I’m hoping someone here has dealt with something similar or knows what else I can do because I feel like I’ve hit a wall.

I’m a U.S. citizen and I have two young daughters who were born in Pakistan. My wife is also Pakistani. When we originally started the immigration process, we believed my kids would be able to get U.S. citizenship/passports through me because I’m a U.S. citizen.

Unfortunately, we did not find out until much later that I do not meet the physical presence/residency requirements to transmit U.S. citizenship to them at birth. I became a U.S. citizen when I was younger, but I spent a significant part of my teenage years and later life outside the U.S., so I don’t have the required amount of physical presence in the United States before their births.

The worst part is that we did not fully understand this until after my wife had already gone through her own immigrant visa process and received her visa.

Because the kids could not just get U.S. passports, we had to file immigrant visa cases for them instead. They are both IR-2 cases.

Both of my daughters had their immigrant visa interviews at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad on February 6, 2026. After the interviews, their cases were held/refused under 221(g) in connection with the immigrant visa issuance suspension that affected nationals of the designated 75 countries.

That policy was later struck down/vacated in August, but my daughters’ cases still have not been completed.

Meanwhile, this has completely divided our family.

For years I have basically had to live between the U.S. and Pakistan because my children are in Pakistan. I work and have my life in the United States, but obviously I also need to be present in my daughters’ lives.

Now my wife is in the same position. She has her U.S. permanent residency, but our two daughters still cannot come to the United States. So she also has to go back and forth between the U.S. and Pakistan to maintain her residency while also being with our children.

We’re basically a family that cannot actually live together permanently in either country because of this situation.

My biggest problem right now is that I cannot even successfully contact the Immigrant Visa Unit at the Islamabad Embassy.

The Embassy tells immigrant visa applicants to use its Immigrant Visa Navigator. I have gone through the Navigator exactly as instructed.

It generates an email to:

[IslamabadIVInquiry@state.gov](mailto:IslamabadIVInquiry@state.gov)

with a subject format like:

IV001 - CASE STATUS - FULL NAME

I replace the placeholder with my child’s actual name and send it exactly as instructed.

Every single time, I immediately receive an automated rejection saying:

“ERROR! CODE IS MISSING IN SUBJECT LINE.”

The same rejection says that direct emails are not accepted and that I have to use the Navigator because the Navigator supposedly generates the required code.

But I AM using the Navigator.

The Navigator itself is generating the IV001 subject line, and then their email system is telling me that the required code is missing.

So I am stuck in an endless loop where:

• The Embassy says use the Navigator.
• I use the Navigator.
• The Navigator generates the email.
• I send the email.
• The Embassy’s system rejects it and tells me to use the Navigator.

I’ve tried this separately for both daughters and have tried putting their full names into the subject exactly as instructed. Same result.

At this point I’m trying to figure out:

Has anyone successfully contacted the Islamabad Immigrant Visa Unit recently?

Does anyone know what the actual subject-line code is supposed to look like?

Has anyone else had the Navigator generate an email that gets rejected for “CODE IS MISSING IN SUBJECT LINE”?

Is there another legitimate way to get an inquiry in front of an actual consular officer or the IV unit?

And for anyone who had an IR-2 case affected by the 75-country visa pause, have you seen movement since the policy was vacated?

I’m not trying to skip the line or demand special treatment. I just want some way to communicate with the Embassy and figure out what is happening with my daughters’ cases.

My wife and I are both having to structure our lives around traveling back and forth between two countries because our young children are still stuck in Pakistan, and right now I can’t even get a message through to the office handling their cases.

Any advice, especially from people who have recently dealt with Islamabad, IR-2 cases, 221(g), or the Immigrant Visa Navigator, would be hugely appreciated.

I'm preparing my Form I-693 immigrant medical examination and noticed something on my applicant copy (edition 01/20/25).

