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Bad marriage can cost a lot more than tickets to see each other. I wouldn't want to marry somebody I've never met in person.

Sounds like you are getting your wake-up call now. This site is here to help people do it themselves, but you came here only after starting without doing the homework part. You are going to have some hard decisions to make, and must get your head around accepting a path and timing you don't like. The sooner you drop the "I'm not going to...." from your mind, the sooner you can move ahead productively.

You need a lawyer for this, this is out of DIY realm.

I think this is a great plan. Americans can pretty much stroll in anywhere: that is our superpower and we should use it more often. I'm honestly disappointed I haven't used it more.

Wow! Literally right after posting I checked my email and was asked for passport and all documents! 🥳 Not getting too excited yet as still have some waiting and stuff to do but great feeling to finally get an update almost 16 months later!

Folks I strongly recommend that everyone with a pending VAWA application carry a copy of their USCIS receipt notice and a copy of their I-94. Having these documents on hand ensures that if stopped by ICE, you can present official documentation from Immigration to verify your status. I have always advised my clients that they could travel abroad with advance parole. However, last week, I emailed all of them, advising against traveling abroad with advance parole for the time being. While VAWA petitioners do not trigger the 3/10-year ban, there is currently uncertainty about how CBP will handle cases involving VAWA petitioners who were previously without status and left the country, then attempt to reenter. Legally speaking, it should not pose an issue, but due to these uncertainties, I recommended they refrain from traveling abroad for now.

He needs to contact the consulate and ask if he can reschedule. However, I think you have more serious issues to consider. Good luck.

So we have a good update to share! We had our medical / RCMP / passport request from MTL. The request actually came through our Senator, who we asked to reach out on our behalf last week. We're elated since I think we are finally in the end game now. This reinforces a suspicion I had, which is the consulate sits on your clearance from the state department for a while until it is convenient for them to process your case. I wanted to make sure we didn't ask for senatorial help until our case was 'ripe' enough to get action by Montreal. The factors & recent timeline of events that led us to reach out were: - I emailed on April 30th and did not get a response, even though they updated our case in late May. - Many people around my vintage on the tracker were getting processed between late May and now. - I had another update on July 9th, but no additional follow up for a couple of weeks. - I had a hunch that either the May or July update was them receiving the clearance, but they had other priorities. - After waiting from July 9th for an organic update and document request, and it not coming, we felt we could now ask congress to inquire to help expedite things. - We used the Senator's webform for assistance on July 25th. - They confirmed they reached out to the consulate on July 29th. - We had an update on CEAC on July 30th. - Today (July 31st) we received an email from the senator with the documentation request, also explaining how the CO reviewed our file on July 30th. Given the very fast response after the senatorial outreach, I think it is safe to say they helped expedite things. I do, however, believe if we had asked for help months ago (before state department clearance), they would have received push back, making more difficult for them to reach out and expedite things when it is actually possible. All of this is anecdotal, but I'm sharing the details hoping that maybe it could help people decide when it is appropriate to seek outside assistance. Oh, and one more thing. since I was asked for RCMP check again, it is safe to say that they are probably only valid for 1 year.

Why did you not have a plan for providing health insurance for your wife? It is your responsibility, as the petitioner.

Like everyone else here is saying. Meet do not get married at this first visit. Make the visit as long as you can. Spend as much time as possible with her friends and family too. Then go home and start planning and saving for another trip. With High fraud countries getting married the first trip together is a sure fire way to be denied. Especially if it is a short visit.

Hi Everyone - after my updated medical results and passport were delivered to the embassy on July 31st, I have gotten my passport back with the visa in it! My interview was back in April 2023.

4th is a holiday so the 5th

Your posts are coming across as very aggressive to people who are just trying to help. All I said is that flights were leaving in 2020 so the pandemic wouldn't be a valid reason for overstaying that long. There's nothing you can do but wait and see what happens. What document was requested on the 221g?

