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Got it. So the biometrics is part of the re-entry permit process. That's good to know. Thank you!

Thank you. It looks like it. As far as the biometrics, you mentioned applying as soon as she lands. From when I went through the process with my fiance and his Visa, I thought they send you an appointment date for the biometrics. Its not something you have to apply for. I could be wrong. Its been a long time. Thanks! That's a very good point also. Thanks!

Hi, Good point about not needing to have a full time job. I thought she needed to earn at least $14,500 to file taxes but just read up that you can file regardles. Thanks for the link. Looks like you can travel even if your I-131 is still in process. Great to hear about the VISA. She's going to spend next summer with us so I have to try to time it so it's ready by then. Thanks.

Hi, No she does not. She commutes. As far as time off, I think Christmas, Summer, and one other break in the spring. It's not that it would be difficult for her to get a job here for the summer, it's just that she might want a summer break while not in school. That's up to her. As far as the re-entry permit, I was reading that it can take from 6 months to a year processing time and you can't travel while in process so that might not work. Do you have any idea how long you can hold off on applying for the VISA? I get the feeling that waiting 4 years would be too much. Thanks

Thanks for your response. It's a little disheartening though. My stepdaughter is a full time student in her country of origin so it would be difficult for her to get a job in the US until she completes her studies. Her parent's are divorced, so you can say that 50% of her family is here and the other is there. She lives with her mom in her country until she is finished with her studies. It seems like your daughter's situation is a bit different then my stepdaughter's. When I petitioned for my stepdaugher she was under 21. Now she is 21.

Hi Everyone, I'm a US citizen that submitted an I-130 petition for my step daughter May 2024. Thankfully, I just received notification that it was approved this month. I'm waiting to get notification from the NVC to start the next process of applying for the VISA, etc. My question is, my step daughter is in college in her home country and has about 4 years left to get her masters. I want to make sure that once she gets her VISA and enters the US, she retains her US residency until she finishes college. I've read that as long as she comes every 6 months, she should be ok. Our intention is for her to come every summer and Christmas breaks until she graduates and moves here. Is there something else I would need to do? Some kind of special permsission she needs to apply for? I do know that if she is going to be more than a year out of the country, she can apply for a re-entry permit (Form I-131) but that won't be necessary in her case. Also, would it make sense to hold off on applying for the visa to prolong the process as much as possible? I'm not sure how long after the petition is approved, it is required to apply for the VISA. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Thank you! They seem to have sorted out whatever issue they were having. They received the documentation they needed.

Hi Everyone, So, regarding this post. My Stepdaughter had her visa interview 10 days ago and everything went well. Except, the Income tax return that we had uploaded to the CEAC website was outdated since it was done a year ago and they needed the 2023 return. My stepdaughter had a hard copy with her (as it said in the interview instructions to bring), and the person said they cannot accept hard copies and that we had to upload it to the CEAC site. We uploaded it and the status showed "uploaded". I informed them via an email that they supplied, and they came back and said it was not there. I sent them copies via the email and they responded that it has to be uploaded to the CEAC site. I sent them a screencap showing it was uploaded and they said unfortunately they don't see it. They didn't offer any other options or a resolution. I Also tried sending an email to the CEAC website informing them of my issue but i have gotten no response. Today I tried to log into my stepdaughters case in CEAC and it won't let me in and says the visa for this case has been refused. We petitioned for her 4 years ago and paid all the fees and now we are in this final step and it gets refused over a technicality ? What other option do I have at this point? I need help and don't know which way to turn. Any sugggestions would be greatly appreciated.

ok. thats what i figured. Thank you for the information

quick followup question appleblossom, I we were to petition for one of my husband's siblings, does the same hold true? Can i peition for them instead of my husband? Therefore avoiding the Visa wait? Thanks, Rich

Ok. Got it. Thank you. I wish I had done it this way for my other step daughter.

Oh ok. Thank you. I thought that (F1) pertained to "Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens"?

She is 20.

Hi Everyone, I just wanted to share the good news that we got notification that my step daughter's visa interview is scheduled for September! I wanted to thank everyone for their help during this process that took over 4 years. Now, I'm starting again petitioning her sister and have a question. When I applied for my first step daughter, I thought it would be quicker for my husband (which is her father), to petition her even though he is a US permanent resident. I was informed here that that was a mistake and it would have been quicker if I, as a US citizen had petitioned for her instead. Now, for my second step daughter, I petitioned her. The petition is still pending but out of curiosity I looked at the Visa Bulletin for August, and I'm confused by the dates. As a US citizen petitioning for her, doesn't it fall under the F1 category? Why would F1 show that they are currently processing visa s from Oct 22, 2015 when the F2A category, the one my previous step daughter had since my permanent resident husband applied for her is Nov 15, 2022. It looks like the F2A dates are 6 years better than F1. Am I reading this incorrectly? Should my husband have petitioned her instead? Thank you

Just wanted to update everyone. I just received this email from the NVC: "This notice is to inform you that your case for an immigrant visa is documentarily complete at the National Visa Center (NVC) and has been since 08-Jun-2023. NVC has received all of the fees, forms and documents required prior to attending an immigrant visa interview. Your petition is awaiting an interview appointment. At this time, no further action is required. We appreciate your patience. Your case will remain at NVC until an appointment is scheduled, at which time we will send it to the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate General. We will notify the applicant, petitioner, and attorney (if applicable) when an appointment is scheduled. The U.S. Embassy or Consulate tells NVC which dates they are holding interviews. NVC fills these appointments on a first-in, first-out basis and is unable to predict when an interview will be scheduled. The next communication you receive from NVC will be either a notice that your appointment is scheduled, or if an appointment is not scheduled within the next 60 days, we will send a notice confirming that your case is still in line for an interview" I hope it's a good sign that she was not aged out of her orginal VISA category!