I sent in my I130 and both of our G325A forms a while ago with all the documentation, pics and check and fun stuff like that. It's been about a month now and I haven't heard anything about it. Is this out of the ordinary? Should I be calling them to find out whats going on?
If I should be calling them is there a number you guys can suggest I call that's not listed that'll get me answers quicker?
Thanks for the input, it's hard being away from the wife.

Has your check been cashed?

nope, check is still outstanding.

It has been taking them longer then usual the past months. Hopefully you will know something soon. Once your check is cashed it will have the stamped receipt number on the back that you can use to view your online status and for any contact that you have with USCIS. This will be the same number that you will have on your NOA1 once you get it.

Hey Dylan, we were in the same boat, 1 month passed and nothing. then i called 800 number and after being on hold forever, finally got someone on the line, was told that it was received just 4 days prior (must be a really long way from the mail room to the office! ) and NOA1 had been mailed. When I check the mail that day, there it was! Hang in there, i'm sure it's on the way. Maybe yours was xferred from 1 service center to another. that's actually why our's took so long, sent to texas as required but then it was xferred to CSC. check our timeline. good luck!

Ah, thanks for the response. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one in this boat lol. My wife is getting impatient and we just found out that we're going to have a little one so that makes her even more impatient lol.

Thanks for your reply. Thanks to all of you actually, it really helps to get direction from someone that is going through the process too.

I was hoping that this whole thing would take sooner rather than longer as I want to be with Dylan as soon as I can.
I noticed on another thread that someone mentioned that there wife's visa process was expedited because of a medical emergency. Is pregnacy concitered to fall those terms?
I'm not trying to jump the que, I just don't want to wait a year to gert my visa then have to start the process over again once the baby is born so that we can all live as a family in the US.

Unfortunately pregnancy does not get one an expedite as their rules are pretty strict. Many have tried for pregnancy and been denied an expidite. I wish you all the best.

R U having quadruplets? I think that could be an emergency! I know it would be for me!

[quote name='aussiewench' date='Aug 11 2006, 09:44 PM' post='373721']

[/quote]
Unfortunately pregnancy does not get one an expedite as their rules are pretty strict. Many have tried for pregnancy and been denied an expidite. I wish you all the best.
[/quote]


Fair enough, I guess that everyone would try to get pregnate if that was the case.
Would you know if it would be forbidden to for me to enter the US and deliver the baby there- then I could fly back to Toronto before my 90 days are up?

Are you crazy, do you know how much it costs to have a baby in the USA!!

Are the 90 days the amount of days you're allowed to enter as a tourist/visitor? I'm not sure how CBP would feel about a pregnant, wed to a USC tourist. You'd have to have awfully strong proof that you would return back to Canada.


D., did you send the package so you could track it? Do you know if they even got it yet?

p.s. Congrats you 2 on the wee one! I feel horrible that I missed the wedding(s) but at least you won't be too far away once M. finally gets down here.

Guys, a baby takes 9 months. A visa may take roughly the same amount of time. Check the timelines, especially for Canadian-American couples who interview in Montreal.

We started the petition in April and figured 4-6 months. But we didn't figure on IMBRA, which added time. Nor could we have predicted having our I-130 transferred from Vermont to California. Who knows how much time that added?

Now we're hoping for a timeframe of 8-9 months. Which is why this process is like being pregnant. Lots of waiting, imperceptible progress, and hormonally challenged crazies living on pickles and ice cream.

If there's any visiting, it's probably best for the USC to go to Canada so you don't risk being denied entry.

I was planning on visinting him labour day weekend. I wouldn't be there for more than 4 days, would they still refuse me entry even if I brought proof of employment and showed that I still maintain my own apartment?

You'll find differing opinions on traveling to the States while your visa petition is in the works. While there's no law forbidding it, there's also no guarantee you'll be allowed to enter.

There's a checklist of things border officials like to see that demonstrate your ties and intent to return to Canada. A return airline ticket. A letter from your employer stating when you're expected to return. An apartment lease or statement showing mortgage payments. Phone, electricity, gas, cable, and internet bills. Bank statements. Even with all these, you could be denied if it appears your intent is to immigrate.

Most people who've entered successfully will tell you to be truthful. They'll also say to answer questions with no more information than necessary. I'd avoid: "Hi! I'm just going to be with my fiance a few days so we can celebrate the fact that I'm pregnant!"

You may not like the visa process or timelines and they may not be what you expected. But now that you know, you two need a viable plan. The foolproof method is for him to visit you. I hear they observe Labour Day on both sides of the border.

