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We have 3 applications - 2 are for step-children.

From the start it showed one step-kid as 4 weeks (then when that time ran out it showed 'taking longer than expected'). The spouse showed as 3 months. And second step-kid showed at 6 months. 

Do we need to file separate K4's for children? Or is our collective mention under one K3 form fine? 

15 hours ago, Stiven26 said:

I submit my application I-130,September 17, 2023.

NOA1: September 17, 2023.

case actively under review. 

We're just a few days apart! Let's see how this fares for us experience wise.

On 10/4/2023 at 3:21 AM, 2024 I551 said:

What is AR?

Status change to 'case actively being reviewed'.

3 hours ago, Redro said:

In my experience, I've seen expedites been approved for people who are in the military (or work for the US government) and are being deployed/moving to another country.

Also, expedites when someone might age out of their category... 

Then I've seen some expedites been approved for medical reasons but generally the person will not want to divulge the exact reason for expedite as it is personal.

Then others have noted they applied for expedite- it was denied the first time - but approved the second time (with additional evidence). 

All you can do is apply for expedite and send in evidence that you believe shows the strength of your argument. 

 

Thank you for the helpful and detailed post! 🤍  This helps a lot.

No harm in asking for people's personal experiences on a forum format. 

I see so many posts on here regarding expediting requests, and majority of the answers are how that's not a good enough reason.... I don't see any post here that shows you what a valid/good reason actually is to expedite. I feel like every reason that would cross my mind as a valid expedite request has been vetoed on here - so I am genuinely curious now.

I'd like to know on here if anyone had their request to expedite approved, what was the reason you gave? Or if anyone knows of anyone elses experience and what the specific reason for expediting was that got approved?

I know it's early days yet, but would love to start a thread here for fellow Sep23 filers so we can track progress together!

Filed: Sept 22, 2023.

NOA1: Sept 22, 2023. 

AR: Sept 29, 2023.

I am contemplating the filing of an I-129F. Not sure yet.

3 minutes ago, SalishSea said:

It’s not the names, it’s the lack of centralized, accurate criminal record keeping in Pakistan.   Same reason the NVC does not require a PCC from Pakistan.

Ok. But if I do get approved to transfer the London consulate, that still means the AP starts sooner if it's going to happen regardless whether in London or Islamabad. And the sooner it starts, the sooner it's over with. So either way, London consulate will still be a quicker process regardless.

Is the "Case is being actively reviewed" status update generic, I am assuming? We have progressing I-130's for myself (the beneficiary spouse) and 2 children - they all got the status update simultaneously, which makes me think after a set time frame they just update it automatically? That no one actually probably touched the application yet... 

2 hours ago, SalishSea said:

Even if approved, it will not eliminate the sometimes lengthy AP/background checks Pakistanis go through, just fyi.

 From what I've read it's mostly males who get put in AP, the same males that get pulled aside at any POE in the US as their names typically are flagged in the system.

But of course, always a risk in any case to be put in AP. That cannot be helped. There's potential negatives all over in this whole process. Trying to focus on a potential positive  

Thank you guys. If Islamabad wasn't as terrible as it is right now I would have probably just not bothered. But if there is a slither of chance even to knock 2 years off and can't harm the application then definitely worth trying! 

Yes, already put Pakistani address for the i-130 form. In terms of any documentation to prove address, the only thing I'd have is my UK bank account which still has a UK address. Can't think of anything else that may have it. Will try anyways and see how it fares!

Thanks guys. Does it come up in the interview at all? Do they question reasons behind transferring the consulate? I don't want to appear dishonest if they question where I live. Or have them use it to try to catch me out.

Ok, thank you Crazy Cat. Guess it'll be a short visit with time taken off work... 

2 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

It's not usually possible unless you're resident there - here's an example…..

 

 

Oh no  Do you think there's harm in trying? Because of Islamabad this whole process is going to take like 4 years for me to be able to finally be with my husband and it's stressing me out. If I can change the consulate to London I can knock off 2 years, which is significant. 

Can I work remotely in the US while visiting on an ESTA? I am an offshore contractor (NOT an employee) for a US based company. 

If the answer is no, can I not work even if I don't get paid by them for the duration of the stay? 

I wanted to know of any personal experiences and the details of having transferred your case during NVC stage from a country of residence to a country of citizenship for the sake of changing where you'd get interviewed.

For example, I have been living in Pakistan for almost 10 years, but I am a British citizen. Once I'm at the NVC stage, can I transfer it to the London U.S. Consulate to save myself from the 2-year interview waiting time in Islamabad U.S. embassy? 

Also, at what stage would it be the safest to do that? before getting DQ'd or after? And anything else I should be aware of? 

Would post-interview administrative processing mean I won't have access to our passports until that's cleared? 

I'll definitely look into this option and maybe ask on a separate thread for peoples experiences on this. 

Everything about the Islamabad embassy seems nightmarish to me. 

If I can request the NVC transfer to the UK and get away with just travelling over there once the interview is granted for a short trip merely to attend the interview - that is very doable on my end. I can take the kids for short trips abroad during the immigration wait.

Powerpuff - would I not have to be living in the UK to be able to request that? It had crossed my mind, but from what I had read online I had the impression I could only request that if I were currently residing in the UK, and that I'd have to remain in the UK until the DS260 process cleared? 

It's a little restrictive and complicated for me as my children's biological father is a Pakistani citizen. With our custody and parental agreement I would not be able to relocate to the UK for the duration of the DS260. I only have permission to relocate to the US with them after immigration stuff is finalized and granted. And I know he will not allow us wait out the immigration process anywhere other than Pakistan.   

I am the Pakistani spouse but am a British citizen. So I can apply for ESTA but yes, as you said, it's not legal to apply for the adjustment by travelling there on an ESTA. 

Also, I asked a question previously about travelling on the ESTA while the I-130 is pending and I've been told few people are questioned, if at all, and if you are questioned just have documents at hand that show your ties to your resident country to support your return. I will most probably try a trip at some point on the ESTA. My children are little and I would like to ease them into moving to a whole new country by making at least 1-2 visits so they're mentally prepared as to where they're headed to. 

Etihad offers clearance in Abu Dhabi and then no checks at the POE in the US after that. Worst comes to worse, if I get turned away, Abu Dhabi is just 3 hours away. I can turn back 😔

Interesting what Crazy Cat has said. Will read into that.

I am in the same boat as you. I am the beneficiary though of a US citizen petitioning and our I-130's (myself and the kids) all have that same text in the notice. I think it's just standard text. 

I'm outside the US. I was wondering if there was a way to enter the US and be able to switch from having to do the DS260 to doing the i-485? I am guessing not... I would have to enter the US on an ESTA. 

I hope magically the situation in Islamabad improves by the time our I-130 is approved so I can be less nervous about this process. 

Hi,

From my understanding i-485 is filing for adjustment of status within the US after you've had your i-130 approved. And DS260 is applying for the marriage visa/green card application from outside the US after having i-130 approved.

My question is, let's say someone applies for the i-130 from outside the US, and has it approved. Is there any legal route to then proceed with the i-485 from within the US instead of the DS260? 

In the i-130 application it's stated that I'd be applying for the next step from Islamabad. I know Islamabad has a 2 year wait time just for getting interview appointments alone. Our i-130 was applied for very recently and judging by the timeline it seems it's a 4 year process at best for us to be able to finally immigrate. Just trying to weigh up options here after the i-130 part is done. 

I have not visited the US any time recently. I've been twice in the past and that was back in 2009 and 2012. But I'll definitely keep documents on me in case I am questioned.