Getting married before ever meeting in person, then applying for the spousal visa immediately after that first and only meeting, is a blueprint for how to get a spousal visa denied. During the visa interview, the consular officer must be convinced that the marriage is a valid marriage and not one just for immigration purposes. With just one meeting — that occurred after the marriage — that will be very difficult. Waivers for the two-year meeting requirement for a fiancée visa are extremely rare for a reason. People can be far different in person than they appear online. Having two young children that make travel planning more complicated is not a reason for a waiver. Waivers for the “consummation” meeting after the wedding are non-existent. There is no provision for this meeting to be waived. Even if there were, it would not be approved in a case where it means the couple would have never met at all before the immigrant visa was issued. You will need to figure out how to meet — perhaps in a third country so you don’t have to travel as far and he doesn’t need a US visa. Even without it being a requirement, I would urge anyone (especially with young children involved) to meet before marrying anyone and bringing them into a household

Turns out my prediction was correct. CEAC says Issued now!

Alright folks, final update as promised! Officially crossed over today, July 17th on an IR1 (airport crossing). No secondary required, was amazed that I only had to stay at the counter for all of maybe 5 mins until I got a "congratulations, welcome to the US" response from the border agent. - Jan 30, 2024 interview with 221g DS 5535 refusal. - Filed WOM June 5, 2024, defendants served June 21, 2024 - Passport requested back July 2 - flew to Montreal to hand deliver passport on the 5th. I had a back and forth email exchange with them the 3rd letting them know I was coming in person on the 5th. - Showed up first thing at 730am and came back to retrieve passport at noon same day. Do I think my WOM played a factor? Yes, and I don't regret spending the money one bit. I wish the best of luck to everyone!

Wasn't there a thread couple days ago about a USC woman who brought a Pakistani husband in and he took off after getting his 10-yr green card. I'd read that before deciding to proceed with this guy. Plenty of red flags already flying - refused visas, wants to get married fast...

I have changed my mind, go for it.

It seems like he doesn’t want to. Does this not raise a red flag with you? And don’t you mean: “I can’t think of anyone who would purposely want to miss their interview to go to the person they are about to get married to”? If his desire to come to the US would be bigger than his desire to get married to you, that wouldn’t be good. Him purposely missing his interview shows that he is not ready to get married to you yet.

You’re focusing on the wrong thing. You need to spend much more time together in person rather than focusing on which wedding route to go. You can also marry via Utah Zoom marriage either when you’re both together in person or visit after the ceremony to consummate the marriage. But your primary focus should be spending much more time together otherwise just marrying isn’t going to resolve the denial.

Hey so great news got my passport back on Thursday and crossed over and got it confirmed over the weekend!

Way too many red flags and you know this or you would not be posting. This is how I am seeing it. She came in and applied for asylum. She is well aware that she has a slim chance of being successful of it being granted. She married you, stalled as long as she could to keep stringing you along to stay out of the home (not really being married because her church said so). I would bet money she has someone coaching her. She has outright told you she is in it for the GC. She's not doing this for the kids and church. Tells you to go find someone else because she is in love with her (probably husband and child's father) in her home country. Once she gets that green card she is going to bounce and then bring him over. Please pull the AOS now and talk to a lawyer.

This is not the intention of K-1 visa. The idea is that you know for sure you're marrying the person before sponsoring them for visa. People are not toys you can return to store within 90 day period. They're leaving their home, family, friends, jobs, everything they have to rely on you for some time until they can settle in new and totally different place which is USA. It would be totally irresponsible and immoral to break somebody's life like this by betraying them in their most vulnerable moment. Now, to the question... Prenup does not waive your I-864 obligations to US government.

You are coming across as quite entitled. Legal immigration involves planning and waiting. Most of us here have had to do loads of planning and waiting in our journeys. No one else is more special than the next person.

After almost 16 months in AP, I finally received the email to submit passport and medical report. the long wait is over, I pray all of you guys receive it sooner than later to be reunited with your family.

Just to be clear, there's lots of good help here, but we are here to help with homework assignments and with understanding the homework after you do it. We are not here to help you avoid the homework by spoon feeding you. Without the homework, you don't know what you don't know, so don't know what to ask.

Hi everyone! Quick update! ! We received our passport with visa stamp today Documents Sent: July 8 CEAC says Issued: July 17 Thanks and hoping other VJ members in this long journey hear the good news soon!

