OldUser

Consider yourself lucky 🙂 Occasionally USCIS adjudicates cases the way they should do it for everybody. Now thinking about I-751s, many take 2-3 years. But it's nothing in comparison to some asylum cases stuck since 2015

It's impossible to predict with certainty whether you're going to be approved without interview or not. Imagine you're going through airport security. This is similar experience in terms of predictibility. I don't fully understand why you paused your life because of immigration though. Good luck!

Thanks for the data point. I've seen reports of people having issues boarding planes / renewing DLs / removing restrictions from SS card using copies of I-797 and not the watermarked letters. These were the use cases I meant. Good to know some USCIS places accept copies.

It won't be fast for an adult child either way unfortunately. Let's hope nothing happens after November. I might be filing later in 2024 or early 2025 myself...

You're right assuming it might be a combo interview. Make sure your US citizen spouse comes with you. You should definitely print tax return transcripts and have them with you. You may want to bring all other evidence to be absolutely bullet proof. It's hard to predict what would happen on the day. People report bringing all the evidence and not being asked for any. People also bring bare minimum and get asked to produce evidence on the spot. It all depends on your comfort level. I personally don't mind spending extra to print docs and bring them to the interview. Others may think it's unnecessary or wasteful.

Right now citizenship cases are going fast, due to upcoming election. Nobody knows how things will be in 2025 after the election. It's likely things will slow down. Are you planning on sponsoring somebody for GC (parents etc)? If you have Canadian passport, US passport won't feel much different travel wise 😊

Looks like earliest you can apply is August 19, 2025. Add a few days to be on a safe side, so maybe August 21, 2025. That's assuming you meet all other requirements such as no trips over 6 months, spent more than 30 months in the US in the last 5 years, filed taxes, lived for 3+ months in USCIS district you're applying from, have good moral character etc.

Love this

It's like trying to give you weather forecast prediction for tomorrow based on average temperature on the planet... The methodology used for this number is simply wrong and doesn't account for human factor (e.g. officer Joe put the file in the bottom drawer while trying to clear the desk for I-485 interview and forgot about it for few months).

I'd select Yes and provide all the paperwork you have.

You cannot apply under 3 year rule when the US citizen spouse passes away. You can technically apply under 3 year rule based on marriage to your current spouse after 3rd anniverary of your marriage. But it doesn't make sense, because at that point you will be LPR for 5+ years which will allow you to naturalize under general provision with less hassle.

No, if he receives any compensation for performing including one time payment, that is considered work without authorization. He should apply for a different type of visa.

You can definitely try adjusting and getting I-131 in this case. Just know the chance of pulling off I-131 approval in time is rather small. Good luck with the process and sorry about your loss again.

I agree, timelines help understanding the situation better. Whether OP is on K-1 or any other visa, or out of status, or on ESTA, it doesn't change the process for adjustment much. If they leave while it's pending - they'll abandon it. Nothing fundamentally would change.

The difficulty is getting anybody at USCIS paying attention to the application. Based on AOS threads, it's taking give or take 1.5-2 months for USCIS just to open the packet and send the receipt nowadays. Unless they know of urgent I-131, they won't even do anything for 1.5-2 months. The only viable solution I see is going through CR-1 visa route.

I'm really sorry for your loss. It must be a very diffucult time for you and rge family. Immigration wise, I don't know how much you know about the process, getting Advance Parole (I-131) is not going to be fast, even with a valid reason which you definitely have. It's going to take 4-8 weeks to get USCIS accept documentation. Maybe 3 months or so do get AP approved if you have a valid emergency reason and you bug USCIS a lot with expedite requests and inquiries. You cannot leave the US without abandoning AOS if you don't have I-131 approved. The bullet proof solution would be leaving the US before visa expires and going through consular processing for GC (CR-1 immigration visa). The downside of this path is separation from your spouse, though you should be able to see each other by you visiting on ESTA and spouse visiting you on US passport. If you decide to AOS, the chances are, you will miss the funeral with nearly 99% probability, unless you abandon the process.

I briefly checked the following links: https://www.uscis.gov/feecalculator# https://www.uscis.gov/i-751 https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055?form=i-751 But couldn't find any reference to this. If you find it, please quote the source. Good luck!

I'd strongly advice against self-translation or having family member translating the documents. You need a neutral third party who doesn't have a conflict of interest. In my case, notirizing at a bank wasn't required (it was prior to COVID). I DMed you the service name to avoid advertisement here. I'm not affiliated with them in any shape of form. Neither I am a lawyer or can take full reaponsibility for the outcome.

What makes you think that? What's special about having 5 kids that would trigger biometric fees?

Abybody who can speak both languages can translate and certify the translation. I'm not aware of translation services being endorsed by USCIS, seems like a marketing trick? I used an online service for my translation with no issue.

I believe no new I-485 is needed. You just reply to RFE with supporting documents. Make sure you have translation too.

Can you get original copy again easily in Japan if you need to? If the answer is yes, then get in translated again and send it along with translation. This will ensure there's no more confusion.

Unfortunately the work permits they have won't be valid if I-485 applications are denied. It is only valid with pending applications. Yes. And you'd pay all the fees again for I-485, work permit etc.

Nothing else. Keep updating addresses, paying taxes, and apply under 5 year rule. You may get some scrutiny especially if marriage fell apart shortly after coming to the US. If you have evidence of joint life, please keep it in your pocket for naturalization if this is ever asked for.

What do company lawyers say? Are they aware of your F2 petition?