January 2018 I-129F Filers, Part II

[Greenbaum 12,259]

9 hours ago, Gymnasticsluva said:

Hi all. My fiancé and I were approved nov 8 2018. They guy told my fiancé he should be receiving his visa within 7-10 business days. It’s now been 3 weeks and now visa so my fiancé emailed the embassy and the got a reply back saying our case is now in administration processing and they will contact him when the visa will be ready to be picked up. Just some more waiting but is anyone else in a similar situation??

Everyone goes through this process. Let me explain it a little better then the agent to whom you spoke with.

 

When the Embassy is ready to issue a visa, it will change to "Nonimmigrant Visa Application"; at that time, you will know that you are a few days away from getting the visa. It will go from "Immigrant Visa Application" to "Nonimmigrant Visa Application" status and then your visa changes to "Ready" ==> "Administrative Processing" ==>> "Issued" status as well. These steps sometimes transpire over a day, few days or even a few weeks. Some smaller Embassy's it happens within hours.

 

Sometimes, it might skip "Administrative Processing" and go from "Ready" to "Issued". So go to ceac.state.gov and select "immigrant" for your visa type then enter your case number that will tell you the condition of your visa. Now if "immigrant" doesn't work use "non-immigrant" and that should work. So if immigrant works you still have time before the visa will be issued, if non-immigrant returns results then you are close to getting your visa.

[calliope8 72]

Unfortunately my husband went all the way to Atlanta for his biometrics appointment (2 hour drive and 8am appointment time so right in the middle of rush hour) only to find that the USCIS office was closed for a national day of mourning!  I know they didn't know it was coming when they set the appointment (which we almost changed as a I had a final exam today) but didn't want waste more time mailing in a request to have the appointment changed.  Now we just have to wait for them to reschedule it!  There was no indication on the letter that they could potentially be closed for such an event and since he had to leave at 5am to be sure to be there on time, no one thought to check their website. Funnily enough, despite my 40 years of living and my parents' over 60, none of us have ever heard of a national day of mourning.  Just hoping delayed biometrics isn't going to delay any approvals any further.  I theorize it won't since our EAD & AP aren't even predicted to be adjudicated until March. But just fyi if any more Presidents pass, the federal govt offices will be closed so definitely check websites. Also for winter, check websites for local offices if there is inclement weather near you.  We're likely safe from that here in Georgia. lol!

[Greenbaum 12,259]

10 hours ago, calliope8 said:

Unfortunately my husband went all the way to Atlanta for his biometrics appointment (2 hour drive and 8am appointment time so right in the middle of rush hour) only to find that the USCIS office was closed for a national day of mourning!  I know they didn't know it was coming when they set the appointment (which we almost changed as a I had a final exam today) but didn't want waste more time mailing in a request to have the appointment changed.  Now we just have to wait for them to reschedule it!  There was no indication on the letter that they could potentially be closed for such an event and since he had to leave at 5am to be sure to be there on time, no one thought to check their website. Funnily enough, despite my 40 years of living and my parents' over 60, none of us have ever heard of a national day of mourning.  Just hoping delayed biometrics isn't going to delay any approvals any further.  I theorize it won't since our EAD & AP aren't even predicted to be adjudicated until March. But just fyi if any more Presidents pass, the federal govt offices will be closed so definitely check websites. Also for winter, check websites for local offices if there is inclement weather near you.  We're likely safe from that here in Georgia. lol!

The last present to pass away was Gerald Ford and that was in 2006. Over time memories can fade especially since it was long ago for the last President's funeral.

[calliope8 72]

Now the I-864 is no good because we filled it out in January and they revised the form in March. 🙈 I do so hate this bureaucracy.  Silver lining that we got this RFE for the I-485 less than a month after sending it in ... 

[zjd 2]

soooo. I finally got my visa! I have a couple of questions. 

Is there a thread about the people starting with the AOS in the next couple of months?

also. I have been reading the step by step for the SSN and the AOS.

Can I wait the 2 weeks until my information is available to process the SSN, and then get married while I wait the other couple of weeks for the processing/arrival? or do I need to wait for the SSN document to come in, in order to apply for the AOS?

[iwir 337]

On 12/8/2018 at 3:05 AM, zjd said:

soooo. I finally got my visa! I have a couple of questions. 

Is there a thread about the people starting with the AOS in the next couple of months?

also. I have been reading the step by step for the SSN and the AOS.

