ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCSC to TSC to NVC: the Saga continues
Woke up to another RFE. Hooray!!! :dance: ........NOT! :bonk:

*sigh* I don't have much else to say. I'm just annoyed right now. I guess if I was in a rush to leave then this would be really really upsetting, but I'm just going to hand it what they are asking for and not stress myself out. Everything happens for a reason and everything will fall into place at the right time. I just can't believe I'm still going through this process. It will be a year soon that I've been going through this process. :(
Mrs. PFemaleCanada2011-05-14 07:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresCSC to TSC to NVC: the Saga continues
Wow I'm sooooo happy to see my fellow VJ'ers approved and uniting with their loved ones! This has been quite a journey. Congrats to you all, the end that many felt was never going to come finally showed up! lol

I'm hoping to hear some good news in the upcoming weeks. Hopefully they don't lose my emails agains :blink: (however that happens). Although I wont be moving until the end of the summer, I still just want this process to be over.
Mrs. PFemaleCanada2011-05-13 21:46:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsAPPROVED!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations!

mikey78MaleCanada2009-06-26 08:09:00
PhilippinesWife's K3 interview approval in Manila
Congrats and all the best
ohmyNot TellingCanada2007-11-09 22:13:00
PhilippinesOh Happy Day ! ! !
:dance:Congrats to you and Kathleen.
ohmyNot TellingCanada2007-11-12 21:36:00
PhilippinesMArch 10 Interview - APPROVED!
congrats kicking.gif
ohmyNot TellingCanada2008-03-13 10:10:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsInteview May 21st 8am
Congrats kicking.gif


QUOTE (Roy99 @ Apr 10 2008, 11:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hello Everyone,
I called the Consulate today and spoke to a very nice Vietnamse lady who spoke English very well who informed me of my fiancee's interview date on May 21st.
It was really nice to have a very sweet sounding person on the other end lol. I was sooooo happy to hear the news I think I said I love you before hanging up the phone ooooppppsssss. Hahaha
Does anyone else have their interview at this consulate near this time? If so I wish you the best and hope we can share our stories.
YEEESSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am soooooooo happy waited forever to be with my baby again. The best thing is, that this site is what helped my dream come true, with out it I may have not made it this far. Every question I ever had was answered here and this site have been like a family to me and I feel like everyone here is appart of my family and I only wish everyone here the best in their future and with their own families. kicking.gif

ohmyNot TellingCanada2008-04-10 10:48:00
Middle East and North Africasecond interview !
Again congrats Abdo.
Hopefully your journey from this point will be smooth sailing. wink.gif
ohmyNot TellingCanada2008-04-19 12:20:00
Middle East and North Africasecond interview !
Hey Hamed, how did the interview go?

Just checking on you?
ohmyNot TellingCanada2008-04-17 15:43:00
Middle East and North Africasecond interview !
Abdo, u and your family are in our thoughts and prayers and we wish you the best.
Tomorrow is so close and you will be fine. good.gif
ohmyNot TellingCanada2008-04-16 18:00:00
Middle East and North AfricaStick a Fork in Me
good.gif good luck fellow VJer
ohmyNot TellingCanada2008-04-19 12:13:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsCongressman and Senator for Toronto, Canada

I wonder if the question is implying that the USC petitioner is currently living in Toronto? A USC can file an I-129F while living abroad, according the the I-129F instructions.

If this is the case, it's a much more interesting question, though I don't know the answer.


Even when doing DCF, some US domicile is required, no?
M&PoohFemaleCanada2011-04-15 16:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresElectronic Processing Steps
Thanks again guys. Keep us posted ( I'm sure you will ;) )

You fill out JUST the DS-261, don't do DS-3032. I got my case number on Tuesday, Wednesday NVC was closed due to weather, and by Thursday morning, I was able to send the DS-261. If you don't have the site yet, here it is: https://ceac.state.g...px?signout=true Up until Thursday, I wasn't able to see anything once I logged in. It said that my case was not eligible for further processing, but then it finally showed me the fees, the DS-261, and DS-260.

If you want to see what the DS-261 is gonna look like, I took some screenshots and you can find it here: http://s128.photobuc...61 Screenshots/ If you click each picture, I included a description underneath.

And I would highly suggest checking out (if you haven't already), the DS-260 screenshots that someone else uploaded: http://www.docstoc.c...60-screen-shots I went over them on Friday and got the additional info I needed that I didn't need for the DS-230. The DS-260 asks for EXACT dates (month, date, year) for addresses, employment, schools, etc, whereas the DS-230 only wanted month, year. So if you don't know them, I would suggest finding out and saving yourself time when the DS-260 does become available. There's also a few other differences with the DS-260, so you should make sure you have everything ready ahead of time if you want to get it done quickly.

