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Sounds like you have a charlatan lawyer. A change of status (COS) from B to F1 would have been possible if you hadn't overstayed, but not now. Also: an F1 is a non-immigrant visa, which I can't ever see you getting again with an overstay. Why would they take your word for it that you would leave after completing your education? You have violated the terms of one visa, and likely will do it again. Are you really happy to stay here as an illegal immigrant for 20 years? Have you read about what is coming down the pike for undocumented immigrants next year? If it were me, I'd take my child and leave while I still had control over the situation.

This is how it works after DQ. Even before Covid, the normal time for many consulates was 3 months. Now, it is much longer for some consulates. 1. Case is DQ'd by NVC. 2. Case then enters NVC queue for your consulate and waits at NVC. 3. Consulate informs NVC of available interview date for upcoming month. 4. NVC schedules interviews for cases at the front of the line. 5. NVC schedules your interview when your case reaches the front of the queue for that consulate. 6. NVC notifies person of interview date via email. 7. NVC then sends case to consulate. After the interview is scheduled, it can take several days to several weeks for the consulate to receive the case.

You are asking to jump the line in front of all the other people who no doubt think it would be nice if their beneficiary can join them.

Many of these jumps are faster and cheaper overseas compared to the hoops to jump in the US. Inability to work after entering on K-1 for 6-12 months can be considered oportunity loss. We can be talking tens of thousands of dollars that could have been earned would a person enter on CR-1. If it means spensing few days / weeks to get paperwork sorted, I'd jump through those hoops. But it's me.

Did you ever report to UK immigration that you were married before? If you did report this truthfuly, didn't you have to produce a divorce decree which you clearly never had. Something is off here. How did you go through immigration process in the UK without having the divorce decree. Unless you never reported the first marriage.

Hi all, Just wanted to give a final update. We crossed the border on 18th october. Received our SSN on 1st November. Received our green card 8th November. Thank you for all the help and support in this group over the years. Good luck to everyone else still in the process. I wish you fast interview letters and no AP for you all. Good luck!

Then no reason to expedite. And having had a quick look at your previous threads, in your situation I wouldn't expedite anyway, regardless of the reason. Seems you were asking about filling the DS-160 in May after your K-1 was approved for another partner? And then married quite quickly to a different woman who you've filed the I-130 for? So I'd be leaving it as long as possible, your case is going to face much more scrutiny, so you'll need to have as much evidence as possible of time together to overcome that. Good luck.

Agree. Free to try but don't expect a miracle since u cancelled K1 in August and filed CR1 for a different person kinda fast for your kids to be unattached to one and attached to new one Hi! I had filed I129F and it was approved by the USCIS and currently has a NVC status of ready. I've called off the engagement with the beneficiary and emailed the consulate asking them to cancel the case but never received a response. Also emailed NVC but they told me to contact the consulate which I've done. I've also gotten married and filed I130 for another beneficiary. I checked the old I129F... August 23 1 reply

OP, beware of people telling you of fantastic processing times but are unwilling to fill in their timeline.

OMG, everybody needs to turn off MSNBC or whatever propaganda media you're watching and take a deep breath. First, I've been watching/using this site for a long, long time and what I noticed over the years is that when Trump was President, with many people going through this process during that time, if their process was like one day late, they were all like "Trump this!" or "Trump that!" During the Biden Administration, I never heard any of that same sentiment; complaints about the delays sure but never direct blame to Biden even when the process was taking not days longer but months longer. My personal experience: we applied in the last year of Trump's presidency and the initial process for us was super fast. Thereafter, Biden came in and the remainder of the process seemed to slow to a snail's pace. Biden's fault? I can't say; however, it seems to me when you open the borders to a flood of people who claim "asylum," suddenly all of those agents who were working on a regular flow of activity (ie, the cases of the people on this very site) are dealing with an unprecedented amount of asylum applications. Just my personal opinion for what it's worth.

You'll be OK. For I-751 I always recommend: - File a week after you're in the 90 day window. One week doesn't make much difference in processing times that take 2-3 years - Use personal check and not credit card. No amount of points / rewards is enough to justify the stress of rejected petition. Good luck, you'll be fine!

