hplusj

On 12/9/2024 at 4:23 PM, inbriars said:

What did you end up doing? What was the result?

@Kiana & Katarina you liked the comment but do you have an update for us?

On 12/21/2024 at 12:04 AM, KoreaninHawaii said:

Just wanted to see people good and bad experiences and time frames for everyone.

Just a friendly reminder that timelines are available from each user profile, as well as in timeline search.

For the benefit of those new members--like you--who are currently questioning timeframes, and those members to come, updating your timeline is the most valuable source of data.

On 12/15/2024 at 8:19 PM, swissbuttercream said:

I’m got a not so great status as of now.

USCIS received case Oct 21

I got notices 14 November 

since then nothing

no update for biometrics no RFE

chat just says it’s at national benefits center.

 

 

We can't see a relevant timeline, just one for citizenship.  Can you please update to your K1/AOS details so we can improve on current timelines for all?  Thank you!

Just now, Edward and Jaycel said:

 

So glad he got his EAD!! I wish we could get the Biometrics for Jaycel soon

I'm sure it's coming!  Fingers crossed for you. 🤞

Just a couple updates for you guys:

On Nov 20th Jon went for his biometrics.  As he was finishing up the 5 minute appointment, I got an alert that his case had been updated.  two days later on the 22nd, his EAD was approved.  We received the physical card in the mail 10 days after that.

We've had some trouble with the banks getting him qualified for a secured credit card so he can build stateside credit (shame, his score in ZA was outstanding), but finally broke through at US Bank this week.  Also got him on the lease, even though that was complete after the I-485 was submitted.  We'll have that documentation ready for an interview if needed.  Rumor has it they're returning to interviews and phasing out waivers.  We'll see.

Wishing everyone a happy holiday season!

On 12/14/2024 at 12:53 AM, MeowingCats said:

im sorry if this sounds confusing, to be fair I am confused myself too and was looking for some help/input. 

For the love of god and all that is holy, do not jump the gun and do extra medicals without receiving an RFE that requires it.

Find your DS-3025 (Vaccination Documentation Worksheet).  It should've been provided to you by your panel physician when you did your medical abroad. 

Look at the top of the back/2nd page.  Is the second box checked that states "K1 visa applicant voluntarily completed vaccination requirements"?  If it is checked, no matter what vaccinations were left incomplete, the worksheet affirms via the physician that to the best of yours and their ability, you voluntarily submitted to completing it.  Provided you included that DS-3025 in your AOS application, you are good on the medical end.  

If you forgot the DS-3025, locate it either in your paperwork or reach out to the panel physician for the copy they were legally required to supply to you.  It serves as your working vaccination record in the US.  Make copies.  Provide as needed.

2 hours ago, Anjaek99 said:

I figured. I'm just anxious about it, because on the USCIS website now it says that they might reject the I-485 if you don't submit a I-693. 

Please read up about I-693s on the website.  They are not required in all circumstances.

8 minutes ago, Anjaek99 said:

Hi. I just have a few questions regarding my AOS and DS-3025. I recently came to the US with a K1 visa and got married in november. A couple of days ago I mailed my I-485 and I-765. However, I did not put a copy of my DS-3025 nor a I-693 as I thought I didn't have to. The reason I thought I didn't have to, is because I did a medical exam abroad in august and the CBP took my package at entry and I assumed all the medical paperwork would be in there. But yesterday I read online that they require a I-693 either way, and I'm worried that the DS-3025 is not in the package that the CBP took from me at entry. 

 

Is my I-485 gonna be denied because of this? or are they gonna send me RFE for I-693 plus my DS-3025? Any tips?

At this point you’ll probably have to wait for the RFE.  My understanding is that the DS-3025 with the application serves as receipt for the details of the medical packet, which I am unsure is part of the initial review.  It is made available for the interview, I know that much.

if you have the vaccination worksheet, make copies and keep them handy in the event of an RFE.  Good luck!

On 10/25/2024 at 8:21 PM, ProbeGT said:

Detailed post on ACA insurance and subsidies.  It IS possible for a new immigrant to get subsidies.

 

 

I wish we had found this post sooner.  My husband and I are so confused.  When I (USC) moved to Iowa earlier in the year I applied for ACA and was given access to the marketplace probably within a week.  Unfortunately I let the plan lapse with wedding costs and have tried special enrollment and now open enrollment trying to get access again for us.  We got into the Medicaid cogs somehow and received a denial letter that said we would be passed to the federal marketplace for review now.  Exhausting.  I might have to pitch a promotion at work to become salaried and get us employer provided healthcare because as wage based I don’t qualify for it until my annual in March.

Looking at your timeline I’m not sure what the process is for a Q1.  Is that family based?

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).

On 11/6/2024 at 11:23 AM, ETM8986 said:

@hplusj We had a joint sponsor who stepped in at the last minute after the first one dropped the ball unexpectedly (that was not fun at all 😭) so we mailed the packet off on 10/31.
USPS tracking says it was delivered on Saturday 2/11 but we haven't got ANY notice that USCIS has received it so I'm getting worried.

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.

On 11/5/2024 at 5:03 AM, Senufo said:

I know it's it's just not fair and I can't do anything

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.

36 minutes ago, Edward and Jaycel said:

@hplusj We are sending out Jaycel's I-485/I-765 on Thursday 11/14! So happy your biometrics has been scheduled! I have a question for you, don't you get your online access code on the NOA1? If that's true, how are you seeing the the docs online? Are you just checking with the receipt number that they texted/emailed to you?

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

On 10/28/2024 at 12:53 PM, ETM8986 said:

Thanks @hplusj! 
I don't know if we'll make it for the October filing though. Hopefully - I'd be relieved to send the packet off! I'm certainly not relishing the idea of being "out of status." It sounds dreadful and the lack of a so-called "bridging visa" is unusual to me. We're waiting on a joint sponsor to get his I-864 forms ready. My husband is a full-time student so we have no income, and I don't know if that makes our case more complicated or not 😩

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.

On 10/31/2024 at 6:18 AM, apnzz said:

...95% of our evidence was of the physical in person meets and stuff we did together physically, then the other 5% would've been like the brief summary of how we met...

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.

22 hours ago, judgementKazzy said:

Honestly, I was fully expecting most people to be "weirded out" by my question, I get how it can be a weird thing to consider when you arent part of the community!

But it's really nice to see there's so many other people who also have games as their main link together, especially couples who have already been successful in their visa journey ❤️ 

Thank you and all the warriors of light who replied, it means a lot!

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.

On 10/28/2024 at 6:39 AM, Happy1233 said:

Hi I am also an October 2024 filer. Sent on 17th October. Waiting for NOA1 for AOS. I only applied for GC AND AP. 

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

On 10/22/2024 at 10:38 PM, ETM8986 said:

I don't actually see a thread created yet though, unless I'm looking at the wrong places.
 

For October?  I got you here: