Tala202

Approved June 11th; PD Feb. 18th. I may have been an expedite, but I'm not sure (we sent a request but never got an answer).

Hi all, I foolishly thought that as a canadian citizen it would take less time to get an approval, boy was i WRONG. lol. My PD is January 27, 2014. My case is at Nebraska Service Centre. I just want to say good luck to everyone. Im so happy to have discover this website, where i can read stories about people going through the same thing im going through.

Tell me about it. I feel so betrayed by our neighbours to the south.

I just say to visit my SO and in laws, alternatively you could say just to visit family but don't lie if they ask who. They don't seem to bother me visiting once in a while. From what I have heard, they start digging in deep if someone is visiting too frequently without good reason. It all really is subjective and everyone has different stories. I just don't bother thinking abt "what If" scenarios. If you have never over stayed or done anything illegal, there's nothing to worry abt.

I was just debating between whether adding "my husband" is giving too much information or not. I'm definitely over-thinking though as I've never had issues crossing. Thanks

I was there couple weeks ago. It was a breeze going through. Just usual where/why/and how long you going for questions. Just answer what they ask and don't lie to them and you should be fine.

Just wondering, when they ask for the purpose of your visit, what do you say? I've always said "to visit my husband", but maybe there's a better way to answer that? E.g. what if you just say "to visit"? (I'm being so paranoid right now)

Thank you very much for all your input guys. I will definitely planning a visit to see my wife for a week.

I will keep you posted once I cross the border.

Good luck! I'm planning to head over on Wednesday. I'll let you know how that goes. Hopefully they won't be too tough on us

Anyone know why the processing times are so insane for bringing a U.S. citizen to Canada? Even 15 months is pretty long for something like this

Actually it was my immigration lawyer who scared me and told me that there might be a possibility for a denial. Canadians belong the to visa waiver program which entitles us to enter the US for Non immigrant purposes only. What I was told was that the border agent might think that I have intentions to 'visit' my wife till I get my application approved (upto 6 months), which technically is visa fraud.

My lawyer said that he has many clients who have been denied entry at the border and it makes the whole process a lot longer and harder. Just playing it safe I guess!

1. Canada isn't on the visa waiver. It's in a weird different world all in its own right. I like to think of it as something like an auto-B2, because they stamp it as such sometimes. Either way, it's different from the VWP.

2. Your lawyer is needlessly freaking you out. I've visited my husband 4 times since we filed without any issues. They questioned me a bit more than before, but they asked for my return ticket and letter of enrolment and I went through just fine. Only in one case was I asked for anything related to the I-130. In any case, they don't care if you stay up to 6 months, because that's what Canadians are allowed. They care about you going to the US to adjust (i.e. stay indefinitely); as long as you prove you're coming back, you have a good chance. BUT if you do get denied, it won't affect your visa at all. Nothing to lose really. O and try to keep your visit short.

The problem with sending the original we have is that it might be the ONLY copy of this existing anywhere. Honestly, its hand written in Russian with CCCP. So basically he was born in a country that no longer exists to Ethnic Germans... kicked out when he was 3mos. old sent to a country that now also no longer exists! I did put this over at the NVC thread.. so maybe I will get some info there.

Shot in the dark but.. I think USCIS has secondary evidence you may submit instead of a birth certificate (I think it talks about it in the I-130 instructions). Maybe NVC has something similar? Or they may accept it if you offer?

I got mine at the same place, extremely fast....not used to fast .....

Hahahah tell me about it. I still can't believe they're willing to send it to the US!

For any Canadians (particularly in Montreal), I just got in my PCC application at 200 Rene Levesque (Complexe Guy-Favreau). $40 and they're even going to mail it directly to my husband in the US for no charge.. they also email you a digital copy the next day.

Right now EP is optional for Canadians. Myself and one other VJ member have called to inquire about our EP confirmation emails and the operator told us both that we no longer have to wait for it. They told us just to send in our documents and we will be automatically enrolled in EP.

There have been discrepancies in the past with operators telling people different information so I would suggest that you call yourself and ask what is the best option for you. The only disadvantage I would see with snail mail is sending originals and the cost of sending packages. Good luck!

