EatBulaga

Greetings July 2022 AOS filers, After going to see the Civil Surgeon for the I-693 medical, we got an email from USCIS "We have taken an action on your case", but we have yet to submit the sealed envelope. Our case status shows case is updated to April 7, 2023, but the message is still "Case Is Being Actively Reviewed by USCIS". I have a few conjectures of what might be happening. One, the Civil Surgeon inputted our I-693 medical case to their USCIS system, which updates the whole USCIS system. I remember this happening during the overseas medical when we saw the CEACStatTracker update the process date but the message stayed as "Ready". Or two, Atlanta FO has really taken action and we should see some updates soon. Some who reported the same message got their GC approval soon after. Or three, some others have reported this message as a glitch in the system, and are still waiting. In any case, if you go read our courtesy email post, we still plan on submitting our I-693 medical.

For the K1, the I-134 requirement is 100% of the poverty guidelines. https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines For the AOS, the I-864 requirement is 125% of the poverty guidelines. Best to read the instructions for the I-134 at https://www.uscis.gov/i-134 And read the K1 visa step-by step guide, especially the "What to send to your fiance once the I-129F is approved (Receive NOA2)" https://www.visajourney.com/guides/k1-fiance-visa/ and make 2 copies of I-134 and all the supporting documents: 1 copy sent to the K1 beneficiary and 1 back-up copy. https://www.visajourney.com/guides/k1-fiance-visa-tips/ There are sections in the I-134 where it will ask if the US petitioner is divorced and to list the dependents. The dependents will add to the household number to calculate the minimum income for support. For example, if the US petitioner is planning to sponsor the foreign K1 beneficiary, and supporting 1 child dependent, then the household will be 3. The poverty guideline for household of 3 is 24,860 to be K1 sponsor, and 31,075=1.25*24,860 to AOS. If the US petitioner can not meet the guideline, then joint sponsorship (like family member, etc) is the best option. There are sections in the I-134 to list any US petitioner assets. But the defining support for the K1 beneficiary is the current income of the US petitioner (need proof with some current pay statements, and 3 years of tax transcripts). Again, if the US petitioner can not meet the supporting guideline, then the US petitioner needs to find joint sponsor(s). Joint sponsors mean each sponsor needs to fill out a individual I-134 with supporting documents and send to the K1 beneficiary after the NOA2 case approval and before the consulate interview, so the K1 beneficiary will take two or more sets of I-134s with the supporting documents to the consulate interview.

@Loren Y Congratulations!!! Thanks for all that you've done for us!!!

You can maybe post your question at the regional forum? https://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/97-middle-east-and-north-africa/ Or check with those with UAE Timelines? https://www.visajourney.com/portals/index.php?country=United Arab Emirates https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/k1list.php?op6=All&op7=United Arab Emirates&dfile=No&op1=&op2=&op3=&op4=1&op5=5%2C6%2C8%2C10%2C11%2C13%2C14%2C15%2C16%2C17%2C18%2C20%2C21%2C22%2C25%2C26%2C27%2C28&cfl=0 It would also help if you fill out your Timeline

Thanks for the VJ stats. I posted my own theory about the Atlanta FO wait time at https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/798277-atlanta-field-office-385-months-wait-time/ I understand the "what if's". We've gotten this far being meticulous, which you called "what if's". Don't worry about us as much as those who are not meticulous going thru the immigration process. My theory is that these wait time estimates can change tomorrow if Atlanta FO wants to clear the backlog with those that have the I-693 and waive the interviews. Also, I conjectured that the Atlanta FO has not processed any cases since Jan 2023? And the recent courtesy emails may be a signal that they are ready to ramp up processing again? I agree with @beloved_dingo that it is highly unlikely that the Atlanta FO will actually take 2+ years to process the cases since USCIS will have to grant the 10-year GC and forfeit the I-751 fees from the applicants. Since the last VJ cases from Atlanta was in Dec 2022, with 15 months wait time, I predict most of the backlogged cases will get processed in 15-23 months soon because of those that respond to the I-693 courtesy emails. https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/798091-request-for-form-i-693-courtesy-email To avoid forking this post into something else, I recommend that we continue the Atlanta wait time discussion at this post https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/798277-atlanta-field-office-385-months-wait-time/

Foreign spouse has none of those and is cleaner than baking soda. My concern is that if our FO wait time is 38.5 months and increasing, then there is a chance that we may need to travel overseas during that time. And I like to know my options in case of the "perfect storm" like border closure, another pandemic, Trump re-elected, mass hysteria against immigration, etc. A lot can change in 3-4 years if you just look back at all that has happened since 2019 to now. And in a sense, we are still paying for it on the immigration end with all the backlogs and extended wait times even those as clean as my foreign spouse. With all the wait times vested (see our Timeline and Profile), I like to know my options to make the best decisions like I listed for you at https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/798626-a-question-regarding-advance-parole/?do=findComment&comment=10826892