If you want to see everything in detail about what we're doing, I have a blog dedicated to this whole immigration process and you might find it useful: http://journeythroug...n.blogspot.com/

And hope to see ya at Montreal. It'd be nice to know someone there on the interview day ;)


M&PoohFemaleCanada2011-02-08 00:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresElectronic Processing Steps
Saylin, one quick question.

With the electronic processing, does DS-261 substitutes(supersedes) DS-3032, or both forms should be submitted?

PS. We're going to watch you guys very closely ;)) We got our NOA2s the same day. Probably, we'll see ya @ Montreal...


Hi,

I'm going through NVC right now and I'll answer your questions as best as I can.

1. About a week after your case gets to NVC, start calling them up. When you do find out a case number has been assigned, talk to an operator and make sure you get the IIN (Invoice Identification number) and the beneficiary ID number. And then give the email addresses of both the petitioner and beneficiary. With your case number and IIN, you can then sign onto the payment portal here: https://ceac.state.g...ice/signon.aspx and check when your bills become invoiced. After you get all the information from the operator, you can then send an optin email to NVC. Follow the instructions here: http://travel.state..../visa_5163.html After getting a case number assigned, it took two days (it might have been one day, but NVC closed the day after I got my case number) for the DS-261 to appear here: https://ceac.state.g...px?signout=true Once it's available, you can send it. You're going to need the beneficiary ID so make sure you get it when first talking with an operator.

2. The attachment should be one large PDF file. Make sure it's not too big in size. I'd say around 10 MB to be safe, anything more and it might get rejected by their system. Make sure you have the case number written on the top of each page. I'm not sure if this is needed for electronic processing, but just to be safe. The forms can be in black and white, but anything with color (like passport photos, certificates, etc) should be scanned in color. As for the passport pictures, this is what I'm going to do: I'm going to put one picture facing up with another one facing down beside it then scan it. Then flip them both over and scan again. I'm not entirely sure what you're really supposed to do with electronic processing, but they ask for two pictures, so I'll scan two pictures. Make sure on the back of each picture is the beneficiary's full name, date of birth, and case number.

3. As far as I know, after following the instructions in question 1, it continues like this: once the I-864 appears and you pay it, wait a few days then it will be accepted. Print out the coversheet and barcode (only available after its paid), attach it to the very front of the I-864 package and then email it all off. Make sure you include in the body of the email petitioner's name, date of birth, and email address, along with the same information for the beneficiary. And the subject line should include your case number in it. Once the DS-261 is accepted, the IV bill should appear. Pay it and wait. Once it's paid, print the coversheet and barcode for that one. The DS-260 should then be available to fill out. It's at the same link as the DS-261. Once you're done, submit it. Then email off the DS-260 supporting documents. Again, make sure you have the appropriate information in the body of the email and the subject line. Again, the attachment is one big PDF file with the cover sheet at the beginning. After this, you're done unless you get an RFE. Call up an operator at least once a day to make sure everything is fine with your case.

I hope this answered all your questions. If you have any more, just ask away and I'll try my best to answer those as well. I'm only beginning in NVC, so the process might be a bit different, but from all my research, what I wrote above is how I understand the process goes.


M&PoohFemaleCanada2011-02-06 09:03:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresShort visit to US with IV in hand

1. No problem. Once her visa is endorsed upon entry, she's free to leave the US at will but should not be absent from the US for more than six months.
2. No and no need to do so. See 1. above.


Thanks, pushbrk! This is exactly what I think.
The matter is that my wife read some posts [anecdotal evidences] when people were asked about lack of luggage and the length of a trip and then said "You can't use your IV because you're not immigrating at this moment. Give it to us when you're crossing for genuine relocation". To me it makes no sense and I am suspecting that officers saying so just not properly educated... but my wife obviously doesn't want to be engaged into long legal discussion. That's why we're trying to research the situation as thorough as we can and considering all the possible opportunities even strange-sounding.
M&PoohFemaleCanada2011-03-18 14:55:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresShort visit to US with IV in hand

While there are rules, as canadian_wife posted, it is quite often up to the CBP officer whether or not they will insist you process your visa or return when you are ready to do so. Unfortunately not all CBP officers are well versed in the "laws/instructions/written procedures."

That being said your wife can certainly return to Canada after a few days to tie up loose ends. I did my POE and then returned to Canada after a week in the US. At my POE the issue of me returning to Canada shortly after the POE did not come up at all.


