ECWilloughbys

We also received two RFEs, at the same time, in the same envelope. One asking for proof of co-sponsor's citizenship, and the other about our I-693. I assume we have to respond to them both at the same time, in the same return envelope, even if one could be sent sooner and the other requires a little waiting?

To you and anyone reading this - please don't make yourself so sick as to be throwing up. This process is stressful, but everything will be fine. You have already been approved for a K-1 visa so the AOS is administrative. Even if it weren't, as long as you have a real relationship you will be approved. I don't know how strongly I can stress this - but both of you will be fine and there is no need to be working yourselves into a tizzy. Please find to find a healthy way to cope, because this process is not worth all that stress. It will be fine. You are together and newly married. What could be sweeter?

A while for USCIS is six months or more. That's a very well known fact.
File a police report, get a new passport and get a lawyer

She doesn't have a GC.
Contact an immigration lawyer. This is out of a DIY process.

You moved to another state and didn't notify USCIS?

Hello everyone! I hope all is well this evening.
So my wife and I had the AOS appointment in San Francisco.
We got there at 2:50 for a 3:15 appointment.
An Asian lady came out and called my wife's name and I knew based on her attitude it might be trouble.
She didn't even look at us but told us to follow her.
We reached her office and sat down.
She started reviewing the paperwork that I send initially. Head down thus not making eye contact.
I made a comment that she looked like she had a tough day and she said that she did.
She started asking my wife about the information on the I-485. She asked her for mom and dad's names and where she was born.
She went through each of the questions on pages 3,4,5. She looked at my employment letter and asked me if I worked for xyz company and I replied yes.
She started looking at the I-864 very closely and the 2 months worth of pay stubs I provided.
Essentially she was looking for the completeness of paperwork. Then she took I-94 and stapled it to file.
Then she asked when and how we met, and when we got engaged. I replied and spaced on on month but then gave her the correct information.
After this, she asked us what evidence we had of financial co-mingling. I provided the following:
1. 2011 Tax transcripts since we filed together (yes they are available now, just received it this morning but had 1040s and W2 ready incase the transcripts didn't come in time). She said very good implying very important.
2. Health and life insurance from my company indicating my wife as dependent and beneficiary incase I die.
3. Checking account documents under both of our names
4 PG &E utility bill under both of our names
5. Renters insurance under both of our names
6. Apartment lease under both of our names
She stapled all documents to file.
Then she asked for any pictures and I pulled out album with 80 pictures but then she said, where are the wedding pictures.
We had a civil ceremony but hired a photographer to take pictures since my wife wore a white wedding dress and had her hair/make up done. She looked through album and asked if she could take some.
I replied and said "take what ever you need." This is important: I purposely had pictures with my fiance and my family and she took 7 pictures of the type.
Then she looked at her computer and made an entry then printed a letter checked with: further review of application. Needless to say, my wife and I were bummed. I asked her if she had everything she needed and she said yes.
I then asked her when a decision would be made and she said today. She added that she needed to review application a little more. Then she explained that the green card would be good for 2 years then we needed to apply to lift conditions.
This was odd but I saw it as a positive because if the application was denied, why would she mention this.
Then my wife and I left bummed.
When I got home I checked the status for the I485 and then was ecstatic to read that card was in production. My wife and I were really happy and hugged each other.
Summary -
The lady was neither mean or rude but not friendly
Another member posted something to the extent that some IOs don't have the seniority or authority to approve on the spot.
I believe this was the case for us. She probably had to consult with a superior.
Please read the VJ AOS checklist. You just don't want to give USCIS and excuse to prolong the approval of application.
I hope my post helps other members.

No it means you have to refile, pay the fees again, get all your papers again and send them off, then wait again!

I've made my position known. You are entitled to your opinion.

1. It won't be denied.
2. To make you feel better, if it is denied, it would be denied without prejudice for failure to show up to appointment. You could refile. You'd lose money, but you wouldn't be deported or something.
3. It won't be denied.
Your wife could go over there and talk to the person doing the appointment if you want. Maybe talking in person would make you feel better and give your IO information. EIther way, you put in a notice for reschedule. It will be fine. Best of luck and feel better!

Again, as I said before in another thread... There is a period of time before it is denied, to give the applicants a chance to communicate (months). The OP called to reschedule on the day of his appointment. That event will be noted in his file. Before a decision to deny is made, the person making that decision will look at the file and see that the applicant made an effort to communicate. It won't be denied. There is a system in place for rescheduling appointments, and this system is fair and works.

Nigeria is correct, there is no loophole or get out clause. If you sign the affidavit, it stays in effect until one of the conditions is met (if she abandons her greencard to go back home, for example, or the things mentioned above). However, the I-864 does not obligate you to pay her 125% of the poverty level (a few divorce lawyers have tried to interpret it as such, with mixed and mostly negative results) or pay for her lifestyle- that would be up to the divorce settlement, which will go by the laws of your state, but usually the spouse gets little to nothing if the marriage was short. The I-864 only applies if she gets government benefits, which a lot of them she would not be entitled to in the first 5 years she is here anyway.
PS: if you reply or start other topics, please use paragraphs and do not write all in caps, it is difficult to read and considered "shouting", ie rude.

You are on the hook until she works 40 quarters you or she dies or she becomes a USC if you don't like that then you are not up to getting married.

Freezing credit has nothing to do with current loans. It just prevents someone from taking your information and applying for new loans in your name. If you check out Clark Howard's website and search credit freeze you can find out more. In many states it doesn't cost anything and more effective than paying every month for credit fraud insurance.

If you find the DS-3025, you can totally use that instead of an I-693. Actually your original DS-3025 is in with your other medical records. You could put in a cover letter or separate page so they notice it:


I was admitted as a K1 fiance and had a medical exam exam overseas less than one year ago and do not require another exam by a civil surgeon. My examination was on _________ at the Knightsbridge Doctors in London, England. My A-file should contain my medical results, as well as a properly completed DS-3025 showing that I complied with the vaccination requirements.
(That is assuming you got MMR, Tdap, and had chickenpox so your sheet was marked VH to excuse you from the varicella shot.)
From p.4 of the I-693 instructions.


Even if a new medical examination is not required, you still must show proof that you complied with the vaccination requirements. If the vaccination record (DS-3025) was not properly completed and included as part of the original overseas medical examination report , you will have to have the vaccination report completed by a designated civil surgeon. In this case, you are required to submit Part 1, Information About You, Part 2, the vaccination chart and Part 5, the Civil Surgeon's Certification, of Form I-693.

Really cruel and heartless. I wonder how you would have felt if Tony did this to you. Of course, you'll go off on a little tangent about how you expected eery scenario, or you knew Tony better, blah blah blah...but at the end of the day, these are pretty harsh measures. OP had made a blurb of a post, you don't know the details, you don't know why she's 'refusing'....and a mom with 2 kids in a foreign land, also now with obvious relationship issues...and you advise him to call the cops.
Is it legally acceptable? Sure thing. Is it morally right? Well, if you think so, then I dunno what to tell ya.

Don't feel pressured into situations like this. Do whatever you feel you need to do.

I'll add my experience here to some of the comments in random order.
AP can mean administrative processing---like they are still shuffling papers or the visa printer ran out of toner or we got behind because two people went to Vegas and left us short handed. The DOS people came up with calling it AP meaning normal paperwork going on between the interview and printing the visa.
AP that we fear is usually called additional processing-- it means they are doing extra steps before they can approve. Additional steps not everybody has to go through.
221.g -- issued if there is a definite reason apparent at the interview that the visa can not be approved with the evidence presented. Maybe it's a document you didn't know to bring. Maybe your passport got washed and they told you it wasn't acceptable all faded out like that. In some countries (not UK) maybe they don't believe your relationship and give you a 221g saying why they won't approve a visa.
In London, if all paperwork is in.. medical is good... financials pass... the guy says "you're approved" because there's nothing missing in your paperwork or interview that could be reason he couldn't approve his part of the process. Then there are databases for US security that the fiance must clear. I know at Nick's interview the embassy computer's were down. The guy told us approved but they couldn't run "one last security check" until the computers got back up and he had no idea when that would be.
There's at least one database to clear and maybe two more optional ones an embassy can choose to use. (If I wasn't on the notebook computer I could find two links to give you) If you weren't born in the UK they could do more, if your middle name is Mohammed or your father is named Osama bin Laden, if your training (listed on the DS-157) includes special skills like munitions or chemistry of bomb making, if you frequently travel to certain countries... I'm making up these examples to speculate on things that could trigger additional processing. So if your name is exactly the same as anybody that US security has on a watch list (or even your parent's name), then they have to do "additional" processing to make sure you aren't the bad guy or the person associated with the bad guy. Sometimes they have to go so far as have a security file physically pulled by an official at another location. They have to send a request to another office for an officer to pull a paper file and rule out that you are not the person implicated. You can imagine the potential for hold-ups there.
Reason why in AP? How long will it take?
They are very secretive about national security so they aren't going to explain "we are secretly following a guy named John Doe who has been reported to... and your fiances Dad has that same name." Nobody ever gets told a reason they are in additional processing. They don't know how long it will take as I explained before about tracking it down things. Maybe a database clears you and maybe a paper file has to be reviewed in Timbuktu. It's all vague and tied up in homeland security secrecy. So you just wait it out. Congressmen can not help get reasons, or get you out of it.
On VJ, I've know a number of India and Pakistan born people in AP for 4-8 weeks a couple of years ago. A Brazillian and Nigerian were approved and issued visas immediately this year, so it's not so much about not being born in the UK anymore. Then there was treehugger in 2010 who didn't tick any of the normal reasons we speculate about and was in additional processing for 9 months before dropping off VJ. Don't know how that one turned out.
Congratulations Dizzy! It was just too soon to worry and the use of AP by DOS threw you off.

