OldUser

Yes, it's completely random. For my citizenship case, estimated time to decision was 3 weeks on day of my oath, which is the final step when you become a citizen. Would you like me to post some of the examples from VJ when it was wrong? It's wrong all the time.

No, lawyers don't speed up cases. They just help filing everything correctly so you don't receive RFEs or deal with NOIDs. Those slow things down.

Yes, absolutely normal.

I actually uploaded PDF with official list of questions to ChatGPT and described rules of the civics exam. Then used voice chat feature to simulate this and answer questions as if I spoke to USCIS adjudicator.

She's probably a UK citizen too and can get Britisgh passport, unless you derived your citizenship from parent overseas yourself.

Full custody

Student, work or spousal visa leading to GC. No other solution

There's no form I-1765. There's I-765. Your case is moving fast. Make sure to develop and collect as much bonafide marriage evidence between now and interview date. Make sure to practice questions and answers with your spouse and ensure you know good amount of info about each other, relatives etc.

If you wanted such flexibility, then spousal visa would have been better. She'll have to wait 3-12 months until advance parole or green card is approved.

You need to file, in addition to I-130: I-485 I-693 (mom needs to take civil surgeon medical exam) I-864 I-131 (optional) I-765 (optional)

@SpicesAndSleep Congrats! I'd add, update status with SSA and register to vote Here's my fresh experience with SSA:

There are no guarantees when it comes to immigration. Example: my I-751 was meant to take 7 months according to USCIS processing times when I filed. It took 20.5 months in reality.

I wouldn't mention "open relationship" to any US government officials. It gives a very bad look.

Yes, some of these officers promise it to cut any further questions and wrap up interview. It's the same as hearing "we'll call you back" after job interview.

Not a big fan of bear minimum filings. RFE slows down the case. Adjudicator potentially asking for more evidence prolongs the interview, and my goal was always be in and out of USCIS building as fast as I can. I'd submit everything I can in support in marriage based N-400. It's free when filing online. It's not resulting in spending money on printing or shipping bigger packet. Building a strong case pays itself off. I was a 5 year rule filer. Some on VJ said uploading 5 years of taxes was unnecessary and excessive. Even my lawyer said I didn't need to upload it. I insisted on it. Case got processed in 3.5 months. Before interview, I was going over and over my travel history. As we were waiting, lawyer said don't worry, they rarely go into details of travel. But in my interview they did. Sometimes whatever you feel is the right thing to do, is the right thing to do. Good luck!

Good chance of this working for the first 6 months and then getting visa revoked and entry denied. A short trip to Mexico doesn't count as being away from the US. If she was to stay 6 months at a time in the US (not recommended), she'd have to spend 12-18 months outside the US before reentering as a rule of thumb.

Agreed, there is no temporary visa for this in the US. She can try getting work / student visa independently of you. It will be difficult because you're her tie to the US.

Thank you for explaining, this makes sense. It doesn't matter whether sponsor is working or retired. It matters that your brothers are not citizens yet nor they earned 40 quarters of SSA. Because of this, any living sponsor, whether retired, employed or unemployed are required to file I-865 when moving. I-865 is about sponsor's address change. If sponsor moves, they must file this form. If your mother still lives at old address, she indeed doesn't need to file it. Good luck!

You need a police clearance certificate from any country where you lived for more than 12 months if were older than 16 years of age at the time. If you never lived in China for 12+ months after you were 16, you don't need it from China.

You entered as a visitor. You needed to enter as LPR. What does your I-94 tell you? Though I think I-94 for Canadians is another story.

Who files I-864?

Yet another poll

Congrats on the driver license! It definitely makes life in the US easier.

Friend can translate if proficient in both languages. However, to avoid any conflict of interest, you can use a translation service. There's many affordable services online. They do it professionally and have all necessary templates to do the job properly. You can probably translate it for $20-50.

House and a car is a plus. You in the US is a minus. It's hard to tell for sure, they need to try and see what happens.