hplusj

Progress!  Our case was received on October 28th and the I-797c is dated November 1 (saw the digital copy on USCIS.gov, will probably get the physical one in a few days). 

Same, my now-husband and I met on Second Life.  Our evidence connecting us through that was very minimal since for the better part of the first two years we knew each other, we called each other by our handles, not even our real names.

Online connections just don't translate well.  Focus on the real, you'll be fine.

(also F the haters, we had an in-world wedding as well.  I get the importance of it, even if USCIS and people who aren't part of these communities don't)

A lot of people have already said that, but you have several stages to advance through K1, you're not going to finish in the time period you're concerned about.

And yes, ditch the visa preparation service.  You do not have a complicated case.  If you did, an immigration lawyer is going to be far more useful.  Handing it over to a "service" is imo a terrible idea since it is additional costs in an already costly pursuit, and learning how to navigate this on your own leaves the people with all the interests in seeing it succeed --namely, you and your fiancee-- handling 100% of it.

On 10/28/2024 at 6:39 AM, Happy1233 said:

Hi I am also an October 2024 filer. Sent on 17th October. Waiting for NOA1 for AOS. I only applied for GC AND AP. 

Your timeline says you got your NOA the day later.  Is that accurate?  Did you have your biometrics yesterday?

On 10/22/2024 at 10:38 PM, ETM8986 said:

I don't actually see a thread created yet though, unless I'm looking at the wrong places.
 

For October?  I got you here: 

15 hours ago, appleblossom said:

You’re a LPR the moment you arrive, once your visa is endorsed that acts as a temporary green card for a year until your plastic one turns up. 

..which visa?

Welcome to all AOS filers for October 2024!  Following the example of other users, I'm taking on the task of starting the thread for us, in order to track our progress.

We all come from a variety of situations, so please reference the Immigration Guides for your AOS filing directions.  Feel free to share your procedure/progress in the comments below!

My husband arrived on a K1 visa on September 13 and we were married on October 10.  We filed today with the following packet composed (this is a copy of our Table of Contents):

---

SECTION A : I-485, APPLICATION FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE

• I-485 Payment (two money orders, total $1440USD)
  • Money order payable to “US Department of Homeland Security”, total $1000USD
  • Money order payable to “US Department of Homeland Security”, total $440USD

• Forms
  • Form G-1145, e-Notification of Petition/Application Acceptance
  • Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence

• Identification
  • Copy of applicant’s passport bio page
  • Copy of applicant’s K1 visa page
  • Copy of applicant’s birth certificate
  • Copy of applicant’s police clearance record -2 pages
  • Bag containing 2(two) passport size photos of applicant

• Confirmations
  • Copy of form I-797c
  • Copy of both received I-797s
  • Copy of valid I-94 travel record
  • Copy of applicant and spouse’s marriage certificate
  • Copy of form DS-3025, vaccination documentation worksheet - 2 pages

• Supplemental Evidence
  • Supplemental photo evidence - 5 pages, numbered
  • Supplemental document evidence - 1 page each
    • Community Choice credit union account
    • Iowa state instruction permit (Real ID)
    • Social Security conditional card

SECTION B : I-864, AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT FROM US CITIZEN

• Sponsor’s Affidavit
  • Form I-864, Affidavit of Support
  • Copy of sponsor’s US passport (maiden/birth name)
  • Copy of sponsor’s birth certificate
  • Copy of sponsor and spouse’s marriage certificate
  • Sponsor’s employment verification letter
  • Sponsor’s paystubs, from April 2024 to present
  • Sponsor’s 2023 IRS tax transcript

SECTION C : I-765, APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION

• I-765 Payment
  • Money order payable to “US Department of Homeland Security”, total $260USD

• Forms
  • Form G-1145, e-Notification of Petition/Application Acceptance
  • Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization

• Identification
  • Copy of applicant’s passport bio page
  • Copy of applicant’s K1 visa page
  • Copy of applicant’s birth certificate
  • Copy of applicant’s police clearance record - 2 pages
  • Bag containing 2(two) passport size photos of applicant

• Confirmations
  • Copy of forms I-797c
  • Copy of both received I-797s
  • Copy of valid I-94 travel record
  • Copy of applicant and spouse’s marriage certificate
  • Copy of form DS-3025, vaccination documentation worksheet - 2 pages

• Supplemental Evidence
  • Supplemental photo evidence - 5 pages, numbered
  • Supplemental document evidence - 1 page each
    • Community Choice credit union account
    • Iowa state instruction permit (Real ID)
    • Social Security conditional card

---

We're looking forward to following others' journeys!  Best of luck to everyone.

