Mel.King

Name-calling is not allowed under this site's Terms of Service.  We can disagree without being disagreeable.  Knock it off, or administrative action will be applied.
 
VJ Moderation

It should arrive automatically within a few weeks but sometimes it doesn’t. In that case you need to make a trip to the SSA office and apply in person.
 
I’d check the Save CaseCheck here and there to see if there are any verifications pending with SSA. That’s usually a good indication of it’s being processed https://www.uscis.gov/save/save-casecheck
 
You’re not eligible to file I-485 because you’d already be a permanent resident when you enter. All you need is a I-551 stamp you will get upon entering, not the visa.
 
Few weeks to a few months. If it’s delayed you use the I-551 stamp I mentioned above as evidence of your permanent residency.

Did you mark the checkbox on your DS-260 electing to apply for SSN automatically?  If so, no further action required from you, other than waiting for your SSN card in the mail after your arrival in the US.  Typically, SSN card gets delivered within 2 weeks of US entry.  If it doesn't arrive after 1 month, book an appointment at an SSA office to apply for SSN in person.
 
 
You will get a "green card" at the airport, just not the plastic one.  Your IR1 visa + CBP entry stamp will serve as your temporary GC for 1 year after US entry, and it is equivalent to the plastic GC for all legal purposes related to work and travel.  That means you become a lawful permanent resident (LPR) the minute you get that CBP stamp on your visa.  As such, there is no need for you to file I-485.  K1 visa holders need to file I-485 because they do not automatically become LPRs upon US entry, unlike you and other CR1/IR1 visa holders.
 
As for your plastic GC, have you already paid the $220 immigrant fee?  If so, USCIS says to wait for GC delivery up to 90 days from US entry.  But I and some others had to wait for more than 120 days.  Check the latest posts in the tracking thread below for recent timelines --
 
 

Yes, this! For me, the date that my marriage was registered is my date of marriage - but this was not the same day we exchanged vows.  We registered the marriage first and later did the ceremony. But on my official marriage certificate the date is listed as the day we registered the marriage.
 
What is weird is how the lawyers and the OP's first husband, the USC, all got this confused. 
 
So it makes me think we also don't have the whole story. Maybe they knew they were 3 days late, and tried to play it like the marriage was August 1st. 

Everyone is hiring
posters everywhere i look saying Help wanted,   jobs available
 
In  my area the big companies (warehouse and factory  work) are offering sign on bonuses and immediate coverage for health care insurance
 
fast food places are posting starting pay at $14 and $15 an hour 
get out there ,  get work
 
 

Yes, this! For me, the date that my marriage was registered is my date of marriage - but this was not the same day we exchanged vows.  We registered the marriage first and later did the ceremony. But on my official marriage certificate the date is listed as the day we registered the marriage.
 
What is weird is how the lawyers and the OP's first husband, the USC, all got this confused. 
 
So it makes me think we also don't have the whole story. Maybe they knew they were 3 days late, and tried to play it like the marriage was August 1st. 

To All: Thanks for all your input, but I figure the best thing to do is wait for the files to come from my ex-lawyer and see what happened on that day. We're going on memory; and my wording of the situation isn't helping. 

Yes, this! For me, the date that my marriage was registered is my date of marriage - but this was not the same day we exchanged vows.  We registered the marriage first and later did the ceremony. But on my official marriage certificate the date is listed as the day we registered the marriage.
 
What is weird is how the lawyers and the OP's first husband, the USC, all got this confused. 
 
So it makes me think we also don't have the whole story. Maybe they knew they were 3 days late, and tried to play it like the marriage was August 1st. 

It's incredibly hard! We were in a similar situation - my husband and I worked in a 3rd country when we started this process and he left for the US with our 2 kids in December last year. I ended up staying alone in the third country instead of going back to my home country because I could still keep my job and income that I won't have if I move back. While it was a good financial decision, it is very lonely here with no family 😞 Back in December we didn't know how long it was going to take as we were dealing with tax issues and RFE from the NVC as well as a huge uphill battle to get my birth certificate (I paid a ton of money to get it only to get the wrong one, twice. Pleasures of dealing with the South African government). 
 