Hi folks. Wanted to share the good news that we got the long awaited email to send the consulate my passport and complete a medical and police certificate. I also have to update my DS-260 form. I had sent an email to them requesting an update on April 30th. Never received a response to that email, only an Update on May 23rd, followed up with updates on May 28th, June 6th, June 11th and June 12th. And then the email on June 14th. Lucky for us it progressed pretty quickly. it’s a tough road and I honestly feel so sorry for everyone on here being in this dreadful situation. It’s been over 15 months since my interview and probably the toughest 15 months in my life being apart from my wife. The only thing I can say is that your time will come guys. It’s a waiting game no matter whether you file a WOM or choose not to it’s still months upon months waiting for answers but just know that it’s coming to you. It’s just a matter of time!! If any one has any questions feel free to dm me!! Stay strong everyone!!

Within 2 months of marriage you filed for divorce…thus knew the adjustment was sham. Days or a month later you start new relationship ( skip to 3 months after filing divorce)..and while still married and first spouse ‘s adjustment is still pending, you leave the States and marry in Syria. Bigamy. Your current marriage is bigamous , and deemed a criminal act in most US States . ..so a bit more than simply “not valid “for US immigration. That first green card was not yours to give away, you were complicit in the sham and an immigration benefit was obtained by fraud. Does it matter that this time …it’s the real thing? Not really, if they find /allege fraud. … K-1 is a waste of time. ..and you will have a very long road ahead even w I-130.

Back home and all done. I'm a US citizen now! 🥳 Full account of my experience below. Tldr: I waited an hour for my interview, then an hour and a half for my same-day oath ceremony. Interview went well but the officer asked me multiple questions about my marriage, even though I applied under the 5-year rule, and looked at evidence of bona fide relationship when I offered. Oath ceremony took 5 min and was anti-climactic. My appointment this morning was at 7:35am. Between being nervous about the interview and my pollen allergies being horrible this year, I barely slept. When I woke up at 6 I was glad I had prepared my folder with all documents the night before because my brain wasn't functioning! The field office is a 20 min walk from my building, and I arrived around 7:05 to a long line of people. Intake was chaotic to say the least. Some people had interviews as early as 7:15 but were stuck in the line. Eventually the security guard had all the people with interview times before 8am go to another entrance around the corner... and then we waited in line again. Once inside it wasn't clear where to go, but I eventually found the check-in area. They took my picture and fingerprints and sent me to a waiting room on another floor. There I waited a whole hour, until being called at 8:35. I believe I was the last one remaining of the group of people with early appointments. The officer who interviewed me was a pleasant and personable young man. I apologized for my raspy voice and we started chatting about allergies. It was all very casual and friendly. We started with the civics test, here are the questions I was asked: name one American Indian tribe; what is the name of the Vice President of the US; we elect US representatives for how long; if both the Vice President and President are unable to serve, who becomes president; what stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful; what is the capital of the US. Then we went through the reading and writing test and joked about the stylus on the tablet being so awkward. He informed me that I had passed the tests and he was now moving on to the application itself. Here besides questions about my recent travel history and employment status, he asked a good number of questions about my husband and our marriage. I didn't expect that because I applied under the 5-year rule, and I went through the ROC process 10 years ago. I'm still happily married to my USC husband so I had no issue answering, but that was a bit of a surprise for me. For example he asked if we owned property together, if we had ever lived apart, if both our names were on our car title, if we were on the same health insurance, etc... I had brought a copy of my lease agreement so I offered to show him that it's in both our names, and he did look. I also offered to look up my health insurance information on my phone but he said it wasn't necessary. I didn't think about it at the time but I could also have mentioned that all our tax transcripts, which I had with me, show that we filed jointly. Eventually he moved to the yes/no questions from the N-400 form. To the question "have you ever been a member of an organization or club?" I said no except if you count gym membership, and he said that since I said it he had to write it down. He then made me verify my information on the tablet, asked me if I agreed with the statements in the oath of allegiance, and congratulated me for being approved. He asked if I wanted to take the oath the same day and I said yes. I was sent to another floor where I had to check-in and give my green card - fun fact, my 10-year green card had just expired yesterday. I was given an envelope containing a letter from President Biden, a guide about what to do after the ceremony (passport, SS, etc), and a voter registration form, together with a little flag. I was directed to a waiting area and told my oath ceremony would be at 10:30am. It was just after 9, and the coffee shop within the building was closed so I just sat there and waited. Everyone was silent until a giant juicy cockroach fell from the ceiling and started trotting around the seating area. Eventually we were called by name and given our naturalization certificates. Interestingly it has my picture from my ROC biometrics 10 years ago, and not the picture they took of me when I checked in today. We were shown a video with President Biden congratulating us, then we had to repeat the Oath of Allegiance after the supervisor who was officiating the ceremony. Everyone in the entire room did it at the same time and because she spoke fast, we definitely missed some words. It was all over in 5 minutes. I did feel a little emotional when the video with the President welcoming us as new citizens started, but otherwise it felt like a formality and lacked the decorum I expected. Visitors and guests were not allowed. In the end we were able to take pictures in front of the flag, and people were all taking pictures for each other.

