grant2

Worst timing for me, approved in Feb 2024, which means I have to wait a full year before I can apply to remove conditions. Also it looks like it takes over a year for most people to get conditions removed, standard USCIS backlog

My understanding is there's only ever 0 or 1 interviews for a I-130 + I-485. Random comments have said they're typically approved (or denied) at the same time but apparently in this era they seem to split them up, much like the I-765 + I-131 gets split up. (my I-765 approved a year ago, I-131 still 'received' status)

If you can fill out the rest of the forms, then the I-765 is no problem. if you're truly "not good" then get help. even if beneficiary has no plans to get a job, how about: a) Want a SSN for bank accounts / loans / health care / etc. etc.? Hard or impossible to get without worth authorization. b) Want a driver's license? EAD can be very helpful. c) Want to help your friend's business? Paint the house you own & rent out? technically, might need an EAD. d) Bored and want to start working part time for a hobby? Need an EAD. e) Want to be prepared in case petitioner loses their job and you have to work? EAD also needed. It's reckless to be lazy on a 15 minute form when the risk is you're locked out of so much of american life for an extra 6+ months because you realized too late you actually have a use for work auth.

Lots of peopleare getting their interviews waived. My friends nearby got green card a few months ago with no interview

Ok good to know. I thought the decision about a bona-fide marriage was made as part of the I-130, but it seems it's made as part of the I-485.

Filed in July 2022. submitted no evidence of marriage besides the marriage certificate. I-130 petition was recently approved at the local field office (Chatsworth, CA). My I-485 adjustment-of-status is now "RFE" for medical exam. Does this mean there will not be an interview? Or do I-485 sometimes still get an interview even after I-130 is approved?

A bit of a detour btw: "pre-nup" isn't all about "how do we split assets in divorce". it's also about "how do we agree to do things during marriage". My pre-nup discusses contributions to shared expenses. A friend's pre-nup says they must always live within 6 miles of a beach.

USCIS agents can think anything is or isn't fishy, that's out of your control. You can only control your actions. It's no secret that many I-485 applicants will research what USCIS agents care about, simply for performance to get approved. That doesn't change the fact that bona-fide spouses also do them for legitimate reasons. If you and your spouse plan to open a joint account, then just do it. Sooner is always better. Why wait?

How about printouts from your employment benefits / life insurance / retirement accounts listing each other as beneficiaries? Also it's better late than never to get a joint bank account and a joint credit card. I assume you don't have a prenup agreement, but if you did, I'd expect it's actually helpful to prove your entered marriage with serious intention.

What statuses are showing on the USCIS web portal for your I-130 & I-485?