I married a man from East Africa in 2025. Yes, it happened too fast, and yes, I realize now that I made a mistake. We went through the USCIS marriage interview process, and his case is still pending. Recently, I listened to my instincts and submitted a letter withdrawing my immigration sponsorship. I’ve also filed for legal separation, and he is no longer living in my home. I genuinely believed I was marrying someone who loved me and wanted to build a life together, but now I’m questioning everything.
After our immigration interview, everything changed. He stopped being intimate, stopped connecting with me emotionally, and became increasingly distant. Truthfully, there wasn’t much connection beforehand, but somehow it got worse. I spent so much of this marriage begging for affection, honesty, communication, and to feel cared for. Instead, I experienced constant dishonesty, gaslighting, deflection, and avoidance. He would turn off our location-sharing app (which we only used because of previous dishonesty), repeatedly break promises, and leave me questioning everything. I paid for nearly everything, and even the expensive engagement ring he claimed to have purchased turned out to be fake. He was charming and affectionate in the beginning, but eventually I felt like I was living with a stranger. Recently, something finally clicked. It was like I woke up. Since he’s moved out, I finally have peace in my home, and my mind feels clearer than it has in a long time.
Here’s where things get even more complicated. I discovered that he had a previous customary union or marriage in his home country that he hadn’t been honest with me about. According to his immigration paperwork, that relationship was supposedly dissolved, but USCIS requested additional documentation to establish that it had legally ended. He said he couldn’t provide anything further. While reviewing the paperwork, I also discovered information suggesting he may have a child from that previous relationship, something I had never been told. I don’t know whether the child is his, but the discovery raised serious questions about what else he might have concealed. When I confronted him about the inconsistencies, our relationship effectively ended because he left- probably knew he got caught? I now wonder whether he was ever legally free to marry me in the first place.

One of the most painful parts of this experience is that I suffered two miscarriages during our marriage. I desperately wanted those babies, and losing them was devastating. Now I’m experiencing the heartbreaking contradiction of grieving those pregnancies while also feeling relieved that I won’t have to remain connected to this man through a child. I never imagined I would feel that way. This marriage has been incredibly lonely and emotionally exhausting. I became someone I didn’t recognize, constantly anxious, angry, and desperate to understand why the person I married seemed so uninterested in actually being my husband… being used might actually be WHY.

I have an upcoming consultation with an immigration attorney and also plan to speak with a family law attorney to better understand my legal options. Has anyone experienced something similar? Has anyone discovered that their spouse married them for immigration benefits or dealt with an undisclosed marriage overseas? I understand that a terrible marriage doesn’t automatically mean immigration fraud, and I don’t want anything bad to happen to him through immigration enforcement. I just want the truth, to protect myself legally, and to move forward. I'm also wondering whether I might qualify for an annulment for two possible reasons:
1. Fraud: the lies prior to being married (he did not tell me about the union/marriage and lied about it).
2. Potential bigamy: he said he was married on immigration papers when he came into this country, USCIS questioned the validity of the documentation he provided regarding his previous marriage and required additional proof that the union had legally ended. He told me he couldn't provide anything further. He could still be married or in a union. I have an immigration attorney to discuss that with.

I’ve only talked about this with my therapist and immediate family, and I feel incredibly alone navigating something I knew nothing about before meeting him. If anyone knows of a support group or has personal experience with this, I would really appreciate hearing from you. Thank you for reading. ❤️ please be kind with comments!!

Is it okay to add white padding to my photo where it's impossible to fit my head within the percentage

The added padding looks like a an added frame on the last 10% of my shoulder

Here’s what we know:

➡️ The current premium processing deadlines are NOT affected at this time.
➡️ The proposal is titled “Amending the Premium Processing Timeframe,” but the public record does not disclose its text or identify who’s impacted.
➡️ The next milestones to watch are completion of OIRA review and any subsequent publication in the Federal Register.

We’re tracking this proposal and will share updates as more information becomes available.

