Simply_Human

After receiving your visa - that is stamped in your passport did you make a trip to US and entered US using that Visa?

If yes and you have ceiveid your GC than that visa is no longer valid anyways, it was used up at time of your entry and expiry date on it would be irrelavnt.

In that case you should be looking at the expiry date of your GC.

I m little confused from your post..... if you have not used the visa stamped in your passport and you never entered than you will have to reach out to nearest consulate and explain them the situation and ask for another visa which would be for another 6 months.

Yes, I had the visa put into my passport, I went to a port of entry, and crossed and did the whole process to get my green card, I received my Green card in the mail a few weeks after. So you are right, I also figured that the visa part is done and I should not be concerned about the expiry date on it. But on my last trip to US, the border guard told me that my visa is expiring and I will need to extend it...he really confused me. I think he didn't understand that I was telling him I had already gone and completed me port of entry process and gotten my green card.

That caused some confusion for me, but after reading both your comments I think I don't need to worry about the Visa expiry date, but I do need to go the US consulate to speak to them about me delaying my move to the US for a few months due to the baby.

You assessment of what is reasonable may not be the same as USCIS or CBP. More than 6 months can be an issue. Better to double check than to be delayed at the border don't you think?

I agree, but I am not sure who to call or where to go to let them know of my situation and ask for an extension(if needed).

Well, I was last there in April, and we are expecting in the beginning of August. I feel that I have a legitimate reason considering that I am not going to make my wife help me pack and move furniture during this time, not to mention finding a new OBGYN etc. I just hope that once the baby is born and I've followed the procedure to obtain a US passport for the baby, that we have no issues moving to the US. I see this happening around October.

Hello,

I am looking for some advice, and I'm hoping someone here can help.

I applied for a green card through DCF as my wife is a born American. We are currently living in Canada and plan on moving to her home town.

I went through the entire process and have completed port of entry and received my Green Card and Social Security card in the mail.

The dilemma is that she is currently 8 months pregnant. I really want to move to US now but there is no way we are going to risk a busy and life changing move during this pregnancy. Now on my Canadian passport there is a visa that was for the port of entry (I assume) for me to cross the border and gain my green card. The expiry of that visa is August 1st. Does this mean I need to move to the US before August 1st? I already have my Green card and I plan on moving within 3-4 months of the child's birth. What can do I to make sure my Green Card is not wrongfully taken from me.

I really don't want to loose my green card, and I also don't want to delay my move any longer. I am also confused on what the process will be for the baby?? Is the baby considered an American? Will I need to file some papers for him/her before the move for a passport? Will the baby have a dual citizenship?

In general this is really overwhelming for me as I have never had a major move and this is my first child. I've always gotten great advice and help from the people on this site and I am hoping they come through for me again.

Thank you in advance!!

Ok so that is a relief. I know the visa was in there for me to do the POE part to initiate the mailing of my greencard, but my last visit across the border (into US) I showed my passport (didn't have my Green card on me) and the border guard said they are becoming extra strict on this soon, my visa will expire as of August and they could deny me entry with my Green card after (once the baby is born and I am moving into US).

Really scared be. So to be clear, I need to make sure I am not out of the US for more than 6 months at a time (I usually end up going back every 3 months). Also even if my Visa on the passport is expired I will be ok entering the US as I will still have a valid not expired green card?

Thanks for all your help guys, I really don't need the added stress of loosing my Green Card after all the effort I've put into it, when I am so close to moving there.

Hey Guys,

Thanks to this site I was able to find information and apply for a Green Card through the process of DCF.

My wife (US citizen) and I got married and lived in Canada together. We tried to make it here but it just isn't working out and so we filled for DCF and I got approved and got my Green Card. I went to the POE and completed that process and my Green card and SIN followed in the mail.

Problem: I still have a job here in Canada, I have all intentions of moving to US but my wife is pregnant and I want to have the baby delivered in Canada. I just don't want to move during my wife's pregnancy due to the stress it will put on her, not to mention the cost of delivering a baby in the US (as I will be on probation at any job if I move there and they will not give me insurance).

I have a green card, but on my passport I have a visa stamp that expires Aug 1st (same day as the baby is due).

I have no idea what to do and I am totally worried about being denied entry at the boarder as I go back and for a lot (since I do really plan to move to US once the baby is born).

Please tell me what options I have, this is the only place I can come for help.

Thanks!

Still waiting for someone to chime in and help!

