Dan and Akari

Thanks.  I am fairly certain it was in the right place but it was almost three weeks ago.  
 
I did send a public inquiry to the NVC to double check everything and hopefully will hear back next week so it gets pushed to the embassy.  

We filed it for the same reason everyone files it: because it is an option that is available to pursue.  We realize that there is a slim to zero chance of approval , but not exploring every option to be reunited with my wife as soon as possible is something I perceive as negligent in my part. I also realize there is no evidence that a K3 will expedite the CR1.  It was free and only took a few minutes to complete and submit. Again, why not explore every avenue on the chance it may help?

We are going based on language here:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/BNK-Bangkok.html

that says:
”If your medical examination report will not be completed by the time of your interview (due to ongoing testing, treatment, or other reason), it must be rescheduled until you receive your completed medical examination report.  You can contact visasbkk@state.gov to reschedule your visa interview. 

I know. Consequently I rearranged my travel plans so I am not leaving today for Thailand. I will stay in the states until I have the necessary documents. We’ve done this throughout the process and it has paid dividends. I’d rather have it and not need it then need it and not have it. 
 
Thanks again for your insight. 

I know. Consequently I rearranged my travel plans so I am not leaving today for Thailand. I will stay in the states until I have the necessary documents. We’ve done this throughout the process and it has paid dividends. I’d rather have it and not need it then need it and not have it. 
 
Thanks again for your insight. 

Congratulations!!
 
FYI, once we submitted everything to NVC things moved fairly quickly here in Bangkok.  Hope it goes fast for you guys also.

Precisely my thought, but as you can imagine, at this stage we are getting anxious that we have everything buttoned up.  After further research,(and seeing the image they attached to the email), I see the following language which clarifies the blanket statement about marriage AND divorce certificates.  We are all lumped into the same category for this email.
 
 
Petitioner's divorce certificate (s) of every prior marriage (s) for Spouse visa (IR1, CR1, and F2A)
• Petitioner and biological parent's marriage and divorce certificate (s) of every prior marriage (s) for Stepchild visa (IR2, CR2, and F2)
• Petitioner's birth crtificate for Parent visa (IR5) and Sibling visa (F4
 
Appreciate the quick reply and Jeopardy reference.

Thank you for the quick and concise reply. You confirmed my conclusion based on reading all instructions. We are just so close to the end of this stage that I wanted to employ a belt and suspenders approach to my question by getting corroboration from this group. Again, thank you. 

I truly hope that it does speed things up for you and your wife.   Simply managing a long distance relationship is challenging enough.  Add into the mix the many variables to consider when navigating the immigration process, and the uncertainty of when things will happen exacerbates the challenge.  
 
We really empathize with you because my wife is from Myanmar and with the civil unrest I was not comfortable with her staying there for the potential 24 month wait to get approved and get an appointment in Yangon.  Consequently, we decided for her to move to Bangkok on an education visa which is only good for one year.  Add to that a condo lease that is only good for one year, and the stress level seems to escalate almost exponentially.  What if we don't get approved until after her ED visa expires?  What other options do we have?  Will we need to renew the condo, and on and on.
 
I hope everything processes smoothly and quickly.  We were also at the Potomac SC for our I-130.  Not that that has any bearing, but one can always hope.

Welcome to VJ. 
 
First, expect the entire process to take more like 14-18 months. Others will probably tell you 18-24 months, but I am optimistic. It took us 6 months just to get the I-130 approved and we were lucky because it looks to be averaging 11-12 months just for USCIS to approve the petition. Then you have the NVC stage which can vary from the time your case arrives at NVC until your wife gets an interview depending on the beneficiary’s country.  My wife lives in Thailand and we’re expecting NVC to interview time to be 4-6 months based on trends and if all goes smoothly with no RFEs. 
 
Here is the first thread on this forum page that discusses traveling to the United States on a visitor visa while awaiting the entire CR-1 process.
 
