biggish data

Happy Valentine's Day WOOOHOOOO!!!!

Post Decision Activity
On February 14, 2011, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I130 IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN. Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283.

That's awesome Congrats!

Mrs. P

Female

Canada

2011-02-14 21:42:00

Just poking my head in. It's not raining approvals. I'll pop back in later to see what is going on.

Stay hopeful everyone!

Mrs. P

Female

Canada

2011-02-14 20:53:00

Called back and spoke to ANOTHER Tier 2. The first on was just like "It's PROBABLY and error sir. Just ignore it. Do you have any OTHER questions?") This one was much more friendly. He told me it was certainly approved and the NOA2 hard-copy didn't matter at all in terms of my case going to NVC as planned. They will resend it anyway. Good to hear.

Good!

Mrs. P

Female

Canada

2011-02-14 19:36:00

The Tier 2 just told me it was an error and not to worry about it.

meaning I just read this...

Mrs. P

Female

Canada

2011-02-14 19:26:00

Oops didn't read this. Well that's good then. :thumbs:

Mrs. P

Female

Canada

2011-02-14 19:21:00

After waiting 6 months I get an RFE. Why do they wait this long? Now I am steaming! I double checked tripled checked quadrupled check before I sent the package. I don't think anything can be missing.

Unbelievable! At this point this is my worst fear! I wonder what it could be? Why do they wait so long? didn't they see anything wrong before they transferred it in NOVEMBER, when the case was already sitting down for a few months? smh. I just don't get it. Man this has been one hell of a ride.

Please keep us informed on the outcome.

I just got a text from USCIS:

On February 14, 2011, the post office returned the notice we last sent you on this case I130 IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN as undeliverable. This may have serious effects on processing this case. Please call 1-800-375-5283 to update your mailing address for this notice to be re-sent.

It also tells me I'm back to initial review.

Funny, I've received several notices from them so far, never had any problem with my mailing address.

Now this is just bizarre!! Like what the heck is going on? :bonk:

Mrs. P

Female

Canada

2011-02-14 19:18:00

Hey all, just thought I'd share my thoughts on repeatedly emailing Ms. Barrows.

When it comes to sending multiple emails in the span of 5 business days, I think it's a bad idea. Also, the weekend should not be counted when determining how long it's been since she's received your email, regardless of whether we think she's working or not, that's simple business etiquette.

I, like most of you, feel like we've paid for a service, thereby we're, for the lack of a better word, entitled to a result within a defined period of time.

We're fortunate that Wade (I believe) was able to procure Ms. Barrows' email address for us. With that email address in hand, we ought to be judicious about how we utilize it.

There is a difference between sending a single introductory email, versus electronically badgering someone. Some people deserve to be badgered, others don't.

In my opinion, the fact that Ms. Barrows has, for the most part, been very receptive to our messages, should warrant some type of hesitation on our part before we send her several "reminders." Also taking into consideration the "tone" one may employ in an email, there really is a gray transitional area that separates a single "please help me" email to an irritating "it's me again, for the Xth time in your inbox, did you forget me already?!" email.

Just my 2 cents for all of us to consider

I agree 100% with this. I understand wholeheartedly what this process has been like. However, we must keep in mind that this is probably not normal protocol for her to be communicating with us through email (as Val and Gary pointed out last week). I think due to the circumstance and the error in this transfer to TSC resulting in many cases being outside of the estimated processing time, that she has tried to show they are doing their best to resolve the situation and she is doing this on a more personal level.

I know how impatient we all are at this point, but I'm even surprised that she has responded to so many emails, considering that she is probably not just sitting at her desk waiting for emails to respond to. She is also trying to handle other workload, I'm sure.

Let's hang in there guys. The end of this part of the process is near. :thumbs:

Mrs. P

Female

Canada

2011-02-14 19:05:00

Anxiously waiting for the evening to come. I want to see approvals by the crates being sent out.lol

Posted Image

Mrs. P

Female

Canada

2011-02-14 15:56:00

Is it Monday yet? lol.

