Hi, Would appreciate your replies to my questions...........

[CANUSA18]

Thank you all who reply, in advance for replying to my queries.

I am a Canadian citizen (of Indian Origin) that lives in Toronto. My mother who is a US citizen sponsored me for a US green card. The green card application for me, my wife and 13 year old daughter has been approved. Towards that end, the INS has asked my mother to pay the "affidavit of support fee" of $ 70 & processing fee of $ 400 per person.

I have no issues with the fee.

It is possible that my both my wife and daughter may take the green card at a later date, because they might be visiting India for a year or two.

Given that,

a) Is it possible for me to take the green card and apply for their green cards later?

c) If this is possible, what is the processing time for such a green card?

b) Can I pay the fee for them too, and request INS to process their green cards, later?

I have tried calling the National Visa Service Center at New Hampshire many times - I haven't been able to speak to a CSR. When I send emails, all I get is standard replies, not pertaining to my case.

Once again, thanks for your replies.

 

[Jackolantern]

I am a Canadian citizen (of Indian Origin) that lives in Toronto. My mother who is a US citizen sponsored me for a US green card. The green card application for me, my wife and 13 year old daughter has been approved. Towards that end, the INS has asked my mother to pay the "affidavit of support fee" of $ 70 & processing fee of $ 400 per person.

Your green cards have not been approved yet. Only the first major stage, the immigrant petition (I-130) has been approved. You still have to pass the consular interview, background checks, medical exam, etc. in order for the green cards to be approved.

a) Is it possible for me to take the green card and apply for their green cards later?

You are the primary beneficiary, so without you taking the green card your wife and daughter won't get it. You could take the green card by yourself and let them wait until later, but then you'd be juggling risks with priority dates. So I would advise that all of you go through the consular processing, enter the US to be admitted into permanent resident status, then whoever needs to stay in India for a year or two should apply for a reentry permit to preserve the green card for 2 years while outside the US.

Upon approval at the consulate, they allow 6 months to enter the US, so that combined with the reentry permit would enable staying in India for a total of 2.5 years (other than the short initial trip to enter the US for admission to permanent resident status and apply for the reentry permit).

I have tried calling the National Visa Service Center at New Hampshire many times - I haven't been able to speak to a CSR. When I send emails, all I get is standard replies, not pertaining to my case.

Don't rely on them for important questions. Half the time they will tell you something wrong or misleading.