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USCIS doesn’t differentiate between step-child and biological child for immigration purposes. As long as you married her mother before she turned 18, then she’s treated as your child. https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-6-part-b-chapter-8

Congrats and thanks for taking the time to fill your timeline in. 😊

Ah, ok, yes big difference then. This is why filling in your timeline is so vital! Not only does it help others, it means you get better help too. Good luck.

It was 12 months ish (https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/799459-2023-us-embassy-ankara-ir1-interview-wait-time/page/4/#comments), not sure if that’s changed recently but it gives you an idea at least. It seems to be a bit quicker for Turkish citizens as they take priority. You can also search the forum for timelines to see if you can find any more recent cases - please fill in your timeline too to help others, ditto @mico1989Athens, @zerosugar and @anthonyq. Good luck all.

Just trying to help - because yours is a different type of case. So if you want info, best to stick to your existing threads where you can get accurate advice.

No. Unless any of the court actions are successful there will be no way for them to stay. I’m so sorry.

Yes, ending in August 2025 now I believe.

Then no, they must leave before their current status ends. They could only stay if they had submitted a I-485, but they aren’t eligible to do that, so they will be getting their immigrant visas via consular processing. It’ll be at least another decade.

When did she file? They can only submit I-485 and stay if their Priority Date is current.

You both are at the interview window. Most questions will be directed to you, I think my wife was asked one (and then of course the oath).

Whereabouts in Canada are you? Calgary is the quickest at 145 days at the moment I believe, so even if you’re on the other side of the country it may be worth travelling there if you do want an appointment in the fall.

Which country? Is the plan for the child to eventually petition his mother? Because that’s too far away for her to be able to stay in the US with him long term, so consular processing when the child is much older may be better, unless she’s happy for him to live in the US without her.

I guess you’d need to ask the Social Security agency, unless you can find the info on their website. My guess is they won’t mail it to anything other than a physical address as it’s such an important document, but do double check. And we just gave our rental address, as we were only in the hotel temporarily whilst we waited for our shipping container. Our SS cards were waiting for us in the house when we arrived. No the kids won’t be required to attend, just you and any spouse. From the usual website - "Any family members immigrating with you, if they will be at least 14 years old on the day of the interview” https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-10-prepare-for-the-interview/step-11-applicant-interview.html

Fab. And does your Dad have the means to pay for his own health insurance? Or will he be working?

Yes, of course. Either when you enter the US (as I did), or you can update online later if needed. And it depends, did you tick the box on the DS-260 to ask for it to be sent to you automatically? If so you should have it within two weeks of entry (it will also go to the address provided though, so if you don’t have a rental by the time you enter the US, make sure it is ok for it to be sent to your PO box).

Yep, as said above we need more info to help. What kind of case? You really need to fill in your timeline so that we have basic info when you ask questions, it also contributes to the body of knowledge on VJ and so helps others too.

No, you can do it anytime including after entry. And thank you, much appreciated. 👍

Maybe 12-15 years as a rough estimate? Currently those who applied 9 years ago are just now becoming eligible for visas, so their wait will have been approx 9.5-10 years by the time the visa is granted. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2025/visa-bulletin-for-march-2025.html But it’s not linear. For example, if you go back to March 2021, you’ll see that the date was July 2015, so it’s only moved forward 10 months in 4 years. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2020/visa-bulletin-for-march-2020.html It’s a slow category that seems to get slower every year with more and more people joining the backlog, hence my guess would be at least 12-15 years if it keeps progressing at a similar pace - but that is just a guess. Your FIL should just apply asap, and get things underway. Just make sure your brother doesn’t marry in the interim, unless your FIL becomes a USC. And it would be worth your wife petitioning her brother as well as backup, just in case.

The green card fee. It won’t be sent until you’ve paid it, so just wait to pay until you have an address.

We did, yes. Had 10 days in a hotel then moved in to it. But if you’re not sure where you’ll be then it may be a better idea to just wait to pay the fee so it’s not sent to the wrong place. What address did you put on the DS-260?

Yes, just the bits relevant to immigrant visas, ignore the rest. Have a look at mine (or anybody else that’s filled theirs in) for a guide. Thanks. 🙂

Textbook for somebody trying to build a VAWA case I’m afraid. She’d have turned up, then with just you and her there and no witnesses, claimed you were physically or mentally abusive to her. Whatever you do, DON’T meet her alone at any point, ideally don’t meet her at all even in public. As said above, leave it all to your lawyer now and cut off all contact. Best of luck to you, I hope you and your daughter can move forward and find happiness.

Yep, ignore it completely. I don’t know why they bother putting it on there as it’s never even close!

Which document? How do you know you were DQ’ed, did you receive an email?

Yeah, no chance for Nigeria. It would be tough for any consulate, but for a high fraud one you’d need much more time together. Not seeing each other at all for 4 years when you’re married would be a huge red flag. As said above you’re not eligible until you’ve met in person after the wedding anyway too. She must be able to take time off work. For the financial aspect then suggest she looks at sites like Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights. Or is meeting up in a third country possible maybe? It will probably end up more expensive as you’d have to pay for accommodation (I assume she’d stay with you if she came to Nigeria, so only the cost of the flight to find?), but it’s worth looking at just in case. So work out another way to be together in person, then you can file. You’ll then be at least 3.5 years away from a visa (Nigeria has a big backlog), so you should plan another trip before interview too to give you more chance. Good luck.