Ok so I was in Administrative Processing for over 4 months. I have finally received an email from the Montreal Immigrant Visa office to send them my Passport and they will complete the "visa issuance" process.

Now I just have one question for you guys... How do I do this? Is there a specific process to send your passport? do I need to send any other documents? They just asked me for my passport.

They have me this address

315 Place d'Youville

Suite 500

Montréal, Québec

H2Y 0A4

I will send it through DHL as I think that's what they require. I was thinking of sending a cover letter with all my info and a copy of the email they sent me. Thats it? I feel like it can't be this simple. I have also registered my DHL courier with the CSC site.

Please any help is appreciated. I feel like I am missing something, and I am worried I am going to mess up and be stuck without a passport for months...

Thank you in advance for all your help.

Guys!!....

Call it dumb luck or whatever but I JUST got an email from the Montreal office telling me that I have completed the Administrative Process and to send in my passport to complete the visa issuance part.

I am so freaking happy! I hope that mujdbx also has my some of my luck and gets his status soon as well.

I was very down so a few days ago I went through all the email addresses for all the offices I had gone through for this process, I emailed all of them asking for a status, explaining my situation that I will not have a place soon due to the lease, and all of a sudden I have this response. I don't know if it was due to my mass emailing, or if it happened on its own.

all I know is that I am really really really happy! I can't wait to surprise my wife and my in-laws with this news. She moved to Canada for me, but things just weren't working for both of us here. We both know a much better life awaits for us in VA with all our family and friends.

I will never forget Canada though, I love Canada with all my heart and will always secretly be a Canadian. But America is where my family is at.

Thanks for all your help guys

my name got Muhammad in it too,...

Well I guess its no coincidence then. I am from Dubai too. I was raised there for 13 years, then moved to Canada and been here for the past 13 years. I don't see what I could have done when I was a child in Dubai that would cause administrative processing. I married a American born citizen, and the officers told me this is a easy open and close case and I will also have a request for my passport to attach the visa in days. I really hope you get yours as well. It all comes down to how busy they are. I still don't think it is fair to just throw us into this pile and not get back to us. I've already provided them with a criminal record check. I have proof every time I crossed the border that I have been going to visit my wife, so it is nothing illegal or something that should flag anything.

I just hope my visa comes soon. I have talked to me landlord and gotten a month-month lease, but the rents gone up thanks to that. I don't know if I should sell my car or not just yet, its not something you can quickly sell in even a month.

Anyway, good luck.

It is now more than 4 months since I have been waiting to get out of this hell they call "Administrative Processing"

I have called the DOS numerous times and they have told me that it is in Administrative Processing and that is all. They do not provide me with any more information or help on how I can assist them in speeding up this process.

It is killing me. Most people say less then a month, some say 2-3, I am now well past my 4th month. I had sold some furniture thinking the interview was the last step, since time kept going by I had to go out and buy some new "temporary" furniture since we have no idea how long this can take.

I am even closing in on my lease, I was hoping to have moved before that was up. I can't sign on for another YEAR!

This is just ridiculous.

Hi Guys,

I need some advice.

I was interviewed April 11th 2011. It is now May 24th 2011. Well over a month. I filed through DCF for myself, my wife is a US citizen and I am a Canadian Citizen. I went through the whole process, and I got all my medical done and everything, went to Montreal. I got all my papers submitted, paid fees, then got called for interview, everything was perfect, they interviewed and everything was fine. At the end the interviewing officer says "ok everything looks good, we just need to do some homework on our end so we will let you know, thanks"

And that just threw me off, I was ready to hand in my passport at get my visa that same day!

So I asked her what she meant by that

she said "Well, You guys obviously are a nice couple and everything checks out, its just because of your name, we just have to do a bit more of a longer check. I am sure everything will come up clear and you will receive an E-mail to send in your passport", she gave me an estimated time of a month.

Is there any number I can call to find out status at this point? I have no idea which of my email addresses they will email to, I keep checking all daily, including junk folders. My name has Muhammad in it and I think that is what she was hinting at. I am only 26, so it's not like I have much of a history living anywhere but Canada.

Any advice/help is greatly appreciated.

Hi guys,

So I got the letter to book my interview in Montreal, my when I went to enter my passport number to book the interview I realized that my passport had expired. I got worried that if I booked with my expired passport something would go wrong.

I have since renewed my passport, but now my renewed passport has a different passport number than the one that is in my case. So I am confused. I can use my expired old passport to book the visa appointment, but I am just concerned that having a different passport number for my new renewed passport will cause some issues at the interview...???

I am wrong to be concerned???

please help!

Also when I go for my interview, what original documents will they ask for? I sent in the originals for all my wife's tax documents in my last package.

Hi Forum,

I am having some confusion and hoping that you guys can maybe clear it out for me.

I am filing DCF, my wife is an American Citizen living with me here in Canada and she is filing DCF for me to get a greencard.

I have gotten a case number and they have asked me to get a bunch of items together on a checklist, things like Evidence of Domicile, Affidavit of support, passport pictures and so on.

what I am confused about is what I need to send back to the Consulate. The package would become pretty heavy if I send all of her tax photocopies, then the photocopies of her joint sponsor's tax papers as well. I was under the impression that I would only send back the DS230, the I-864s, and the checklist. Then I would take all these checklist documents to the interview when I get a date.

Am I wrong making that assumption? Can someone please give me advice on what they submitted and how? Your help is greatly appreciated.

Hello,

I am applying to Immigrate to USA through DCF. I filled out the I-130 and recently received a letter telling me what my case number is. And asking me to submit DS-230 Part 1 and 2, and a checklist.

Keep in mind I am Canadian, living in Canada, my application is going to Montreal. And my wife is American, living with me in Canada.

What I am really confused about is that the letter states that I must complete and submit the Immigrant Visa Unit to Montreal address.

It then says "Form DS-230 Part 1 & Part 2 - one copy available online at (website).

Checklist (enclosed) indicating you have obtained the required documents"

The checklist has a bunch of things like passport, marriage certificate, affidavit of support, on it. Do I need to submit these in as well or just the DS-230 part 1 and 2 and Checklist?

Most of the threads here seems like they submitted the other documents as well. I don't know if they just want the DS-230 and checklist, or they also want all the items on the checklist that apply as well.

Please reply fast!

Thank you.

I am new to all of this but here is my timeline.

I mailed in the DCF I-130 to Toronto Consulate. March 01, they received it and requested for me to send in the fee as well (I thought it was submitted in person). So I sent that in, they confirmed and just told me that I have a appoinment on May 28th, to come in person and get this process started.

My wife is a Born US citizen, she is residing with me as a PR in Canada right now.

Wow, Thanks birdnerd!!

Congrats on getting an appointment date. I ended up getting really busy with some family visiting this weekend. Sending the package Tomorrow.

Keep me posted

Thanks so much for clearing that up for me. Looks like we're in the same boat. I will be mailing my forms in a couple of days. If you have any updates please post them here in this thread. I am keeping this as my thread so people can later use it as well for some step by step information.

Oh and when I spoke to the lady over the phone she gave me the Consulate address to mail it to. The link you just sent me shows

USCIS Vermont Service Center

75 Lower Weldon Street

St. Albans, VT 05479-0001

Which one did you send it to? my Wife is the American and she is living with me in Canada and petitioning from here.

Well I called the Consulate to book an appointment, paid 1.59/minute.

The lady tells me that she only sees appointments for passports, visa, and birth or death. Nothing related to PR or petitions.

So she says to mail in my I-130, and G325A and the other supporting documents and they will call me for an interview.

Do I mail in a photocopy of my wife's birth certificate, her PR card, and also do I mail in the originals or photocopies of our passport size photos we took?

Well I've decided to go for the DCF.

Going to call the embassy in Toronto today and book an appointment. Just to clarify how does the procedure work at the embassy?

I make an appointment over the phone,

Take my I-130

G-325a for each of us.

a passport size color photo for each of us, taken within 30 days and signed.

Marriage certificate, wife birth certificate to show USC, and Wifes PR card to show Canadian residence. For extra proof I will also be taking in my lease agreement to show 6month+ joint residency.

Is there anything else I need to take? I hear some people take other pictures just to show that they knew each other for more than 6 months, is that necessary in my case?

Also when do I file the DCF fee? I read someone mention online payment but I am not sure.

Well I'm not going to start a new thread to ask the same question soo....

Can someone please shine some light on the requirements of who can be a co-sponsor, and when do you add the co-sponsor to the DCF application??

Ok, trailmix & Canadian_wife, that was helpful.

But I still have some questions unanswered.

Question 4 - Can my wealthy Brother-in-law USC co-sponsor me? (since my wife has no income, or property in USA)

Question 4a - If so, when do I enter his information into the filing process? Do I mention him as the petitioner in the I-130?

