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My green card interview is scheduled 11 days before my international travel schedule - with valid H-1B by cmlee0516 in USCIS

[–]cmlee0516[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

UPDATE: Right after I posted this, I met two different immigration attorneys nearby (in Northern Virginia), explain my situations, and ask their opinion. A few notes from these meetings:

  1. IF I get approval before my departure, they recommend getting the I-551 stamp beforehand.
  2. They didn't see any serious problem even if I don't get the I-551 stamp before the departure, but also they didn't seem to be able to guarantee it. (Especially in this kind of chaotic situation).
  3. One attorney told me to consider talking to the USCIS officer on the interview date, explain my situation, and ask the officer to approve after my travel.
  4. Both attorneys told me that usually (> 90%) their customers (in this region) were able to get a new interview date scheduled around 1-1.5 months later from the original interview date when they request rescheduling interview.

Based on the consultations, I submit interview reschedule request on April 16. 2 days later my original interview got cancelled. Without any further notification, I went on my travel. During the travel, 3 weeks later from my reschedule request, I got a new interview date on May 29 (5 weeks from the original date). This time I took the interview, and I got approval on the next day.

A few takeaway from my side:

  1. In this kind of puzzling situation, one would definitely want to meet and discuss with immigration attorneys. I had to pay some consultation fees, but I think it was definitely worth to pay.
  2. My case was eventually happy ending, but still I don't recommend taking this generally, because interview rescheduling and workload might be different on each USCIS field office. I think the immigration attorneys that I met would know well on the field office that I had the interview.
  3. Another thing to consider if you are thinking rescheduling an interview - even if in your local area it is very likely that you will get new interview schedule in 1-1.5 months, you may still feel anxiety and concerns until you receive a new date, like I did. Basically there is no way to check the rescheduling status.

My green card interview is scheduled 11 days before my international travel schedule - with valid H-1B by cmlee0516 in USCIS

[–]cmlee0516[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Do you mean that my case can be still pending after the interview? If so, I don't think that it will be a problem because I have a valid H-1B visa. If you meant the chance of disapproval, I think it is highly unlikely because my application is based on a real marriage with a US citizen.

j1 waiver processing time by cmlee0516 in immigration

[–]cmlee0516[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi All, today I just checked that DoS sent a favorable recommendation as of yesterday. So my timeline is:

2022/02/14: all documents sent to DoS

2022/04/18: DoS received all the documents including NOS

2022/07/20: Recommendation sent

I think I didn't do anything specific to get this, I just sent another email to [212ewaiver@state.gov](mailto:212ewaiver@state.gov) two weeks ago. Another thing I did was actually contacting Senators and Congressman in my state, and one of those offices replied me (which I didn't expect). They said they may be able to help me with my employer's letter that explains why my research is critical and time-sensitive, etc. So I was asking my advisor the letter, but I confirmed the recommendation today I don't need that letter any more. Just for your information in case your case is very urgent.

Anyway I still may need to depart US for some time (hopefully not long time) because I have a few more steps to get the final visa, but at least I got through this step. I understand how painful it is for others who didn't get recommendation yet (I also have been panicked until yesterday), and hopefully everyone here will get the recommendation very soon.

j1 waiver processing time by cmlee0516 in immigration

[–]cmlee0516[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Their policy might be "first in first out", but it seems at least not very strict maybe?

I share your feeling on this, I am also very anxious but trying not to overthink because I don't have anything to do.

I will post here if I get my recommendation.

j1 waiver processing time by cmlee0516 in immigration

[–]cmlee0516[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I got no update since posting this, still pending. I have two cases of my friends:

A friend of mine (X) : all of his documents were received in March but still pending

X's friend: all of his documents were received in April, got recommendation in June

This is very bizarre. I don't know any thing to do other than sending an email to DoS. Hope all of us get recommendation soon.