Can I wait the 2 weeks until my information is available to process the SSN, and then get married while I wait the other couple of weeks for the processing/arrival? or do I need to wait for the SSN document to come in, in order to apply for the AOS?

Will start AOS in January next year. Would be so happy to join the thread AOS January 2019 too!

[calliope8 72]

On 12/7/2018 at 3:05 PM, zjd said:

soooo. I finally got my visa! I have a couple of questions. 

Is there a thread about the people starting with the AOS in the next couple of months?

also. I have been reading the step by step for the SSN and the AOS.

Can I wait the 2 weeks until my information is available to process the SSN, and then get married while I wait the other couple of weeks for the processing/arrival? or do I need to wait for the SSN document to come in, in order to apply for the AOS?

Congrats! FYI you cannot start AOS until you get married. I'm not sure what waiting 2 weeks refers to. Is it specific to the visa from your country? My husband came from UK in October about a week after getting his visa. We got married 2 weeks later. We applied for AOS as soon as we got our marriage certificate (which took about a week to get back from the courthouse after the officiant mailed it in.) It will likely be late March/early April before he gets an SSN. It is a very frustrating wait as he cannot open a bank account, get a job, build credit, etc.  until he gets an SSN. We are even having difficulty just adding him to my already existing account. My local bank won't do it but I am going to try adding him though USAA (or Bank of America as a last resort.)

[calliope8 72]

On 12/7/2018 at 3:05 PM, zjd said:

soooo. I finally got my visa! I have a couple of questions. 

Is there a thread about the people starting with the AOS in the next couple of months?

also. I have been reading the step by step for the SSN and the AOS.

Can I wait the 2 weeks until my information is available to process the SSN, and then get married while I wait the other couple of weeks for the processing/arrival? or do I need to wait for the SSN document to come in, in order to apply for the AOS?

 I am just now reading that others got an SSN while on K1.  It was my understanding previously that getting an SSN on a K1 visa was temporary but I guess that is not the case ... only the EAD on K1 is temporary.  It is also confusing as the Social Security Administration says they will not issue a SSN card without a work permit unless the person shows they have a valid reason to get an SSN without work authorization (which will be written on the card they cannot work) which they say requires a letter from a federal, state, or local government agency!  I guess they ignore this though and just hand out SSNs anyway.  Wish we had known this much sooner but I am glad to have found out now.  My husband's i-94 still has a few weeks left on it so we will try to apply this week just so he can get a bank account.  So frustrating as the green card interviews want you to show proof of being together like having a joint account but then it is very difficult to get a joint account without SSN! Good luck!! 

[Greenbaum 12,259]

6 hours ago, calliope8 said:

 I am just now reading that others got an SSN while on K1.  It was my understanding previously that getting an SSN on a K1 visa was temporary but I guess that is not the case ... only the EAD on K1 is temporary.  It is also confusing as the Social Security Administration says they will not issue a SSN card without a work permit unless the person shows they have a valid reason to get an SSN without work authorization (which will be written on the card they cannot work) which they say requires a letter from a federal, state, or local government agency!  I guess they ignore this though and just hand out SSNs anyway.  Wish we had known this much sooner but I am glad to have found out now.  My husband's i-94 still has a few weeks left on it so we will try to apply this week just so he can get a bank account.  So frustrating as the green card interviews want you to show proof of being together like having a joint account but then it is very difficult to get a joint account without SSN! Good luck!! 

This is what works but you have to have all your "ducks" in a row including the SS document RM10211.530 to use in the event that the SS agent is unfamiliar with the regulations that permit you to have a SSN before your AOS and EAD are adjudicated.

 

As a K-1 Visa Holder you are eligible to receive a SSN upon producing a valid I-94 (unexpired). Do not wait until you only have a few weeks left until your I-94 expires to file for a SSN. Many SSA (Social Security Administration) offices will not allow you to file for a SSN if your I-94 is about to expire (generally 14 days prior to the expiration on your I-94). On the other hand, you should also not file for a SSN too soon either.

 

You should wait 1 week after arriving in the US till you are in the SAVE database that you can go the next business day. If you go too soon your record of arrival will not be in the SAVE-ASVI system yet (what is SAVE), and it will require manual verification from the USCIS. As this will add weeks to the period it takes to process the SSN, it is advisable to attempt to wait the two weeks to be safe. If you have waited the 2 weeks and they tell you they cannot verify your arrival record via the SAVE database, then personally return on another day to have them search again -- thus eliminating the manual verification (you don't want to do the manual verification as it adds so much more time to the process).

