What is the fastest way to bring my wife's son to the US?

[Darnell 8,478]

IMO, that logic is backwards. There's a one year window on a FTJ case, after that one year, must go through yet another NEW petition, no more derivative K-2 status. I'm trying to help you to understand that the I-485 approval is never required in a K-2 FTJ case, and historically, people handle it WITHIN that 1 year window.

I understand what yer saying, the process is changing, or has changed. I'm not negating that, at all, nor am I trivializing what you are saying. I'm still not convinced that doing something as a result of the I-485 appoval is the ONLY way to go. Sure, there's a reference page at GUZ IV, but even there, the wording is ambiguous, referencing those with LPR status (which is NOT what I'm talking about, at all)

For now, at a minimum - I do suggest that you:

1. call NVC (they are open NOW), get a visa specialist (2nd human) and inquire about FTJ for a K-2 case.

2. mail the IV unit at GUZ once more

3. contact the Visa Information Line

within those 3 entities, someone's bound to have an answer. I don't accept what you've posted (from the urls) because of the wording in the pages. You fit in a narrow category, not referenced in those pages.

Edited April 14, 2010 by Darnell

[EZgoing378 0]

I agree the logic is backwards. I also agree that the page I referenced from GUZ is very hard to understand but it does say that they no longer process FTJ cases. All I am trying to say is that putting another step makes it very difficult to get it done within a year. Take a look at the I-824 form. I am going to follow your main advice which is to call and ask people that are in the know. I hope I can find some such person. I will start with NVC. Then later send another Email to GUZ. This is really a confusing mess.

I am going to follow your list above now. Then I have to pick my wife up for work. I will let you know what happens. Hopefully, I will have good news for you tomorrow evening.

Edited April 14, 2010 by EZgoing378

[Darnell 8,478]

I pray for some good news, buddy. I'll review some other stuff, as well, see if any 'newish' info on a K-2 FTJ case.

[EZgoing378 0]

I pray for some good news, buddy. I'll review some other stuff, as well, see if any 'newish' info on a K-2 FTJ case.

Say Darnell, I got the Email reply back from GUZ just after we finished talking. They said that they had no way of knowing that the email address I used was really ours. So they could not give out any information. I have had this problem with USCIS and emails also. Do you know how I establish an email address that they will accept. Just FYI, I am going to FAX them everything I had in the email and tell them in the FAX that they can answer me at the email address and I would like them to list that as the official email for our communications. I know I need to include my name, DOB, and signiture and the same for my wife. Is there anything else you know of that I need to do so I can send emails to them that they will accept?

I hope they send the answer back by email as I will request. Otherwise, I imagine it will come by post.

I am setting up an infopass at my local USCIS office since when I called NVC they said that they can't give me any information until AFTER I have filed an I-824. They say that questions on "If I should file an I-824" or "how to file for FTJ" must be directed to USCIS and NVC will then answer questions once a case is started. I think an infopass if a good way to get in there and if I get a good worker, I may get info. Otherwise, we will try again at our interview. I may also try to get a congressman or senator involved and mention that this is a change to the system and I am caught in the middle.

Again, I will advise you on what happens.

Take care.

[Darnell 8,478]

That's weird about GUZ, but totally understable - it does happen often ..

Weird, in a sense that you weren't able to identify WHO you were.

Alright - good luck with the fax - but IIWY, I'd pre-pay for the Visa Information Line as well (it's a service based in Shanghai ) - supposedly they aren't handling Immigration Visas anymore, but they CAN tell you general information about 'how to do'. It's worth a shot, at this point, for yer overnight.

re: fax info - put the same stuff in the fax that I referenced from the email template, above. I would suggest adding a copy of yer wife's bio page from her passport, along with the visa stamp. Fax when they are OPEN.

