Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	tax data authorisation form	I am sure there was some doubt as to whether this is still required - can any recent receivers of the AOS pack say for definite whether this form is still included ??? ALSO !! Has anyone any theories about why the NVC system is like it is ? for instance why don't they take credit/debit cards over the phone and why get the bills paid before they send the forms out ? why not just say 'attach a bankers check for $380' I have a theory - sometime in the past, their staff were swamped with work so they invented a system to shove the work out into the future and create a waiting line - it took the pressure off but now they are stuck with it. If they just asked you to attach a check to the form it would swamp them again in the short term second theory - they want to give immigrants breathing time to see if they really want to emigrate third theory - the USA is a highly neurotic society that lives on vitamin sales etc - they don't want anyone to enter until they have had their head thoroughly messed up by the immigration process and are ready to start buying mental health services on landing many thanks alan	Captain Oates	Male	England	2007-05-13 10:01:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Wife arriving next friday	It´s been nine months, nine longs months... What will I do next weekend?. After being apart for so long I have always found that a nice game of chess followed by a chocolate biscuit and an early night, is a very pleasant way to spend the first evening- for the rest of the weekend you could do a bit of gentle decorating or something restful... Or you could just cuddle for a while and then talk about the first thing that comes up !!! alan	Captain Oates	Male	England	2007-05-14 07:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Fortune vomits on my duvet once again	Yes, that lady (or is it man?) at the NVC prompt has a very weird voice. I wasn't sure if it was a man or a woman... freaky. yesh it woszsh a man i am sure it woszsh.. very pleazsant voish acshually but very dishtinctive too- actually they shound quite a plezshant bunsh and aszh long as they dont schcrew up my file i will be most pleaszshed to lishen to em on a daily bashish (spellcheck !) Edited by saywhat, 15 May 2007 - 03:14 PM.	Captain Oates	Male	England	2007-05-15 15:13:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Fortune vomits on my duvet once again	ok I called the operator at the NVC.. in the queue I was informed by a message recorded by someone with loose dentures (sounded like shaun connery) that my case was very important to them and when they return to the line they look forward to being of service etc etc They stopped short of introducing themselves by their first name and saying I was a very special person (like they do at the Ramada Inn) It was worth a penny a minute to hear all that childlike sincere insincerity again and to have a giggle - quite missed it since I left the US last year finally got through and they told me same as auto message - they haven't got it yet and call again after 90 days - (have a wonderful 90 days) asked her if she had a link to USCIS to see if it had set off - NO oh well My friend Mel did this calling for 6 weeks before they admitted it was lost - however I am still optimistic - I reckon its this week. alan	Captain Oates	Male	England	2007-05-15 12:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Fortune vomits on my duvet once again	Hi Saywhat, Maybe you can talk to a live person/operator at NVC to see if they've received your case yet. Call the NVC #, then press 1 and 5. All the best! what a good idea- i will try that and report back- i reckon they will have no link to uscis and if they haven't received it then they wont be able to confirm what uscis has done with it - but it's worth a try... When I am in charge of US immigration there are going to be some changes made ! the whole thing should be available to both agencies on a screen- all scanned in with no physical paper files - and when you send your forms in you clip a check to the front or pay online with credit/debit card... - no bills sent out in advance of forms - It would take nano seconds for the file hand over from uscis to nvc- all forms and payment could be done in 10 minutes after noa2 and off to the embassy electronically 1 minute after that. They should let British Airways do the programming Is it me or would a system like that be really difficult to conceive ? Don't hold your breath though, it may be a while before Hillary gives me the job.	Captain Oates	Male	England	2007-05-15 11:37:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Fortune vomits on my duvet once again	Thanks folks - yes I have the WAC number from california and i whack that into the nvc automated system but it says 'no record'.. I know there are 2 days to go before it has been 2 weeks since NOA2 - and it can be 3 weeks in extreme cases - and I should just cool it... but I have this paranoid idea that they will send it 'to store' as they do when you have a K3 application running at the same time... How would I know if they had done that ? alan ps some kids just stole my wheelie-bin so that interupted 6 of my calls - i can beat them up now as i have my clean police certificate and its good for 12 months...	Captain Oates	Male	England	2007-05-15 10:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Fortune vomits on my duvet once again	ok we got NOA2 on the I-130 on May 1st Naturally I call the automated line every 22 seconds since then....nope Our mailing address as forced on us by the USCIS who refused to send notices to our home in England is in Milwaukee at Carolyn's mother's house - but she is in hospital and no doubt the NOA2 is on her doorstep... Presumably that will say whether they have forwarded it to NVC or made their occasional mistake of sending it to storage and assuming I will adjust status later No we didn't file for k3 I know I am being paranoid and it will 90% for sure arrive at NVC during the next week (1week divided by 22 seconds=how many calls ?) But how can we tell whether they have forwarded it to NVC without the NOA2 letter ? It does say much apart from 'approval' on the uscis website.. calling the USCIS will just have some automaton drone out what it says on the website followed by 'have a nice day' twitch twitch twitch ... perhaps i should just get a life but this is like trying to sleep in the garden when some 5 year old kid on crack is playing with a loaded pistol - I just don't trust them to do it right- they even have a website for what happens when they lose your file alan	Captain Oates	Male	England	2007-05-15 10:00:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Physical Green card	QUOTE (Silas @ Jan 3 2008, 07:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (saywhat @ Jan 2 2008, 09:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Silas @ Jan 2 2008, 07:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Mononoke28 @ Jan 2 2008, 07:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I cracked up every time one of the customer service reps from the USCIS said they had to transfer me to a "SPECIALIST". That's just too funny. Diana Yep, Dumb and Dumber springs to mind. I could see the first guy in my mind and the picture was so clear ! His eyelids came half way down over his eyes like that cartoon cat and he sounded like he had just swallowed 2 handfuls of sleeping tablets after sitting in a room full of carbon monoxide. Made the beverly hill billies sound sharp...But I don't judge He was manning the line for people who pressed 'immigrated, but GC has not arrived' but when I told him that I had immigrated but my GC had not arrived he went hum har like this is a problem I have never met before ! He asked someone else what he should do before he put me on the 30 minute divert Boy when I get this 10 year card I am going to guard it better than queen liz guards her crown jewels.. I think i will have it plastic sealed and surgically implanted under the skin between my shoulder blades so I can even go swimming with it. I will bring my own surgeon to the citizenship ceremony and let him take it out under local anesthetic On a happier note, I wrote to GM visa card two months ago and told em what uncommercial morons they were to refuse me a credit card when i had a 20k limit on their card in the uk and i has used it for 20 years and bought 3 new GM cars with it. An hour ago a chinese guy called me and said it was approved and spent 20 minutes trying to sell me card