On 1/31/2025 at 10:46 AM, OldUser said:

It's a good idea to get vaccinations and complete DS-3025 exam fully before entering the US on K-1. Getting missing vaccinations and completing I-693 exam is typically a lot more expensive in the US than finishing everything overseas.

Unless you don't want to receive any vaccinations and file a waiver based on religious or moral conviction. I came on K1, did my medical in The Netherlands and filed a vaccine waiver on religious grounds together with my AOS and vaccine sheet (DS-something, 2035?).

If people have genuine convictions against the vaccines they have that option, but only if they can provide enough credible evidence that they are against ALL vaccines. So if you had vaccines recently it will be harder (not impossible!) then when you only received them as a child, like me. But if you REALLY don't want to receive any more, it's your only option.

I didn't have to get the Covid vaccin when I had my medical, it was not available anymore so the CS thought she could administer the others I missed. They're honestly assuming you just take them, I even felt some pressure and the CS seemed misinformed because she said my visa might have been denied, which is not true in case of non-immigrant visas. So I had to explain I didn't want any at all and that I'd be filing a waiver. Same should be possible from abroad, but I think you then have to wait for denial based on inadmissibility to file the waiver. 

8 hours ago, alliejourney said:

Dang, I'm gonna get an RFE because I marked no and didn't answer those questions 😅

I suppose it's probably not worth trying to upload an amended form. I'll just bite the bullet and wait, who knows what other mistakes I may have made lol

I did the exact same thing, pretty sure we're all getting that same RFE.

On 2/1/2025 at 2:08 PM, andy2023 said:

Just got approval notifications for K1 and both K2s even with 2 RFEs (i-864 for one of the K2s and vaccination form for K1) it took exactly 7 months. I took about 2 months to submit the i-864 form RFE and about 2 weeks to submit the i-693 form RFE. We did not apply for EAD or AP. Luckily we also did not need to do an interview. It still seems surreal! Best of luck to everyone else!! 

Congrats! There surely is movement. Still patiently waiting here!

6 hours ago, TMBear said:

Hi folks,

 

We received a couple of email notifications over the weekend and now website says the case was approved and NOA is available for downloading. Not sure if/when it moves to "awaiting card production"

We didn't apply for EAD or AP hoping to receive GC in under 6 months. It did take almost exactly 7.

Good news, congrats!

9 hours ago, RetroPeach12 said:

You should have been able to get an SSN when you entered. I got my SSN the first month after I entered and then when I got my GC, I just got the same number but without the employment restriction. 

I was stumped on the foreign bank account question but we were advised that if I had spent more time in the US than the UK in 2024, I didn't have to declare any foreign accounts and it most definitely didn't have the amount of $10,000 in the 5 months I spent in the UK before I moved here haha. I only have one and it doesn't have any money in it anyways lol I am still job searching so my husband still filed jointly but put me down as unemployed (which is true) it was pretty simple and the return was accepted. 

I know I could have. But I wasn't in a hurry so I requested it with my AOS.

48 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

One option is for US spouse to file as Married Filing Separately....then amend taxes to a joint return after you get a SSN. 

Sounds like we'll just get someone to handle this for us!

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4 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

If you have a SSN, you can file a joint return and ask to be treated as a resident for tax purposes.

I requested an SSN through my I-485 and have not received my SSN yet either.

Oh following! I had the exact same question, only difference is I do not have my Green Card yet.

15 minutes ago, OldUser said:

Most of the times this is true. However if you look at the graphs provided in the sister thread I linked, it's few weeks span of cases across service centers is stuck undecided. At least that's what it appears as.

I had no idea the files of 6/28 to 7/11 were skipped. I will keep an eye on that thread as well although I noticed that's mainly I-129F petitions an not so much AOS it seems, unless I missed those. So your info is helpful, thanks.

1 minute ago, K1visaHopeful said:

Your onlne account update may say that but that is not your real estimated timeline as reflected on the website. That is a huge, common misunderstanding that since online filing/ accounts began a few years ago has been determined. Search around and you will see it talked about time and time again here so you don't HAVE TO believe me but I'm sure you will if you do the research on VJ.

The website is your best reference not the estimate on your account. 

 

I ASSURE you if you read through the link I posted you will understand more about timelines and how it works.

 

I'll shut up now, though, since this is my first day here. 🙃

Oh I am sorry, maybe I have presented myself as a low IQ individual, let me further explain myself.

Just because I do not have nearly 5K posts on here or have immigrated to the US before and am not 100% in the loop of everything, doesn't mean I am dumb. If you tell me to check your link, I ASSURE you I checked your link. That link, if I put in 'I-485', 'Family-Based' and 'Detroit', gives me a big block on the screen that says 80% completed within 11.5 months. I don't even know where to check estimates in 'my account', I don't have estimates in my account. 

Please next time you might tone it down a little bit on the 'I know better just because I have 5K posts so I can therefore ASSUME you are looking on the wrong page and not just roll my eyes but roll my whole head' attitude. You provided me with 1 link. I checked that link and nowhere do I even see the 16 months you mention on there. So either you gave me a wrong link, or you are simply mistaken and not me. It is really a shame that long time members with a high post count often have the attitude that people with a low post count automatically have a low IQ. Not inviting for new members to join and post. 