My boyfriend is a German citizen currently living and working in the United States on an E-1 visa. He has a degree in e-commerce and over seven years of experience in the motorcycle accessories industry, including experience in sales and e-commerce.
We’re trying to identify employers in the U.S. that may be willing to sponsor him and understand what visa options might be available to help him continue working here long-term.

We’re particularly interested in:
Companies that have experience sponsoring German or other international employees.
Employers in e-commerce, sales, account management, business development, automotive or motorcycle accessories.
Alternatives to the H-1B visa that may fit his background.

Experiences from people who successfully changed employers or maintained work authorization while transitioning between visa categories.
We’re based in the Portland, Oregon area, but would consider other opportunities depending on the role.
Has anyone navigated a similar situation or found particularly helpful resources, recruiters, or companies to contact? Any advice or firsthand experiences would be greatly appreciated!

Edit:

I truly appreciate the advice of us getting married however, he wants to exhaust all options of finding another company to sponsor him before we get married. We have discussed it and intend to do so, but he wants to do it on our terms and not feel forced into having to rush the marriage or make me feel like we’re only getting married for the green card.

I recently became a U.S. citizen and have surrendered my Indian passport.
I want to apply for a 5-year Indian e-Visa in advance so I can travel quickly if there’s a family emergency. However, I don’t have any travel plans right now.

A few questions:
1. What should I enter for the “Expected Date of Arrival”?
2. Can I apply without booking a flight?
3. If I don’t travel on the expected date, will my visa remain valid for 5 years?
4. Has anyone applied this way and faced issues later?

Would appreciate hearing from anyone with similar experience. Thanks!

Does anyone know if I need a transit visa for dublin to Toronto through Heathrow. I am an Indian national, hold an IRP card, US and Canada visa. I have heard of people being declined boarding on their way back to Ireland but just wanted to check for the outward journey.

Hi everyone,

I’m a Filipino-born Dutch citizen currently living in the Netherlands with my Dutch partner and our daughter, who is also Dutch. My mother filed an I-130 petition for me around 12 years ago, and I recently received a notification from the NVC.

I’m now trying to figure out my options if I decide to move to the US.

My biggest concern is keeping our family together. I don’t want my daughter to grow up separated from her dad, so ideally, I’d like to move to the US first and have my partner join us shortly afterward, rather than having us live apart for an extended period.

I’d love to hear from people who have been in a similar situation or have experience with family-based immigration.

A few things I’d like to understand:

• What options might be available for my Dutch partner to join me in the US shortly after I immigrate?
• Has anyone managed to coordinate their partner’s immigration with their own family-based immigrant visa process?
• Are there alternative visa routes worth exploring for my partner that could allow him to join us relatively soon?
• For those who have faced a similar situation, how did you manage the transition while waiting for your partner’s immigration process?

I understand that immigration takes time, and I’m not expecting an immediate solution. I’m just trying to understand the realistic possibilities before making such a major decision for our family.

Thank you for any advice or personal experiences you can share!

Hi I will apply for a t visa and need recommendations

Hey, I’m 22 and born and raised in Australia. My dad’s a US citizen and spent about 35 years living in the US. My parents weren’t married when I was born. He left when I was a kid but we stayed in touch on and off, and he helped out with money now and then.

I want to try claiming citizenship through him but I’m worried I’ve missed the window. He’s on my birth certificate, I can prove he’s my dad, and he’s happy to sign whatever’s needed. The problem is the rules say unmarried dads had to agree in writing to support the kid until 18, and that was never done. There was a verbal agreement about some of it but nothing written, and I’m over 18 now.

