1983Electric

Wow.. I live just a couple hours away near Austin and didn't even know these checkpoints existed until now.  

Was about to send my I-485 and did the same as you.  Glad you posted this so I could get mine fixed before sending it.

2 hours ago, NorthByNorthwest said:

 

Not sure if you really meant SAVE - that's only used by federal agencies to verify entitlements to benefits or immigration status, as a K-1 proof of immigration status is passport at first and I-797 for the AOS once you file it after the wedding. SAVE was never used by anyone I dealt with but perhaps that happened behind the scenes.

 

The initial SS card will say it's not valid for employment without authorization and once she has her EAD approved companies can use E-Verify to make sure she can work but that's 9+ months out after you file.

This was the article that I was referring to that I had found just trying to do research several places  that had stuck in my mind (that is apparently invalid): https://www.fickeymartinezlaw.com/immigration/k-1-fiance-visa/how-can-a-k1-visa-holder-get-a-us-social-security-card

It said the following: "Specifically for K-1s, the best time to apply is about 2 weeks after entry into the US as this would allow the government “SAVE” system to be up-to-date at your SSA Visit."

1 hour ago, Loren Y said:

Worth while to get that done on your next visit there. I was able to do most of my stuff stateside at the Thailand embassy in LA to make the process easier in Thailand. Sure it's similar in France. You want to get your marriage registered there because it allows you to open bank accounts, get drivers license, and basically be able to apply for citizenship there if you ever wanted down the line. I fly out to Thailand late November and plan on getting my citizenship finalized while there. My wife who came on a K1 also got her citizenship this past April. As others have said, do the SS office the day she arrives. I arrived in LA on a Sunday night late and drove back to Vegas. Dragged the wife to the SS office at 9am the next morning and applied for her SS card. 13 hours after landing in the US. Don't let the office give you any pushback saying you have to wait a few weeks before you can apply. The Computer updates the moment they enter on their K1 now, 10 years ago you used to have to wait 2 weeks, not anymore. Make sure if they say come back, politely ask them to check the computer, information is there, just government employees tend to like to kick the can down the road whenever they can. Good luck on your journey, I remember when I was in the same place you are. it's going to take some serious patience and studying to get thru it, but it is soooooo worth it in the end.

Thank you for that information.  Everywhere has posted to wait 10 days to go to the SSA office, so that's good news to me.  We're not planning to go to France to live and I don't need to open any accounts in her country.  

1 minute ago, Lemonslice said:

Married name might bring other complications since her French (flag shows France, sorry if I am mistaken) documents will stay in her name, with the possibility of yours being added on, after going through marriage recognition with the French consulate.  

I read a blog about applying for a Family Book and getting the marriage recognized in France (the banns), but she says we aren't going to go live in France so didn't see the point in going through that process.

Nevermind, I literally found another thread asking the same.  Seems everyone's suggestion is to get the SSN first.

My fiancee is planning to come to the US on her K1 Visa, November 20, 2023, to Texas.  My plan is to go to request a marriage license before the Thanksgiving holiday closes the offices and schedule marriage at the courthouse early December.  

My thoughts are that we can wait to apply for a SSN after the wedding so that she can change her last name at the same time without having to go back to the SSN to do a name change.  By early December, that should be enough time for her to be in the "SAVE" system (I think it's called).  

Does anyone see any potential problems with this logic?  Thank you.

29 minutes ago, Mr.So said:

Sorry, I know we went over this many times here, but to confirm: can I submit my DS160 and schedule an appointment when the NVC status turns ready? Thank you.

If it says this underneath the Ready status, I would: "Your case is ready for your interview when scheduled at the U.S. Consular section. If you have already scheduled an appointment for an interview, please prepare your documents as directed in your appointment letter and appear at the consulate on the appointed date and time."  

38 minutes ago, Kaan said:

So it takes forever to get from NVC case number. From what I read NVC has lazy and slow employees!!! 55 Days After NOA2 letter still nothing. 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️ What about after when you get the case number. How long it takes them to review uploaded documents before they send it to the embassy? 
Just got response Friday Aug. 8 still not entered in to the system. Send them new inquiry. 
Question ? Maybe I have to ask from them something specific to get the case number. 
I see some people getting case number within 45-60 days. ???????   And I’m very happy for you.🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 But on NVC IM VERY ANGRY 
🤕😵‍💫🤔🫣☹️😣😖😟😔😞😒😫😩😤😡

It took us exactly 91 days from NOA2 to receive a case ID through inquiry.  I think that it's taking USCIS about 2 months to get the packet mailed to NVC and about a month for the cases to be created.

The MRV fee is the fee paid by a US bank account to the embassy appointment scheduling.  Mine came out to 275 USD for Paris.  It asked for payment during scheduling of the appointment on the France consulate page.  We were able to book an appointment when the CEAC status page showed ready and said we could, then it needs two main things: case id (yours probably starts with LDN or something) and DS-160 ID (after you fill that out and submit, it will give you a page to print with a barcode and the ID).  Hope that helps.. we are going through it now just as you.

