New Member - Need Help

[kaylamarie 0]

Yes, that is what she said and she is correct - no passport = no border crossing.

And yes, you can have your medical at ANY of the panel physicians on that list.

i got the assumption that i go and do the interview, then i have to wait a couple more months before i find out of its approved or not..why do they take my passport away? i know i can't cross without a passport but i didn't know they took your passport away

The interview is a very late step.

First, your I-129 packet gets sent.

Then you get your NOA1 & NOA2.

After your NOA2, border crossings are still possible but you'll want extra documentation.

At some point, you'll get your packet 3 in the mail - fill this out and wait for an interview.

Finally, you'll have an interview, and be (hopefully) approved. At this point you'll be mailed a visa.

This is the point where you can NOT cross as a visitor any longer. Crossing into the US will trigger the K-1 visa to be activated meaning you have three months to get married or you will have violated the terms of the visa.

There is only one interview in the process.

ohh yeah so after the interview if it's approved i CAN go back, it just means once im there, im there for good

right?

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Yes, that is what she said and she is correct - no passport = no border crossing.

And yes, you can have your medical at ANY of the panel physicians on that list.

i got the assumption that i go and do the interview, then i have to wait a couple more months before i find out of its approved or not..why do they take my passport away? i know i can't cross without a passport but i didn't know they took your passport away

When you have the interview, they will tell you that day whether you're approved or if not, they'll tell you what information you need. If you're approved they take your passport because they have to add your VISA papers into it. They will mail the passport and the VISA pkg back to you at your Canadian address (your parent's I assume in this case)

No offense, but you need to do some reading on here to get a better understanding of what will take place and what you can and cannot do. The guides are a great help,...not that questions are bad, but you're asking a lot of what can be answered by doing some research.

Cheers

[Varba 0]

Yes, that is what she said and she is correct - no passport = no border crossing.

And yes, you can have your medical at ANY of the panel physicians on that list.

i got the assumption that i go and do the interview, then i have to wait a couple more months before i find out of its approved or not..why do they take my passport away? i know i can't cross without a passport but i didn't know they took your passport away

The interview is a very late step.

First, your I-129 packet gets sent.

Then you get your NOA1 & NOA2.

After your NOA2, border crossings are still possible but you'll want extra documentation.

At some point, you'll get your packet 3 in the mail - fill this out and wait for an interview.

Finally, you'll have an interview, and be (hopefully) approved. At this point you'll be mailed a visa.

This is the point where you can NOT cross as a visitor any longer. Crossing into the US will trigger the K-1 visa to be activated meaning you have three months to get married or you will have violated the terms of the visa.

There is only one interview in the process.

ohh yeah so after the interview if it's approved i CAN go back, it just means once im there, im there for good

right?

You're there for a minimum of 3 months, yes.

You can file for Advanced Parole to be able to get back to see your friends and family fairly quickly - but I think that still takes a month or two (from timelines I read).

You can go back to Canada at some point in the future, once you have more of the process complete than me.

As an example to be clear, this is Peachey and I's timeline:

2/9/2009 - I 129F Package Sent

2/10/2009 - I 129F Package Received at Vermont service centre

2/12/2009 - Check Cashed

2/12/2009 - NOA1 received

6/9/2009 - NOA2

6/24/2009 - Packet 3 received

7/14/2009 - Packet 3 sent

7/27/2009 - Medical

10/16/2009 - Still waiting for an interview.

Edited October 16, 2009 by Varba

[kaylamarie 0]

Yes, that is what she said and she is correct - no passport = no border crossing.

And yes, you can have your medical at ANY of the panel physicians on that list.

i got the assumption that i go and do the interview, then i have to wait a couple more months before i find out of its approved or not..why do they take my passport away? i know i can't cross without a passport but i didn't know they took your passport away

When you have the interview, they will tell you that day whether you're approved or if not, they'll tell you what information you need. If you're approved they take your passport because they have to add your VISA papers into it. They will mail the passport and the VISA pkg back to you at your Canadian address (your parent's I assume in this case)

No offense, but you need to do some reading on here to get a better understanding of what will take place and what you can and cannot do. The guides are a great help,...not that questions are bad, but you're asking a lot of what can be answered by doing some research.

Cheers

wel i have a different way of doing my research, sorry if you get annoyed by it, i like to ask questions, then research

[trailmix 77]

I'm not picking on you, truly - but if you don't do the research first, how do you know what to ask?

Plus, while we all know the answers to these questions, we know the answers because we did do our research - hours spent reading these boards and the guides. When I first joined VJ I didn't really know about the guides and asked a few questions and I was quickly sent off to read both the guides and the instructions on the actual forms - and not very nicely I might add.

Now, while the person in question could have been nicer to a noob like me, I now give that same advice. Read the long boring instructions, read the forums, read the guides - then let us know if you have any questions.

No question you have asked here has not been answered 1000 plus times.