Thanks for your reply!

It's 3-day visit which was planned long ago - we didn't expect to get an interview that fast based on previous year timelines:) - and I'm barely taking any luggage. I know, when POEing, I have to have my belongings and present a list to the customs.
I your case, did you have all your belongings with you?

The wife.
M&PoohFemaleCanada2011-03-18 07:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresShort visit to US with IV in hand

Sure it is regulated. You have an immigrant visa, you cross with your immigrant visa. You apply for an immigrant visa because you want to LIVE in the US - typically people don't turn around immediatly and return home

If you want them to be lenient then it is up to the CBP. You are asking if the CBP will step outside of what they typically do for your wife. Call the CBP and ask

good luck


You are repeating the obvious things. Thank you, I am aware that usually people who apply for immigrant visa want to relocate to the US. My wife is not an exception, by the way.

My question was precisely about the situation I described. In such a situation:
(a) Is the person crossing the border with IV explicitly prohibited from going back to Canada in a couple of days;
(b) Is the person crossing the border with IV explicitly allowed going back to Canada in a couple of days;
© Should the person just use a Canadian passport and “save” the IV for the entry aimed at permanent relocation;
(d) Everything is up to a particular CBP officer.

This is what I would appreciate to learn.

Thank you for the contribution, though.
M&PoohFemaleCanada2011-03-17 17:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresShort visit to US with IV in hand
Thanks for your answer. I really hope this is not a question of a CBP officer's individual behavior but rather a matter of some laws/instructions/written procedures. Is this situation really not regulated in any way?
M&PoohFemaleCanada2011-03-17 11:50:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresShort visit to US with IV in hand
My wife will be visiting US for 2 or 3 days in the beginning of May. Since her interview is on 4/20, hopefully she will have her IV by that moment. So, there are two questions:

1. How the border guards will treat the situation when a person is presenting IV at POE and saying "Oh, actually, I will return to Canada in a couple of days"?
2. Does she have a choice of NOT presenting IV - keeping it for the later date when she is moving for good and just showing her Canadian passport? Is this legal, are there any negative consequences?

Thanks
M&PoohFemaleCanada2011-03-17 01:01:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFiling taxes while you're waiting for your spouse

Hi,

I am currently working on my taxes for 2010. My husband (Canadian) and I were married in September, but he's never lived here (we filed in November for I-130). SO I'm trying to figure out considering he has no taxable income do I file Married filing separate, Jointly or Single??? I already changed my name and SSN card.

How are other people working around that? Looking for any advice on this particular situation.


You can file either Married Filing Separately or Married Filing Jointly. If MFJ, you need to report WORLDWIDE income for both of you.

This is the short answer. The thread you're referred to above has a lot of helpful details ( beware, some people wrote wrong info there but the following contributors corrected them, so read everything ). This stuff is not easy, so allocate several hours for reading through and understanding how it works... Alternatively, you might want to find a tax expert with the knowledge of alien spouse scenarios.
M&PoohFemaleCanada2011-03-20 00:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTravel abroad during I-130

Thank you! That was the only other pitfall, that we would forfeit any progress or money invested thus far if we don't carry it through to completion.


Actually... you probably misled the people when saying your I130 is approved. Judging from your signature, you just got NOA1 - this means it's "accepted" by USCIS... "approval" should be 4-5 months away.
M&PoohFemaleCanada2011-04-07 12:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresTravel abroad during I-130

Married my wife in Toronto. I'm currently living in Wisconsin. I filed the I-130, approved on 22 March 2011.
I'm graduating as a pastor in May, and there's a possible job opportunity abroad - neither Canada nor USA. My questions:

1. Can she travel abroad, or does she have to stay in Canada?

2. What possible pitfalls might be involved, besides increased processing time? US gov't mail is sent to my folks' house in Wisconsin.

Any other thoughts? I don't even know what it is that I don't know in this matter. Thanks!
peter


The idea is that after obtaining an immigrant visa, your wife should move to the US within 6 months and should establish the permanent residency, otherwise the visa will be forfeited. If she is overseas, it's unclear whether she can do that.
M&PoohFemaleCanada2011-04-07 12:04:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPOE nightmare - need advice!

The problem with this entire situation is that you had your passport stolen and with you reporting it being stolen had it entered into the system for every POE.

It's not the first time I was crossing after that so I presume, it was in the system.
M&PoohFemaleCanada2011-05-03 17:54:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPOE nightmare - need advice!
AFAIK, the Canadian passport by itself is not of much help for obtaining the license in most ( if not all ) US states... DLs are not granted to visitors and you need some other immigration documents...

