smilingstone

I honestly don't think it's worth risking the money unless you have a full year before your trip, just to be safe.

Great to see others are getting interviews scheduled this quickly, but still no update for me since my biometrics appointment in early May. ETA on my USCIS account is 27 months... I have since received my EAD though.

That's a really good point. I have both undergrad, postgraduate and professional degrees, but my main work experience hasn't really been directly in those fields. I studied Fine Art at undergrad and postgrad, then gained a teaching qualification. In the end, I moved into administration/middle management in the university/cultural sector. I only have 4 to 5 years solid recent professional work experience, with more entry level jobs and internships/student worker positions while I was studying. I'm even unsure how to say I have a basic high-school education. The UK doesn't have a GED, we sit exams in English, Maths, Sciences and then other chosen subjects. Although by the time you've gone through higher education, the high-school exams become less relevant. I'll definitely look into how I can get this across on a resume. If any readers here can provide suggestions on how to go about this, that would be great.

So I actually don't think it's such a bad thing. I think it was kind of silly to be drawing lifelong conclusions with regards to health from a single point in life, likely when applicant is younger and fitter. Anything can happen, so why did they even say the 693 would be valid forever? To try and cut down on their own admin?

Advice from me is to cut your losses and to complete future visa requirements in a more timely manner.

No chance you're getting visa same day. Highly unlikely you will be joining your family on the trip. Could have been avoided if you explored ESTAs in better time. I know people say you get approved within hours, but it is seriously tempting fate to leave it so close to travel. No need, especially when they are valid for 2 years. You need to start looking in to what you can claim back for flights and expenses booked for yourself and family. Maybe put that towards a holiday closer to home, or simply wish your wife and kids a great trip without you.

There is no online access code for I-129Fs. You just create a USCIS account and add your receipt number to track progress. Also, it is not often that people receive NOA1s within days.

Great input and advice, everyone, thank you so much.

Hi VJ, As I've recently received my EAD, I'm thinking about giving my CV an update ahead of looking for work. My last employment in the UK ended 1st January, ahead of me moving to the US as a K1 in mid-January. That's a 6 month gap in employment, and it will only increase as time goes on as I don't anticipate that it will be quick to find employment. I'm wondering if I should address this in some way on my resume. Im worried that employers, who don't understand the immigration process, might assume that being out of work for 6+ months was my choice and look unfavorably on me. Any thoughts or advice from your own experience?

8 years isn't a long time ago in this context. I've seen people denied for less, after longer.

Hi all, I received a letter today from the SSA stating that they are refusing to reissue my SSN with my change of name from marriage: I made 2 separate trips this past month. The first time I took my current SSN card (maiden name), UK passport, original marriage cert and 797c receipt notices for both AOS and EAD. I was missing my I94 so had to reschedule for the next day. I took all of the above again, including recent print out of I94 and travel history. This is a small town and they don't seem to understand my status, or lack thereof. They click around on a computer screen and tell me they're just trying to get it to accept my information. I have no idea what they're doing. Anyway, at my last visit the girl seemed happy with what I gave and didn't ask me for anything more, so how is it that I did not give them the documents they require? Does a combination of passport, marriage certificate, original SSN, 797c's not show identity and age? They don't even tell me what documents they want... Anyway, I'll be calling them Monday to schedule an appointment but wanted to hear from VJ for any tips on what docs I could take in addition to everything I already provided. Maybe you had similar experiences as a K1. Husband suggested my UK birth cert (dunno why I didn't think of this before), and I also now have my EAD card. Surely these would help? Really frustrating as I can't get starting on a driving license before SSN is updated, and I can't realistically look for work until driving is covered!

My interview was November 26th. I received my visa December 6th. You can check timelines of other VJ members who interviewed at London to get more of an idea.

Just because your interview is July 1st, this definitely doesn't mean your visa will be issued the same day. You should not have that expectation at all. From visa issued and posted out to delivered at your home, it will be a matter of days, providing no missed deliveries or delays with the courier. As for the timeline between interview and visa issued, who knows. Could be days, could be weeks, could be months. This is why you should not make concrete travel plans.