protection. I told him I could not get fired coz I am a pensioner, I only use the card for buying gas and groceries and pay it off every month and I am absolutely fabulously rich beyond his wildest dreams ! Even that didnt stop him and I had to tell him I was late for church before he would let go What fun it all is... alan I recieved my welcome notice today which is dated December 27. It says that I should hear from USCIS within 30 days; I presume that means I should get the card in that time span. Alan, I assume you'll be getting one soon if you've not already recieved it. For a welcome note it's not that welcoming. Whackadoooo Silas ! we are on the move ! you will get your card within 7 days - you see - remember to take some duct tape when you go to the nudist colony ok I expect mine v soon now as i landed a few days before you... come on GC ! Congratulations you are just one step away but will the post traumatic stress keep you awake for 20 years like a vietnam vet (lot of sick cats in vietnam) You are NOT allowed to celebrate yet coz that makes em get lost alan	Captain Oates	Male	England	2008-01-03 14:45:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Physical Green card	QUOTE (Silas @ Jan 2 2008, 07:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Mononoke28 @ Jan 2 2008, 07:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I cracked up every time one of the customer service reps from the USCIS said they had to transfer me to a "SPECIALIST". That's just too funny. Diana Yep, Dumb and Dumber springs to mind. I could see the first guy in my mind and the picture was so clear ! His eyelids came half way down over his eyes like that cartoon cat and he sounded like he had just swallowed 2 handfuls of sleeping tablets after sitting in a room full of carbon monoxide. Made the beverly hill billies sound sharp...But I don't judge He was manning the line for people who pressed 'immigrated, but GC has not arrived' but when I told him that I had immigrated but my GC had not arrived he went hum har like this is a problem I have never met before ! He asked someone else what he should do before he put me on the 30 minute divert Boy when I get this 10 year card I am going to guard it better than queen liz guards her crown jewels.. I think i will have it plastic sealed and surgically implanted under the skin between my shoulder blades so I can even go swimming with it. I will bring my own surgeon to the citizenship ceremony and let him take it out under local anesthetic On a happier note, I wrote to GM visa card two months ago and told em what uncommercial morons they were to refuse me a credit card when i had a 20k limit on their card in the uk and i has used it for 20 years and bought 3 new GM cars with it. An hour ago a chinese guy called me and said it was approved and spent 20 minutes trying to sell me card protection. I told him I could not get fired coz I am a pensioner, I only use the card for buying gas and groceries and pay it off every month and I am absolutely fabulously rich beyond his wildest dreams ! Even that didnt stop him and I had to tell him I was late for church before he would let go What fun it all is... alan	Captain Oates	Male	England	2008-01-02 16:20:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Physical Green card	update: called USCIS and pressed all the right keys for immigrated but GC not arrived..waited 5 mins got a somnambulist who welcomed me to America and asked if he could transfer me to a specialist - i then got sent for a skyhook for 30 mins then got an intelligent guy the who said : ' I wish they would not tell people 30 days because to tell you the truth, it's more like 60 to 90 right now' I asked him if he could see my specific case and he said he could - it was just waiting I asked him if he would be able to tell if it had been sent out and returned to USCIS and he said he would be able to see that , but it hadn't. I really think that all is ok and they are totally swamped and it will be a week or two yet I have enough info there to cancel my infopass appointment..... alan Edited by saywhat, 02 January 2008 - 01:37 PM.	Captain Oates	Male	England	2008-01-02 13:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Physical Green card	QUOTE (Silas @ Jan 2 2008, 04:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Just a quick update on my situation. As some of you had advised me, I had no problem getting back into the US with the temp I-551. No GC waiting in the post for me on my return. I think I'll give it another week or so before chasing. Perhaps with Thanksgiving and Christmas the time it's taking them to get out the GC has increased by another couple of weeks. happy new year Silas - I came in November 5th on my IR1 visa - still no GC still no SS card though I had an interview for that December 3 going to call USCIS today and I have an infopass in Tampa on Monday I will report back As you and I entered within a few days of each other and we are both without our GC - it looks like the situation is 'normal' and no need to worry yet - but I will push em for the hell of it we are near - i know ! alan	Captain Oates	Male	England	2008-01-02 11:50:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Physical Green card	QUOTE (Marlita @ Dec 28 2007, 06:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> [quote name='saywhat' post='1443685' date='Dec What does your neighbors personal domestic dispute have to do with the birth of Jesus Christ. I know you are not a Christian, but I don't get your association with the blood on the stairs and all to a Christian holiday. Anyway I had a great Christmas....one of the best....and I wasn't even with my husband during our first Christmas after marriage. It was filled with the love and happiness of my family and friends. Sorry yours have never been that way...head high! I dislike christmas for many reasons and non of them religious based, so please do not try and inject religion into the forum... The wonderful thing about the U.S.A. is that religion is specifically banned from schools and politics and is not woven in with the State as it is in England... the religious zealots who try and impose their beliefs on everyone and in every forum of life will be defeated and the U.S.A. will keep it's constitution and freedoms intact. I have met many people in the last 60 years who say they love everyone and everyone loves them and their children and homes and jobs are smiling and perfect and everything is beautiful and they are skipping through the meadows where it never rains and the farmers dog never bites you and you never step in cow poo- and they look at life through a vaseline smeared soft lens. Some were quite dopey and unrealistic and self deceiving tooty fruities , and the others were having a day off from reality and smoking hash. So allow me to say I don't like xmas and believe (I know you are easily believing) that the comment was nothing to do with religion - and it is ok for me to think it and to say it...it isn't IRAN yet... It was a huge mid winter solstace festival in England for more than 6 thousand years before it became xmas and I am sure I wouldnt have liked it then - ok back to the green card issue - eight weeks on Monday... Edited by saywhat, 28 December 2007 - 02:56 PM.	Captain Oates	Male	England	2007-12-28 14:56:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Physical Green card	QUOTE (milimelo @ Dec 26 2007, 08:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (saywhat @ Dec 26 2007, 04:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (milimelo @ Dec 26 2007, 08:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (saywhat @ Dec 26 2007, 04:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (milimelo @ Dec 26 2007, 08:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (saywhat @ Dec 26 2007, 03:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> oh yes the visa IS a green card.. trouble is it does not last very long... it lasts long enough to meet someone, get pregnant and have a baby and win a pretty baby competition, or motorcycle around the globe - but not always long enough to get a reply or a small green card out of the USCIS It will get there Alan, don't worry. What is your deadline again before you call to see about it? When you go into the infopass system it asks if you immigrated recently and you are enquiring about your green card - it says let 60 days pass then call 1.800.375.5283 I came in on november 5 so my plan is to call monday January 7th... Apparently they only accept one call per month so I have to get the correct info out