I wonder if the stolen passport lead to someone taking a DL out in your name?!?!?

Call DOS immediately, Call USCIS and anyone you can.

You may want to try a consult with a lawyer, Laurel Scott offers free chats on Wednesdays, she might be able to clear up some inky spots here

Good luck


M&PoohFemaleCanada2011-05-03 05:35:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPOE nightmare - need advice!
Thanks for the info on deferred inspection, Darnell!

I need to clarify - MY WIFE IS NOW BACK TO CANADA, so we can't go to the local USCIS office with her IV packet, she will be attempting to cross the border again.


alas - the only (IMO) office that can help you now
is

the deferred inspection / secondary inspection office
of
The CBP.

They are 'everywhere' - find one soonish, go there, pitch a fit in person, face to face.

IMO, the 'officer' at the POE was an idiot, and apparently no one else there knew enough about IV to come to your aid.

Get to a secondary inspection office, hand over the IV packet, explain the situation.


M&PoohFemaleCanada2011-05-03 05:32:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPOE nightmare - need advice!
Initially she was going to process the IV. There were no reason for complaint... ;)

Long before, you should have asked politely for her to get her supervisor, "and have him or her bring a blank complaint form, too, please."


M&PoohFemaleCanada2011-05-03 01:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPOE nightmare - need advice!
Hey folks,

The husband is here. I would like to add to my wife’s post a series of specific questions:

1. What are the limits of the “CBP officer’s discretion”? Can they do virtually anything with impunity or there are things that are solid grounds for filing potentially successful complaints?
2. They obviously ask provocative questions all the time. Fine. During the interrogation, are they allowed to use <b>obviously false</b> statements like “I see in my computer that you have a US DL”?
3. What is the most effective way to complain? CBP itself, senator/representative office, any other entity?
4. Generally, what can be done to make our next attempt to cross successful? Any advice or reference to any expert is greatly appreciated.
M&PoohFemaleCanada2011-05-03 01:21:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresPOE nightmare - need advice!
So far our journey was flawless - we got everything on time and even faster. We've been approved on April 20th and April 29th I've tried to POE at Detroit tunnel.

I was going to Chicago for the weekend and after going through info on the internet and debating it with my husband, we decided that I have to activate my IV. I didn't have much luggage and when asked if I'm returning back to Canada soon honestly said yes.
Then the CBP officer in the secondary (who was extremely aggressive and ignorant) started interrogating me.
-Who told you you should activate this?- I answered that to my best knowledge, as soon as I have IV, I should present it when crossing. Then she followed with some weird and offensive remarks regarding people getting their visas and not intending to move here, to which I answered that wasn't the case, and I'm going to permanently move in June after my son's school year is over. She told me to sit and wait and said to her coworker that she suspected fraud - quite loudly - so that I could hear her.
Then she asked me several questions about my husband, his status in the USA and some other questions (which were irrelevant to the case) and requested to show her a document whith my husband's address. I said that all the information she needs she would find in the sealed envelope that I've presented. She still insisted and I showed her our lease agreement with both our names on it. She tried to make allegations about me illegally putting my name on the lease (not the case).
Then she ran a namecheck on me and asked me to present my US driver licence. I have never had a US DL and I told her so. She said, the "computer" shows it. I repeated, I never had one.
She told me to sit down again and started going with my papers around the office and to the area in the back, talking to and calling different people. Then she asked me if I lost my passport recently and I confirmed that it was stolen in Latin America when I and my husband were on vacation. After almost 2 hours waiting she called me and said - very reluctantly - that it looks like my immigration docs were in order and she's going to procede with the IV and opened the envelope. Then she apparently changed her mind and again started wandering around the office with my file.
After calling on the phone several people and talking to them, she aproached another CBP worker (higher rank, I presume) and asked him to give her someone's number. She kept repeating, "this doesn't look good to me". Then she finally called the number she got from her coworker, and after talking for quite some time, called me back and said that she won't process my IV since there's a problem.
- What kind of problem? - Your file is incomplete. I offered her to see my NOA2 and NVC file complete docs which I had (not to mention that Montreal consulate granted me an IV) and she refused. She told me I should call the Montreal consulate and tell them that my IV could not be processed due to incomplete info. I asked what kind of info and she said she's not going to tell me and they could read the remarks that she has put on my file. She said, she's going to let me enter now because I'm from Toronto and made almost half-way to Chicago - if I were from Windsor she would refuse my entry, sealed the envelope back (I wonder if she put all the docs back), marked it "opened by CBP" and I was out - 3 hours later.
I was shaking. I couldn't believe what just happened. I still don't know what happened and how I could fix this.
We are going to call the DOS and Montreal but in the mean time, I would greatly appreciate any advice!
M&PoohFemaleCanada2011-05-02 22:52:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsNovember 2013 Interviews
INTERVIEW BOOKED..... Nov 5th in MTL.
Please add to list.

