hplusj

Our NOA was received via mail on Nov 9th, postmarked Nov 6th! Everything's ready to go for biometrics on the 20th (and Jon's behind the wheel on the 22nd, since he needs that as proof of pending residency in Iowa).

Ours was received on the 1st but the NOA was postmarked Nov 6 so expect a slight delay. Seems they got a little busy on Monday and Tuesday. I wonder why... 🤣 I don't know if you set up a G-1145 for notifications but if not, you can always give your information to Emma and see if there are docs submitted for your case. Provide all information you have now: A-number, USCIS receipt, NVC case and ask to speak with an agent to get the access code printed on the NOA. If you did set up the notifications and you've heard nothing, I guess the waiting game is still on.

I understand that it's frustrating when this part of the process is very opaque but approaching it with a lens of unfairness is not going to make it easier for you. Focus on your relationship and your future plans together. Make sure this is all for naught. Exercise patience, and gratitude. Four years ago, your frustration over your wait would be laughable. Even a year ago, we were seeing petition approvals twice as long as yours. Our case was at NVC for four months. Breathe, find grace and foster the love for your future spouse. Not much is fair in this world, and the immigration process is certainly among the count.

I poked Emma (online assistant) and providing what I knew about the case, was able to get an agent who provided the access code that's on the paper.

Still waiting on the NOA1 to arrive! We'll need it to get Jon a driver's license, once he aces that behind the wheel lol! Also, the bio appointment is scheduled for the 20th (again saw it on our USCIS account) but nothing physical has arrived. Was issued one week ago.

Hey all! Been on the forums here since around the time of our first K1 NOA2 (yes, we had two) back in March of this year. I'd say we're long overdue for a little introduction: I'm Heather, the main arbiter of the hplusj account and the USC. My now-husband, Jon, is from South Africa. He arrived here on Friday the 13th of September because September 11th is clearly cursed and his flights kept cancelling. We live in Iowa, though right around the time of our NOA2 (literally my first piece of mail) I moved from Minneapolis down to the Des Moines metro. I work in the hospitality industry and, once that EAD shows up for Jon, he'll probably jump right back into software development. We did things the hard way with a K1, and it is what it is. Things like delaying our wedding would've been smart but we're suckers for sentimentality and wooo, is that a costly endeavor. When I mean costly, I don't necessarily meant the cost of the K1 (although that's certainly not cheap either). What it also cost us was understanding from our loved ones, and a sense of normalcy. Jon and I had a lovely micro-wedding in Vegas in an olive grove (pics below) but our family and friends really struggled to wrap their heads around a wedding invitation which had several time zones printed on it. Imagine the feedback we got: letters that read, We're so happy for you but we just can't make the journey when we had paid over $500 for a production team to livestream, in an attempt to include them! Anyway, the wedding was quite the adventure (so much to say on that, but let's not bog down an intro), and we're glad to be on the other side. At the time of this post, we just got the text from USCIS notifying us that Jon's NOA1 for the AOS/EAD are in the mail. It's on to the next steps, getting just a bit closer to citizenship! We are so glad to be here, to contribute our journey and hopefully help others along the way. Thank you for this site, it's been a godsend!!

Sorry this has been your experience, OP. I will say though, that "don't judge a book by its cover" goes both ways. I'll save further, potentially incendiary commentary for the political forum

Whose income did you use as proof for the K1? Feel free to keep an eye on the October thread, might be some foreshadowing for ya.

This is exactly why we didn't deduct all evidence from online. The question of "how did you meet" is relatively common. I expect USCIS would want an answer to it readily available, even if it isn't in-depth.

I'm sure there are people on here who are, but fact of the matter is more and more people are meeting online, and not just through dating apps: doing what they love, and connecting with others in doing so. I just shake my head when I see confused reactions to what is a rather clear question. Judgey passive aggressive nonsense. This is the 21st century, and your question is most certainly relevant. I wish you all the best on your journey!

Progress! Our case was received on October 28th and the I-797c is dated November 1 (saw the digital copy on USCIS.gov, will probably get the physical one in a few days).

Same, my now-husband and I met on Second Life. Our evidence connecting us through that was very minimal since for the better part of the first two years we knew each other, we called each other by our handles, not even our real names. Online connections just don't translate well. Focus on the real, you'll be fine. (also F the haters, we had an in-world wedding as well. I get the importance of it, even if USCIS and people who aren't part of these communities don't)

A lot of people have already said that, but you have several stages to advance through K1, you're not going to finish in the time period you're concerned about. And yes, ditch the visa preparation service. You do not have a complicated case. If you did, an immigration lawyer is going to be far more useful. Handing it over to a "service" is imo a terrible idea since it is additional costs in an already costly pursuit, and learning how to navigate this on your own leaves the people with all the interests in seeing it succeed --namely, you and your fiancee-- handling 100% of it.

Your timeline says you got your NOA the day later. Is that accurate? Did you have your biometrics yesterday?

For October? I got you here:

..which visa?