I opted for EP and I am waiting over a month for Enrollment confirmation. I called NVC last night and the representative told me "they have changed the procedures and there is no need to wait for EP enrollment confirmation" so you could send your documents right away. I suggest to call NVC and confirm that before making any decision. If is true then I suggest send it EP (safer to email than sending documents) . Just a suggestion, good luck!

I'd be in serious trouble if something happened to my birth certificate originals (not born in Canada, so it'd be hell to get a new one), so that's a huge advantage for EP.. but it seems to be taking so long. We'll confirm with NVC about the enrolment email once the time comes But doesn't it still take longer for them to review your AOS & IV packages by email than it would by snail mail?

It's optional, and I went with snail mail. You can compare my timeline/signature to others who went with EP.

Wow that's a huge difference. Thanks!

Is EP mandatory for Canadians? Given how long EP seems to be taking right now, would there be any disadvantages of snail mail other than having to send originals?

its just acknowleding your correspondence. You will get a snail mail with the response. It usually takes 30 days

It's a start I hope it doesn't take that long.. Why wouldn't they just email us??

How could you file an expedite for financial hardship if you could afford within this year the trip to Europe and the trips across the US?

Wow.. obligatory "in-my-face" response Not that I should have to explain this to you, but the Europe trip was paid for by his parents with whom we've now had a serious falling out. The US trips are $120 and I'm allowed to be seriously frugal all month and allocate my money for trips to see my husband. AND it's not just financial hardship. Satisfied?

Our case status just changed to:

On May 19, 2014, we received your correspondence for your I130, IMMIGRANT PETITION FOR RELATIVE, FIANCE(E), OR ORPHAN . You will receive a notice in the mail when further action is taken on this case.

We sent in an expedite request last week and they received our backup documentation last Friday.. I'm assuming it's just acknowledgement of receipt of evidence, but a part of me is also very excited that it means more Anyone else get this in relation to an expedite or know what it means?

Well if they asked u for evidence that means that will approve it so just give them the damn info they want and relax.... Try again and again dont give up

I wish u luck and everything will go right ... :*

That's what I thought when they requested more evidence from the congressman.. but I do feel that it's different this time. I'll try to take your advice though Thanks.

Canadian border patrol are awesome comparably.

These are things I'll miss about this country. Thanks, NLR

Now u will see 3 approved..

Cause our expedite for financial loss was approved on Monday

And yesterday may 8 we got OUR NOA2.

Know that i love u! Haha u are my lucky charm.

Guys! If u want to expedite ur case... Just try again... And again... It has to do with the person u talk in the beginning and if he is on mood to write the case down. Someone of them they say u cant expedite sorry and they hang up the phone. Some others they just type few lines and they really dont care some others they say we ll do the best we can for u im so sorry for ur situation wish to ur fiance to stay hold and wish u guys all the best. That was our guy on the second time we requested an expedite,

Wish i could know this guy to give him a huge hug.....

Try guys! Maybe u can get expedite and get ur papers really quick. Here when u try to ask about expedite ur case and most of them they try to eat u alive. They say NO U CANT. and thats it. Like u are going to cheat their position or something. But when u have something really important and u need an expedite... Well yes! Then u must expedite!!!

They only care about Philipines that get expedite and they are always sweet and kind when they talk about those expedites.

But when someone gets expedite and is not Philipines they hate u and be like "no u cant expedite blah blah'

Well.... Uscis found serius that my step father kick me out the house and i have no a place to stay and no money cause im unemployed and that greece right now has 24% unemployed ppl and they expedite us!!

Maybe ur case is more important than this! And uscis will approve it! JUST try!!!!

Each one of u are special individuals and what u have deep inside ur heart .... Will never no one will understand!!

What i learnt since 7 years old is that i had to start take care of myself and that nobody will fight for u more than urself.

Even ur parents! Get up all of u here stand up and fight for ur rights!

I've been through hell and back with our expedite request in the past 2 months. We have both severe financial hardship and medical reasons with letters from my doctors and all, and they denied it even though we sent it through a senator and congressman. Now they're telling us there's no record of an expedite request on file at all. Sooo we filed directly yesterday and got the email asking for evidence today. That'll be out next week and I'm hoping for good news. I feel so absolutely scared and desperate at this point and I can't believe they can be so heartless, but your case gives me a bit of hope. Wish me luck, and share any tips/advice you may have

Congratulations, by the way.

