KristiAnn

Thank you to everyone with replies and information! I found that website very interesting mustafa1232, thank you for sharing! I'm still not sure what applies to our application exactly, but I am very anxious to find out asap. Happyndinlove, I didn't realize that USCIS only had 30 days to decide what they were doing. They received the package later in the day on Feb. 5th, so we are at 30 days now! I guess Luke will have to call as often as possible for the next little while to make sure he finds out what's going on. Unfortunately we did end our application with USPS, not fedex or anything...I'm not sure how that affects anything though? All we got was a delivery confirmation, so we could see that it had been delivered to the location on the 5th.

Sachinky, thanks for your story. I will definitely make sure Luke asks to talk to a supervisor anytime he calls - that is a great idea. I know these people in the call center are just drones for the most part and really can't tell you anything specific, but it sure can get frustrating when they all seem to have something different to say! No one seems to have any of the same information! Anyway, I'll make sure Luke calls as often as possible and speaks with a supervisor whenever he can.

I really do appreciate all the response - it really helps to know I'm not alone and not the only one going through something like this. I know it seems like a small thing when you look at the wait time of the whole application, but it just doesn't seem to be off to a very good start! I kept thinking this NOA1 was the one thing we could count on to be fairly quick!

Thanks again!

Makes it alright then. After all why resurrect an older one and making an appeal then just make a new one.

Last time I checked, no one is forced to look at or respond to anything on these forums....especially this forum which is "Off Topic". Please refrain from viewing and/or commenting if you have nothing positive to add. Honestly people....

Hey fellow VJers!

There's a contest going on in Canada right now for Doritos - people have to name the newest flavour and create a commercial for it. My brother and sister have made a really great one, and they would appreciate all the views and faves and 5 star ratings possible!! The winner is based on a points system, so the more people that view the video, the more points they get. They get even more when people share it on Facebook or Twitter and give them a 5 star rating, ets, etc. I would certainly appreciate any help from you guys! Thanks a bunch!!

Changing the Way Canada Eats!

Hi KristinAnn, sorry to hear that you haven't received the NOA1. Did you check if they have cashed the check already? I'm also new here and I just wanted to give you some support here.

Hi CQ&CS,

Yes, we've eben checking our bank account daily to see if the cheque's been cashed yet, and so far nothing. I've never been so anxious to part with money before! Thanks for your support, and good luck to you!

Sounds like they may be pissed at you guys for calling so much and so soon.

Thanks so much for your words of encouragement...how very pleasant of you. Have you heard the expression "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all"? Possibly you should become acquainted with that, asap.

To address your ignorance, it was not so soon, and it was not so much...it's been a month for a process that takes most people 1 week. This is a problem. When he called after 3 weeks, they told him to try again in a week...this is what we did. Probably best to get your facts correct before you make an #### of yourself.

I am going out of my mind!!! I am so happy for all of my fellow February filers receiving their NOA1's, but I am also a tad jealous as we still haven't!! My husband has called USCIS multiple times now. For awhile he was getting zero information - they were saying it was just more backlogged than usual, etc. But then when he called yesterday, they told him that our file was receiving "additional processing". He couldn't find out what that meant exactly - he called and talked to two different people. They said it could be a variety of things - something could have been missed on the application (so hard for me to fathom, as I must have reread everything 20 times!!), we could have misspelled a name or address, didn't put in the correct name, mixed something up, etc, etc. I just can't imagine that we did any of those things, as, like I say, we both checked over everything so many times before sending the package! I feel like I'm at my wits end already!! The people he talked to said they will likely mail or phone my husband for further information....but it's been a month today since they received the package and there's been no contact yet! Both of us have perfectly clean records, so nothing like that could be an issue. We haven't had any previous marriages, and there are no children involved. It seemed like an extremely standard petition to me! So I am feeling so lost and completely crazy with my lack of control on the whole thing. I hate that I can't personally call - not that my husband isn't perfectly capable and doing a great job, but I just really want to be able to talk to someone myself! And I hate that no one has any information! And since there's no file started for us yet, we can't even give them our email addresses to try and speed *something* up! It's just really driving at my very last nerve....I feel like I had an expectation at how things were going to go down, and this is failing left and right. It's not giving me a lot of hope for the speediness of the rest of our application....I am just so down

Has anyone heard of this or been through it? If so, please tell me your story! I guess is this an RFE?? I guess we won't know until they finally get in contact with us will we? Ugh. Thankfully, we are booking tickets for Luke to come and visit me in Canada in a few weeks, so that will be wonderful. I was just so hopeful about where we would be in the process at that point, and it's not looking good so far!!