If you have an overstay issue, then I would consult a lawyer or not travel outside of the country at all until the GC. I had posted my own question about denied entry with AP at https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/798413-what-to-do-if-eadap-combo-card-is-rejected-by-cbp/ The flowchart of choices for AP travel seems simple in retrospect: 1) Choose to travel overseas with AP or, not or wait to travel after receiving the GC. Wait for the GC seems to be the safest choice from entry point of view, not considering the risk or need to travel overseas. 2) If you choose to travel with AP, most likely AP entry will be approved at the Port Of Entry unless you have contraband, etc. 3) If denied entry with AP, then your choices are to hire a litigator to charge CBP of inappropriate denial (abusing authority, etc.), or to return to the home country and abandon the AOS and file for the CR1 provided the reason for denial is not being qualified for the GC. https://www.immigrationhelp.org/learning-center/what-to-do-if-denied-entry-into-the-u-s-with-advance-parole Knowing your options might help you make the decision best for you?

Here is our report of our visit with the I-693 Civil Surgeon doctor. We got to the doctor's office almost an hour before the appointment, and good thing too since it took us a while to fill out all the forms while they took the picture ID (driver's license), health insurance card, and Covid vaccination cards to make copies. Observing other patients waiting, we were not the only ones there for the I-693. One lady had a foreign passport in hand. Another guy specifically said to the desk clerk, "I'm here for the green card medical". Even though the doctor's office is in our health insurance in-network and we've been to a branch office before so they have my foreign spouse's record already, they said the I-693 medical exam is treated independently and needed us to fill out all the new patient paperwork. After turning in all the forms: HIPAA, medical history, insurance information, etc., they then gave us the first 2 pages of the I-693 (Part 1 and 2) to write-in. We made very sure that the I-693 is the latest edition with the bar code as advised by the I-693 courtesy email. Aside from the name and address in the I-693, the main identifier is the Alien Registration Nmber (A-Number) and the USCIS Online Account Number (from myUSCIS), so we wrote down both very clearly. After we turned in the I-693 written form to the front desk, a little while later, they gave us the printed first 2-pages of the I-693 to verify that they typed in the information correctly and to sign it. Again we verified the I-693 form is the latest edition, and the information is all correct. Then they asked us to pay 385 up front, which we charged to the credit card. The other Civil Surgeon that we looked up quoted us 250 but we could not make an appointment with that doctor due to scheduling conflicts so we decided to go with this one even though the fee is higher. After the paperwork, we only waited a few minutes before the nurse called us in to measure the weight, blood pressure, etc. Then the nurse led us to a private room, and instructed my foreign spouse for a urine sample. After that, the nurse then drew a few vials of blood. Then the nurse led us to another private room, where we waited for the doctor. The doctor came in and asked if we are there for the green card application medical? "Yes". The doctor then asked a few questions like do you have this? Or do you have that? All "No's". Then we gave the doctor the DS-3025 and the latest flu vaccination record. The doctor said, "Oh yes, thank you! I need to make copies of those". The doctor took some time looking over the DS-3025 vaccination record. Then the doctor said we need one particular vaccine dose (not specified here for privacy reason) to fulfill the green card medical, and do we have record of having the dose? My foreign spouse said maybe she received it as a baby but she doesn't have a record of it. The doctor said the vaccine shot will cost 160, and asked us if we wanted to do that today? "Yes". The doctor then did the routine stethoscope thing. We then asked do we need x-rays as we handed the x-ray disk from the overseas medical, the doctor said "No. Don't need it." If the blood tests and urine tests come back normal, then we can pick up the completed sealed I-693 next week. Then, we waited for the nurse to come give the vaccine shot and said, your arm may feel a little heavy for a while but everything should be fine. Our final out-of-pocket cost on the day of the medical exam was 545 = 385 + 160, but this is before the insurance claims. So it is possible that the insurance bill us later for more? The total time from walking in to walking out of the doctor's office was about 2 hours, 1-hour to fill out the forms and 1-hour for the medical exam. Our next step is to pick up the final sealed envelope from the doctor later next week and drop it off at the USCIS Field Office as instructed in the courtesy email. Does this help us avoid an RFE? We certainly hope so. If anyone cares to read it, I can post a report after our experience of dropping off the I-693 sealed envelope with the Atlanta Field Office?

