The4Sands

We're using Boundless at the moment for IR1.  We found them before we found VJ and they have certainly been helpful.  One of the things I like about them is that they ask you very simple, plainly worded questions and use the data to fill out the forms for you.  Digital copies of the forms go to you first and you actually send them yourself, they don't send it on your behalf.  So we were able to review everything ourselves before it went to USCIS (there weren't any errors, btw) and could ensure it got posted in a way we were comfortable with.  We haven't had approval on our I-130 yet, so I don't know what their assistance is like when it comes to things like the DS-260 (which only we can fill in anyway) and the I-864 and that new form for the beneficiary I've forgotten the name of.
 
They aren't perfect.  We sent them scans of our marriage certificate and they said that would be fine but didn't notice that it doesn't have proof that the marriage was registered with the county clerk so we got an RFE.  It was easy enough for me to send a scan of a certified copy of the certificate, but obviously it would have been better if we'd known to send that in the first place.
 
For us, particularly before finding VJ, the whole application process looked pretty impenetrable, especially as we are both outside the US at the moment.  Our Boundless rep is very helpful, responsive and friendly.  I can see that if English isn't your first language or the language on the applications and forms is difficult for you, their simple way of doing things might be a more approachable route.  But alternatively, if you have a very straightforward marriage-based green card situation and VJ, I don't see why you couldn't do it yourself. 
 
Obviously there's a cost to Boundless (it's gone up $200 since we signed up!) but it is a lot less than a lawyer.

Thanks for all the reassurances, I got an email this morning and my card is now being "produced"

Just for the sake of completeness, I have made it back to the US. The process has a similar challenge level to going to the UK, but the challenges themselves were different, chief amongst which is that you can’t get always an NHS COVID test if you don’t have symptoms AND you’re quarantining. Thankfully it was mentioned here that you can get tested at the airport, so I booked a LAMP COVID test at Heathrow like 5 hours before my flight. It did indeed take the suggested 90 minutes to get my negative results certificate in the email and that and a physical, signed attestation form were all I needed to get back in the US. And my passport, obvs. 
 
Heathrow was pretty quiet but the Atlanta airport was crazy. Social distancing is not a thing there, I guess. 
 
It is definitely possible to travel abroad during COVID, but I don’t recommend it unless you have to.  It was pretty stressful. 

Just for the sake of completeness, I have made it back to the US. The process has a similar challenge level to going to the UK, but the challenges themselves were different, chief amongst which is that you can’t get always an NHS COVID test if you don’t have symptoms AND you’re quarantining. Thankfully it was mentioned here that you can get tested at the airport, so I booked a LAMP COVID test at Heathrow like 5 hours before my flight. It did indeed take the suggested 90 minutes to get my negative results certificate in the email and that and a physical, signed attestation form were all I needed to get back in the US. And my passport, obvs. 
 
Heathrow was pretty quiet but the Atlanta airport was crazy. Social distancing is not a thing there, I guess. 
 
It is definitely possible to travel abroad during COVID, but I don’t recommend it unless you have to.  It was pretty stressful. 

Just for the sake of completeness, I have made it back to the US. The process has a similar challenge level to going to the UK, but the challenges themselves were different, chief amongst which is that you can’t get always an NHS COVID test if you don’t have symptoms AND you’re quarantining. Thankfully it was mentioned here that you can get tested at the airport, so I booked a LAMP COVID test at Heathrow like 5 hours before my flight. It did indeed take the suggested 90 minutes to get my negative results certificate in the email and that and a physical, signed attestation form were all I needed to get back in the US. And my passport, obvs. 
 
Heathrow was pretty quiet but the Atlanta airport was crazy. Social distancing is not a thing there, I guess. 
 
It is definitely possible to travel abroad during COVID, but I don’t recommend it unless you have to.  It was pretty stressful. 

Got myself an interview for Tuesday

That is so incredibly helpful @MushyPea. Thank you so much!!! I think you’re right that the timing will be a bit complicated, but I think I can figure it out. That’s a good tip about booking the test package in advance! I will maybe plan to stay a little longer than 3 days, just to be on the safe side but anything is better than the original 10+ days I was thinking. 
 
Thanks again!!!

The same has happened for my husband. He entered on 28th of October. He got his SSN within a few weeks but the status checker still says Immigrant Visa Fee Payment Received and when I tried to request more info they said I wasn’t outside of the processing time, so I guess the 90 days doesn’t mean anything right now 🤷🏻‍♀️

We're using Boundless at the moment for IR1.  We found them before we found VJ and they have certainly been helpful.  One of the things I like about them is that they ask you very simple, plainly worded questions and use the data to fill out the forms for you.  Digital copies of the forms go to you first and you actually send them yourself, they don't send it on your behalf.  So we were able to review everything ourselves before it went to USCIS (there weren't any errors, btw) and could ensure it got posted in a way we were comfortable with.  We haven't had approval on our I-130 yet, so I don't know what their assistance is like when it comes to things like the DS-260 (which only we can fill in anyway) and the I-864 and that new form for the beneficiary I've forgotten the name of.
 
They aren't perfect.  We sent them scans of our marriage certificate and they said that would be fine but didn't notice that it doesn't have proof that the marriage was registered with the county clerk so we got an RFE.  It was easy enough for me to send a scan of a certified copy of the certificate, but obviously it would have been better if we'd known to send that in the first place.
 
For us, particularly before finding VJ, the whole application process looked pretty impenetrable, especially as we are both outside the US at the moment.  Our Boundless rep is very helpful, responsive and friendly.  I can see that if English isn't your first language or the language on the applications and forms is difficult for you, their simple way of doing things might be a more approachable route.  But alternatively, if you have a very straightforward marriage-based green card situation and VJ, I don't see why you couldn't do it yourself. 
 
