US Immigration from South Africa

Hello all..

We filed our K-1 visa packet on November 4th 2020 (Delivery confirmation) at the Lewisville TX Lockbox (Via Fed Ex). Here we are almost three months later with no NOA1 receipt, and our check has not been cashed. After reading through different posts on this forum.. this sounds like an issue for a lot of people. Realistically.. looking ahead to a timeline for the processing of the K-1 Visa.. it could be another year before everything gets approved.. and my fianc can move over here.

My question is this.. My finac works for a big global corporation.. and with Biden entering the white house.. the Ban on Foreign work visas will very likely get lifted soon (it will expire March 31st 2021). She could very realistically get a work visa for here in the states by late spring.. and move here by May/June.. be able to work here.. and we could be married this summer.. and then apply for a CR-1 visa for her.. (Totally abandon the K-1 Visa)

This path (Work Visa/CR-1) visa seems to make much more sense for us at this point.. unless I am missing something? Could that path work for us?

Hello Everyone,

I found this USCIS Update regarding Biometrics on AILA website - This might be helpful to someone. Original link is https://www.aila.org/infonet/uscis-asc-updates

USCIS Application Support Centers Updates

Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we have experienced delays in scheduling or rescheduling application support center (ASC) appointments to collect biometrics. Current processing times are affected by several variables including demand and capacity at individual ASCs. The information below may help you understand what to expect with your biometrics appointment.

Safely Reopening ASCs

USCIS temporarily suspended in-person services between March and June to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and ensure employee and applicant safety. As a result, we cancelled approximately 280,000 appointments. USCIS began a phased reopening of our ASCs in July, after we installed protective screens and incorporated proper social distancing measures across 132 sites. Since reopening, there have been sporadic and temporary ASC closures for reasons such as local stay-at-home orders, COVID-19-related cleaning and extreme weather. From July to September, ASCs were operating at below 50 percent of pre-COVID levels. By late October, we increased ASC operations to approximately 65 percent of pre-COVID levels.

Current State

We are working to safely maximize appointment capacity at ASCs and are also reusing previously collected biometrics to conduct background and security checks when authorized by law. Based on capacity limitations unique to each ASC, we have not yet rescheduled all cancelled appointments. USCIS is scheduling approximately 10,400 appointments per day. Approximately 1.3 million applications are awaiting biometrics appointments as of mid-December. Applicants should continue to wait for an ASC appointment notice or a Form I-797, Notice of Action, from USCIS indicating that their previously collected biometrics may be reused.

Priority of ASC Appointments

Biometrics appointments are scheduled based on the prioritization of benefit types, considering adjudication capacity and processing times. Within a benefit type, USCIS generally schedules appointments on a first-in, first-out basis. The wait time for appointments will vary geographically, based on capacity and varying demand at individual ASC locations.

Biometrics Reuse

USCIS is authorized to reuse biometrics under limited circumstances, and usually where we must verify an individual s identity and the case is otherwise ready to adjudicate. If USCIS will reuse biometrics for a pending application, we will mail a Form I-797 notice to the applicant stating that we will be reusing the applicant s biometrics and that the applicant is not required to appear at an ASC. Not all applications meet the requirements for biometrics reuse.

Walk-ins

Because of our COVID facility constraints, we cannot process walk-ins for biometrics collection except for military applicants and their family members when the principal applicant is scheduled for an appointment. Before visiting any USCIS facility, check the USCIS Office Closings webpage for the current operating status. For more information about USCIS ASCs, visit our ASC information webpage. Please use our online tools for help in managing your application and to track the status of your case. If you have questions that are not addressed in your appointment notice, you may connect with the USCIS Contact Center.

Kind regards,

Public Engagement Division

Hi good people.

I was reading the rules on the I-864 form and it states that - The I-864 is the Affidavit of Support form that requires copies of the petitioners *past 3 U.S tax returns* (or tax transcripts)

What if I the spouse has Only been in the US for 2 years and do not have a 3rd year tax return what do we do. Has anybody ever been in such a situation.

Thank you in advance.

How everyone please help me understand because I have googled and research with various information I am not to sure of the real facts where do you submit the form I-864 is it included in the initial application when you start of as a petitioner or do you wait until they actually request for it. When does one actually fill and submit this form please please help.

I ve been trying to fill out the I-130 for my stepson but am hitting a roadblock on something seemingly simple. He has visited the US once before on a visitor visa but when I attempt to access his I-94 number online it says not found. I have multiple times gone through and followed the instructions in the FAQs to try variations on his name and still nothing so I filled out the form for assistance twice now with no answer after 2 weeks. Can I just attach a copy of his visa and the passport stamps with an explanation to his I-130?