Canadian Processing

[brentos 53]

Hey everyone,

So I know that this does not serve much purpose, but does anyone else wish that the processing time Canadians was faster? I mean we are a low risk country, have tons of agreements with the US, share one of the largest borders in the world.

You would think there would be a little bit of love for the neighbours to the north.

Mostly just a rant. I'm just frustrated with how long this process is going to take. We are only a month in at USCIS and are seemingly stuck at the slowest center for I-130 (NSC). With a baby on the way...and money being tight....really stressful. And only being at the beginning sucks.

Brent

[Dualie 185]

It would definitely be awesome if there could be faster processing for Canadians emigrating to the US, for sure. In a perfect world it could possibly work, however, can you imagine the pressure on the Canadian immigration system were that to happen?

Some people would do anything to gain entry into the US easily. Canada is a country of immigrants itself, with a population coming from a wide variety of backgrounds (backgrounds that MUST be checked). It took 386 days for me to get my visa into my hands, and I am grateful that the process for me was relatively smooth. So many others (Canadians included) have been caught in the quicksand that USCIS and NVC can become. The system is complicated and time consuming for everyone, and for some countries good people are put through purgatory as the result of others' actions. Canada being a low fraud country does afford us a little less scrutiny in some ways I think, but no doubt there are fraudsters in Canada as well.

Personally, I would hate to hear of someone who slipped into the US through Canada fraudulently (because of special treatment for Canadians), and committed violent crime, or embezzlement, or even terrorism against America. I'm just playing the devil's advocate here, and although I thoroughly agree with the idea that Canadians be expedited through the process, I understand why that can't happen if the US is to maintain their security.

All this said, I do wish you a smooth (and not so long) journey through the process. Best of luck!

[Shanelle 21]

I too can identify. Married in July and decided to go for the CR-1 vs the K-3, thus I had to return to Canada to and get more documents prepared to submit to USCIS, and, like you, our documents went to Nebraska - UGH. It's only been a month but feels like 3. I am patient at many things, but, definitely not patient with waiting to be reunited with my husband : ( Our timelines should look the same. BTW, have you looked into having your case expedited? I have read that in some cases, they have rushed some ahead of those for reasons of compassion. I wish you well and your family well, Brent. Congrats on news of a wee one on the way. May all go well.

[brentos 53]

It would definitely be awesome if there could be faster processing for Canadians emigrating to the US, for sure. In a perfect world it could possibly work, however, can you imagine the pressure on the Canadian immigration system were that to happen?

Some people would do anything to gain entry into the US easily. Canada is a country of immigrants itself, with a population coming from a wide variety of backgrounds (backgrounds that MUST be checked). It took 386 days for me to get my visa into my hands, and I am grateful that the process for me was relatively smooth. So many others (Canadians included) have been caught in the quicksand that USCIS and NVC can become. The system is complicated and time consuming for everyone, and for some countries good people are put through purgatory as the result of others' actions. Canada being a low fraud country does afford us a little less scrutiny in some ways I think, but no doubt there are fraudsters in Canada as well.

Personally, I would hate to hear of someone who slipped into the US through Canada fraudulently (because of special treatment for Canadians), and committed violent crime, or embezzlement, or even terrorism against America. I'm just playing the devil's advocate here, and although I thoroughly agree with the idea that Canadians be expedited through the process, I understand why that can't happen if the US is to maintain their security.

All this said, I do wish you a smooth (and not so long) journey through the process. Best of luck!

Oh I totally understand that it probably isn't feasible...but yeah...I mean they could do it a couple ways like only people born in Canada or citizens of Canada...but even that would be hard...totally understand. I guess it is just frustrating since the US is so close yet so far. I know it must have been even harder for you because if I remember right your husband and you live very close to each other across the boarder, or relatively close. For me it is a 8-10 hour travel day with connections but if I knew I could be there now LEGALLY I would totally hop in the car as soon as possible and drive there haha. I think I am just having one of those days. And my wife I think is in a bad mood (I'm not really sure....). She like me is stressed about money, has been sick for 15 weeks because of the pregnancy, came down with a sinus infection and she has her daughter to take care of pretty much 24/7.

Thank you for the well wishes

I too can identify. Married in July and decided to go for the CR-1 vs the K-3, thus I had to return to Canada to and get more documents prepared to submit to USCIS, and, like you, our documents went to Nebraska - UGH. It's only been a month but feels like 3. I am patient at many things, but, definitely not patient with waiting to be reunited with my husband : ( Our timelines should look the same. BTW, have you looked into having your case expedited? I have read that in some cases, they have rushed some ahead of those for reasons of compassion. I wish you well and your family well, Brent. Congrats on news of a wee one on the way. May all go well.

I don't think I would qualify for an expedite sadly. I have been told that pregnancy is not a valid reason for one. I don't know if the fact that she is a little older and that makes her pregnancy riskier and the fact that she needs to have a c-section would help. Couple that with money issues...but I don't think our money issues would qualify as an extreme financial situation. It is just taxing with the two households....long story. Thing is we could try, but as I am not the USC, I can't talk to USCIS. My wife would have to be the one to call or write. And she is super busy with taking care of a daughter, dealing with all the stuff at home on her own, being sick, working at an elementary school during the day, etc...if I was able to contact them I would for sure try to push it through. Guess we will have to see what we will do.

