Jump to content
texastincup

Options if Russia invades Ukraine - Pending I-130

 Share

16 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Ukraine
Timeline

I am flying to Ukraine tomorrow to spend another three months with my Ukrainian wife and step-daughter. I filed the I-130 for each of them this year (NOA1 = April 27, 2021).

 

What options are available to us if Russia decides to invade Ukraine? I presume that is grounds to file for escalating the processing. We live in Vinnytsia which is west of Kyiv and could drive west into the EU assuming my wife and daughter could cross the border. 

 

Anyone have any advice here?

 

Thanks,

 

David

USCIS

4/27/2021 - Filed wife's and 18-year-old step-daughter's I-130 package online

4/27/2021 - NOA1 received, Nebraska Service Center (wife) - case transferred to Texas

4/27/2021 - NOA1 received, Potomac Service Center (step-daughter)

2/24/2022 - Expedite request (humanitarian-Russian invasion of Ukraine) for both petitions

3/1/2022 - TSC granted expedite request

3/4/2022 - TSC (wife) I-130 approved!! Sent to NVC 3/11/2022

3/16/2022 - PSC (daughter) I-130 approval. I never heard about her expedite

NVC

NVC received daughter 3/20/22 and wife 3/23/22

Case number & Invoice number received for daughter 3/21/22 and wife 3/23/22

DS-261 was not requested

Paid AOS & IV fee for daughter 3/21/22 and wife 3/23/22

4/1/2022 - Sent IV and AOS package via CEAC

Wife's payment status was "REFUSED" for several days but finally was confirmed

4/4/2022 - Submitted DS - 260 for both petitions - Requested NVC expedite 3/31/2022

5/26/2022 - NVC expedite approved for both - Cases sent to Frankfurt without review by the NVC

5/31/2022 - Permission to set an interview appointment granted

5/2/2022 - Received interview letter (P4) via e-mail 

Embassy (Frankfurt)

6/27/2022 - Medical done in Vilnius 

6/29/2022 - Received medical report sent electronically to Frankfurt

7/11/2022 - Interview - Approved

Link to comment
Share on other sites

~ Moved from CR1/IR1 Progress Reports to Regional discussion: Russia, Ukraine & Belarus as the question is specific to the region ~

 

You would probably have to reach out to other consulates about transferring your case. Applicants from war torn countries such as Syria, Iraq, Somalia etc.  are processed in third countries (e.g Turkey). However, I believe they wait just like others and even longer as preference is given to locals first and then to third nationals. Although when the whole Afghanistan situation happened, some who were waiting for interviews did get their visas. I guess it depends on the specifics of a situation. 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Russia
Timeline

The DoS maintains a list of "homeless nationalities" where they auto-assign a new Embassy to for processing.

https://fam.state.gov/fam/09FAM/09FAM050404.html

 

I'm not sure processing would be escalated unless she was in immediate danger/living in an active war zone. Like @powerpuff said it's very dependent on the exact situation as well as the applicant's own circumstances.

 

I suggest you enroll in the Kiev Embassy's mailing list, as that would be the place which will have the news of any changes before anyone else.

🇷🇺 CR-1 via DCF (Dec 2016-Jun 2017) & I-751 ROC (Apr 2019-Oct 2019)🌹

Spoiler

Info about my DCF Moscow* experience here and here

26-Jul-2016: Married abroad in Russia 👩‍❤️‍👨 See guide here
21-Dec-2016: I-130 filed at Moscow USCIS field office*
29-Dec-2016: I-130 approved! Yay! 🎊 

17-Jan-2017: Case number received

21-Mar-2017: Medical Exam completed

24-Mar-2017: Interview at Embassy - approved! 🎉

29-Mar-2017: CR-1 Visa received (via mail)

02-Apr-2017: USCIS Immigrant (GC) Fee paid

28-Jun-2017: Port of Entry @ PDX 🛩️

21-Jul-2017: No SSN after three weeks; applied in person at the SSA

22-Jul-2017: GC arrived in the mail 📬

31-Jul-2017: SSN arrived via mail, hurrah!

 

*NOTE: The USCIS Field Office in Moscow is now CLOSED as of February 28th, 2019.

