year. Now we’ve run into yet another delay and I’ve had to hire an immigration attorney. There is a form to contact the White House and share your concerns. I don’t think, President Biden is reading this inbox himself, but I’m thinking about volume here. If enough of us send messages urging him to look at this, maybe someone will put these messages in front of him and say, ‘Sir 100’s (1000’s!) of U.S. citizens, voters, tax payers have been writing and sharing their stories.’ My message will include NVC’s 1 hour hold time, how our DQ got delayed due to NVC “misrouting” our case, about the 2 expedite requests I submitted including a Dr’s note and both requests were denied... and about the emotional stress and hardship that this broken process has caused us. Please take a minute and share your story. There is character limit on the form so if you’re wordy like me, you may have to edit your post for length. Maybe if enough of us write this could get looked at. I’ve included the link below. 
 
Contact the White House: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwi2sODSodPuAhXOHM0KHUNZC-0QFjAAegQIAhAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.whitehouse.gov%2Fcontact%2F&usg=AOvVaw12w3dIHKsIMB8cvnk4mAf-
 

All - If you’ve been following U.S. politics and President Biden’s executive orders and initiatives then you know he’s expressed a desire to focus on a path for illegals in the U.S. I would like to ask him to also focus on fixing the legal immigration process. I want him to look at the K1 and CR1/IR1 process that so many of us are stuck in. I am a U.S. citizen and have been separated from my U.K. husband for nearly a year. Now we’ve run into yet another delay and I’ve had to hire an immigration attorney. There is a form to contact the White House and share your concerns. I don’t think, President Biden is reading this inbox himself, but I’m thinking about volume here. If enough of us send messages urging him to look at this, maybe someone will put these messages in front of him and say, ‘Sir 100’s (1000’s!) of U.S. citizens, voters, tax payers have been writing and sharing their stories.’ My message will include NVC’s 1 hour hold time, how our DQ got delayed due to NVC “misrouting” our case, about the 2 expedite requests I submitted including a Dr’s note and both requests were denied... and about the emotional stress and hardship that this broken process has caused us. Please take a minute and share your story. There is character limit on the form so if you’re wordy like me, you may have to edit your post for length. Maybe if enough of us write this could get looked at. I’ve included the link below. 
 
Contact the White House: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwi2sODSodPuAhXOHM0KHUNZC-0QFjAAegQIAhAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.whitehouse.gov%2Fcontact%2F&usg=AOvVaw12w3dIHKsIMB8cvnk4mAf-
 

All - If you’ve been following U.S. politics and President Biden’s executive orders and initiatives then you know he’s expressed a desire to focus on a path for illegals in the U.S. I would like to ask him to also focus on fixing the legal immigration process. I want him to look at the K1 and CR1/IR1 process that so many of us are stuck in. I am a U.S. citizen and have been separated from my U.K. husband for nearly a year. Now we’ve run into yet another delay and I’ve had to hire an immigration attorney. There is a form to contact the White House and share your concerns. I don’t think, President Biden is reading this inbox himself, but I’m thinking about volume here. If enough of us send messages urging him to look at this, maybe someone will put these messages in front of him and say, ‘Sir 100’s (1000’s!) of U.S. citizens, voters, tax payers have been writing and sharing their stories.’ My message will include NVC’s 1 hour hold time, how our DQ got delayed due to NVC “misrouting” our case, about the 2 expedite requests I submitted including a Dr’s note and both requests were denied... and about the emotional stress and hardship that this broken process has caused us. Please take a minute and share your story. There is character limit on the form so if you’re wordy like me, you may have to edit your post for length. Maybe if enough of us write this could get looked at. I’ve included the link below. 
 
Contact the White House: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwi2sODSodPuAhXOHM0KHUNZC-0QFjAAegQIAhAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.whitehouse.gov%2Fcontact%2F&usg=AOvVaw12w3dIHKsIMB8cvnk4mAf-
 

I was definitely aware CR1 was a longer process than K1 which was averaging about 6 mo start to finish pre-Covid. I do think there were some screw ups along the way though like our case getting misrouted which further delayed the DQ. If anything does come of writing to Biden, it will likely be long past us getting approved, but maybe it’ll help people in the future. I hope it does change. I feel for everyone separated from loved ones and wish everyone the best. 

All - If you’ve been following U.S. politics and President Biden’s executive orders and initiatives then you know he’s expressed a desire to focus on a path for illegals in the U.S. I would like to ask him to also focus on fixing the legal immigration process. I want him to look at the K1 and CR1/IR1 process that so many of us are stuck in. I am a U.S. citizen and have been separated from my U.K. husband for nearly a year. Now we’ve run into yet another delay and I’ve had to hire an immigration attorney. There is a form to contact the White House and share your concerns. I don’t think, President Biden is reading this inbox himself, but I’m thinking about volume here. If enough of us send messages urging him to look at this, maybe someone will put these messages in front of him and say, ‘Sir 100’s (1000’s!) of U.S. citizens, voters, tax payers have been writing and sharing their stories.’ My message will include NVC’s 1 hour hold time, how our DQ got delayed due to NVC “misrouting” our case, about the 2 expedite requests I submitted including a Dr’s note and both requests were denied... and about the emotional stress and hardship that this broken process has caused us. Please take a minute and share your story. There is character limit on the form so if you’re wordy like me, you may have to edit your post for length. Maybe if enough of us write this could get looked at. I’ve included the link below. 
 