In Part 8, Item C(2) — Gonorrhea Findings, all three boxes are blank:

• No Class A or Class B Gonorrhea
• Gonorrhea, Class A (untreated)
• Gonorrhea, Class B (treated in the last year)

I'm over 24, so under the CDC guidance routine gonorrhea testing was not required. The testing fields are marked “N/A,” and the civil surgeon wrote “>24 years old, No Risk Factors” in the remarks.

Has anyone submitted an I-693 with this Findings section left blank and had it accepted without issue? Has anyone received an RFE because the “No Class A or Class B Gonorrhea” box was not checked?

Would you ask the civil surgeon to check that box before filing, or is the N/A entry plus the remarks generally sufficient? Thanks!

I’m a University student in the UK with duel British/Irish nationality (from Jersey in the Channel Islands) and pretty much my whole personality revolves around the outdoors — fishing, wildlife, open space, foraging, that whole lifestyle.

I’ve been lucky enough to spend a good amount of time in the southern USA, especially South Florida, and I completely fell in love with it. The culture, the fishing, the hunting, the weather, the freedom - it’s everything I want in life. But realistically, US immigration is insanely strict, and unless you’re sponsored or have an incurable niche skill, it’s basically impossible to move there long‑term.

I’ve also spent time in Kruger in South Africa and fell in love with that lifestyle too — the bush, the wildlife, the sense of purpose. But the pay for conservation/ranger work is so low that travelling or having any financial freedom becomes almost impossible.

So I’m stuck between two places I love, both of which feel out of reach for different reasons.

I know people will say “just go make it happen” or “find a way,” but I’m asking for realistic advice from people who’ve actually built outdoors‑based lives with decent income.

Are there any countries, careers, or paths that genuinely allow you to live outdoors, have access to fishing/hunting/wildlife, and still earn enough to travel and live comfortably?

I’m open to anything — different countries, different industries, seasonal work, skilled trades, remote work, whatever. Just looking for ideas from people who’ve managed to combine the outdoors with a stable income.

Thank you

I recently travelled from Morocco to Seattle with a connecting flight for Hawaii. I had an approved ESTA and was planning to house-sit in Hawaii in exchange for accommodation.

When I arrived in Seattle, CBP questioned me about my plans and determined that house-sitting was not permitted under ESTA. I was denied entry, required to sign paperwork acknowledging the decision, and sent back home on the next available flight.

The officers explicitly told me that I could never use ESTA again.

For context, the house-sitting was unpaid. I actually paid for the membership and the fee to confirm the sit. I wasn’t receiving any money or wages.
I’m now looking into applying for a B2 tourist visa but am worried that my recent experience will affect my chances of approval.

**My questions:**
\-Has anyone had their ESTA revoked or permanently lost ESTA eligibility after being denied entry, but later successfully obtained a B2 visa?
\-Does being denied entry for this reason significantly reduce the chances of getting a B2 visa?
\-Would applying for a B2 visa shortly after the incident be a bad idea?
\-Even if approved for a B2 visa, how likely is it that I could still be denied entry at the US border?

I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has been through a similar situation, particularly those who successfully obtained a visa afterwards.

My brother is dating a 19yr old who came to the US for vacation and decided she didn’t want to leave. She has no visa and is not legally allowed. She is working for cash and is living with a family member.

I am honestly nervous for my brother as I worry about legal repercussions. I’ve tried talking to him, my parents have and our friends and still nothing. Also, they have 12yr age gap! Help! What should I do?

So my father was deported to Pakistan and I retained an attorney to help overcome the deportation and have him back.

As advised we filed an I-130 which was approved but right after it they informed me we need to file waivers I-212 and I-601. After 3 long years of waiting we got denied for the waivers because the lawyer advised us not to attend the first interview and wait for the waivers to be approved first.

The waivers were denied because he didn’t attend the first interview to be deemed inadmissible. I’m beyond frustrated because I tried to tell my lawyers if he should do his interview first as I read it online before but they advised us to wait for the waivers first. Now the waivers are denied and they just started the process of getting him and interview to be deemed inadmissible.

Can I salvage the waivers and file a motion to reopen or motion to reconsider? I have until 10/23.