2 minutes ago, K1visaHopeful said:

PS. If your timeline is correct and your LFO is Detroit, your estimated wait as of 5 seconds ago is 16 months for 80% of all cases. Longer for the remaining 20%.

You can check it out yourself using the website linked above. 

PSS. 16 months makes your question even less worrisome. 

Nah, still says 11.5 months for me.

2 minutes ago, K1visaHopeful said:

Are you ONLY looking at filers being processed at YOUR local field office? Comparing your timeline to anyone else NOT at your LFO isn't relevant. 

Not a clue where to even find any of that. 

2 minutes ago, K1visaHopeful said:

What's the timeline for I485s at your LFO on the processing times website. That is your best estimate.

11.5 months. 

2 minutes ago, K1visaHopeful said:

You may or may not. The online status system isn't perfect. You can Ask Emma BUT If you are no where near the estimated timeline on the website (NOT your online account if applicable) I would be patient.

I do believe I said I am not in a hurry, so certainly not impatient. I know what the normal timeline is but when you see people getting approved in 2-3 months at LFO's that usually have a longer waiting time, and you don't get any updates and don't know how it all works exactly because it's not something you usually do more than once in your life, you just want to make sure you haven't missed an RFE. Hence my question if you should see that in your case update just so I know that it should be there. I realize it's not perfect but if it is not updated in my case as is usual AND I have not received anything then I should be safe to assume that I have not (yet) received an RFE. Thank you.

I filed AOS on July 5th. I have not checked the forum in a while due to circumstances and I was just told about this. I can't believe my luck! I am already here so it's not a big deal but I would have liked some movement right now so I can book a flight and go visit my parents. I did not file for advanced parole because the green cards were going so quick when I checked. Well that is what you get for being a cheapskate I guess! 

1 hour ago, OldUser said:

Your mileage may vary when it comes to documents showing online as well status showing real state of things.

 

However, based on what you wrote, I'm not surprised about processing times.

 

1) A lot of AOS cases used to take over a year. We're heading that direction. Especially with hire freeze etc

2) There's a whole thread on forum where people who filed around same time as you experience delays:

3) You also have vaccination waiver. It definitely adds more time for processing. I anticipate majority of folks in thread above being processed before you if they don't have waiver.

 

Good luck!

 

 

OMG just my luck! I filed on the fifth. 

Not sure where to post this, feel free to move.

I filed for AOS on July 5th, 2024. Had fingerprints taken in September and nothing since. I am not in a terrible hurry, but I am seeing quite a lot approvals for July filers and later and I am worried I might have received an RFE or something that never arrived. Should I see the RFE in my case updates in my USCIS account? So far it just says case received for my vaccine waiver and fingerprints taken for my I-485. I do realize that filing a waiver might delay the case, just making sure here I am not missing an RFE.

It's taking quite a while now to get any update. Does anyone know if you see it in your USCIS account if you were sent an RFE? I am starting to get nervous, afraid I never received an RFE or something. Anyone else still waiting here?

I am baffled about so many of these immigration lawyers. I read so many bad experiences, which is why I went for DIY (plus I am a total cheapskate and my vaccine waiver already cost me a kidney). But how is it possible they get away with all that stuff? But I also don't understand why people don't check the form before the lawyer sends it in. Do they just tell you what to give them and that they will file for you? Maybe I am a control freak but I wouldn't trust handing over total control of that.

Since Trump has now specified the 'birthright' issue, I have a stinking feeling that he will also specify 'Specialty occupation' for H1B visa's, definitely after the scrutiny it is getting now. And he should. With all due respect, what makes you so special that a business should hire you over an American Citizen?

Besides that, I agree that finding an employer to petition you is likely highly implausible. 

I feel bad for people who were up to date on their vaccinations and had to take the covid vaccine + 2 boosters against their will. The waiver should not be just for all vaccines like with religious waivers or moral waivers, it should also be available for specific vaccines that have not been tested and have been proven by now to be bad for your health. Actually, I believe no vaccines should be mandatory for anyone, including immigrants. You get a medical to see if you're healthy and that should be enough. Vaccines are a personal choice. But good step in the right way for sure! Already becoming great again.

1 minute ago, OldUser said:

Thank you, already posted multiple times:

 

 

 

 

I promise I DID look, apparently I need glasses or more patience. Feel free to delete.

Good news! Covid-19 vaccine waived for I-485 filers.

https://www.visalawyerblog.com/breaking-news-u-s-citizenship-and-immigration-services-uscis-waives-the-covid-19-vaccination-requirement-for-adjustment-of-status-green-card-applicants/

On 1/17/2025 at 1:29 PM, Halopickle said:

We received all of the employment authorization and social security cards for myself and our two children at the end of December. Forward progress is good but no movement on i-130's or i-485's yet. 

I haven't received my social security card yet either. No movement at all here, unfortunately!