 

Removal of Conditions - MSC Service Center

 28-Jun-2019: Conditional GC expires

30-Mar-2019: Eligible to apply for ROC

01-Apr-2019: ROC in the mail to Phoenix AZ lockbox! 📫

03-Apr-2019: ROC packet delivered to lockbox

09-Apr-2019: USCIS cashed check

09-Apr-2019: Case number received via text - MSC 📲

12-Apr-2019: Extension letter arrives via mail

19-Apr-2019: Biometrics letter arrives via mail

30-Apr-2019: Biometrics appointment at local office

26-Jun-2019: Case ready to be scheduled for interview 

04-Sep-2019: Interview was scheduled - letter to arrive in mail

09-Sep-2019: Interview letter arrived in the mail! ✉️

17-Oct-2019: Interview scheduled @ local USCIS  

18-Oct-2019: Interview cancelled & notice ordered*

18-Oct-2019: Case was approved! 🎉

22-Oct-2019: Card was mailed to me 📨

23-Oct-2019: Card was picked by USPS 

25-Oct-2019: 10 year GC Card received in mail 📬

 

*I don't understand this status because we DID have an interview!

 

🇺🇸 N-400 Application for Naturalization (Apr 2020-Jun 2021) 🛂

Spoiler

Filed during Covid-19 & moved states 1 month after filing

30-Mar-2020: N-400 early filing window opens!

01-Apr-2020: Filed N-400 online 💻 

02-Apr-2020: NOA 1 - Receipt No. received online 📃

07-Apr-2020: NOA 1 - Receipt No. received via mail

05-May-2020: Moved to another state, filed AR-11 online

05-May-2020: Application transferred to another USCIS field office for review ➡️

15-May-2020: AR-11 request to change address completed

16-Jul-2020: Filed non-receipt inquiry due to never getting confirmation that case was transferred to new field office

15-Oct-2020: Received generic response to non-receipt inquiry, see full response here

10-Feb-2021: Contacted senator's office for help with USCIS

12-Feb-2021: Received canned response from senator's office that case is within processing time 😡

16-Feb-2021: Contacted other senator's office for help with USCIS - still no biometrics

19-Feb-2021: Biometrics reuse notice - canned response from other senator's office 🌐

23-Feb-2021: Interview scheduled - notice to come in the mail

25-Feb-2021: Biometrics reuse notice arrives via mail

01-Mar-2021: Interview notice letter arrives via mail  ✉️ 

29-Mar-2021: Passed interview at local office! Oath Ceremony to be scheduled

13-Apr-2021: Oath Ceremony notice was mailed

04-May-2021: Oath Ceremony scheduled 🎆 Unable to attend due to illness

04-May-2021: Mailed request to reschedule Oath to local office

05-May-2021: "You did not attend your Oath Ceremony" - notice to come in the mail

06-May-2021: Oath Ceremony will be scheduled, date TBA

12-May-2021: Oath Ceremony re-scheduled for June 3rd, then de-scheduled same day 😡 

25-May-2021: New Oath Ceremony notice was mailed

16-Jun-2021: Oath Ceremony scheduled 🎆 - DONE!!

17-Jun-2021: Certificate of Naturalization issued

 

🎆 Members new and old: don't forget to fill in your VJ timeline! 🎇 https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
Timeline

Presumably similar to Afghanistan so allocated to another Consulate(s) and  a very long delay.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ukraine
Timeline
9 hours ago, texastincup said:

I am flying to Ukraine tomorrow to spend another three months with my Ukrainian wife and step-daughter. I filed the I-130 for each of them this year (NOA1 = April 27, 2021).

 

What options are available to us if Russia decides to invade Ukraine? I presume that is grounds to file for escalating the processing. We live in Vinnytsia which is west of Kyiv and could drive west into the EU assuming my wife and daughter could cross the border. 

 

Anyone have any advice here?

 

Thanks,

 

David

Don't count on any possibility of expedited processing.  Your case would end up being transfered to another country.  Most people we know are concerned but life goes on.  People are busy planning their New Year's celebration, not on the possibility of war.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ukraine
Timeline

Your wife and step-daughter can enter a schengen country for up to 90 days if they have biometric passports.  If they don't then that option is gone.  It's good to have a contingency plan but many in Ukraine are not overly worried about an invasion.   

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Russia
Timeline
14 hours ago, sativo said:

I'm in a similar situation. We filed our I-130 two years ago and still have not been approved. Anyone know if the situation in Ukraine is grounds for requesting expedited processing on humanitarian grounds? Would it hurt to try?

If you have evidence of undue hardship and/or threats to personal safety, it's worth applying for an expedite. But they will need evidence in order to approve it. I don't think the general situation in Ukraine (as it stands today) is a good enough reason because that would apply to everyone in the country, but if you can show that it is causing problems and hardships specifically for your spouse/relative, then it's worth a shot.

 

Accepted reason for expedite includes:

  • Severe Financial Loss to a company or person;
  • Urgent Humanitarian reasons;
  • Compelling to the US government (e.g. of national interest);
  • Clear USCIS error.

