I loved reading these when going through the process so adding my story!
I arrived in the USA on a K1 fiancée visa in September and we got married within 90 days, as needed. I then just applied for the I-485, didn’t bother doing the work approval or advanced parole because I didn’t want to pay any more money 🤪 and considering how fast it went it’s probably good I didn’t!
We didn’t use a lawyer. We did the entire k1 process ourselves and same for the 485, but with this latest round I also found Kseniya’s YT videos really helpful in terms of creating the packet and making sure I answered everything correctly.
We live in Arkansas and dealt with the Memphis FO.
Timeline:
01/30/26 - sent papers to USCIS
02/03/26 - date case says received
02/13/26 - text confirmation received
02/17/26 - money taken from bank acct
02/21/26 - biometrics scheduled
02/24/26 - paper receipt for application received
03/11/26 - biometrics appt
03/16/26 - interview scheduled
04/15/26 - interview appt
04/16/26 - case approved!!
04/21/26 - card produced
04/22/26 - received my SSN
04/27/27 - card arrived!
One concern I had pre interview was that I hadn’t done the I-693 - because I still had my valid medical from the K1 process that had been completed within the last year (DS3025 vaccination worksheet). That ended up being absolutely fine, not an issue.
The interview itself was short! My husband came with me and the interviewer didn’t even want to see him. 😂 I went in by myself and the only things I got asked were:
what’s my spouses name
What’s our current address
Am I currently employed
Do we have children
and then the list of yes/no questions from the 485. As she didn’t even see my spouse I assume the bona fide marital evidence was already more than enough to confirm it legitimate.
I’d add that my husband was really concerned because I didn’t get a verbal approval on the day - the lady said she needed to check out and make sure I had everything. So clearly don’t worry if you don’t get verbal approval!