I can't even tell you how many nights I've spend crying myself to sleep. It's been the worse experience of my life and I don't wish it upon my worse enemy. But here are some things we did that helped ease the pain a little bit:
 
1) We watched Netflix together. We would just both play the movie at the same time while video calling. We love Stranger Things and saw the first seasons way back, so we watched the new one while video calling. This creates some fun and anticipation - "What's gonna happen next? I can't wait for the next episode, let's watch it on Saturday so we can binge it together!"
2) We love the MotoGP, so we would watch that together on Sundays and chat about it. Maybe if you share a sport interest?
3) Our time difference is 12 hours apart, which worked out not that bad. So we would decide on a meal to cook and both cook it together while video calling (yeah, I had some Indian curries and beer for breakfasts many times) 
4) We play Fortnite together! This turned out actually to be loads of fun because you can talk to each other while playing. We even had family sessions where the kids joined and all 4 of us played squads. I've gotten quite good at Fortnite, lol! Maybe you can play an online game together?
5) We learned a new skill together - the rubics cube. We both learned how to do it from Youtube and showed each other different methods and timed each other completing it while video calling. So yeah, I can now complete the rubics cube. 
6) I did their shopping from the Walmart app! This was great because it felt like I was helping and involved, and they got a surprise every time they got the groceries because I would add something fun or new or something I know they liked in there. 
7) Then constant messaging - this was nice but also depressing because every morning I would wake up to swarms of pictures of them doing fun stuff in the US. While it was great to get photos of them it did just remind me that I am not there. But I still loved waking up to messages and pictures every morning. 
😎 We met up in South Africa for their summer holiday (We're both teachers so that helps - get holidays off). But with your wife being in China I know that makes it difficult for you to do.
 
None of this compares to time actually being together. Also back the NVC stage we dealt with loads of uncertainty, not knowing when the end will be in sight, and if there is even going to be an end line! We are nearing the end now, my interview is next Tuesday, and I still have tons of anxiety about it. I am terrified something will go wrong and that I'll be placed on AP!!!
 
You guys can get through it OP. It's not gonna be fun, it sucks, and it really puts your relationship to the test, but love will prevail! Most ppl on here have gone through this, and while they will all agree that it's the absolute worse, I know they will all say it was totally worth it. Just adjust your mindset, and think big picture. Keep the end goal in sight! 
 
I wish you all the best! 
 

It's incredibly hard! We were in a similar situation - my husband and I worked in a 3rd country when we started this process and he left for the US with our 2 kids in December last year. I ended up staying alone in the third country instead of going back to my home country because I could still keep my job and income that I won't have if I move back. While it was a good financial decision, it is very lonely here with no family 😞 Back in December we didn't know how long it was going to take as we were dealing with tax issues and RFE from the NVC as well as a huge uphill battle to get my birth certificate (I paid a ton of money to get it only to get the wrong one, twice. Pleasures of dealing with the South African government). 
 
I can't even tell you how many nights I've spend crying myself to sleep. It's been the worse experience of my life and I don't wish it upon my worse enemy. But here are some things we did that helped ease the pain a little bit:
 