More info on it here: https://www.visatutor.com/fiance-visa-expedite-request/

Edited by millefleur

🇷🇺 CR-1 via DCF (Dec 2016-Jun 2017) & I-751 ROC (Apr 2019-Oct 2019)🌹

Spoiler

Info about my DCF Moscow* experience here and here

26-Jul-2016: Married abroad in Russia 👩‍❤️‍👨 See guide here
21-Dec-2016: I-130 filed at Moscow USCIS field office*
29-Dec-2016: I-130 approved! Yay! 🎊 

17-Jan-2017: Case number received

21-Mar-2017: Medical Exam completed

24-Mar-2017: Interview at Embassy - approved! 🎉

29-Mar-2017: CR-1 Visa received (via mail)

02-Apr-2017: USCIS Immigrant (GC) Fee paid

28-Jun-2017: Port of Entry @ PDX 🛩️

21-Jul-2017: No SSN after three weeks; applied in person at the SSA

22-Jul-2017: GC arrived in the mail 📬

31-Jul-2017: SSN arrived via mail, hurrah!

 

*NOTE: The USCIS Field Office in Moscow is now CLOSED as of February 28th, 2019.

 

Removal of Conditions - MSC Service Center

 28-Jun-2019: Conditional GC expires

30-Mar-2019: Eligible to apply for ROC

01-Apr-2019: ROC in the mail to Phoenix AZ lockbox! 📫

03-Apr-2019: ROC packet delivered to lockbox

09-Apr-2019: USCIS cashed check

09-Apr-2019: Case number received via text - MSC 📲

12-Apr-2019: Extension letter arrives via mail

19-Apr-2019: Biometrics letter arrives via mail

30-Apr-2019: Biometrics appointment at local office

26-Jun-2019: Case ready to be scheduled for interview 

04-Sep-2019: Interview was scheduled - letter to arrive in mail

09-Sep-2019: Interview letter arrived in the mail! ✉️

17-Oct-2019: Interview scheduled @ local USCIS  

18-Oct-2019: Interview cancelled & notice ordered*

18-Oct-2019: Case was approved! 🎉

22-Oct-2019: Card was mailed to me 📨

23-Oct-2019: Card was picked by USPS 

25-Oct-2019: 10 year GC Card received in mail 📬

 

*I don't understand this status because we DID have an interview!

 

🇺🇸 N-400 Application for Naturalization (Apr 2020-Jun 2021) 🛂

Spoiler

Filed during Covid-19 & moved states 1 month after filing

30-Mar-2020: N-400 early filing window opens!

01-Apr-2020: Filed N-400 online 💻 

02-Apr-2020: NOA 1 - Receipt No. received online 📃

07-Apr-2020: NOA 1 - Receipt No. received via mail

05-May-2020: Moved to another state, filed AR-11 online

05-May-2020: Application transferred to another USCIS field office for review ➡️

15-May-2020: AR-11 request to change address completed

16-Jul-2020: Filed non-receipt inquiry due to never getting confirmation that case was transferred to new field office

15-Oct-2020: Received generic response to non-receipt inquiry, see full response here

10-Feb-2021: Contacted senator's office for help with USCIS

12-Feb-2021: Received canned response from senator's office that case is within processing time 😡

16-Feb-2021: Contacted other senator's office for help with USCIS - still no biometrics

19-Feb-2021: Biometrics reuse notice - canned response from other senator's office 🌐

23-Feb-2021: Interview scheduled - notice to come in the mail

25-Feb-2021: Biometrics reuse notice arrives via mail

01-Mar-2021: Interview notice letter arrives via mail  ✉️ 

29-Mar-2021: Passed interview at local office! Oath Ceremony to be scheduled

13-Apr-2021: Oath Ceremony notice was mailed

04-May-2021: Oath Ceremony scheduled 🎆 Unable to attend due to illness

04-May-2021: Mailed request to reschedule Oath to local office

05-May-2021: "You did not attend your Oath Ceremony" - notice to come in the mail

06-May-2021: Oath Ceremony will be scheduled, date TBA

12-May-2021: Oath Ceremony re-scheduled for June 3rd, then de-scheduled same day 😡 

25-May-2021: New Oath Ceremony notice was mailed

16-Jun-2021: Oath Ceremony scheduled 🎆 - DONE!!

17-Jun-2021: Certificate of Naturalization issued

 

🎆 Members new and old: don't forget to fill in your VJ timeline! 🎇 https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Ukraine
Timeline
On 12/13/2021 at 9:14 AM, sativo said:

I'm in a similar situation. We filed our I-130 two years ago and still have not been approved. Anyone know if the situation in Ukraine is grounds for requesting expedited processing on humanitarian grounds? Would it hurt to try?

The situation in Ukraine in and of itself specifically is not grounds for requesting expedited processing.