Ugh, sorry to be a downer. I truly am super excited for everyone who is getting further along in the process! I can only imagine what a relief that must be I hope everyone has a great weekend.

I am going out of my mind!!! I am so happy for everyone receiving their NOA1's, but I am also a tad jealous as we still haven't!! My husband has called USCIS multiple times now. For awhile he was getting zero information - they were saying it was just more backlogged than usual, etc. But then when he called yesterday, they told him that our file was receiving "additional processing". He couldn't find out what that meant exactly - he called and talked to two different people. They said it could be a variety of things - something could have been missed on the application (so hard for me to fathom, as I must have reread everything 20 times!!), we could have misspelled a name or address, didn't put in the correct name, mixed something up, etc, etc. I just can't imagine that we did any of those things, as, like I say, we both checked over everything so many times before sending the package! I feel like I'm at my wits end already!! The people he talked to said they will likely mail or phone my husband for further information....but it's been a month today since they received the package and there's been no contact yet! Both of us have perfectly clean records, so nothing like that could be an issue. We haven't had any previous marriages, and there are no children involved. It seemed like an extremely standard petition to me! So I am feeling so lost and completely crazy with my lack of control on the whole thing. I hate that I can't personally call - not that my husband isn't perfectly capable and doing a great job, but I just really want to be able to talk to someone myself! And I hate that no one has any information! And since there's no file started for us yet, we can't even give them our email addresses to try and speed *something* up! It's just really driving at my very last nerve....I feel like I had an expectation at how things were going to go down, and this is failing left and right. It's not giving me a lot of hope for the speediness of the rest of our application....I am just so down

Sorry for the rant and vent - I just really need some virtual hugs right now Has anyone else heard of this, or been through it? I'm also going to post on the other board to see if anyone has any ideas. Thankfully, we are booking tickets for Luke to come and visit me in Canada in a few weeks, so that will be wonderful. I was just so hopeful about where we would be in the process at that point, and it's not looking good so far!!

Ugh, sorry to be a downer. I truly am super excited for everyone who is getting further along in the process! I can only imagine what a relief that must be I hope everyone has a great weekend.

I sure would love it if everyone would check it out! Thanks a TON!

Thanks for the replies everyone. Looks like I'm a nobody at this point in the process eh? I can't talk to anyone! Well, my husband was able to call USCIS again on Monday, and they really had no information for him. They pretty much just told him that it's been very backlogged, more than usual, and they are having a hard time keeping up with the volume...so call back again in a week. Well he's going to try to call back in every couple of days instead. Because this is really disgusting...it's been 2 days short of a month from when they received the package! That's crazy! And this is just the freaking receipt....all I want is our cheque to be cashed.

I'm really frustrated.

Hi fellow VJers!

There's a contest going on in Canada right now to name the new flavour of Doritos chips and to make a commercial. My brother and sister, Jordan and Alina have created an awsome name and created a great commercial! The winner is picked from a points system, so the more people that watch, the more points they get! So if you could all check it out, and if you're feeling very generous, give it a 5 star rating, that would be SO much appreciated! THANKS!

Doritos Revolution - Changing the way Canada eats!

I'm very frustrated....we haven't heard anything about our NOA1 yet. We sent our package 2 days short of a month ago and it was receved on Feb. 5th. It seems like most people on here are receiving theirs in a week or 2, so this is very frustrating to have it take so long! My husband (the USC) called last week and the person he talked to told him that it was still somewhat within the timeframe that it should normally take, but if we hadn't heard anything in a week to call back. Well, it's been another week now! My hubby was sick at home last week, which is why he had time to call, but this week he is back at work. I have a day off tomorrow, and I was wondering, can I, as the beneficiary, call USCIS or does it have to be the USC? Will they just not give me any information? Just curious...I really want to get this taken care of ASAP! Oh, and our cheque hasn't been cashed yet either...despite me looking every single day I've never been so willing and anxious to part with $355!!

Any advice is much appreciated!

Thanks for the replies everyone - this can be such a draining process, so it's nice to know I have people who understand! And it's only just begun! ugh!

