appleblossom

Sorry to disagree, but it doesn't always go well - visas can still be refused even after a verbal approval. Tbh, a verbal approval means very little, it still has to go to final checks at that point.

You can delay it indefinitely, as you’re now at the interview stage it’s likely to just be scheduled, but you can cancel it. You could also try contacting NVC. But as somebody that moved from the UK with two teens, one of whom had just done his GCSE’s, then I’d say unless you’re putting them in to a British school then don’t delay. GCSE’s are really no use to them either side of the Atlantic, and it would be better to get them in the US school system asap to give them more time to adjust. Mine went to a British school so it was a little different, but if he hadn’t been then waiting for him to complete GCSE’s would have been pretty pointless. I know you didn’t ask for advice but honestly I can’t see any reason to wait a year and think it would be more detrimental than helpful. Particularly if they think they might like to go to college in the US. Best of luck.

When did you become a USC? And when were your wife and daughter’s I-130’s approved?

It’s about 14 months wait, so she will hopefully hear around October time. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/iv-wait-times.html

Follow it through. On the second page of questions it asks you if any of the below apply to see if you are eligible. DHS TRIP can assist in resolving travel-related issues, such as: You were unable to print a boarding pass from an airline ticketing kiosk or from the Internet; You were delayed or denied boarding an aircraft; The airline ticket agent informed you that the Federal Government was not authorizing you to travel; You are repeatedly referred for secondary screening when clearing U.S. Customs or were denied entry into the United States; You were told by CBP at a U.S. port of entry that your fingerprints need to be corrected; You wish to amend a traveler record because of an overstay as a result of not submitting the required I-94 when exiting the United States; or You believe you were incorrectly denied ESTA authorization. You believe your personal information was inappropriately exposed or shared by a government agent?

He can try this before doing a full one - https://www.dhs.gov/dhs-trip Again, worth a try.

He could do a FOIA request and see what that says, but he may find out at the visa appointment if he asks - worth a try anyway. If he doesn't want to risk it then he'll have to keep his original appointment and change his flight in the hope that the B visa is granted.

Odd. Hopefully he'll find out why, it may just be something as simple as him sharing a name and DOB with somebody dubious.

Exactly as I said on a previous post to you, transfer cases take a bit longer. Hopefully not too much longer now (assuming your PD is current of course).

Ah, if you'd mentioned that before it would have made more sense. Are you sure she's never had or applied for a B visa before she met you? And claimed to be married on the application for it?

When you log in to check the status, is there definitely nothing on the documents tab? I think I would do a FOIA request, and in fact I'm really surprised your lawyers haven't done that. I don't understand how they can put a waiver case together without knowing the exact reason for the denial and inadmissibility? There will be a bigger reason than just photos I'm sure. And I'd be surprised if your wife didn't know more about it after the interview.

OK, so that's not it then! As @OldUser said, were all the answers truthful?

How long did he stay under the VWP previously and how long ago was his last trip?

There’s no waiting list but he can keep checking for cancellations and see if an earlier appointment pops up. But if his ESTA was denied I’d try and find out why first, as he’ll face the same issues for a B visa too. And if he applies for the B and is refused he’ll forever have to declare that denial. Did he tick yes to any questions like travel to certain countries, any criminal record etc? Has he ever overstayed?

Could you go and live with her instead? Did you not get a formal denial notice/letter?

I was hoping it would have more info than that. Did you get a proper letter specifying the misrepresentation/fraud after the interview? It still seems odd that it's only due to wedding photos. Unless as Boiler said, it's to do with the K1? But your lawyers should know more details and hopefully have put a really good case together for your waiver.

I wonder if somebody reported you. They wouldn’t usually give you a 5 year ban just based on a suspicion. Might be worth submitting a FOIA to get your case notes.

Did they have evidence of that? Emails/text messages etc? Which country are you from?

You can apply but it’s not likely to be granted, why the 5 year ban?

Can you post the denial notice (taking out any personal info)? It really doesn’t seem right that they haven’t just asked for more proof of a bonafide marriage.

It’s just an enquiry at this stage, you’ll submit all docs/proof later on. Your wife will need the written job offer with start date on it, to show they need her urgently. And ideally evidence of how she got the job (just to show it’s legit i.e. not a family member giving her a ‘job’). So job advert/emails about an internal transfer/contact from headhunter etc. Best of luck.

I agree, something isn’t adding up. Were you at the interview?

Yes, this form, is this what you've already submitted? https://uk.usembassy.gov/family-immigration-i-130-exceptional-circumstances-request-form/

Because there is no visa available anyway they don't rush to approve I-130's - most people want them to take as long as possible if there are dependents to consider. Even immediate relatives that filed in March 2024 are only just getting their approvals now, you are likely to still have a way to go. Good luck.

For processing times look at the USCIS website, that's usually pretty accurate. As you say it's currently 34 months for 80% of cases, so you aren't likely to hear anything until 2027 ish. If the waiver is granted, they'll then issue the visa. What was the issue with the wedding photos and what other evidence of it being a legitimate marriage did you provide?