This journey felt like one of those video game stories where the Last Boss was actually there in your starting town all along, back to where it all began. The FINAL BOSS battle was on the 8th Floor, but it felt more like procedure. Had my N-400 Naturalization interview at the Downtown Los Angeles USCIS Field Office on October 24, 2024. Took LA Metro to Little Tokyo/Arts District Station, so didn't have to worry about parking. Walked three blocks up. There's a separate entrance about 15 steps to the north of the main entrance for interviews/USCIS appointments. Airport style security scanners, separate bags, phones, changers into the bins. Took the elevator up to Floor 8. There's a large waiting room with chairs, not many people. Arrived 25 minutes early and checked in at the window. They took a picture and then did left and right Index Finger prints. Appointment was right on schedule at 11:30am. Officer came out and called my name. Remain standing, swear truth oath. Took seat, passed over my documents: appointment letter, Green Card, Passport, Driver's License, and Selective Service registration. Verified name/birth date. Civics Test (6 questions): * What is the name of the national anthem? * Who was President during World War I? * What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment? * We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years? * If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President? * What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now? English Test: READ "Who was Abraham Lincoln?" WRITE "Lincoln was the President during the Civil War." Got all six Civics Test questions correct, stopped. Luckily, the questions were easy. I felt like the last two questions were planted for subliminal messaging. The stylus for writing was a horrible tiny stylus with a big, squishy, round rubber tip. After that the Officer went through/read every single line of the N400 application, name, address, phone, email, height, weight, work, travel, YES/NO questions and made me verify everything. Interview probably took 15+ minutes. Was passed and handed two print-outs, N-652 Naturalization Interview Results "Congratulations! Approved" and the Same Day Oath paper downstairs. Noon Time/lunch break. There's a cafeteria on the second floor and the seating overlooks the main entrance lobby. At around 12:45pm, lined up on the first floor, Room 1001. Let in at 1pm. About 15-20 or so people, some arrived late. Final Window, submit the Oath Paper and give up Green Card. Also, picture taken for the Certificate of Naturalization. Got two packets: Letter from President Biden, an info packet with Voter Registration/DS-11 Passport Application/New Citizen info, and finally a small flag. Oath Ceremony started at 2pm. Presiding officer introduced himself and gave a short speech. Lined up in a row in front of the podium when name called. Repeat Oath after officer. Then handed Certificate graduation style by Officer after name called. Took about 15 minutes. Then free to go or stay and take pictures. Done! Thanks to everyone in the forum for sharing their wonderful information/timelines, personal experiences, and details of their journeys. It really helps out to prepare and give a much better estimate than the website. Best of luck and positive vibes for those still waiting. Your interview will come soon.

Major errors in interpretation occur when a statement is lifted out of a longer official statement/explanation. Context. Context. Context. K1 90 day period is not to “try and see”. It is in order to give time for each couple .. who have already signed affidavits that they are intending to marry .. note there are no caveats ,” if I like her.. If i find i really want to marry her” listed.. to complete all the arrangements they may want have in place for their ceremony

Case approved today since August 15,2023, to those of you still waiting for approvals,It will come to you soon.amen.

Hi Forum Members, Got approved yesterday. Same experience as others on the forum. You reach there on time, go through security - dont be too early as you will have to wait outside may be 5-10mins before your interview time. Once you are through the security, they send you to the first floor - give u a yellow laminated card with documents to keep ready( those who need the employment letter, keep that ready also though it is not listed on the yellow card). They also give u a number - keep an eye on the screens so you know which window you are being called to. Window 1 - original document check. Window 2- Fingerprints Window 3 - Interview with Consular Officer. Everyone was nice and helpful - no need to be nervous. Just one tip - carry all your passports that ever had a US visa issued on them. They may want to check them. Overall took 2 hrs for the whole process in and out. Happy to answer any questions.

Just because you don’t go beyond the 6 months usually given for visitors when entering the US and your family are legal immigrants, doesn’t mean that you can come and go frequently. This is seen as abusing the tourist visa and using it to essentially live in the US. If you have been visiting too often with too little time between visits and are also suspected of working (which is a fair assumption- if you have work then you can’t take off that much and working online in the US on a tourist visa isn’t allowed), this questioning isn’t surprising and was bound to happen. Yes, they can absolutely confiscate your phone, laptop, go through your belongings, etc. Asking tough questions is not harassment. Suggesting they could have touched you is extreme. Everything is recorded and there are other officers around. Sorry but you don’t have options here. You’re not a US citizen where you are guaranteed entry and can continue coming back and forth. Even US citizens and permanent residents get pulled into secondary and questioned. My husband who is a US citizen was questioned extensively after a long overseas visit (he spent 2 hours in there). Visiting is a privilege and you’re treating it as a right. It isn’t unfortunately. You’re fortunate they didn’t revoke your visa on the spot and send you back on the next flight out. I strongly advise you to leave when they told you to leave and not visit the US for a long time if you want to keep the privilege of possessing a tourist visa.