14 hours ago, Cranberry_anon said:

...when I announced the engagement a lot of people told me that a long distance relationship of 18 months is not a real relationship...

People are a-holes and every relationship is different.

I highly recommend getting used to hearing contrary opinions on your upcoming life together and reminding yourself of the above statement. <3

Hi there, congratulations on reaching the NVC stage!  I found this part of the process super nebulous and opaque, but you're in the right place.

You can use the NVC public inquiry form to request your case number.  If it's been a month now, you should get a reply in due time, and be able to track your CEAC status.  

As far as the timing for packet 3/DS-160, you can always check in regional forums (a little further down the discussion list on the main forum page) to look into the order of things for Vietnam.  Again, best to you two!

4 hours ago, St3phsm07 said:

Haven’t The price fees gone up for all forms. Uscis website states $520 

Your answer is in the screenshot you shared.

When filing at the same time as the AOS (I-485) or while it's still pending, it's $260.

On 9/11/2024 at 8:51 PM, Augustjourney2024 said:

Hey thank you for that! it really makes me feel at ease somehow, our third party is a visa agency who cater a lot of visas here in the Philippines
and they have been in the service for a decade. Yeah my fiancee is really on the point of wanting to drop their service and request for a refund 
but theres no way we could do that. We are just being optimistic about the mistake, because we're sure a typo error is not a big deal for them hopefully! 

Keep us posted on your progress!  I'm curious about how helpful this agency is personally, since they not only sent you the form to do yourself, but gave you an outdated one as well. I hope all goes well.  Please know you have a community here to assist if needed.

(P.S. I believe you can "halt" the packet in a sense, if the check hasn't been cashed yet with USCIS.  If you cancel the check with your bank it would simply be Rejected and you could start over on your own.)

6 hours ago, Pumpkinandchai said:

Hi all, 

Yes. Interview was booked. The caec says ready for interview. I saw all of the information.
I am consulting a lawyer now. 
To see what to do going forward. I really dont want to abandon all this and the relationship.

I Will update. 

You're welcome to try to work at the relationship of course but here's a thought:

Just start the process over.  Suggest that you should be getting married NOW, since the spousal visa is much easier and more expedient than in previous years.  There is a lot of useful advice on these forums to that regard.  Put the offer up.  See what he says.

Heck, you can even suggest he use what funds he has for this new business to invest in the future for the two of you in America.  He needs to be at least willing to coordinate with you and show he actually wants this.  Bottom line, HAVE SOME STANDARDS AND DEMAND HE SHOW INITIATIVE TO DO THIS STILL.

Remember, you are the US citizen giving him all the opportunities for love, commitment, and prosperity in our country.  If there's pushback to that, guess what?  It's YOU who has the power to say no and move on. 

The cold, hard truth is that you sound desperate for companionship from someone who is just not on the same page.  At all.  Have some self-respect to know when someone doesn't love you to the degree you need. You can't force these things and they're not going to work if you demand they do.  You are much better off abandoning ship than ending up in a toxic, resentful, potentially abusive pairing where you get the pleasure of footing 100% of the bill.  

11 hours ago, Cranberry_anon said:

As it stands I've laid things out in a Google doc seperate from Boundless where he leaves his documents and I'm in charge of uploading/captioning/communication with the agency.

I'm really glad you and your fiance are on the same page now but please, I'm begging you, do not file through Boundless.  Look through these posts, people have some sound advice.  They are taking you through unnecessary steps which will cost you unnecessarily in an already expensive process.  The I-129F is the easiest part, if you are meticulous and resourceful, which it sounds like you already are!  Please ditch the agency, work on your petition using USCIS guidelines as well as these forums.  If you receive a RFE or run across any snags, the people here will be able to recommend professional help if it's really warranted for your case.  It's good you're here.

