Jump to content

hplusj

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    591

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Posts posted by hplusj

    Are original documents returned after consulate interview?

    in Africa: Sub-Saharan

    Posted · Edited by hplusj

    Anyone who knows the nightmare which is the South African Department of Home Affairs, should see failing to return the birth certificate as a crime against humanity.

     

    Thankfully, my now-husband received his original back in the mail with his visa-updated passport.  Same with the police clearance.  This was August 2024.  Can't speak to what they are currently or will do on future cases though, Godspeed to those still in the grinders with everything going on re: the US embassies in SA.

    Advance Parole, is it worth it?

    in Adjustment of Status (Green Card) from K1 and K3 Family Based Visas

    Posted · Edited by hplusj

    We were thinking of our overseas parents as well when applying for the AOS.  Ultimately, we took the risk and went without AP.  Everyone above is correct, this is a very personal decision.

     

    If you think you have to return in a measure of months, I personally would do AP.

    If the measure is in years, go without.  If you want a second opinion, there you go.

    South African Ambassador Expelled from DC; Possible closing of US Embassy in SA?

    in Current Events and Hot Social Topics

    Posted

    His dad's in his eighties now, remarried and with many stepchildren and step grandchildren.  He's not going anywhere.  Same is true of Jon's sister and her husband.  They live in relative comfort for Saffers, not really gauging how precarious it seems from the outside, to have to live behind high walls and ignore the daily blackouts.  

     

    His mom (originally Rhodesian) will be our focus after Jon gains citizenship.  She's remarried and in Australia currently, but the circle of support is a bit limited.  She's fine for now.  Hopefully we will be in the right financial position to bring her our way when the time comes.

    South African Ambassador Expelled from DC; Possible closing of US Embassy in SA?

    in Current Events and Hot Social Topics

    Posted

    3 minutes ago, TBoneTX said:

    If South Africa gets its act together, maybe this won't be necessary for long.

     

    I have no specific knowledge, but my guess is that Nairobi would be the only consulate on the east-ish coast of Africa that might have the wherewithal to handle transfers.

     

    A bigger concern for me would be how and where "U.S. Citizen Services" would be handled.

    The very idea of South Africa getting its act together, is pretty damn laughable.  The country is truly run by morons.

     

    I think you're right though, Nairobi might be the selection, and that is a haul for people.  I think it's like a 5 hour flight from Jo-berg, obviously longer from the Western Cape.

     

    If the embassy poofs, I already told Jon I will not be paying SA a visit until it's reinstated, which may not be in our lifetime.  His dad isn't getting any younger, either.  Really heartbreaking to think that it may be in our best interests to leave it all behind, not even to visit again.

    • Popular Post
    • Popular Post

    How to get married... quickly!

    in Moving to the US and Your New Life In America

    Posted · Edited by hplusj

    Vegas, baby.

     

    AP1GczNwOWeJCoLfyPbhVw_pf9E0EWz6H_WEzfaQkce6w_DOXMYtl57fXkFwiKzTYuM7TevE7mlS9exmV6lSmEopp4LJj5r1M6_uX6_FS2DHTdcBoJkq45ZN2TPcnrP99YhS8k19hekCFcqaUM47AgPLDDfE=w689-h919-s-no-gm?authuser=1

     

    We started venue hunting/hashing out logistics right at the time of our NOA2, and we added a much needed buffer to when Jon would actually arrive.  I did an ensemble which was part Etsy, part Amazon.  Jon did a rental in Vegas.  I gotta say, that town knows how to do a wedding, and it can be as classy or as trashy as you want.  People see our album and can hardly believe it; no neon signs or Elvis officiants for us!

     

    Even if you don't do Vegas, working with a microwedding/elopement company is going to nail down a venue last minute with all the little details included.  With hindsight 20/20, we are very glad to have not gone through the awful expenses of throwing a bigger bash, with Jon's side in various parts of the globe who would not be able to attend, and on my side showing very little interest in breaking convention, which sadly is what our wedding required.  We spent almost $600 to livestream our ceremony in an attempt to include people from afar.  It's embarrassing how many people misunderstood and/or ghosted us, on what was supposed to be the most important day of our life together.

     

    Focus on having the people there who give a damn, just putting that out there.  Getting married is a great time to learn who is your community out of obligation or entitlement and who is in your life to support you, with genuine respect and interest.  Sorry if that sounds bitter.  We were blessed to have our moms there as well as my maid of honor, with readings done via webcam from Jon's dad and his best man.  We made it work.  Instead of pressing all those people who failed us to show up for another party, where they get to wine and dine on us, we're pressing forward to maybe a vow renewal in ten years, surrounded by the community of good souls we hope to foster over the next decade.

    South African Ambassador Expelled from DC; Possible closing of US Embassy in SA?

    in Current Events and Hot Social Topics

    Posted

    Bad news indeed, not just for Saffers looking to immigrate but for all the other countries in the region who use the US embassies in South Africa as well: Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Mauritius, and Seychelles all would have to transfer their cases elsewhere.   Perhaps Nairobi?  Dar es Salaam?  Just avoid Lagos at all costs, yikes.  Anyway, it's just speculation right now but as US-SA relations continue to disintegrate, it might just happen.

     

     

    Our first update!

    in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

    Posted

    So many congratulations for you!  The NVC stage is pretty arduous because you really can't see much of what's going on.

    On 3/4/2025 at 6:17 AM, Nywoek said:

    Really crossing my fingers I can schedule something, it wont be until late may/early june no matter what because I need a new passport, but just knowing would be amazing. I wish there was a way I could check if Stockholm has a backlog.