of them or they hang up on you... I am all read up on the I-90 proceedures so I am ready for it... I think it will arrive before then actually. On the visa application form it asked where my first address would be and where I wanted the green card sending if different (most people would put an immigration lawyer in that box) . I said I wanted the GC to go to my friend in Atlanta. We changed our address to Florida shortly after arriving. That only causes a problem if you divert your mail as it will get sent back to USCIS We didnt divert our mail as the first address is Carolyn's mother's in Milwaukee I reckon they will send it to Georgia (original choice and 1st guess) or Milwaukee (original home address -less chance) or finally Florida (little chance as they don't have time to check their own system ) It is 8 weeks on Monday so I reckon mid part of next week with any luck.... My loins are girded up for battle so come on USCIS and let's go ! alan Just make sure you write down what they say - they will tell you their ID number in the first seconds of conversation. If you have specific questions to ask, do write them down so it is easier for you. Oh, and a tip so you do not end up in the maze of automated commands - 1 for English, 1 for GC PR I think then 6 as in you changed something (address) - that will get you to a live person. The infopass at first was directing me too to the 1-800 line but if you persist there is an option for infopass about green card. hey thats great info - really valuable - many thanks... As I didnt change the address i want it sending to as stated on the visa application form, is there away i can speak to a non-alien humanoid without saying i changed address ? alan I did not change addresses either but this was the only option to get a humanoid and it was not a problem for him that I was calling about my GC. So it's doable. great tip - we have to 'game' this system or we have no chance my cable supplier is the same - if i don't talk gobbledegook it puts me in an auto voice system for an hour so i say tootyfruitywooty 5 times and it gets sick of it and puts me through to a ** sapien or a gay sapien or whatever you are supposed to call em yes excellent tip thanks again alan	Captain Oates	Male	England	2007-12-26 15:52:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Physical Green card	QUOTE (milimelo @ Dec 26 2007, 08:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (saywhat @ Dec 26 2007, 04:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (milimelo @ Dec 26 2007, 08:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (saywhat @ Dec 26 2007, 03:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> oh yes the visa IS a green card.. trouble is it does not last very long... it lasts long enough to meet someone, get pregnant and have a baby and win a pretty baby competition, or motorcycle around the globe - but not always long enough to get a reply or a small green card out of the USCIS It will get there Alan, don't worry. What is your deadline again before you call to see about it? When you go into the infopass system it asks if you immigrated recently and you are enquiring about your green card - it says let 60 days pass then call 1.800.375.5283 I came in on november 5 so my plan is to call monday January 7th... Apparently they only accept one call per month so I have to get the correct info out of them or they hang up on you... I am all read up on the I-90 proceedures so I am ready for it... I think it will arrive before then actually. On the visa application form it asked where my first address would be and where I wanted the green card sending if different (most people would put an immigration lawyer in that box) . I said I wanted the GC to go to my friend in Atlanta. We changed our address to Florida shortly after arriving. That only causes a problem if you divert your mail as it will get sent back to USCIS We didnt divert our mail as the first address is Carolyn's mother's in Milwaukee I reckon they will send it to Georgia (original choice and 1st guess) or Milwaukee (original home address -less chance) or finally Florida (little chance as they don't have time to check their own system ) It is 8 weeks on Monday so I reckon mid part of next week with any luck.... My loins are girded up for battle so come on USCIS and let's go ! alan Just make sure you write down what they say - they will tell you their ID number in the first seconds of conversation. If you have specific questions to ask, do write them down so it is easier for you. Oh, and a tip so you do not end up in the maze of automated commands - 1 for English, 1 for GC PR I think then 6 as in you changed something (address) - that will get you to a live person. The infopass at first was directing me too to the 1-800 line but if you persist there is an option for infopass about green card. hey thats great info - really valuable - many thanks... As I didnt change the address i want it sending to as stated on the visa application form, is there away i can speak to a non-alien humanoid without saying i changed address ? alan	Captain Oates	Male	England	2007-12-26 15:42:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Physical Green card	QUOTE (milimelo @ Dec 26 2007, 08:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (saywhat @ Dec 26 2007, 03:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> oh yes the visa IS a green card.. trouble is it does not last very long... it lasts long enough to meet someone, get pregnant and have a baby and win a pretty baby competition, or motorcycle around the globe - but not always long enough to get a reply or a small green card out of the USCIS It will get there Alan, don't worry. What is your deadline again before you call to see about it? When you go into the infopass system it asks if you immigrated recently and you are enquiring about your green card - it says let 60 days pass then call 1.800.375.5283 I came in on november 5 so my plan is to call monday January 7th... Apparently they only accept one call per month so I have to get the correct info out of them or they hang up on you... I am all read up on the I-90 proceedures so I am ready for it... I think it will arrive before then actually. On the visa application form it asked where my first address would be and where I wanted the green card sending if different (most people would put an immigration lawyer in that box) . I said I wanted the GC to go to my friend in Atlanta. We changed our address to Florida shortly after arriving. That only causes a problem if you divert your mail as it will get sent back to USCIS We didnt divert our mail as the first address is Carolyn's mother's in Milwaukee I reckon they will send it to Georgia (original choice and 1st guess) or Milwaukee (original home address -less chance) or finally Florida (little chance as they don't have time to check their own system ) It is 8 weeks on Monday so I reckon mid part of next week with any luck.... My loins are girded up for battle so come on USCIS and let's go ! alan Edited by saywhat, 26 December 2007 - 03:27 PM.	Captain Oates	Male	England	2007-12-26 15:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Physical Green card	oh yes the visa IS a green card.. trouble is it does not last very long... it lasts long enough to meet someone, get pregnant and have a baby and win a pretty baby competition, or motorcycle around the globe - but not always long enough to get a reply or a small green card out of the USCIS QUOTE (Ness and Keith @ Dec 26 2007, 05:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> HI JA and Alan thanks for this info. My Husband ask also one of his co-worker just this day and they said that SSC, Drivers License plus the visa are enough to be accepted in the JOB. Have a great day! Ness QUOTE (saywhat @ Dec 24 2007, 07:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (Ness and Keith @ Dec 24 2007, 05:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hi VJe'rs Does it necessary that we have the green card before we can get a job here in the US? or the Social Security Number is ok? The passport VISA says it is a 551 (green card) for 12 months so you actually do have a'green card' as soon as you land in the USA - but it only lasts for 12 months - and if you hit problems 3 months after landing (say you dont receive your card) then you will need a lot of those remaining 9 months to fight with the USCIS to get a replacement alan Edited by saywhat, 26 December 2007 - 02:16 PM.	