Lemonslice

@Orion42, the real question is: what's the name in your passport? I was in a similar situation and I did the opposite of @TBoneTX suggestion: I listed the name I'm known as/using as my name [this is the name in the passport where I got my visa], then I listed my very long birth name in other names used. Important: Your visa will be printed in the name in your passport. If this is not the name you want to use in the US, you should have the passport corrected before your interview. Not all countries allow minor spelling changes to their passport, but many do. Your green card will be printed with the name on your visa, and following documents (SSN card, drivers license, etc.) will usually have to match. .... When you have a chance, please fill your profile and your timeline. https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profile.php?id=496411

Would be helpful if you filed your timeline with that info. https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profile.php?id=486327 DCFs are a rare occurrence in Canada now, so others will appreciate your dates and details.

You can always request assistance from your elected representative, if it has been too long.

There is no way to know how long the extra security checks will take, but as long as your conviction does not fall under the Adam Walsh Act, you will eventually see progress. [If it does fall under the AWA, then you will need a lawyer, and to consider moving elsewhere]

@Crazy Cat plan is the only one that would somewhat guarantee your ability to travel in the next couple of years.

Sounds good. Make sure to cancel it if you guys can't make it.

I-94 are electronic, there should not be any delay. Try to set the appointment now for a few days after her arrival. Cancel it if her i-94 is contains any error. Best of luck.

You might enjoy the French Toast Alert System: https://www.universalhub.com/french-toast Stay safe!

Passport Canada, like any office/agency/person, sometimes make errors. Non citizens have gotten passports before, and the error is caught at a later renewal - this is very rare, and I doubt this is what happened in your wife's situation. Citizens get their applications denied mistakenly at times too. Best path forward is to reach out to your local consulate.

Did you also include copies of boarding passes and passport stamps ?

With the delays to get appointments in some locations, the American fiancé could even make the appointment before the immigrant arrives - then cancel it if the i-94 needs to be corrected. The SSN is such a useful piece of the puzzle for the immigrant, too many people forget to plan for it.

I would wait to complete your name change first, then file to remove conditions under your new name, and attach a copy of your name change document. You're able to file until mid-May, it's ok to not do it right when the window opens.

Ok. What if there's a disagreement and you're on your own? That's what the officers want to see. How are you going to provide then? .... You don't need to work forever, and it's great that you have family support, but they still want you to be able to pay for "normal" expected expenses. You might have to go back to work to be approved. Best of luck.

Take a step back, forget about immigration, how are you going to support yourself and your wife? Investments are nice, but they won't generate enough income to pay for your living expenses. $85K * 20% (very very generous annual return to estimate), is only $17K (city living or not, that's not a comfortable income in 2026). If you want to contact them, do so after you have returned to the US and found a job with health insurance. That would satisfy all of the checked marks on the 221g. In other words, follow what@pushbrk replied.

In the current political climate, I'd 100000% go for a spousal visa. Also, so many other benefits. @Crazy Cat maintains a great list of pros/cons for each path.

You might want to consider filling also for your authorization to work, and advance parole to travel. For your own safely, do not adjust status if you foresee any financial (or other kind) of hiccups, or are unable to file before your visa expires.

Easiest thing was to not change name at all. Second easiest, to change it when getting citizenship. Anything else will be complicated and need to done/redone and take some time. Up to her to see what is worth the effort.

You can always consult with another lawyer, should you want a second opinion. I've never heard of a remote interview for an incarcerated spouse, but that does not mean that they have never been done. Other members might remember a similar story, or do a search with incarcerated/jail/prison, etc.

- https://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profile.php?id=495755 It is not clear if you returned home since visiting in 2017 - or did you overstay since then?

I hope your request gets accepted. You can also look into One Percent for America.

I think OP and spouse should both work on parallel solutions now. Spouse not finding work for years is demonstrating a lack of job searching skills; even if she goes back to school, this is something that she should start to work on while OP reaches to representative and tries to expedite.

Yes, this should not be a problem. I strongly recommend that you try to renew your passport while you are in Canada though. Imminent need to travel would justify the expedited service while you are there.

Understand that it might be months without being allowed to work. Even part time entry level work would be better than zero income. She might want to reach out to your local career center (look up state name and "career centers"). The local library is also a good resource for job search support. Best of luck.

You might try to expedite the EAD, but it's still not an instant process. I hope you have a nice savings cushion. Alternatively, your American spouse is allowed to work.

Not fun and extra wait, but better than dealing with ICE later because someone feels you shouldn't have been approved. Will be cleaner that way.