I-131 Question

[zman90 14]

Good morning all,

 

My now wife came to the US on a K-1 visa back in June 2021 and we got married in August 2021. We filed her I-485, I-765, and I-131 in September 2021 and in November 2021 we received a RFI and sent back all of the required documents (which ended up being documents we already sent with our initial package). In Jan 2022, we had her biometrics appointment and on the appointment letter it said the service center was NBC. We are constantly checking the USCIS website and it says "your case is actively being reviewed".

 

We had initially thought that getting the approval for her to be able to travel wouldn't take that long, but it seems I was wrong. I am checking the case processing times and it says 9 to 12.5 months. Is this the standard? I am quite amazed that our partners aren't able to go home and see their families for over a year and a half after coming here. We were hoping to go visit her family sometime this summer, but with the current timeline it doesn't look like that will be possible. Or is there another way around this?

 

Thank you

 

Stephen

Edited March 12, 2022 by zman90

[Mike E 11,739]

13 months is the new normal.  
 

I’ve never understood why a form that takes 30 minutes to actually adjudicate has a backlog of 6 or more months.  
 

[zman90 14]

Just now, Mike E said:

13 months is the new normal.  
 

I’ve never understood why a form that takes 30 minutes to actually adjudicate has a backlog of 6 or more months.  
 

Thanks, Mike. Do you know if there is any expedite process?

[Crazy Cat 41,844]

12 minutes ago, zman90 said:

I am quite amazed that our partners aren't able to go home and see their families for over a year and a half after coming here.

That is one of the major drawbacks of a K-1.   There is absolutely no way around the travel restriction short of a genuine emergency.  If she leaves the US without an approved advance parole document in her possession, she will abandon the adjustment of status.  

Edited March 12, 2022 by Crazy Cat

[Mike E 11,739]

1 minute ago, zman90 said:

Thanks, Mike. Do you know if there is any expedite process?

Yes.  On what basis should it be expedited?

Edited March 12, 2022 by Mike E

[zman90 14]

1 minute ago, Mike E said:

Yes.  Oh what basis should it be expedited?

You're right. It's just hard to come to the realization that she isn't able to visit her family for that long. She's having a tough time being away from home and to know that this may be the reality for another 6-9 months is difficult, especially because it's such a small piece of paper and it doesn't make sense for it to take such a long time.

 

Thank you for your response.

[zman90 14]

6 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

That is one of the major drawbacks of a K-1.   There is absolutely no way around it short of a genuine emergency.  If she leaves the US without an approved advance parole document in her possession, she will abandon the adjustment of status.  

Thank you for your response and your service to our country! I served 6.5 years AD Air Force and am now a Reservist

[Crazy Cat 41,844]

Just now, zman90 said:

Thank you for your response and your service to our country! I served 6.5 years AD Air Force and am now a Reservist

It was my honor to serve.  Thanks.  Good luck.

[Mike E 11,739]

Just now, zman90 said:

You're right. It's just hard to come to the realization that she isn't able to visit her family for that long. She's having a tough time being away from home and to know that this may be the reality for another 6-9 months is difficult, especially because it's such a small piece of paper and it doesn't make sense for it to take such a long time.

 

Yes my wife went through the same period of melancholy waiting for her I-131 to be approved. It was joyous day for her when her combo card arrived, unheralded, with the actual approval notice coming a later.  
 

Still I made it clear to her that she would  be trapped in the USA for possibly years when we decided to do the K-1.  Presumably you did the same for your fiancée. 
 

Just now, zman90 said:

 

Thank you for your response.

you are welcome. 

[iwannaplay54 985]

That transition between entry and travel document approval is an issue with K1 ☹️