Obviously there's a cost to Boundless (it's gone up $200 since we signed up!) but it is a lot less than a lawyer.

THE FINAL ACT.
 
Today I arrived at Miami airport and submitted my Immigration Packet to the Immigration Officer at Passport Control.
 
The Passport Control line at Miami airport was huge! However it didnt take too long.
 
I got to the Passport Control desk and submitted my passport, open at my visa page, along with the Immigration Packet sent to me by the London Embassy....unopened, of course!
 
The officer took my pic and asked my wife and I to wait for a second officer to take me to the next stage. The second officer arrived and asked us to follow him in to a side room. There were about 10 others in the room and most of whom were receiving what appeared to be some sort of interview. The second officer retained my Packet and passport.
 
About 40 minutes later I was called up to a booth in that sideroom and the officer manning the booth asked what address did I want my Green Card sent to. I gave a different address to that which was on the Packet. This was not a problem. The officer updated his IT Record with my revised delivery address.The officer explained my Visa would act as a Green Card for up to 12 months or until my GC arrived, usually within 6 months.
 
That was it! The officer handed back my passport and my wife and I left the sideroom to go collect our luggage. The officer even gave us helpful directions on where to go. Everyone was very pleasant.
 
So there you have it. My Visa Journey began on March 05 2020 and was brought to conclusion today, November 04 2020 at Miami Airport.
 
Once again, a sincere thank you to all who have helped and encouraged me. It was all worthwhile.

I flew United from LHR to EWR at the end of September no problems, although a flight at the same time to Dulles was cancelled and a lot of those people ended up on my plane. Ten days ago I took a Delta flight from LHR to Philadelphia with a stop in Atlanta with no problems. Today my husband and kids are flying non-stop from LHR to Philadelphia. 
 
In all the research we did for all those flights, we found that trying to fly from anywhere other than Heathrow (was looking at Manchester, New Castle, Edinburgh and Glasgow) was too risky. It's a pain in the backside to go down to Heathrow the night before and stay in a hotel, but I think you might have the best chance that way. 
 
Obviously that's only one person's experience, hopefully others will be able to chip in. 

I flew United from LHR to EWR at the end of September no problems, although a flight at the same time to Dulles was cancelled and a lot of those people ended up on my plane. Ten days ago I took a Delta flight from LHR to Philadelphia with a stop in Atlanta with no problems. Today my husband and kids are flying non-stop from LHR to Philadelphia. 
 
In all the research we did for all those flights, we found that trying to fly from anywhere other than Heathrow (was looking at Manchester, New Castle, Edinburgh and Glasgow) was too risky. It's a pain in the backside to go down to Heathrow the night before and stay in a hotel, but I think you might have the best chance that way. 
 
Obviously that's only one person's experience, hopefully others will be able to chip in. 

Well, thats that then! Woohoo. Had my interview today, Approved, and will receive the business "within about a week".
 
Thank you to all the help I was given from Visa Journey.
 
Thank you.
 
My report is here

 

Had my interview earlier today and was approved. The whole process took about 30 minutes and, in line with what others have said, was painless. I’ll post a review up shortly.
 
Many thanks to the people on this forum who assisted with my questions and queries. Good luck to those of you still waiting!

Nm the above. Our status just changed to issued!!!!

Hooray!! Glad you got it so soon. Hope it all moves quickly for you. 
 
I'm pretty anxious about the prospect of "circuit-breaks" and local lockdowns. I fly out on Saturday and my husband and the kids on the 29th. Lots could change between now and then!! 
 
Wishing you all the best!!!

His passport with visa and immigration packet have finally arrived!!!  I was beginning to think DX was going to keep it forever.  Whew.  One more thing off the the list.  Back to packing!!

I second this.  The people at VisaMedical were incredibly helpful and had lots of availability.  Hang in there @nickyducky, you're nearly there!!!

His passport with visa and immigration packet have finally arrived!!!  I was beginning to think DX was going to keep it forever.  Whew.  One more thing off the the list.  Back to packing!!

His passport with visa and immigration packet have finally arrived!!!  I was beginning to think DX was going to keep it forever.  Whew.  One more thing off the the list.  Back to packing!!

I guess we're the end of DCF as we know it.  I imagine this part of the forum in general will be very quiet going forward.  

Woohoo! Great news.
 
Good luck🙂

FINALLY!!!! I GOT MY LND NUMBER!!!
 
we tried contacting the DOS (no help really. Just told us to keep contacting the embassy)
 
I sent ANOTHER email to the Embassy, only this time changed my subject line to:
 
”PLEASE HELP!!! STILL WAITING FOR LND SINCE FEBRUARY”
 
that seemed to do the trick as they replied telling me my case number has been approved!
 
now the mad rush for medical and interview appointments begins. 
 
SO relieved though. Finally we have some kind of light on the horizon! 😀

When our time comes, I think I will copy everything then whittle down the pack of originals to ensure everything (?) is at hand. The whittled down pack of originals will reduce the weight, hopefully make it easier for the person conducting the interview and, most important, reduce the possibility of a hernia😂😂😂

Definitely bring photocopies of all the certificates because they definitely asked for those (and kept them) on Thursday at my husband's interview.  Weirdly they never asked to see confirmation that we'd paid the courier, but obvs you should bring that.  I just mention it because my husband kept waiting for someone to ask to see it and was confused that they never did.  He asked the CO if she wanted to see it and she acted like she didn't know what he was talking about.