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Trending Immigration DiscussionsTopic Popularity Poster #1 Need assistance filing my I-485 and EAD for GreenCard - USA - retail theft case
Waiver Discussion- 
PTJ#2 221g but lacking clarity on guidelines (joint sponsor doesn't qualify because retired?)
IR1/CR1 Visa Discussion- 
triznite#3 ESTA denied to my nephew
Tourist Visa Discussion- 
Veggie3#4 I-797 NOA extension from 24 months to 36 months - 
Pat2Bos#5 New here and starting the K1 Visa journey I am a US citizen and Gisell is a citizen of the Domincan Republic
K1 Visa Discussion- 
Ewpinky88
Community Spotlight
PSA: If entering the USA 2 years after marriage, kindly remind the immigration officer of this
spicynujac posted a topic in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures,
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).
Dovahkiinali0605 posted a topic in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures,
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!
narayan333 posted a topic in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports,
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?
PeachyTocker posted a topic in K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & Procedures,
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?
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- 77 replies
Abandoned AOS and now regret it
Mariammaria posted a topic in Adjustment of Status Case Filing and Progress Reports,
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?
gandalf1989 posted a topic in IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures,
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 Discussions221G Request (Split)
5:56 am today
Grrraceee
Read 19 Times
1 RepliesOn 3/31/2024 at 10:42 AM, JeanneAdil said:https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/
Find yours per your zip code
A hint : this is an election year
find one trying to get reelected as he/she wants your vote
On 3/31/2024 at 9:38 AM, itsvisatime said:Hi everyone! I m sure many of you are just as frustrated as me and my Fianc with this K1 visa process. We ve been recently hit with the 221G twice, and in our case; it is truly a strange predicament given the evermore strange circumstances. It all started with my Fianc s medical exam on March 6th, 2024 in Mexico City. The exam went smooth; she opted to receive every required vaccination, and went through all the medical screenings. Except when it was done, the clinic told my Fianc that they will send her medical results to the Embassy in Ciudad Ju rez themself instead of her bringing to the interview with medical packet in hand.
On interview day, March 14th, 2024, the interview was really strange in of itself. We re trying to get a K1 visa for my Fianc ; however, the interview officer only asked her 3 Questions and all only pertained to my Fianc . Have you been to the United States before? Yes, on a B2 tourist visa. Have you violated the term of your visa? No, Sir. Have you committed any crime? No, Sir. And that was the questions. A brief moment after looking through his computer, he issued us a 221G. He repeated the same statement that was on the 221G blue paper, the visa cannot be issued at this time due to technical problem medical exam was not present at the time of the interview. He told my fianc that the Embassy will hang on to her passport until they received her medical exam to make their final approval decision.
On March 26th, 2024, the embassy sent us a notice that they DHL overnight us something. Sadly, it wasn t the visa approval package, it was just her passport and another blue paper 221G. Here is where it gets really strange. The 221G stated that a final decision cannot be made because the medical exam was Incomplete. They require us to take a new medical exam at the same clinic; however, a new medical appointment cannot be made no earlier than September 3rd, 2024. From my understanding, the 221G request encourage the applicant to act immediately upon taking actions. So why are they making us wait 6 months to get a new medical appointment? And this time upon getting the result, they require us to DHL it to them.
We are truly frustrated because even if we try to get the new medical appointment, we are required to show the 221G form to the clinic in order for them to accept my fianc . I mean the 221G didn t stated that she did not pass her medical. It just that it was incomplete. Why would we have to wait because they made a mistake on their end? Please, has anyone had to go through this? An extra 6 months wait just for a new medical exam for no fault of are own is truly unfair punishment. Please let us know. Thank you, Everyone!
Hi, I m currently going through this. Exact situation where my medical results didn t appear when I had my interview and I m waiting for the 6 month mark to retake a new medical exam.
what is the time gram after you took your new medical exam in Juarez for them to approve it, send in your passport and get the visa situation resolved. Thanks in advance.
Trouble Scheduling Interview
3:34 am today
cl_us
Read 38 Times
1 RepliesWe have been trying to schedule an interview with the ais system that our consulate uses since January 16th, and get system is busy, please try again later every time. It allowed us to pay the visa fee and customer service at the consulate says there is no interview slots.
Does anyone have any experience with this or advice? We have continually been trying every day.