Well boys and girls. My I-485 was finally approved today.

Hi Everyone, My long wait is finally over. My CEAC case finally changed to Issued today! Now I await my passport. It has been a very long road since the interview (Nov 22, 2022! Yes, 2022!). And I also had to wait a year for the interview itself! Given that we sent all requested documents and passport in for which were received on March 22, this stretch felt the longest. We asked our Senator for assistance. She did follow up with Montreal yesterday I believe. Whether this is just coincidence my case would have been approved today regardless, I do not know. I will give her the credit though. I checked first this morning and the date change so I know something was possibly going on, but still refused. Then checked early this afternoon and it read Issued. Thank you to this group for your continued support. You were a life line during this. None of you should be here! It will be my mission going forward to advocate for change! I wish you all nothing but the very best and hope your Issued day will finally come, sooner than later! Stay strong and fight! If I can do this so can you.

You got a green card that you weren’t eligible for, and then citizenship that you weren’t eligible for either. As @nastra30 said, it will be a long drawn out process before your citizenship is revoked and you’re deported. Your call, but if it was me I would just return to my home country rather than facing the stress and expense of all of that, and to reunite with my children much sooner too.

Now not so secret

Issued !!!!!! Thank you all for the direct or even indirect support as i went through this tediously long process. Honestly my hopes and expectations were set very very low , and i believe that is what probably helped me cope mentally. With so low expectations anything really was a surprise. a quick timeline for me march 2023 - DQ Oct 27 2023 -interview and given ds5535 Nov 1st - Submitted ds5535 form Nov 3rd - First case creation and update march 2024 - first update despite sending form months prior radio silence again July 30th - first unsolicited update(that i noticed) july 31st - Update 1st Wk August - a couple of updates August 8th - Request to send passport and medical August 9th - Took medical exam (was very lucky to find so soon) Aug 9th. - sent in passport and photos after medical appointment Aug 19th - Received confirmation from clinic that they sent medical to embassy Aug 21st - finally Shows the beautiful words Of “issued” . honestly when i read those words i began crying as this was a very stressful and emotional process for my partner and I. I want you guys to know though there is an end to the tunnel. And they seem to be processing them faster now , hoping that trend keeps going .

I'll be blunt, direct and honest. I knew VAWA was the goal, right from your first post. See the response that I had pre-written below. Such a short time to have even known what a protective order is and how to file it. Seems your friend might be playing high stakes game. This looks really suspicious and coached.

Finally .. received the happy, happy - joy, joy email this morning. Requested passport, updated medical, and RCMP Certificate. Nothing else. @Superluminal please update (we received two additional case status updates before today’s request.) Thank you!

get the mammogram /the lump not go away just by ignoring it / please get the mammogram /there is peace in knowing and there are treatments and it may not be cancer

Hey guys, we just got the email to send passport and new medical! I'm really happy to see things moving along and best of luck to everyone for waiting. I do sincerely believe we'll start to see shorter wait times now for those of you interviewed later in 2023 and early 2024. IR1 Visa Interview April 27 2023 DS5535 submitted May 1 2023 Unsolicited updates June 20, July 9, July 10, and July 11 with the request. @Superluminal can you update the tracker please and hopefully you've received your email as well!