Welcome to all AOS filers for October 2024! Following the example of other users, I'm taking on the task of starting the thread for us, in order to track our progress. We all come from a variety of situations, so please reference the Immigration Guides for your AOS filing directions. Feel free to share your procedure/progress in the comments below! My husband arrived on a K1 visa on September 13 and we were married on October 10. We filed today with the following packet composed (this is a copy of our Table of Contents): --- SECTION A : I-485, APPLICATION FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE I-485 Payment (two money orders, total $1440USD) Money order payable to “US Department of Homeland Security”, total $1000USD Money order payable to “US Department of Homeland Security”, total $440USD Forms Form G-1145, e-Notification of Petition/Application Acceptance Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence Identification Copy of applicant’s passport bio page Copy of applicant’s K1 visa page Copy of applicant’s birth certificate Copy of applicant’s police clearance record -2 pages Bag containing 2(two) passport size photos of applicant Confirmations Copy of form I-797c Copy of both received I-797s Copy of valid I-94 travel record Copy of applicant and spouse’s marriage certificate Copy of form DS-3025, vaccination documentation worksheet - 2 pages Supplemental Evidence Supplemental photo evidence - 5 pages, numbered Supplemental document evidence - 1 page each Community Choice credit union account Iowa state instruction permit (Real ID) Social Security conditional card SECTION B : I-864, AFFIDAVIT OF SUPPORT FROM US CITIZEN Sponsor’s Affidavit Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Copy of sponsor’s US passport (maiden/birth name) Copy of sponsor’s birth certificate Copy of sponsor and spouse’s marriage certificate Sponsor’s employment verification letter Sponsor’s paystubs, from April 2024 to present Sponsor’s 2023 IRS tax transcript SECTION C : I-765, APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION I-765 Payment Money order payable to “US Department of Homeland Security”, total $260USD Forms Form G-1145, e-Notification of Petition/Application Acceptance Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization Identification Copy of applicant’s passport bio page Copy of applicant’s K1 visa page Copy of applicant’s birth certificate Copy of applicant’s police clearance record - 2 pages Bag containing 2(two) passport size photos of applicant Confirmations Copy of forms I-797c Copy of both received I-797s Copy of valid I-94 travel record Copy of applicant and spouse’s marriage certificate Copy of form DS-3025, vaccination documentation worksheet - 2 pages Supplemental Evidence Supplemental photo evidence - 5 pages, numbered Supplemental document evidence - 1 page each Community Choice credit union account Iowa state instruction permit (Real ID) Social Security conditional card --- We're looking forward to following others' journeys! Best of luck to everyone.

People are a-holes and every relationship is different. I highly recommend getting used to hearing contrary opinions on your upcoming life together and reminding yourself of the above statement. <3

Hi there, congratulations on reaching the NVC stage! I found this part of the process super nebulous and opaque, but you're in the right place. You can use the NVC public inquiry form to request your case number. If it's been a month now, you should get a reply in due time, and be able to track your CEAC status. As far as the timing for packet 3/DS-160, you can always check in regional forums (a little further down the discussion list on the main forum page) to look into the order of things for Vietnam. Again, best to you two!

Your answer is in the screenshot you shared. When filing at the same time as the AOS (I-485) or while it's still pending, it's $260.

Keep us posted on your progress! I'm curious about how helpful this agency is personally, since they not only sent you the form to do yourself, but gave you an outdated one as well. I hope all goes well. Please know you have a community here to assist if needed. (P.S. I believe you can "halt" the packet in a sense, if the check hasn't been cashed yet with USCIS. If you cancel the check with your bank it would simply be Rejected and you could start over on your own.)

You're welcome to try to work at the relationship of course but here's a thought: Just start the process over. Suggest that you should be getting married NOW, since the spousal visa is much easier and more expedient than in previous years. There is a lot of useful advice on these forums to that regard. Put the offer up. See what he says. Heck, you can even suggest he use what funds he has for this new business to invest in the future for the two of you in America. He needs to be at least willing to coordinate with you and show he actually wants this. Bottom line, HAVE SOME STANDARDS AND DEMAND HE SHOW INITIATIVE TO DO THIS STILL. Remember, you are the US citizen giving him all the opportunities for love, commitment, and prosperity in our country. If there's pushback to that, guess what? It's YOU who has the power to say no and move on. The cold, hard truth is that you sound desperate for companionship from someone who is just not on the same page. At all. Have some self-respect to know when someone doesn't love you to the degree you need. You can't force these things and they're not going to work if you demand they do. You are much better off abandoning ship than ending up in a toxic, resentful, potentially abusive pairing where you get the pleasure of footing 100% of the bill.

I'm really glad you and your fiance are on the same page now but please, I'm begging you, do not file through Boundless. Look through these posts, people have some sound advice. They are taking you through unnecessary steps which will cost you unnecessarily in an already expensive process. The I-129F is the easiest part, if you are meticulous and resourceful, which it sounds like you already are! Please ditch the agency, work on your petition using USCIS guidelines as well as these forums. If you receive a RFE or run across any snags, the people here will be able to recommend professional help if it's really warranted for your case. It's good you're here.

Is this true? Can anyone provide more information on this?

Just for reference I changed jobs (and moved states) as petitioner between NOA1 and NOA2 (literally starting a new job right as the NOA2 was sent) so for the I-134 I was very thorough in providing relevant documents, including my tax transcripts for 2021/2022/2023 to show I have worked consistently full time in spite of the recent job change, and also gave my fiance a letter from my employer verifying my earnings as well as the pay stubs leading up to his interview date. By the time he had interviewed, I was at the position for five months and so had a paper trail of about ten pay stubs. For the AOS, I plan to update the employment letter to reflect a more current date, and again provide at least three months of pay stubs as evidence (in addition to my transcripts as required). It's entirely possible to make life changes such as employment while the case is active. I firmly attest in doing so BEFORE my fiance got here, that I was able to put us in a better position to be successful. I would caution you, though, against depending on her hitting the income threshold in 2024 already as if that's a qualifier. If she isn't currently employed, it still does not meet the requirements for moving forward, when she has to support you (particularly since the only valid ways to prove income will be from a present employer/paystubs or from a tax transcript, which will not be available for 2024 until after she files taxes in 2025). Gaining employment again will be essential evidence, if you don't want a co-sponsor on the books.