Jump to content
  • America's Largest Immigration Community!

    Free US immigration self-help guides, example forms, community discussion, case tracking & estimated approval dates!

  • AS SEEN:
  • Latest VisaJourney Member Visa Approvals!

  • How to Use VisaJourneyJoin Today for Free!
    Who are we? For over 20 years, VisaJourney has been your one-stop immigration community for Work, Student and Family Visas (K1 & IR1 Visas), Green Cards, US Citizenship, DACA, the Diversity Lottery and all other topics. Share your experiences and relax -- you are not alone!


  • Trending Immigration Discussions
      Topic   Popularity Poster
    #1 Open joint bank account
    - popularity rating: 5720 Ariel Pierini
    #2 In need of help re: Reentry Permit
    Work and Travel Discussion
    - popularity rating: 2925 blank avatar Zozolini
    #3 N-400 -- February 2026 Filers
    US Citizenship Progress Reports
    - popularity rating: 528 blank avatar ArethisPT
    #4 Preparing To File N400
    US Citizenship Progress Reports
    - popularity rating: 225 blank avatar inneedofhelp
    #5 SSN issues, issuing a cautionary tale while venting.
    Green Card Discussion
    - popularity rating: 76 blank avatar Syndine

  • Community Spotlight
    PSA: If entering the USA 2 years after marriage, kindly remind the immigration officer of this
    When we last entered the US, our immigration officer said "Oh, hmm I wonder if I could go ahead and change you an IR-1."  The agent right next to him said "Yes, you can do that" and he acted surprised. His comments made it pretty clear he was going to erroneously issue us a CR-1 and he seemed to not even know he could change the visa status until his coworker advised him (THANK GOODNESS she overheard!).  I don't know how onerous the process is to correct such an oversight but I'm glad we didn't have to find out!
     
    Just wanted to pass this along in the hopes it saves someone from any problems with the wrong stamp being placed in the passport, as I've read about here before....  I would kindly remind the officer "We married >2 years ago.  We can enter with an IR-1 visa now right?"
    • 20 replies
    Traveled to Canada for 20 days after entering the U.S. on a K-1 visa (June 1–22). Seeking reentry under Automatic Visa Revalidation (AVR).
    I entered the U.S. on a K-1 visa on June 1st and left for Canada on June 2nd, remaining here for 20 days. I am now attempting to return to the U.S. through Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) using Automatic Visa Revalidation (AVR). My K-1 visa is expired, but my I-94 is still valid. Am I ok?
    • 31 replies
    Wrong USCIS application form filed by my lawyer!
    Hello, so my wife came in k-1 visa to USA and we got married and all. We filled for work permit and green card together but while doing that my lawyer filed for I-130 no idea why. Will that application make my process for work permit and green card slow? If so how do I withdrawal that application? My lawyer isn’t helpful at all. I need some help…
    • 22 replies
    Seeking advice for Thai/US couple - What US visa path to take?
    My gf and I live in Thailand but spend 2-4months in the US per year. Once/if we have children age 5+, the time split would become vice versa. We have no plans to live full-time in the United States in the next 5 years, but I visit my family and friends 2-3x per year for 2-3 weeks at a time. I would love it if she can join me for those trips and experience that part of my life. What options do we have -- US visa wise, maybe a tourist or fiance visa later? Other?
     
     
    • 77 replies
    Abandoned AOS and now regret it
    Please be nice, I know I made a mistake... But got my K1 approved and arrived in the US June 25, 2024 and applied for AOS February 25, 2025 -- then left the US (abandoned my AOS). Will I be banned for re-entry to the US -- even under a spouse visa?
    • 32 replies
    US Citizen with Foreign Fiancé: When and How to Get Married?
    I'm currently living and working in the United States. My fiancé currently lives in Japan. We have been dating for about 6 months, and we have met in person several times, but we are not yet married.
    My fiancé will be visiting me in the United States on a tourist visa some time in March or April and staying for about 3 months. I want to file for a fiance/spouse visa asap -- what's next?
    • 18 replies
  • Recent Immigration Discussions
    Have USCIS skipped our petition?
    6:42 pm today

    Joe Bear

    blank avatar

    Read 12 Times
    1 Replies



    I was looking at the stats for the 10 day period (5 days either side) of our petition approval date (Dec 1). Each of the weekdays, both before and after have had the majority of petitions sent to NVC, however Dec 1 approvals have zero sent. I understand that our petition has not been singled out as everybody with Dec 1 approval is still waiting to be sent to DOS but the majority of DEC 2 and 3 have already been sent. It s like USCIS just skipped over a whole days petitions

    Am I overthinking this?



