Mjc331

Hello!

Not sure if there is already a topic like this (I apologize if there is) but could not locate it. Will keep it simple.

We received our NOA dated 10/26/2021 for our I-765. The National Benefits Center is where it is stated as the processing center. Currently, it says it takes about 8.5 months to receive our working permit...but it has been more than that for us. We have submitted an inquiry into this last month and then today as well. Is there anything else we can do? (Plan to call them next Monday...though not sure if there's any competent government agencies out there these days...)

Thanks.

Hello,

My wife and I have been patiently waiting for our I-485, 765, and 131 to be approved (like many of you in past or currently). Our biometric appointment was Nov 26, 2021 and we were excited about the possibility of this turning around quickly...or we thought.

We see that the average time for the 765 is around 200 days but when we check up on the processing time on USCIS for CA, it comes out to be...15.5 months(?!). Just wondering if I am being dumb when I also check off Form Category as "Based on a pending I-485 adjustment application [(c)(9)]" for the processing time. Or am I supposed to be looking somewhere else... :(

Any advice would be appreciated so thank you.

On 4/19/2020 at 8:47 AM, JFH said:

You do not need evidence of a “bona fide relationship” for the petition. You must demonstrate only that:

 

- the petitioner is a USC (birth certificate/passport or certificate of Naturalisation suffices)

- you are both able to marry (all previous marriages have been terminated legally through death or divorce, you are of legal age to marry and you are not related to each in such a way that marriage would be illegal)

- you have met face-to-face once in the last 2 years (boarding pass, passport stamps, photos, etc)

- you agree to marry within 90 days of arrival (letter of intent is all that’s required - wedding invites, dress patterns, menus, guest lists, honeymoon plans, etc are all NOT needed)

 

USCIS will also run a criminal record check to make sure the USC petitioner does not fall into the group of people who are unable to bring fiancés into the country. 
 

Nothing else needed. 
 

USCIS are strictly instructed not to consider whether you “make a good couple”, whether they think the relationship will last, whether they think you are a good match. They focus purely on the legal requirements being met.

Thank you everyone for your opinions. Will just not do it for the risk involved, as the benefits don't outweigh the potential of what can happen.

1 hour ago, Sarah&Facundo said:

What's in the photo shoot? We did one in my husband's country but it was nothing at all like a wedding. He was wearing jeans and a button down shirt and I had a floral blue and white dress walking in a beach setting holding hands basically. Nothing from that could be misconstrued as a wedding. I wouldn't risk wearing a wedding dress in a photo shoot, for example. We didn't bring those to any interviews either.

Thanks. I think if you google "Korean wedding photoshoot", it would show some typical attires and backgrounds (granted many of em are wearing tux Nd dress though haha). It would probably be in line with what you described. 

Would sending it in with the package be too much?

Thanks.

1 hour ago, usmsbow said:

Unless you're from a high risk* country such as Nigeria, Ghana, Morocco, India, or Pakistan, you're probably OK. My wife and I had pre-wedding photos done like you described. I don't remember if she brought them to the K-1 interview, but she did bring engagement party photos. No problems at all. Ditto with another friend of hers. This was in Indonesia (low risk country)... 

 

Edited to add: why bring them anyway? Or are you just worried that they'll see the pics on social media? 

 

*High risk=large # of rejections, not in terms of personal safety or security. 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the comment. This would be in Korea. And we were thinking of actually sending copies of it with the packet. The reasoning behind it was to strengthen the evidence of our relationship as well as evidence that we do intend to get married.

Side note: is that letter from each of us stating that we will marry one another once arriving sufficient? Not sure if we will have any other evidence of wedding prep since the timeline is so fluid...

Thanks.

4 hours ago, SmallTownPA said:

That's not close to what OP is asking.

 

The first link:

 

"We were denied because we told them about our unofficial wedding in Australia"

 

Second link:

 

"It will not be a legal wedding - just a ceremony"

 

What OP ACTUALLY asked:

 

"photo shoot in her country before we get married in the States."

 

Pre-wedding photos are certainly a HUGE deal in certain countries.  No, its NOT a 'wedding' or 'ceremony' - its photos.  I've done the engagement photos, I was in a suit and she was in a real live wedding dress.  We were on the beach, a park, and a temple (aka tourist trap).  That's not a wedding or ceremony, its photos.  Huge difference.  Couple on a beach at sunrise, couple in the middle of a wedding ceremony in a church.  Apples to oranges.

 

Pre-wedding/engagement photos are a sign of a bonifide relationship, is it not? 

 

 

Thank you for the clarification as that was what I was asking. It would be just as you described: photoshoot at different locations with possibly different attires. No family members or friends would be present. It would be like those pictures you see at one's wedding in the States.

I am guessing the moral of the story is to not even give the slightest hint of being married. So maybe even without the tux and the wedding dress? I mean, they can't possibly knock on us for having quality, photoshoot pictures right?

Much appreciative of everyone's thoughts though.

6 hours ago, designguy said:

No need to have a “photo shoot”  

Thanks. Sorry to be a pest but if you really do want to have one, do you think it will be that of a strong denial? With the wedding being held in the US, there is that feeling of not doing something "special" at her country without a wedding of course. Thanks!

Hello! I've been fortunate to stumble upon this site and am thankful for all your inputs I am not even sure if this is the right place to post this question so I apologize beforehand if it is incorrect. Currently, I am un the process of gathering evidences for the K1. Couple questions:

(1) Is if it is okay for my fiance and I have a photo shoot in her country before we get married in the States. I read another post saying as long as no tux and wedding dress it should be "okay" but was wondering if this would help or hurt.

(2) Related to the intent to marry, will a letter simply saying each of us intend to marry one another be sufficient? We plan to do a court wedding when hopefully everything goes accordingly but how do you prove this ambiguous timeline when you submit your packet? 

Thank you and stay safe!