Northern Light

I would definitely make an InfoPass appointment.

I got a reply from USCIS after the enquiry about the undeliverable uscis mail showing on my case status.

"After a review of Service records, we are unable to determine what notice may have been returned to this office as undeliverable.

Service records indicate that we have biometric information on file for your case, so it appears that no further information is needed for continued processing. It appears that your application is being processed expeditiously and you will receive notice of action as soon as it is completed."

--surprising and contradictory. USCIS can not tell what mail was undeliverable althought case staus shows USPS sent a undeliverable mail.

I prefer to stay in US till I know my petition is completed. How long should it generally take to know such stage after the fingerprint is done.

Thanks

Hi

I submitted an application for the re-entry permit on 4th of Aug, 2012 and got an fingerprint appointment notice by mail. I did my fingerprint on 20th Aug. Today 22nd, the USCIS case status is showing that another notice for my I-131 application was not deliverable by USPS. I went to the nearest post office to get the undelivered letter in case if they have it. They said in most cases a letter is undelivered if the apt no is missing in the mailing address and they return undelivered mail to the sender. I am a bit surprised as USCIS already used my present address (used in my I-131 application) to send my fingerprint appointment notice which is received already. Then how come they use a wrong or an incomplete address for sending the second notice. Or is there any chance that USCIS sent the notice to my previous address?

I called USCIS customer service and the agent could not tell me the content of the notice and the address they used to send the notice. But the agent took my address to re-send the notice and said it will take another 15 days to receive the letter. I have to leave US for my schooling and I was relaxed as my fingerprint is already done. But it seems now I can not leave, as the undelivered notice could have information of an interview or additional document requirement. Could anyone suggest me how can I accelerate the process instead of waiting two more weeks? Will making an infopass appointment be helpful?

Sorry for taking your time.

Thanks

Hi,

I have applied for a re-entry permit on 7th Aug. My biometric is done on 20th Aug. Can you share your experience on the I-131 processing time. How long it generally takes for the approval of I-131 application. Before leaving the US, I want to make sure my application is ok and USCIS does not need me here for any interview or anything.

I study in Canada and have to return back for school. I got my GC last year July. So its more than an year I have not moved permanently. But I have visited US 4 times in the last year and my wife lives in US. We also filed joined tax last year. But this time when I was entering by land, the border officer warned me and advised to apply for re-entry permit. I was also told that my GC will be taken away if I enter next time without re-entry permit.

I-131 instruction says, someone can leave US after bio-metric. Is there any chance that I can be called for an interview or something even after bio-metric? The constraint here, once I leave, I can not enter US without the permit.

Please share your experience.

Thanks

Thanks. If I am given a reentry permit for a year or two, can I still visit US during that time. Do I need to apply for the reentry permit in my first visit in US as a PR?

You can only apply for the re-entry permit while in the US.

Google "re-entry permit" and follow the instructions from USCIS.

Thanks for your suggestion. I will be leaving US soon and coming back again after 1 month. Can I apply for the reentry permit then? Do I need to apply for the reentry permit first time I enter US?

Yes, it is best that you get a re-entry permit. With a re-entry permit, your time outside the US cannot be used in determining if you abandoned your legal permanent residency.

It doesn't matter where your US citizen wife works.

What you need to do is maintain ties to the US; i.e., maintain bank accounts in the US, file US tax returns, etc.

Thanks for your feedback. I will have to stay in Canada for my study roughly a year and half or less. Then I can stay&work in US. But during that one year and half, I have to visit US several times for my family and study purposes. With such situation, should I request USCIS for reentry permit to be legally safe as I am not staying in US more than a year.

BTW my spouse is a US citizen and she is looking for job in Canada now. Will it be better for me, if she works in US?

Thanks again.

Make sure that you are filing US income tax returns each year. Remember that the US taxes on worldwide income.

Do some research. Visiting the US occasionally may not maintain your status. Here is one attorney's article about the subject. >>> http://www.americanl...m/maintlpr.html

If your goal is to apply for citizenship you may want to do some reading here as well >>>> http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=399faf4c0adb4210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=399faf4c0adb4210VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD

I would like to know the residency requirement of a GC holder. I know that to keep the residency, one have to enter in US at least once in every 6 month. If that is true, then how many days he/she has to stay in US. Is there anything else I am missing regarding residency requirement? If someone share their knowledge, I will greatly appreciate it.