So my husband (the USC) called USCIS yesterday and spoke with someone there. They told him that this timeframe was still within the "normal" time for the NOA1, and if we haven't heard anything within a week, to call back and they will figure out what's going on. They told him they're doing things a little differently lately....instead of sending out NOA1's as soon as they receive the package, they do a very quick and basic background check beforehand to make sure the applicants aren't inadmissable for some reason. He said this is cutting down on costs as well as giving people a false sense of hope. If they find something, it's usually now at the beginning stages of the process and not months down the line. He also said that once the applications get to the office they get assigned to someone, and it could be just as simple as that someone who has our application has been sick for a couple of days and now has a backlog of work. So he seemed to think we should be hearing something anytime, and if we haven't within a week, to call back.

I don't know how accurate any of this info really is, seeing as these are mainly just people working at the call center, but I just wanted to pass along the info. I guess we just wait some more!!!

Thanks once again for the replies - I appreciate it!

Ugh....I hate this already, and we haven't even technically started yet

So we sent our package USPS priority on Feb. 3/10, and had delivery confirmation for it arriving in Chicago on Feb 5/10. I was assuming that likely meant they would start reviewing it/working on it in some way the following Monday, and I was sort of expecting NOA1 maybe like a week or so later or something. This just seemed like the timeframe that a lot of people were dealing with, so I was hopeful. We still have seen no movement at all on it - our cheque hasn't been cashed yet....and no mail at all from them. I'm just kind of feeling bummed about it, as I thought this was almost the instant gratification part of the whole thing, as most people received theirs really fast! So it's been exactly 2 weeks now since I assumed they started working on it, and nothing yet. I know that's nothing really, in the whole scheme of things, but it seems like it to me right now! Ugh.

I guess I just wanted to vent for a minute - I'm just bummed. All I want is to get going on this!!

Hello

I sent my I-129F on Jan 30 but CSC got it on February. I can think that I filed in February.

Most definitely good luck!!

NOA1 2/10/10

Awesome!! It's nice to see the process actually starting isn't it? We still have yet to receive our NOA1....I am getting anxious now! I know it's really only been a week and a half since our package was received, and one of those days was a holiday....I am trying reassure myself

Good luck to everyone!

My husband just recieved the NOA1 in the mail today... Im wondering is there any chance that we would have this process done by the end of August? Or are my hopes too high? Im just wondering how long we have to wait, it would really suck if it was a year ordeal.

But I was just wondering if this was a remote possibility, if there was no problems in our case at all. Sorry if this was asked before but im just so happy we both didnt make any mistakes on our petition.

Oh another thing Im planning on going to visit him for a week on my spring break at University which starts this friday for me. Will I have any problems at the border? Or as long as I have ties to canada( i have school and im funded for it) and renting a room etc, I should be fine right? I have never had a problem crossing the border before, but that was when we both didnt know which route to take(us/canada) and I wasnt on a visa app process.

I cant wait to spend V-day with him since the last I have seen him was Jan. 6th, I know that is not too long compared to others here but still every day counts for us to be together!!

Congrats on NOA1, very exciting My hubby and I just sent off our I-130 on Feb. 3rd, so we are anxiously awaiting NOA1 as well. Just curious, when did you guys send yours in? I love to know these things as it gives me a bit of a timeframe as to how long ours might take

As for the border thing - it really all depends on the border agent. Is he/she having a good day and being super ultra picky? People have been turned away before for petty reasons, sadly. But I think as long as you bring along all the documents you listed, and anything else that applies, I would think you would have a fine enough chance.

Good luck!

I didn't see a February filers topic yet, so I thought I would start one so we can track our progress! We sent our I-130 application in on Feb. 3rd. I'm anxious already!!

Good luck to all of us! I'm anxious to see who else files in February so we can keep up with one another!

My husband and I are in a similar situation, that we have been living on visits back and forth for awhile because we were going to have him immigrate to Canada to become a permanent resident. Have you at any point had any joint bills? utility or credit card that you were both on, etc? One thing I'm submitting with our petition is some paperwork for a small life insurance policy that I had through work, with my husband as my beneficiary. Other than those suggestions, I think what you have sounds great. I think these people immigration understand that there is sometimes little proof in terms of bills, bank accounts, etc, because a lot of people applying haven't lived together yet. We are also submitting 4 affidavits (2 from family and 2 from mutual friends). We didn't get these notarized at all - we just had them type them out and sign and date them and send them to us. Very simple.