What do you mean ‘what if they touched me’, did they? I assume you’re over 18? So of course they can interview you alone, you’re an adult. And yes, they can search your phone. As @Boiler said, it sounds like you’ve been working when you shouldn’t have been. You can’t do freelance work on a tourist visa, no matter where your clients are. All you can do now is leave well before your period of authorised stay, and then stay out a longer time before trying to return. And don’t do any work whilst you’re there! And you say your Dad isn’t planning on settling in the US for ‘a year or so’. Does he have a re-entry permit? If not he should get one, his own status is at risk by staying outside of the US for so long, and now that will be on his record too so he should expect more scrutiny if he leaves again. When did they get their green cards?

Just finished my journey this past Friday. I took my oath as a citizen. I was holding back tears during swearing in and listening to the Star spangled banner being played. As I sat in the car and looked at the certificate of naturalization the totality of hit me and I broke down and cried. It’s not been easy an journey but perseverance and patience is key in this process. Our help is always in the Name of the Lord🙏🏽 I applied using the new online portal and it’s so streamlined for VAWA applicants. Easily upload all the necessary documents, get all your notices even before they come in the mail and view everything in real time.

OP, I just went through the K1 process, filed in November 2022 and finally had my now-husband moved here and married this summer, 2024. If I could go back knowing then what I know now, I would choose CR-1. While K1 did have some benefits - specifically for us, we didn't like the idea of being separated after marriage - I can imagine how much easier life would be if he had arrived here with his green card and the ability to work. Doing simple things like obtaining a driver's license and opening a US bank account has been a pain for us. We're lucky that we're in a financial situation where we can afford for him not to be working, but that would definitely be a major issue for some people. Plus, the entire adjustment phase that we're going through now is an extra layer of anxiety that we wouldn't have had to worry about had we done CR-1. I wouldn't say I necessarily regret the K1 path because ultimately things have worked out the way they were meant to, but I do think it would have been cheaper and less stressful to go through CR-1.

I don't want to be harsh here but posts like this infuriate me, I can't be the only one thinking that! In April you were asking if you could expedite the process for your then-fiance, a month later you marry a complete different person and now you want to get first in line again because it 'would be nice if she joins the family'....... There are so many people waiting for years who would also find it 'nice' to join their loved ones! You were engaged to someone else a MONTH before you married your current wife and when skimming through the posts it looks like you didn't even meet said wife before you decided to marry her! You reasons are malarky and will 100% be denied. And I wouldn't be surprised if your complete petition would be denied.

The great myth is that those illegals do the work Americans won't do. The truth is as you said, those illegals undercut the wages and they will do those jobs cheaper than an American is willing to do. If those doing those jobs were to leave, businesses who need workers will be forced to pay competitive wages. I thought the left was all about higher wages.

i have to add CO's have the responsibility to protect USC, US, and bene IF the CO at interview views this relationship as not bona fida (as seems u look for a babysitter), u can be denied

Maybe he will finish the wall, Keep the asylum seekers in Mexico like last time. I dont think the gates will be open to welcome just anyone. We did all our Immigration under him the last time. Went pretty smoothly and was a lot faster and cheaper than it is now. He did want to raise rates but was shot down. Biden ownes the rate change. He did come up with new questions for civics test but that was shot down also. I think the biggest change will be the southern boarder but who knows at this point.

Hi Everyone, I just wanted to share that my visa was issued today 🥳 My timeline is: Applied: Nov 2022 Case approved by USCIS: April 2023 Interview: December 15th 2023 DS5535 sent: January 2024 Medical and passport requested: September 12, 2024 Passport delivered: Oct 2nd, 2024 Medical delivered: Oct 2nd, 2024 Status changed to issued: Nov 1st, 2024 I'm not waiting on the tracking number... Good luck to all of you!

