ECCK

Is is true that I-944 will be required again?
I submited my  AOS petition this saturday and as of yesterday it was delivered to UCSIS offices, but it may take more than a week before they actually review it and  notify me. 
I am afraid to receive an RFE requesting the I-944. Any one else with on the same situation?
 
 
The source link:
 
 

If your current relationship is legitimate, then go for it. Just expect a lot of questioning about that previous relationship and to give a solid legitimate reason why the immigration services should give you a visa.

Regarding people's reactions, from what you have said, it sounds like your previous relationship revolved around deceiving the immigration services to bring in someone with the wrong intentions. Whether it was or was not, that is how it is sounding. K-1 Visas are notoriously strict and unfair and an unbelievably hard process to go through that has been made progressively even tougher throughout the years due to those taking advantage of the system to bring in someone to the US for the sole purpose of them getting a green card rather than the purpose of being with someone who you love (AKA Immigration fraud).
The way your case is coming off is immigration fraud, it's a sensitive topic for those who are applying for K-1 visas as a lot of hoops that we're trying to jump through are because of immigration fraud cases.

Do you have to justify your reasons to us? No, after all, we're not the ones who decide whether your petition gets accepted and whether your fiance gets a visa. We're just a few people on this world going through the same process you want to go through.
Do you have to justify your reasons to the immigration services, who are directed to make everyone nervous (including those with completely clean records)? Yes. This is a question you are going to have to answer a number of times, and if you're getting defensive with us when we're mostly asking base-level questions, then you're going to have to work on your explanation by the time you get to the questions from immigration services.

Most importantly, do not lie (especially to the immigration officer/immigration services). Sure, hiding true reasons for your past relationship may seem like a good idea, but they will find out whether you like it or not.

You are the reason why the immigration becomes harder and harder, there is no such help, it is fraud and I wish it will come back to you.

AOS package sent in July 27, received in July 31, today Aug 11 we got 3 SMS on the phone for our case Numbers   

We did 5. One main cover letter for all forms being mailed in. And 4 cover letter per each form. 
 

I just got a call from our local social security office today and they've scheduled an appointment for my interview next week so that I can get a SSN! We called about two weeks ago and they said they would call us back one week later (last week) to schedule an appointment but we didn't hear anything from them. I assumed it fell through but we chased them up this morning to check if we could still get an appointment. Around 2 hours later the supervisor called me back and has scheduled me in! When I originally spoke to them about my need to get an SSN, I told them that I needed it so I could be included on my husband's health insurance and also that I wasn't able to get on the Navy base due to covid restricting visitors. I told them my K1 was going to expire in September and that I could possible get one through the EAD process but that was likely going to take half a year. They were really helpful and said they'll see what they can do to help me get my SSN while my K1 was still valid. If you don't hear back on the appointment, I would definitely suggest calling them back and check! 

I just got a call from our local social security office today and they've scheduled an appointment for my interview next week so that I can get a SSN! We called about two weeks ago and they said they would call us back one week later (last week) to schedule an appointment but we didn't hear anything from them. I assumed it fell through but we chased them up this morning to check if we could still get an appointment. Around 2 hours later the supervisor called me back and has scheduled me in! When I originally spoke to them about my need to get an SSN, I told them that I needed it so I could be included on my husband's health insurance and also that I wasn't able to get on the Navy base due to covid restricting visitors. I told them my K1 was going to expire in September and that I could possible get one through the EAD process but that was likely going to take half a year. They were really helpful and said they'll see what they can do to help me get my SSN while my K1 was still valid. If you don't hear back on the appointment, I would definitely suggest calling them back and check! 

I just got a call from our local social security office today and they've scheduled an appointment for my interview next week so that I can get a SSN! We called about two weeks ago and they said they would call us back one week later (last week) to schedule an appointment but we didn't hear anything from them. I assumed it fell through but we chased them up this morning to check if we could still get an appointment. Around 2 hours later the supervisor called me back and has scheduled me in! When I originally spoke to them about my need to get an SSN, I told them that I needed it so I could be included on my husband's health insurance and also that I wasn't able to get on the Navy base due to covid restricting visitors. I told them my K1 was going to expire in September and that I could possible get one through the EAD process but that was likely going to take half a year. They were really helpful and said they'll see what they can do to help me get my SSN while my K1 was still valid. If you don't hear back on the appointment, I would definitely suggest calling them back and check! 

I just got a call from our local social security office today and they've scheduled an appointment for my interview next week so that I can get a SSN! We called about two weeks ago and they said they would call us back one week later (last week) to schedule an appointment but we didn't hear anything from them. I assumed it fell through but we chased them up this morning to check if we could still get an appointment. Around 2 hours later the supervisor called me back and has scheduled me in! When I originally spoke to them about my need to get an SSN, I told them that I needed it so I could be included on my husband's health insurance and also that I wasn't able to get on the Navy base due to covid restricting visitors. I told them my K1 was going to expire in September and that I could possible get one through the EAD process but that was likely going to take half a year. They were really helpful and said they'll see what they can do to help me get my SSN while my K1 was still valid. If you don't hear back on the appointment, I would definitely suggest calling them back and check! 