Sharing this here as recent changes in visa issuance may be applicable to you (published June 4th, effective June 9th 2025): https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/06/restricting-the-entry-of-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-united-states-from-foreign-terrorists-and-other-national-security-and-public-safety-threats/ Sec. 2. Full Suspension of Entry for Nationals of Countries of Identified Concern. The entry into the United States of nationals of the following countries is hereby suspended and limited, as follows, subject to the categorical exceptions and case-by-case waivers described in section 5 of this proclamation: (d) Republic of the Congo (i) According to the Overstay Report, the Republic of the Congo had a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 29.63 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 35.14 percent. (ii) The entry into the United States of nationals of the Republic of the Congo as immigrants and nonimmigrants is hereby fully suspended. Sec. 3. Partial Suspension of Entry for Nationals of Countries of Identified Concern. (a) Burundi (i) According to the Overstay Report, Burundi had a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 15.35 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 17.52 percent. (ii) The entry into the United States of nationals of Burundi as immigrants, and as nonimmigrants on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas, is hereby suspended. (iii) Consular officers shall reduce the validity for any other nonimmigrant visa issued to nationals of Burundi to the extent permitted by law. DV visa is not listed on the exceptions.

My now husband put it much more succinctly, simply putting "(I intend) to provide for all of (my, beneficiary, name)'s needs for as long as required.

Having a log in to the portal isn't the same as an online account. If you had an online account, USCIS would have sent you the number with instructions on how to activate it. You would know you have it.

Is this your first meeting? She wants you to pursue an immigrant visa for her, but she's unsure if she will even like being in the US? What happens if you go through all the time and money of a K1 and she decides she doesn't want to live in the US with you? Whatever path you take, it needs to be a commitment, from both parties. Not regarded as something to test the water. If this is going to work, you need to establish a clear plan.

Does she work? Rent or own property? What can she evidence as reason to return? Any up coming appointments she's scheduled? I imagine if she details a 2 month stay, how this will be funded will be a follow up question. Do you have any specific plans while she's with you? Things to see or do? It's important that she be equipped with this, in case they ask. It's a red flag to visit as a tourist and not have any idea of sights to see. Bank statements would be good, which also double up as proof of address in home country. Good idea to give her a written letter with the address she'll be staying. You may also want to provide your contact number should they need to call you. Of course, perfectly possible she doesn't get any hassle, but it's best to be overprepared and not need it. Just ensure she doesn't put any of these documents in her checked luggage.

Sounds like reason here. Comes across to me like you will be living between different countries. Of course this isn't what they'd want to hear, especially in high fraud like Lagos.

The colour of the 221g slip will give you an idea of why. Do you know what colour it is? Although this seems pretty self explanatory. In your situation it would perhaps been better to have a joint sponsor.

I think OP is asking about how a USC updates their name after marriage. I understood that you married in Turkey. As I said, I believe a USC updates their name in the US. If the USC starts to use their married name before updating things like their passport and SSN, it may confuse the process when providing those details to USCIS. It seems to me that best approach would be to continue using the maiden name, until they are able to return to the US and make the legal changes.

Are you asking how a US citizen updates their name after marriage? If so, they will need to make the change via local probate court and then update their name on their SSN, passport, etc. They will need to provide copies of the Turkish marriage certificate and any required translations to all of the relevant government agencies. I could be wrong, but I don't think, unlike non-USCs marrying in the US, a USC can start using their married name legally until it's updated in the US. https://www.usa.gov/name-change

It's not different to the ones you've read about. Don't do it.

Can you provide the source of this information? This is relevant to me and information online says otherwise.

Refiling does not negate the unlawful stay accrued after the 90 days from entry, but it can be forgiven. What date did she enter? You married on June 6th 2024. When did you file for AOS? When was RFE dated? What date did you respond to the RFE? When was the denial notice dated?