Mithmeoi

Hi all,

Long time no post.  I wasn't sure which forum to post this in, apologies if this is incorrect.

The situation is my mother-in-law sent in her ESTA, it took forever to process and came back denied.  She's visited us multiple times on the VWP to 3 different states, with no problem until 2020. She came to visit that March, a week later they locked down and she could not leave before the 3 months ran out.  I helped her file two extensions with the local immigration office. The extensions were approved both times and she could finally book a flight home in July.  She was here a total of 5 months. Nobody gave her any grief about the overstay since she had papers to cover that.

My questions are:

Is she on a ban list now despite going through everything with immigration for that overstay? 

Would she even be approved for a visitor visa if she applied to visit next year?

I'm assuming this will affect possible immigration applications in the future?

Thanks for any help!

2 hours ago, KM Cam said:

1) For people who have gotten further along or finished it, what is the one thing you wish you had known before you started?

 

1. Keep all your receipts, tickets, photos, joint accounts, bills etc!  And keep them organized.  Helps make things go more smoothly and you'll have less of a chance of an RFE.  You don't have to submit EVERYTHING, I mean keep it within reason, but if they ask for something in the future that you haven't submitted already, you won't have to panic.

We went the Spousal visa route but for either visa, it'll make your life easier.  Especially when you get to removal of conditions on the green card and need proof that you are still living together.  

Congrats and I wish you the best with everything!

I'd go for it!  We had a co-sponsor too.  It might save you from having unneeded delays in case they feel you won't meet the minimum requirements.

I'm not sure of any issues, I've heard of people using assets before on the application too, but if he isn't making 125% of HHS Poverty Guidelines you will need a co-sponsor.  If it's just the two of you, the requirement is $20,575.

All that can be found here: https://www.uscis.gov/i-864p

I'm unsure how long the taxes for your father might take, I'd look into it asap though if you do need him as co-sponsor.

Good luck!

It's awful what she's done, but unfortunately there's nothing you can do about it via immigration without solid proof.  As others have said look up a divorce attorney and cut ties asap.

I'm sorry to hear you've had to go through this.

I stayed with my husband while we processed the cr1.  We decided to have quick wedding in the states when he visited for a couple months and I was able to fly back with him to Belgium and apply for residency while there. I didn't need a visa,  at the time, but each country is different.   So definitely look into the requirements. 

I did not have a house or anything lined up when we applied,  but we were approved by having a co sponsor and using my parents' address. I also maintained bank accounts over here while I lived abroad. 

I've never needed a visa for just visiting.  

The US allows dual citizenship, so you'd have to check what the rules are for Mexico if she can retain her citizenship there, but I'm pretty sure it's allowed.

Naturalization can move quickly or slowly just depending on the field office you are near.  For my husband it took a little over three months, for others it's taken over a year.

Also updating this thread to say he's got his US passport now, it took less than two weeks to come in!  Less time than it took for me to renew mine. lol  The book came in the mail first then his naturalization certif showed up two days later.

On 6/30/2018 at 11:43 AM, thatangela said:

Thank you so much for this! I just filed for my N-400 and I'm hoping it goes as quickly as yours did.

 

2 hours ago, NewOrleansJerry said:

Congratulations!  We're right behind you.  This site has been wonderfully helpful

Good luck to you both!    Hopefully things will move quickly!

My hubby applied under the 5 year rule, and there's far less scrutiny on the relationship.  They asked us for scans of proof my husband signed up for selective service, our wedding certificate, and his current greencard.  We also submitted his state ID.  None of it was asked for when he went in for the interview even though he did bring it.

I've heard some take some tax transcripts but it's not required.  You can always add them to be on the safe side if you are concerned about that.  

My hubby and I got married here while he was visiting on the vwp, then I chose to go back to Belgium with him while we filed CR1.  It never was an issue for him when he entered the country or at his visa interview.   Lots of people do it.   As someone already said too,  just make sure your fiancee has proof they will return to Canada. 

My hubby and I met on a forum for an animated film about, of all things, Balto, back when we were both teens/early 20s.   Whenever I tell people that they get a good chuckle, including the immigration officer.  A mutual friend introduced us through private messages, because my husband liked my art and wanted to talk to me but thought it'd be rude to just message me out of nowhere.    I never in my wildest dreams thought it'd develop into something more, and neither did he!

You've already gotten some great advice from others.  Keep your chat logs, take lots of photos, visit multiple times, and be honest!   Best of luck to you and your fiance! 

You can also file online.  Check out this link https://www.uscis.gov/n-400

The site will tell you everything you will need to submit and if you must mail something all the addresses are there.

