OldUser

No, you submit one packet. Everything together. My packet was prepared by a lawyer and I got approved.

What is the point of being legally married to an abuser, especially when not living together? I'd finalize divorce and then submit N-400. Not sure if it's a legal requirement, but it definitely would make your N-400 hell of a lot easier to adjudicate. I can almost see confused facial expression of an officer reviewing the case, if you're still married.

Some people don't get notifications yet get receipt letter later. I wouldn't rely too much on it.

Hopefully it was signed. The worst case you're going to receive the packet back and can resubmit again. Out of curiosity, what made you pay with a debit card instead of personal check? You're paying cash either way and the latter is a better, time tried method.

Today's WAC update for 24XXX range as of 12:55pm PT: 2 x new approvals in lower range 9 x new approvals in upper range 1 x new RFE in upper range

Congratulations, @beloved_dingo !

No, you will get RFE for missing pages. Submit all pages for all evidence. Yes, it's expensive and bulky. My AOS packet was well over 300 pages. Cover letter first (one per packet), followed by all forms on their own, followed by pool of evidence. No need to duplicate evidence for each form, no need to write cover letters for each form. I'd include it to speed up processing. Your interview may get waived.

Took about 5 months in 2021 to get biometrics reused. So it's not unusual. What service center is your case at?

Interesting. So I-751 was approved in 2022 and you never got 10 year GC or notice of action?

Today's WAC update for 24XXX range as of 4:28pm PT: 1 x new approvals in lower range

Congratulations @Violax! Did your case end with 24XXX?

My only interpretation only: "Recently, Mary and Chris became parents and I celebrated their daughter's birthday" => Supported by child's birth certificate "Last year, Mary and Chris became homeowners and I got invited for their housewarming party" => supported by copy of a deed with both names. "Mary and Chris celebrated their wedding anniversary in Hawaii which I attended" => Copies of boarding passes / reservations. Not that person giving affidavit must submit evidence, but it should be supported by evidence in the packet, e.g. not be groundless. That's how I personally understand it.

This forum definitely seen people submitting weaker packages and getting approved. And also stronger packages getting RFEs. There's an element of luck too. Agreed, people can decide what makes sense for them to submit.

At the same time, instructions also say: "Submit copies of documents indicating that the marriage upon which you were granted status was entered in good faith and was not for the purpose of circumventing immigration laws. Submit copies of as many documents as you can to establish this fact, to demonstrate the circumstances of the relationship from the date of the marriage to the present date;" I interpret this literally. If I could obtain affidavits, I should have done it, regardless of their weight compared to other strong evidence already provided. Also I am a strong believer there's no such thing as "too much evidence". As long as it's relevant, it should be included. My opinion only.

My lawyer also instructed me to submit those despite of other good evidence. Will report when my case is finally approved.

Checked the updates for WAC in 24XXX range. It looks like yesterday (5/9/2023) there was 1 approval in lower range and 1 RFE in upper range.

Bring errata sheet and fix at the interview.

Both names on title?

Residence Since is a date printed on her green card. @SteveInBostonI130 probably explores a possibility of her applying for citizenship based on marriage to you. Whenever she naturalizes she can spend as much time outside of the US as desired. While she is an LPR, she has the constraints as to time she can spend outside of the US in order to maintain the residency. Based on what you wrote, she can probably apply for I-751 in August 2023 and citizenship in August 2024 (if you're filing based on anniversary minus 90 days). But you need to confirm the date. So if she naturalizes on a fast track sometime in 2025, she would be free to spend as much time outside of the US as she wants.

Did you pay the ELIS fee? What all did you send? You're not supposed to send any originals, unless asked by USCIS. Documents are not returned by USCIS usually. If it's just a certified copy of marriage certificate, you may need to order more from county clerk or court recorder's office in the county where the marriage happened.

In addition, since I-751 is in the mix, make sure to only travel when she receives 48 month extension letter. Do not travel without it or without expired GC. Also, make sure to attend all the appointments (biometrics, interview) to ensure she can remove conditions. What ties does she have to the US? Something of magnitude of lease / property / job?

It's not a hard and fast rule. Try reducing the time outside of the US as much as possible. While 5 months is allowed, it probably would be evaluated in conjunction with other trips. Say she was back in the US in December of last year after 4 months trip. And travelling again between May and October this year (5 months trip). When she's back in October, CBP may grill her / give warning / or even propose giving up GC by signing I-407 if they feel like she abandoned her status. If you take 12 months period since October last year, at this point she would have spent at least 8 months out of 12 in the given period outside of the US. Green Card is for living in the US on permanent basis. She should spend more time in the US then outside in the last 12 months at any given time to ensure she won't have issues.

It wouldn't hurt I guess. Yes, you could have uploaded this into evidence section along with a letter asking for a combo interview due to pending I-751. It also doesn't always guarantee USCIS will honor it.

You can, no guarantees that would change anything. Have you included I-751 receipt with your N-400 submission?

Ultimately, yes. But I would think most of the times, you will receive RFE for medical first, giving you opportunity to get a fresh medical and reply with it to USCIS.