Naples and Rio de Janeiro you all are lucky to have a lot shorter interview wait times than Paris 

Visa Status Check changed to Ready for Paris - "Your case is ready for your interview when scheduled at the U.S. Consular section."  Even though the beneficiary hasn't received anything yet from the consular (packet 3, etc.), we went ahead and scheduled the first interview available which is the end of October.  The scheduling site then let us pay the MRV fee.  Beneficiary should receive her letters by then.. we are scheduling the medical appointment now and have all the paperwork we need ready to go.

55 minutes ago, Mr.So said:

We can fill out the DS160 now then hit submit as soon as we get the P3 email? Then schedule the interview after paying 160$?

Not sure, but we went ahead and submitted our DS-160 today, which is needed to schedule an appointment in France on the applicant form.  When we put the DS-160 application ID "just to see" what the interview scheduling was, it told us that they aren't ready yet to schedule an interview for our Case ID.  We could not proceed further, yet. 

11 hours ago, FilledesEtoiles said:

Yes I totally agree ! it is very hard ! Just check your Ceac status every  day, it will go into transit and then ready.

I will indeed be less stressed when I get that embassy notification ...

I wish us all so much luck !!

Hello, we are also in transit to Paris as of this morning.  Hoping to schedule as soon as possible.

6 hours ago, Eddie101 said:

Today should be the start of shipping the files to their respective US consulates. Exciting, maybe we see status flip to 'In Transit' today and tomorrow.

Got my case number from nvc research yesterday and got the e-mail that it was being sent to consulate today.  Status changed to 'In Transit'.  Now I'm just trying to figure out if it's too early to submit DS-160 or wait until I have the e-mail from the consulate?

1 hour ago, Snaaacks said:

Unlimited - in the sense that I don’t have a “specific” limit on how I will support my fiancé. My main concern is, I’ve seen people say that this question is very important - but no one can agree on what is the best answer for avoiding scrutiny. I’d obviously like to answer to avoid as much scrutiny as possible … does anyone have a strong opinion on this one?

thanks in advance

I don't know that I have the exact answer to the question, but I filled mine out last night and put "ALL HOUSING, FOOD, TRANPORTATION, AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO LIVE IN THE USA AS WIFE"

Still waiting on welcome letter too, NOA2, May 15.  Inquiry beyond 60 days waiting received this morning said they received it, but they are still waiting data entry.  I don't know what the backlog is, I think I heard 90 days from some one else.  It is endless waiting.  I'm hoping we can get our K1 before the end of the year to help with paying taxes again.

6 hours ago, ap4295 said:

I'd like to know too. I received my NOA2 on June 14th and still haven't heard from them. I sent an inquiry and they just said they haven't put it in their database yet. The guide on here said this should have only taken 2 weeks. 

I'm ahead of you by about a month and still waiting.  It's very aggravating

I keep e-mailing through the inquiry form.  They respond in a few days.  The last response I got last week was to e-mail them again if it's been 60 days.  It's been 71 days since the approval date on the NOA2 and 63 since I received the letter in the mail.. so this is I think my 4th e-mail trying to get the case number.

8 hours ago, Stook said:

It took 4.5 months after NOA2 before our case was received by NVC and assigned a case number. So, those of you who received NOA2 in May, just wait patiently. All timelines are longer than usual.

I wonder why I've not seen these long times mentioned to everyone?  Even their website says 2 weeks to process at NVC.  This is absurdity if it's taking 4.5 months for a data entry job.

I received NOA2 on May 15 and still have not received our case number.  I e-mailed them and they said that they had received it, but it was still waiting to be entered into the system.

We got approved 5/15 and also sent to the same place as you.  Have heard nothing yet.  I sent an electronic request a few days ago.

2 hours ago, Lynxyonok said:

 

So, write your senator. Make them listen.

 

One of your senators is fighting for their seat tomorrow. And so is your representative.

 

Don't tell us - we already agree with you by default.  [link edited out - see below]

I've already written to Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn and discussed with representatives from John Cornyn's office for 30 minutes over the phone.  Ted Cruz's response was more automated.  In my state, they are more concerned about ILLEGAL immigration at our border, and it's difficult to get them off of the topic.  Thanks.

I just want to vent that the incompetence of our government is downright cruel and a real waste of people living happy lives that we don't get again.

I found this website after submitting the I-129F.  Because I did not find anywhere about what was needed to show divorce decree, I sent in the 1st page (showing Agreed Final Decree of Divorce and the date) and the last 2 pages signed by judge, me, and ex-wife.  I realize now that they are probably going to want my entire 42 page decree.  Should I just wait for the RFE or is it possible to go ahead and send the full 42 page copy to add to my original packet?