I wish they would come up with a new name for it!! something like "really exciting processing!" or something lol

The circumstances from a few years ago do not apply presently, correct? His status as defined by USCIS has changed from his prior entrance. He holds a driver's license that he would not qualify to obtain if this were his first US entry (using the K1).
He does possess documents that would appear to satisfy the requirements of an I-9. But, if an employer entered his info into the E-verify database he would likely show as not authorized for employment.
It boils down to your tolerance for risk. The attorney is not bearing the risk.

I don't think Knightsbridge will even know you lived in Australia so go for it with the UK police certificate is what I would do. At first I thought it was an embassy ploy to force you to have your police certificate in time. So many people used to show up for interviews without them.
Now I've changed my mind and getting off topic here as well. There's new(ish) guide 2010 Technical Instructions for Physical or Mental Disorders with Associated Harmful Behaviors and Substance-related Disorders for Panel Physicians (You may have figured out by now I read everything medical.)
So without you having to read the whole 37 pages, it deals with susbtance abuse and alcohol as harmful behaviors and not just mental disorders. It has shifted the responsibility to the panel physician to assess these things. Some excerpts from the guide.


Medical History
The panel physician should review the applicants Medical History and Physical Examination Worksheet (DS-3026) and available medical records. To fully investigate the applicants past medical history, the panel physician, when possible, should -
Obtain other relevant records, such as police, military, school, and employment, that might provide a history of harmful behavior associated with physical or mental disorders
Looking at the police record can give him clues as to whether an applicant needs more questioning, a drug screening, addiction related psychiatric evaluation. They know everybody has to have a police report, so it's a quick way for them to get some insight about an applicant...alcohol, narcotics, pub brawls......
Some more here--


Applicants with a history of alcohol-related arrests or convictions (e.g., driving under the influence [DUI]) who currently continues to drink alcohol and who meets DSM criteria for alcohol abuse are not cleared for travel to the United States (Class A).
Applicants with single alcohol related arrest or conviction within the last five years, or two or more arrests or convictions within the last ten years should be evaluated for alcohol abuse (mental health classification pending).
Applicants with history of alcohol related arrests or convictions that currently meets DSM criteria for full, sustained remission, may be cleared for travel and assigned a Class B Mental Health classification.
Just a conclusion I came to. Not spelled out anywhere.
I think Ellesse would be okay presenting a UK certificate if the other doesn't come and keeping her mouth shut about Australia unless asked.

Actually there's a whole lot of us on VJ who didn't get our vaccines transcribed to an I-693 NOR was our medical marked complete. I'm talking about 2008 all the way to last week. "Incomplete" AND "may be eligible for a blanket waiver" is acceptable if the required shots were recorded on the DS-3025. If not, then any shots needed after that will have to go on an I-693.

I just want to say thanks to Visajourney and to it's members who helped these last few months on the AOS process. Today I got approved for my 10 Green Card and me and my wife are relieved and glad this chapter is over.
It was a very strange interview. We were expecting to show a lot of evidence and questions answered. In fact, it seemed more like an interview for a 2 GC.
I would like to personally thank JimVA, Vanessa&Tony, Harpa Timsah and everyone else for their helpful information we have been give.
Tonight I am going to get drunk as a skunk

I'm so sorry for what you're going through.. What triggered his behavior? Have you considered marriage counseling? Is he physically hurting you as well? Maybe if you can figure out the root of the behavior then you can be able to work on it.. The main priority here is for you to protect yourself first and foremost. Hope that you can work things out! If all else fails, stay with your friends or find a women's shelter in your area

Congrats. I'm glad you managed to get things to work out in your favor.
Just a comment about the fees you paid that might put things in perspective. Every time anyone makes a request from the US government for any type of service they should have a reasonable expectation of professional service. The only difference between a request made to USCIS or one made to the Social Security Administration or the IRS or any other government agency is that requests to the USCIS are paid for by the requestor, while most other government agencies are paid by the taxpayers in general. We all share the costs of services by most government agencies through our taxes, but Congress felt it was unfair for taxpayers to carry the load for individuals to help their family members immigrate.
In other words, your right to timely and professional service is no greater and no less simply because you paid for it out of pocket. All government agencies have an equal responsibility to strive to give the best quality service possible because their customers are paying for that service.

hahaha... Give yourself 30 more years and you probably will be cool. Then you can pull off the "I'm twice your age sonny boy, so don't mess with me" routine OR just act senile and get your way.
I-94: Last time we returned from the Heathrow, the Continental counter had stacks at check-in, so have a look at your airline counter. Also, there was a guy asking everybody before you get to the counter, "do you have your ESTA?" Your answer, is "No, I'm traveling on a visa." There you go, I pre-empted another freak out for you.