Hi,

I just joined today. and I think we're sorta in the same boat. I"m Canadian. My husband is American. We got married on june 24, 2006. On June 26, we tried to go back to San Francisco and they won't let me in. They found out we were married and said I can't enter and that My husband has to file the I-130 and the I-129F. We were shocked as we were just married 2 days! I guess we should have been more careful. Anyways, I have filed for the I-130 and I got the NOA1 from them dated July 27, 06. We filed it ourselves without a lawyer. The I-129F we are filing with a lawyer and will probably go out this Friday. I just wanted to say that you have to be really careful if you want to visit the spouse in US. I was declined. They won't let me visit. And I think most of the time it really depends on the customs officer. If he/she is in a bad mood and even though u have all the proper papers, they can still deny u entry. I was told NOT to come back (border/POE) until I have my K3. If I do, they will deport me!!

One of my worst nighmares is being denied entry into the US. Not only would I not see my husband, but I would probably also lose my job. 60% of my job is traveling to the US. I carry all my paperwork with me regardless if I'm traveling on business or going to see my husband. I'm so paranoid, but I try to calm myself down before getting to customs because I don't want to LOOK nervous. Prior to getting married, I never gave it a second thought about being denied access into the US. Now it's all I think about

Dylan's Wife,

Yes indeed! Why do you want to give birth in the USA? (just curious)

Yodrak



Dylan's Wife,

small 'l' small 'd' - intentional double entendre?

Yodrak

hi DW,
Assuming your concern is that you will have to immigrate the baby (start all over), children of USCs who are born outside of the US can still be US citizens. You simply report the birth at the Consulate and apply for a US passport for the baby (who must then enter the US only as a US citizen). The baby can also be an automagic citizen of Canada. There's lots of dual babies out here.

It took a month before I got the p1 because the sent it on to California...

I think they told you that then, because you were in a situation where you tried to enter as married on a visitor visa; being married changes your status which is not a visitor anymore. Some here said they have entered while their status was in process, I-130/ and or I-129, in the US and they have been let in and I believe, because they have never been denied before; maybe this denial, of what i have read in here, might be questionned at the interview. You have corrected the situation, that is the most important; but they say that so harshly when the person is not clearly informed about the laws.

knowledge,

Wrong.

Yodrak

Yodrak, what's wrong? can you explain please?

knowledge, anyone can be denied entry if the official suspects immigrant intent. End of story.

Please re-write carefully before posting. Use a spell check in another program. Your English writing skills leave you open to misinterpretation. There's also a tone that can come across as haughty or insulting. This is not what you intend. Polish before posting and you'll build better relationships.

You're really searching for knowledge and may not be in a position to impart it.

Hi Meauxna,

Yes, that was my intial concern. However, I have since realized that my husband can make that application for our baby. So in the end, I am no worse off than I planned to be as far as my wait here. We knew it would be about 6 month (miracle) to about a year.

In a way it actually works about better for me to have the baby here (Canada) . I wouldn't want to switch doctors part way through my pregnacy. Also, someone pointed out to me that although my husband has insurence through his work* that some policies require the spouse to have a SSN to be named on the policy. By the time that happens the baby will be eating solids...
* Health care is free in Ontario, so there wouldn't be any expense to us.

As to Dylan's intial question, he sent the application in late June but as of today we still don't have anything from the CSC and the cheque is still uncashed. About a week ago he called and they confirmed that they have the packet he mailed but they hadn't begun to process it yet.

So it's been well over a month, the replies that we have seen that got late responces from the CSC were within 4 weeks. Should we be concerned at this point or is this just how long it seems to be taking now.

Thanks again everyone for all the help,
Martina







LOL, it took me a minute to figure out what you ment but once I did, that was pretty funny.

No, I will be having the baby in Toronto. I had to pick a hosptial that has a Late Maternity Clinic.
Funny that I am only 35 but when it comes to giving birth my body is over the hill.

knowledge,

Being married, including being married to a USC, does not prevent a person from entering the USA as a visitor. Many married people enter the USA as visitors.

On the pedantic side, being married cannot change ada's status because at this point she does not have any status to change.

To be fair, since English is apparently not your first language, I will say that I don't know if it's your thoughts that are wrong or only your words that are wrong. But your words are all that I can read.

