probably a crazy question

[Shawna and James 4]

I keep seeing things on here about what service center your paperwork is going through, and Ive been too afraid to ask because I didn't want to look like an idiot, but here goes. How do I figure out which service center has our paperwork? We've had our NOA1 now for 2 months and it still says "initial review" so Im getting a little antsy about when it will move forward. No RFEs as of yet. But I also know that once it gets to NVC we are looking at at least 7-9 more months in Montreal. Anyway, thanks a bunch!

[RichiJenny 14]

You can usually tell - off the top of my head - byt eh first 3 digits of your case number.

If its EAC its Vermont, if its WAC its California.

I think there are others too , but they appear to be the main ones

[milimelo 4,572]

I keep seeing things on here about what service center your paperwork is going through, and Ive been too afraid to ask because I didn't want to look like an idiot, but here goes. How do I figure out which service center has our paperwork? We've had our NOA1 now for 2 months and it still says "initial review" so Im getting a little antsy about when it will move forward. No RFEs as of yet. But I also know that once it gets to NVC we are looking at at least 7-9 more months in Montreal. Anyway, thanks a bunch!

Service center is determined by the State you live in - East coast goes to VT, Midwest and West to CA. That's why they have the WAC and EAC as part of the case number.

You can find the list of where each state belongs to under the instructions of a form - where to send - if you live in such and such state VT or CA address. With the lockboxes, you send to one central location and from there they route it to appropriate center.

[agynyame 2]

Service center is determined by the State you live in - East coast goes to VT, Midwest and West to CA. That's why they have the WAC and EAC as part of the case number.

You can find the list of where each state belongs to under the instructions of a form - where to send - if you live in such and such state VT or CA address. With the lockboxes, you send to one central location and from there they route it to appropriate center.

Sometimes you can live on the East Coast and still your stuff might go West as happened in mine. However, as others have said, you can find which service center based on the first three letters preceding your case number

[RichiJenny 14]

Service center is determined by the State you live in - East coast goes to VT, Midwest and West to CA. That's why they have the WAC and EAC as part of the case number.

You can find the list of where each state belongs to under the instructions of a form - where to send - if you live in such and such state VT or CA address. With the lockboxes, you send to one central location and from there they route it to appropriate center.

Not strictly true - we are on the east coast and our petition was sent to CSC. I think CSC have been dealing with the lions share of I130 peitions thus far. only a handful (on VJ) have been through VT.

[Shawna and James 4]

hmm ok ours is WAC so I guess that makes us California. hrmmm. So ok another question: when I go to the whole "processing times" thing on the uscis site, and it says California center average is 5 months, does that mean it will take them 5 months to get us our NOA2 and forward it to the NVC?

[Markieboy 104]

So ok another question: when I go to the whole "processing times" thing on the uscis site, and it says California center average is 5 months, does that mean it will take them 5 months to get us our NOA2 and forward it to the NVC?

No, the 5 months processing time is from NOA1 to NOA2, IIRC.

Good luck with your journey!

[RichiJenny 14]

sometimes less, sometimes longer.

Edited November 5, 2010 by RichiJenny

[Shawna and James 4]

wow Ive totally been off my rocker this whole time then. For some absurd reason Ive been thinking that it was 2 months between NOA1 to NOA2, then 7 months from NVC receiving the paperwork to interview. So I was thinking ok, 9 months isnt fantastic, but its do-able. So I guess my question now is, 5 months to NOA2 (luckily we are 2 months into that process), but then still another 7 through the Montreal center? Also, Im going to visit my Husband in a week and a half for 2 weeks. I have a friend who just got their fiance visa and she said her and her fiance would do 3 month long visits and then hed come back to Canada. Is 3 months the maximum for a visitor visa before you are considered there illegally and jeopardize your immigration paperwork?

[RichiJenny 14]

some say its a risk visiting the usa whilst the immigrant visa is in progress, and others say not. Theres quite a few on here that do travel and have no problems at all - it is advisable having proof that you intend to return to your home country though, employer letter saying they expect you back by (insert date here...) strong ties help matters greatly.

[Canadiandggal 49]

wow Ive totally been off my rocker this whole time then. For some absurd reason Ive been thinking that it was 2 months between NOA1 to NOA2, then 7 months from NVC receiving the paperwork to interview. So I was thinking ok, 9 months isnt fantastic, but its do-able. So I guess my question now is, 5 months to NOA2 (luckily we are 2 months into that process), but then still another 7 through the Montreal center? Also, Im going to visit my Husband in a week and a half for 2 weeks. I have a friend who just got their fiance visa and she said her and her fiance would do 3 month long visits and then hed come back to Canada. Is 3 months the maximum for a visitor visa before you are considered there illegally and jeopardize your immigration paperwork?

All I can say is look at the timelines of people currently in front of you, My noa-2 was quick but recently the noa-2s have been up to 5 months and then 30-60 days for NVC then 5 months wait for interview. It is worth it in the end though, believe me, I just got here 5 days ago and the long wait has been forgotten .

As for visiting, I use to visit 6-12 weeks at a time, I even stayed once last year for 4 months. Now I am not advising you to stay more then 6 months in one year. I visited my husband from feb to april in the states. Then came back to the states july 12th till sept 19th, My hubby came to get me for poe on october 31st. Always bring a load of ties to canada, and be truthful. I was lucky to never have any complications crossing the border via car. Some crossings seem to be more strict then others or at least from what i have read.

Edited November 5, 2010 by Canadiandggal

[charity1214 3]

Service center is determined by the State you live in - East coast goes to VT, Midwest and West to CA. That's why they have the WAC and EAC as part of the case number.

That's actually not true. I live on the East Coast (ocean state) and I went to CA. But yes, WAC is California.

Edited November 5, 2010 by charity1214

[matalie 1]

Actually with the new Montreal schedule your own visa interview they have rolled out where you pick your day online, you can just choose the earliest date that works for you! When I got my letter on Sept 7th, 2010, I was searching for an interview date and saw we now schedule our own online. When I went on the site I could schedule as early as Oct 8, 2010!!! (I chose Novemeber 19th, but that's only because I manage a movie theatre and wanted to skip being there for Harry Potter opening weekend! ) Here's the website to take a look at!

My link

It should shave off some time once you get your noa2 and are past the NVC stage!

[Sufrank 4]

Antsy at 2 months...heh...took us 5 months at the USCIS. Good luck though

In all honesty, settle in for the long, patient haul. It just takes time...and more time.

[mrs.T 1]

Not strictly true - we are on the east coast and our petition was sent to CSC. I think CSC have been dealing with the lions share of I130 peitions thus far. only a handful (on VJ) have been through VT.

True! Same here live on the east coast and got to CSC.