Contact the White House: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwi2sODSodPuAhXOHM0KHUNZC-0QFjAAegQIAhAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.whitehouse.gov%2Fcontact%2F&usg=AOvVaw12w3dIHKsIMB8cvnk4mAf-
 

All - If you’ve been following U.S. politics and President Biden’s executive orders and initiatives then you know he’s expressed a desire to focus on a path for illegals in the U.S. I would like to ask him to also focus on fixing the legal immigration process. I want him to look at the K1 and CR1/IR1 process that so many of us are stuck in. I am a U.S. citizen and have been separated from my U.K. husband for nearly a year. Now we’ve run into yet another delay and I’ve had to hire an immigration attorney. There is a form to contact the White House and share your concerns. I don’t think, President Biden is reading this inbox himself, but I’m thinking about volume here. If enough of us send messages urging him to look at this, maybe someone will put these messages in front of him and say, ‘Sir 100’s (1000’s!) of U.S. citizens, voters, tax payers have been writing and sharing their stories.’ My message will include NVC’s 1 hour hold time, how our DQ got delayed due to NVC “misrouting” our case, about the 2 expedite requests I submitted including a Dr’s note and both requests were denied... and about the emotional stress and hardship that this broken process has caused us. Please take a minute and share your story. There is character limit on the form so if you’re wordy like me, you may have to edit your post for length. Maybe if enough of us write this could get looked at. I’ve included the link below. 
 
Contact the White House: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwi2sODSodPuAhXOHM0KHUNZC-0QFjAAegQIAhAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.whitehouse.gov%2Fcontact%2F&usg=AOvVaw12w3dIHKsIMB8cvnk4mAf-
 

Husband just got DQ’d last Friday, September 4. Using NVC’s timeframes page as to what week they were reviewing civil docs, I waited 3 weeks from when I thought we should have heard something. I finally broke down and called NVC last Friday, waited on hold 55 minutes, and about had a stroke when the phone rep told me yeah, we should heard by now and she thought our case had been overlooked?! She said unfortunately that happens sometimes and she’d send it over for review right away. She said it might be 3 more weeks before we heard anything. I couldn’t believe it when we got DQ’d 2 hours later?! So grateful!  I’m a U.S. citizen sending for U.K. spouse. I poked around on FAQ’s and posts and read interview appointments can take a few weeks or months. I’m gonna be worrying now we’ve been overlooked again so just trying to understand a general timeline we should expect to be contacted. Anyone else just get a September DQ? Anyone have an idea if we might hear this month? Think it’ll be October before we’re contacted for interview? Thanks! Appreciate any info we can get. If you’re in this thread, hopefully you’re near the end of this journey. Best to everyone. 

I suppose the answers will vary greatly depending on where people came from and where they moved to. For me, many things haven’t changed. I’m doing the same job as I did in the UK, the climate where I live is similar to England, I’m from an English-speaking country so no new language to learn. 
 
What I do like is the landscape where we live. You can walk to the beach and when you’re there you can have your feet in the Pacific Ocean and then turn around and see mountains covered in snow. I also like the wildlife here. We regularly see bears walking around. We have deer that “live” in our yard, raccoons everywhere, cougars, coyotes (that keep me awake sometimes at night with their screeching) and we see eagles every day. Whales and seals regularly visit the water here.
 
I do also like the variety of a country so big. You don’t have to leave the country to get to tropical beaches, ski resorts, forests, deserts, glaciers, etc. Not many other countries in the world have such variety. 

My plain old wisdom says everybody is as confused as you...the hotels, airlines, the embassy, and all their employees. This year is one where all have to be flexible and change plans unexpectedly. Something new is always popping up to throw a spanner in the works. Nobody is going to pop in Monday morning and change the website, cancel your appointment, or answer your phone calls. They might work something out for Interviews later in the week or after Boxing Day, but doubtful for Monday.  Show up and beg your way in if you have to. Somebody will be working. If you can’t get the flight, then arrangements can be worked out to get your interview later. Nothing is lost, just uncertain from week to week. Flexibility and positive thoughts! Keep calm and carry on. And act important to any underlings along the way. “I have been requested by the the consular of the US Embassy to appear in London Monday.” They won’t know what that means, but it gives you street cred. 

Just wanted to say a quick congrats to everyone having just gotten their dates! Confusing process I know but I'm glad y'all can finally start planning. Best damn feeling. Good luck Everyone. ❤️

Just got ours DQ September 4th 
interview January 12th 

Just got ours DQ September 4th 
interview January 12th 

Just got ours DQ September 4th 
interview January 12th