Yodrak

There is a very good thread discussing the issue of travelling to the US HERE. Note in particular posts by imiak (a former CBP officer)

Yodrak: i have said, and I quote myself again: "while being in the process, ...there is a right for a spouse to visit the spouse" in respect after of what the agent at the POE said or decides. I have exactly respected the context of that ladie's situation and this has nothing to do with my english.....because "while in process" is correct english...ok?...

And, i would like to take this occasion, as i will not again touch this subject, add that, the advice you gave me related of my question of how to fill the employment space in the I-130 was wrong!...basicall because everything we fill in each form has to be correct, true ready to be checked if needed....So, obviously, my english is not at stake here...and unlikely your advice: i have all the rights, again, to "think too much", if i decide i need to do so....
Last correction i would like to bring to your attention: throwing like that harshly in your last post: "your are wrong", without any explanation, it's serious to me to take in consideration as valid...because the situation is complex...and serious...And, i only underlined other's experiences...maybe you forgot, if you are posting everywhere...you can find them, and correct that, if you know what is right ...

Jersey Girl, from the above, i do not think i have benn not polite...or rude...and if you do not understant the words "while in process"...well...i can not do more...your post implies personal stuff, on which i won't answer anymore here...unless it relates to constructive and polite posts...without any authoritarian tone...or negativity as your post was...im sure...all we are in this type of temptations but it will be more usefull to refrain of remarks on personal level...

If some do not like my way of expressing myself, or my words, or they are not obliged to answer my questions, as simple as that.

And, finally, obviously, i had again to explain myself, newbies have really a hard time in the begining...thank you both for your welcome!!!! interesting...

DW,
I'd say 'don't worry', mainly because it won't do you any good.

Hang loose for a bit---flexibility has served me well through this process. You knkow the general Big Picture timeframe, just anticipate each step and be ready with the next set of info. It sound like you have a lot of other stuff to be concerned with right now!

Bring your regular ties to home with you and have a safe trip for the holiday weekend. Your regular cheery self will probably sail right through as normal.

"knowledge": Canadians don't typically require a visitor's visa. And, being married doesn't change one's status; receiving the K3 or CR-1 does.

So now it's been over 60 days and we still do not have a NOA-1 yet. Dylan called today and talked to a supervisor as per Canuk Carries advice.
The Supervision told my husband that we are not in the system contrary to what an early employee stated and that it could take 30-90 days. I'm thinking Dylan got it wrong somewhere because I can't imagine it taking 90 days just to get a receipt.

The worst part is that we can't even confim that they even have our paper work as Dylan didn't sent it priority.
(I know- it's been a constant source of arguement between us)


Can we sent in the stuff again even if it might be there?

I don't want to wait another 30 days just to find out they don't even have the envelope.

What's the status of the payment? Cashed yet?

Their check hasn't been cashed yet (she's my friend from Toronto).

I'm thinking they should put a stop payment on the first check, re-file and include a letter stating that it's the 2nd submission and that the first didn't receive a NOA1 for more than 60 days.

It's starting to look that way, Carrie. Very unusual for a packet to just get totally lost in the mail though.
Drat for Dylan & Co.

I thinking of just sending everything again. I really can't imagine it taking this long just for a NOA-1. I haven't seen anything like this before, there was only 2 users that said it was a month and one of them had their case transfered from the VSC.
If this is how long it's taking then it will just have to be something we need to deal with, but I don't want to fritter away all this time when we don't even know if its there or not.

Good, start being pro-active, your wait is ridiculous. I can help you with the letter if you want.

PS.

I am also concerned that if they don't have it that all our information has fallen into the wrong hands.

Someone could possibly now be alble to steal our idenitys. They have both our names, DOB, work history, wher we lived for the past 5 years, our parents infomation (mothers madien name) and Dylan bank account number couresty of the check.

Is there anyone we should alert?

Stop payment on the check, for everything else just do regular credit checks on yourselves (which you should do anyways). USPS sucks, the box I mailed down here for Christmas got here in April.

Thanks girl,
help with the letter would be great, I'd liek to wait to see what happends with our second application befoer we stop payment on the check.
In the event that it's really taking a trillion years just to get a NOA-1, I fear if we cancel cheque for the orginal appilaction that we'll put ourselfs at the back of the pile.

I would advise against it
Potentially having 2 petitions in the system will cause you more trouble then cancelling 1 and starting over.

I agree with Canuck Carrie's comments about not being proactive in this case as this will only lead to more confusion and delays.

I have seen instances where the it took over 60 days to get the NOA1. This can happen if the application is forwarded from one service center to another. Wait it out a little longer and see if you get the NOA1.