 

If your I-130 is still pending I would first send an inquiry to USCIS about your case being outside normal processing time.

 

Keep checking the US embassy website.  If any critical developments appear they would post notifications.  Typically the first notification would be in regard to US citizen services - about travel warnings and evacuations.

 

https://ua.usembassy.gov/

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Timeline
52 minutes ago, SteveInBostonI130 said:

If your I-130 is still pending I would first send an inquiry to USCIS about your case being outside normal processing time.

 

Wish it was so easy.

 

Our case was transferred to CA and their processing times show:
 

Quote

27.5 Months to 35.5 Months    U.S. citizen filing for a spouse, parent, or child under 21    January 04, 2019

 

Used to be lower but they keep moving the goal post.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Ukraine
Timeline

Thank you to all those that responded. I didn't expect any good news in these replies, but thanks anyway. Speaking with the IRS today regarding my wife's ITIN application was a reminder how pathetically incompetent government agencies are. I mailed them a copy of her apostilled passport in response to their request, and a month later, they told my wife the envelope had not been opened yet. We were on speaker phone the entire time, but the IRS agent insisted she could only give the information to my wife, and got an interpreter on the phone to tell us nothing had happened and call back in 30 days. What a cluster ______.

USCIS

4/27/2021 - Filed wife's and 18-year-old step-daughter's I-130 package online

4/27/2021 - NOA1 received, Nebraska Service Center (wife) - case transferred to Texas

4/27/2021 - NOA1 received, Potomac Service Center (step-daughter)

2/24/2022 - Expedite request (humanitarian-Russian invasion of Ukraine) for both petitions

3/1/2022 - TSC granted expedite request

3/4/2022 - TSC (wife) I-130 approved!! Sent to NVC 3/11/2022

3/16/2022 - PSC (daughter) I-130 approval. I never heard about her expedite

NVC

NVC received daughter 3/20/22 and wife 3/23/22

Case number & Invoice number received for daughter 3/21/22 and wife 3/23/22

DS-261 was not requested

Paid AOS & IV fee for daughter 3/21/22 and wife 3/23/22

4/1/2022 - Sent IV and AOS package via CEAC

Wife's payment status was "REFUSED" for several days but finally was confirmed

4/4/2022 - Submitted DS - 260 for both petitions - Requested NVC expedite 3/31/2022

5/26/2022 - NVC expedite approved for both - Cases sent to Frankfurt without review by the NVC

5/31/2022 - Permission to set an interview appointment granted

5/2/2022 - Received interview letter (P4) via e-mail 

Embassy (Frankfurt)

6/27/2022 - Medical done in Vilnius 

6/29/2022 - Received medical report sent electronically to Frankfurt

7/11/2022 - Interview - Approved

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Ukraine
Timeline

My husband and I applied for I-130 for me on July 19th this year. Before Thanksgiving we filed expedited request due to a chance of Russian invasion but, obviously, got denied as at this point situation isn`t suitable for approval. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Belarus
Timeline

It's my understanding that the basis of the expedite is the petitioner's circumstances and not the beneficiary's. So even if Ukraine was to be invaded, an expedite wouldn't do anything (unless, possibly, the US citizen was directly effected by being in the invaded country, but even then it takes a month to review the petition and by that time you'd be well out of there). The chances of an expedite approval are extremely, extremely low. Unfortunately, this seems like a situation where you have to cross that bridge when it comes, as it all rests on the big assumption of what Russia will do next. If anything was to happen surely the EU would move to institute some refugee program. 

K-1 Visa Process: Complete 

I-129F Sent: 03/16/2021

I-129F Picked Up from Dallas Lockbox: 03/18/2021

NOA1: Received 03/17/2021 (backdated); notice date 04/08/2021

NOA2: 2/18/22 

NVC Received: 03/08/2022

NVC Case Number: 03/17/2022

Interview: 06/06/2022 —> Approved!

Wedding: 08/02/2022 🥳
 

AOS Process: Complete 

I-435/I-765/I-131 Sent: 08/09/2022

I-435/I-765/I-131 Picked up from Chicago PO Box: 08/10/2022

Priority Date: 08/10/2022 (NBC)

I-864 RFE: 08/25/2022

Biometrics: 09/08/2022 

Active Reviews: 09/08/2022 (EAD), 09/09/2022 (AOS)

RFE Response Sent: 09/15/2022

EAD / AP Approval: 06/06/2023 (approval notice in portal, no status update)

I-485 Approval: 04/19/2024 🥳

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Wales
Timeline

Humanitarian can be a reason and does not specify if USC or other

 

It would be interesting what the EU would do, Poland and Greece suggest it is not clear cut.

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ukraine
Timeline
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...