EatBulaga

Yes. But start researching and preparing for the I-751, and collect the I-751 evidences. That should keep you busy? 😂 Here is our report for submitting the I-693 per the courtesy email. We went to the doctor's office earlier in the week as instructed to pick up the sealed packet. Based on the stack of sealed brown envelopes that the receptionist had, we were among the many that did the I-693 with this Civil Surgeon. The envelope itself is just a standard 10 X 13 brown envelope, but it is taped sealed with the doctor's stamp over the flap that has the name, "Civil Surgeon", and the doctor's phone numbers. They also gave us a copy of the I-693 that is supposed to be in the sealed brown envelope. As posted in our Civil Surgeon report https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/798091-request-for-form-i-693-courtesy-email/?do=findComment&comment=10826873 We were only able to check the first 2-pages, then signed the I-693. There is a leap of faith in assuming what is inside the sealed envelope is the accurate I-693, and the copy they gave us is a duplicate of what is in the sealed envelope. In any case, the doctor completed Part 5 thru 11 of the I-693. Part 10 is the vaccination record that was transcribed from the DS-3025 along with the particular vaccine dose received during the I-693 medical exam. In Part 10 Results, the doctor selected the box, "Applicant completed vaccination requirements or may be eligible for blanket waivers as indicated above". Attached to the end of I-693 are the copies of the Covid vaccination cards, lab reports, and driver's license. Also as instructed in the courtesy email, we put together supplemental "evidence of the bona fides of marriage". We used this opportunity to include among other evidence: the 2022 Tax Return Married Filing Jointly, joint bank statements, credit card statements, car insurance, affidavits from church members, beneficiary of the retirement accounts, bill statements of joint accounts, driver's license, health cards, pictures of the wedding, and pictures of married life. In addition to printing all those out, we uploaded the files to my.USCIS.gov as instructed in the courtesy email. For each file we uploaded, we had to select a category for the file, which we chose "Bona Fides of Relationship". We now have about 20 files in our document section of the I-485 in the online account. So our final drop off packet consists of: 1) printout of the Request for Form I-693 Courtesy Email, 2) sealed brown envelope (10 X 13) from the Civil Surgeon, and 3) our sealed brown envelope (10 X 13) of evidence. And we put all those in a 10.5 X 15 bubble mailer plastic envelope. We went to the USCIS Atlanta Field Office on the Saturday as instructed in the courtesy email to drop off our packet. When we arrived, the parking lot was fairly full with plenty of people coming in and out, but we were able to find a parking spot without much trouble. At first we thought everyone was there to drop off their packets like us. But other things appeared to be going on like Naturalization Oath, appointments, etc. and we all had to go thru an airport-like security to enter the building. An USCIS agent was hollering like a TSA agent at the airport, "all items in the bin...take off belts...have your id's and appointment letter ready..." There was about a 10-minute line getting into the building. Once in, we followed the arrows to the first check-in station. That was where we dropped off the packet. I asked for a receipt that they got the packet, but the agent said they don't give one, but assured me that this was the place to drop off the packet. So it took less than a few minutes to drop off the packet once in the building. As we were leaving, we continued to see steady streams of people and cars coming in and out. After completing this process, there is a sense of relief, much like the feeling I had after sending off the AOS, or getting the fax confirmation after submitting the I-765 expedite evidence. Our final cost was 545 for the I-693 medical. The fact that a particular vaccine was needed from the Civil Surgeon probably meant we avoided an RFE at least for the I-693. But putting together all these over the course of the last 3 weeks required effort and focus. It was certainly mentally and emotionally taxing at times much like putting together the AOS or the I-129F. Now comes the waiting, which should be the easy part but the waiting itself can also be emotionally draining. As I recommended above, start researching and preparing for the I-751 to keep yourself busy while waiting. If anybody cares to read it, I'll post the outcomes from all this waiting.

If you read our Civil Surgeon visit report, the doctor did say a particular vaccine dose was needed. https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/798091-request-for-form-i-693-courtesy-email/?do=findComment&comment=10826873 But now that we went ahead and had the I-693 medical, we hope to avoid any RFE. Those who are adamant about the K1's being exempt just because they submitted on time fail to understand that USCIS reserves the right to overrule the overseas doctor's DS-3025 with a US Civil Surgeon I-693. The way that I think of it is that the DS-3025 as the medical ticket to enter the US, but the I-693 as the medical ticket to stay in the US. USCIS reserves the right to determine with a Civil Surgeon if the ticket entering the US is good enough to stay in the US. Again I'll post our update soon.

