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  • Trending Immigration Discussions
      Topic   Popularity Poster
    #1 I-864 K1 visa filing AOS after marriage in 2026. Tax Transcripts & other questions
    Green Card Discussion
    - popularity rating: 1384 Aquabac
    #2 N-400 Application and Green Card Expiry
    Citizenship Discussion
    - popularity rating: 735 blank avatar Elftone
    #3 Visa refused. TIC/Petty offense exception confusion.
    Tourist Visa Discussion
    - popularity rating: 408 xgabrielx
    #4 Is this n400 guide on VisaJourney still courrent?
    Citizenship Discussion
    - popularity rating: 276 blank avatar jp1000
    #5 CR1 Spouse First Entry: Existing SSN, Updating Card
    - popularity rating: 164 blank avatar sviva

  • Community Spotlight
    PSA: If entering the USA 2 years after marriage, kindly remind the immigration officer of this
    When we last entered the US, our immigration officer said "Oh, hmm I wonder if I could go ahead and change you an IR-1."  The agent right next to him said "Yes, you can do that" and he acted surprised. His comments made it pretty clear he was going to erroneously issue us a CR-1 and he seemed to not even know he could change the visa status until his coworker advised him (THANK GOODNESS she overheard!).  I don't know how onerous the process is to correct such an oversight but I'm glad we didn't have to find out!
     
    Just wanted to pass this along in the hopes it saves someone from any problems with the wrong stamp being placed in the passport, as I've read about here before....  I would kindly remind the officer "We married >2 years ago.  We can enter with an IR-1 visa now right?"
    • 20 replies
    Traveled to Canada for 20 days after entering the U.S. on a K-1 visa (June 1–22). Seeking reentry under Automatic Visa Revalidation (AVR).
    I entered the U.S. on a K-1 visa on June 1st and left for Canada on June 2nd, remaining here for 20 days. I am now attempting to return to the U.S. through Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) using Automatic Visa Revalidation (AVR). My K-1 visa is expired, but my I-94 is still valid. Am I ok?
    • 31 replies
    Wrong USCIS application form filed by my lawyer!
    Hello, so my wife came in k-1 visa to USA and we got married and all. We filled for work permit and green card together but while doing that my lawyer filed for I-130 no idea why. Will that application make my process for work permit and green card slow? If so how do I withdrawal that application? My lawyer isn’t helpful at all. I need some help…
    • 22 replies
    Seeking advice for Thai/US couple - What US visa path to take?
    My gf and I live in Thailand but spend 2-4months in the US per year. Once/if we have children age 5+, the time split would become vice versa. We have no plans to live full-time in the United States in the next 5 years, but I visit my family and friends 2-3x per year for 2-3 weeks at a time. I would love it if she can join me for those trips and experience that part of my life. What options do we have -- US visa wise, maybe a tourist or fiance visa later? Other?
     
     
    • 77 replies
    Abandoned AOS and now regret it
    Please be nice, I know I made a mistake... But got my K1 approved and arrived in the US June 25, 2024 and applied for AOS February 25, 2025 -- then left the US (abandoned my AOS). Will I be banned for re-entry to the US -- even under a spouse visa?
    • 32 replies
    US Citizen with Foreign Fiancé: When and How to Get Married?
    I'm currently living and working in the United States. My fiancé currently lives in Japan. We have been dating for about 6 months, and we have met in person several times, but we are not yet married.
    My fiancé will be visiting me in the United States on a tourist visa some time in March or April and staying for about 3 months. I want to file for a fiance/spouse visa asap -- what's next?
    • 18 replies
  • Recent Immigration Discussions
    question about st lukes medical exam
    3:28 pm today

    hamorflic247



    Read 22 Times
    1 Replies



    I need some human input here because gpt and gemini are saying two different things. One says to wait until April, the other says do it ASAP. I m leaning toward doing it now.

    The usvisascheduling site finally let us book both the VAC and the Interview (previously it was only showing VAC). Our VAC is in March and the Interview is in April (really?) I guess I should be glad I checked the visa site I didn't get any notification and ceac hasn't updated. Embassy received peitition from nvc feb 10th but they need the physical file as well.

    St. Luke s has much earlier availability than the Embassy. I've always been worried about sputum testing being ordered at this point I just want to get it over with. If it's ordered cool we have to wait anyway if not well it's good for 6 months I think.



     
    View Topic

    Police clearance
    3:21 pm today

    halfbloodprince

    blank avatar

    Read 20 Times
    2 Replies



    I have lived in Malaysia from 2017-2018. I have submitted my malaysian police clearance to nvc and they accepted on 2023 and I became DQed. Do I need to issue another Malaysian police clearance during my interview? I haven't been to Malaysia since then. I have heard police clearance is only valid for 2 years.



     
    View Topic

    Visa refused. TIC/Petty offense exception confusion.
    12:33 pm today

    xgabrielx



    Read 102 Times
    4 Replies



    So, I had my visa interview at the London embassy on December 10th. At the interview I was told I was refused. Here's what the letter said:

    We are unable to issue you a visa because you have been found inelligible for admission to the United States under the following section(s) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The item(s)

    marked with "X" pertain to your case. Please diisregard the unmarked items.

    212(a)(2)(A)(i)(II): crime)s) involving moral turpitude

    Except as denoted by an asterisk,these are Permanent inelligibiliities; as a result of your inelligibility/inelligibilities, you cannot travel to the United States on the Visa Waiver Program at any time.
    In addition to your permanent ineligibility/inelligibilities, you have been denied a visa under section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. A denial under 214(b) means this office has determined that you did not meet the legal requirements of the classification of the nonimmigrant visa for which you applied. You will not be receiving a visa and will not be able to travel to the United States on this application.
    The decision on this application is final,following a mandatory supervisor review. This decision isnot subject to appeal. Your case can only be reconsidered in the context of a new application. It is highly unlikely, however, that a reapplication in the near future would result in a different outcome.