I hope you start feeling better about things - it is very overwhelming at first (especially if you've sunk so much time into the Canadian stuff - I felt like I knew that immigration stuff like the back of my hand! It takes a minute for the brain to shift into a new gear!! ) but it does get better. These forums are amazing and chalk full of information! Good luck!

Hi Emmamama,

So glad you're able to get a lot of info from those guides - I've found them super helpful in breaking things down

From what I understand, you're right, the AOS fee is $70, but I believe the IV fee is $400. I'm not sure how the cost of fingerprinting changes by region and country, but I believe for me in Canada, it will be about $45 (I haven't done this step yet, so I am far from positive!). Another cost to factor in is the cost of the medical, which I'm sure is different in different countries as well. I'm going to have mine done in Vancouver when the time comes, and for me it will be $330! And then of course there's the cost for all the different passport-type photos for different packages, etc....it's endless!

Not exactly a cheap proposition is it?! I hope you are getting the answers you need. Good luck!

Kristi

Congratulations!! It's wonderful hearing success stories Now go live happily ever after!!

Wow, this is such great news! I hope it continues to be this way!! Congratulations to everyone who got interview dates!

Hey guys,

We are in between the NOA1 and NOA2 for I-130..

I had a few questions about what to do while waiting.

I know that while waiting for NOA2 I should/can do the I-864 and start collecting vaccination records and police report from Argentina. Is there anything else that I can do?

AND when the NOA2 actually arrives what happens next?? Forwarded to the NVC, yea? Will the NOA2 tell me what to do? Do I then get anything from the NVC? Will that info be sent to us, here in Argentina? Or will it be sent to my permanent address in Chicago?

LASTLY...today our timeline says this:

"Based on timeline data, your I130 may be adjudicated between February 18, 2010 and February 23, 2010*."

I know what adjudicated means, but are they referring to the NOA2? Or interview?????

Hi Emmamama.

I've been reading the LingChe NVC Shortcuts here: http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/...he_NVC_ShortCut - they are extremely thorough and helpful! It gives a great breakdown of what to do before your package gets sent to NVC and how the timeline will go down once it does get sent, etc. From what I understand, the NVC communicates most of the time with the USC at the provided US address....however I am very unsure as I'm not at that point yet I am looking forward to reading the replies you get here though, as I am curious of these things as well! I'm not sure of what that statement about your timeline means...I hope someone else can fill you in!

I hope the link I provided gives you some added info. Good luck!

Thanks for the suggestions everyone - I appreciate it! And Mrs. Silverman, I understood that we needed to for sure include all sorts of other documents to prove a bona fide marriage, like I listed. I was just unsure about the photos - I wasn't sure how necessary they were at this stage. We'll contemplate whether we want to include some, but I think we might hold off, unless I hear a really great arguement for it! Thanks again to everyone who responded!

We're planning on sending the I-130 petition package away on Feb. 2nd, and I'm starting to second guess myself on a couple of things. Mostly, I'm curious, how many of you sent personal photos (such as wedding, vacations, etc) with your I-130 package? I've always thought they would be more appropriate at the interview stage of the game, but I'm just wanting to make sure. I don't want to regret not sending enough information. The thing that makes our situation a little more unique is that we've been married for almost 3.5 years already (long story....pretty much we always planned to have my husband immigrate to Canada with me), so my thought is that that's a huge step in showing a committed/bona fide relationship all on it's own, right? We have a lot of proof as well, such as our marriage certificate, the paperwork on a mortgage (current, and the paperwork on a house we put an offer in on before we were married), joint bank accounts and other joint bills, as well as him listed as my beneficiary for life insurance, etc. We also have letters from family and friends. So I wasn't sure if pictures were necessary yet, or more appropriate to bring along for the interview eventually?

Any tips would be great! Thanks!

I'm going to be in the US for another 2 weeks visiting my husband before we're able to send off our I-130 petition. I may be jumping the gun, but I was curious, is there anything I need to do before I leave for the NVC stage of the game? So we can cut down on mailing back and forth. Can I sign some forms now? Can I get anything organized now while I'm still here? I know I haven't even started yet, but I wanted to get as much done as possible while I'm here so maybe I can cut some time down while we wait to get approved by USCIS. Any thoughts on this? Thanks!