After seeing more posts, I think the April 7, "We have taken an action on your case" notice is for everyone who got the Atlanta Courtesy Email, regardless if they went to see the Civil Surgeon or not. As of now, there is still no update since April 7, and our status shows "Our records show nothing is outstanding at this time". But as mentioned before, we went ahead and completed the I-693 medical and I'll post our report soon at https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/798091-request-for-form-i-693-courtesy-email/

There is a current discussion of I-693 already at https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/799022-is-form-i-693-required-when-filing-for-aos/ Maybe that will be helpful?

Where and which discussions are you referring? What do you mean next Federal Year? Thanks.

We got the same update. https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/786775-july-2022-aos-filers/?do=findComment&comment=10827679 And this was after we went to see the Civil Surgeon. In the I-693 medical exam, the doctor said the foreign spouse needed an extra particular vaccine dose not listed in the DS-3025. https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/798091-request-for-form-i-693-courtesy-email/?do=findComment&comment=10826873 We hope this will avoid any future I-693 RFE. And we plan to submit extra evidence of our marriage as instructed in the courtesy email. Whether this was a waste of money or time or whatever, we see it as an opportunity to submit more stuff in hopes to get our case moving.😂

If you got the I-693 medical sealed packet already, no reason to sit on it? You might as well follow the instructions in the courtesy email to submit it? I'm posting our I-693 experience at https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/798091-request-for-form-i-693-courtesy-email/

Do you know if the Filipina that has the EAD/AP combo card needs to renew the CFO to leave the Philippines after visiting? Thanks

Yes. We filed the Report Of Marriage with the Philippines embassy already. We are waiting for the processing and after which we can order copies from the Philippines Statistics Authority. My concern is that since USCIS has her maiden name passport number and expiry, is there any paperwork we need to file to update with the new passport with USCIS? Also do Filipinas have to renew the CFO with the new passport? Or when do Filipinas not need to register for CFO anymore? Thanks for any response.

Greetings all, I have a few questions about renewing the Philippines passport at the Philippines embassy, Washington D.C. 1) When renewing passport, I assume the default is e-passport? https://philippineembassy-dc.org/new-e-passport-applicant-adult/ 2) My Filipina spouse filed for the I-485 AOS with the marriage name using the marriage certificate and her old Philippines passport (maiden name), which will expire in a few years. In renewing the Philippines passport to the marriage name, is there any USCIS paperwork that needs updating so when we file later for the I-751 or N-400 there won't be any confusion? 3) Is there any advantage to renewing the Philippines passport sooner rather than later to the marriage name? Like easier to pass through airports? Less CFO hassles? Thanks in advance for any responses.

Greetings August 2022 AOS filers, After going to see the Civil Surgeon for the I-693 medical, we got an email from USCIS, "We have taken an action on your case", but we have yet to submit the sealed envelope. https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/798091-request-for-form-i-693-courtesy-email/ Our case status shows case is updated to April 7, 2023, but the message is still "Case Is Being Actively Reviewed by USCIS". I have a few conjectures of what might be happening. One, the Civil Surgeon inputted our I-693 medical case to their USCIS system, which updates the whole USCIS system. I remember this happening during the overseas medical when we saw the CEACStatTracker update the process date but the message stayed as "Ready". Or two, Atlanta FO has really taken action and we should see some updates soon. Some who reported the same message got their GC approval soon after. Or three, some others have reported this message as a glitch in the system, and are still waiting. In any case, if you go read our courtesy email post, we still plan on submitting our I-693 medical.

Greetings July 2022 AOS filers, After going to see the Civil Surgeon for the I-693 medical, we got an email from USCIS "We have taken an action on your case", but we have yet to submit the sealed envelope. Our case status shows case is updated to April 7, 2023, but the message is still "Case Is Being Actively Reviewed by USCIS". I have a few conjectures of what might be happening. One, the Civil Surgeon inputted our I-693 medical case to their USCIS system, which updates the whole USCIS system. I remember this happening during the overseas medical when we saw the CEACStatTracker update the process date but the message stayed as "Ready". Or two, Atlanta FO has really taken action and we should see some updates soon. Some who reported the same message got their GC approval soon after. Or three, some others have reported this message as a glitch in the system, and are still waiting. In any case, if you go read our courtesy email post, we still plan on submitting our I-693 medical.