7 hours ago, rolling_ftw said:

Thanks SashaSC. I got my 10 year green card while married, as I explained above. But we got divorced a few months after my 10 year card was approved. I am just worried that the fact that my ex lied about the date we got separated may affect my N400.

She lied,  you didn't.  I don't  think you have to worry about it as long as you have evidence to back it up and can explain during the interview if they ask about it.  Since you are filing it at 5 years it shouldn't impact your application much.  

My husband is finally a US citizen! I wanted to say thank you to all those on VJ that have helped along the way.  We were 100% clueless when we first got married and this site was a lifesaver.  

We filed the N-400 online at the beginning of March and he was approved at the end of May!  I'm still kind of amazed at how quickly it went.  His interview only lasted about fifteen minutes, he breezed through the test part, and they didn't ask him very many personal questions other than who he was married to and where we had gotten married.  He was a little nervous when he first was called back but the officer interviewing him was very laid back and he was put at ease after a minute or so.  He had brought evidence of marriage, selective service, and his old passport with original visa, but was not asked for any of it.  We filed under the 5 year rule.

He was told after being approved that the oath ceremony could take one to two months to schedule but they emailed an update two days later saying the ceremony had been scheduled a little over a week later!

The ceremony took place yesterday and took about 40 minutes.  It was in Spokane, WA.  There were roughly 20 people there. Everyone was very friendly, even with us being confused and going to the wrong floor first.  haha 

They had everyone start to come in to the courtroom around 10:30am and the ceremony started at 11am.  After the judge entered and everyone was seated the judge stated the duties and responsibilities that everyone who is a citizen is expected to do.  Then an officer called out each person's country.  Whenever a country was called they'd have anyone from there stand and remain standing until everyone's country had been acknowledged and they had all said the oath and the pledge of allegiance.  Everyone was allowed to sit after that and they proceeded to call each person up individually to get their certificates.  At this particular one they were also handing out flag pins from a group of ladies who are direct descendants of those who were here at the founding of the US too. 

Once the certificates were all passed out the judge said a few words and congratulated everyone.  Then we were dismissed.  She stuck around though so those who wanted photos with her and family could get them.  They also had someone taking high quality photos during the ceremony for those who didn't have anyone there to take any.  Then before leaving the building they had a table set up so you could register to vote.  Overall it was a really good experience.

It's been 8 years to the month since we started this journey.  It was long and sometimes very stressful, but we've made it!  Thank you again to those who run this site and have such lovely guides to follow, and to all the fellow forum folks who have answered my questions over the years!  

No to both!  I didn't even know they do that?  Maybe it depends on the state you're in, but they didn't do that here in Eastern WA. 

Will you be retaining the current residence you are at now while living abroad?  Is her name on it?  If so, then you can probably still file and be alright, and it will show she doesn't intend to move permanently. 

If not, I'd withdraw the app and file for the re-entry permit.

2 hours ago, Lizzy Gift Pam said:

Hello.

Eligible to apply for NAT at 3yr rule but I missed it coz i had a family emergency backhome.

Will be 5 yrs here in 12/03/2018,. I guess i can start the N400 filing by 9/03/2018

Still married with the same US citizen husband.

My questions:

1.What are the requirements for N400 application 5 yr rule?

2. Do i have to I have to include my husband tax return( we are filing separately) 

marriage proof is irrelevant when applying in 5 yr rule right?

 

Thanks in advance

Lizzy

 

If you wait to file at the 5 year point they don't require them, they will most likely ask for your marriage certificate but that's all. 

I would wait and just file for a visa to go to her.  If she isn't going to be living here long term there's no point in filing for the visa as it will most likely take 9 months to a year to process and if she stays outside the states too long she will lose her status.  It'd be a waste of money imo.

On 3/5/2017 at 8:15 AM, Darshada said:

The thing is like we want to live in Seattle but we don't have any relative there or in the west coast.
So, for instance, if we write my family's address in New-York, we will have to go there at and live around there at our arrival. But then how much time will last the procedure to get married, receive the papers, fill them, and everything else? 3 months? 6 months? Do we have to stay there during all the procedure not being able to travel around?

You can use a family's address and if you move during the process file an address change within a week of establishing your new home and everything should be forwarded to you.   You can update your address here: https://egov.uscis.gov/coa/displayCOAInitForm.do;jsessionid=6B4EC17ABAE3B11C85A367DC68F5CDC7

The form will ask if it is for a current pending case file.  They don't expect people to be living in the same place throughout the entire process.

Congrats! I wish you the best on the rest of your journey!

Congrats! Wishing you the best with the rest of your journey!

You will need to find a co-sponsor. Ask a family member or friend if they'd be willing to do this for you.

http://www.visajourney.com/content/support

Welcome to VJ! Wishing you the best!