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d s
Jul 17, 2025
How long have you been waiting for VAWA approval? 48 months pending need advice
Hi everyone, I wanted to ask how long others have been waiting for their VAWA approval and what your timelines look like. Here's my situation: • I filed my VAWA (I-360) petition on August 16, 2021. • The last update I had was a request for evidence on good moral character / criminal background. I provided my fingerprints and FBI background check, and they issued me a prima facie determination. • Since then, my prima facie has been renewed, and I am now on my fourth prima facie (from May 21 until November 15 this year). • My VAWA case status is still showing "Case is Pending." In addition: • My I-485 adjustment of status application was filed before VAWA, back in 2019, based on marriage. • My I-485 was stuck in "Ready for Interview" status from September 2021 until May 2025 (I didn't attend the interview because of the VAWA process). • Then on May 21, 2025, my I-485 status changed to "Case was transferred to a new jurisdiction." I submitted an inquiry to USCIS 8 days ago, but haven't heard back yet. It's been 48 months since my VAWA filing, and I'm honestly frustrated and unsure what's happening. Has anyone experienced this type of delay? • How long did your VAWA case take? • Did you get any helpful updates after this long? • How did your I-485 and VAWA processing work together? Any insights would really help, thank you!
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H
Hopefully hopeful
Jul 17, 2025
Vawa Change of Address over phone experience
Hello to everyone. Just to keep you updated about my change of address experience. I called USCIS at 800-375-5283 and asked to speak with a representative. Representative started by asking personal questions and others about my case to verify my identity due to privacy concerns with vawa which is a protected category. My receipt number and Alien number were required. When this was completed, I was switched over to another department where I was asked my old address, and then my new address. The change of address was then put in for approval and then updated. I know some people in the protected status can mail a signed Form AR-11 (or a signed written notice) to the vawa department for address change. This phone change worked better for me as my address was successfully updated. Goodluck to everyone.
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Chrisnove Tica
Jul 17, 2025
I just received my Green Card.
My wife and I got married on August 13th 2024. I then move from Massachusetts to California to live with her on August 30th 2024. After some consultations with different lawyers, we decided to file both the I-130 and I-485 by ourselves. We submitted everything together. A whole package filled with all kinds of documents, evidence and medical record. The USCIS received it on the December 27th. They sent a notice stating that they will use fingerprints I have taken for my other applications ( TPS, Work authorization…) On June 3rd, they scheduled my interview for July 8th. My wife and I decided to hire an attorney to go with us for the interview. The interview went smoothly. They asked us questions related to our relationship. How we met, how I asked her to marry me. We answered everything with honesty and sincerity. My wife actually did not wait for me to ask her to marry me. She suggested it on February 14th - that night when we were both stuck at a bus stop in Boston waiting for the bus, freezing in the cold with both our phones dead. She looked at me and said, “If we can handle this together so happily, we can be married.” We told the story to the officer. Before the interview, the officer asked if we have anything to rectify, correct or modify. We rectified one of the answers that we incorrectly answered when we were filling the forms. The interview lasted about 40 minutes. At the end of the interview, the officer told us we would receive an answer within 30 days. The next day, July 9th, a notification came up on the account that we are approved. They approved both I-130 and I-485 together. That was great news! Today, I received my Green Card from the mail. I know how it feels to wait for an answer from immigration. I sometimes spent hours on the app reading experiences, questions, concerns and advice from other people. I decided to share my experience with you guys so you know you’re not alone in this journey. The best thing that we can do is to keep our record clean and stay away of troubles. In addition to that, proceed lawfully through the process. Your day will come soon! Blessings to you all.

IR-1/CR-1

U.S. citizen filing for a spouse

Total Days: 200 days
Case
2024-12-27
2025-07-15
I-485
200 Days
California Service Center: I-485
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Ivan b
Jul 17, 2025
Has anyone gotten married while their VAWA case was still pending?
Hi Everyone, My I-360 has been pending for around 850 days now. I’m now considering getting married, but I know that if I do, my VAWA case would be automatically dismissed. My main questions are: • What happens to my work authorization and travel document if I get married? • Has anyone had a similar situation? • How does the new marriage-based green card interview go? What should I expect? I have thousands of proofs to support the new marriage if I move forward, but I’m still unsure whether I should keep waiting for my VAWA approval or just start fresh with a marriage-based petition. For context: So far, I’ve received 5 Prima Facie (PF) determinations, and my work and travel authorization have been renewed for 5 years. Any advice or shared experience would really help. Thanks!
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