Thanks

I received GC yesterday. It was quick, in total it took two weeks. As USCIS tracking site is not working, anyone can call customer service and they will help to tell you the details.

Ahh! I thought something went wrong with my case. BTW does anyone have idea how long it takes to receive the GC after receiving the welcome letter. I heard sometimes USCIS can call again for the biometric if there is any problem. I might be travelling. If I can know the GC processing in a stage where USCIS do not need me for biometric or anything, I can leave without tensions.

Thanks for your feedback.

Ahh! I thought something went wrong with my case. BTW does anyone have idea how long it takes to receive the GC after receiving the welcome letter. I heard sometimes USCIS can call again for the biometric if there is any problem. I might be travelling. If I can know the GC processing in a stage where USCIS do not need me for biometric or anything, I can leave without tensions.

Thanks for your feedback.

I have also tried to check my case status since I received my NOA on April 12th, 2011. Since that time I cannot look up my case status online, through the USCIS phone system, or through a customer service representative. The customer service representative simply says there "is a problem with the online system". So, I have to be forwarded to another customer service representative to check on my case and the only answer I ever get is that it is still "being processed". Since applying for my EAD on April 7th (original NOA April 12th) I have since lost my job because of not being able to provide an updated EAD. Biometrics were completed and accepted May 10th, 2011.

It seems unbelievable that the United States has a government office that cannot fix an internet "problem" in 3 months...

I have received my welcome letter which has my SRC number. I was trying to track my GC status from USCIS website and the system says it can not find any record. I thought the system will show something for a SRC number which already exists. How long it takes to receive GC after the welcome letter is received?

Thanks for your attention.

I completed my POE by bus going from Toronto to NY. I had mixed experience. I asked at the ticket counter to make sure if I could do it by bus. The ticket counter said if I miss bus I can take the next bus or a taxi to go to the Buffalo station. I bought the ticket but the bus driver was rude and did not want to take me. Anyway I went to the counter again to change the ticket and planned to go to the nearest station before border and from there I could go by cab. The ticket counter said I did not need to explain details to the bus driver and advised to take the next bus. Anyway I took the chance and reached to the border. The officer was nice and took some time for processing. I missed the bus but the officer requested the driver of another bus to give me a ride from their office to the buffalo station. I was thankful to that officer. Now I am waiting for the green card.

My POE experience was pain-free. It took about 1 1/2 hours and the majority of the time was spent waiting for the officer to process my papers while I sat. The only question I was asked was to confirm my address in the US. The office was was very professional yet easy going and friendly.

Did anyone do POE by bus from toronto to NY? I am wondering which facilities and corssing (peace bridge or rainbow bridge) greyhound or megabus is using to cross the border. I want to call to confirm if I can do my landing there. BTW in case if the bus leaves me because of the delay on immigration procedure, can I take the next bus or is there any taxy service at the customs office to go to the buffalo greyhound station?

Any feedback will be highly appreciated.

Finally got it! Thanks canadianggal, inky and OBX for your kind advice. I heard POE for marriage based immigration is sometimes tough. Do I need to prepare any documents for the POE interview. Any advice?

Thanks again

Thanks for your hope, how can I guess that they have received and opened my package. I called DOS. They can not tell whether my package is received or not. Last week they said my file is going through administrative processing. Does this mean that they received my package?

I am now worried. Cuz I sent my passport using DHL and which was delivered to the physical address. DOS always says it is not logged yet. Mailing IV unit of montreal did not help. Does it mean that my passport is lost (as it is more than 2 months now) and do I need to send a new passport to them?

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to share my experience with you with the hope that it will help someone else avoid my mistake...

I went to the DHL office in London Ontario to mail my pkt 3 in March 2011. I was pretty confident that I should sent my documents to 315 Place d'Youville Suite 500. However, the staff at the DHL office insisted that I send pkt 3 to the physical address of the Consulate at 1155 rue Saint-Alexandre. I took their advice and mailed it to the physical address of the Consulate. My tracking number showed that the package was delivered and signed for at the Consulate. I called DoS every day for about a month but pkt3 was never logged. I resent all my documents via Canada Post to 315 Place d'Youville Suite 500. About 2 weeks later the package was logged and I received pkt 4 shortly afterwards. So my advice is as follows...