1) We watched Netflix together. We would just both play the movie at the same time while video calling. We love Stranger Things and saw the first seasons way back, so we watched the new one while video calling. This creates some fun and anticipation - "What's gonna happen next? I can't wait for the next episode, let's watch it on Saturday so we can binge it together!"
2) We love the MotoGP, so we would watch that together on Sundays and chat about it. Maybe if you share a sport interest?
3) Our time difference is 12 hours apart, which worked out not that bad. So we would decide on a meal to cook and both cook it together while video calling (yeah, I had some Indian curries and beer for breakfasts many times) 
4) We play Fortnite together! This turned out actually to be loads of fun because you can talk to each other while playing. We even had family sessions where the kids joined and all 4 of us played squads. I've gotten quite good at Fortnite, lol! Maybe you can play an online game together?
5) We learned a new skill together - the rubics cube. We both learned how to do it from Youtube and showed each other different methods and timed each other completing it while video calling. So yeah, I can now complete the rubics cube. 
6) I did their shopping from the Walmart app! This was great because it felt like I was helping and involved, and they got a surprise every time they got the groceries because I would add something fun or new or something I know they liked in there. 
7) Then constant messaging - this was nice but also depressing because every morning I would wake up to swarms of pictures of them doing fun stuff in the US. While it was great to get photos of them it did just remind me that I am not there. But I still loved waking up to messages and pictures every morning. 
😎 We met up in South Africa for their summer holiday (We're both teachers so that helps - get holidays off). But with your wife being in China I know that makes it difficult for you to do.
 
None of this compares to time actually being together. Also back the NVC stage we dealt with loads of uncertainty, not knowing when the end will be in sight, and if there is even going to be an end line! We are nearing the end now, my interview is next Tuesday, and I still have tons of anxiety about it. I am terrified something will go wrong and that I'll be placed on AP!!!
 
You guys can get through it OP. It's not gonna be fun, it sucks, and it really puts your relationship to the test, but love will prevail! Most ppl on here have gone through this, and while they will all agree that it's the absolute worse, I know they will all say it was totally worth it. Just adjust your mindset, and think big picture. Keep the end goal in sight! 
 
I wish you all the best! 
 

We have experienced a couple of periods as a married couple (and about a dozen when we were dating as we lived in different States) where we have had to say "goodbye" at the airport and wondered when we'd next see each other. We always knew that we'd see each other but the same time, our departures brought a sense of foreboding that neither of us enjoyed.
 
In our business (oilfield), it is expected by our Company and by ourselves that we will need to spend time overseas and that would mean time apart. The first time as a married couple, my wife was 3 months pregnant, and our company wouldn't let her move with me to Scotland until a replacement had been sought and brought into place. Tears were flowing at New Orleans airport that day as there were many unknowns as to when she could make it over. The second time, our second kid was only 5 weeks old when I had to depart for my new assignment in India  but because my wife was on maternity leave, her work visa was not going to be ready any time soon so instead she stayed home to clear up our UK affairs including selling our home, cars, etc etc before departing for the US to await the visa and to spend some quality time with her family and the kids. My wife is a trooper. Tough as nails. Took everything in her stride but I am going off in a tangent.
 
Both times were extremely hard, sure there was such a thing as video calls back in 2006 but pictures were scratchy, and it was a waste of time. The second time we had facetime, and we would try to facetime as often as we could however the time differences between the US and India made it difficult combined with me traveling around the country and the region for ongoing business. All this led to the uncertainty of when we would ever see each other. I would often wonder on lonely trips around India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh if what I was doing was actually worth this. It always is when looking back.
 
I can't explain the feelings that went through us during these periods, but the uncertainty of when I was going to not only see my wife but also our kids was gut wrenching. You couldn't even discuss it with your colleagues because the majority go through the same process when you work in the oil patch and if you ever bring it up, you can see it in their eyes "yeah, so...happens to us all. Dry your eyes, son", even though just under the skin, they're dreading their next move. And they're right in their thinking because it happens, and I suspect you will get a similar thinking on a message board like visajourney.com.
 