Captain Oates	Male	England	2007-12-26 14:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Physical Green card	QUOTE (JA Tam @ Dec 26 2007, 02:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (JA Tam @ Dec 22 2007, 12:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> In my hubby's case, he had a DL from Jamaica, but he still had to take the computer test and driving test here in Florida. They issued him a temporary DL (it's a sheet of paper signed by some administrator) that is good for a month. Hopefully he will get his DL in the mail before the temporary DL expires. He should be able to drive on his Jamaican license until then, though. Best of luck to you and Merry Christmas. It seems to have been an amazing year for you! I wish you all the best in 2008! UPDATE - Hubby got his DL in the mail on Christmas Eve. I hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas filled with love and happiness and as I said before, have a great 2008!!! Nice ! got my real DL two weeks ago and it counts for a lot here in the USA for some reason - its great even though I look like a pencil necked geek feels good eh.... PS the world was never a place of love and happiness and never will be so don't raise those expectations eh ? There are more divorces and domestic assaults over xmas than at any other time... My neighbours have blood on their stairs and split up in a really ugly fashion xmas eve. Personally I dislike xmas intensely... alan	Captain Oates	Male	England	2007-12-26 09:48:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Physical Green card	QUOTE (Ness and Keith @ Dec 24 2007, 05:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hi VJe'rs Does it necessary that we have the green card before we can get a job here in the US? or the Social Security Number is ok? The passport VISA says it is a 551 (green card) for 12 months so you actually do have a'green card' as soon as you land in the USA - but it only lasts for 12 months - and if you hit problems 3 months after landing (say you dont receive your card) then you will need a lot of those remaining 9 months to fight with the USCIS to get a replacement alan	Captain Oates	Male	England	2007-12-24 07:23:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Physical Green card	full extract from the instructions for I-90 pdf file the exceptions for not sending the fee+biometrics fees are: 1. If you are filing only because the card issued to you was incorrect due to a USCIS administrative error. However, if the error was not caused by USCIS, both application and biometrics fees are required. 2. If you are filing only because you never received your card. However, if the card was sent to the address provided and never returned to USCIS, your application will be rejected. You must file another Form I-90 application and on the first page of the form under Application type., Number 2, Reason for application, check box a that states: My card was lost, stolen or destroyed. Include both application and biometrics fees with your form. Good heavens it's all true.....If I never received it, I am not allowed to say that or the application will be sent back. I have to lie and say I lost it. I didn't - but I have to say I did. I must lie or be ignored and not get a GC Good game played slowly as we say in Yorkshire - they could do this many times in a row - never send a card out - and get $370 each time Sorry for doubting - I could not believe the U.S. goverment would play like this and I am still shaking my my head in partial belief.. I have been told to my face (in person) by a USC that 'I should stop whining about the USCIS and 'you people' should go back where you come from if you don't like it' I came here with a positive attitude this time and I was admiring of the U.S. constitution and how it was superior to the U.K. I was looking forward to being involved in politics and social programs once I became a USC. All this stuff is shaking my faith in 'fair play' and honesty and straight dealing. I am starting to doubt a lot of things now Why don't they just mail it out with 'signature required' and save us all sleepless nights ? The answer is obvious now... How sad The link.... http://www.uscis.gov...m/i-90instr.pdf	Captain Oates	Male	England	2007-12-23 17:30:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Physical Green card	QUOTE (milimelo @ Dec 23 2007, 05:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> [ Well, the lady at Infopass said b ) is the correct one but that I should e-file everything and pay $370. Note: so far we have not e-filed - waiting for response from hubby's govt. representatives. It seems that for them not received means it 'ain't our fault you did not get it'. At the same time, they won't provide you with any kind of proof that they actually sent off your GC. Here's what it says under "What is the filing fee?" for I-90: 2. If you are filing only because you never received your card. However, if the card was sent to the address provided and never returned to USCIS, your application will be rejected. You must file another Form I-90 application and on the first page of the form under Application type., Number 2. Reason for application, check box a that states: My card was lost, stolen or destroyed. Include both application and biometrics fees with your form. So the thing is they are not admitting to their wrong doing and are forcing you to pay up! Anybody know if there is an actual list of people at the service center to whom they actually sent GCs? the murk is beginning to clear - it sounds like the only time they will accept 'b' is if you changed your address AND put a forward on your mail so that the green card was returned to USCIS and they have it or had it (they destroy it quickly if returned) If you didnt do the redirect, then they assume you are GUILTY of lying about receiving your card so you can sell it on the black market and they want you to admit you have lost it even though you never received it... they are forcing you to tell a lie (that you have lost it) or you won't get a green card. So they assume that if they sent it out then you DID receive it and have lost it etc and must pay So the only time you don't have to pay is when their records show they received it back I couldn't believe what you were saying was correct but knowing them as I do, this scenario sounds most believable now That's oppressive and totalitarian and guilty until proved innocent. Welcome to America indeed	Captain Oates	Male	England	2007-12-23 13:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Physical Green card	QUOTE (milimelo @ Dec 23 2007, 05:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (saywhat @ Dec 22 2007, 06:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Ok just some pre - research for any of us if these green cards never do show up: the instructions say wait 60 days before you call the USCIS: If they then say they sent the card then we need to submit form I-90 with no fee. These are the instructions: Special Instructions: If you are filing because your card was never received, you must mail a new I-90 application using Application Reason "b" My authorized card was never received, and any supporting documentation, to the USCIS Service Center/National Benefits Center (NBC) that processed your previously filed I-90 application. For the Service Center/NBC mailing address, please refer to the I-797 "Notice of Action" and/or e-Filing Confirmation Receipt notice that you received upon submittal of your previously filed I-90 application. In addition to the new I-90 application, applicants are encouraged to send a copy of their I-797 "Notice of Action" and/or the e-Filing Confirmation Receipt notice issued for their previously filed I-90 application. I-90 applications submitted with Application Reason "b" do not require the biometrics fee or the base application fee. I don't understand where I should send this form ! I filed in London, they rejected it. Then it went to Nebraska and they sent it to California. Then it went to NVC and I got my visa in London. I landed at Chicago and signed some form hidden inside a credit card type machine. Was that an I-90 ? I live in Florida now If I have to file I-90, where would I file it ? New Hampshire, California, Mesquite Texas, Santas stocking ? This is just research at the mo but there are a few of us in this situation so it's worth finding out early any ideas folks ? alan It should probably go to Texas Service Center as that is where all the GCs are produced (or should have been produced). Here's the draw back - in the reasons for applying you have a) my card was lost, stolen or destroyed, b ) my authorized card was never received (I won't go into other options as they are not of interest to us here). If you still have not got it, they automatically assume a) and that's why they want you to file with $370 fee. While it does say that for reason b ) you would not have to pay anything, you can bet they will reject it as in their eyes the GC was produced and sent - it's not their fault you did not receive it - could be the post office, lost or something, you still gotta pay. I waited 60 days and more before calling and all they could tell me was the same thing I could see on case status online - I-551 approved back in July. That's the I-797s I have - Texas Service Center sent it. What bugs me is the fact that it never showed up in my case online status that the card was ever produced! Normally it would say something like on such and such date card production was ordered. So, they do not have any proof that the card was actually made and sent off to you but you are to still pay $370??? This self-sustaining service - and I can see who is sustaining them - we are; needs some more reforms! Edited since my b ) was turning into emoticon :-) I know you have been at this a lot longer than me but are you sure you are not reason 'b' ? 