 
She needs to have strong ties in Japan (job, own a home, etc)that would convince immigration that she is going to return to Japan when her visa expires, and she isn’t going to visit the United States with the intention of adjusting status. The fact that she has visited before and returned to Japan might help, but all that happened before she showed her intent to immigrate which is what she is saying by filing the I-130. The fact that she will be unemployed and no apartment does not help your case unfortunately. 
 
Trying “other” ways to get her to the US, even if your true intention is for her just to visit will more than likely be viewed by immigration as you trying to skip the line by getting your wife to the US to adjust status here. Too many people have gamed the system, made immigration wary of these tactics, and has given them, in my opinion, the position that you are guilty until proven innocent. 
 
Everyone here empathizes with you and your wife being apart. Unfortunately, immigrating legally is time consuming and, for many people, expensive. 

I would also suggest filing a K3 as soon as possible. It doesn’t cost anything and may speed up the USCIS phase, but you need to file it as soon as possible after filing the I-130. 
 
Many naysayers will tell you not to waste your time because you will not be issued a K3 visa which I agree with, but I am convinced it helped us get through the USCIS phase in half the current average time. 

Welcome to VJ. 
 
First, expect the entire process to take more like 14-18 months. Others will probably tell you 18-24 months, but I am optimistic. It took us 6 months just to get the I-130 approved and we were lucky because it looks to be averaging 11-12 months just for USCIS to approve the petition. Then you have the NVC stage which can vary from the time your case arrives at NVC until your wife gets an interview depending on the beneficiary’s country.  My wife lives in Thailand and we’re expecting NVC to interview time to be 4-6 months based on trends and if all goes smoothly with no RFEs. 
 
Here is the first thread on this forum page that discusses traveling to the United States on a visitor visa while awaiting the entire CR-1 process.
 
 
She needs to have strong ties in Japan (job, own a home, etc)that would convince immigration that she is going to return to Japan when her visa expires, and she isn’t going to visit the United States with the intention of adjusting status. The fact that she has visited before and returned to Japan might help, but all that happened before she showed her intent to immigrate which is what she is saying by filing the I-130. The fact that she will be unemployed and no apartment does not help your case unfortunately. 
 
Trying “other” ways to get her to the US, even if your true intention is for her just to visit will more than likely be viewed by immigration as you trying to skip the line by getting your wife to the US to adjust status here. Too many people have gamed the system, made immigration wary of these tactics, and has given them, in my opinion, the position that you are guilty until proven innocent. 
 
Everyone here empathizes with you and your wife being apart. Unfortunately, immigrating legally is time consuming and, for many people, expensive. 

Welcome to VJ. 
 
First, expect the entire process to take more like 14-18 months. Others will probably tell you 18-24 months, but I am optimistic. It took us 6 months just to get the I-130 approved and we were lucky because it looks to be averaging 11-12 months just for USCIS to approve the petition. Then you have the NVC stage which can vary from the time your case arrives at NVC until your wife gets an interview depending on the beneficiary’s country.  My wife lives in Thailand and we’re expecting NVC to interview time to be 4-6 months based on trends and if all goes smoothly with no RFEs. 
 
Here is the first thread on this forum page that discusses traveling to the United States on a visitor visa while awaiting the entire CR-1 process.
 
 
She needs to have strong ties in Japan (job, own a home, etc)that would convince immigration that she is going to return to Japan when her visa expires, and she isn’t going to visit the United States with the intention of adjusting status. The fact that she has visited before and returned to Japan might help, but all that happened before she showed her intent to immigrate which is what she is saying by filing the I-130. The fact that she will be unemployed and no apartment does not help your case unfortunately. 
 
Trying “other” ways to get her to the US, even if your true intention is for her just to visit will more than likely be viewed by immigration as you trying to skip the line by getting your wife to the US to adjust status here. Too many people have gamed the system, made immigration wary of these tactics, and has given them, in my opinion, the position that you are guilty until proven innocent. 
 
