Micam

Yes you will need an ACRO certificate. I can't give you more information, but I just wanted to give you the heads up that their website has been down for a while due to a cyber security incident and they're processing things manually - you might want to prioritise getting in touch with them to sort this ASAP as I think they're working at a slower than average pace.

I feel like it only works in some SCs and not at all in others. As with everything in this process, it seems to be all down to luck. I have seen quite a few people approved due to the K3 (you can tell because they first mention the K3 refusal and within the day they're approved on the I-130). I'm currently lining up all my paperwork for the next stages. I am having problem after problem with the police checks so I am glad I am doing this now rather than later. I recommend doing this if you haven't already!

Like others have said, it's best to ignore this number. It doesn't really mean anything. I have heard a few people say that it is more accurate now. Out of interest, why do you think it is more accurate? I am not sure if I have just missed some info somewhere. I was under the assumption the data in the algorithms used to estimate the processing time had been updated (following the overall increase in processing times in the last 6 months that has now updated on their website) and therefore they'd be just as useless at estimating timelines as they were previously.

Are you sure there is no way to get a background check in China? I found this website that says you can hire a representative to act on your behalf: https://www.zhaozhao.co/how-to-apply-for-a-china-police-certificate/ (I don't know how accurate this is). I do know that it's the same process in Vietnam as I have been researching this for myself (I need someone to act on my behalf as they need someone to go in person to Hanoi). I would be surprised if there wasn't a similar route for China.

I don't think you need to worry about the time it says on your account, time and time again it has been proven wrong. I think they're just using algorithms based off the estimates/last 6 months of cases to guess a date, so it makes sense they've gone up after USCIS updated their 'processing times' page. I've personally been ignoring this feature.

As far as I am aware (happy to stand corrected) these are not predictions. They are estimations based on the timeline of previous cases. It doesn't mean that that's how long your case will take, but its an average of 80% of cases in a designated amount of time (6 months I think?). Honestly I have been surprised that they haven't changed sooner, since the estimates were clearly so different to what I was seeing online. I am shocked that they went up so much though. Hopefully all this means is they're actually working through the backlog.. trying to stay positive!!

Has this been approved? I was considering getting mine done early so I am prepared but I saw mixed dates online and didn't want to risk anything. ETA: sorry for the hijack. I don't have experience with ACRO, though I always expect delays with these sorts of things for some reason. Sorry to hear you've been delayed. Must be incredibly frustrating after waiting for the rest of the application!

I've always put it down to a couple of different factors, but happy to stand corrected as these are assumptions: - People purposefully delay the process at this stage so they are eligible to get the 10 year GC or for other personal reasons (work, study, etc.) - NVC sometimes holds onto documents until your consulate is ready to accept them, so if your consulate is backlogged then they're likely to hold on to them longer. - There are several documents needed to be submitted at this stage (police checks, tax documents) so if you're not prepared here then there may be a delay getting everything together.

As far as I'm aware, no complications to the case. Regarding your other comment, I am also hoping for 2023 some time, seems like we're lucky were from the uk, and I'm hopeful once we're approved it'll be 3 months for nvc/interview combined. It's the I-130 that's the worst wait it seems!

I submitted on the 25th Sept and also from the UK! Nearly identical. Where was your I-130 sent out of interest?

I was interested in this too - the receipt we got for the I-130 said Nebraska, but the receipt we got for the I-129F said California!

Info is on here under "where to file" : https://www.uscis.gov/i-129f

Hey everyone! I was wondering if anyone had any experience with police checks from other countries (non-UK)/what is asked at the time of interview/at NVC stage. I was going to get my police check sorted ASAP since according to the US embassy in London's website it says its valid indefinitely unless I reside there or get arrested there (neither of which I plan to do). I am however considering going back for a trip at some point. I was reviewing this further and found on the US travel government website it states it expires after two years "unless... you have not returned there since the police certificate was issued". Which suggests it will become invalid if I visit the country. Has anyone had any problems with this or knows any more information on this? I don't want to rely on the 2 years time limit since I see mixed things online about this too (otherwise I would just go ahead and assume my GC will be sorted by then and not worry about this). I was wondering if they specify any details at interview stage etc. Thanks in advance!