Has anyone been in a similar spot? Realistically, what are my chances, and is there anything I should do before applying? I’m going to contact the Melbourne consulate and probably an immigration lawyer as well, but I’d like to hear from people who’ve actually been through it. Thanks

Hi I’m looking for advice and guidance. I am married to a US citizen and I am thinking of applying I-130 and I-485 but I do have a 2 year home residency requirement under 212(e). I also have an affirmative asylum case pending with USCIS for 2 years now. What would be the best approach for this

(1)Applying everything [I-130, I-485 and J1 waiver
(I -612)] concurrently

My concern is my I-485 getting rejected and being put in removal proceedings if it gets processed before my J1 persecution waiver gets approved. Has anyone done this and was everything gets processed at the same time?

(2) Applying I-130 and I-612 first and wait for the approval before applying for I-485

My concern is in case of the denial of I-612 affecting my asylum case. Plus the waiver itself takes a long time and I-485 again will take many more years again.

(3) waiting for the asylum case to move forward without filing anything marriage-based

Or do you have any other suggestions on other approaches or is there any more concerns/ consequences I should be aware of that I am not thinking right now?

A major development has emerged in the DV 2027 Diversity Visa Lottery lawsuit, bringing renewed hope to thousands of aspiring immigrants waiting for the opportunity to apply for the American Green Card.

Immigration attorney Curtis Morrison of Red Eagle Law has announced that Judge Jinsook Ohta has ordered the US government to announce and open registration for DV 2027.

According to Morrison, the registration period must remain open for 30 days, with the government given a deadline of October 15, 2026.

However, applicants are urged to remain cautious as the written court order and the government’s official response are still awaited. The DV 2027 registration website has not yet been confirmed open.

This development could be significant for thousands of hopeful applicants who have been waiting anxiously for the next step in the Diversity Visa program.

By Peter Njenga.

I recently discovered that both my parents answered “No” to the question in their DS-260 applications asking whether their children would immigrate to the United States with them. At the time of submission, they were unaware of my CSPA age calculation and mistakenly believed I was no longer eligible to accompany them due to my biological age. Their applications have been submitted, and the case is documentarily complete in August 2026. My own CEAC profile shows “Not Available,” preventing me from accessing or submitting my DS-260.

Should I contact the NVC public inquiry form and state this mistake?

My twin brother and I came to California, CA, at 16 on an F-1 visa. They put me with a host family because I cannot rent until I'm 18, and my host family is pretty distant. They're kind of like a landlord: you pay, you live; if you don't pay, you gotta leave. I just turned 17 a month ago. Both of my parents just got divorced because my dad cheated on my mom. Now neither of them wants to take care of me and is blaming me for texting them for rent money and tuition. And they blocked all the credit cards and everything. Mom told me not to text her ever again, or she'll block me, and neither of them answers my calls. They told me to fuck myself and figure it out myself, and that she never wanted to have kids and that I should stop nagging her. My bitc**ss dad told me he is seeing other women and that he will start a new family soon, and told me not to come back and that there is no place for me to stay. I wasn't even surprised by my dad. Both of my asian parents definitely have some sort of mental disorder and are just not diagnosed yet. I just realize there's no one in your life for you, not even your parents. You came into the world alone, and you go to die alone too.

I've been living like a zombie lately. I haven't talked to anyone and am basically tryna avoiding killing myself. I have nothing to lose now. I'm never going back to my dad. His face sickens me. He has anger issues and used to abuse me and my brother a lot and slap us in the face. I was really glad to leave that home, and I wasn't even homesick. My brother and I used to wear a lot of clothes just so that when he beat us, it wouldn't hurt. And he would laugh and even take pictures of us crying to satisfy his crazy, psychopathic mind.

My brother and I have very little money left because we don't have any support now. We have about one month of rent money left and a few hundred for groceries. We haven't told the landlord yet because I'm afraid they will kick us out soon if they find out we can't pay rent anymore. I'm calling shelters soon to see if they have a place for my brother and me to stay. I really would need some help. I have nothing to lose and probably would be homeless soon. I really want to file and find a way to stay here legally before my F-1 visa expires. Is there any way to do this? I have no guardians here or anyone who can help me with immigration. It's just my brother and me.