Everyone here empathizes with you and your wife being apart. Unfortunately, immigrating legally is time consuming and, for many people, expensive. 

Thank you for your reply.
Your timing insight is helpful - good luck with your NVC phase.
 
I will take a look at that first thread again, as well as begin the K3 application.🤞
 

You hit the nail square on the head here.  I over analyze out of an abundance of caution because I know mistakes cost time.  Unfortunately, sometimes the over analysis morphs into playing out different scenarios of possible outcomes if I make a mistake, and then I come here to research, confirm or deny may assumptions, and when necessary, seek advise.
 
I was excited when we made it through the USCIS phase so quickly, but that excitement was tempered by the reality that the documentary requirements at NVC were more daunting than the I-130 petition.  Little intricacies that can trip you up are pervasive in the process.  I read the instructions multiple times, paying attention to small details like the word "if", i.e. do this "if" that.  
 
I appreciate the time you and the other veterans here spend in helping the rest of us through the process.  Thank you.

@pushbrk I appreciate your quick reply and clarification; however, I want to respectfully say that the condescending tone you took with me and to other users to whom you respond is unnecessary and unhelpful.  We come here for advice, and just because you feel as though we are asking something that is "clearly stated" that doesn't warrant the tone.  If the instructions on these forms were "clearly stated", there would be a lot fewer immigration forums and how to videos on these forms on YouTube.  I am a degreed professional.  I understand how to read instructions.  If I felt as though the instructions "clearly" stated something, I would not have asked a question.  I am submitting the I-864 to prove "I" can support my immigrant wife, so when I am asked for "MY" income I take that literally.  Clear instruction would simply say "Enter the total income....on your Federal income tax returns..." .
 
We are all navigating a complicated process that leaves little wiggle room for error and those errors cost us time.  We come to this forum to ask questions and get the helpful advice to avoid the pitfalls that delay or even halt our journey.  
 
Again, I really do appreciate your answers and clarification.

@mocha12 Welcome to VJ!
 
Unfortunately, there is no evidence other than anecdotal evidence that the K3 helps.  I did a lot of research when I joined VJ because we wanted to stay ahead of the process.  I saw a lot of anecdotal references for the K3 potentially helping if you file it early.  It doesn't help so much when filing it later in USCUS phase because your I-130 petition is likely to get adjudicated before the look at the K3 which has projections of 6 months.
 
As far as online filing, I chose that option because I felt the online process of walking me through the form was more beneficial that filling it out on paper, and we got our NOA1 the same day.
 
I recommend doing as much research as possible here on VJ to understand how you can best navigate the remainder of your journey.  For example, your next step is the NVC stage.  Research all you can about how to get through the NVC process.  Read up on paying the AOS and IV fees, become an expert on completing the I-864 and DS-260 and start gathering as many of the necessary docs as you can, i.e. taxes, financials, his civil documents, etc.  For example, we weren't prepared for such a quick petition approval, and one civil document needed for the beneficiary is a police certificate from every country the beneficiary has lived in for 6 months or more.  My wife is Burmese but lives in Thailand and the Thai Police certificate takes 3 weeks to process.  Understand if there is an expiration or other caveats on each record.  She had to return to Myanmar to get an updated police certificate and recreate her vaccination record since her mother could not find the original.  All of these things take time, and if you know what to expect in advance you can move through the process smoother...not necessarily smooth, but smoother.
 
I wish you the best of luck and hopefully you will get an approval on your petition soon.

I'm not going to tell you it is improper.  Nor will I try to predict the effect it will have on your immigration case.  Personally I would consider it odd that you are married but claim on your tax return that you are single when you are trying to prove to US immigration that your relationship is bona fide by co-mingling your financial affairs.  Nonetheless, that is my opinion and has no bearing on your decision or question.
 