Not in Canada. He came up for a month and a half visit without issues, and again when we got married (stating that specifically) and again when he came to get me, with only a one way ticket.

That's so great to hear! Thank you! Do you think it'd be any more of an issue if I was with him driving into Canada? Or is the Canadian border just very nice and understanding with this all?

Yeah who knows! I did not realize that would be the case. I was approved on 4/11 at VSC and so far have been able to do Ds261, pay the AOS, and send in the AOS packet. Still can't do IV though, not available. However, I am sure everyone will have their visa in hand before me anyway because of the time it seems it takes to get an interview scheduled in Cairo. But for now trying to think positively

I'm sorry, it must be so difficult waiting that long for an interview. Do you happen to know why it takes so long? Either way, chin up; you're at the home stretch! Good luck

Yes- that's what happened with me. I had filed a K3 alongside and I got case/IIN right away. I don't really know why it makes a difference though?

Really makes me wish I had filed the I-129f as we'd originally planned. O well.

I have a theory that it's because they try to fast-track K3's through NVC, as they likely used to back when K3's weren't systematically closed, so they immediately issue the relevant numbers to the K3 visa applicants and, because it's paired up with your I-130, the same account can be used for the IR1/CR1 visa.. then they close the K3 and all that remains is the CR1/IR1 and you're good to go. That could totally be wrong though Either way, lucky you!

Anyone have issues with the USC visiting them? My husband is coming here tonight and I'm afraid Canada will give him ####### for visiting me after all, when I crossed, it wasn't the I-130 that caught their attention, but just the fact that I was visiting my husband.

""Whoa! Lucky! I also got case number Monday but still can't log in! Did they just tell you that you had one? Or did they actually tell you it had been assigned that day? ""

I want to get some timing. For the people who have a case number and INN. How long did it take to get them? from the time the NOA2 was approved.

I believe it's taking on average 6 weeks

I haven't gotten either yet, but based on spreadsheet data, it takes approximately 10-14 days for NVC to receive it.. Then almost exactly a month for the case number and IIN (I've seen a lot of cases where it's been either exactly a month or one/two days around that). Some people who also had K3's that made it NVC got their case number and IIN immediately, but that's a gamble.

Thanks guys. Perhaps I am stuck staying in AU then. Or going back and forth.

Yea sorry for the bad news. They sure like to make it as horrible an experience as possible..

I hope things work out for you guys!

I really need your guys' advice. I'm at my wits end. Here's the thing :

I'm abroad with hubby in Australia

I've been here since July 2013 and my visa here expires this July 2014

I really want to go home but don't want to be separated

What do you think about us going home next month TOGETHER to US with return tickets to Australia? We could spend three months in US then come back to AU for his interview (I can get a tourist visa when this one expires).

Do any of you have spouses visiting the US? How is boarder control? Have any of you gotten sent back on arrival?

I know this is expensive but I've had it. I don't care about money.

I'm terrified that we will get to US with proof of pending I-130 and return tix and they still turn us down and send him back.

Help please!!!

If you leave together he will almost certainly get denied based on what I've read. Your best bet would be to go ahead and have him join you at a separate time. Their usual problem with I-130s is that if you don't have your NOA2 yet, you may get rejected while in the US and decide to stay.. but if you are past that you have a better chance.. with a set interview date, you're pretty much good. Just make sure he has a lot of proof that he'll return to AU.

Nope because Canada sucks!

The greyhound is retarded over here. I would always make sure I would book my ticket in advance to assure seating. One time I got screwed. They had three seats open to cross over the border, I was fourth in line and you know what the driver told me? "Should've got here earlier, there is nothing I can do" I almost told him to go #### yourself.

I ended up taking a taxi over because I don't drive and that cost more then my round trip. Grey hound in the US actually reserves the seat unlike canada. And it's way cheaper to in the states to take greyhound. If I bought my tickets in canada, it would be 80+ dollars so, what I would do, just buy my ticket from canada to US, I knew my transfer times, booked for that bus, saving myself 40 dollars! I don't understand how we get raped in cost over here. Just to cross from canada to US it was 14 dollars I think, from US to canada, 5bucks. It's non sense!

O Greyhound, will you ever stop sucking? I feel your pain