Thank you so much for the well wishes. Good luck on your process too and I hope it goes great for the both of us!

[Not a Tailor 1,370]

I get it. I really do. Why they can't. They can't have fast lanes, and I do understand that, as nice as it would be.

But I do find myself exasperated about the fact that, as a Canadian citizen, I am privileged to be permitted to spend up to 6 months in the US without a visa, but the second I go to 6 months + 1 day, I BECOME A POTENTIAL TERRORIST AND CARRIER OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASE.

I laugh about it a lot, honestly, and ask where my Canadian TB and Terrorism gland is and how I can have it removed.

[BatmanFlow 481]

I wish it was faster. our interview is on march 27, 14 months after we started this procces. I am praying we get approved and there isnt any further delays. I am ready for it to be over....then there is ROC

[NikLR 13,220]

I wish immigration to Canada was harder.

the nicest part about immigrating to the USA from Canada is really the lack of evidence we have to provide vs many other countries (in fact every other country but VWP countries) and the fact we can visit pretty easily.

[Dualie 185]

I get it. I really do. Why they can't. They can't have fast lanes, and I do understand that, as nice as it would be.

But I do find myself exasperated about the fact that, as a Canadian citizen, I am privileged to be permitted to spend up to 6 months in the US without a visa, but the second I go to 6 months + 1 day, I BECOME A POTENTIAL TERRORIST AND CARRIER OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASE.

I laugh about it a lot, honestly, and ask where my Canadian TB and Terrorism gland is and how I can have it removed.

You are so funny!! And that is so true. I have had thoughts like this but you articulated this perfectly, lol!!

[Dualie 185]

I wish it was faster. our interview is on march 27, 14 months after we started this procces. I am praying we get approved and there isnt any further delays. I am ready for it to be over....then there is ROC

SO NOT looking forward to ROC...

[NikLR 13,220]

I can send mine in 3 days, BUT that isn't happening because hubs is out of town until next friday. I want to send 2014 taxes and a will and make sure his stuff at work is changed to the correct address, beneficiary, etc... Thankfully it doesn't expire until June 10th.

[NikLR 13,220]

Oh I totally understand that it probably isn't feasible...but yeah...I mean they could do it a couple ways like only people born in Canada or citizens of Canada...but even that would be hard...totally understand. I guess it is just frustrating since the US is so close yet so far. I know it must have been even harder for you because if I remember right your husband and you live very close to each other across the boarder, or relatively close. For me it is a 8-10 hour travel day with connections but if I knew I could be there now LEGALLY I would totally hop in the car as soon as possible and drive there haha. I think I am just having one of those days. And my wife I think is in a bad mood (I'm not really sure....). She like me is stressed about money, has been sick for 15 weeks because of the pregnancy, came down with a sinus infection and she has her daughter to take care of pretty much 24/7.

Thank you for the well wishes

I don't think I would qualify for an expedite sadly. I have been told that pregnancy is not a valid reason for one. I don't know if the fact that she is a little older and that makes her pregnancy riskier and the fact that she needs to have a c-section would help. Couple that with money issues...but I don't think our money issues would qualify as an extreme financial situation. It is just taxing with the two households....long story. Thing is we could try, but as I am not the USC, I can't talk to USCIS. My wife would have to be the one to call or write. And she is super busy with taking care of a daughter, dealing with all the stuff at home on her own, being sick, working at an elementary school during the day, etc...if I was able to contact them I would for sure try to push it through. Guess we will have to see what we will do.

Thank you so much for the well wishes. Good luck on your process too and I hope it goes great for the both of us!

the only time pregnancy expedites work, generally, is if she's high risk and has absolutely no one else to take care of her.

Does she HAVE to have a c-section?

[mrs thb 331]

SO NOT looking forward to ROC...

omg, I'm so consumed with putting in my 60 days and then doing the interview.....let alone thinking about ROC. grrr.

brentos, ldr's aren't ideal but once the process is over, i'm confident it will all be a distant memory. be grateful you can visit albeit timely and expensive. there are a great many others on here that can't and don't. canadians do have it a lot easier than others.

agreed, it would be nice if things were quicker but they aren't. best make good use of your time and get prepared for the next stages of this process. start reading the nvc guides so you know what lay ahead.

glad you found this part of the forum.

[brentos 53]

the only time pregnancy expedites work, generally, is if she's high risk and has absolutely no one else to take care of her.

Does she HAVE to have a c-section?

Yes the doctor has already told her that he wants her to have a c-section.

She had one for her first and he said that they were doing one this time for sure as well.

