LemonLemonade

Yea certainly sounds risky if get caught. Sucks we did the proper way and took so much longer, but glad it will be okay lol not having to worry about it. Thank you!

People lie to CBP when they know they have no intention of going home.  It can certainly come back to bite them later in the immigration journey.

If she comes into the US, legally, and then decides to change her mind, marry and adjust that is fine.
 
What is not fine if she intended to immigrate as a tourist. That can get her into trouble.

Thank you so so much! I love this forum and ppl taking time helping others lol if not I would never gotten my K1. I will link her that too. Thank you again!

Thank you so so much! I love this forum and ppl taking time helping others lol if not I would never gotten my K1. I will link her that too. Thank you again!

Here is the Visa Journey guide for a CR-1 spousal visa:
 
 

-As a couple, K1 and CR1 are the only options as far as im aware
- She cannot come into the US with the intention of adjusting status, that is fraud and you don't want to mess with that
- The processing times are similar, yes... CR1 has way more benefits
- She can travel to the US while the K1/CR1 is pending... but as always, she is at the discretion of CBP
- She can stay in the US for as long as CBP says she can (check I-94 or passport stamp)

It is illegal to come to the US as a visitor with the intent to stay.  Visiting during the process from Canada is much better than many members here.  Some of us were separated for a year or more.  Good luck on your journey.  As soon as you marry and meet, you can start the CR-1 process (proving  you have a marriage certificate).  

CR1

***Moved to What Visa Do I Need?****
 
That is visa fraud.  She cannot come to the US as a visitor with the intent to stay and apply for a Green Card.  If choosing between a K-1 and a CR-1, the very clear winner, imo, is the CR-1 spousal visa (except in rare circumstances.  See my comparison below:
 
Every couple has their own priorities, and each couple must decide which visa is better for their situation.
K-1 
  More expensive than CR-1
  Requires Adjustment of Status after marriage (expensive and requires a lot of paperwork)
  Spouse can not leave the US until she/he receives approved Advance Parole (approx 6-8 months) 
  Spouse can not work until she/he receives EAD (approx 6-8 months) 
  Some people have had problems with driver licenses, Social Security cards, leases, bank account during this period 
  Spouse will not receive Green Card for many months after Adjustment of Status is filed.
  A K-1 might be a better choice when 18-21 year old children are immigrating also
  In some situations, marriage can affect certain Home country benefits, making a K-1 a better choice 
  A denied K-1 is sent back to USCIS to expire
  K-1 entrant cannot file for citizenship until after having Green Card for 3 years.

CR-1
  Less expensive than K-1 
  No Adjustment of Status(I-485, I-131, I-765) required. 
  Spouse can immediately travel outside the US 
  Spouse is authorized to work immediately upon arrival. 
  Spouse receives Social Security Card and Green Card within 2 or 3 weeks after entering the US 
  Opening a bank account, getting a driver's license, etc. are very easily accomplished with GC, SS card, and passport.
  Spouse has legal permanent Resident status IMMEDIATELY upon entry to US.
  The clock for citizenship filing starts immediately upon entry to the US.
   

 

Yes...at the discretion of CBP (as in every entry).  Good luck. 

My fiance's i485 was approved on the 18th!! We're so happy to finally have nothing immigration related for another two years!! Good luck guys! 
 
I remember some of us from the k-1 group all the way back from 2021 to now and we're finally at the end of the road! ♥️

Okay I hope this give you guys hope, and things are moving. I can finally say, it is approved the condition green card. I received it in the mail, and it is real. Still haven't soak in yet, but what a journey -.- ... Next step I guess remove condition. Will definitely keep looking, hope getting good news from you guys soon!!  Really really, we can't do it without you all 🙏

Congratulations @LemonLemonade! Did you expedite, by chance? We still have absolutely nothing, which is frustrating but at least we don't have one of the notoriously slow field offices.
 
Good luck to everyone here!
 
