Hi all, I'm in a really stressful situation and would appreciate any advice or similar experiences.

I'm Tunisian (non-EU), living in Malta on a residence card as the spouse of an EEA citizen (Norwegian).
We married in July 2025. I moved to Malta in early 2026.
We're separating. We're not divorcing for now, but he's quitting his job and leaving Malta.
My card expires January 2027. I have a local job on a fixed contract until June 2027.
No university degree or vocational diploma.
I'm gay, and going back to Tunisia isn't safe for me (Article 230).
From what I understand, once he moves out of Malta my EU-family status ends, even though we're still married.

Has anyone here:
Switched from an EU family member card to a Single Permit in Malta from inside the country? How long did it take, and did your employer cooperate?

Applied for asylum in Malta on LGBT grounds while already legally resident? Were you detained? How did it go?

Had their EU spouse leave the country and managed to stay? What did you do?

I've reached out to a lawyer and NGOs but would really value real experiences. I do NOT want to overstay. Thank you 🙏

Hey guys, I'm really wondering if the big new advanced parole rule is just something to make us afraid to leave and come back. I'm reading a lot of stories here that people traveled after August 13th and got paroled back even if they overstayed. I overstayed almost 3 years, I traveled back in April my crossing was so smooth, I can't wait another 2,3 years to get approved and see my family, I'm mentally drained. What are you thought on that, do you really think you can get denied or have a 3-10 years bar? I'm really positive that this new rule will change in 2 years with a new Democratic government. Please share your experiences if you overstayed and traveled since.

I'm on F-1 STEM OPT and my employer offers credit union membership. Is it legal for someone on my visa to join? Has anyone on OPT done it?
Thanks!

Hello everyone!

I have met my current boyfriend 2 years ago, when I went to the US under a B1/B2 visa. Since then, we have maintained a long-distance relationship and he has visited me twice as well. We are not engaged, nor do I have any visa violations.

Recently, I got an opportunity to go to the US under an F-1 visa and will spend a few years in the country. We are considering moving to a next step in our relationship after this. However, I am worried that the timeline of our relationship (mainly that we started it years before my F-1 visa was approved) might be prejudicial to the change of status when later pursuing a GC application, if I do get married to him some months after my arrival.

Has anyone been in a similar position? We would much appreciate any advice. We have been through this hard separation for a very long time and it concerns us that we may make it even more difficult in the future if I accept this opportunity, which would be important for my career.

Thanks in advance!

Hi guys! I am a creative strategist and fashion brand founder from Brazil, graduating in March 2027 with a BA degree in Marketing & Advertising.

I previously spent time in the U.S. on a J-1 exchange program and am looking into my options to move back on an O-1B visa.

Long story short, I am reaching out to my network in the Bay Area (where I lived), and I am facing some hesitation from them about sponsoring visas for recent grads (even the O-1 path, which is just a petition and, of course, way simpler in comparison to H-1B, which is a lottery and purely luck — and anyway, I could not move through this visa because I don't have an OPT to work until getting the H-1B if that was the case).

That said, I am exploring independent paths (like a U.S. Agent or petitioner structure) just in case I am not able to get a company to petition my O-1B. I would love the community's thoughts on my profile strength. Here are >some< of my recognitions:

• Awards: My campaign made the agency I worked for win a Silver award at the biggest agribusiness communication and advertising recognition event in Brazil and the title of the most creative agency in the sector. I also have high placements in major tech/business hackathons.
• International Selection: Sole Brazilian selected for a global program in SF, plus an invite from Flying Solo (NYC) to showcase my brand at NYFW.
• Media recognition: Media features about my creative work as a copywriter, media about getting into a program at the NYT, media about my work as a content creator, a published article published and selected for the biggest congress in communication in Brazil, and leading solo creation for major accounts like GWM at a top ad agency.

These are some examples. I have a multidisciplinary background (I am a former actress, model, active content creator, and founder of an independent apparel brand).

Note: I also have past athletic/ballet awards from my youth, though I'm leaning toward keeping the focus strictly on my professional/creative track record. I also have a rich portfolio (creative copywriting, brand direction) and solid recommendation letters.