[Danu 19]

It is probably best that you take a few moments to read the guide to see the steps. Once you put in your I-129f you will get your NOA1 (usually within 2-14 days). It will then take 3+ months for your NOA2, which is the approval of the petition for you to apply for a visa. at that point it is sent from the service center to NVC (national visa center) and passed on to the embassy. This step can take between a week and 50 days (if you get held in advanced processing). Once it gets to the consulate they send out P3, which you send back with the required info, and then you can schedule your medical. Right now it is taking upwards of 5-6 months once your packet is logged by montreal to get an interview. They do not log it the same day you send it. It can take between a week and a month for them to log it into the system. Once you do have your interview, you go in with the last of the stuff they want, they ask you some questions and if you are approved they will let you know. They keep your passport to put your visa in it and send it back usually within a week. Once you cross using it, you are there for good. The whole process for me will be at 9 months by the time I have my interview.

The reason some people would rather you do a bit of reading before asking a million questions is because a lot of them are answered in the guides, or in other threads on the forums here. There still may be questions you need answered once you read but its much easier for us to make sure you understand whats going on if you at least have a basic idea of whats happening with the process because right now it appears you really have no clue.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Yes, that is what she said and she is correct - no passport = no border crossing.

And yes, you can have your medical at ANY of the panel physicians on that list.

i got the assumption that i go and do the interview, then i have to wait a couple more months before i find out of its approved or not..why do they take my passport away? i know i can't cross without a passport but i didn't know they took your passport away

When you have the interview, they will tell you that day whether you're approved or if not, they'll tell you what information you need. If you're approved they take your passport because they have to add your VISA papers into it. They will mail the passport and the VISA pkg back to you at your Canadian address (your parent's I assume in this case)

No offense, but you need to do some reading on here to get a better understanding of what will take place and what you can and cannot do. The guides are a great help,...not that questions are bad, but you're asking a lot of what can be answered by doing some research.

Cheers

wel i have a different way of doing my research, sorry if you get annoyed by it, i like to ask questions, then research

Not annoyed, just trying to help you out. Not one of us can say we didn't have about 15 million questions to begin with in this process. You'll get the most satisfaction researching the answers yourself. (and yes I sound like your mum...I probably could be!)

[Hugglebuggles 60]

I'm a little concerned for you Kayla. Legally you are allowed to enter the US and visit for 6 months, absolutely, but this is always at the discretion of the officer at the border crossing. There have been many stories here on VJ where a young woman quits her job, packs up her car or a couple suitcases and tries to get into the US saying she is going to visit her boyfriend/fiance for 6 months either while the petition is being process or before it is even filed. In many cases that young woman has been denied entry. Then what? You have no job, you basically relinquished your ties to Canada, you have upset your family and friends and crossing to visit even for a few days is now harder to do given the flag on your file. Is trying to visit for 6 months worth it? If so, then go for it. I'm not trying to tell you what to do, but being aware of the high possibility of denial is very important. If you feel you need to visit for this long to get to know your boyfriend/fiance better, then maybe marriage isn't something you should seriously be considering at this point. There are many of us on this board who spent 2, 5, 8, even 10+ years engaged in a long distance relationship before making the committment to move and marry. I'm not trying to be judgmental, I was young and a fool in love too, but I just hope you are really thinking clearly and making the best decisions for yourself.

[Holliday 4]

Not annoyed, just trying to help you out. Not one of us can say we didn't have about 15 million questions to begin with in this process. You'll get the most satisfaction researching the answers yourself. (and yes I sound like your mum...I probably could be!)

Agreed! And to add to that, personally I found that by doing research, I actually got the answers to important questions that I never would've thought to ask.

[kaylamarie 0]

I'm a little concerned for you Kayla. Legally you are allowed to enter the US and visit for 6 months, absolutely, but this is always at the discretion of the officer at the border crossing. There have been many stories here on VJ where a young woman quits her job, packs up her car or a couple suitcases and tries to get into the US saying she is going to visit her boyfriend/fiance for 6 months either while the petition is being process or before it is even filed. In many cases that young woman has been denied entry. Then what? You have no job, you basically relinquished your ties to Canada, you have upset your family and friends and crossing to visit even for a few days is now harder to do given the flag on your file. Is trying to visit for 6 months worth it? If so, then go for it. I'm not trying to tell you what to do, but being aware of the high possibility of denial is very important. If you feel you need to visit for this long to get to know your boyfriend/fiance better, then maybe marriage isn't something you should seriously be considering at this point. There are many of us on this board who spent 2, 5, 8, even 10+ years engaged in a long distance relationship before making the committment to move and marry. I'm not trying to be judgmental, I was young and a fool in love too, but I just hope you are really thinking clearly and making the best decisions for yourself.

i know every about my boyfriend i could possibly need to know so thats not the thing at all, im not packing up everything i own, im strictly seriously visitng there for 6 months. i want to live there for awhile before i completely commit since i haven't been there before. if in one month i dont like it, ill come back here. i have places to stay and family support so that isn't really a problem either. everybody moves at different speeds and love is love. there is no time limit for it or anything. i may be young but age is nothing, maturity is everything anyways my intentions are simply to visit not to immigrate, not to stay there i really just want to visit for 6 months. if i got denied i could have my job bank in a heartbeat lol

