OldUser

@Timona international visitors are estimated to bring USA 279 billion dollars by 2027.
 
https://www.commerce.gov/news/fact-sheets/2022/06/fact-sheet-2022-national-travel-and-tourism-strategy
 
In 2022, it's estimated that foreign visitors brought $135.2 billions into US economy.
 
These numbers are comparable to some countries' GDPs.
 

You shouldn't file AR-11 before you move. Only after you move and within 10 days.
 
I received my card on the day of move (which was fun). Nothing worked: USPS Hold Mail, USPS Mail Forwarding, talking to mail man... So expect it at the old address.

My approach:
 
- Keep the important documents such as original I-797 notices, naturalization certificate etc indefinitely.
- Scan all the forms ever submitted (I-485, I-130, I-751, N-400) into digital documents and keep indefinitely in a cloud and computer
- Scan all evidence into digital documents and keep indefinitely in a cloud and computer
 
I wouldn't want to be stuck proving how I became a citizen 20 years later if I'm asked to for whatever reason. That may apply if I have to sponsor somebody, or if some of my descendants decide to become US citizens based on my citizenship etc.
 
 

Criteria to approve a fiancé visa are completely different from a B2. This is not a fair comparison at all.

No extension possible as I assume she entered via VWP/ESTA.  Beyond that, @Crazy Cat gave the best advice if that works out for your friend.  If not working or traveling internationally for 8+ months is not an option for your friend, then they can also proceed with consular processing for an eventual spousal visa.
 
Good Luck!

I would get married and avoid the K1
 
How did you get your GC?

It looks like when you were born, your father was a US citizen, since he was born in the US.
 
However, derivitive citizenship is complex as there are many rules to be checked. You may or may not be a US citizen.
 
I'd consult an immigration lawyer here in the US to determine that fact.
 
B1 / B2 visa is much harder to get compared to ESTA. You have active ESTA, don't abuse it. Leave on time, don't come to the US for too long and not too often. You can figure out whether you're a US citizen meanwhile. If you're a citizen, you'll follow a process, likely outside of the US to get passport etc. If you're not a US citizen, you won't violate your ESTA by following the rules. If you want to get a B1 /  B2 visa, which I don't recommend in your case, you can do it next time you're back in the UK.
 
If you're not a US citizen already, there's the following ways to get a green card:
 
- Employment (you need to find a sponsor)
- Green card lottery (you missed your chance this year, but can try next year)
- Asylum (I don't think you can claim it based on the fact you're from the UK)
- Marriage to a US citizen (has to be legitimate one, not for immigration)
- Sponsorship by your parents (will take a while give you're over 21)
 
 
 
 
 
 

Thanks so much for everyone's help. The original question was around my i131 which I now have clarity on, which is the beauty of forums like these. All the feedback in such a short period of time is much appreciated.

Agreed, plenty of red flags in this case. Do not expect an easy approval @Abdi10

Well, but…..your spouse made the choice not to join you.   No one here needs to be convinced, but it could well look suspect to the officer.
 
And nearly zero financial commingling is a high bar to overcome with such a short marriage and never having lived together.   The totality of your circumstances is not favorable.

Congratulations!

Thanks.Got my naturalization approved yesterday.cc @Mike EThank you too

There is no way a 2016 case should still be pending.  There must be something up with that.

7 years of AOS is extreme.
Are you sure you can still adjust?
It looks like USCIS might be just waiting for you to give up.

This explains the delay. Nowadays, I-131 takes close to a year or year and a half. By that time people's GC get approved.
 
What's the story with I-485? I'd focus on that instead.

Of course 🙂
What I've seen personally in my "batch" of cases. My biometrics got reused in late April 2022. However, some neighboring cases had "case received" status until May-June 2023. Some of them got approved a month or two later, even before my case got approved despite my biometrics were reused for longer. I don't trust online status 100%

Your file is somewhat thin.
With such thin evidence, affidavits, expecially from your ex, are very valuable.
I don't believe this is an easy case. You might as well want legal representation.
How long do you know this person? When did you meet? Were you divorced when you met? It may be a huge red flag depending on your answers.

Congratulations!!!
Thank you for the data point 

In the past, a lot of people kept the papers for 2 years after Nat and had a ceremonial bonfire.
 
Never mind USCIS -- I have a whole separate box full of garbage just from dealing with the [censored] Guayaquil consulate.  It would enrage me all over again to go through it.

That's what I also think. Things like bank statements, bills etc I can print again. What I cannot print is the original USCIS letters 😊

My approach:
 
- Keep the important documents such as original I-797 notices, naturalization certificate etc indefinitely.
- Scan all the forms ever submitted (I-485, I-130, I-751, N-400) into digital documents and keep indefinitely in a cloud and computer
- Scan all evidence into digital documents and keep indefinitely in a cloud and computer
 
I wouldn't want to be stuck proving how I became a citizen 20 years later if I'm asked to for whatever reason. That may apply if I have to sponsor somebody, or if some of my descendants decide to become US citizens based on my citizenship etc.
 
 

I agree that it would be a huge help if your ex was willing to sign an affidavit. I would also try to get at least 2 more affidavits from others that knew you both and can attest to your relationship being legit. 
 
This is a "throw in everything and the kitchen sink" scenario where you need to look for every single scrap of evidence you can dredge up to bulk up your case.
 
You say that there "was not a lot of financial comingling" - so what financial comingling did exist? Were any bills in both of your names? Did you ever have any joint accounts? Joint loans? Authorized user on the other's credit card? If yes to any of this, get the statements or other proof you may have.
 
Did you ever share health insurance? Car insurance? 
 
Did you have her as a beneficiary on any accounts? If so, reach out to the relevant financial institutions/employers/etc. and see if they can provide you documentation of that. 
 
Did you ever go on any trips together during the marriage? 
 
I would find every single photo you have with both of you in it during the marriage and send them all, no matter how many there are. Put the photos in a Word doc with captions with the date, location, and names and any other people in the photos. (I don't think photos prior to marriage will help you any.)
 
Probably a long shot but did you and your ex every write each other or send cards or gifts to each other why you were separated? Could help show that despite the separation, the relationship was still bona fide when you left the state. 
 
You're going to have to explain that you were living apart for a period of time due to your marriage, why you needed to live apart, and that the separation largely contributed to the breakdown of your marriage.
 
Edit: How do you file taxes for 2022? Married filing separately? 

Those are free

Your file is somewhat thin.
With such thin evidence, affidavits, expecially from your ex, are very valuable.
I don't believe this is an easy case. You might as well want legal representation.
How long do you know this person? When did you meet? Were you divorced when you met? It may be a huge red flag depending on your answers.

I've been wondering that myself actually. We have boxes of the stuff that seems unnecessary to keep after everything is now all done. Kind of like a lead weight of what ifs we can't get rid of though, it's sometimes terrifying to think of shredding it all. I think maybe digitize everything multiple times and keep all official letters might be the way to go for now.