Check out this new I-693 alert https://www.uscis.gov/i-693 I interpret this alert as USCIS saying I-693 should be completed sooner or later? The phrase "may eliminate the need to issue a RFE" still leaves a little room for not needing the I-693?

Check out the latest alert on I-693 https://www.uscis.gov/i-693 I interpret this alert as USCIS saying I-693 should be completed sooner or later?

But would you buy the house without fire insurance? I'd buy the fire insurance with the hope of never using it. With all the time vested in waiting for the USCIS processes, the preparation, research and asking the right questions are the only tools we have to avoid losing the time vested. Or risk paying the lawyers for the same answers?

@Allaboutwaiting @Crazy Cat @Lemonslice Thanks for the reassurance. I do understand that denied entry with proper documents has a very small chance. And I understand what option is available in case that small chance occurs.

@Marco1234 You can also join https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/798439-april-2023-k1-to-noa2-to-nvc-to-embassy/

@Crazy Cat @Mike E @Allaboutwaiting @OldUserThanks. Since I overthink, it is probably cheaper to send the foreign spouse back to the home country and abandon the AOS, and file the CR1? That seems cheaper than hiring a litigator to charge CBP with abusing authority? Yes, I like to be prepared and I do overthink. Since the Atlanta FO wait time is up to 38.5 months, no telling when our I-485 will get processed? So chances are we may need to plan an overseas travel sometimes in the next 3 years? The I-131a may also come in handy. Thanks all!

I would call 800-375-5283 and say "Infopass" to ask to speak with a tier 2 agent. Ignoring a courtesy email is one thing, but ignoring an RFE can get your case abandoned, and you may have to pay to re-file again?

Because as you said, entry can be denied regardless of the document used. I'm just trying to assess if travel abroad is worth the risk?

If entry does get denied, what are the options, and what steps should we take? Are there threads on visajourney of denied entry cases? Thanks.

Hello Everyone, K1-to-AOS filer with combo card (I-766/I-512) here. We are just trying to do our homework before planning any travels abroad about what steps to take if we ever reach the scenario of the CBP rejecting entry based on the EAD/AP ? What are the options, and what steps should we take? If there are any posts of such cases? Thanks in advance for any response.

Okay. If anyone cares, here is my theory about the Atlanta Field Office processing time after comparing with the visajourney Timelines: No cases are actually taking 38.5 months to process yet. No 10-year GCs are actually being issued yet. From the visajourney Timelines, the last K1-to-AOS approval from Atlanta FO was in 12/2022, and the wait times were around 15 months at the time. Since 12/2022, I theorize that the Atlanta Field Office has not processed or approved any K1-to-AOS I-485 cases. It is possible that they may be have been staffing issues or technical problems or whatever problems? The USCIS processing time estimate algorithm probably uses among other data: output processed cases, input cases, and/or processing times of the output processed cases. If no cases have been processed since 12/2022, the USCIS processing algorithm estimates have been growing based on the input cases continuing to grow. Now that the Field Office sent out recently en masse Request for Form I-693 courtesy emails, https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/798037-field-office-asking-for-i-693-medical-but-according-to-the-instructions-this-isnt-required-for-k-1-filing-aos-within-a-year-of-the-overseas-medical/ https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/798091-request-for-form-i-693-courtesy-email I predict Atlanta FO is ramping up processing again. En masse approvals with interviews waived may clear out the backed up queue within the next several months. And the USCIS processing time estimates can drop as fast as it has risen. It serves USCIS no advantage to delay the I-485 processing beyond 24 months and hand out the 10-year GC because that just means USCIS will lose the 595 fee for the I-751 ROC, or more based on the proposed future fees. At the time of this post, our own case is going on 8 months waiting (see our Timeline and Profile). If we complete the I-693 per courtesy email, I predict Atlanta FO can process our case within the next 3-4 months. Providing the I-693 and waiving the interviews can clear out the cases quickly and I seriously doubt the Atanta FO likes the delays and have to hand out 10-year GCs. Then again, these are my theories based on limited data and my knowledge of government bureaucracies. If anyone cares, please let me know what you think or what you know? Thanks.

You can join https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/797080-march-2023-k1-to-noa2-to-nvc-to-embassy/ Check the London consulate info https://www.visajourney.com/consulates/index.php?ctry=United Kingdom&cty=London and maybe follow other Timelines with UK beneficiaries https://www.visajourney.com/portals/index.php?country=United+Kingdom It would help with the visajourney stats if you fill out your Timeline as well.