For the K1, the I-134 requirement is 100% of the poverty guidelines. https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines For the AOS, the I-864 requirement is 125% of the poverty guidelines. Best to read the instructions for the I-134 at https://www.uscis.gov/i-134 And read the K1 visa step-by step guide, especially the "What to send to your fiance once the I-129F is approved (Receive NOA2)" https://www.visajourney.com/guides/k1-fiance-visa/ and make 2 copies of I-134 and all the supporting documents: 1 copy sent to the K1 beneficiary and 1 back-up copy. https://www.visajourney.com/guides/k1-fiance-visa-tips/ There are sections in the I-134 where it will ask if the US petitioner is divorced and to list the dependents. The dependents will add to the household number to calculate the minimum income for support. For example, if the US petitioner is planning to sponsor the foreign K1 beneficiary, and supporting 1 child dependent, then the household will be 3. The poverty guideline for household of 3 is 24,860 to be K1 sponsor, and 31,075=1.25*24,860 to AOS. If the US petitioner can not meet the guideline, then joint sponsorship (like family member, etc) is the best option. There are sections in the I-134 to list any US petitioner assets. But the defining support for the K1 beneficiary is the current income of the US petitioner (need proof with some current pay statements, and 3 years of tax transcripts). Again, if the US petitioner can not meet the supporting guideline, then the US petitioner needs to find joint sponsor(s). Joint sponsors mean each sponsor needs to fill out a individual I-134 with supporting documents and send to the K1 beneficiary after the NOA2 case approval and before the consulate interview, so the K1 beneficiary will take two or more sets of I-134s with the supporting documents to the consulate interview.

@Loren Y Congratulations!!! Thanks for all that you've done for us!!!

You can maybe post your question at the regional forum? https://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/97-middle-east-and-north-africa/ Or check with those with UAE Timelines? https://www.visajourney.com/portals/index.php?country=United Arab Emirates https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/k1list.php?op6=All&op7=United Arab Emirates&dfile=No&op1=&op2=&op3=&op4=1&op5=5%2C6%2C8%2C10%2C11%2C13%2C14%2C15%2C16%2C17%2C18%2C20%2C21%2C22%2C25%2C26%2C27%2C28&cfl=0 It would also help if you fill out your Timeline

Thanks for the VJ stats. I posted my own theory about the Atlanta FO wait time at https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/798277-atlanta-field-office-385-months-wait-time/ I understand the "what if's". We've gotten this far being meticulous, which you called "what if's". Don't worry about us as much as those who are not meticulous going thru the immigration process. My theory is that these wait time estimates can change tomorrow if Atlanta FO wants to clear the backlog with those that have the I-693 and waive the interviews. Also, I conjectured that the Atlanta FO has not processed any cases since Jan 2023? And the recent courtesy emails may be a signal that they are ready to ramp up processing again? I agree with @beloved_dingo that it is highly unlikely that the Atlanta FO will actually take 2+ years to process the cases since USCIS will have to grant the 10-year GC and forfeit the I-751 fees from the applicants. Since the last VJ cases from Atlanta was in Dec 2022, with 15 months wait time, I predict most of the backlogged cases will get processed in 15-23 months soon because of those that respond to the I-693 courtesy emails. https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/798091-request-for-form-i-693-courtesy-email To avoid forking this post into something else, I recommend that we continue the Atlanta wait time discussion at this post https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/798277-atlanta-field-office-385-months-wait-time/

Foreign spouse has none of those and is cleaner than baking soda. My concern is that if our FO wait time is 38.5 months and increasing, then there is a chance that we may need to travel overseas during that time. And I like to know my options in case of the "perfect storm" like border closure, another pandemic, Trump re-elected, mass hysteria against immigration, etc. A lot can change in 3-4 years if you just look back at all that has happened since 2019 to now. And in a sense, we are still paying for it on the immigration end with all the backlogs and extended wait times even those as clean as my foreign spouse. With all the wait times vested (see our Timeline and Profile), I like to know my options to make the best decisions like I listed for you at https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/798626-a-question-regarding-advance-parole/?do=findComment&comment=10826892

If you have an overstay issue, then I would consult a lawyer or not travel outside of the country at all until the GC. I had posted my own question about denied entry with AP at https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/798413-what-to-do-if-eadap-combo-card-is-rejected-by-cbp/ The flowchart of choices for AP travel seems simple in retrospect: 1) Choose to travel overseas with AP or, not or wait to travel after receiving the GC. Wait for the GC seems to be the safest choice from entry point of view, not considering the risk or need to travel overseas. 2) If you choose to travel with AP, most likely AP entry will be approved at the Port Of Entry unless you have contraband, etc. 3) If denied entry with AP, then your choices are to hire a litigator to charge CBP of inappropriate denial (abusing authority, etc.), or to return to the home country and abandon the AOS and file for the CR1 provided the reason for denial is not being qualified for the GC. https://www.immigrationhelp.org/learning-center/what-to-do-if-denied-entry-into-the-u-s-with-advance-parole Knowing your options might help you make the decision best for you?