I know this is a long post, but that's pretty much the whole story. Thank you for taking the time to read it.

I would really appreciate it if somebody could help us or give us any advice.

Hello... For anyone who has used penn Foster School for US embassy or government-related matters, is the school accredited? Thank you.

Me: US citizen, military veteran, employed

Girlfriend from South Korea wants to visit on ESTA. She is a social media and teaching freelancer

She visited for 90 days twice

March to June 2025
November 2025 to end of Jan 2026

Last time she was taken to secondary interview room at EWR and questioned for about 5 minutes

They asked about me, her family, income, purpose of visit etc

She would like to visit end of this year or beginning of next year for another three months

There is no risk of her trying to overstay or trying to work. As far as marriage, we are considering it

Will everything be cool at border control?

Hi everyone,

My partner and I are both British, currently living in London, and we’re exploring options to relocate to California together. I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who’s navigated a similar situation.

Our situation:

My partner is a Product Designer who has secured a role at a major technology company in California. His O-1 visa has been approved, and he’s preparing to relocate.

I’m 30 and currently work in theatrical film marketing at a major Hollywood studio’s London office. I have experience working on major international film releases, collaborating with US teams, and managing marketing campaigns for globally recognised franchises.

We initially thought an internal transfer might be the most straightforward route, given that my employer has a significant presence in Los Angeles.

However, HR has explained that US visa sponsorship is generally reserved for roles where the required skills are difficult to source locally. An L-1 transfer would also require support from both the UK and US businesses, with no guarantee of approval.

I’m not currently in a managerial position, although I understand that L-1B transfers can apply to employees with specialised knowledge. Ideally, I’d like to continue working in theatrical marketing at a similar level rather than taking a significant step backwards professionally.

The options we’re considering:

L-1B: An internal transfer through my current employer, although securing business support is proving difficult.
O-1: Exploring whether my experience working on major film campaigns could qualify me, potentially with additional industry recognition and supporting evidence.
H-1B: Applying to US employers willing to sponsor, although the lottery and sponsorship requirements present challenges.
F-1: Pursuing postgraduate education in California, although the cost and restrictions on employment make this less appealing.
O-3: If we were to marry, I could potentially accompany my partner as a dependent, but wouldn’t have permission to work.

I’ve also been applying for relevant marketing roles at entertainment and technology companies in California, but identifying employers open to sponsorship has been difficult.

A few questions:

Has anyone successfully secured an L-1B transfer despite initial reluctance from their employer? What helped make the business case?

Has anyone in film marketing, entertainment marketing or a similar field successfully obtained an O-1 visa? What evidence was most important?

Are there particular employers or sectors in California more open to sponsoring experienced international marketing professionals?

Has anyone been in a relationship where one partner held an O-1 and the other needed an independent route to employment?

Are there any alternative visa pathways we should be considering?

We’re open to temporary long-distance arrangements if necessary, but our preference is to relocate together while both continuing our careers.

We’re also seeking professional immigration advice, but I’d be particularly interested in hearing firsthand experiences and practical suggestions.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Hi! I'm from Morocco. I completed 1ère bac and started 2ème bac but left before obtaining my baccalaureate diploma. I'm currently preparing for the bac libre, with results expected around June 19, 2027.

Can I enter the DV Lottery and qualify through education if I obtain my bac diploma before the end of the relevant fiscal year, even if I don't have it when I enter?

Has anyone from Morocco been in a similar situation? I'd appreciate advice based on official rules or personal experience. Thanks!

Hi....I'm a Bahraini citizen, born in Bahrain, and I'm interested in applying for the US Diversity Visa (Green Card Lottery).

However, I have a serious issue with my passport.

My Bahraini passport expires on March 27, 2027. Unfortunately, the Bahraini government has refused to renew my passport due to an ongoing citizenship review involving my father, who acquired Bahraini citizenship in 1999.

I was born with Bahraini citizenship, and I personally had no involvement in how my father obtained his citizenship.

