Edward and Jaycel

Yes, once it is "Approved" it goes through final checks before issuance. I get the frustration, Jaycel and I were apart for almost exactly one year (51 weeks to be exact) before she arrived here. I'll share what I said to someone else on here just the other day: "I promise you when you both are reunited, all of that stuff just fades into the background and serves as a faint reminder that you pushed through all the BS to get to where you are. That's what others told me when we were struggling with all the delays and once Jaycel got here it proved absolutely accurate!" 🙂

November 11th was a Federal Holiday so there would be no action taken on that day

Good deal and anytime! I promise you when you both are reunited, all of that stuff just fades into the background and serves as a faint reminder that you pushed through all the BS to get to where you are. That's what others told me when we were struggling with all the delays and once Jaycel got here it proved absolutely accurate! 🙂

Yes... that's a security check that they will do for any visa application

Also found this... How long does DS 5535 take to process? DS5535 processing can take between 2 weeks to 8+ months. It's a black hole due to the security checks that are sent to various US agencies to verify your profile. Until a positive response is received from each agency, the US embassy will not issue you the visa.

Hep-B is one of the vaccines that get a blanket waiver because there is not time to do both doses. USCIS is supposed to honor that blanket waiver. Personally, I would not pay the hundreds of dollars to go get another medical done unless they issue an RFE for it during your AOS application. They should have your whole medical file, including the vaccine info in your A-File and should not require another one.

It should have been given to you by the medical provider at the completion of your medical exam. Look at all the things they gave you at the medical provider and see if there is a DS-3025 "U.S. Department of State Vaccination Documentation Worksheet".

Well since they issued you basically all the questions from a DS-5535, everything I've seen about those is that they recommend that you do not inquire about your case until 180 days after you submit the response. "How long does DS 5535 take to process? In some cases, it may take several weeks or even months to complete. However, applicants are advised to refrain from inquiring about the status of administrative processing until at least 180 days have passed from the date of the interview or submission of supplemental documents, whichever is later."

They keep it and then forward it to USCIS to add to your A-File. You should have received a DS-3025 "Vaccination Documentation Worksheet" from the Panel Physician who performed your medical exam overseas. You would include a copy of this with your I-485 in order to remind the Adjudicator from USCIS that you had your medical done before visa issuance and to look for it in your A-File.

That sounds like all the questions on a DS-5535... is that what you guys had to fill out or did they just give you the list of questions?

I'm so sorry that you both have to endure this... Without revealing anything too personal, can you give the forum an idea of the additional evidence that was requested? That might help inform some opinions on what may be behind the delay and any avenues you may be able to pursue.

We included a ton of relationship evidence in our I-129F petition also, knowing that the embassy / Consular Officer could see the whole I-129F packet. Besides Philippines being an easier embassy to get K-1 approval, we think this is why Jaycel's interview only had 4 or 5 questions and was over in just a couple of minutes long with a verbal approval at the time and visa issued within 3 days

That's the name of the game.... Keep the goal in focus and everything else is just a detail on the way

Yes I was lucky at the time to have been offered a contract position where I could work remotely anywhere in the world. The hurdles I'm thinking of are specifically at the embassy interview and your fiance speaking about your relationship timeline to the Consular Officer conducting the interview. Especially in an embassy that is considered high-fraud, I would rather them to be able to honestly say that you filed for them after a second visit of getting to know each other and were sure that you wanted to spend your lives together, rather than saying that you filed after the first visit, having known each other only 4 months. I get it, because Jaycel and I knew for certain after my first visit there that we wanted to pursue this option but we decided to wait since we had a red-flag ourselves (Large age-gap). This helped overcome any doubts with USCIS when we filed and she had lots of proof of relationship evidence when the time came for her embassy interview for the visa. And you never know with USCIS... they have been reducing the processing times lately for K-1s, it could still take a year or more for their approval to come or it could take 3-4 months (I've seen both extremes recently). And you cannot delay a K-1 petition for very long if at all. You are on whatever timeline that is thrust upon you.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes

Personally, I would wait until after the 2nd trip. That's what Jaycel and I did. My second "trip" was me moving to the Philippines for a year, and granted not everyone can do something like that, but I would at least wait until you have spent more time to overcome any hurdles at the embassy. If possible I would even make a third trip to see him while the I-129F is in process to strengthen your relationship and your case even more.

If it hasn't been a year, just send a copy of your DS-3025 as part of your I-485 supporting documents. On that form you should have received a "Blanket Waiver" on the vaccinations that need more than one dose as "B - insufficient time interval to complete series". USCIS should waive the need for your Form I-693, however if you receive an RFE for the Form I-693, the path of least resistance is to just go get it done and not fight them on it.

I called the county clerk where my conviction took place and they gave me the instructions on how to request the official court record via mail and I had it within a week. Since my RFE said all court and police records, I also contacted the NY State Police for the arrest record and they provided me with an official letter stating that the age of the arrest meant that the record met the requirements for their record purging regulations and had been destroyed. I sent that in with the official court disposition for the RFE also and my case changed from "RFE Response Received" to "Approved" in like 3 days.

You should be truthful on the application. Lying on an immigration form is disastrous and could prevent you from petitioning your fiancee ever. I had a charge from 30 years prior to my I-129F filing and I disclosed it on the form but did not read the instructions carefully enough and got an RFE for the official court records of the disposition of my case. They will want those with the original filing so go to the court where you had your charged adjudicated and request official (with court seal) copies. If they have no record of the charges then get an official statement (with court seal) that there are no longer records of your charges and send that in instead.

Oh this is a great idea! Thank you!

Did that come from the embassy?

I didn't get the copy of my I-129F either

Yup! 3 clips for the whole thing

Frome everything I've read from people's experiences, it all seems dependent on the skills of the CBP Officer at primary inspection. If they are comfortable doing the whole process they will do it there like they did with Jaycel. Hers only took 5-7 minutes and she was released to go. If they don't know how or don't feel comfortable doing it they will send you to secondary where you have to wait for an officer that can process you.

Hahahahaha.... We are still using small binder clips to separate the three forms and their associated documents (I-485, I-864 & I-765) and to secure the checks and passport photos to it because I don't trust them opening it and not having stuff fall to the floor and get lost. LOL