    The thing is: The "Crime of moral turpitude" in question - burglary and theft (non-dwelling) qualifies under the petty offense exception, as the maximum possible sentence was under 12 months, and the sentence received, was under 6 months. In fact there was no custodial sentence. When the agent at the embassy asked about it, they seemed confused as to why there were two offenses listed on my court disposition, and asked what TIC was. I explained as best I could, but made somewhat of a hash of it, though I did clarify at the end by saying it's one conviction, not two.
    Since then I have heard conflicting things from people. for example: One said the "mandatory supervisor review" would have occured BEFORE my interview at the embassy. The language used certainly suggests this, but that's just how legalese is.
    I've also heard that the supervisor review would happen 6 to 8 weeks after the interview, but to allow 2 extra weeks for the Xmas holidays slowdown, and that I will be notified by email whether the supervisor overturned the decision or not.
    I've also heard that I will be notified if they overturn it, but hear nothing at all if they do not.
    I've heard that they will also overturn the 214(b) as that is usually added as insurance. And, I wasn't asked much about ties at all, only my source of income. I explained I am a full-time carer for my mother. Which is not only a source of income, but a pretty damn solid tie if you ask anyone who ever had a mother.
    I've also heard that the supervisor might have overturned the 212(a)(2)(A)(i)(II) but they won't overturn the 214(b) and that agents just use the 214(b) to prevent their refusals being overturned. (Which I'm not sure I buy. I think that came from people who were posting angry forum rants.)

    So...right now, I don't know IF there will be a supervisor review, and I don't know whether I will know if there is one, IF there is one. According to the CEAC page, my case has not been accessed by anyone since the day of the interview - which either supports what I heard from one source about the review having already been conducted by the time I had the interview. or supports what I heard from another source about the supervisor not using the same system to access the case, so it doesn't trigger an update, OR what I heard from another source: that a supervisor accessing the case WOULD trigger an update, but the CEAC page updates extremely infrequently and/or unreliably.
    So all-in-all, I'm somewhat frustrated and confused by the whole process. Largely due to the process being frustrating and confusing.
    If anyone can help me out with any gaps in my knowledge or false assumptions made by myself or other sources to whom I've spoken, which are made evident by what I've written here, I'd much appreciate it. Especially: DO these reviews actually happen? Do the supervisors even know what a TIC is, and that it is not a separate conviction? Does anyone have personal experience with this exact issue? And what was your outcome?



     
    View Topic

    CR1 Spouse First Entry: Existing SSN, Updating Card
    9:15 am today

    sviva

    blank avatar

    Read 82 Times
    2 Replies



    Hello,

    My wife will soon be entering the US for the first time as an LPR with her CR1 visa. She wants to start working as soon as possible. She already has a social security number from a previous stay in the US, but the social security card says "VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION" and has her maiden name on it instead of her married name. During the DS-260, she selected the option to have an updated SSN card mailed. A few questions:

    1. As a hypothetical question, would there be any issue with her working using her existing SSN before:

    (a) going to the Social Security Office to apply for an updated card; or

    (b) receiving the updated card after having applied for it.

    It seems to me that the question hinges on whether the CR1 visa with the admission stamp (i.e., temporary green card) counts as "DHS authorization", but there may be more laws/regulations I am not aware of.

    2. I have seen here and elsewhere that requesting the updated SSN card during the immigration process can be slow and hit-or-miss. Even though she made that request, is there anything stopping us from going to the Social Security Office on the first business day after her arrival and updating her immigration status + name? It seems like upon entry (i.e., with the stamped visa) we should have everything we need, even though the physical green card won't have arrived yet. It also seems like this would be the fastest and most reliable way to get the updated SSN card ASAP.

    Would appreciate any insights.



     
    View Topic

    N-400 Application and Green Card Expiry
    11:18 pm yesterday

    Elftone

    blank avatar

    Read 147 Times
    5 Replies



    Hello,

    I immigrated in 2002, married, and have held a full green card since 2004. I am 65 in five days time, and was planning to apply for citizenship at that point. However, my green card expires on 5/26/2026.

    The information I've found so far for this sort of situation seems a little vague, but mostly points to applying for green card renewal in addition to applying for naturalisation. Is this correct, or does the naturalisation application alone cover it? I would rather not have to pay out for both if the green card is to be surrendered at the citizenship ceremony anyway.

    Any advice gratefully received. Thank you.



     
    View Topic

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    • Josh B K  »  UScitizen2023

      Hello @UScitizen2023, Have you received notification of your interview in Ciudad Juarez? 
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      Hi everyone,
      For those who recently received the status “Case Was Sent to the Department of State” from USCIS — how long did it take you to receive your NVC case number / Welcome Letter?
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      601 Waiver for 6CI--Beneficiary is from Pakistan Spouse of U.S. Citizen.
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      I am thinking about filing a spousal visa. However my future husband has a daughter should we file for her too or bring him first then our daughter which would be faster?
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    • Josh B K  »  UScitizen2023

      Hello @UScitizen2023, I've been tracking Ciudad Juarez interviews and I've seen some people with Documentarily Qualified dates in January 2025 receiving appointment notifications.  I wanted to reach out and ask if you've received a notification of interview assignment. 
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