3 hours ago, Axys said:

We are currently stumped at part 8, section 61 and all related sections, public charge ground of inadmissibility. As we understand it, every family-based immigrant needs to check yes under the box.

Is this true?  Can anyone provide more information on this?  

On 9/16/2024 at 12:31 PM, TomWlch said:

 

I am gathering as much information as I can about the K-1 Visa. The objective would be for my girlfriend and I to start to file it once we know the details of the process, as I would be the one moving to the US. Throughout my research on this website and others, I've been able to draw a timeline potentially, but I have several questions and I hope one of you might be able to bring the lights on my questions.

 

1) I saw that no evidence of financial support is required when filing the I-129F form. When will this be required? I read the I-134 form might be filed before the interview process at the Embassy/Consulate but I would like to know about your experience. Also, the I-864 form must be filed when Adjusting the status when I would arrive in the U.S ?

 

2) My girlfriend left her job 4 months ago and plans to find another job soon. So far, even if she left, she earned in 2024, above 125% of HHS Poverty Guidelines (we plan to be a household of 2). She also had a steady income for 3 straight years before leaving. We know having a joint sponsor is a possibility but I was wondering with her situation only, if that would be possible to immigrate financially wise? Also how many pay stub, tax returns are needed, and for how long they should be dating back for the I-134 form and I-864 form? 

 

Thank you very much in advance! 

Just for reference I changed jobs (and moved states) as petitioner between NOA1 and NOA2 (literally starting a new job right as the NOA2 was sent) so for the I-134 I was very thorough in providing relevant documents, including my tax transcripts for 2021/2022/2023 to show I have worked consistently full time in spite of the recent job change, and also gave my fiance a letter from my employer verifying my earnings as well as the pay stubs leading up to his interview date.  By the time he had interviewed, I was at the position for five months and so had a paper trail of about ten pay stubs.

For the AOS, I plan to update the employment letter to reflect a more current date, and again provide at least three months of pay stubs as evidence (in addition to my transcripts as required).

It's entirely possible to make life changes such as employment while the case is active.  I firmly attest in doing so BEFORE my fiance got here, that I was able to put us in a better position to be successful. 

I would caution you, though, against depending on her hitting the income threshold in 2024 already as if that's a qualifier.  If she isn't currently employed, it still does not meet the requirements for moving forward, when she has to support you (particularly since the only valid ways to prove income will be from a present employer/paystubs or from a tax transcript, which will not be available for 2024 until after she files taxes in 2025).  Gaining employment again will be essential evidence, if you don't want a co-sponsor on the books.

1 minute ago, Lemonslice said:

You can do either/or.  Different paths to a very similar result; you check it, you risk A/B/C, but also might benefit from not having to go in person.  You don't check it, then you have to go in person, and risk meeting a bad employee, or a great employee.  Personally, I would just go in person and then be sure the "REQUEST CARD" action has been started.  Then again, the office is half a mile from my place, so the costs (time/money) are minimal. 

The employees at our office absolutely knew what they were doing.

I, however, am another story.  

1 hour ago, OldUser said:

Here's example of a person who got 2 SSN due to checking box on DS-260 and applying in person:

 

 

What @M plus D described is possible. I could find some links, I'm sure I've seen reports of this before.

 

You can't deny people get robbed in the streets even if you or your close ones never personally were. Same here. It happens to small percentage of people. Only you can choose your risk tolerance level. You asked about the preferences, and @M plus D gave you their preference. Your preference may be to apply on I-485 form and it's OK too.

 

I understand your need to defend a very thought out answer but again, I just want to know what to check on the form.  Do we really need to weigh the nightmare scenarios over such a simple question?

We applied for the card at SSA today, got approved, there is no name change for my *spouse (male).  Can we just get a yes or no on the I-485 and close the thread please, I am utterly exhausted by the supplemental input.  I have enough on my hands right now.

5 hours ago, M plus D said:

Sadly, you aren't really updated by the SSA or USCIS about when you are getting the new Social Security Card that you requested through the form(s).

Additionally, sometimes USCIS doesn't request the new card for you at all, meaning you won't ever get a new card through the option on the form.

 

Because of the two reasons above, you could easily wait for a card that never arrives, thus having your time wasted.