I couldn't even bring it up with my dad because if I did, he would hash out the same story that we always got from him about him and mum moving to South Africa at 21 & 20 and me being 2 months old: how his mum, or my nan was unsure for almost 8 months if her son, daughter-in-law and her first grandson were still alive because a departing plane, two in front of ours, had crashed on takeoff (you can look it up, Heathrow airport crash 1972). Even my dad didn't know about the crash until he read nan's letter. Nan didn't know if we were on it and only after receiving a confirmation return of letter could she sigh a sense of relief: I guess communications to South Africa weren't as good as today, even 2006 scratchy video call would have made my nan happy. "Dry your eyes, son" I'm guessing my dad is going to say. Everything will work out

It's incredibly hard! We were in a similar situation - my husband and I worked in a 3rd country when we started this process and he left for the US with our 2 kids in December last year. I ended up staying alone in the third country instead of going back to my home country because I could still keep my job and income that I won't have if I move back. While it was a good financial decision, it is very lonely here with no family 😞 Back in December we didn't know how long it was going to take as we were dealing with tax issues and RFE from the NVC as well as a huge uphill battle to get my birth certificate (I paid a ton of money to get it only to get the wrong one, twice. Pleasures of dealing with the South African government). 
 
I can't even tell you how many nights I've spend crying myself to sleep. It's been the worse experience of my life and I don't wish it upon my worse enemy. But here are some things we did that helped ease the pain a little bit:
 
1) We watched Netflix together. We would just both play the movie at the same time while video calling. We love Stranger Things and saw the first seasons way back, so we watched the new one while video calling. This creates some fun and anticipation - "What's gonna happen next? I can't wait for the next episode, let's watch it on Saturday so we can binge it together!"
2) We love the MotoGP, so we would watch that together on Sundays and chat about it. Maybe if you share a sport interest?
3) Our time difference is 12 hours apart, which worked out not that bad. So we would decide on a meal to cook and both cook it together while video calling (yeah, I had some Indian curries and beer for breakfasts many times) 
4) We play Fortnite together! This turned out actually to be loads of fun because you can talk to each other while playing. We even had family sessions where the kids joined and all 4 of us played squads. I've gotten quite good at Fortnite, lol! Maybe you can play an online game together?
5) We learned a new skill together - the rubics cube. We both learned how to do it from Youtube and showed each other different methods and timed each other completing it while video calling. So yeah, I can now complete the rubics cube. 
6) I did their shopping from the Walmart app! This was great because it felt like I was helping and involved, and they got a surprise every time they got the groceries because I would add something fun or new or something I know they liked in there. 
7) Then constant messaging - this was nice but also depressing because every morning I would wake up to swarms of pictures of them doing fun stuff in the US. While it was great to get photos of them it did just remind me that I am not there. But I still loved waking up to messages and pictures every morning. 
😎 We met up in South Africa for their summer holiday (We're both teachers so that helps - get holidays off). But with your wife being in China I know that makes it difficult for you to do.
 
None of this compares to time actually being together. Also back the NVC stage we dealt with loads of uncertainty, not knowing when the end will be in sight, and if there is even going to be an end line! We are nearing the end now, my interview is next Tuesday, and I still have tons of anxiety about it. I am terrified something will go wrong and that I'll be placed on AP!!!
 
You guys can get through it OP. It's not gonna be fun, it sucks, and it really puts your relationship to the test, but love will prevail! Most ppl on here have gone through this, and while they will all agree that it's the absolute worse, I know they will all say it was totally worth it. Just adjust your mindset, and think big picture. Keep the end goal in sight! 
 
I wish you all the best! 
 

It's incredibly hard! We were in a similar situation - my husband and I worked in a 3rd country when we started this process and he left for the US with our 2 kids in December last year. I ended up staying alone in the third country instead of going back to my home country because I could still keep my job and income that I won't have if I move back. While it was a good financial decision, it is very lonely here with no family 😞 Back in December we didn't know how long it was going to take as we were dealing with tax issues and RFE from the NVC as well as a huge uphill battle to get my birth certificate (I paid a ton of money to get it only to get the wrong one, twice. Pleasures of dealing with the South African government). 
 