Just a quick update for those with Chicago as their field office. I had my interview today and my status changed to oath ceremony will be scheduled within 3 hours. I have a great experience at the Chicago field office. Everyone was super nice and friendly, especially their security. I went from super nervous to just relaxed by the time I went to the waiting area. The wait wasn't long. I had my appointment at 1.15pm and I was called in at 1.20pm. Those of you that intends to change your name needs to practice your new signature. They'll need you to sign on the horrible touch pad that barely worked for your Naturalization certificate. I was caught off guard with that the proceed to struggle with the stylus for close to 5 mins. I think that's the most difficult part of my whole interview.

Unfortunately, OP, I'm guessing the pattern of trips with your parents, over an extended period, has finally triggered border interest. While you maintain that you've done nothing wrong, I would beg to differ. You admitted to working remotely while in the US. As others have said, I'm surprised they didn't turn you back around and void your visa. In terms of them interviewing you without your parents, while that might not be the norm in your country, in America, once you turn 18 (female or male), you are an adult and will be treated as such. If that is unsettling to you, perhaps visiting the US is not for you. My advice is to abide by the date given, leave before that date, tell your employer in Dubai that you are on vacation for the next four weeks (i.e. abide by the terms of your visa), and be thankful the border folk didn't revoke your visa. As for your parents, they are also now on the radar. I would advise them to move sooner rather than later. It doesn't take YEARS to wrap up a business. They are using the GC as a tourist visa themselves, and trying the old trick of 'visiting every so often' thinking their status is good. It may not be and they might find themselves in a tricky spot in the future. Overall, it's important that you and them understand the terms and conditions of yours and theirs' visas / status. It seems like you guys are skirting around the boundaries of those terms and conditions and, indeed, even breaking a couple of them. If being in the US is important to you all, please refamiliarize yourselves so you don't have a repeat.

I am sympathetic because I know it awful to be confronted like that. But, if they were really out to get you, they could have and would have revoked your visa and sent you back. They didn't. Instead, they still let you in and let you keep your visa. You could look at it as a not really subtitle and not polite warning that you have been visiting to much and need to space out your visits a bit more. You could be thankful that they chose the rude warning approach vs more serious actions that they could have taken.

If you want to being able to visit go back within a month and give it time before trying to visit again you can’t work in the US as a tourist

Officially crossed the border yesterday. I did get pulled into secondary however they just confirmed some details around my address and who sponsored me. Goodluck to everyone! 🙏🏻🇺🇸

Combo interview scheduled! I-751 filed in June 2023 (approx. 1.5 years waiting time) N-400 filed in Sept 2024 (approx. 2 months waiting time)

The 90 days is a not a try it and see period.

No. AP cannot be expedited. Pakistan does not accept police clearance certificates because they are unreliable. They have an agency to perform the background check on your spouse. A WoM can lead to denial if it forces them to make a decision before the background checks are complete.

I initially thought you were having a go, but I think you are actually serious. Here's how DOGE can make USCIS processing "efficient". Let's say goal is to have CSC process I-129F in 90 days: Any current applications that are waiting to be process: Reject and purge Simple applications (no divorce, low fraud country, no criminal past, fast background check from DOJ): process normally Slightly difficult cases (one party divorced, DOJ taking longer to get back with criminal check): Track processing, transfer to Vermont after XX days Moderately difficult cases (foreign fiance is divorced, high fraud country): transfer to Vermont Difficult cases: Transfer to Vermont. Typo on application: Reject, pocket the application fee. Missing information: Reject, pocket the application fee. High application countries like Philippines, automatically reject 50%-75% with "missing evidence" reason. Pocket the application fee. RFE: gone. Why waste time and resources on communications when it's simpler just to reject the application and pocket the money? Public inquiry: Make 100% AI driven. No USCIS employee to man help lines. Any escalated inquiries send the petition to Vermont to the back of the queue That is how to get "90 day processing" statistics on paper. Just like how Japan has a high homicide solve rate because they classify a murder as a homicide if they have already identified a suspect and have some evidence. All other cases are classified as "found body". And, in the above scenario, your application would have been rejected twice. You would be submitting your 3rd,4th or 5th I-29F application. But hey, at lease USCIS is now processing within 90 days.

Individual circumstances aren’t relevant to USCIS. Meeting the stated requirements are.