Edited April 14, 2010 by Darnell

[EZgoing378 0]

This story has an ending finally. Even though GUZ and USCIS have said that FTJ is no longer available at the consulate level, when I sent the information that Darnell told me to give GUZ in a letter at first we got no reply. Then 20 days before the interview date for her son, GUZ sends him a letter that says in effect: "Come to GUZ on June 10th for FTJ visa processing." Just goes to show you, you never know what will happen with this stuff. We will update if anyone is still looking here after his interview on the 10th.

[Darnell 8,478]

OMG - that's the greatest news !!!!

Good Luck on Interview Day !!!

Go Pink !

(pardon my new confusion, but you referenced another interview date - 20 days something? what visa is that, to be interviewed [for]? )

re: FTJ visa processing - has already prepped the Packet 3, Packet 4, and medical exam ? if so, maybe June 10th is the actual visa interview ?

Edited June 5, 2010 by Darnell

[tomaline 0]

im trying to get my daughter too from the Philippines but i dont know where to start. I just arrive here in the USA last september 21,2009. with a CR1 visa.

Hope someone gonna help me

OMG - that's the greatest news !!!!

Good Luck on Interview Day !!!

Go Pink !

(pardon my new confusion, but you referenced another interview date - 20 days something? what visa is that, to be interviewed [for]? )

re: FTJ visa processing - has already prepped the Packet 3, Packet 4, and medical exam ? if so, maybe June 10th is the actual visa interview ?

[Darnell 8,478]

Alrighty - updates please ?!?!??!?!

[EZgoing378 0]

Alrighty - updates please ?!?!??!?!

Yes, I have an update. The reason GUZ replied with the letter to the son so quickly was because they were going to give him a FTJ K2 Visa and the one year deadline was approaching fast. In fact, I believe his K2 was issued with about 5 days left. This was in mid July. So since then, his mother and I have been working to prepare a home for the three of us. We were not staying in a place that would work for a new family. It took us a while and 3 weeks ago (Oct. 3) he arrived. His mother is very happy of course.

I have been working to insure his remaining high school will be successful and he can get into college which was the plan. He is 16 and in 10th grade. His english did not improve as planned so I worked it out with the school that his entire 10th grade year will be spent focused on learning english. The Chinese school system is so far ahead of the U.S. system he will not get behind. In fact, he will still have extra credits.

So I have a big question I cannot find the answer to anywhere. How long do I have to file the I-485? I cannot find the answer anywhere. I noticed that in looking at K1 visas, they tell you that marriage must occur within 90 days but then there is no time limit on when the I-485 must be filed.

Have any information on this one?? I could sure use the info.

[Darnell 8,478]

Ya, sorry, is no real 'scope' on when to file the I-485.

USCIS says 'file asap' but

if you need 6 months, take 6 months.

Don't go past 1 year, IMO,

and IF you go past 2 years - be prepared to file an I-130 IN CONJUCTION with the I-485 set.

The good news - he has no 'age out' issues coming up in the next 365 days. Whew !! Age-Out's SUCK, much !

But - I sense yer asking about the 2nd I-485, specifically the one for the child, yes? Yup - still no 'official guideline' on when to file it. Sooner is better, of course, but if it's money vs time issue - always file when the casefile is complete - don't skimp on anything with the casefile for the child - and borrow the money (if you need to) to file soonish.

Good Luck ! I'm really happy it worked out so fast, and glad that you followed up with GUZ IV for kicking the K-2 into play. I wish more people here would pay attention to the K-2 FTJ process, as you did. GUZ IV wants to change it up, much, so they've removed all the prior K-2 FTJ info off of their web portal, hoping that ppl will file when the chinese-born spouse/mother gets the LPR status (green card) before filing. IMO, that's just dead wrong, as many other IV units across the world still allow for K-2 FTJ process. Sure, it's a bit of a hustle and bustle at GUZ IV to 'go fast', and historically, they don't 'go fast' unless they've been asked to and (repeat AND) it's warranted.

IMO, you got lucky, some kind soul at GUZ IV took notice of that casefile and jumped it through.

Hang in there - more paperwork to flush through the system !