I can't even tell you how many nights I've spend crying myself to sleep. It's been the worse experience of my life and I don't wish it upon my worse enemy. But here are some things we did that helped ease the pain a little bit:
 
1) We watched Netflix together. We would just both play the movie at the same time while video calling. We love Stranger Things and saw the first seasons way back, so we watched the new one while video calling. This creates some fun and anticipation - "What's gonna happen next? I can't wait for the next episode, let's watch it on Saturday so we can binge it together!"
2) We love the MotoGP, so we would watch that together on Sundays and chat about it. Maybe if you share a sport interest?
3) Our time difference is 12 hours apart, which worked out not that bad. So we would decide on a meal to cook and both cook it together while video calling (yeah, I had some Indian curries and beer for breakfasts many times) 
4) We play Fortnite together! This turned out actually to be loads of fun because you can talk to each other while playing. We even had family sessions where the kids joined and all 4 of us played squads. I've gotten quite good at Fortnite, lol! Maybe you can play an online game together?
5) We learned a new skill together - the rubics cube. We both learned how to do it from Youtube and showed each other different methods and timed each other completing it while video calling. So yeah, I can now complete the rubics cube. 
6) I did their shopping from the Walmart app! This was great because it felt like I was helping and involved, and they got a surprise every time they got the groceries because I would add something fun or new or something I know they liked in there. 
7) Then constant messaging - this was nice but also depressing because every morning I would wake up to swarms of pictures of them doing fun stuff in the US. While it was great to get photos of them it did just remind me that I am not there. But I still loved waking up to messages and pictures every morning. 
😎 We met up in South Africa for their summer holiday (We're both teachers so that helps - get holidays off). But with your wife being in China I know that makes it difficult for you to do.
 
None of this compares to time actually being together. Also back the NVC stage we dealt with loads of uncertainty, not knowing when the end will be in sight, and if there is even going to be an end line! We are nearing the end now, my interview is next Tuesday, and I still have tons of anxiety about it. I am terrified something will go wrong and that I'll be placed on AP!!!
 
You guys can get through it OP. It's not gonna be fun, it sucks, and it really puts your relationship to the test, but love will prevail! Most ppl on here have gone through this, and while they will all agree that it's the absolute worse, I know they will all say it was totally worth it. Just adjust your mindset, and think big picture. Keep the end goal in sight! 
 
I wish you all the best! 
 

The OP has received valid answers.  Because the thread is veering into obviously illegal behaviors, it is now locked.  Do not restart this topic or import its subject matter to other threads.
 
VJ Moderation

My husband reached out to his Senator for an interview date as we were past processing times and I know the embassy do very few immigrant visas per month.  I contacted the embassy and they informed me that they are understaffed, and might have more interviews in November.
 
We reached out to the Senator on the Thursday, filled out the forms, and on the Friday their office replied that they will "work tirelessly on our behalf". The Monday we got the interview letter, we were flabbergasted because the email came through on Labor Day (we did not expect anything on a holiday). The interview was scheduled for October! 
 
Another person that was waiting with me also got her interview letter on the same day. So yeah, maybe it was also a "coincidence"  but I like to think the senator had something to do with it. 

I would upload a statement or a letter to the NVC explaining that she does not require the police certificate, and highlight the relevant sections of law like @powerpuff suggested. This will help you not get an RFE (hopefully - because and RFE will slow down your case). BUT - I would request the police clearance certificate now so that when the interview stage comes along, you have it.  It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. 

I’ve already told you that there is no such thing as “someone” reading the DS260 and deciding not to give you an interview.

 
 
I’ve also explained to you that you can unlock and correct the DS260 if it’s still worrying you.

 
 
i understand you’re worried but it’s somewhere between annoying and disrespectful when I spend my time trying to help people and they ignore what I say. 