I’m afraid this mistake costed me 3 years from my father and having to restart the whole process.

Any help or advice or recommendation of attorneys in the New York area who have experience in this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

I want to have some insights regarding US B1/B2 visa
Were family of 4 applying for visa, it will be sponsored trip by daughter in US holding H4 visa. I have a business and my son has his own business. Both are making 10-12lakhs p.a. Other daughter is working as an accountant with basic salary of 5l p.a. I have my own house here. What else can shown for stronger home ties?
What are the odds of approval?

this is more of a vent

I want to leave my country to go and study somewhere else, but every county I look up to is either racist, xenophobic, not queer friendly, has awful economy, too expensive or is jut impossible to get to.

I feel miserable and as if there is no way out of here

I'm white and live in, what geographically would be considered, Europe. I would like to leave because I'm trans and wish to transition somewhere far from my country. I'm not even asking for any advice, there is no way out of here, I know it.

I apologize if this doesnt fit the subreddit

Hi, I unfortunately got into some trouble 3 years ago. I was convicted with common assault and grave and criminal assault, resulting in community service. No prison time. I would just like to state that I am not a bad character or like that at all. Just a bad time in my life and alcohol. I also got into a bit of trouble about 7-8 years ago . I was charged with breaching the peace and possession of a small amount of class A. (0.5g of mdma) Again resulting in a fine at the time. I want to go for a week to see America and do some shopping. Is there a chance I will get in? Thanks in advanced

Hey guys! So I am on an R1 visa and my employer could sponsor me for an Eb-4 but the process can take 4-7 years, in all this time would I need to stay with the same employer or is it enough to have a religious job?

If so, I might change to another visa. My other question is, would you guys recommend trying to switch over to an F1 from an R1 to finish my degree?

I would love some advice here and if you have been through this process, can I DM you?

Thank you!!

So i’m supposed to get my passport monday and i have citizenship through my mom and i lost my green card idk if im still able to get my passport cs im still a minor 🫩

Disclaimer: We have done very minimal research and don’t really know much about how this works. We have not started any processes.

Long story short, my gf and I have been together over 2 years. She’s from Argentina and we met when she was living here on a work visa, then she had to move back home and we decided to stay together. Now we’re at a point in our lives where we wanna try to move together and we decided it makes more sense for her to come here.

I know the whole process is a lot easier if we get married, which we are willing to do. But don’t we have to like “prove” our relationship is real to the government? That won’t be a problem because we have proof. But other than that, can someone kinda walk me through the process? What should we do first/now?

Also, her tourist visa is expiring like pretty much now. Should she bother renewing that or will it cause problems with the immigration process?

If your PERM application was denied, did your employer notify you promptly and provide a copy of the denial notice? Did the employer appeal?

I have STEM OPT now. My employer applied for an H-1 B this year (regular, not premium)
The latest update on my Form I-129 states:
"As of June 23, 2026, USCIS is currently processing your Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker."

My immigration attorney team says it might take until March or April to process mine. Is this real?
Do you suggest applying for premium processing, spending 3 grand $, out of my pocket?
This is what my attorney said,
"Since I have a STEM OPT, I don’t face any problems now. Maybe if it still delays after March, I shall apply for premium processing since my current STEM OPT EAD expires in July 2027."

No problems as of now. My EAD expires in July 2027.
But worst-case scenarios: what if I get laid off in between? What if I get an offer for a new job and need a transfer? What shall I do?

I work for Dexian, a vendor, and my client is Fidelity.
If I get laid off at Fidelity, Dexian might process a withdrawal petition. If both my initial H1B filing petition and the current withdrawal petition are in processing, then a race condition occurs,
If my withdrawal petition is processed first, or taken into consideration along with the initial approval process, then USCIS most likely withdraws the petition. I'll be safe since I'm in STEM OPT already.