This is the link: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-removes-60-day-rule-for-civil-surgeon-signatures-on-form-i-693#:~:text=U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services,485%2C Application to Register Permanent

We called USCIS today at 800-375-5283 and said "Infopass" to get a live agent. We asked about the courtesy email and the agent said yes that is sent as a courtesy notice that you do not have the I-693. We then explained that we had the DS-3025 (2022-04) overseas medical submitted with the I-485 (2022-07), the agent said yes she was able to see the DS-3025 in our documents (in myUSCIS documents tab). So when we asked if we need to do the I-693 medical, she just said this is a courtesy notice not an RFE, and we can follow the instructions in the courtesy email. When we asked if our interview has been waived, she said that currently there is no determination in the system. Okay, so no new info here because the phone agent can probably only see the same info in our account as we can. Here is my interpretation. After the Atlanta Field Office received our case, they sent the courtesy email to the cases that do not have the I-693 among their documents. That is not to say their DS-3025 is not compliant or not complete because USCIS probably haven't even looked at the case yet. Those fortunate to have their cases processed early probably had someone determine if the DS-3025 is compliant/complete, or if not, send a RFE for the I-693. Therefore, if you are so sure that your DS-3025 is compliant/complete, then ignore the Request for Form I-693 courtesy email. Then again if you are wrong, you risk delaying your case with an RFE. If you go thru with the courtesy email I-693 medical, you pay now and the I-693 will trump the DS-3025 whether it was compliant/complete, or not. So now, many cases going thru the Atlanta Field Office need to make that decision. https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/798037-field-office-asking-for-i-693-medical-but-according-to-the-instructions-this-isnt-required-for-k-1-filing-aos-within-a-year-of-the-overseas-medical/ As for the 38.5 month delay and possibility of getting the 10-year GC, I'm starting to formulate a theory, which I will post later if anyone cares at https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/798277-atlanta-field-office-385-months-wait-time/?tab=comments#comment-10823001 I'll post our I-693 medical experience here after we see the Civil Surgeon if anyone cares to read it.

Yeah, the Atlanta Field Office is a real piece of work--with the processing time around 38.5 months now for K1-to-AOS I-485 filers. They get us all riled up with the Request for Form I-693 courtesy emails. https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/798037-field-office-asking-for-i-693-medical-but-according-to-the-instructions-this-isnt-required-for-k-1-filing-aos-within-a-year-of-the-overseas-medical/?tab=comments#comment-10820530 https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/798091-request-for-form-i-693-courtesy-email/ I guess they got to keep us busy while waiting for the 38.5 months? Now if the wait times are really 38.5 months, then they must be handing out 10-year Green Cards like candy? But the latest visajourney Timelines for decisions from Atlanta FO is 12/2022, with wait times about 15 months? https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/aoslist.php?vtype=1&op8=Atlanta+GA&interview=&xfr=&op1=d&op2=d&op3=&op4=1&op5=5%2C6%2C8%2C9%2C10%2C11&cfl=0 This link may expire, so I'll post the dated pic of the Timeline search. I'm trying to get some real cases to corroborate the 38.5 months wait time? If you are a K1-to-AOS filer that received the 10-year GC because of the I-485 delays past your 2-year marriage date, or if you know of some couple that did, please post here or let me know. Thanks for your attention in reading this or responding to this post.

I got the same email and I plan on going thru with the I-693 if only to get some movement from the Atlanta Field Office? https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/798091-request-for-form-i-693-courtesy-email/ The Civil Surgeon that we got quoted 250 (paperwork) + 750 (blood test), but our health insurance will cover the 750. https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/798160-how-likely-will-i-get-a-rfe-ds-3025/?tab=comments#comment-10822068 If anyone is NOT following thru with the I-693 medical in the courtesy email, and the I-485 case is delayed beyond the 2-year marriage date, will the Atlanta Field Office grant the 10-year GC? https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/797800-aos-to-10-year-gc/ With the current wait time of 38.5 months, is anyone in Atlanta Field Office getting the 10-year GC? If anyone knows of any K1-to-AOS cases getting the 10-year GC because of the delays, please let me know. Thanks.

You are correct. Although I don't think there are many K1-to-AOS cases that got the 10-year GC? https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/797800-aos-to-10-year-gc/ If you know of any, please let me know. Thanks. BTW, I tried to call the 800-375-5283 today, but just got the answering bot that nothing is due in my case, which is what the case status shows. There is no option to ask about the courtesy email. Do you know how to get to the local field office? Since the email came out of the Atlanta Field Office, I don't think the USCIS system recognizes the courtesy email? At the same time, it is the Atlanta Field Office that will be making the decision on the case.