OldUser

Starting April, you'd have to pay $3005 of adjusment of status fees when she enters the US on K-1 visa and you marry. That's in addition to whatever fees you're filing now for I-129F and embassy. For spousal visa, you'd pay similar fees at the beginning and only $220 for green card when she enters the US. The difference is give or take $2500, that's how more expensive K-1 is compared to spousal visa. Plus with K-1 she'd be stuck in the US for 6-12 months not able to work or travel. Some EADs come fast, while others take 9 months or so. Essentially, if she enters as a spouse, you'd pay fewer fees and she'd be able to start working within few weeks of entering. Even if it's a small part time job, it can make a big difference. Plus, when entering on spousal visa she can travel internationally next day if she desires, while with K-1 she may get stuck for 6-18 months until GC or advance parole shows up.

In theory, missing middle or use of maiden name shouldn't be a problem. You may consider updating all of your banks etc though with your current name. At least when you apply for N-400 you'd be able to show updated documentation. Are you submitting joint tax return transcripts?

People do it all the time. This means she may need to carry marriage certificate when travelling to match names. How easy is it to replace her passport with new married name? Another option is changing name at naturalization stage. That way, her entire immigration history is in one name other than the last bit.

As long as she's been LPR for 3 years and married to you living together for 3 years - yes.

At least they're fixing their mess. There's no reason not to submit evidence from the start. Waiting for RFE or interview just adds unnecessary delay or results in denial, like in your case. Many AOS approved without interview or RFE if everything is submitted from the start. Good luck and tell us how it goes.

At this point it doesn't matter. But it's just the beginning of the fiance route. It's the more expensive route compared to spousal visa. Are you sure you can handle it financially?

Technically it's not the same thing. You cannot travel with the printout. The original is printed on protected watermarked paper.

You got aweful advice for $6000 which is worth suing the lawyer for misconduct...

Once you're no longer LPR, your entry is never guaranteed. Especially with complex immigration past.

As a side note: make sure to file for I-131 for both of them. It's still free. Get EAD for both of them, even if they don't intend to work. It's a form of ID. They can technically try getting SSN before filing I-485 if still in valid status.

Where were you when the site visit occured? Did you live there? What about the spouse? Did they talk to your spouse?

I get it, immigration is indeed hard. Good luck!

Let us know how it goes. I'm sure people would value an update once you guys manage to get her a US passport overseas. I know I wouldn't risk it for a vacation personally.

Worst case - call in sick. There will be many jobs, but only one oath ceremony to become a US citizen!

Unless it's a life and death situation, why do you want to complicate life? As many data points suggest, if she applies for expedited passport, she should get it within few weeks here in the US. If it is an emergency, maybe it makes sense postponing oath and travelling on GC, unless you think the trip will be long? Follow the standard process to ensure smooth travel. Deviate from it - and you will either pay more, wait longer or both.

Service request won't cut it. The procedure is to file I-90. I'm surprised this advice is coming from an immigration lawyer.

What? Again????

I liked your recent guess about the term 😃:

The smile was about the joke. A agree with your other statement. By the way I had a poll:

Love the emojis! Good luck!

Yes, I think I saw a prompt when doing change of address online with USPS.

Risk 1. She can get stuck overseas due to slow processing times at embassy Risk 2. What if she loses certificate? She'd have very hard, expensive time restoring it. The law says she should travel on US passport, why break the law as the first thing after becoming a citizen?

I wouldn't personally do it. Why risk it? You can visit for a month once or twice but take a long leave for 1+ year?

I think you may need a waiver. See the thread: