Pat J

I spoke with a Border Protection (CBP) officer at the Salt Lake City deferred inspection site today. The officer informed me that all processes are now electronic, so a passport stamp is not required. They confirmed that if I had my passport, which includes the visa, with me when I entered the U.S. and can provide evidence of my entry—which I did in December—that is sufficient proof of my entry and status. The officer further explained that the significant delays in green card delivery are due to ongoing immigration challenges in the U.S. 

8 minutes ago, Dashinka said:

Definitely worth a try and I would do this before attempting a re-issue with MTL.

 

To the OP, here is a website showing CBP deferred inspection sites.  I would see if there is anything they can do wrt your first entry after the visa was issued.

 

Good Luck!

I don't see website you mentioned 

7 hours ago, Ontarkie said:

I would totally try. I would say hey I entered this date and I have no stamp.

thank-you. I plan to 

18 minutes ago, apond said:

Be prepared for that reality. It’s not a small mistake really. 

the agent I spoke to today seemed annoyed when I asked him three times about getting the temp VISA stamped and endorsed, and he finally said in a very cross voice "YOU HADE THE VISA ON! AND YOU ENTERED THE USA!, THAT IS ENDORSED" so I stopped asking. 

14 minutes ago, apond said:

Be prepared for that reality. It’s not a small mistake really. 

but they have an electronic record of me entering the USA in December while VISA was active and that is what the agent told me .....no? 

7 minutes ago, Lil bear said:

You were supposed to present this for inspection by CBP on entry into the US  before the expiry date.  It is a one time use visa. Presenting this triggers being processed as an LPR on entry. The visa page .. or right next to it .. is stamped at that time and annotated with class and date and serves for up to  12 months as documentation of your LPR status   The physical green card which you have been  asking about arrives usually in 90 days from this entry as a long as you have paid the fee.. and is then your permanent documentation 

 

Looks like you missed this boat. You can try explaining your mix up to MTL Consulate and request a reissue .. but I would be preparing to start all over again with the another I 130/ NVC process. 🫣

I pray there is no way they would have me go through that paper work hell and expense again because of a small mistake! 

12 minutes ago, Pat J said:

damn. will have to wait and see what happens 

picture of what was in my passport 

1 hour ago, appleblossom said:

 

That just tells you that the agent hasn't got a clue what they're talking about, Tier 1 agents rarely do. Your kind of visa is an immigrant visa, and every single IV holder has to have it endorsed before the expiry date - you've been given the links to tell you that above from official sources, but for ease they are below again.

 

https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/temporary-i-551-stamps-and-mrivs

 

This is the step by step process for your type of visa, step 12 is what you need to look at - https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-10-prepare-for-the-interview/step-12-after-the-interview.html

 

From the Montreal immigrant visa page - https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/MTL-Montreal.html

 

And this page says the following - https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/visa-waiver-program/requirements-immigrant-and-nonimmigrant-visas

 

An intending immigrant must present the immigrant visa at a U.S. port-of-entry prior to the expiration of the immigrant visa. An intending immigrant becomes a lawful permanent resident once the immigrant visa and accompanying paperwork is reviewed and endorsed by a CBP Officer. 

 

As said above, you're not currently a Legal Permanent Resident ('green card holder') so no green card can be sent to you. You're just a visitor with a visa you never used.  

 

 

damn. will have to wait and see what happens 

1 minute ago, Crazy Cat said:

That is absolutely inaccurate.  There is no such thing as "automatically endorsed".  As I stated above, immigrant visas must be endorsed for 2 reasons.  They have stopped stamping VISITOR visas, but immigrant visas MUST be endorsed. 

We know what we are talking about.  That tier 1 rep you spoke to is clueless.

I trust all the people here have a depth of experience and expertise. I will have to wait and see if the green comes as promised or not and get back to y'all. 

16 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Entered as a tourist?

Yes. I am in Canada and can come and go to the USA as I please. I am travelling there on Sunday. I called the same office back and the agent said that my kind of VISA does not get stamped and that just by entering with that VISA  on my person it is automatically  endorsed and he said they never stamp that kind of VISA. I am getting a VISA through marriage and I will report back here in 30 days if my green card comes. 

1 minute ago, appleblossom said:

 

So are you saying it's definitely not been stamped before expiry? Have you checked it? I'm just hoping for your sake that it has been on one of those US visits and maybe you just didn't notice!

 

 

I wish. and no it was never enforced 

36 minutes ago, apond said:

 But what does the visa in your passport say? Was it endorsed?

nope

7 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

 

I certainly wouldn’t trust any answer from a Tier 1 rep. But perhaps the OP did ‘activate’ his LPR status and just doesn’t remember. I hope so for his sake anyway! 

I travelled into the US many times during that period I just did not know I had to get visa stamped - alas - maybe will get lucky and will follow up here in 30 days if it gets resolved 

33 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

 

Honestly, don't use Grok or any kind of AI! It's already given you duff info. If the agent wasn't a Tier 2 agent (i.e. your query wasn't escalated) then they are just call centre agents and have no info in front of them really, so I'd take that with a pinch of salt. 

 

But you can easily check, if the visa has been endorsed then it will have a stamp with your admission date and A number either on it or right next to it. If it has then you're all good, if not then the visa has expired and they won't send your GC as you're not yet a LPR of the US. 

 

Also, you can check using the receipt number from when you paid the fee, what does that status say on this page? https://egov.uscis.gov

it says 

Immigrant Visa Fee Payment Received

On February 11, 2025, we received your USCIS Immigrant fee payment for your Permanent Resident Card related to your immigrant visa. We will be processing the request for production of your Permanent Resident Card. You should receive your Permanent Resident Card within 90 days of your entry into the United States or within 90 days after your USCIS Immigrant Fee payment is received. If you do not receive your Permanent Resident Card, visit the USCIS Contact Center webpage at www.uscis.gov/contactcenter. If you move, go to www.uscis.gov/addresschange to give us your new mailing address.

On 6/22/2025 at 3:13 PM, appleblossom said:

This doesn't really make any sense. Did you follow the guide for your visa application? https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/immigrate/the-immigrant-visa-process/step-10-prepare-for-the-interview/step-12-after-the-interview.html Step 12 sets it out pretty clearly.

 

As said above, if you don't want to move then it's pointless pursuing this, as even if the visa is reissued it doesn't sound as though you are ready to become a permanent resident of the US and are likely to have that status taken away anyway. I do sympathise as I have a mother with Alzheimer's, but LPR status is only for those who are exactly that - resident in the US. If you don't live there permanently and don't have any ties to the US other than your wife, then at some point you'll be taken to secondary and potentially referred to an immigration judge. To avoid all that I'd just let this go, keep entering as a visitor, and then when the time is right reapply for another immigrant visa. 

 

Good luck. 

 

 

Thank you for your help. I finally reached a live breathing agent (a miracle) at 1-800-375-5283 after many attempts by responding "reschedule interview" (suggested by Grok)  to the automated prompts (all other responses were resulting in  my call being disconnected. The agent confirmed that nothing was missing or  incorrectly done on my end and he explained that green cards are occasionally not sent due to admin errors. He submitted a request to have the card sent immediately and assured me I’d be contacted within 30 days if any issues arise.  Fingers crossed.

All the comments on this question were helpful and greatly appreciated and led me to take action and this conversation. 

6 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

An immigrant visa must be endorsed by CBP at the border for you to become an LPR.

GROK says I did not need to get the temporary visa endorsed to get my green card mailed to me. And the officer who interviewed me in Montreal all also said no such thing. I hope I do to have to go through this process again- it was expensive and long. 

2 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

Exactly when were you planning to move to the US?  Why are you still living in Canada?

taking care of an elderly parent with dementia here in canada  - will be going back and forth as long as parent  needs me - so no plan yet - 

33 minutes ago, milimelo said:

Perhaps you don't quite get it - there won't be any green card issued IF YOU HAVEN'T ACTIVATED YOUR IMMIGRANT VISA.  Now if that visa has expired without you being processed as an immigrant at POE, there certainly won't be any green card issued as you'd have to get the immigrant visa re-issued (more $$ for visa and another medical exam), and pay again for green card issuance as it's tied to your immigrant visa. 

 

My understanding is that the  temporary I-551 stamp at POE was not a requirement to receive my physical Green Card. It was a temporary measure to provide proof of your LPR status while awaiting the card. 

22 minutes ago, milimelo said:

Perhaps you don't quite get it - there won't be any green card issued IF YOU HAVEN'T ACTIVATED YOUR IMMIGRANT VISA.  Now if that visa has expired without you being processed as an immigrant at POE, there certainly won't be any green card issued as you'd have to get the immigrant visa re-issued (more $$ for visa and another medical exam), and pay again for green card issuance as it's tied to your immigrant visa. 

 

I was not told this at my interview at the consulate. I was simply told that the actual green card  would be aimed to my wife's  US adress

the visa in my passport issued nov 2024 - expired march 2025. it said on it  'upon endorcement serves as temporary I-551 evidencing permanent resident for 1 year"

12 hours ago, Ontarkie said:

Ok so you are very confused. That visa that is in your passport, you needed to enter the US with that visa. There should be stamp on that visa for the date you entered the first time with that visa. 

 

Since you have been coming to the US every month someone at the border must have noticed your Visa. Did they ever ask you about it? 

 

Once you entered the US with that visa the very first time. It became your new home. You left for no reason. 

 

So please tell us everything you did that very first time you entered on that visa. Did you tell them you were moving to the US or tell them you have a visa?  Did they take you to secondary (inside) to stamp it? 

never showed visa at back of my passport at customs - I am not moving there yet 

13 hours ago, ShazShaz said:

If you paid the card fee, you would have received an email, subject: Pay.gov Payment Confirmation: USCIS Immigrant Fee. It will also contain a tracking ID in the email. 

thank-you - yes I paid it February 11/25

1 minute ago, Crazy Cat said:

That is true only after you enter the US with a valid spousal visa and after you have paid the immigrant fee.  Why are you in Canada? What visa expired in your passport?

I am a Canadian citizen living in canada. Before returning my passport to me they added  a temporary approved visa page in my passport  that was good for 6 months and it has since expired. I need to find out if I paid the green card fee which is hard because there is no one to call and ask. I think I did but I do not recall be invited or told about any fee. 

8 minutes ago, TBoneTX said:

You were granted a CR-1 visa; correct?

There's a separate fee to pay in order to receive the green card, as stated.

If it was paid, the card might have been mailed to your wife's house but didn't arrive.

If this, either it was misdirected, or the mailman didn't recognize your name (e.g., your name wasn't on wife's mailbox) and the envelope was returned to USCIS as "unknown recipient."

 

Thank-you - I think I paid that fee but not sure - there is no one to ask! And she is sponsoring me so it would have done to her mailbox no problem. 

6 hours ago, milimelo said:

Without really providing pertinent info - paid for green card issuance on x date, entered the US on y date - we can't tell you much... 

I am not sure what paying a  "green card issuance" is and I go back and forth almost every month. I wonder how I check what the issuance is and if I paid it or not. I made so many payments I have lost track - that-you for raising this issue, it gives me a place to look into

9 hours ago, smilingstone said:

 

Are you in the US? The fact that you refer to it as your wife's address makes it sound like you're not. 

I am in canada. I was told at my interview that the green card would be mailed to a US adress, my wife's house in utah 

50 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

To get a green card you must pay the green card fee tp process it 

and arrive in USA 

 

it is mailed to you at wife's address but will not be processed until you go thru customs and immigration and pay the fee

thanks AND never arrived at wife's address