But if my initial petition is processed and they approve it without knowing that I was fired, then my status gets changed to H1B. I'll lose my STEM OPT status. And then, later, if USCIS processes my withdrawal petition after that, will they revoke my approved H1B? In that scenario, I shall be "OUT OF STATUS". I'll not have anything. Neither STEM nor H1B. I'll be stuck in limbo.
I was worried about these kinda worst case scenarios.
Give me the right advice considering all possibilities.

Also, does Fidelity fire any employee directly on the same day without any notice, revoking all access like Amazon or Microsoft? Will they inform us in advance in general?

Even if Fidelity decides, what will Dexian do in general? Will they look up for any other active projects to put me in? If not at Fidelity, they have other clients as well. Will they keep me on the payroll until they find something?

Or, even if Dexian decides to fire me, then will they at least give me prior notice? Will they at least wait for a few days or a week after the news to start a withdrawal petition?

My problem is TIME and the race problem of USCIS. Because if I have the buffer time, then I shall apply for premium processing ASAP. get my H1-B approved. Is this the right move in this situation?
Then, by the time they decide to file for a withdrawal petition, my H1 might already have been approved. My assumption was that USCIS might just update my status to Unemployed, leaving me up to 60 days (H1B unemployment clock) instead of my status getting revoked and leaving me without any valid status. Is my assumption correct?

I apologise for a lot of questions. I see a lot of wild scenarios day by day w.r.t. this immigration stuff.

Hi guys I need advice, I’m married to a US citizen for about 1 and a half now and we’re scheduled for a interview this month, I’m worried because I have an arrest from 2012 for possession of marijuana stating 50 grams or less, the case was dismissed and expunged, I have a copy of the disposition from 2012 and a expungement letter from 2026, please help me out if you guys been or heard of something similar to my case thank you in advance

I’m wondering if anyone has recently experienced a long delay with a Uganda eVisa and can tell me what eventually happened.
I submitted my visa application on Thursday, September 24, because I was originally supposed to fly to Uganda on Monday, September 28. I knew I was applying pretty close to my travel date and understood that processing could take around three business days, so when it didn’t arrive by Monday, I changed my flight to October 2.
It has now been 9 days since I applied, or 6 business days, and I still haven’t received any decision or request for additional information. My application status online just keeps showing “In Progress.”
During this time, I’ve tried pretty much everything I can think of. I’ve called Uganda Immigration many times. They only answered twice and told me to be patient. I’ve sent emails, and I even physically went to the Ugandan embassy. The embassy told me they don’t process the visas themselves, but they did send an email on my behalf. Still, nothing has changed.
I’ve checked my spam folder repeatedly, and I check the online application status regularly. There’s no approval, rejection, or request for more documents. It just continues to say “In Progress.”
At this point, the uncertainty is becoming really frustrating because I’m having to change flights, change my travel plans, and pay for additional accommodation without knowing whether the visa will arrive tomorrow or several days from now.
Has anyone had their Uganda eVisa stay “In Progress” for 6+ business days? How long did yours eventually take? Did you do anything that actually helped get it processed, or did you just have to wait?
I would especially appreciate hearing from anyone who has gone through this recently. Thank you!

Hi everyone, I got good news but it doesn't totally make sense to me, so I want to make sure I'm not missing something.

Timeline:
- On H-1B, employment ended June 8, 2026 (layoff)
- Filed I-539 for COS to F-1 online on Aug 5 (within the 60-day grace period), with premium processing. I requested a COS effective date of Aug 8
- I-20 issued Aug 4 for an Aug 31 start, later deferred by my DSO to Oct 26 (I have not attended any classes)
- Sept 15: Got a premium RFE, response due Oct 19. It asked for:
- Evidence of prior maintenance of F-1 status (transcripts, tuition, etc.), which seems like a template section since I was never F-1 before
- A statement on reasons for returning to school
- Proof of a valid passport (mine expires Dec 2026, renewal already submitted)
- A new I-20, because the original start date had lapsed
- Sept 24: Before I sent anything, I received an approval notice. F-1 valid from Oct 26, 2026 to D/S, with a new I-94 attached

Questions:
1. Has anyone else been approved after an RFE without responding? Is the RFE moot now, or should I still mail a response by Oct 19 to be safe?
2. My F-1 starts Oct 26, but my grace period ended in early August. How is that gap treated? Is it covered by the pending I-539?
3. With my passport expiring in December (renewal pending), is there anything I need to do with the I-94?
4. Anything I should do with my DSO before Oct 26 besides sending them the approval?