1. Send pkt to 315 Place d'Youville Suite 500

2. You do NOT have to use DHL and Canada Post works just fine.

Thanks for your hope, how can I guess that they have received and opened my package. I called DOS. They can not tell whether my package is received or not. Last week they said my file is going through administrative processing. Does this mean that they received my package?

I has been already more than eight weeks, nothing happened. I also followed advice 4 . I am thinking to request them to give my passport back for a trip. Any idea, how long they take to return the passport?

Thanks guys for your responses.

Does the US consulate inform only if the visa is received? Do they give any acknowledgement on if the package is received. As they can take indefinite period of time (which is not a surprise), someone will not even not know in case the passport is lost but he/she will keep waiting with a hope!!!!.

BTW can I travel to US and return back to Canada without passport during this waiting period? 16 weeks is long being separated from family.

Thanks guys for your responses.

Does the US consulate inform only if the visa is received? Do they give any acknowledgement on if the package is received. As they can take indefinite period of time (which is not a surprise), someone will not even not know in case the passport is lost but he/she will keep waiting with a hope!!!!.

BTW can I travel to US and return back to Canada without passport during this waiting period? 16 weeks is long being separated from family.

Unfortunately it could take a few months for them to just open your package let alone issue the visa. I know that the wait is usually in between 6-16 weeks. Im sorry but I suggest you keep calling dos and try your best to be patient. I know it sucks but really there is no way to speed up how long it takes for Montreal to open the mail in the mail room... WHy? who knows lol

Could you guys share your experience on 221(g) processing due to missing document. How long does Montreal take for processing 221(g)? it has already been more than six weeks since I mailed my passport and document. DOS says they still do not find any record. Does Montreal provide any other status information before the final approval for example pacakge is received etc.?

Please share your experience.

Thanks all.

Hi,

I am wondering what mailing address is used to send documents to Montreal US consulate using DHL.

Thanks

Which mailing address MTL is exactly using. I found it in one website as 315 Place d'Youville, but in another as the physical address of US consul (1155 ..).

My local DHL office uses the physical address not the you mentioned. Not I am tensed whether my package reached to the right place.

Thanks

I'm not sure WHEN exactly the US Consulate in Montreal changed their mailing address but according to their website (http://www.consular.canada.usembassy.gov/montreal.asp)AND ( http://montreal.usconsulate.gov/content/content.asp?section=about&document=index) the address to send mail to is:

Mail

315 Place d'Youville

Suite 500

Montréal, Québec

H2Y 0A4

Again, let me stress, I have NO clue as to when they changed their mailing address but maybe that could be the reason for the delay.

Good luck with everything!

Hi,

I am wondering whether you can travel to US and coming back to Canada without a Canadian passport. Here is my situation. In the interview I was asked for additional documents with passport which I sent already. I still have not heard anything back from US consul in Montreal. I heard they have a huge backlogs. Can I still travel to US and come back to Canada to visit my wife without asking my passport back from US consulate.

Appreciate your feedback.

Thanks a lot.

Thanks Inky, in fact I called DOS and they said their record can not pull up any information regarding my passport. Does it mean that they have not recorded my package in their system yet. The montreal consulate website gives two different mailing address. My local DHL office used the physical address of US consul and DHL wybill tracking shows it was received but I can not see anything if I track using reference number.

Does the account summary page in CSC visa page provide any tracking?

The whole situation is frustration as I can not plan for visiting my wife without my passport. I heard that even if I request my passport, the whole process will be delayed further.

Thanks.

Montreal is slow.

Your package is likely still sitting in the mail room. Please see the Regional section Canada - for all the complaints about Montreal.

They are behind by MONTHS in their mail room as well as getting to peoples RFE responses.

Montreal generally does not answer emails, quite common and a miracle if they do answer the email.

Try calling DOS and asking them if your DHL package has been received by the consul and see if they can tell you if the information is logged/being reviewed. DOS will likely have the answers if your RFE response was received.

Hello all,

I want to get some feedback on 221 (g) processing time. I was interviewed in Feb in Montreal and was asked to submit additional documents. It has already been a month I sent the documents with passport and have not heard anything back from the consulate office. They do not even respond to any email. Not sure even if they have received my package. The local DHL office used consulate phsycial address to send the package, whereas the consulate website suggests to use a different address. Which one is the correct address? I am afraid that my package is not lost.

Could you guys share your experience on this? How long it takes generally for processing IR-1 visa in 221(g)cases.

Thanks for sharing your feedback.