I know many of us are anxious for this upcoming week. I hope they give us a bunch of approvals and NVC transfers/#'s tomorrow as a beautiful valentines day gift! (F)

Mrs. P

Female

Canada

2011-02-13 15:10:00

P.S....I never thought I would want to rush the weekend so bad! lol. Look what this process does to us?!? Monday, hurry up and come and bring a storm of approvals and NVC transfers/case #'s!

Ok GN!

Mrs. P

Female

Canada

2011-02-12 00:24:00

Quiet night, but I wont complain. We have had a pretty good ending to this week. Next week will have more in store for us. Enjoy your valentines weekend folks. Don't get down, just keep reminding yourself that by this time, next year we will all be snuggled up with our loved ones.

Goodnight!

I just got a test message at 11:59 PM and checked my case update. APPROVED on 2-11-2011.

Congrats to you!!! :thumbs:

Mrs. P

Female

Canada

2011-02-12 00:19:00

I still have 5-6 pages to read through, but I have to say YAAAYYYYY I GOT APPROVED!

I received the text at 5:13pm PST. I was in the middle of tutoring a student when I got the text, and it took everything I had to not be like, "Dude, sorry, I've gotta go check my email." I couldn't even wait to get home to check, and now I'm sitting at the Borders cafe trying to contain my excitement.

I'm sooo happy and I can't wait until it's late enough for me to call my husband in England.

I imagine there were lots of other approvals tonight (I'm gonna go back and read those pages now), so I'm gonna go ahead and say congratulations to everyone who's been approved!

Yay Jennie, Congrats, this is awesome!!! I'm feeling so good and positive for us all. We are finally on the right path! :dance:

*Digs a huge hole and buries the very profane picket signs I made last night*

Mrs. P

Female

Canada

2011-02-11 21:59:00

Well, came back tonight.. and it seems like we are on the move..

*** DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL ***

The last processing action taken on your case

Receipt Number: WACXXXXXXXXXX

Application Type: I130 , IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN

Your Case Status: Post Decision Activity

On February 11, 2011, we shipped this approved or re-affirmed case to the Department of State for visa processing. For more information, please contact them directly.

So approval 2 nights ago, and now notified of the transfer to NVC tonight. I think we hit the highway pretty quickly.

Thought I'd update everyone on the moving along part of our journey.

Woot woot!! This is what we wanna read!!!

Let's go Val and Gary, you've got next!!!

Mrs. P

Female

Canada

2011-02-11 21:36:00

Thanks so much for the encouragement you guys

It's Friday night in Miami, I've got my TV shows ready to go, dinner ready to go, my beloved VJ forum always on my laptop... come on TSC, LET'S DO THIS!!!

My hubby is in Miami, oh to be next to him right now...

But I will be soon enough!! :thumbs:

Mrs. P

Female

Canada

2011-02-11 21:32:00

Yes I got approved some minutes ago. I think it was because I changed my avatar photo.

LOL! You are one silly guy!

CONGRATS!!!!!!

Mrs. P

Female

Canada

2011-02-11 19:21:00

I dont know, do u think all aprovals receieved in the same time when they update the server ? or one by one

Well from the past two nights, updates have come in bulk and that is judging by when people post they received a notification. It seems to happen one after the next for the first bit.

Mrs. P

Female

Canada

2011-02-11 19:09:00

Yes, I got form letter email dated today.

huh? You got an approval email??? Congrats Fermat!!

Mrs. P

Female

Canada

2011-02-11 19:07:00

Is it gonna be another party tonight? :dance:

or do you think we will have to wait till next week? :unsure:

Mrs. P

Female

Canada

2011-02-11 19:02:00

Aren't we just the group that gets transferred around. Lol.

Mrs. P

Female

Canada

2011-02-11 16:25:00

No CRBA for my son yet, and Visa Interview this week

I have a question, I'm not sure if anyone will be able to answer...