Some things to consider.  
- Filing single is the least beneficial way to file. If you expect a tax liability, or want to maximize your refund, filing Married Separate allows you to claim your wife's standard deduction.  You simply need to write NRA in the SSN field as previously advised.
- Per the IRS instructions your filing status is based on your marital status as of December 31, 2023.  If you get married at 11:59 pm on December 31, 2023 you are married for the entire year of 2023.
- Doesn't matter where on Earth your wife physically resides while waiting to come to the US.  You are still married in the eyes of the IRS.
- First year filing with a NRA, you must file by mail so writing NRA on the return for her SSN is pretty quick and easy.
 
Ultimately it is your choice.  I wish you the best of luck.

+1
 
I recommend filing K3 as soon as you get your NOA1 for the I-130.  I can't point to any specific evidence that the K3 helped us, but I can tell you we filed I-130 August 2, 2023, K3 September 2023, and our I-130 petition was approved January 25, 2024...6 months instead of 11-12.  FWIW...we also filed K1 in May 2023 and then switched to CR1 in August (long story). Again, no guarantees, but also no down side.  Filing I-129F for K3 is free and easy to complete the form and send it in. 
 
Best of luck.

Thank you.  We committed from day 1 to maintain a positive attitude, concentrate on completeness and accuracy over speed, and we are so excited to be past the USCIS stage so quickly.  Everything seems to be moving rather briskly: case sent to NVC in 3 days, fees paid and processed today so we are ready to start submitting the documents and evidence for the NVC stage.
 
We appreciate your well placed, well received advice.  At this point we will accept providence with open arms.

Thank you.  We committed from day 1 to maintain a positive attitude, concentrate on completeness and accuracy over speed, and we are so excited to be past the USCIS stage so quickly.  Everything seems to be moving rather briskly: case sent to NVC in 3 days, fees paid and processed today so we are ready to start submitting the documents and evidence for the NVC stage.
 
We appreciate your well placed, well received advice.  At this point we will accept providence with open arms.

Yes, I confirmed that with someone else.
 
Moot at this point because I checked my case status this morning and our I-130 petition was approved yesterday.  
 
I can't say definitively that filing K3 expedited anything because I know that each case has unique variables.  However, given the fact that USCIS Potomac SC is saying 14 months on average to adjudicate 80% of cases, and looking at people's timelines here averaging around 11-12 months recently, I can't help but think that filing the 129F for K3 within 30 days of filing the I-130 helped our case get adjudicated in less than 6 months.

Yes, I confirmed that with someone else.
 
Moot at this point because I checked my case status this morning and our I-130 petition was approved yesterday.  
 
I can't say definitively that filing K3 expedited anything because I know that each case has unique variables.  However, given the fact that USCIS Potomac SC is saying 14 months on average to adjudicate 80% of cases, and looking at people's timelines here averaging around 11-12 months recently, I can't help but think that filing the 129F for K3 within 30 days of filing the I-130 helped our case get adjudicated in less than 6 months.

Couldn’t find August 2023 filers so I figured I would start one. 
 

I, the USC, filed online for my wife, Burmese living in Thailand, and received NOA1 same day, August 2,2023. 
 
We had previously filed K1 in May 2023…long story.  Sent letter to withdraw K1 at the beginning of September. 
 
Received notification on September 21 that “Case is being actively reviewed “ for our I-130.  MyProgress at the time said four weeks, then moved to three, two, one and then “Your case is taking longer than expected “
 
Received notice of K1 withdrawal on September 27. 
 
Filed I-129f for K3 early October. Received notification of receipt of K3 a couple weeks ago. 
 
We are committed to maintaining a positive attitude to get us through this process and we do a lot of research to try to stay one step ahead.  My wife is now looking for a clinic to update her vaccinations (she is from Myanmar and has no record of vaccinations), get a proactive chest x-ray, and I am gathering all the financial information needed.  
 
Wishing everyone lots of luck…and patience. 
 

Thanks for the quick replies.  I definitely took the information from the other sites with a healthy does of skepticism.  I was looking at instructions and @micam, the link you sent provided the clarification I needed.