'Not received' must mean it was 'not received' surely ? You didn't lose your green card (it has to have been in your possession for you to lose it) nor was it stolen or destroyed... Did you try using 'b' and they rejected it ? It can't be that the only circumstances for reason 'b' is when their own system simply says they havent sent it yet...can't be... you would not send a I-90 if their system says it isn't sent yet ? In what circumstances WOULD reason 'b' apply ? Surely its only when their system says it is sent, but you say it hasnt arrived , that the reason is 'b' ? I have been speaking english for 60 years and 6 weeks apart from the first year or two when I sounded like George Bush - so 'not received' means 'not received' to me and it is hard to interpret it any other way... No way will I pay for their failure to send it out	Captain Oates	Male	England	2007-12-23 12:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Physical Green card	Ok just some pre - research for any of us if these green cards never do show up: the instructions say wait 60 days before you call the USCIS: If they then say they sent the card then we need to submit form I-90 with no fee. These are the instructions: Special Instructions: If you are filing because your card was never received, you must mail a new I-90 application using Application Reason "b" My authorized card was never received, and any supporting documentation, to the USCIS Service Center/National Benefits Center (NBC) that processed your previously filed I-90 application. For the Service Center/NBC mailing address, please refer to the I-797 "Notice of Action" and/or e-Filing Confirmation Receipt notice that you received upon submittal of your previously filed I-90 application. In addition to the new I-90 application, applicants are encouraged to send a copy of their I-797 "Notice of Action" and/or the e-Filing Confirmation Receipt notice issued for their previously filed I-90 application. I-90 applications submitted with Application Reason "b" do not require the biometrics fee or the base application fee. I don't understand where I should send this form ! I filed in London, they rejected it. Then it went to Nebraska and they sent it to California. Then it went to NVC and I got my visa in London. I landed at Chicago and signed some form hidden inside a credit card type machine. Was that an I-90 ? I live in Florida now If I have to file I-90, where would I file it ? New Hampshire, California, Mesquite Texas, Santas stocking ? This is just research at the mo but there are a few of us in this situation so it's worth finding out early any ideas folks ? alan Edited by saywhat, 22 December 2007 - 05:39 PM.	Captain Oates	Male	England	2007-12-22 17:35:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Physical Green card	QUOTE (JA Tam @ Dec 22 2007, 05:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> In my hubby's case, he had a DL from Jamaica, but he still had to take the computer test and driving test here in Florida. They issued him a temporary DL (it's a sheet of paper signed by some administrator) that is good for a month. Hopefully he will get his DL in the mail before the temporary DL expires. He should be able to drive on his Jamaican license until then, though. Best of luck to you and Merry Christmas. It seems to have been an amazing year for you! I wish you all the best in 2008! many thanks - there are a lot of people who have had it MUCH worse and at least we are together and in the sun and my pension is rolling in every month - I can deal with what ever is up ahead with that as a base. we can all thank our good fortune for VJ	Captain Oates	Male	England	2007-12-22 13:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Physical Green card	QUOTE (cowgirl @ Dec 22 2007, 02:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Thanks for your replies, my I-90 was sent to Texas the first time and I quess that's where it stayed, some little Mexican is using it to cross the border or has sold it. My second I-90 was mailed to California, then sent to Lee's Summit, Missouri. My biometrics were taken again in Helena, MT. That's 360miles from where we live, but is the local field office. Hi Saywhat, where in West Yorkshire are you from? I lived in Oxenhope, Nr. Keighley about 2miles from Haworth, famous for the Bronte Sisters and the Steam Railway. ----and a red haired bird called Muriel known to her many lovers as moo-moo Muriel who's son maintained the steam loco that goes to Oxenhope - but that's another story and I shall quickly draw a veil now I am married ! My stamping ground was Otley/Ilkley/Guiseley/Apperley Bridge - we did the Bronte Parsonage last year and the Black Bull where Charlotte Bronte's brother used to get squiffy - Timothy Taylor's ales (sigh). I know that area alright They can keep it in mid December - I am ok here in Florida ! I could not even find my jacket if I wanted to. NOW GIMME THAT GC !!!!! Edited by saywhat, 22 December 2007 - 10:15 AM.	Captain Oates	Male	England	2007-12-22 10:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Physical Green card	QUOTE (vylex @ Dec 21 2007, 05:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Thanks for the response JA TAM with the mailing info. Talk about timing...as I stumbled on this topic and started getting worried about my wife's GC, it arrived in the mail today! It even looks correct although I will follow Alan's procedure and look at again in the morning. The good part is it is correct info. The bad part is it only lasts 2 years since it is the CR-1 variety. I hope the IR-1 version doesn't get screwed up or hopefully it's something my wife and I can pick up. The date of the mailing was the 12/17th. That is one day short of a month since we arrived. Not bad. I wish everyone would have this kind of luck. Alan, I think we will buy a lottery ticket tomorrow. Good luck to everyone else waiting on their GCs and SSNs! yes I forgot to congrats you as I was so tied up with the bank losing my $60k for 10 days and saying they never had it - and the sending bank saying it had gone and so wasn't their problem.... It must be a huge relief to get the GC and so fast.. that is how it should be.... phew great holidays to you I feel strong tonight and I am ready for whatever they throw at me in the new year. I called the SS today and they put me onto a message machine again.. The lady had such a strong Spanish accent with lots of missing words so I only made out about 25% of it - and she probably couldn't understand my prince Charles impression - so no chance of the promised call back I reckon yes congrats again and a big hooray ! ...alan	Captain Oates	Male	England	2007-12-21 18:38:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Physical Green card	QUOTE (Silas @ Dec 21 2007, 05:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Was that small talk or some sort of procedural question? I'm a bit of a book fanatic, the apartment is filled with them. Am always amazed with the hundreds of books in there, the one that everyone smells out is Richard Dawkins's 'The God Delusion'. I could have editions of Penthouse lying about it and it'd cause fewer comments. It was small talk but I think she wanted to get me tithing before anyone else got me - pastor needs a new shiny suite, rolls -royce and private jet. Without my glasses I thought I saw some food called #######-bits and i shouted to Carolyn 'get me some #######-bits'. Everyone stared at me horrified. Apparently they are called 'tid-bits' and what I said was obscene because chubbies (bristols) are rude over here. #######-bits is a magazine and the name for everything from cat food to news blogs in the UK. Still learning pilgrim.	