New here and starting the K1 Visa journey I am a US citizen and Gisell is a citizen of the Domincan Republic
12:22 am today
Ewpinky88
Read 96 Times
3 RepliesHello all my name is Erik (United States/Reno/Nevada/Washoe County) and I'm with my fiance Gisell (Dominican Republic/Santo Domingo) and we are starting the K1 Visa process. I really want to make sure that I do everything correctly because we only want to do this once as I'm sure many of you share that sentiment and in doing correctly it will be the fastest. I am legally disabled but do not collect SSI, I collect Survivor's Benefits which I understand do count towards my income. We met on a secure dating website called Boo. I should say she found me and took a chance on me and we fell madly in love. I already spent 34 days with her in the Dominican Republic and will be going back in May to spend 8 months with her there while the process plays out. I will be using a co sponsor on the application as my income is just shy. My Mom will be the co sponsor, but she is also legally disabled and of retirement age, owns her own home and will be using that as collateral for me under the public charge rule. Gisell is not a public charge under any means. Her health is fine and looks that way for the foreseeable future. I just really want to do this correctly and will do anything I need to make sure it is processed correctly. Any help and forwarding of knowledge will really help us out. It's been extremely hard being apart and we just want to be together as soon as possible in the United States.
Thank You very much
Erik and Gisell
221g but lacking clarity on guidelines (joint sponsor doesn't qualify because retired?)
10:11 pm yesterday
triznite
Read 142 Times
6 RepliesThis morning my wife had her CR1 interview in Manila and she was told specifically by interviewing officer that:
Petitioner needs to have enough financially to support
Joint sponsor not acceptable because they are retired
Here is a quick overview of case details
30 year old petitioner currently unemployed but has individual brokerage account valued at $85,000 at time of interview
71 year old father as joint sponsor and 68 year old mother as household member of father, current income (going by their combined social security benefits as well as pension) of $64,000, which is decently above the minimum needed for household of 3.
My wife then was explained by a separate person before leaving about the 221G and was told the proof of domicile is about letter of intention to work and support wife. I am somewhat concerned that there is a disconnect on the specific reasoning from the interviewing officer and how that other person explained the letter to my wife. My wife felt stonewalled at the interview as she tried to show financial documents. The interviewing officer even asked who these two names were (implying that they didn't go over the overall evidence and joint sponsors i864 and i864a?).
From what I understood learning about this process, the petitioner being unemployed is not a problem as long as they have a joint sponsor and or assets that meet requirements. And I also had the understanding that social security and being retired for the joint sponsor is not a problem.
I had sideloaded to ceac a lot of evidence a week before with updated statements,and my wife had it all ready for the officer to look in person as well. They have petitioner brokerage full statement from a year ago, 6 months ago, and then the latest month as well as current balance letter a week before interview date. Current social security benefits letter were uploaded for the joint sponsor parents of the petitioner. I also had included proof of domicile (as petitioner has been in manila for almost a year now on temporary stay visiting wife and supporting her through process while waiting) with a detailed letter of intention for myself as well as my parents that is notarized that they are close with their son and allow petitioner and the beneficiary to live with them at their primary owned home as well as the secondary owned home if desired. They have petitioner valid state ID, and local bank account statement. They also have joint sponsor birth certificates and proof of domicile. Also two pdfs with extensive relationship evidence showing family pictures and the extended stay.
I have considered contacting the embassy using this page: https://ph.usembassy.gov/contact-us-visas/ in an attempt to clarify my case situation as my opinion is that the officer didn't really consider the totality of the situation as well as closely look at the documents and perhaps going by incorrect guidelines unless I am entirely mistaken on the retirement thing being a new problem for the joint sponsor. And I would also add that I believe petitioner asset amount is very close to the needed three times amount of minimum. At the very least it's close and it's not like the petitioner has nothing or plans to live in a big city.
Check out the 221g itself and give comments to provide insight. Is it possible to have a second look at this from a different officer who would hopefully go over the full evidence more closely? Do people view this also as the only option is that the petition needs to work immediately? Obviously if they toss aside the joint sponsor then it is understandable that even with that amount of assets it's not a particularly large amount over the guideline amount.. though it's obviously better than an unemployed petitioner who has close to nothing as well as not a close relationship to her parents and no reliable home. I would have thought the totality of the situation would have been enough here compared to plenty of other cases.
Thanks all.
ESTA denied to my nephew
7:14 pm yesterday
Veggie3
Read 132 Times
5 RepliesHi,
Recently we received the message that my 21-years-old nephew's ESTA application was denied no reason was given. The notification mentions "You are not authorized to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. You may be able to obtain a visa from the Department of State for your travel."
He has never been to the U.S. before and currently he is in a military pre-enlistment program in his country. He wanted to visit me together with his sibling (who has a visa and visited the U.S. 6 years ago) for about 2.5 weeks. I wrote my Congressman, but know that's a longshot. Is there even a point to apply for a tourist visa after an ESTA refusal?
Thanks,
V.


