July Interview Dates Open for London

[Wuozopo 4,293]

59 minutes ago, Andrew@Michelle said:

If this continues then we will cancel the K1 process, get married in the U.K. and apply for a K3 which are unaffected by this. 

The K3 visa while still on the books has been basically a dinosaur for years now. Apply for a CR1. 

 

1 hour ago, Andrew@Michelle said:

just spoke to someone at the appointment centre who told me that K1 visa interviews are not happening. Why are they making appointments for them then? The whole thing is a disgrace.

Those interviews are automated with a third party contractor and it appears that the software programming of such has not been updated to align with changing COVID practices. If the embassy opens soon, the August K1 dates may happen, but right now (today) they aren’t. The priority now for the small staff available appears to be going to government officials/NATO/military/essential workers and possibly spouse visas. 

 

1 hour ago, Sarahbmalvin said:

Someone on the phone when I called two weeks ago told me to just bring my fiance to the US on an ESTA (which is not possible given the travel bans) and get married there and he can stay which is completely inaccurate and also considered fraud lol

People do that successfully all the time. Travel bans do throw a spanner in the works right now.

[Sarahbmalvin 49]

2 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

The K3 visa while still on the books has been basically a dinosaur for years now. Apply for a CR1. 

 

Those interviews are automated with a third party contractor and it appears that the software programming of such has not been updated to align with changing COVID practices. If the embassy opens soon, the August K1 dates may happen, but right now (today) they aren’t. The priority now for the small staff available appears to be going to government officials/NATO/military/essential workers and possibly spouse visas. 

 

People do that successfully all the time. Travel bans do throw a spanner in the works right now.

I understand that people do it all the time successfully, but given we have a K1 visa in process and would be entering with the intention of AOS on ESTA, I am pretty sure that is fraudulent.

[Andrew@Michelle 19]

15 minutes ago, Sarahbmalvin said:

I understand that people do it all the time successfully, but given we have a K1 visa in process and would be entering with the intention of AOS on ESTA, I am pretty sure that is fraudulent.

What’s AOS on ESTA?

[shallot343 116]

Just now, Andrew@Michelle said:

What’s AOS on ESTA?

Theoretically,  if you enter the US from a VWP country on an ESTA and marry a US citizen, you can file the Adjustment of Status (AOS) paperwork, which is basically the same as the CR1 paperwork I believe, and change your status from a visitor to an LPR. I say theoretically because entering the US on a tourist visa with the intention of changing to an immigrant status is fraudulent, but because spouses of USCs are usually forgiven for overstays etc, people have gotten away with it. There is always a chance that the application will be deemed fraudulent due to immigrant intent and the applicant given a deportation order. Also while waiting of the AOS to go through the beneficiary cannot work or leave the US. 

[Sarahbmalvin 49]

9 minutes ago, Andrew@Michelle said:

What’s AOS on ESTA?

The person above me beat me the the punch, but yes exactly what they said! Like it could work, but if it didn't it would backfire BIG TIME. In my opinion, it is not worth risking it with even a slight chance of deportation.

Edited July 1, 2020 by Sarahbmalvin

[Andrew@Michelle 19]

8 minutes ago, shallot343 said:

Theoretically,  if you enter the US from a VWP country on an ESTA and marry a US citizen, you can file the Adjustment of Status (AOS) paperwork, which is basically the same as the CR1 paperwork I believe, and change your status from a visitor to an LPR. I say theoretically because entering the US on a tourist visa with the intention of changing to an immigrant status is fraudulent, but because spouses of USCs are usually forgiven for overstays etc, people have gotten away with it. There is always a chance that the application will be deemed fraudulent due to immigrant intent and the applicant given a deportation order. Also while waiting of the AOS to go through the beneficiary cannot work or leave the US. 

Probably not worth the risk under the current administration. Immigration isn’t big on their agenda. If Biden wins the election then that will bode well for immigration. 

[Andrew@Michelle 19]

10 minutes ago, Sarahbmalvin said:

The person above me beat me the the punch, but yes exactly what they said! Like it could work, but if it didn't it would backfire BIG TIME. In my opinion, it is not worth risking it with even a slight chance of deportation.

Sarah, thanks for your thoughts. This really is a wonderful community but there is no way I would risk that under the current administration. He doesn’t even like people doing it legally. I’m not anti Republican at all. I’m just opposed to any politicians making our lives difficult which is definitely the case here. We want to be welcome in both the USA and the U.K. We definitely don’t want to burn any bridges.

[Sarahbmalvin 49]

1 minute ago, Andrew@Michelle said:

Sarah, thanks for your thoughts. This really is a wonderful community but there is no way I would risk that under the current administration. He doesn’t even like people doing it legally. I’m not anti Republican at all. I’m just opposed to any politicians making our lives difficult which is definitely the case here. We want to be welcome in both the USA and the U.K. We definitely don’t want to burn any bridges.

Happy to help a fellow K1er! I think you are making the right choice, and really wish you the best of luck on your journey!

[Andrew@Michelle 19]

21 minutes ago, shallot343 said:

Theoretically,  if you enter the US from a VWP country on an ESTA and marry a US citizen, you can file the Adjustment of Status (AOS) paperwork, which is basically the same as the CR1 paperwork I believe, and change your status from a visitor to an LPR. I say theoretically because entering the US on a tourist visa with the intention of changing to an immigrant status is fraudulent, but because spouses of USCs are usually forgiven for overstays etc, people have gotten away with it. There is always a chance that the application will be deemed fraudulent due to immigrant intent and the applicant given a deportation order. Also while waiting of the AOS to go through the beneficiary cannot work or leave the US. 

I had heard about this off the record from a professional source. I think we must all take the approach that we are playing a game now. It’s a bit like chess. There are different approaches and different tactics but there is also timing of execution. To be honest, it’s a right head .

[Wuozopo 4,293]

There is a forum on Visa Journey called Adjustment of Status from Work, Student, & Tourist Visas.

ESTA adjustments would fall under that forum as tourists.
 

Forum https://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/130-adjustment-of-status-from-work-student-amp-tourist-visas/

 

Case filing and progress reports https://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/138-adjustment-of-status-case-filing-and-progress-reports/

[J&S12 295]

Just seen this, but when I click on it I can’t find where it talks about it. 

[Sarahbmalvin 49]

12 minutes ago, J&S12 said:

Just seen this, but when I click on it I can’t find where it talks about it. 

Wow I hope this is good news for us! Although do you think maybe they are closing for Fourth of July? 

Edited July 2, 2020 by Sarahbmalvin

[ajb12376 0]

2 hours ago, Sarahbmalvin said:

Wow I hope this is good news for us! Although do you think maybe they are closing for Fourth of July? 

They're closing this Friday for 4th of July. I'm sure everyone on this forum will agree that they deserve a break... 

[Kimi31 126]

3 hours ago, Sarahbmalvin said:

Wow I hope this is good news for us! Although do you think maybe they are closing for Fourth of July? 

Yeah it’s because they are closed Friday 

[MattyUKtoUS 242]

I don't think the embassy saying they will reopen on July 6th is an indication change, only that they are closed Friday. 

 

Though I really do hope they actually start working on visa cases soon - I have so far only heard a very few who have interviews.