Captain Oates	Male	England	2007-12-21 12:56:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Physical Green card	QUOTE (Silas @ Dec 21 2007, 04:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Oh and Alan; re: Chaplin. Just make sure you don't p*ss off J. Edgar at any dinner parties you might be at and you should be fine. Carolyn is amazed I haven't been shot already after 7 weeks here so it's only a matter of time before the powers that be see me as a threat to the survival of the US government... Actually the more I look at the original constitution, the more I like what the US set off as, and I would love to be part of the original 'project' - it should be the finest country in the world if that constitution was still at the forefront It's a lot better than the UK set up... Government of the people by the people - tell that to the USCIS But if the UK has a head of state who is head of the church and the US has separation of church and state and guaranteed freedom of religion, how come I can get away with being a non believer in the UK a lot easier than I can here in the US ? When I opened my bank account she asked us which church we went to...and she did NOT like my answer.. and I never even mentioned the tooth fairy this time I digress - again	Captain Oates	Male	England	2007-12-21 12:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Physical Green card	QUOTE (Silas @ Dec 21 2007, 04:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (saywhat @ Dec 21 2007, 04:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I was expecting an endorsement ON the visa but he put the usual entry stamp on the facing page in the passport and wrote 'IV' on it..... when i told the DMV I had green card status and pointed out the I551 line on the visa, they didnt want to accept it but I argued and they brought a supervisor over and it was accepted - then they gave me a paper license and sent it off for verification - got a real license a couple of days before the temp expired... I dont think the USCIS cleared it because she muttered something like - if they dont pass it in the month we issue the license anyway.... Yeah, when he didn't stamp the actual visa I thought he might have done it wrong. So that's fantastic, entry stamp on the facing page, check! Hopefully they should be no issues with getting back in (I hate secondary inspection; just one step up from the SSA office - although to be fair to the SSA I don't spend the whole time worrying my luggage is going to get nicked). isn't VJ wonderful - I worry about stuff so it's great we can all compare notes and be assured that everything is 'normal' now I am 7 weeks in and no green card I would be doing my nut if I didnt know that most VJ people are reporting 7 weeks ish at the moment.. so I am content to wait until the new year and if it is lost or wrong then I know I am not alone and it can be sorted - I will certainly do an infopass if it is wrong or lost How unfair that they reject us for the tiniest flaw in our paperwork or envelope addressing but they can issue a garbled piece of junk with sometimes the wrong photo on it - or nothing at all - and stay on their high horse and make people pay again and again... I reckon they wouldnt have to 'waterboard' people to have em screaming for mercy - just put em through the USCIS system for a while - most intense form of torture yet invented and it can be done legally right here in the U.S. without need for 'rendition' to murky countries...	Captain Oates	Male	England	2007-12-21 11:53:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Physical Green card	I was expecting an endorsement ON the visa but he put the usual entry stamp on the facing page in the passport and wrote 'IV' on it..... when i told the DMV I had green card status and pointed out the I551 line on the visa, they didnt want to accept it but I argued and they brought a supervisor over and it was accepted - then they gave me a paper license and sent it off for verification - got a real license a couple of days before the temp expired... I dont think the USCIS cleared it because she muttered something like - if they dont pass it in the month we issue the license anyway....	Captain Oates	Male	England	2007-12-21 11:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Physical Green card	PS>>>Charlie Chaplin In 1952, Chaplin left the US for what was intended as a brief trip home to the United Kingdom for the London premiere of Limelight. Hoover learned of the trip and negotiated with the Immigration and Naturalization Service to revoke Chaplin's re-entry permit. Chaplin decided not to re-enter the United States, writing; ".....Since the end of the last world war, I have been the object of lies and propaganda by powerful reactionary groups who, by their influence and by the aid of America's yellow press, have created an unhealthy atmosphere in which liberal-minded individuals can be singled out and persecuted. Under these conditions I find it virtually impossible to continue my motion-picture work, and I have therefore given up my residence in the United States."[6]	Captain Oates	Male	England	2007-12-21 08:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Physical Green card	QUOTE (cowgirl @ Dec 21 2007, 05:56 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I came back into the US on 7th April 2007 via Philadelphia, after having to have another medical in London and three visits to the Embassy, due to me not renewing my Visa, read the wrong date on a trip back to Uk to see my Mum & Son. Entered Philadelphia and gave Immigration my paperwork, he stamped my passport with Temp !-551 Stamp good for 1 year. Notice of action 15th May, my Green Card (10year was on its way). Never arrived, contacted USCIS via 800 number, told to re-file and Pay again, of course fees had gone up. Got hold of my Senator, he received same story pay again. Green card sent out and not returned to PO. Finally sent I-90 again and $370 waited 30 days, no Green card, spoke to USCIS again, did a service request, letter from them in November , - "Wait 6month's if your card doesn't arrive contact us again". Senator trying to sort it out, says it is a farce. Why does it take sooo long to produce a replacement card when the original only took 1 month. Does someone just say it's been mailed and use the fee?? I never got AOS as I waited two years for a FBI Check, no-one seems to know what happened to my paperwork. Now been married over 4 years and still waiting. cowgirl, montana ouch indeed ! seems the slightest deviation from 'simple' sends the whole system into a tizwoz... The USCIS infopass site says don't contact USCIS until 60 days has gone by so I will call early Jan on day 61 so they cant wriggle. That 6 months stuff must have been dreadful to hear.. I wish they would not do that. When I saw the 12 month green card stamp in my passport I thought there must be a reason for that period of time. ok well the today my bank found my $60k that they lost for 10 days and which they downright denied all knowledge of - so perhaps things are picking up.. I might finally get some sleep... I am already getting anxious about naturalization 3 years down the road - its the bit about where they take your GC from you that scares me... after that you...yes you guessed it - you WAIT !!!!! Here is me, 60 years old, retired and living in Florida and supposed to be relaxing but I am more wound up and stressed and headachey than when I was 40 and working 18 hours a day .. Imagine standing at the airport and they wont let you in when you have a house and a spouse and a car and all your money and everything you own in the world in the U.S. I bet that happens every day. Can you imagine how that feels as you are sat in the detention/expulsion room ? and all because of their confused error ridden system ? My friend has ben here 12 years and his kids were babies and are now young Americans really - he has still not applied for Nationality - he is running a BIG risk with just a green card. Google 'charlie chapin' if you don't believe me - he had a green card for decades and they locked him out at POE another Brit of course.... alan Edited by saywhat, 21 December 2007 - 08:20 AM.	