She does have a brother and sister but they can't be there all the time. And she has her daughter to take care of as well. It is going to be really hard at the beginning.

omg, I'm so consumed with putting in my 60 days and then doing the interview.....let alone thinking about ROC. grrr.

brentos, ldr's aren't ideal but once the process is over, i'm confident it will all be a distant memory. be grateful you can visit albeit timely and expensive. there are a great many others on here that can't and don't. canadians do have it a lot easier than others.

agreed, it would be nice if things were quicker but they aren't. best make good use of your time and get prepared for the next stages of this process. start reading the nvc guides so you know what lay ahead.

glad you found this part of the forum.

I know they are not easy and we are ok with the long distance for now. Just stressful at times. I can visit, hopefully...unless I have issues at the border but I think I have that all handled (proof of ties, etc). The expensive part is the issue. She does not make much money right now (her brother is going to co-sponsor) because the job she works at does not pay well but it gives her the time to take care of her daughter without having to hire help etc (she works in a school). But yeah they don't pay well, especially for what she does. But we think it is best for now and she does want to go back to school to get her teaching certificate. So being already in the school system where she wants to be is good long run. But it means that I am paying for most things. She divorced officially in May of 2014 and they were supposed to sell the house but we decided we want to try and keep it because other living options would be just as much. But right now it is still under her name and her ex since we are not sure if she can refinance with how much she is making and they won't take me into account since I don't have a green card yet...so we might lose the house. And with the Canadian dollar going the way it is, things are only getting more expensive for me when I pay the bills. I have a good job here in Canada and it will continue when I move (they are transferring me to a US office and letting me work from home since we are not near one). But until then I am paying two mortgages, etc. And even with that, might still not keep the house if when she does call they deny here. And honest her ex does the bare minimum. He pays his child support (which is not that much) and doesn't really do more then that, barely sees the daughter, just wants to be on his own. We are fine with that in some sense since we would rather have the daughter anyways...but it sucks sometimes since he has the attitude of he pays what the court says and that is it...doesn't think that if the daughter wants to do more things etc, all that costs money...but anyways...little bit of a rant there...sorry.

Thank you for all the support guys.

[NikLR 13,220]

doctors like to have repeat c-sections, that doesn't mean they're medically necessary.

[mag2929 68]

Yes the doctor has already told her that he wants her to have a c-section.

She had one for her first and he said that they were doing one this time for sure as well.

She does have a brother and sister but they can't be there all the time. And she has her daughter to take care of as well. It is going to be really hard at the beginning.

I know they are not easy and we are ok with the long distance for now. Just stressful at times. I can visit, hopefully...unless I have issues at the border but I think I have that all handled (proof of ties, etc). The expensive part is the issue. She does not make much money right now (her brother is going to co-sponsor) because the job she works at does not pay well but it gives her the time to take care of her daughter without having to hire help etc (she works in a school). But yeah they don't pay well, especially for what she does. But we think it is best for now and she does want to go back to school to get her teaching certificate. So being already in the school system where she wants to be is good long run. But it means that I am paying for most things. She divorced officially in May of 2014 and they were supposed to sell the house but we decided we want to try and keep it because other living options would be just as much. But right now it is still under her name and her ex since we are not sure if she can refinance with how much she is making and they won't take me into account since I don't have a green card yet...so we might lose the house. And with the Canadian dollar going the way it is, things are only getting more expensive for me when I pay the bills. I have a good job here in Canada and it will continue when I move (they are transferring me to a US office and letting me work from home since we are not near one). But until then I am paying two mortgages, etc. And even with that, might still not keep the house if when she does call they deny here. And honest her ex does the bare minimum. He pays his child support (which is not that much) and doesn't really do more then that, barely sees the daughter, just wants to be on his own. We are fine with that in some sense since we would rather have the daughter anyways...but it sucks sometimes since he has the attitude of he pays what the court says and that is it...doesn't think that if the daughter wants to do more things etc, all that costs money...but anyways...little bit of a rant there...sorry.

Thank you for all the support guys.

Brentos - rant away!

You just sound frustrated, yet really level-headed and humble;) Excellent Canadian traits;)

I think it's just hard. I usually don't share this stuff in public, but if it helps, I will let you know that we DO understand as most of us also have life things that make this experience extra hard. My husband was diagnosed with lymphoma a couple of years ago, and although he's in remission every lump and bump makes my heart ache and wonder if I will be trapped here while he gets sick again. He now needs to get a surgery for another issue (minor) but it needs to be expedited because of the cancer history so he will have to take a couple of weeks off work, which is hard. And I can't be there, because our lawyer insists I should not try to visit. We pay two mortgages, and we are both financially tight. My career may go off-kilter entirely if this drags on too long, and I am giving up a LOT work wise here in Canada to move (including an approximately 40% cut in my pay when I move). So I definitely understand, and I can't say that I haven't had the same thoughts - why can't this go faster for us? (and then I immediately chastise myself for having thoughts like that while other people wait for years).

But we love our partners and you have to hold on when you find that love. So we do. Hang in there and never apologize for being frustrated. And if there is anything you can do to make this go faster, feel free to do it! I personally have seen mostly pregnancy and health related issues for expedite on this board, but I won't comment on this as I would be talking out of my butt if I did.

M