JKLSemicolon

I agree with this. While USCIS’s own examples mention the possibility of filing as soon as the window opens even under similar circumstances, @OldUser makes a good point that the 5-year travel history on the form will be much less questionable if waiting until 5 years after the return date from the long absence. If I were in that situation, waiting an additional 90 days would be worth it to feel more confident and less stressed about the process.

Good eye. It appears that not all the info out there is up to date. In that case I would defer to the form instructions which mention 90 days: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/n-400instr.pdf

Correct, although the standard recommendation is to wait until at least a few days into that 6-month window just to be on the safe side.

Read the example with the specific dates again, it's saying that one can apply 4.5 years after returning from the break in residence under the general provision.

Just including a link to the verified source of what days count as physical presence for everyone’s benefit: https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-12-part-d-chapter-4

Note to moderators: I see there are now three separate January 2025 filer threads, perhaps they can be merged?

Great, if that’s the case it sounds like everything is in order.

I am questioning when/how any biometrics came to be on file in this case.

I find this confusing since you are removing conditions after originally entering on a CR-1 visa, and I am not familiar with biometrics already being on file when going that route (as opposed to those who have previously provided biometrics during Adjustment of Status). Maybe others can weigh in on that?

Just curious, is that 10-15k figure something you just threw out or were you actually quoted that amount by the attorney? Because I would imagine the cost of filing a petition through a lawyer to be much less - without any of the shadiness of finding a previously unknown person to be joint sponsor, that is.

Did you answer all of the questions about the crime truthfully and correctly on the original N-400 application and at the interview? It’s not completely clear from the wording in your original post.

Will take a look then, I wasn’t sure if there was something in the electronic application that would make it difficult to fill out with an expired GC, much like what happens occasionally with travel document info for airlines, although admittedly we haven’t tried yet.

Can you apply for Global Entry on an expired GC and extension letter? After searching the forum most of the information I came across related to people who already had GE before their conditional GC expired. Thanks!

But what does it say when you put in the street address?

Correct, by looking at casestatusext and doing a little spreadsheet math.

It looks like you are part of the ~3.4 percent of the cases filed in September 2024 that have been approved. Congrats.

Congrats! It would be great if you added that to your (currently blank) VJ timeline.

Looking at the IOE09 block on casestatusext, for cases received in February 2024 the stats are currently: Approved 337 Processing 9716 Terminated 16 Withdrawal 2 Denied 3 RFE 9 Interview Scheduled 10 Fingerprint Scheduled 19 Received 39 Rejected 17 Looks like the most movement is happening on cases from February 2023 currently.

Extensions frequently In previous threads where people applied for an extension it can take over a year to receive a response in some cases. If that response is a denial (the only such examples I have seen here) then the additional overstay could lead to a bar or many of the other problems already mentioned.

Starting with the form instructions which I think are always the most important source: On the form itself the information about your children is in Part 5. Using the section for Child 1 as an example, we filled it out like this: 1.a,b,c. N/A 2. N/A 3. Leave blank since it says (if any) 4,5. Leave blank since they are yes/no questions 6.a. N/A 6.b. Leave blank since they are checkboxes 6.c. N/A 6.d. Leave blank since it is a dropdown 6.e,f,g,h. N/A Repeat for the remaining fields in that section (Child 2-5). My feeling is that it is better to fill out the form using N/A where appropriate since 1) the instructions say to do that and 2) it makes it obvious that you intentionally completed each section rather than omitting it. On the questions above, note the use of N/A rather than “none” since they aren’t asking for a numerical answer (e.g. number of children). If following the instructions as written you’ll find that “none” is rarely needed.

Agree that an electronic copy of the notice should be posted there before the paper notice arrives.

I read the part of @OldUser’s post about “being prepared to be placed in removal proceedings” as referring to the case, i.e. if one misses a biometrics appointment and never follows up, reschedules, etc., USCIS could deny the case and prepare for removal proceedings. It was specifically mentioned as the worst-case scenario and I don’t read it as telling you to prepare for that yourself; the emphasis was on what you could do to prevent that from happening, which you then did. That you were fortunately able to follow up before something like a case denial happened does not mean that someone was wrong in pointing out what could have happened otherwise.

We have done statements plus redacted copies of cards before. One bank’s cards also provided letters confirming the addition of an authorized user, which we also included.

Those are good options. We sent ours Priority Mail Express and if you use a USPS box I would recommend that. If using a different service you may need to cover up the USPS print.

After you find a box close to the size of your packet, a thin roll of bubble wrap and some long (not necessarily thick) rubber bands would be enough to protect it in transit. We sent monthly statements for everything and on some credit cards if we didn’t use them and no statement was generated for a particular month, we put a sheet in its place specifying that. To me, leaving out months just creates an information gap and makes it harder for the adjudicator to connect the dots. I agree with @OldUser that the form instructions are pretty clear on this. Even though we prepared our own packet, we did consult with a reputable attorney before submitting just to make sure we were on the right track and he also recommended including all evidence. Edit: I wouldn’t be concerned about anyone not being able to open a taped box. I’m sure you can find a way to tape it so that nothing gets opened or damaged in transit while also being able to open the package with the appropriate tool.