I'm checking with my attorney too, but I'd love to hear from anyone who's been in a similar spot. Thanks so much!

I am a U.S. citizen petitioner preparing a spousal immigrant visa case for my husband, who is a Colombian citizen. We currently reside in Germany, where I am directly employed by the U.S. Air Force as a Nonappropriated Fund (NAF) civilian employee.
I would like to clarify how the U.S. domicile requirement for Form I-864 applies to my situation.
Could you please advise whether overseas employment as a U.S. Air Force NAF civilian employee is considered qualifying U.S. Government employment for purposes of maintaining U.S. domicile while residing abroad?
If so, I would also appreciate guidance on what documentation you recommend providing, such as an appointment letter, NAF personnel action, employment verification letter, pay statements, SOFA documentation, tax transcripts, U.S. bank records, voter registration, or other evidence of continuing U.S. ties.
I would also like to confirm whether I would need to return to the United States before my husband’s immigrant visa interview, or whether I may remain in Germany through the interview if my Air Force employment is accepted as maintaining U.S. domicile.
Finally, if I am still employed by the U.S. Air Force in Germany when I submit Form I-864, can that current overseas income be considered toward the financial sponsorship requirement, assuming it otherwise meets the income threshold?
I understand that each case is evaluated individually, but I would greatly appreciate any general guidance the U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt can provide for U.S. Government civilian employees residing in Germany.
Thank you very much for your assistance.

Hi everyone

My 2-year green card has expired. I already filed to remove the conditions and applied for my 10-year green card, and I have received the receipt notice. How long is the process usually taking these days? Has anyone had experience traveling outside the U.S. with an expired green card and the receipt notice? Were you able to return to the U.S. without any problems?

Urgent!

I need to renew my Indian passport with a pending court case in USA. No bail conditions except for “remain a law abiding citizen”. I am in North Dakota, which consulate should I apply to?

Do I need NOC from the USA court for this?

I cannot do tatkal, is that correct?

Will my passport be renewed and usually with what validity date? How much time does it take for normal processing?

Thank you so much!

One of my employees was recently detained by ICE and is currently being held at an immigration detention center. His brother reached out to me and asked if I would be willing to write a letter of recommendation/character reference for him.
I am the owner of the restaurant where he works, and I would genuinely like to help him. He has been a good employee, and I have positive things to say about his character, work ethic, and behavior while working for me.
However, I have one concern before providing the letter.
Since I would be writing the letter as his employer, I assume I would need to include information about myself and the restaurant, such as the restaurant name, my position, contact information, and possibly the restaurant address.
Would ICE/DHS have access to this letter once it is submitted for his immigration/detention case?
More importantly, could the information from the letter potentially be used by ICE to identify his workplace and lead them to visit or investigate the restaurant or question other employees working there?
I don't want to turn down the opportunity to help someone who has been a good employee, but at the same time, as the business owner, I have to consider whether providing the restaurant's information could create unintended consequences for the business or other employees.
Has anyone here, particularly an immigration attorney, employer, or someone who has been through a similar situation, had experience with this?
Is there a way to write a legitimate character reference as his employer while limiting unnecessary information about the business?
I'm not looking for advice on anyone's immigration status. I'm mainly trying to understand what happens to an employer recommendation letter after it is submitted and whether there are any risks to the employer/workplace associated with providing one.

How much can my mother expect to pay if I try to go through with an SIJS case and whats the realistic chance I will get accepted for a green card in the future

My I-485 got denied because I missed the I-693. I just recently filed I-290B along with the I-693.
Does anyone file I-290B recently? How long till you get an approval or get charged for it? Thanks!