smilingstone

Approval update came in today, 30th Jan 😁

How did it go?! I had mine today and posted an update here:

Hi VJ! I wanted to share an update with you all, following my GC interview today at the Montgomery, AL Field Office. In short, I arrived in Jan 2025 on a K1 visa, we married in Feb 2025 and filed for AOS in April 2025. I had my biometrics in May 2025 and then there was complete radio silence until December 2025 with an interview scheduled for January 2026. My experience of Montgomery FO couldn't have been better. We arrived 30min before the time detailed on the letter, but a sign on the door said to not enter more than 15min before your time. Once we were in, there was a short wait in a line while an officer at a front desk asked for the appointment letter and ID. We then went through airport-style security. Once through that, I checked in with another officer who took prints of my left and right index fingers. After that, I was told to take a sit at the far end of the waiting room. All the staff were super friendly and welcoming. We waited for another 20-30min or so before an agent called us through to a back corridor where the interview rooms are. Right from the start, he was incredibly warm. We sat down in his room and the first thing he said was that this was going to be very quick because we are what they call a "cut and dry" case. He made a comment that because I was a K1, it's already been established that our relationship is legitimate so the interview was just a formality. I was really surprised, and said so, because I'd been so nervous up to this point (and my husband commented as such to him).He reassured me that we had nothing to worry about. He then asked me to raise my right hand and swear to tell the truth, etc, which I did. I was then asked to confirm my name, DOB and address. He then asked a few questions that were on the AOS forms (regarding terrorist groups, criminal offences, etc). After that, he said that he would be recommending our case for approval, and then talked me through the next steps. He said I will receive a 2 year conditional GC, and then will need to apply to remove conditions for the 10 year GC, but I would be eligible to apply for citizenship 3 years from the date of adjudication (which he references as being today). After that, we made chit chat about our jobs, Montgomery and a good place to grab some lunch. We said our goodbyes and he congratulated me. We couldn't have been in there more than 20min. And then a very sweet aside: We went over the road to a Mexican place for some lunch. Just outside the place, I gave my husband a kiss and a woman walked up behind us saying "We need to see more of that!". My husband told her that I was just approved for my greencard and she congratulated me. We went inside, sat down, ordered and ate. While we were eating, I saw the same woman come in the door and she looked at me as she did, and said something to the man at the front counter. We finished eating and when the waitress came back she told us that someone had come in and paid for our meal, saying it was because of my greencard approval! I was so amazed and just wish I could thank that lady or whoever it was! Me and my husband left Montgomery feeling so good. It honestly could not have gone better for us. I know this is not the end of the road, but I just wanted to say a huge thank you to all of the VJers and recourses that have helped guide me through the whole process to date. It has been invaluable!

Because even flying internally is a risk. All it takes is airport staff knowing you aren't from the US and it can cause problems. No valid visa, as K1 expires upon entry, not filed AOS yet not yet married. You're undocumented at that point and jetting around internally could be seen as attempting to abscond. If it's not necessary to travel, then why not just play it safe?

If you're so indifferent to going to Poland to wait out a CR1 or even another K1, why not do that anyway? I don't understand why you would waste so much time and money to go through K1 to only take a huge risk at invalidating it all. Do you not value you and your partners time and money?

Why do you think he would be denied a B? ESTA isn't guaranteed entry. They can still deny based on immigrant intent, which is true of a K1. The main thing is showing plenty of evidence that he will return to wait out the process. Does he have a job? Rent? Mortgage? Any other responsibilities in Italy(?)?

Did your wife recieve a sealed packet that she handed over to CBP upon entry? That contains the original DS3025. I'm assuming so, as it's the norm, but sometimes people miss this part. If yes to the above, she should try and get a copy of it from the medical examiner she saw to include in her AOS. But if she can't, it should be OK as USCIS should have recieved the original in the packet handed over to CBP. If she did not recieve a sealed packet, then you may have to redo the medical.

Yeah, and attending a conference implies a steady career and/or professional education in OP's home country. Would be a lot to give up on a whim, considering they've been married and eligible to apply for spousal for some months...

Then what changed between you filing for your B visa and now? If you were already married, and knew you wanted to move to the US, why didn't you file for spousal in April? Or you had no desire to be in the US until visiting?

They always give a reason. Were your in-laws handed a letter? If there salary isn't high, how did they say the trip was going to be funded? And how long was the trip going to be for? You've missed out quite important details here.

Thanks for that, it's helpful to me while I still wait for an update on my AOS after doing my biometrics back in May. Yeah, you can upload Unsolicited Evidence online, but I don't recall it saying that anywhere on any letters. I think I just came across it while clicking around in my USCIS account. Although I've not uploaded anything for a while, because I am just thinking I can take it all to interview anyway? Swings and roundabouts, I guess. Maybe it had more use during Covid when they were waiving interviews, providing there was substantial evidence? Anyway, congrats to you and your family. I hope the rest of your journey goes smoothly!

Unlikely you will get the expedite, but it is free to try. If you are really in danger, you should seek asylum in the EU while your K1 processes. You will be waiting a while, expedite or not.

Can I ask what evidence you submitted in both your original filing and what further evidence you took with you?

No, because they're no longer issued...

K3s are no longer issued.