Edit: I should ask, did the people with EADs/APs/GCs here all have then expedited, or has anyone gotten it without? And if someone doesn't mind sharing, what was the expedite reason(s)?

Congratulations!
Most I-485 approvals like your's seem to have the interview waived.
Like it said "do not take any action at this time".
Just wait for the card or for more instructions.
 
Your next major process is the I-751 removal of condition if your GC is 2-year.

Ahhhh it says case approved for 1-485 and that's it... and the letter pdf have these... Omg is that it? I never thought we get it now, I don't know what's next after the green card... o.o I'm still in shock I don't want to jinx it 
 
Am I getting interview date after? 
 

 

Ahhhh it says case approved for 1-485 and that's it... and the letter pdf have these... Omg is that it? I never thought we get it now, I don't know what's next after the green card... o.o I'm still in shock I don't want to jinx it 
 
Am I getting interview date after? 
 

 

That could be a good sign.
Someone in June or July got the same message and was approved for AOS! Keep us posted.
 
We got the EAD/AP combo card in the mail and my foreign spouse was able to renew her driver license! See our Timeline or Profile for details. I also posted some lessons learned about doing the expedite.
https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/789757-is-expiring-drivers-license-reason-for-expediting-ead/?tab=comments#comment-10792667
 

Update, card produced on 3-Feb! Starting to think this is legit!

no error or glitch, USCIS is on fire to approve AOS without interview especially ( not all) for people who just got married or before 2 years anniversary of their wedding. dont know the reason why, but my guess, they want to bank in the money for the next step when you guys filed for Removal of COndition. there's no hard rule who got interview waived or not. i think it just depend on the officer. congrats ! and card usually will come within 1-2 weeks.

Hey everyone, 
Just wanted to update here regarding my EAD. After freaking out waiting for a response since November 7th, today I finally received approval!
My expedite request was denied because apparently they were already reviewing my application and the application was approved as a standalone EAD (no AP).
In the meantime I had contacted my congresswoman (her office was pissed that they've been ignoring a request from a healthcare worker!), not sure if this was what triggered the approval but I'm really really happy it happened! I will start my new job in 3 weeks after finishing all the paperwork needed! So relieved!
I also have a new "note" under my AOS now saying they're reviewing my RFE (sent in September 2022) - not sure if this actually means something but happy to wait now that I can work!
 
Good luck and timely approvals to all still waiting!

Old March 2021, I-129F filer here.
July 2022, AOS filed.
No EAD or AOS interview yet. 
 
Our local field office is Atlanta which has a 32.5 months wait for AOS.
One unknown for us is if our AOS does take 32.5 months or longer, will USCIS give us a 10-year GC or a 2-year GC since we will have been married about 3 years by that time?
If we do get the 10-year GC, then do we still need to file for the I-751 Removal of Condition?
Or can we just wait for the 5-year rule and file for the N-400 Application for Naturalization?
 
In addition with the current wait time, there are a lot of unknowns for our case that are maybe related to your case?

that's what i told her. no need to worry about ROC and also, no interview
she didnt believe me until the green card arrived hahaha

Thank you for your expertise!  Do you have a masters degree in immigration?  😂  I'm thankful for all the help and support I've received.  
I will get the AOS in today.  It should be easy enough.  Thanks for the heads up on form change.  I don't need any more challenges!
I'll get it to the post office today or tomorrow and then wait.  again.  but actually, the wait with him being in the house is not as bad as the last wait.  
thanks again!

I think each lawyer that answered you based their response on the incorrect premise that your withdrawal did not affect the I-129 F. 
Your cost of a DIY I-130 filing fee is way less than the legal fee for obtaining a “ Written “ legal opinion specific to your case that would hold any lawyer accountable for their retainer and competency of legal advice. 
 
On a personal note, don’t beat yourself up for your action . Trust your instincts and accept that your concern was valid enough to pull back and settle the issues in your marriage.
His green card will be fine and your relationship stronger.