I have my visa interview in Montreal this coming Wednesday. I had an appointment yesterday at the U.S Consulate in Toronto in regards to my son's Consular Report of Birth Abroad. There was some information missing so we were not able to apply for it yesterday.

I'm wondering if my son not having his CRBA , or at least not having any paperwork in process, will have an effect on my visa?

Mrs. P

Female

Canada

2011-07-16 18:20:00

Instructions for filing taxes with spouse outside of the country

Most ( probably, all ) states will gladly tax the foreign spouse's income as well. There is no such thing as foreign tax credit on the state level.

Unless you're able to do the foreign income exclusion on the federal return - that changes AGI and completely excludes that part of the income from consideration.

one thing that hasnt been mentioned here...how do we deal with the state tax issue? =/ Federal seems to be pretty straightforward, but not sure about the state tax.

M&Pooh

Female

Canada

2011-02-08 00:05:00

Instructions for filing taxes with spouse outside of the country

Depending on what country you are from.

Not all the countries are signatories of the Hague Convention.

Copies of documents must have an Apostille also.

M&Pooh

Female

Canada

2011-02-07 02:11:00

i-864 Income Issue

Hey all,

Long time reader, first time poster.

Anyways, here's my issue that is slowly causing the panic in my stomach to get worse each day.

My Husband has been self employed for the past year, the year before that his only income was from unemployment insurance. He's been hired full time at a mechanic shop that he had been freelancing at, for a rate above the poverty line. We have a letter from his boss saying the job is not temporary and that he'll be making 20K a year from now on. We filed for the i-130 in September. He doesn't have the option of a cosigner, so I'm just wondering what to expect here? We have a joint account with about 10K in it and he'll be saving from now on.

I guess my confusion is not knowing how much the tax returns effect the decision. He has filed taxes every year since he's been working.

Any information?

Thanks!

bluebellperriwink

Female

Canada

2011-11-10 23:20:00

CSC

Does anyone have any information as to why CSC is so backlogged compared to the other two service centers? Do they ever send applications to other centers to be worked on quicker?

Thanks for any insight!

bluebellperriwink

Female

Canada

2011-12-21 19:29:00

RFE for prior visa.

I was wondering if anyone ever got an RFE for a prior visa while waiting for their I-130? I lived in the US before I was 16 under my Dad's management visa and don't have access to that paperwork, but I wanted to try and prepare myself just in case.

Thank you.

bluebellperriwink

Female

Canada

2012-01-07 19:23:00

Visiting During i-130 process

I'm planning a trip to visit my Husband for a week in the US.

I was wondering if anyone has a sample or template of the proof of employment letter they used as a tie to their home country?? Or if anyone knows what it should say in it.

Thanks in advance!

bluebellperriwink

Female

Canada

2012-01-23 17:35:00

ADDRESS FOR 1-184HI

If you opt in for electronic processing, all the "sending" in both directions will be by email. Until you immigrate, your address is NOT in the USA. You don't live here. You are visiting.

Thank you!

bluebellperriwink

Female

Canada

2012-04-11 00:39:00

ADDRESS FOR 1-184HI

Yes, I do. However, you DID specifically answer that question and you answered it incorrectly. That was my point.

Hi, I did mean Affidavit of Support. It asks for both of our addresses but since I'm going to be here until the interview in Montreal I was wondering which address I could put? I just want them to send everything and anything here, whether it be the NVC or embassy in Montreal since I won't be in Canada again until the interview.

Thank you!

bluebellperriwink

Female

Canada

2012-04-10 22:21:00

Forgot to return I94 when leaving US now submitting I130

Hi there,

Hoping that someone can provide some advice.

I am a Canadian who was transferred from Canada to work in the US in July 2009. I was given an L1A visa good through July 2012.

I left the US and returned to work in Canada in May of 2010. Stopped at the border to do the paperwork to import the car that I bought in the US but did not return my I94.

October 2011, I was married in the USA to my wife who is American. She maintains residence in the US. Is currently in Canada as a visitor.