Captain Oates	Male	England	2007-12-21 08:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Physical Green card	QUOTE (Mononoke28 @ Dec 20 2007, 08:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> If I were to do this whole DS-230 all over again, I wouldn't have checked the SS# box on there. That was the worst because I didn't know if we had to wait or go to the SSA office to get his number. Turns out the USCIS hadn't notified the SSA about him coming to the US so we had to file again and wait another 4 weeks. Diana I ticked the box too - it seems to work in 10% of cases. Good job I had a restricted SS card from K1 or I would have no car or bank or credit card.. still no SS as at today Everyone in the banks/credit card/SS office/USCIS/DMV etc etc but 100% of em are lying through their teeth about calling me back and how long this or that will take etc etc ...	Captain Oates	Male	England	2007-12-20 15:53:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Physical Green card	QUOTE (vylex @ Dec 20 2007, 08:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> QUOTE (saywhat @ Dec 20 2007, 02:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> wow you got a letter after 4 weeks or so - that is definitely quick compared to 7 weeks or so for others right now. Some get 5 letters and no card - some get one letter with the card inside. It's a lottery.. I am getting distinctly edgy - I would call them but I am told that I am then barred from calling for another 30 days - is that true anyone ? Three weeks on Monday since the SchutzStaffel card interview I asked for. They said I would get it in 2 weeks as they electronically clear it with USCIS in 48 hours max Ignorance was bliss for me since I didn't really do any research for what should happen after the CR-1 entry other than the fact that she'll get an SSN and GC after. We were lucky with the SSN and the two letters that came about 3.5 weeks later was nice. Now we'll see if that GC arrives. I guess the reason I didn't stress was because the visa stamp serves as a temp GC, good for a year. However, after reading all this lost mail possibility I am almost as anxious again when I hung out in the NVC forum LOL. BTW, fancy meeting you here Alan. I remember reading your entertaining diatribes just a few months ago in the NVC forum when we were all wating for that elusive case complete. Now we're doing the same thing again with GCs heh. Same poo poo different day (forum)...when it comes to the immigration depts. I won't deny that I feel MUCH better being together with my wife and stressing vs. being apart and stressing. I am not always entertaining - sometimes I am just plain grouchy ! Well at least milimelo's experience is a warning to all - dont wait month after month or let em put you off with 'wait x weeks' - get after em with an infopass because suddenly that 12 month endorsement on the visa looks a heck of a lot closer. Yes being together in the warmth of Florida is a lot better than the pits of the world in the filth of Darwen, Lancashire in the wettest summer since the ice age. I didn't even know there were hell holes like that in England though it's only 55 miles from where I was brought up I am grouchy this week as Barclays bank sent a wire transfer to Bank of Scotland (both UK banks) for $60k and it's disappeared ! Barclays say they sent it and BOS says it didn't arrive. It was a same day wire transfer 2 weeks ago ! I have been at em every day and they can't be bothered. They make excuses about having day's off and computer failures etc and it's just added stress. Barclays say it's not their problem it went - and BOS say its not theirs it didn't arrive - can you believe an inter bank wire between 2 of the largest banks in the UK can end up like that ? sixty some thousand dollars disappeared.. makes the USCIS look good ! No sleep for me this week. I digress - I will make an infopass for early Jan and cancel it if necessary Edited by saywhat, 20 December 2007 - 03:49 PM.	Captain Oates	Male	England	2007-12-20 15:49:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Physical Green card	QUOTE (vylex @ Dec 20 2007, 06:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Good to know about these dates. It's been about a month since we arrived. The SSN tick option worked fine for us. She got her SSN about 2 weeks after. We received two identical welcome letters about a week ago. I think both sent dates were the same. I hope the GC is on it's way. I definitely have issues with the fact that it's sent with no mail protection or that it's in some unassuming envelope. I get spam snail mail all the time and got into a routine of ripping it apart without inspecting too much. For those that received the GC already, was it addressed to the alien spouse or the USC / PR? Our welcome letters were mailed in USCIS marked envelopes with my wife's name in care of me (the USC). wow you got a letter after 4 weeks or so - that is definitely quick compared to 7 weeks or so for others right now. Some get 5 letters and no card - some get one letter with the card inside. It's a lottery.. I am getting distinctly edgy - I would call them but I am told that I am then barred from calling for another 30 days - is that true anyone ? Three weeks on Monday since the SchutzStaffel card interview I asked for. They said I would get it in 2 weeks as they electronically clear it with USCIS in 48 hours max	Captain Oates	Male	England	2007-12-20 14:34:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Physical Green card	QUOTE (milimelo @ Dec 20 2007, 05:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Hey Alan and others, here's an update on my green card: we went in yesterday to Infopass in Chicago. Showed up half an hour earlier and were immediately let in. There were very few people there and we were at the counter in no time after they checked in our appointment and gave us a receipt with a number to watch for on TV screen. A lady working there checked my papers and then read from the computer that my card has been sent off in July '07 and that they have no idea why I did not received it, but that it happens all the time! At that point my husband started inquiring how come no one has to sign for the card when it is delivered either to the post office and then to the immigrant. She said the same thing we all know - that it is being sent via regular mail with no protection and no signature required. My only option is to e-file I-90 and she says the good thing is you can print your NoA immediately once the payment is processed (CC). So I guess we will have to go that route as she clearly said I won't be getting a stamp after May 2008 unless I show proof of filing. My husband is now thinking of writing to his Congressman and Senators about this matter. Also brought up is class action suit for all those people whose green card never showed up (happens all the time) and they had to pay another $370 to get a new one (also happens all the time?). Does anyone here have any idea what number of people who have never received their green cards and had to refile I-90 (and pay $$$) are we talking about? End ranting... That is seriously horrible and nasty How you keep your cool I do not know - you must be a true lady - classy Well I am 7 weeks on Monday which was my target date but I think I will call the USCIS today and if I get the 'wait 5 months' or whatever, I will schedule an info pass now - I can always cancel it end of next week if the GC arrives I didn't know you had to pay for the I-90 if it never arrived... that's not nice It's nuts that you don't have to sign for a green card - so important for US security as well as the immigrant. It's like they are all robots with no initiative or management skills at all. If I was into conspiracy theories I would say they do it for the I-190 fees but I go with the stupidity theory. I once worked in Government for 3 years and it popped my skull - they sent me typist who had never typed and who spent 6 weeks on sick because she had disturbed sleep and was too tired to come to work. I spent a month drawing up a statistical report - my top manager said it made him look bad as he wasn't achieving his targets - so he ripped it up in front of me. Yes I know government. I wish you the very best of luck with all this and keep at em and don't accept promises or 'come back in x months' alan	Captain Oates	Male	England	2007-12-20 13:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Physical Green card	QUOTE (Silas @ Dec 18 2007, 12:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Guess, I've been lucky with the SS card. When it didn't arrive after a couple of weeks I went