I think a significant consideration is where your partner is right now - different countries have different wait times for interviews. By background checks I assume you mean police checks? I would probably wait on getting those if they're in your partners current country of residence as there is a time limit on those. I believe if she no longer lives there then the time limit is longer/it doesn't run out. So may be worth getting those if she has lived anywhere else.

Yes, I did take a look before I posted this and I thought that you could include all of these. But now I am getting confused and am thinking that maybe I misunderstood the instructions, as Timona's response stated you had to choose only 1, and we wouldn't be able to file our financial information AND have a joint sponsor? I was under the impression that we would file our tax/financial information (as much as we think would be beneficial) and the joint sponsor would also include theirs on their own form also. My original question was if we should go ahead and file with the joint sponsor, or if we would be in an okay situation to try without (without getting turned away).

Sorry, do you mean you submitted all of those? Or are you suggesting I get a joint sponsor?

Oh really, I did not realise this. I saw you can fill out "first" or "second of two joint sponsors" on the I-864. I assumed this would be 2 x different forms and could include the petitioner and the joint sponsor, and therefore have separate proof for each. Am I totally misunderstanding the form? Would you suggest that a joint sponsor would be safer than just 1 year of transcripts?

So we are still waiting on the I-130 approval but we are trying to get the documents for the next stage in order so we have them ready to go. We are just not sure what the best information would be to provide, and I would like to get it right first time. I am aware that we need at least the last year of tax transcripts, but can provide up to 3 years. To give you a background of finances: 2022 - comfortably over the poverty threshold, working in US, tax returns will be sorted ASAP. Can also provide pay slips/letter from employer etc. 2021 - below poverty threshold, working abroad, taxes filed 2020 - below poverty threshold, working abroad, below amount needed to file taxes so not filed (and didn't realise they needed to be done despite this), payslips or proof of payment may be difficult to obtain from past employer Would you recommend that we only file the most recent year and include recent pay slips? We don't have any assets either. Additionally we could get parents on the US side to be joint sponsors for us - would this be the simplest way for us to get a definite approval ?

Sorry to hijack - does this include police reports for other countries you lived in the past? I lived in SE Asia for a few years and will be returning for a wedding soon. I was going to get a police report whilst I'm there as I'm not even sure if it's possible to do online.. I assume its just current residences that have a time limit?

I believe that as long as the information is correct then it is okay. My understanding of an affidavit is it is just to confirm that the information on the letter is correct with a signature/with an oath. I have signed legal affidavits before which I have not written (but the information was correct).

Thanks all! I really appreciate the advice. Thank you @Mike E for pointing me in the direction of the guides! That is what I was hoping to find. For some reason I couldn't find them. I know there are some comments that mention that the K3 almost doesn't exist, we are going to file the K3 in the hopes it pushes things along - I also believe it doesn't hurt to try. And hey, I may be that one lucky unicorn that actually gets to use it!

So my partner and I have just filed the I-130. We are currently looking into the K3 but I am a little confused by the I-129F and have some questions. It would be great if anyone could help or point me in the right direction of simple instructions (since all I can find is regarding the K1 visa). 1. We filed the I-130 online - are we able to do the same with the I-129F for the K3? Would it be a near identical process (ie I would re-submit all the paperwork) or would it just link up with the I-130 automatically? 2. How do we avoid paying twice? I can see it costs similar to the I-130, however I am under the impression that if we are doing this for the K3 it is free since we already paid for the I-130? 3. When is the best time to file? I believe we have the NOA1 (the first receipt notice.. I think this is correct?), are we good to go? Is it better to wait a little while before doing this? 4. I have read that it needs you to provide criminal information, but it only looks like convictions..ie am I right in thinking this is not the same as the police checks required for later down the line on the I-130? I greatly appreciate any help! This seems somehow more confusing than filing for the I-130!

This is great information, thank you! I was imagining I would most likely need proof that I'll return home, but hopefully the information about the job/return flight will be enough.

I wasn't going to work - by flexibility I meant I just wanted to be able to manage my time on projects instead of working 9-5 and having a set schedule. I would much rather work weekends/evenings if it meant I could see my partner more frequently.

Hey, do you have any updates on this? I am considering changing my job to something more flexible so I can take longer breaks to the US (like 3-4 weeks instead of short 1 week ones) but I am concerned if this will be a problem at the borders with an ESTA once I file. Would love to hear what was asked and how this went!