You are making things harder than they need to be. Listen to the advice above from these VJ veterans. If you and your GF/ Fiacee.. cannot meet the requirements. she needs to find a sponsor plain and simple, and work on that part. and if that part cannot get done.. your whole process needs rethinking. You must remember yall would still have to get enough money to pay for (airline tickets, and AOS fees. food & housing.. etc)

I was in my local Wally World yesterday, they are starting people at $19 $19 x 40 x 50 = $38,000 Well above the requirements. Maybe they pay less in Florida but it would have to be SIGNIFICANTLY less not to meet the requirements.

A job at Walmart would meet the requirements.

@Family @OldUser My wife and I got home from our 1 year anniversary dinner today and she got an email saying action was taken on her case. The I-485s have been approved! No notices of reopening the cases. Just straight from denied to approved. Notices should be arriving in the mail in the coming weeks.

With specific regard to "anti immigrant rhetoric" details matter. The rhetoric I'm hearing is anti-illegal migration. Those of us who understand and are involved in the actual "immigration process", know the difference between "migration" and "immigration". People in the USA illegally through migration or overstay, would be wise to get their affairs in order.

Today is the day! Smooth process for N400 interview. Arrived and seated in the waiting area 10 mins before appt time. I waited for 15-20 minutes and got called by the IO. Started with an oath and handed over the appointment letter, passport, GC, and DL. Followed by civics tests. After that, he asked me a few questions on the N400 form, like your work, address(Yes, you do need to remember the company address even tho you work remotely or freelance), and duration of the work, if I have been abroad for over 6 months(he didn't ask how many times and how many days), and Yes and No questions. After all that, he handed me the same day's oath ceremony paper. I headed downstairs for the oath ceremony, waited 30 minutes, and had the ceremony with around 15 other new citizens. That's it! They gave us the naturalization certificate on the spot and briefed us on how to apply for a passport. I guess that's it for the USCIS journey. It's been a rollercoaster, but once you're on the other side, everything seems just fine.

If you had paid attention, you would have known that the OP is currently living with her partner in Brazil, so this does not apply to their situation at all. Also not relevant for the OP, as they are in Brazil. Your personal experience from a decade ago in the Philippines really does not add any value to OP's questions. OP, glad you decided to go the CR-1 route! Good luck!

So, I've been asking my wife the civics questions and she is getting pretty good but one of the easiest questions was giving her trouble. Name a war the US fought in the 1800s. She would say the Civil War sometimes but often one of the World Wars or whatever. I kept saying, Why don't you just remember the easiest one, the War of 1812. After telling her that several times she started getting mad. Finally, last night, we figured out she thought I wanted her to say the war that was in 1812 and didn't know the War of 1812 was the name of a war.

even if you do meet after filing now and bring that proof of relationship to the interview, consular officers aren’t obligated to look at it. That is real BIG /CO at interview in Casa will not look at additional evidence of more trips, etc. I don't often say this but in your case i would go the K1 route (after another trip) Sounds like u r only able to get the short 2 week vacations and not time enough to complete a Moroccan marriage Ages are at your advantage Muslim man can marry Christian or one of the Jewish faith in Morocco / no issues there Muslim woman has to marry Muslim man. He will not be able to work until the AOS process is complete so look at the cost to support him (healthe care insurance is the biggy) Be sure when u are granted the K1 visa , u go for his SS number quicktly as it helps in adding him to insurances and for DL allah yekbel Jeanne

According to OP Entered Nov 2023. Has not married @Reda 21 you are out of legal /authorized stay. You need to return to your home country

Thanks. Nothing speaks louder than personal experience.

That is no longer a barrier. The Utah online marriage eliminates those hoops.

Not applicable to the current, real world. I wouldn't start implying that K-1 journeys are that short now.

There are no policies. Trump was the FIRST president to come into the White House supporting gay marriage. He also has no issues with legal immigration. He said it clearly on Wednesday morning that legal immigration is supported. Lots to have issues with the man over. LOTS. These two issues are not amongst them.

Status changed to Issued today! Many thanks to people in this forum. My timeline is: Applied: May 2022 Case approved by USCIS: May 2023 Interview: July 2023 DS5535 sent: July 2023 Congressperson Inquiry to Montreal embassy: Oct 10, 2024 Medical and passport request: Oct 11, 2024 Passport delivered: Oct 12, 2024 Medical delivered: Oct 25, 2023 Status changed to issued: Oct 31, 2024 All the best 🙏🏻

I advise you to make the necessary adjustments needed to deal with an 18 to 24 month process. In the meantime, stop looking at any other "estimated timeframe".