Question 5 - Can I travel in and out to of the US to visit my in-laws and friends?

Question 6 - People who have filed in Toronto for the DCF, how long as it taken till you had your US Visa in your hand?

Hello everyone,

Here is my dilemma,

Me (Husband & Canadian Citizen)

Wife (American Citizen and Permanent Resident in Canada for past 5 Months coming up on 6 soon so need to start working on DCF).

We both have decided that we want to live and work in Virginia, at the moment we both live in Toronto Canada where I work and she is a housewife. She got into a car accident 6 months back and has not been able to work since.

She has stopped working in the US back in August of 2008 got married to me and moved here. She does have a US address but no property other than her car valued at 6K.

We want to move to Virginia ASAP. And I have two options. One is the DCF (get my wealthy brother in-law to co-sponsor us), the other is to get a job offer in VA and get them to provide me with a work visa that shows intent to attain green card. Question 1 - Am I on the right track so far?

Work Visa Option Number 1

I am not sure if I can easily get a Work visa that shows intent to attain a green card and stay in VA, compared to getting one that does not show intent to live in VA. I have good connections in VA in the field that I work (Quality Analyst) and I am fairly confident that I can get an offer with work visa.

Question 2 - Is it possible to get a Work visa with intent to live in VA, and then apply for DCF in Toronto?

So that I can work in VA while my application for PR goes through.

Question 2a - What is a good work visa that will allow me to apply for my DCF while I work?

DCF Option Number 2

I believe my wife and I meet the requirements for the DCF except for her affidavit of support due to her not able to show any income and barely any assets in VA.

Question 3 - What would you say is the best way to go about; getting this done right and fast?

Question 4 - Can my wealthy Brother-in-law USC co-sponsor me?

Question 4a - If so, when do I enter his information into the filing process? Do I mention him as the petitioner in the I-130?

Question 5 - Can I travel in and out to of the US to visit my in-laws and friends?

Last but not the least

Question 6 - People who have filed in Toronto for the DCF, how long as it taken till you had your US Visa in your hand?

Thank you for all your help in answering my questions. I have been a part of this forum for a long time and it really helped me through my wife's Canadian PR process!

Sorry guys, upon further investigation, I realized that this website has some Guides, I will start reading them,

But if your bored and have the time, please dont feel shy, and give me your advice

Thanks.

Hello every one, as you can see this is my first post here.

I am a Canadian citizen and my wife is an American Born Citizen. We got married 8 months ago, and since then I have filed her papers for permanent residency in Canada, that is in progress, I see it being another 6-7 months until it gets completed. Until then, she lives with me; I support the two of us.

I used to think that the Canadian process was tough until I started researching the American Process. Now I know what it feels like being lost in a labyrinth.

So here is my situation, I want to move down to Virginia, USA which is where my wife was born and raised.

She still has all her addresses pointing to her parent’s home. But unfortunately has been out of work for the past 11 months or so.

What is the best way to go about for us to be able to live together in VA as soon as possible.

I am open to all suggestions, if we have to live apart while she works there and my process goes through, I will take that open mindedly.

I see every ones signature and it shows a lengthy list of forms filled out at various dates. It makes it seem like it is impossible.

So here are my questions,

1) What is the best route? Live outside of USA and file, live separately and file, some how move in to USA and file?

2) What forums do I need to fill out?

3) Can I get a job In VA and use that to leverage my immigration application?

4) How long does it typically take a newly married Canadian/US couple?

5) How much income does she need to have to show that she can support me in the US?

6) I have a lot of family there as well, but all are distant cousins, all willing to sponsor me, does that help?

7) How much is the average cost for the whole process?

8) Should I pay the extra money and get a lawyer? Is this process really that complicated in the US?

9) Do I need to give up my Canadian Citizenship when I get approved as a US immigrant?

10) Can I still keep my Canadian Health insurance and come back to Canada if I have a serious illness?

11) I want to make sure that I am working at all time because my wife cannot support the two of us and I don't want to be a burden on her parents or any one else. So keep that in mind so I am not left in USA waiting to be allowed to work, (like my wife is here in Canada).

And the list goes on. But I will hold off on some questions to make it less confusing.

I did the same at our Canadian website while filing for my wife’s papers and people were extremely helpful, also the process was simple and the application names were in words and not in numbers.

Any help will be greatly appreciated. and once I again I appologize for the wave of questions.