     
    View Topic

    SSN issues, issuing a cautionary tale while venting.
    5:11 pm today

    Syndine

    blank avatar

    Read 38 Times
    2 Replies



    Hello everyone, not sure if this fits well here or not, but wanted to offer up a cautionary tale in regards to the Social Security Administration and our struggles amid our AoS application.

    I finally moved in with my Fianc in the US on Nov 21 2025 on a K-1 Visa, we waited 2 weeks after my entry and headed to the local SSO here in Memphis, and were promptly turned around with the information that we needed to book an in person appointment in order to be let into the building and see anyone, so we went home and scheduled that visit at the earliest available time, today Feb 4th. We got married on December 27th and thus decided to bring our marriage certificate, my i-94 and my passport along with us. I got promptly denied an SSN at the SSO since my I-94 was only valid for another 14 days. So now we are looking into alternatives on how best to procure an SSN. So my caution for those doing the K-1, note when your I-94 expires, and if your local Social Security Office can't see you for 2 months, look into other SSO's that might be able to. Hind sight is 20/20 and all that! and good luck out there.



     
    View Topic

    Preparing To File N400
    4:08 pm today

    inneedofhelp

    blank avatar

    Read 75 Times
    3 Replies



    Happy New Year to all out there. Its been a while since i have been here, so my apologies if this post ends up in the wrong thread. Also, thank you in advance to those who reply with feedback/advice for me, much appreciated.

    I am a GC holder at the moment, I renewed my GC back in 2020, long story short, I really didn't want to deal with Government paperwork during the Covid era, so i thought it would be a safe option to renew my GC so that there would be no issues for me to travel out of the country if the paperwork got held up for some reason or another.

    I have a couple of questions regarding the process -

    Am i able to be a dual citizen? I currently have my British passport and was wondering if i would have to give it up once i become a US Citizen (assuming i will be). I am married with 2 kids, i was also wondering if they could become dual citizens also, basically, can they have a UK passport also? My wife is American and my kids were born here in the US.

    Has anyone come across any issues along the way regarding filling out the paperwork? Anything to pay special attention to?

    I must admit, I am a little concerned about the "test" that occurs during this journey. Has anyone any advice/tips on what type of questions you are asked?

    Looking forward to reading your responses, I hope everyones journey out there is going as smooth as it can go. Good luck to all.



     
    View Topic

    In need of help re: Reentry Permit
    11:02 am today

    Zozolini

    blank avatar

    Read 195 Times
    15 Replies



    Hi, everyone.

    I'm a bit confused and anxious about my case and, after a consultation with a lawyer that didn't go well, I thought I would go back to Visa Journey for advice as it worked great for me in the past. I will try to be concise:

    My background and timeline: EU citizen living in the USA since 2014, got Green Card through marriage of US citizen in 2017 (the help I got from VisaJourney's wonderful community was absolutely crucial!), have lived in New York since 2015. Spouse and I sold our house a few months ago and decided to spend some time in my home country due to not having spent any time there in the last 10 years and also having a relative really ill. We both still have work commitments, friends, family members, bank accounts, phone numbers, student loans in the USA, and we re planning to come back but just not yet. It might be a year, or two, depending on how things go.

    I have work commitments in the USA that require me to be present starting autumn of 2026 but, because it could get to up to a year since the last time my feet were in the USA, this lawyer recommended that I file for a Re-Entry Permit to avoid trouble when coming back.

    I left NY on the 22nd of July, came back for work on 20th October and left the US again on the 24th of October. Since 24 April would make 6 months and it seems that the 6 month mark is key (according to this lawyer and posts here and elsewhere), so that would mean I should start planning a trip to be there early April or sooner, to file the re-entry permit.

