smilingstone

Naturalizing from another country seems counter-intuitive to me.

Most consulates release appointment times/dates in blocks only so far ahead, typically 4 weeks. You may just have to wait until they release a new batch to get a date that works for you. Keep checking and their release pattern will become apparent.

It doesn't matter that it's a terriroty. If you leave, you will be abandoning AOS. If she isn't in AOS yet, how does she expect to re-enter the US without a valid visa if she does manage to travel out? K1 expires upon the entry in which it was used. General understanding for a K1 is that there will be no international travel until AOS is complete, unless you get AP which is very slow to recieve and most deem it not worth it for a simple vacation.

Can't advise regarding your daughter starting school, but yes you will need an SSN to be added to anything like mortgage, bank account, etc. If everything goes through at your interview, then SSA normally advises it can take up to 4 weeks to arrive in the mail - but there's quite a few experiences, including my own, which saw the first SSN card never arriving and a replacement being arranged (which can take up to a further 4 weeks). Additionally, in my own experience, when I got my first SSN before marriage, in my maiden name, it wasn't possible to get me added to any of my husbands accounts after marriage because my SSN name did not match my now-married-name. I tried to get it changed with SSA a couple of times, but it wouldn't go through until I received my EAD card and could present that to the SSA. I'm just letting you know this in case your own potential delays with an SSN has a knock-on effect on you proving residence and your daughter starting school. Good luck.

Good to know. I hope it streamlines the process for you. Good luck.

Is this a new thing? When I attended my medical last November, I wasn't required to also attend the embassy on the same day. Or did you book your interview for the same day as your medical? If the latter, then be prepared to be put under AP (221g) as the embassy will not have your medical documents, so will be unable provide a decision that day.

Just ensure that you have documents evidencing your purpose for visiting, something from both your home school and the US school, as well as that it is fully funded by your home school. Also confirmation of your ESTA, accommodation booking, flight itinerary showing return dates, and something evidencing a residential address in south Korea such as rental lease. Bank statements can also be used as proof of address. (All of the above should probably be translated, though it may be a good idea to also include copies in the original language)

How do you expect to apply to adjust status citing an income to support you that you have gained illegally?

I should hope not.

No reason to lie anymore if you have strong evidence and it's a long term relationship. Unfortunate about the previous dishonesty but the best thing to do is to learn from that mistake and be fully transparent moving forward.

Your wife doesn't have any children, so it's no. Even thought you're married, your children are not legally your wife's children, so she cannot formally claim them as her own.

I believe you need a valid reason to transfer, such as lack of consulate, travel restrictions, etc. I don't think Japan having faster processing versus UAE would be a valid reason. Otherwise everyone would be transferring to countries with much lower visa applications.

Surely you have a lawyer involved and they are able to tell you? I would think your husband being in prison for 7 years will make this impossible to DIY? How long have you been married before your husband went to prison?

Yes, scanned copy of handwritten signature is fine. We did exactly that, no mailing involved. I would also suggest you drop the paralegal. They have already demonstrated they don't know even simple details of this process.

Why would you even think to follow Google AI when USCIS tells you on their own page? AI doesn't provide correct answers, only what it believes is a correct answer. You should never rely on AI for important information.

I had this same problem too. I was able to call my local SSA office and explained that I'd never received my card after waiting 4 weeks since my first appointment. The lady told me my number over the phone, so I was able to move ahead with my AOS. She also scheduled me for a further appointment 2 weeks ahead, should my original card never show up. Needless to say, my original card did never show up, so I attended the 2nd appointment to arrange a replacement, which I did receive about 2 weeks after that... If you Google your town/city and "SSA telephone" hopefully you can find what you need. But if there is no number listed for yours, you will have to call the national number and be warned you will be on hold for anything from 2+ hours.

I honestly don't think it's worth risking the money unless you have a full year before your trip, just to be safe.

Great to see others are getting interviews scheduled this quickly, but still no update for me since my biometrics appointment in early May. ETA on my USCIS account is 27 months... I have since received my EAD though.

That's a really good point. I have both undergrad, postgraduate and professional degrees, but my main work experience hasn't really been directly in those fields. I studied Fine Art at undergrad and postgrad, then gained a teaching qualification. In the end, I moved into administration/middle management in the university/cultural sector. I only have 4 to 5 years solid recent professional work experience, with more entry level jobs and internships/student worker positions while I was studying. I'm even unsure how to say I have a basic high-school education. The UK doesn't have a GED, we sit exams in English, Maths, Sciences and then other chosen subjects. Although by the time you've gone through higher education, the high-school exams become less relevant. I'll definitely look into how I can get this across on a resume. If any readers here can provide suggestions on how to go about this, that would be great.

So I actually don't think it's such a bad thing. I think it was kind of silly to be drawing lifelong conclusions with regards to health from a single point in life, likely when applicant is younger and fitter. Anything can happen, so why did they even say the 693 would be valid forever? To try and cut down on their own admin?

Advice from me is to cut your losses and to complete future visa requirements in a more timely manner.

No chance you're getting visa same day. Highly unlikely you will be joining your family on the trip. Could have been avoided if you explored ESTAs in better time. I know people say you get approved within hours, but it is seriously tempting fate to leave it so close to travel. No need, especially when they are valid for 2 years. You need to start looking in to what you can claim back for flights and expenses booked for yourself and family. Maybe put that towards a holiday closer to home, or simply wish your wife and kids a great trip without you.

There is no online access code for I-129Fs. You just create a USCIS account and add your receipt number to track progress. Also, it is not often that people receive NOA1s within days.

Great input and advice, everyone, thank you so much.

Hi VJ, As I've recently received my EAD, I'm thinking about giving my CV an update ahead of looking for work. My last employment in the UK ended 1st January, ahead of me moving to the US as a K1 in mid-January. That's a 6 month gap in employment, and it will only increase as time goes on as I don't anticipate that it will be quick to find employment. I'm wondering if I should address this in some way on my resume. Im worried that employers, who don't understand the immigration process, might assume that being out of work for 6+ months was my choice and look unfavorably on me. Any thoughts or advice from your own experience?