My new employer is now considering moving me back to the US (which would be great for my wife) as she could work again.

1st Question. Am I better off to begin family class sponsorship or to get my employer to L1 visa me and apply for family class sponsorship after I am back in the US.

2nd Question. Will not having returned my I94 be a problem if either my employer sponsors a visa or my wife sponsors a visa ?

thanks in advance for your response

tommyintoronto

Male

Canada

2011-08-20 13:51:00

Traveling internationally with a Green Card...

Is your old passport from the Philippines or Canada, you have Canada listed as your country? Canadians have NO issues traveling back and forth, my buddy in Canada drives down all the time for shopping or vacation. Don't know that I would ever consider traveling to Canada with Amy getting her AP first, want to be sure there is no issues returning to the States.

My passport is Philippines. My entire family is in Canada now, but I opted to move to the US because of a silly thing like love

LOL! It becomes a bit of a challenge traveling, but so far everything's been smooth sailing.

Hank: Amy definitely needs a green card to go to Canada. I don't think AP would let her enter Canada. It's designed for her to re-enter the US again. Once she has her GC, she can go in and out of Canada easily

Edited by darkchilde794, 02 June 2012 - 11:27 AM.

darkchilde794

Female

Canada

2012-06-02 11:21:00

Traveling internationally with a Green Card...

Its easier into Canada then back into the States... , they are less restrictive when driving in comparison to flying.

Once my fiancee has her AP we are hoping to motorcycle up to Toronto. My concern was not getting into Canada but later her getting back to the States.

It will not be a problem at all. Hubby and I went to Toronto to be with my family for Christmas twice... first time, I had my old passport (with my maiden name) - they asked to see our marriage certificate to verify we were indeed married. The second time, with a passport in my married name. No issues at all coming back - the patrol officer was more interested to see if we brought alcohol back (AS IF!!! $ of alcohol in Toronto >>>>>>>>>>>>>> $ of beer in Baltimore). This Wednesday, we will be driving up there again and this time I am under "ROC". Just got back from a cruise last Thursday and had no problems traveling with my extension letter so I foresee no problems traveling while under "ROC" too.

Mogambi -- I use this service to check visa requirements when visiting other countries: http://www.visahq.com/ It tells you if you are able to enter a country with a certain passport and a green card, etc. Sometimes having a green card makes a difference, sometimes it does not. I would not have been allowed in Bermuda without a visa, but because I have a green card I got in just fine. I distinctly remember that having a green card helped in our HK trip too: when I showed my green card, I was not asked for a departure date (from HK). The other Filipino tourists had to show their departure flights as Filipinos are only allowed a few weeks in the country.

darkchilde794

Female

Canada

2012-06-01 20:29:00

Traveling internationally with a Green Card...

Here's something I've been wondering, maybe people here have some experience.

My fiance will arrive in the US in August. Once we are married, and she has completed the AOS, and has her Green Card, I'm curious how, if at all, it affects her ability to travel internationally.

What I mean is, let's say we can to go to Japan. For a Filipino, it's a rather complex visa for her to get. If she's holding a LPR status in the US, does that change anything for her? I assume she's not entitled to the same benefit as a US Citizen (just show up, granted 30 or 90 day visas in most countries) but is there any benefit to her being an LPR of the USA? Does it simplify her getting visas to go travel?

I'd love to take her around the world traveling, Europe, Scandanavia, but am just wondering if getting her travel visas will be easier with her having her Green Card here...

Curious anyone's thoughts.

My husband and I traveled to SEA last year. I had no problems entering HK, SG and PHI and going back to the US with my Philippine passport/green card combo. While Filipino citizens require a visa to enter Canada, I've never had problems driving to Toronto using my green card (only) for admission (we've driven twice and plan to go again this week). We are thinking of going to Europe for our holiday next year and so I've begun researching the visa requirements for non-US/Canadian citizens. Even with a green card, I still need a Schengen visa to visit the countries we want to see in Europe. So in the end, it really depends on the country you are visiting -- good luck!

darkchilde794

Female

Canada

2012-05-31 22:11:00

FAMILY TO ATTEND US WEDDING

QUOTE (dj1206 @ Jan 2 2008, 10:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This is J. My family (mother, father, 2 sisters) are set to apply for tourist visas on Feb 19 because we want them to be with us on our wedding. We are praying for it. We don't know the chances but they'll try.