Hi everyone! Quick update from me: was notified by the consulate this morning that my passport is being returned. My status on the CEAC tracker has changed to "Issued" as of an hour ago. Surprisingly quick for me. They're sending it back just 1.5 weeks after I sent it through - since others that interviewed around the same time as me are still waiting, I do wonder if my WoM had an impact... albeit much more slowly than it would've a year ago. Thanks again for all the support throughout the process and I hope to see more movement for everyone still waiting soon.

Public Charge determination or financial support is not even considered or applicable in the Naturalization process. They are non-issues. I can tell you that the N-400 was, by far, the easiest part of the immigration process for us. It was a piece of cake from application to approval.

I am an Immigrant

Please fill out your timeline. You'd have eliminated a number of questions ahead of time, had you done so. https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profile.php?id=481781 Immigration is a privilege, not a right. Your partner is not entitled to live in the US any more than you are entitled to live in her country. Tossing comments around like skipping the queue and having an overall bad attitude isn't going to help your family on this journey. As many have stated, it is 100% possible for you to return to the US, establish domicile and work while your wife and child are in her home country. Many, many of us have done it. You are not special in any way when it comes to this situation. Immigration takes time, money and patience, end of story.

You seem to just want to hear that everything is fine and your visa is approved, and you get mad at everyone who is telling you otherwise. The "girl" is not who approves visas, so whatever she told you has very little value. You have a choice: you can take all the advice that has been given by very experienced VJ members and learn from it. Or you can continue to be mad at everyone and everything and get nowhere.

Significant time together in person, is the solution. How many visits is not the issue. It's how much time together. If you're planning a single visit for a week or two, don't expect success. It seems you've developed a long distance relationship, without considering the practical side. You're an adult. You know the practical aspects are going to cost quite a bit of money and YOU will be the one doing the traveling. My advice is to hold off on commitments to marry, until you've sorted out how you're going to make at least two trips to Kenya, and spend at least a 5 or 6 weeks total together.

I'd think having never met would be a bigger red flag. You'll obviously need to meet in person before applying anyway, but for a high fraud consulate I'd personally recommend a lot more time together first, across several visits. Best of luck.

Our ceac is now issued!!!!

So the B-2 is just to possibly come to US and overstay. Got it. Additionally, you are looking for someone for her to marry for immigration benefit. This thread is about to get closed as soon as the new sheriff see it. Wait for it.

My Visa is in hand and flight is booked in 2 days. I want to thank everyone in this thread and also all the other resources provided on Visjourney.com. It helped guide me through the process and set my expectations appropriately LOW. It's been an awful long process for me, and I know from reading this thread that many of you are suffering even longer waits than I have. I wish you all the best! Honestly, what an inhumane process and wait time for people who are getting married, trying to start a family, or trying to raise kids. Here's the timeline in case whoever's in charge of the spreadsheet wants to include it: Oct 2 2022: Paid for I-130 Aug 30 2023: NVC case creation date Nov 27 2023: Consulate Received Mar 7 2024: Interview letter received Apr 5 2024: Interview & additional processing DS-5535 requested, DS-5535 was filled in and sent on the same day July 25 2024: Status updated on CEAC.STATE.GOV site (no reason given) July 30 2024: Passport requested from me, sent via Canada post on the same day, received by Montreal on July 31 2024 Aug 9 2024: Status updated on CEAC.STATE.GOV site (no reason given) Aug 12 2024: Status updated on CEAC.STATE.GOV site (no reason given) Aug 13 2024: Status changed to ISSUED from REFUSED Aug 16 2024: Tracking number issued Aug 19 2024: Passport picked up with Visa in hand I'll bring a copy of my marriage certificate to show the border agent. Because of the extensive wait time, I will be married for over 2 years by the time I cross the Port of entry. Hopefully they won't mess it up and give me a short term green card instead of the 10 year one due to my CR-1!

The bolded part is ONE of the conditions. Google "Maintaining Permanent Residence" to learn more. Also, not sure that we should follow the example of people not following the rules and not getting caught. Good for them, but not great for the ones who get caught trying to circumvent the system. I see plenty of people speeding on the highway, not sure telling the cop I was imitating their behaviour will help me when I'm the one caught... If your children have no intention of living in the US, might be best not to burden them with lifetime tax filing. Something to be discussed. Best of luck to you and your family.