Here is our report of our visit with the I-693 Civil Surgeon doctor. We got to the doctor's office almost an hour before the appointment, and good thing too since it took us a while to fill out all the forms while they took the picture ID (driver's license), health insurance card, and Covid vaccination cards to make copies. Observing other patients waiting, we were not the only ones there for the I-693. One lady had a foreign passport in hand. Another guy specifically said to the desk clerk, "I'm here for the green card medical". Even though the doctor's office is in our health insurance in-network and we've been to a branch office before so they have my foreign spouse's record already, they said the I-693 medical exam is treated independently and needed us to fill out all the new patient paperwork. After turning in all the forms: HIPAA, medical history, insurance information, etc., they then gave us the first 2 pages of the I-693 (Part 1 and 2) to write-in. We made very sure that the I-693 is the latest edition with the bar code as advised by the I-693 courtesy email. Aside from the name and address in the I-693, the main identifier is the Alien Registration Nmber (A-Number) and the USCIS Online Account Number (from myUSCIS), so we wrote down both very clearly. After we turned in the I-693 written form to the front desk, a little while later, they gave us the printed first 2-pages of the I-693 to verify that they typed in the information correctly and to sign it. Again we verified the I-693 form is the latest edition, and the information is all correct. Then they asked us to pay 385 up front, which we charged to the credit card. The other Civil Surgeon that we looked up quoted us 250 but we could not make an appointment with that doctor due to scheduling conflicts so we decided to go with this one even though the fee is higher. After the paperwork, we only waited a few minutes before the nurse called us in to measure the weight, blood pressure, etc. Then the nurse led us to a private room, and instructed my foreign spouse for a urine sample. After that, the nurse then drew a few vials of blood. Then the nurse led us to another private room, where we waited for the doctor. The doctor came in and asked if we are there for the green card application medical? "Yes". The doctor then asked a few questions like do you have this? Or do you have that? All "No's". Then we gave the doctor the DS-3025 and the latest flu vaccination record. The doctor said, "Oh yes, thank you! I need to make copies of those". The doctor took some time looking over the DS-3025 vaccination record. Then the doctor said we need one particular vaccine dose (not specified here for privacy reason) to fulfill the green card medical, and do we have record of having the dose? My foreign spouse said maybe she received it as a baby but she doesn't have a record of it. The doctor said the vaccine shot will cost 160, and asked us if we wanted to do that today? "Yes". The doctor then did the routine stethoscope thing. We then asked do we need x-rays as we handed the x-ray disk from the overseas medical, the doctor said "No. Don't need it." If the blood tests and urine tests come back normal, then we can pick up the completed sealed I-693 next week. Then, we waited for the nurse to come give the vaccine shot and said, your arm may feel a little heavy for a while but everything should be fine. Our final out-of-pocket cost on the day of the medical exam was 545 = 385 + 160, but this is before the insurance claims. So it is possible that the insurance bill us later for more? The total time from walking in to walking out of the doctor's office was about 2 hours, 1-hour to fill out the forms and 1-hour for the medical exam. Our next step is to pick up the final sealed envelope from the doctor later next week and drop it off at the USCIS Field Office as instructed in the courtesy email. Does this help us avoid an RFE? We certainly hope so. If anyone cares to read it, I can post a report after our experience of dropping off the I-693 sealed envelope with the Atlanta Field Office?

Check out this new I-693 alert https://www.uscis.gov/i-693 I interpret this alert as USCIS saying I-693 should be completed sooner or later? The phrase "may eliminate the need to issue a RFE" still leaves a little room for not needing the I-693?

Check out the latest alert on I-693 https://www.uscis.gov/i-693 I interpret this alert as USCIS saying I-693 should be completed sooner or later?

But would you buy the house without fire insurance? I'd buy the fire insurance with the hope of never using it. With all the time vested in waiting for the USCIS processes, the preparation, research and asking the right questions are the only tools we have to avoid losing the time vested. Or risk paying the lawyers for the same answers?

@Allaboutwaiting @Crazy Cat @Lemonslice Thanks for the reassurance. I do understand that denied entry with proper documents has a very small chance. And I understand what option is available in case that small chance occurs.

@Marco1234 You can also join https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/798439-april-2023-k1-to-noa2-to-nvc-to-embassy/

@Crazy Cat @Mike E @Allaboutwaiting @OldUserThanks. Since I overthink, it is probably cheaper to send the foreign spouse back to the home country and abandon the AOS, and file the CR1? That seems cheaper than hiring a litigator to charge CBP with abusing authority? Yes, I like to be prepared and I do overthink. Since the Atlanta FO wait time is up to 38.5 months, no telling when our I-485 will get processed? So chances are we may need to plan an overseas travel sometimes in the next 3 years? The I-131a may also come in handy. Thanks all!