FlyCalMaleCanada2013-10-03 15:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsNovember 2013 Interviews
Canada seems to be the slow poke of the group.... :(
FlyCalMaleCanada2013-10-03 09:35:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI-130 MARCH 2013 FILERS!! NBC

Any march filers get Approved.

my case still not sowing online any other have same problem. its been about 79 days.....

 

 

I was approved a few days ago.

March 8th filing.


FlyCalMaleCanada2013-05-23 12:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI-130 MARCH 2013 FILERS!! NBC

Does anyone on here know if crossing the border from Canada into the US gets harder once your petition has been approved?  I am heading to LA next week for a few days on business and I am a bit worried that they will deny more easily now that this has happened.  I have all of my paperwork that ties me to Canada (property tax bill, business cards for Canada based business, return ticket to Canada, etc), but just wanted to get a feel of what I am in for at the border. 

 

 


FlyCalMaleCanada2013-05-22 14:10:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI-130 MARCH 2013 FILERS!! NBC

 
Thought so. wink.png  Right on time, too! USC abroad cases usually get approved somewhere around the two month mark. Congrats! Start looking into NVC docs now, so you can be ready to send it off as soon as possible! I'd start calling next week to see if they've received the case yet. 


Thanks for the tip. All the docs are ready to go. What's the general duration of this next stage, on a average of course???

FlyCalMaleCanada2013-05-21 20:28:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI-130 MARCH 2013 FILERS!! NBC

 
Woohoo, congrats! Can I take a wild guess and say you live abroad with your hubby? smile.png  If the USC isn't abroad, that's one of the quicker NOA2s I've seen!


Thanks!!

Yup, we both reside in Canada.

Glad to see this process is at least moving in the right direction. :)





FlyCalMaleCanada2013-05-21 19:19:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI-130 MARCH 2013 FILERS!! NBC
APPROVED!! Got my Post Decision Activity notice today and both daughter and I were approved. Onwards to NVC. :)
Filed on March 8th.

FlyCalMaleCanada2013-05-21 18:18:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI-130 MARCH 2013 FILERS!! NBC
I think i found it...

"Petitioners residing outside the United States are no longer able to routinely file Forms I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with U.S. embassies and consulates. Petitioners residing overseas in countries where USCIS does not have a public counter presence are required to file their Forms I-130 by mail with the USCIS Chicago Lockbox. U.S. embassies and consulates can only accept and process Forms I-130 in exceptional circumstances"

"U.S. embassies and consulates may only accept I-130 petition filings from petitioners who believe they have exceptional situations that would merit an exception from filing by mail to the USCIS Chicago Lockbox."

So, I am assuming that this slightly more speedy process refers to having an out of US address.






FlyCalMaleCanada2013-05-03 23:30:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI-130 MARCH 2013 FILERS!! NBC

 
You said you filed using a US lawyer. He should be able to tell you where he sent the documents. If it was not filed at the consulate in Canada. You are filed like the rest of us in the US.


The other post said that a non-US address from the petitioner and beneficiary could cause this somewhat expedited process. As far as I've heard, I-130's must be filed at a US lockbox.

Can anyone clarify?



FlyCalMaleCanada2013-05-03 23:21:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI-130 MARCH 2013 FILERS!! NBC
My wife filed for me and my daughter on March 8th. We both reside outside the US and she's never lived there. We filed through a US lawyer. Does this mean there is the potential of a quick NOA2 since we are both not in the country? It's been almost 60 days, so we are beyond that 40 day theory.
FlyCalMaleCanada2013-05-03 21:26:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI-130 MARCH 2013 FILERS!! NBC
Any March filers seeing approvals yet?
FlyCalMaleCanada2013-04-26 08:24:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsI-130 MARCH 2013 FILERS!! NBC
Filed from Canada on March 8th.
NOA1 received on Mar 12. File seems to be at NBC (file # starts with MSC which apparently is the same as NBC)
Still waiting for NOA2.

Looks like some people are getting approved in under 40 days. I wonder if approval times are still that quick.

Fingers crossed.
FlyCalMaleCanada2013-04-16 21:10:00