I would upload a statement or a letter to the NVC explaining that she does not require the police certificate, and highlight the relevant sections of law like @powerpuff suggested. This will help you not get an RFE (hopefully - because and RFE will slow down your case). BUT - I would request the police clearance certificate now so that when the interview stage comes along, you have it.  It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. 

I'm glad I could help! Just wish I realized that these two times resubmitting documents 🤣🤣 now I must wait another 2 months for the third time 🤦‍♀️ but it's okay cause I'm already planning another visit to see my husband (my fourth visit) I been visiting him every 9 months throughout this whole process cause I refuse to let this process keep us separated 💓

It's good that you leave this thread up. Others might have the same problem, and your experience may well help them. We all make mistakes. It's all part of being human. 🙂

I'm not very technilogical and I know I should be cause I'm a millennial lol I literally just found that out today that I can download it on my phone ughhhhh. My scans had missing pages is why they kept getting denied (I just discovered this too) I also know now why I keep getting pushed to the back of the line.. I should be hitting replace documents instead of deleting them and re-uploading them and of course I discovered this too late. I swear, Basits and I's case walked so my mother in law's could run 😒🤣🤣 I want to delete this whole post cause I'm so embarrassed lol 😅

I would upload a statement or a letter to the NVC explaining that she does not require the police certificate, and highlight the relevant sections of law like @powerpuff suggested. This will help you not get an RFE (hopefully - because and RFE will slow down your case). BUT - I would request the police clearance certificate now so that when the interview stage comes along, you have it.  It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. 

Just an update: I was able to contact the hospital after my case was transferred to the embassy. They confirmed that the vaccines are given as 1 dose all at once. (for the clinic in Jakarta) The only requirement is that at least 28 days should pass since your last vaccine (any vaccine). So luckily my last vaccine was COVID and that was back in March. Also - it is required to be fully COVID vaccinated as well, and you can't do the standard vaccines (the one dose shot) and COVID at the same time. So if you have no vaccines, there will be a 28 days waiting time from getting the COVID shot and then the other childhood vaccines.  
 
I'm just updating for others with the same question. 

This is the problem. Your husband has to either take steps to re-establish domicile (move back without you - I think for 3 months but I am not sure) OR he has to prove that he never gave up domicile and only lived in the UK temporarily and always had the intend to move back to the US. 
 
We had to same issue. We met in South Korea and got married there, traveled and worked abroad for 10 years before we started the immigration process to move to the US. During our 11 years abroad, my husband still filed his US taxes, kept his US bank accounts and sent money back into them every month. He kept his US credit cards and used them, and renewed his US drivers license when it almost expired. He also wrote a full affidavit and explained in it that he never had the intention to give up domicile and attached all these documents as evidence and submitted it to the NVC with our application. Not that it mattered for us anyways, because he still ended up moving to the US before me 😞
 
I'm really sorry this happened to you. I can imagine how shattered and devastated you must be - finally getting the interview and then being denied because of this. Can your husband prove he never gave up domicile? 
 
I hope you get the email soon that explains what you have to do to sort this out. 

This is the problem. Your husband has to either take steps to re-establish domicile (move back without you - I think for 3 months but I am not sure) OR he has to prove that he never gave up domicile and only lived in the UK temporarily and always had the intend to move back to the US. 
 
We had to same issue. We met in South Korea and got married there, traveled and worked abroad for 10 years before we started the immigration process to move to the US. During our 11 years abroad, my husband still filed his US taxes, kept his US bank accounts and sent money back into them every month. He kept his US credit cards and used them, and renewed his US drivers license when it almost expired. He also wrote a full affidavit and explained in it that he never had the intention to give up domicile and attached all these documents as evidence and submitted it to the NVC with our application. Not that it mattered for us anyways, because he still ended up moving to the US before me 😞
 
I'm really sorry this happened to you. I can imagine how shattered and devastated you must be - finally getting the interview and then being denied because of this. Can your husband prove he never gave up domicile? 
 
I hope you get the email soon that explains what you have to do to sort this out.