    Just FYI there isn't really a way to see the backlog per se but you can see the workload for each embassy through the Department of State, using the monthly visa issuance statistics here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-statistics/nonimmigrant-visa-statistics/monthly-nonimmigrant-visa-issuances.html

     

    Stockholm apparently doesn't process many K1s, which either means they go rather slowly or they just don't have many.  December '24 saw 6 K1s processed in Stockholm, and only one in January.  But there's a little bit of data for you!

    Proof of bona fide relationship K1 visa AOS

    in Adjustment of Status (Green Card) from K1 and K3 Family Based Visas

    Posted

    On 3/2/2025 at 6:57 PM, Catperson_rx said:

    Will certified copy of marriage license from county clerk suffice? Thanks for your guidance.

    Just to clarify:

    Marriage license is the preliminary document you receive when you intend to get married.

    Marriage certificate is what you receive back from the county, signed by your officiant and witnesses, that declares you were married.

    You want a marriage certificate in your AOS application packet.  Licenses are surrendered to the officiant when you're married.

    Hope that helps.

    Overthinking and anxiety.

    in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures

    Posted

    The only certified mail we got from USCIS was originals of my birth certificate, returned because all they needed was the copy. Scared the pants off me too.  Getting it returned to us, I found out, was just a courtesy that rarely happens.

     

    My only advice to you, OP, is to exercise patience.  This is a long journey you've embarked on, with many periods that are far more opaque than this one.  Stay with us, keep atop of tracking by checking timelines and updating your own.  And don't allow mysteries to eat you alive.  If a piece of certified mail arrives, someone needs to open it and remove all speculation.  Speculation leads to worry, which festers anxiety.  Don't do that to yourself.

     

    Sending love and peace of mind!

    October 2024 AOS filers - I-485/I-765/I-131

    in Adjustment of Status Case Filing and Progress Reports

    Posted

    Since November has their stats covered, I'll go ahead and drop them in here for us October filers!

     

    Today's stats:  March 12, 2025 2:25pm CST

     

    October 2024 Filed I-485 Stats 

     

    • Approved: 1932

    • Denied: 180

    • FingerprintScheduled: 239

    • InterviewCancelled: 108

    • InterviewScheduled: 902

    • Processing: 36,631

    • Received: 566

    • Rejected: 95

    • RFE: 543

    • Terminated: 115

    • Withdrawal: 15

    • Others:  23

    What’s next after NOA2?

    in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures

    Posted

    9 hours ago, wangaturtle said:

    First of all, no need to be rude or give attitude when you’re answering my question. Thank you for the advice in the second paragraph, however. 

    I'm sorry if you interpreted that as rude.  I wanted to see the thread where that was stated so we could get context.

    Ask anyone here, I'm the first to call out rude replies towards myself. 

    What’s next after NOA2?

    in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures

    Posted · Edited by hplusj

    2 hours ago, wangaturtle said:

    Yeah I’ve seen that suggest by people before but I’ve also seen people say that the case number never updates to “Sent to Department of State”. 

    "I've seen people"--where?  Here?  Link to thread.  The status change is universally applied through USCIS, and is the prompt to start checking status via NVC.

    You can attempt to send an NVC inquiry at this time to request your case number.  Usually people send the first inquiry around 4 weeks but you're welcome to try.

    Otherwise, make sure your fiancé has their documents in order: birth certificate, police clearance, etc.  Start saving for travel/wedding plans, as well as the impending medical.  

    Advice needed on this scenario

    in Adjustment of Status (Green Card) from K1 and K3 Family Based Visas

    Posted · Edited by hplusj

    We were able to get coverage through healthcare.gov for my husband after we were married, even before the EAD.  A spouse who comes here on K1, as soon as the wedding happens, is eligible.  

     

    You're taking the hardest route possible if you're trying to expedite AP.  Get her on the ACA.  Jon needed to stay on his blood pressure meds as he only brought 3 months' worth.  Kind of shame you waited this long, might have to work with the ACA agents to see if you meet special enrollment based on marriage.  There's a time limit on that.

    November 2024 AOS Filers

    in Adjustment of Status Case Filing and Progress Reports

    Posted

    On 3/10/2025 at 11:43 AM, Edward and Jaycel said:

    As I'm digging deeper @hplusj I see 09-283 block I-485s with received dates spanning back to late September 2024 as well

    That's so weird.  I thought the blocks were just a portion of one month, with the possibility based on the calendar to overlap months.

    How would 283 span September to November?  Are there no blocks specifically in October?

    November 2024 AOS Filers

    in Adjustment of Status Case Filing and Progress Reports

    Posted · Edited by hplusj

    13 hours ago, Edward and Jaycel said:

    Today's stats:  March 9, 2024 19:40 MDT

     

    November 2024 Filed I-485 Stats 

     

    • Approved: 245

    • Denied: 104

    • FingerprintScheduled: 269

    • InterviewCancelled: 21

    • InterviewScheduled: 123

    • Processing: 38,741

    • Received: 811

    • Rejected: 107

    • RFE: 1,646

    • Terminated: 103

    • Withdrawal: 1

    • Others:  92

    There must be some kind of month overlap with my block (09-283).  Either that, or where I pull stats is inaccurate.

     

    For instance my block has 9,766 cases in total, with a little over 8800 in Processing.  But we have 266 approvals.... more than the month in total based on your numbers.

     

    Color me befuddled.

    January 2025 AOS Filers

    in Adjustment of Status Case Filing and Progress Reports

    Posted

    17 hours ago, SL2024 said:

     

    I would just wait and see what happens with the AOS package

    Agreed.  That subreddit is sadly a great place to fearmonger.  This is not the first update to the I-485 and it won't be the last.  An auto-denial based on forms is not the end of the world.  They don't cash your checks, everything gets sent back and you resubmit.  Adds maybe a few weeks to something that can take months to years.

×
×
  • Create New...