There's no quarantine for dogs coming into the US. My cat flew with me from Aus to US in June. The hardest part is finding a spot on a flight for your pet during Covid. I would recommend you looking into it early because there aren't many flights flying between the AUS and US. You might also want to get your dog their rabies shot if they haven't, as some airlines require it. 

So. I was thinking today about our SSN options and what I could do to get him one. I thought, hmm what proof would they need for a public health care need to get an appointment? Knowing how disconnected all these offices are just with their own information and rules I doubt they would know too much about the visa/green card rules with public benefits,  also the public market place is "public health care". So I thought, what if I told them he needed public healthcare for this type 1 diabetes. So I did just that. I called them and told them my fiance came here a little bit ago and he's looking for ssn for public health care. They asked if it was a dire need and I said yes and told him about the diabetes and the short length of time we have to get him a ssn. He talked to his supervisor and took his name and number told me what he needed to bring with him to the appointment. Then he said that someone would contact him this week about scheduling an appointment. I mean I dunno if it will actually pan out but there's some hope. 
I still haven't heard anything back from the senator or anything. But I will keep you guys posted if and when I hear anything *fingers crossed*

I saw that the Sydney consulate said they will resume certain immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services on the 16 July (https://www.ustraveldocs.com/au/index.html). Hopefully it includes K1s too. I know the separation is hard and I hope you hear about your interview soon.  

Congratulations! Glad to hear that you and your daughter made it safely to the US. 

There's no quarantine for dogs coming into the US. My cat flew with me from Aus to US in June. The hardest part is finding a spot on a flight for your pet during Covid. I would recommend you looking into it early because there aren't many flights flying between the AUS and US. You might also want to get your dog their rabies shot if they haven't, as some airlines require it. 

Thanks so much for the info! 

There's no quarantine for dogs coming into the US. My cat flew with me from Aus to US in June. The hardest part is finding a spot on a flight for your pet during Covid. I would recommend you looking into it early because there aren't many flights flying between the AUS and US. You might also want to get your dog their rabies shot if they haven't, as some airlines require it. 

I don't know how or why but I got an email from the NVC last night that my K1 case has left the NVC!!  I'm dancing, I'm crying, I'm elated!!  confirmed on the ceac website just now that it shows as 'in transit'.  Not sure what changed, but I'm beyond excited right now!!  Just gotta sit tight and wait for it to hit the consulate and get the interview date to book the medical...  Hopefully this is a sign that they are starting to process K1 visas at Sydney along with spousal visas!!!

I'll let everyone know if or when I hear back from the senator. And/or if I hear anything from the offices. We're running out of time to get his SSN prior to filing the EAD.
I wonder if we could file the for the EAD and then ask for an expedite on it which would provide him with a SSN.  Hmm.

My husband phoned and didn't have much luck so we are just going to wait until the office re-opens before applying. 

I saw that the Sydney consulate said they will resume certain immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services on the 16 July (https://www.ustraveldocs.com/au/index.html). Hopefully it includes K1s too. I know the separation is hard and I hope you hear about your interview soon.  

Hi Emma  
I have an appointment on base in a few weeks so I can get added to his paperwork - I hope they actually let me enter the base. I will surely let you know if he has any luck calling the SSN Office on my behalf. 
 
Thank you  I am enjoying life here so far and happy to be married! 
The dogs have been staying in a pet hotel for the last few weeks as they were able to get a direct Qantas flight from Sydney to LA on 22 July  

I phoned the Social Security office this morning and they basically told me I cannot apply at the moment and need to wait until offices re-open. I asked if they are taking appointments and they said not for people in my situation.
I also need a social security number to be added to my husbands military health insurance but my chances of getting one are not looking good at the moment My husband is going to try and call on my behalf and see if that makes a difference. 
 

I emailed our local senator this morning. I hope we hear back within the week. I'm going to call the Social Security office after their lunch (I find people more agreeable after they have eaten) and see what they have to say (not super hopeful tbh).
 

Yeah we have said that that he needs an ssn to get health insurance because he's a type 1 diabetic and they have been super sympathetic but there rules say that its only if its "public" health care. And in order to get an appointment for employment reasons they actually have to have a job and just needs an ssn for the employment paperwork. I was told that a job offer was not enough. 
I've called several offices local and out of state trying to find answers and apparently each office is managed individually but they have guidelines that have to follow. There were a couple offices that had no idea what I was talking about. I have been trying to get an appointment for him 5 days after his arrival into the States. Actually I started calling two days before he left Australia to try and get information. I've seen people on VJ get there ssn during the covid shut down but they are few. 
I had some luck with one office when they told me to contact my state senator to explain my situation and ask for the office to grant me an appointment. I have yet to do so. With everything going on I kind of got disheartened tbh.
I might actually try that over the weekend and see if next two weeks we get a response.

Np, thanks for letting us know where you're at too. 
I wish something in this process was as straight forward as it should have been. At least we have gotten this far!  This journey has taught me patience and to expect the unexpected, thats for sure.