[Rhiannercakes 14]

I'm a little concerned for you Kayla. Legally you are allowed to enter the US and visit for 6 months, absolutely, but this is always at the discretion of the officer at the border crossing. There have been many stories here on VJ where a young woman quits her job, packs up her car or a couple suitcases and tries to get into the US saying she is going to visit her boyfriend/fiance for 6 months either while the petition is being process or before it is even filed. In many cases that young woman has been denied entry. Then what? You have no job, you basically relinquished your ties to Canada, you have upset your family and friends and crossing to visit even for a few days is now harder to do given the flag on your file. Is trying to visit for 6 months worth it? If so, then go for it. I'm not trying to tell you what to do, but being aware of the high possibility of denial is very important. If you feel you need to visit for this long to get to know your boyfriend/fiance better, then maybe marriage isn't something you should seriously be considering at this point. There are many of us on this board who spent 2, 5, 8, even 10+ years engaged in a long distance relationship before making the committment to move and marry. I'm not trying to be judgmental, I was young and a fool in love too, but I just hope you are really thinking clearly and making the best decisions for yourself.

i know every about my boyfriend i could possibly need to know so thats not the thing at all, im not packing up everything i own, im strictly seriously visitng there for 6 months. i want to live there for awhile before i completely commit since i haven't been there before. if in one month i dont like it, ill come back here. i have places to stay and family support so that isn't really a problem either. everybody moves at different speeds and love is love. there is no time limit for it or anything. i may be young but age is nothing, maturity is everything anyways my intentions are simply to visit not to immigrate, not to stay there i really just want to visit for 6 months. if i got denied i could have my job bank in a heartbeat lol

I visited for 3 months as a test run of living together and honestly, I had a hard time getting in.

I was asked tons of questions, and I'm surprised I was even let in.

I also went through the land border, maybe that was a difference, I don't know.

I also still had a job, I was just on a leave of absence. Maybe you should see if that's an option instead of full out quitting.

[kaylamarie 0]

I'm a little concerned for you Kayla. Legally you are allowed to enter the US and visit for 6 months, absolutely, but this is always at the discretion of the officer at the border crossing. There have been many stories here on VJ where a young woman quits her job, packs up her car or a couple suitcases and tries to get into the US saying she is going to visit her boyfriend/fiance for 6 months either while the petition is being process or before it is even filed. In many cases that young woman has been denied entry. Then what? You have no job, you basically relinquished your ties to Canada, you have upset your family and friends and crossing to visit even for a few days is now harder to do given the flag on your file. Is trying to visit for 6 months worth it? If so, then go for it. I'm not trying to tell you what to do, but being aware of the high possibility of denial is very important. If you feel you need to visit for this long to get to know your boyfriend/fiance better, then maybe marriage isn't something you should seriously be considering at this point. There are many of us on this board who spent 2, 5, 8, even 10+ years engaged in a long distance relationship before making the committment to move and marry. I'm not trying to be judgmental, I was young and a fool in love too, but I just hope you are really thinking clearly and making the best decisions for yourself.

i know every about my boyfriend i could possibly need to know so thats not the thing at all, im not packing up everything i own, im strictly seriously visitng there for 6 months. i want to live there for awhile before i completely commit since i haven't been there before. if in one month i dont like it, ill come back here. i have places to stay and family support so that isn't really a problem either. everybody moves at different speeds and love is love. there is no time limit for it or anything. i may be young but age is nothing, maturity is everything anyways my intentions are simply to visit not to immigrate, not to stay there i really just want to visit for 6 months. if i got denied i could have my job bank in a heartbeat lol

I visited for 3 months as a test run of living together and honestly, I had a hard time getting in.

I was asked tons of questions, and I'm surprised I was even let in.

I also went through the land border, maybe that was a difference, I don't know.

I also still had a job, I was just on a leave of absence. Maybe you should see if that's an option instead of full out quitting.

were you asked to show your ties to canada?

[kaylamarie 0]

is there a form my employer has to fill out? a form and a letter? just wondering what to give to then if they asked at poe

[Rhiannercakes 14]

Surprisingly, they did not ask for any ties except my return ticket.

DO NOT count on that though. What they look for differs between who you get at the border.

There's no forms your employer has to fill out, just a letter stating things people may have mentioned before; that you're on vacation, that you are expected back by a certain time and if you're not, the consequences. Maybe more than that, you'd have to look back to see what others have said about that.

[kaylamarie 0]

Surprisingly, they did not ask for any ties except my return ticket.

DO NOT count on that though. What they look for differs between who you get at the border.

There's no forms your employer has to fill out, just a letter stating things people may have mentioned before; that you're on vacation, that you are expected back by a certain time and if you're not, the consequences. Maybe more than that, you'd have to look back to see what others have said about that.

ohh well i can def. get a note from my employer easily