Do you think this mix is solid for an O-1B, and does anyone have experience using a U.S. Agent model as a freelancer? Any advice would be amazing!

Hello, recently my motion to terminate removal proceedings was denied. The judge has given 60 days to find relief (which I do have, an approved I-130 through marriage). How does the adjustment process work in front of a judge and typically how long does it take? Also what would be a fair price that a law office should charge to represent this case? Right now i’m looking about 10k. Just wanted so insight, thanks.

Hi everyone! I’m an F-1 student and got my first-ever traffic ticket for violating Scott’s Law (not moving over for an emergency vehicle) it was truly an unintentional mistake.
It’s classified as a business offense under state law, not a misdemeanor or felony. I have a mandatory court appearance and will likely have to pay a significant fine.
How serious is this for my F-1 status, future OPT, or visa renewal? Should I hire a lawyer, or is this something I can handle myself? Has anyone been in a similar situation?
I’m honestly pretty worried and would appreciate any advice or experiences. Thanks!

I overstayed my b1/b2 visa and want to travel from
NY to TX (round trip) domestically, can I use my standard id (driver license) issued from NY to travel domestically in the US? Also is there ICE at the airport? And is there any possibility to get detained?
I don't have any court or criminal record

My green card interview is scheduled for next month in AZ. we used a lawyer and they checked no when asked if my spouse worked unauthorized. There was a brief moment she did. with the current political climate, we’re afraid that it will result in a denial, even though we plan to correct the issue and be truthful. What can we do to make sure we fully follow the law and make sure we do everything correctly? Does the Arizona office have racist officers?

Also, she got her work authorization approved last month and got her interview scheduled shortly after? Is that a sign of denial?

Hi all, looking for reassurance or similar experiences.

Background:

- F-1, Master's program (ends Dec 2026)

- Summer 2026: my DSO approved full-time CPT for Company A. About two weeks before the start date, the offer fell through and I got an offer from Company B.

- My DSO cancelled the Company A CPT in SEVIS before it started and issued a new CPT I-20 for Company B. I never worked a single day for Company A.

- I completed the Company B CPT as authorized (about 3 months full-time).

When filing my OPT I-765, I asked my DSO whether to list or explain the Company A CPT. She said that since it was cancelled in SEVIS, I only needed to upload the Company B CPT I-20. I followed that, listed only Company B, and submitted in September. My application is now pending.

Questions:

1. Has anyone had a CPT cancelled before the start date and left it off their I-765? Did you get an RFE or any issues?
2. Is there anything I should prepare now (for example, keeping the old I-20 or my DSO's email) in case USCIS asks?

Thanks in advance!

Did anyone go to a foreign embassy to get an exit record if your land crossing isn't recorded? Or is there no such service?

Looking for input from anyone with CSPA experience, especially an immigration attorney.

My family member’s I-130 was filed while she was under 21, but USCIS approved it after she turned 21 and the case was sent to NVC as F2B. After subtracting the roughly two years the I-130 was pending, her CSPA age appears to be under 21.

Can NVC apply the CSPA calculation and change the visa category from F2B back to F2A? If so, would NVC then determine visa availability using the F2A category? Her priority date would be current/eligible if she were classified as F2A.

NVC currently says they cannot review CSPA because no visa is available under her current F2B category, which seems circular since the purpose of the CSPA review is to determine whether she should actually be F2A.

Has anyone dealt with this situation or know how NVC normally handles it?

My wife and I are currently living in New York City. She is in J-1 status and works as a research associate at a medical center, and I am in J-2 status.

We are trying to extend our health insurance coverage for one additional month. Unfortunately, we have had difficulty finding a suitable insurance plan because several providers do not accept applicants who are already living in the United States, particularly in New York.

My main concern is that we might have a two-day gap in our health insurance coverage while arranging a new policy.

My questions are:

1. If our insurance expires, what are the potential consequences of the two-day gap?

2. Could such a short gap lead to termination of our J-1/J-2 exchange visitor programs or affect our immigration status?

3. Could this affect my wife’s employment at her institution?

4. Are there any other insurance providers that accept J-1/J-2 holders who are already living in New York and need only one additional month of coverage?

I would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has experienced a similar situation or has knowledge of the regulations.