    Does this make sense?

    The lawyer I consulted encouraged me to come back to the US, file the re-entry permit, and then go back to my country just after it s been confirmed as filed/processing, with the idea of having this trip be short and convenient for me. Then I found this following paragraph mentioning I must file the form at least 60 days prior to my date of travel, which sounds contradictory to the idea of making a quick trip to the US, apply, and come back to my country. Could anyone please clarify this for me?

    Quote

    To apply for a reentry permit, you must file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, while you are physically present in the United States and at least 60 days prior to your intended date of travel. In addition, when you apply for a reentry permit, USCIS will notify you when to appear at a designated Application Support Center (ASC) in the United States to obtain your biometrics. If you leave the United States before you provide your biometrics, USCIS may deny your reentry permit application.

    A few other questions:

    • Part 4 of the i131 form has a section (7) that asks where I want the Reentry Permit sent to. For those of you who have experience with the embassy option, how did that work for you?
    • Biometrics appointment: Is there any pattern as far as when biometrics appointment is waived? How likely is it to be waived? And, how long does it usually take to get scheduled after USCIS receive the application? and, lastly, is it definitely at a local appointment in New York or can it be at the embassy in the country I m from? I checked the website of the embassy but couldn't get any clarity, so I thought I need to give them a call and see what they say but haven't had the chance yet.
      • This is from the instructions to form i131:
        Quote

        "The alien must be physically present in the United States when they file the Reentry Permit application and complete the biometric services requirement. After filing the application for a Reentry Permit, USCIS will inform the alien in writing when to go to their local Application Support Center (ASC) for their biometric services appointment. USCIS may require you to appear for an interview or provide biometrics (fingerprints, photograph, and/or signature) at any time to verify your identity, obtain additional information, and conduct background and security checks, including a check of criminal history records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), before making a decision on your application or petition. If we determine that a biometric services appointment is necessary, we will send you an appointment notice with the date, time, and location of your appointment. If you are currently overseas, your notice will instruct you to contact a U.S. Embassy, U.S. Consulate, or USCIS office outside the United States to schedule an appointment.

    • Regarding Form G 1450: latest edition I found is from November, 15, 2021. Is that the version still used today? I haven't been able to find a newer one but I'm quite anxious about this, so I thought I would ask.
    • Form i-131: latest edition I found is January 20, 2025. I m assuming it s the most recent version.

    Thank you so much for your time and guidance!



     
    View Topic

    N-400 -- February 2026 Filers
    9:28 pm yesterday

    ArethisPT

    blank avatar

    Read 176 Times
    3 Replies



    Hey guys, creating this one for the February filers.

    I'm filling within the 90 days prior to my 3 year GC, also I have a I-751 being processed since last year.

    Filed 02/03 at night.

    Received receipt notice same day.

    Hope this one goes faster than all of the other processes...



     
    View Topic

  • Follow Us

  • VisaJourney Immigration Partners
  • Recent Status Updates

    • Mariia-02

      Hi everyone,
      For those who recently received the status “Case Was Sent to the Department of State” from USCIS — how long did it take you to receive your NVC case number / Welcome Letter?
      · 2 replies
    • Together9193

      601 Waiver for 6CI--Beneficiary is from Pakistan Spouse of U.S. Citizen.
      Anyone similar situation and got any updates?
      · 0 replies
    • MrsChizi

      I am thinking about filing a spousal visa. However my future husband has a daughter should we file for her too or bring him first then our daughter which would be faster?
      · 5 replies
    • Josh B K  »  UScitizen2023

      Hello @UScitizen2023, I've been tracking Ciudad Juarez interviews and I've seen some people with Documentarily Qualified dates in January 2025 receiving appointment notifications.  I wanted to reach out and ask if you've received a notification of interview assignment. 
      · 0 replies
    • Rito

      22 years and two kids later, we're comfortably in our Happily Ever After!  Thank you to VisaJourney for continuing to provide invaluable support and community for international families like ours.  We couldn't've done it without you.
      · 0 replies
  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...