Also, if you at one point do decide that the wait has been enough, you might decide to just request it yourself anyway at the SSA. However, if then suddenly the USCIS requested card does decide to show up eventually, it means you had three cards produced in a short time-frame:

1. Your original, restricted card
2. Your self-requested. unrestricted replacement card
3. Your USCIS-requested. unrestricted replacement card

And you are only allowed to have three Social Security cards assigned to you in a year (and 10 in your lifetime), so that is kind of a waste too.

 

Also, even worse, if you request one through USCIS, it can happen that you get a new, second Social Security number assigned. That's alledgedly also a nightmare scenario...

 

I'd recommend just keeping it in your own control and not requesting it on the forms. Then just go to a SSA once you have GC in hand.

These days, most people have GC in hand 2 weeks after approval. Then the new Social Security card is another 2 weeks. In the grand scheme of things, that's not a long time.

 

 

I don't think you understand my query, we did not miss the window for applying for his social security card (completed today, he arrived Friday).  Additionally, I caution you against sharing misinformation on here; as a K1 visa holder, we will not be receiving my fiance's green card in two weeks.  The circumstances you present, aren't relevant to our visa journey.

We simply wanted to know if it was preferable to request a SSN on the I-485, or not.

If you have first-hand experience with any of these hypothetical "nightmare scenarios", I welcome you to share them.  For now, I'll trust the advice of seasoned veterans on these forums, who've seen this process addressed repeatedly.  The yes box is getting checked.

Thanks guys.

8 hours ago, JimmyX said:

Hey everyone! How are we doing? My fiancée had her medical exam this week and it looks like we're about 4 weeks away from her interview now. I'm trying to be sure all the documents I sent her have been printed and fill in any gaps that we may have (I brought financial documents when I saw her in March, but that has been a few months now!).

 

I have seen some of you got approved. Anyone here got married yet? 🙂

Oh my gosh, congratulations!  MOVEMENT FOR YOU! I love to see it.

Jon is en route to Amsterdam currently and will be here tomorrow night.  The wedding will be on October 10th (I joke that we picked 10/10 so he never has an excuse to forget our anniversary due to differing ways of writing dates lol).

Keep us posted, it's so great to hear you guys are gaining traction!

I'm very confused by which direction this thread has taken.

I will assume that it is best procedure to request a new card on our paperwork.  Of course we do not have have the conditional card in hand yet, but the whole point of this discussion is to plan for contingencies.  I encourage people to entertain the hypothetical not just for our personal journey, but for anyone who comes across this portion of their AOS planning in a similar vein, and is curious what to put.

Thank you for your answers.

Perfect, thanks!

39 minutes ago, DinaBill said:

i searched and found nothing pertaining to our NOA1 date.

These are the common VJ threads for people tracking their journeys from NOA2 receipt.  They're in the K1 Case Filing and Progress Reports subforum and I believe JojoandTomas starts them each month for people.  There isn't one for you yet because you are still waiting to see which month you receive your NOA2 in.

I'm not certain why these threads were recommended to you just yet.  When I was in your stage, I just followed TMVN (Track My Visa Now) and waited it out.  The VJ forums are great for estimates after the NOA2, and if you want to see times from NOA1 to 2, you can always review timelines and processing time estimates from the data they receive from USCIS (see top tab for Processing Times).

I cannot stress this enough; patience is key. You do not know what the next steps are.  Could be a RFE in the works, it's impossible to say.   At the end of the day, you're not at the point to be able to file an inquiry.  Foster your relationship and work on collecting further evidence.  That's all that can be done right now.

Hey all, just a very quick question as I prepare our paperwork for AOS:

If my fiance is receiving a SSN/card prior to us filing and we provide that number on the forms, should we also be requesting a new card be issued?  My understanding is that the one he gets prior to our wedding will be conditional, I want to know if we have to request a new one for the EAD, or if that will be issued automatically upon approval, even if we say no on the form.  Thanks in advance!

2 hours ago, DinaBill said:

And that was a month ago

You asked if it should be a source of concern.

It should not.  The average is around 85 days, ultimately USCIS won't let you file a case status inquiry until 10 months currently anyway.

The point is, you really shouldn't concern yourself with things you have no control over.  You're very early into the process, exercising patience starting now is going to save you a lot of anxiety in the long run.  Trust me.