Redro

As long as your ESTA hasn’t been cancelled you can travel.

Just file the taxes as if she was In the US for the entire year. If she had income she needed to exclude she would file form 2555. Simple explanation: Wife was in the US December 31, 2023 as a green card holder so she needs to file taxes.

Yes. You can and should file MFJ. Question: Does she have any bank accounts overseas? If the amount of all her overseas bank accounts is over $10 000 she needs to report it on your taxes AND she needs to file FBARS. If she has no income and no assets just file as if she was an American housewife with no job/income here... MFJ same rules apply.

Because the timelines are so long no one really completes timelines it seems... You don't really have to worry about the I-130. Your wife's sister should start playing the DV lottery every year. She might not be selected but if she is she will be able to come to the US sooner.

Here are the F4 timelines from VJ. Only two from Thailand. I’m assuming your wife came over on a K1? The sister’s process will be more similar to a spousal visa. File I130. Petition Approved. Moves to NVC. Pay Fees complete DS260 and I864. DQ Wait for interview Medical Interview Pay GC fee Enter US with IV and ability to work immediately. receive GC and SSN

tourists are allowed to gamble/ play the lotto. She should be fine.

When you enter the US you should go through secondary. They will ask you where the GC should be sent/ ask you to confirm the address. If it is different, tell them. You can update the address when you enter the US~

Card won’t be produced until you pay the fee. I paid the fee as soon as I got my passport and a week before I flew to the States.

This means you have not told VJ your petition has been approved yet. VJ data and information is user driven. Once you receive your NOA2 from USCIS you will input the NOA2 date. Currently processing times are around 12 months. I would not pay attention to USCIS "estimated processing times" I think that is basically a random message they stick on your profile to keep you occupied. Which consulate will you be interviewing at?

Adjusting status with bank statements and/or savings is more difficult to pull off than through the consulate. The sponsor still needs to file taxes or write a statement explaining why taxes do not need to to filed. But, I would definitely have a co-sponsor available if the 12 months of bank statements do not add up to an average of the required amount. How big is the sponsor's household?

No rush to approve the I130 because nothing will happen for several years if it is approved now… Is your brother eligible to apply for the DV lottery? Quite a few people will try that route while waiting because the backlog is so big. IIRC @SusieQQQ was petitioned by a family member but still went the DV route. they are now citizens and I think the family petition is still pending or was approved after they had moved to the US.

A poster a few months back got approved for ESTA even though she was a green holder at the time. ESTA doesn’t have as many barriers to obtain compared to an actual visa… you might want to consult with a lawyer about the best plan of action because if the father is still in their lives you will need his written approval and consent for them to move to the US. Try to get that situated before you apply for the K1 or CR1. And if it is important for you to travel back home to Norway with them CR1 is the process you want to pursue over K1. (If they have US citizenship or if they have to move to the US on visas).

The issue is… if the kids are already American they don’t qualify for immigrant visas… or the K2. So, have a chat with their dad. You can have a conversation around how they are rightfully US citizens and he is keeping them from going to his home country to understand/ learn about their heritage…

There might be issues IF you go through through the immigrant or K1 visa route for them, they are denied because they are US citizens… @Lemonslice might have more information about that… ETA you might have to have a difficult conversation with your ex to get your children their rightful US citizenship.

How old are your children? Have you investigated their U.S. citizenship status? There is a chance they could already be American and do not need to be sponsored.

I suggest you file I130 for both now. If you want your wife to enter on IR1 visa just delay the process at NVC stage until you reach the 2 year mark OR maybe at the 1 year 9 month mark of marriage. Then make sure she enters the US after your 2 year anniversary. Details on how to delay at NVC stage can be found here: I want to say.The first stage of the process takes about a year… but it could be slower or faster. Second stage usually takes 1-3 months and then third stage is 2-18 months depending on embassy. Once the visa is issued your wife and stepson should have 6 months from medical to enter the U.S. I recommend people file soon and then slow down the process if they are not ready to move to the US.

Are your wife and stepson in the US or overseas? How old is your stepson? Where will they interview?

@Rocio0010 was flying to Argentina and discovered her GC was approved when she landed IIRC. I don’t think she had any issues returning to the US.

Congrats @From_CAN_2_US IIRC your IV journey wasn’t the easiest. you were worried about passport issues? So I’m happy to hear ROC was a breeze. Hoping Natz is easy and in 2025 we all get speedy approvals.

To add to that: on VJ we’ve seen cases still active after a year + of no action. I think the couple in question was also from the UK. They didn’t pay the NVC activation fee for 2 years and were able to proceed with no issue… I will investigate and post the link later. But, the guide I posted by @seekingthetruth shows how you can keep cases alive for 1+ year at NVC.

🤣🤣🤣 I posted then read your comment… I don’t want people thinking they have to choose between food (SNAP, WIC or free lunch at school for their family) vs status in the U.S. That’s just a horrifying thought.

Always go to the source: Q: What public assistance programs does USCIS not consider? A: Generally, we do not consider noncash benefits in making public charge determinations. The only noncash benefit we consider is long-term institutionalization at government expense. We also do not consider special-purpose cash assistance that is not intended for income maintenance. For example, USCIS does not consider any of the following public benefits when making a public charge determination: Nutrition programs Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or other nutrition programs Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) School lunch and school breakfast programs Benefits under the Emergency Food Assistance Act (TEFAP) Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) ETA: You’ll be fine. The US doesn’t want you and your family to go hungry. additionally, I find some food assistance programs (like free lunches) are offered to entire schools if a certain percentage of students qualify.

I have no idea. Maybe go to your closest USCIS office and request an ADIT stamp then see if they can send you the GC?

They might not… USCIS might be confused by your actions. Have you considered requesting the 10 year GC first THEN canceling the N400 application? Another avenue could be to reschedule your oath if you get scheduled for it. I think if you reschedule twice they deem the N400 abandoned? Not sure… but personally I would try to get the 10 year GC before canceling N400.

Many people from Philippines can and do divorce here in the US to circumvent that issue. IIRC, a VJ member’s boyfriend (from Philippines) came over to the US on a visit visa, divorced his spouse (who was living in the Philippines) and then returned to Thailand to work. He was successfully petitioned for a K1.