Good Luck.
I hope it works out well

Dylan'sWife

Female

Canada

2008-01-03 00:05:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

CSC to NVC... still waiting

QUOTE (Jan and Steve @ Jan 7 2008, 05:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hello Everyone and Happy New Year!

I'm frustrated with how slow this next step is going. We received our NOA2 approval from California (CSC) on December 3rd. and as of January 7th we are still waiting for it to arrive at the NVC. Anyone with a similar experience? At what point do we wonder if it's lost somewhere? I guess CSC is slow with these things compared to other service centers, but this is really delaying. grr.

Any ideas?

Janny

Ours took a month to reach the NVC. Once you factor in the Christmas and New Years holidays, you aren't too far off the month mark.
The have a new shipping system at the CSC now where they toss peoples files into a cargo bin. The bin doesn't get shipped out until it's full. So if you are tossed into a new bin, you have to wait a bit until your file gets sent out.

Dylan'sWife

Female

Canada

2008-01-07 23:46:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

Our Second Interview

QUOTE (ChuckNTeresa @ May 18 2008, 09:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Please wish us, luck pray for us send us the Good vibes ! What ever works ! We are going to go to our second K1 visa appointment tomorrow on May 19. The first one they said we were already married now we are armed with a whole lot of facts and with Senators and Congressman behind us. Thank you for all your Support. We will keep you updated. Chuck and Teresa

Good Luck,
I am a little baffled...why did they think you were already married?

Dylan'sWife

Female

Canada

2008-05-19 07:20:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

after my final interview, they told me that i need to undergo a another interview again :/

I think my documents are complete. I answered all of his questions correctly. But i messed up on his last two questions, what is your fiances phone number? And what is happening in south carolina? Im just really not good in memorizing numbers thats why i told him honestly that no sir. and the last question whats happening in south carolina? Like what is the news there? I told him that hes not telling me any news sir. Then he asked again, thats the time i got really nervius and cant answer no more

Thank you:)

Heck, with automatic dialing, there are tons of phone numbers from people I speak to frequently that I don't even know.

Was there someone crazy happening in S. Carolina at the time that it would be noteworthy?

Dylan'sWife

Female

Canada

2013-09-05 00:18:00

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reports

dilemma. help please :(

As to the concern with Visa Fraud, what they are examining is if the relationship is involving petitioner and beneficiary is bona fide- as opposed to being made up for the purpose of an immigration visa. Even if on the surface it might look as if ?you are the other woman?, it doesn?t necessarily equate to visa fraud.

Although this was a number of years ago, my husband?s grandfather and grandmother divorced after 50 years of marriage because his grandfather was having an affair with a woman young enough to be his daughter. He later married her and petitioned her for a marriage based visa ( I am guess it was a AOS since she was already in the U.S.) So, if they were successful despite the moral and ethical transgressions of their relationship, I really don?t think you have much to worry about.

Although, because you are not married but currently pregnant with his child, my guess is that they will likely require a DNA test in order to process the CRBA for your unborn child.

Dylan'sWife

Female

Canada

2013-10-19 11:57:00

NOA 2.... whats next?

i got my NOA 2 last week. i was just wondering how long before NVC gets it? i just called NVC and they said they haven't gotten anything yet....

Congrats!

As of recent many seem to be getting their NVC #'s under two weeks. A week/week and half.

Mrs. P

Female

Canada

2011-03-15 10:33:00

CSC to TSC to NVC: the Saga continues

Interview date!!!!! July 20th!!! *faints*

Mrs. P

Female

Canada

2011-06-14 21:08:00