Oh, what to do!

[Quail 0]

Here's the deal: My finace and I want to apply for a K1 visa. He was initially being deployed for July and August so we were going to wait til he got back in September to apply.. But he was just informed today that he will be deploying August, instead of July. This means that he isn't leaving for another 3.5 months.

So rather then wait almost six months to apply, we are thinking of applying for the k1 now... My concern is what will happen if he has to leave before it is approved and all the mail ends up piling up in his mailbox with no one to check it (No family or close friends nearby). From what I can tell, most of the stuff he would recieve from the USCIS doesn't require a response within a certain time so it might not be an issue if he can't get to it until he gets back. I am just concerned about an RFE because I think those need to be responded to within 30 days, correct?

I was just wondering if anyone has gone through a similar situation or has any suggestions on what we should do. Waiting til he gets back wouldn't be the end of the world, I suppose.. but we would really like to get this started asap, as I am sure you can all understand;)

We are also looking into military expedite...

Thanks in advance for your input!

[Bobby+Umit 161]

You can do that - but as you point out - any info coming back will be on "hold" - not good if it's an RFE.

If he has orders you can attempt to expedite.

Have him contact the onbase lawyers - and see what they can do.

(there is a post here - in the same situation)

[KimandRuss 0]

Because he is in the military and has deployment orders, he is eligible for the military expedite.

USCIS offers a toll-free military help line, exclusively for members of the United States military and their immediate families. USCIS customer service specialists are available to answer calls during regular duty hours.

Toll-Free Number:1-877-CIS-4MIL (1-877-247-4645)

Hours of Service: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. CST (excluding federal holidays)

After Hours: After-hours callers will receive an email address (militaryinfo.nsc@dhs.gov) that they can use to contact USCIS for assistance.

Special Instructions: Identify yourself as a member of the Armed Forces or a family member to expedite your call.

Callers can get help with immigration-related information, including:

Track Form N-400 application for naturalization

Notify USCIS of a new mailing address or duty station

Check the status of an application or petition

Information on bringing a spouse, fiancé(e) or adopted child to the U.S.

Obtain posthumous citizenship for a deceased member of the Armed Services

Submit an application for expedited processing

Service members and their families stationed in the United States or overseas may access the help line using the toll-free number, through their base telephone operator or using the Defense Switched Network (DSN).

Source: USCIS

You are correct to assume that the only piece of mail he's likely to receive that he will need to respond to is an RFE from USCIS. Perhaps use a US address that you are sure someone will be able to get the mail at? Note that you will need to file your petition with the service center listed for the mailing address. Also be sure that whomever is responsible for his mail knows that the NOA2(I-797) approval notice is an important document that you will need at AOS time.

If you can get the petition started immediately, you are likely to have all of this taken care of before his deployment in August.

If you receive the visa you will then have 6 months to enter the Country.

good luck.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Here's the deal: My finace and I want to apply for a K1 visa. He was initially being deployed for July and August so we were going to wait til he got back in September to apply.. But he was just informed today that he will be deploying August, instead of July. This means that he isn't leaving for another 3.5 months.

So rather then wait almost six months to apply, we are thinking of applying for the k1 now... My concern is what will happen if he has to leave before it is approved and all the mail ends up piling up in his mailbox with no one to check it (No family or close friends nearby). From what I can tell, most of the stuff he would recieve from the USCIS doesn't require a response within a certain time so it might not be an issue if he can't get to it until he gets back. I am just concerned about an RFE because I think those need to be responded to within 30 days, correct?

I was just wondering if anyone has gone through a similar situation or has any suggestions on what we should do. Waiting til he gets back wouldn't be the end of the world, I suppose.. but we would really like to get this started asap, as I am sure you can all understand;)

We are also looking into military expedite...

Thanks in advance for your input!

Enter a family member as a "mailing address"

[Shannon ♥ Nick 0]

Here's the deal: My finace and I want to apply for a K1 visa. He was initially being deployed for July and August so we were going to wait til he got back in September to apply.. But he was just informed today that he will be deploying August, instead of July. This means that he isn't leaving for another 3.5 months.

So rather then wait almost six months to apply, we are thinking of applying for the k1 now... My concern is what will happen if he has to leave before it is approved and all the mail ends up piling up in his mailbox with no one to check it (No family or close friends nearby). From what I can tell, most of the stuff he would recieve from the USCIS doesn't require a response within a certain time so it might not be an issue if he can't get to it until he gets back. I am just concerned about an RFE because I think those need to be responded to within 30 days, correct?

I was just wondering if anyone has gone through a similar situation or has any suggestions on what we should do. Waiting til he gets back wouldn't be the end of the world, I suppose.. but we would really like to get this started asap, as I am sure you can all understand;)

We are also looking into military expedite...

Thanks in advance for your input!

Enter a family member as a "mailing address"

[rebeccajo 14]

PPO?

[Tmac 0]

For anyone else that encounters the situation there are certain circumstances in which the USCIS will approve an expedite, those can be foundHere

If you notice, military deployments don't really fall under any of those categories. I called the info helpline for mil members (above) and the person that I talked to told me that they have granted expedites based on military deployments. Can't hurt to try!

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Don't they e-mail the USC with important information about the case? I'm not sure about RFE's, but when our NOA2 was approved, he was sent an e-mail indicating the change in their system. You can also call DOS and receive updates on your case... So not having the physical piece of paper saying what is what is not that big of an obstacle. But as the others said, it may be wise to have everything sent to the address of a family member, to insure it is safe, and then just change your address with USCIS later. I think it would be smart to start now! When he's back in the US you could be all ready to join him and start your new life Good luck!!

[Quail 0]

Thank you everyone for your responses! We will be sending off our package early next week

[KimandRuss 0]

For anyone else that encounters the situation there are certain circumstances in which the USCIS will approve an expedite, those can be foundHere

If you notice, military deployments don't really fall under any of those categories. I called the info helpline for mil members (above) and the person that I talked to told me that they have granted expedites based on military deployments. Can't hurt to try!

It's pretty much common knowledge around here that military expedites are about the only kind that go through. They happen quite often. I've personally seen just two medical expedites in the years i've been here but these were severe medical reasons. I've also seen just two humanatarian expedites but honestly, I think those folks just got lucky because many do not get granted.

Don't they e-mail the USC with important information about the case? I'm not sure about RFE's, but when our NOA2 was approved, he was sent an e-mail indicating the change in their system. You can also call DOS and receive updates on your case... So not having the physical piece of paper saying what is what is not that big of an obstacle. But as the others said, it may be wise to have everything sent to the address of a family member, to insure it is safe, and then just change your address with USCIS later. I think it would be smart to start now! When he's back in the US you could be all ready to join him and start your new life Good luck!!

No, they do not email the USC with important information about the case. If you choose to register with the uscis.gov website they will alert you when your status has changed via email but this is merely a database and it can be checked from anywhere. Keep in mind, it's often wrong. Nothing else is sent via email.

RFE's (if any) will go to the postal address listed and they will need to be handled and responded to. As I mentioned above, the NOA2 (I-797) should be the only important document coming after approval ...and it's very expensive to replace if lost.

No need to change the USC address with uscis at a later date. After approval the petition is sent to NVC where it's sent out to the Embassy the beneficiary will be applying for the visa with. You can then call DOS to find out if/when the approved petition has arrived at the Embassy, whether a p3 has been sent out and if/when an interview has been scheduled. All new paperwork (packet 3/info packet) is then filled out to apply for the visa so the new address/info can simply be put on that.

Congratulations on getting your petition sent out! Good luck!