At the moment, my citizenship has not been revoked, but I'm concerned that this could happen in the future, and I may lose the ability to renew my passport.

Can I still apply for the US Diversity Visa Lottery? If my passport expires, is it possible to obtain an individual passport waiver or another travel document to immigrate to the US?

Has anyone experienced a similar situation?

I would appreciate your help and advice in advance. Thank you for your time and cooperation.

My dad recently told me that his Legal Resident card has been expired for over 10 years ( 2014) . He was originally given citizenship for the code S26- designates a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) or Green Card holder who obtained status as a Seasonal Agricultural Worker (SAW) — Group 2 (Adjusted Status) under Section 210(2)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, added by the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) of 1986.

He told me that he has some stuff on his record , trespassing or breaking and entering . I want to help him and do file his I-30 but feel like I might be dooming him

Hello,

I am a derivative beneficiary on an approved F4 case and need your advice.

Facts:

- I am an Indian citizen in India, age 29 and unmarried. I hold a B1/B2 visa.

- My father's sister, a US citizen, filed an F4 petition for my father in 2007. I am listed as a derivative child. USCIS approved the I-130 in October 2026, and the case is now at the NVC.

- My father and mother became green card holders in 2023 through a petition filed by my sister, who is a US citizen. This was a separate case.

Questions:

1. Can I still immigrate as a derivative on the F4 case, even though my father is already a permanent resident through another route?

2. If yes, does CSPA protect my age? The I-130 was pending about 19 years and 9 months.

3. If the F4 case is no longer usable for me, what do you suggest as my next best option?

4. I plan to apply for an F-1 visa. How should I answer the DS-160 question about an immigrant petition filed on my behalf, and how could the F4 case affect the F-1 decision?

I’m an F-1 student from India who graduated with a Master’s in Computer Science on May 12, 2026.

My OPT application was denied on October 1, 2026, because my OPT I-20 was issued more than 30 days before I filed my application. My previous SEVIS record is now terminated.

After consulting my attorney, I was advised to pursue a new Initial I-20 under a new SEVIS ID to continue my studies. I have been admitted to Anderson University, paid the new SEVIS fee, and am considering traveling abroad and applying for admission to the U.S. using my existing F-1 visa, which is valid until 2029.

I understand that a valid visa and new I-20 do not guarantee admission, and CBP will make the final decision.

I would appreciate guidance from anyone familiar with similar cases:

1. Has anyone re-entered the U.S. using a new Initial I-20 and SEVIS ID after an OPT denial?
2. Were you asked about your previous OPT denial or terminated SEVIS record?
3. Are there any important immigration considerations when choosing a land port of entry versus an international airport?
4. What documents did you carry to demonstrate your eligibility, financial support, and intent to attend your new university?
5. Is there anything I should clarify with my immigration attorney or new university’s DSO before traveling?

I plan to carry my passport, valid F-1 visa, new Initial I-20 signed by my DSO, I-901 SEVIS fee receipt, admission letter, financial documents, previous I-20s, and OPT denial notice.

I’m looking for lawful re-entry guidance and firsthand experiences from people who have faced similar circumstances. Thank you for any advice.

Hello, Good day to everyone.

Is there anyone here who got affected by the PAUSE interview from immigration outside the country? My mom suppose to get interview before the pause was implemented. Her original schedule suppose to be September of this year in italy after a long back and forth with documents they finally accepted it and was able to proceed to interview.

But the PAUSE happened and obviously it hold up and delay more. My question is, anyone here got affected by this and now moving forward? I still have not heard anything from her account about the new interview schedule. I was wondering how long this delay going to since we already waited longer than normal.

My mom is no in the hurry for sure, but the thought we could spend Christmas together this year is really what hurts. It suppose to be her first time meeting her grandchildren. 😩

I was hoping anyone here have same experience but now have some new update with their application. Maybe you can share some insights and hope to people like me who is still awaiting for update.