OldUser

None of the estimates are 100% accurate. Neither VJ, nor various case tracker apps or USCIS.

Sorry to hear about that. Your case is definitely annoying (though you didn't pay for it?) I had my EAD for about 5 months before GC approval.

1. Indian embassies are known to be somewhat tough 2. I know the kid is only 8, but what if he's put in administrative processing for several months? I'm not aware of age restrictions for admin processing....

No visa, no stamp, no advance parole = no entry to the US.

So where did the funds come from to buy the stocks? There should have been some taxable event, be it income or proceeds of selling other stocks? Unless all of it is in Roth IRA and you're over 59 and 1/2? Joint sponsor may be recommended, but also USCIS will be interested in your taxes as main sponsor, regardless. That's how the government indirectly forces people to file taxes. If you need to file $0 return, you always can. Else you'll have to write a statement why you didn't have to file taxes.

1. Do you have J-1 visa already? 2. Why K-1? CR-1 visa is way cheaper and you would get GC faster. 3. To keep immigration clean - best to get married after J-1 visit on a different trip or if your SO comes to your country of residence. Then file I-130 and come to the states within 18-24 months.

Borrow if you need and can to cover the costs. The last thing you want is your wife becoming deportable. Delaying the filing may result in even higher fees (AOS is going to become more expensive!) and inability for your wife to earn money and contribute to family. Also without valid documentation, she'd have issues getting ID / DL / SSN to start establishing herself and collecting more evidence for her GC. Less evidence = more trouble to get GC. Basically, nothing good comes from delaying paperwork. You only need to cover the cost of I-485 and biometrics. I-765 and I-131 are free now when filed together with I-485 but will be expensive in the future when new fees set in.

Typically, it's done the opposite way. Legal marriage in the US to avoid issues with verifying validity of marriage certificate, translations etc. Then a celebration in the foreign destination where all the friends and family of the bride can attend and have all the traditions observed.

Cannot agree more. California 2024. $1500 can be made in 94 hours of minimum wage work, or ~12 days of full shifts. Starting April 2024, $20/hr is the mimimum wage for fast food employee workers in CA. $1500 be made in 75 hours. Opportunity cost is at least ~25K in 9 months of waiting....

Thank you for describing the experience @Noktor! Not many people get approved on a spot. The officer may only had few minutes to look at the file before the interview and requires more time to make a decision. The offier may be new / junior and cannot approve cases herself, needs supervisor to review decisions. Also, she said there's something about the medical exam. She cannot promise approval or denial if medical is not completed. Have you submitted I-693 as part of initial filing? Were all vaccinations completed / signed by civil surgeon? Don't worry, your case seems to be OK overall. If they didn't like the marriage, they would have separated you and had a tough interview with each one of you. You probably will receive RFE for medical. Either it expired, or incomplete, or your wife did have some issues with health that need to be addressed for her to be admissible.

Should be fine if you were in status entire time and your travel is not too far in the future (in case if you get scheduled for interview or get approval)

Though "simple - complicated" is purely subjective, I'm not sure majority of people would perceive this as an easy process. Sure, filing a form might be an easy part, but that's only a fraction of work that goes into winning. If you personally went through experience of appealing / filing I-290B in N-600 and won it after initial denial - please write a DIY guide for community to learn. I don't want to derail thread and only conclude: in my opinion N-600 is necessary and it's important to get it right with initial filing.

So you answered it yourself. The only thing you forget is it's at least another $675 (filing fees). In reality, it would cost significantly more because in most cases, you'd involve a lawyer to win it. And if you lose it: that's it. No way to file a new case. If you miss the deadline for I-290B (I believe that's 30 days) - that's it. You don't want to get in position when you have to file I-290B. It's an uphill battle requiring 2x or more of money and energy to overcome USCIS's decision. One shot = one case, one petition. It's to remind the filers how serious this is and not to take it lightly.

I agree with this. It cannot hurt.

@platinum-android here's what I had (no RFE, no interview): August xx, 2023 Card Was Delivered To Me By The Post Office August xx, 2023 The Post Office picked up mail containing your new card. August xx, 2023 We mailed your new card your Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, directly to the address you gave us. August xx, 2023 We approved your Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence. August xx, 2023 We ordered your new card. April xx, 2022 The fingerprints relating to your Form I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, were taken. December xx, 2021 We received your Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence. ------------------------------------ You can get statuses about interview ready to be scheduled, interview scheduled, request for evidence and some more.

No way of knowing for sure, but theoretically you can strengthen the case like this. I don't think it speeds up anything.

She's an LPR now. At the time of naturalization she may get scrutinized a lot to see if the marriage was solely for getting a GC. Don't get me wrong, stuff happens. But when somebody moves out 20 days after receiving GC, that's a super big red flag. At the same time, it would be worse staying in a toxic relationship. She should probably divorce. I don't understand the question about sponsorship. It's irrelevant now that she has GC. However, the original sponsor is still responsible for her until she naturalizes or works for 40 quarters paying social security.

Typically not. For I-9 you can show DL / state ID with unrestricted Social Security card and that's enough. Posting it here for somebody in the future, this may not be relevant for you anymore as you'll become a citizen soon. Though, after you become one, no need to show US passport for a regular job. Just show the two docs I mentioned 😊 you have to provide SSN anyways.

Maybe because for I-751, one gets put into removal and goes through immigration court VS nothing like this typically happens if N-400 denied? Maybe I'm rationalizing too much...

Also file I-131. You never know when you need it. For now, I-765 and I-131 are free with I-485.

Agreed, I used: - Informed Delivery - Case Tracker - MyUSCIS notifications

I think USCIS should have put disclaimer saying these estimates are for entertainment purposes only 😃 I'm yet to see them being accurate.

Very good point! Informed Delivery is a must.

That's aweful! I guess K-1 makes even less sense in light of these changes and current processing times. How much would I-765 and I-131 would be? The problem with not having these: - I-131 can help if immigrant needs to urgently go visit sick parents etc - I-765 allows to work (and thus support new family) and get DL / ID, open bank accounts etc

Expunge doesn't work for US immigration. It has to be declared.