 

To apply for a SSN you will need to go to your local SSA office and bring the documents below. These documents are proof of your eligibility to file for a SSN:

 

The SS-5 form  download and complete the application (they have some at the office if you forget).

Your Passport (with the K-1 Visa attached)

Your valid I-94

Another form of valid ID (birth certificate will do nicely)

You should also print and bring the document RM 10211.530 , in the event that the agent is not knowledgeable that K-1/K-2 are eligible to receive a SSN.

https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110211530

 

Make sure to bring all the documents above because some offices have staff that are not aware that a K-1 Visa Holder is eligible to file for a SSN. A friendly reminder is a nice thing to have -- if not you could be turned away incorrectly

 

Once you have successfully applied for your SSN, the SSN card will come in the mail in about 2 weeks.

 

K2 visa holders must first have a work permit (EAD) to get a social security number.

 

After marriage

Carry your marriage certificate to the social security office to get the social security card in the new name. If you applied for a social security number before marriage, you can go back to the social security office after marriage and get your name changed on your social security card.

 

The social security card will be marked “VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH USCIS AUTHORIZATION”.  That means, you need to get your EAD first before you can actually work.  Hopefully, when you submitted your AOS you included the EAD. If not you will now need to submit the paperwork for an EAD prior to working.

[calliope8 72]

Thanks Greenbaum. We took the form you suggested but had no trouble with them questioning our need for an SSN. However, she couldn't find my husband in the system (or couldn't pull his record up.) I guess the printed I94 isn't enough. So we were handed a letter saying they have sent off to verify the document & it could take up to 4 weeks. I hope it won't take that long. Since we didn't know about this process, he only has about 3 weeks before his I94 expires. Otherwise I guess we're back to hunting for banks that will help us w/o an SSN & no health insurance until he gets a job. 

Edited December 10, 2018 by calliope8

[Amiina and Kim 21]

Congratulations to all the visa approvals.  I feel like I'm the last lonely one waiting.  Pray for us to get a speedy approval.   We have completed everything the interview Dec 3rd as well....we are now waiting the administrative processing last updated Dec 9th. 

[Lucy&Jason 807]

54 minutes ago, Amiina and Kim said:

Congratulations to all the visa approvals.  I feel like I'm the last lonely one waiting.  Pray for us to get a speedy approval.   We have completed everything the interview Dec 3rd as well....we are now waiting the administrative processing last updated Dec 9th. 

Oh wow!! What’s your AP all about?

[Greenbaum 12,259]

On ‎12‎/‎10‎/‎2018 at 2:15 PM, calliope8 said:

Thanks Greenbaum. We took the form you suggested but had no trouble with them questioning our need for an SSN. However, she couldn't find my husband in the system (or couldn't pull his record up.) I guess the printed I94 isn't enough. So we were handed a letter saying they have sent off to verify the document & it could take up to 4 weeks. I hope it won't take that long. Since we didn't know about this process, he only has about 3 weeks before his I94 expires. Otherwise I guess we're back to hunting for banks that will help us w/o an SSN & no health insurance until he gets a job. 

Unfortunately, you'll be delayed as it usually takes the entire 4 weeks to complete. It's not uncommon that they don't have you in the "SAVE" file. Once you are married you'll go then and get the SSN and in the married name. I wouldn't bother with maiden name then a few weeks later do the married name. Some SS offices are better then others.

[Lucy&Jason 807]

Hello everyone. We are now starting to get things moving for our AOS. Is any of you has a link how to file AOS? I have read some posts in here on VisaJourney but an added information is highly appreciated. @Greenbaum i know you have some helpful links in there...😁😁😁 thank you very much.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

1 hour ago, Lucy&Jason said:

Hello everyone. We are now starting to get things moving for our AOS. Is any of you has a link how to file AOS? I have read some posts in here on VisaJourney but an added information is highly appreciated. @Greenbaum i know you have some helpful links in there...😁😁😁 thank you very much.

AOS is pretty straightforward. Just read the instructions for each document, follow this link https://www.visajourney.com/content/k1k3aos and be apart of the AOS discussion found here https://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/131-adjustment-of-status-case-filing-and-progress-reports/