to the main SSA office here in Philadelphia - being a bit of a foppish Englishman I really did stick out like a sore thumb there. I got someone who didn't have a clue about getting me a number and card so thankfully her supervisor - who was far more competent - did all the donkey work and my card arrived last week. The Green Card situation is just plain daft. Like you Alan I don't want to think about it if it doesn't turn up. We're living in a global age where people cross national borders as a matter of course for work, holidays, etc; I think USCIS still thinks it's the 1920s and once we get through Ellis Island we're not going to need to ever leave the US. What I find confusing is the need for the Green Card period. Why can the physical visa in the passport not replace it? Conditional residents get stamped for 2 years on entering POE; 10 for those who have been married 10 years. Does the Green Card contain any information that is not included in the visa? Great minds think alike - I was just thinking tonight - why does it say one year instead of 10 - as you say it has the date of entry and the alien number and a photo etc etc..actually i bet the visa has a lot more info than the green card and is a lot harder to fake.... I still have my SS card from K1 so i was able to get bank accounts/credit card and a driver's license - so I am only getting one that doesn't say 'no work' in order to kill time and boost my morale and kid myself I am getting somewhere... When I came in 2 years ago I thought Americans were bureaucratic Neanderthals but then Carolyn came to live in the UK and once she landed it was actually harder for her to get bank accounts etc and a NI number, even though she has a UK 'green card'. Certainly the U.S. system needs a massive axe taking to it for the sake of America even more than the immigrants. The USCIS has just taken on 1500 more staff when they could halve their existing staff EASILY if they ran the show properly. In the case of a lost or wrong GC, a phone call from the immigrant should cause a new one to go to a USCIS office to be collected in person by the immigrant - a swap in the case of a wrong one. 2 minutes at the USCIS end and 5 minutes at the USCIS field office. Not a 12 month nightmare. I could halve the USCIS AND improve security and vastly improve service in 4 hours... the GC's are sent out in plain envelopes and don't even have to be signed for !!!! then if it doesnt arrive there is a huge kefuffle to get another. Idiotic. They should send em to field offices for collection at the front desk on full proof of ID. 2 minute job. If they are wrong they could fix it there on the system and then and get you to call back in 5 days to pick up the amended one Anyway, given all the info they have on us, why isn't there a program which says 'print green card'...obviously there isnt and some bored office slave is slamming it all in manually AGAIN to produce the card....with predictable results I read that naturalization is even worse and they take your GC from you and then..... oh i can't even think about it...	Captain Oates	Male	England	2007-12-17 20:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Physical Green card	QUOTE (Silas @ Dec 17 2007, 11:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Great thread, it's given me a more realistic time frame of when to expect my GC. I'm flying back to the UK for Christmas so had hoped that it would come before then but hopefully it just means that it'll be waiting for me when I get back in the New Year (provided immigration let me back in ) I'm a bit confused about the 'SAVE' system that people are mentioning. Am I correct in thinking that if I wasn't entered properly on that I would have had problems when dealing with the SSA office? Yes when I first came in on K1 I was told not to go to the SS office for 10 days or so as I would not be on the SAVE system and they would send a form off which would take 6 weeks to verify I went after about a week and risked it as I was going to say dont send a form i will come back in 3 days... ok round 2 Anyway I went to Clearwater SS office 2 weeks ago today and they could see me on the SAVE system as entering November 5..he said they still had to verify now, but that is electronic and takes 2 days instead of the 12 weeks it used to take (it says 12 on the form) So he reckoned 2 weeks max I would have the SS card (I want a new one coz the original k1 is restricted - no work) anyway 2 weeks today and no card but at least the SAVE system means they didnt lose the record of you landing which is a bit of a help I am researching what happens if the GC does not turn up and I dont want to go there ! Ir1 and CR1 folk have a 12 month GC in their visa wording (551)so its not crucial just now - but in another week i will get edgy coz a year or 18 months means nothing to the USCIS and they are getting worse by the day I changed my address but my old one is my mother in law's so that should not make a difference and it should not be returned to them unless there is something i don't know - the GC's still don't have to be signed for as far as i know... Edited by saywhat, 17 December 2007 - 07:08 PM.	Captain Oates	Male	England	2007-12-17 19:07:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Physical Green card	ok 6 weeks today since POE at Chicago.. expecting another week before GC I am researching what do if it is not received 'just in case' One of the eventualities is if I changed address and the GC is returned as 'undeliverable' I have changed address (from Carolyn's mother's house) but as I understand it, the GC just arrives in the mailbox as a plain envelope postmarked 'Mesquite, Texas' and I dont have to sign.. How can it be 'undeliverable' ??? would that mean the person at the address takes it to the post office and says the subject of the Green Card has moved ? I can't see any other way that it would be returned as undeliverable ? can anyone else ? alan	Captain Oates	Male	England	2007-12-17 12:43:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Physical Green card	QUOTE (JA Tam @ Dec 15 2007, 02:19 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> UPDATE: When I got home this evening, I realized that we received a second welcome letter and in a separate envelope was my hubby's GC. Everything is correct; his name, birthday, picture, expiration date... I pray that everyone else who is waiting on the GC will receive it soon and with no mistakes!!! WOW !!! read it again and again !!!! it's all correct ? - the deliberate error department at USCIS must have made a mistake and sent it out correct ! thats wonderful news - right first time !!!! big relax now eh ? congrats - now dont lose it !!!!! and no 'moral turpitude' ok haha ! I am 6 weeks on Monday so another week or two might do it ! hooray ! alan	Captain Oates	Male	England	2007-12-15 09:02:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Physical Green card	QUOTE (milimelo @ Dec 12 2007, 08:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Alan, the POE officers made sure I was immediately in the 'SAVE' system (as I was the only CR1 immigrant at that hour) and it turned out to be true since I went four days after we arrived to update my SS card status and there was no problem with that. It's the misinformation line people who are giving out wrong information that gets to me. Oh well, I have made an infopass appointment for 12/19 so will let everyone know what happens. Do you suggest coming with a filled form for replacement of the card and check book ready? That sounds a really good idea - the 7 P's ....... perfect planning and preparation prevents p... poor performance I think calling the USCIS could actually make things worse. I said my initial address would be in Milwaukee but put my friend's address in Georgia as the place to send the green card to. Then 2 weeks after arriving i changed my address at USCIS online so that it is now Florida. I am tempted to ask em where the green card will go now but I fear they will just put a block on it if they cannot comprehend The Milwaukee address is Carolyn's mother's and is still valid The Georgia address is my friend's and is still valid The Florida address is current So I really don't care which address it goes to, and as it does not have to be signed for, it won't be returned to them hopefully Yes let's keep in touch us IR1/CR1 people using this thread because the other forum for GC is really about AOS folk who get theirs quickly (usually!) alan Edited by saywhat, 12 December 2007 - 07:37 AM.	Captain Oates	Male	England	2007-12-12 07:37:00