Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Montreal Interview Preparation	At least every birthday is a surprise birthday for him Omg, lol!	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-11-28 13:43:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Montreal Interview Preparation	He is seriously terrible with details. The most he will ever handle with this paperwork is signing his name because it would be all wrong if I let him do anything. I originally found out about his problem with dates when he couldn't manage to tell me how long he was with previous girlfriends. I thought he was giving me the run around and first because one day it was that he was with some girl for a few months, then all of the sudden it was a few years lmao. When filling out his G-325, he told me he was at a previous employer for 10 years. After speaking with his mom, turns out he was only there for 4. He really just has NO concept of time.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-11-28 13:04:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Montreal Interview Preparation	What about a checklist for incorrect dates on addresses? I read you have to have exact dates and I know I will have trouble ABSOLUTELY with two of those. My husband can't remember how many years we've been married. He never even knows when his own birthday is until I put presents on his lap. He's absolutely horrid with dates. Use your best estimate for dates. They understand that it may be hard for some people to remember exact dates. I have never seen a checklist for incorrect dates, only checklists for GAPS in the address section. So, estimate dates, and then make sure there's no gaps between them. And wow, that's pretty bad Maybe he should carry a calendar around with him with all important dates marked	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-11-28 12:05:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Montreal Interview Preparation	Yeah. I know we get pulled into secondary every time so they have a record of it all. And I really think it's plausible that he didn't come in between Thanksgiving 2010 and Christmas 2011. My only confusion is if we ATTEMPTED to cross him for Christmas 2010 and he was denied. But I suppose even if he was, that wouldn't matter, there's not a spot for denials is there? Because if I'm going back to 2010, then I have stamps for everything and I know the list of every cross. Thinking more and more about it I'm feeling more confident that I know all (5) trips. Maybe CBP will be more likely to confirm my list of what I THINK to be true rather than give me one from scratch. Crossing my fingers! If he was denied, that date wouldn't be listed under the question as he didn't successfully visit the US. But, there is a question later on in the form asking if you've had troubles at the border, or something like that. So, you'd explain it there. And don't worry about that question. I got denied twice, explained it on the question, and wasn't even asked about it at the interview! And yeah, if you can confirm with a border officer, that'd be really good. But don't put too much weight on it. I've never seen anyone get a checklist for the DS-260 due to incorrect dates. As long as you give your best estimate, you're fine. They understand that Canadians cross A LOT and that it's nearly impossible to remember every single date.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-11-28 10:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Montreal Interview Preparation	None of the above. I spend 90% of my time up in Canada and every once in a while, I go home and my husband comes with me. We just hop in the car, and drive. That's why I'm hoping border patrol can help me. My husband stopped receiving stamps in his passport at some point. Guess they finally trusted him to not need anymore I-94s after 5 of them. I SUPPOSE it's possible he wasn't there from Thanksgiving 2010 until Christmas 2011, but I'd rather have border patrol confirm that for me. And I'm not sure they can =\ Boo, I was hoping one of my suggestions could help. Then, I'd suggest next time on a visit, explain to the border officer that you need the dates of the last five visits into the US and see if it's possible for them to give that information to you. Probably your best bet right now. Or, have your husband visit five times between now and when your DS-260 will be filed (and remember the dates!)	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-11-28 09:58:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Montreal Interview Preparation	Doesn't make it better I know this Xmas Past June Last Christmas Baaaaah! Do you still have the plane tickets? Or stamps in the passport? Itinerary still online where you booked the ticket? Was it mentioned on any social media site when he came to visit? Or a diary or blog? In an email to somewhere? A letter? There's many sources to find exact dates. I had to use many of the ones I mentioned to get my own dates.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-11-27 22:53:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Montreal Interview Preparation	Are you fricking kidding me? My husband has been to visit me more times than they stamped his passport. We will have no CLUE how many times he's been to the US with me. My husband has TERRIBLE memory. We'll be pretty decent on addresses, but visits to the US, unless they print out a file for him, we're not going to have any idea. I'll ask them if they can give me this when we cross in a few weeks. The acrobat form is on the computer... that's not clutter It's just easier for me to comprehend the forms the way they are spaced. I looked at the screen shots of the DS260 and wasn't having good feelings towards it. Keep in mind, for the question on past visits to the US, they only ask for the last FIVE on the DS-260	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-11-27 22:40:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Montreal Interview Preparation	Does this mean we never mail that stuff anywhere? We just bring it to the interview? Or do we scan copies to send in the electronic stuff too? If you sign up for EP, then you simply EMAIL the two packages by scanning all documents and putting them together in one PDF. You then bring the originals with you to the interview. For EP, there is NOTHING that is mailed to NVC.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-11-27 14:34:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Montreal Interview Preparation	isn't the stuff in bold supposed to be sent to NVC? How would you have it to bring to the interview if you'd already sent to NVC for their processing? There are some countries eligible for EP (electronic processing). Canada being one of them. And the OP mentioned they signed up for EP.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-11-27 13:39:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Montreal Interview Preparation	Thank you for replying.. I have most of these docs and will be getting the rest just to be on the safe side.. Another question for you 2.. My appt is at 9am.. Should I be there when the doors open or does it really mean be there for 9am? Thanks Again My Fellow Canadians! What time you want to arrive depends on what time you want to leave. If you want to spend your entire morning there, and possibly the afternoon, then get there at 9am. But, if you want to leave within an hour or two of getting inside, then get there before 7am. My appointment was for 8am (if I remember correctly), but I got there at 6:15am. First in line. Left the consulate a little before 9am. It would have been even sooner, but there were problems with my fingerprints, so I had to stay for an extra 20-30 minutes getting that sorted out.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-11-26 09:21:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Montreal Interview Preparation	Hello All, I have an interview for my CR/IR visa. I am starting to really stress out about what to bring. Do I need to have originals of I-130, DS-260, DS-261, I-864 (are there any that I am missing?) Also what proof do I need for our relationship. We are both living in the US now as I work here already (I have to travel outside of US which is why I did not apply within the US).. We have a lease together, all bank accounts, we work together. Do I need to bring proof of all of this? If there is anyone out there that has a list with all of the things they brought to the Montreal Embassy. I have the list from NVC, but I have read on here about other docs that is not on my list like proof of relationship, copies of all docs like DS-260. We did all our docs electronically and paid online as well. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I think I am just overthinking things.. Required: -interview letter -passport -DHL/Loomis confirmation -original AOS package -original/certified copy birth certificate -original/certified copy marriage certificate -original police certificate -medical results -2 passport pictures Optional (but recommended): -copy of I-130 package -DS-261 confirmation -DS-260 confirmation -DS-260 review pages -copy of bill receipts -copy of AOS package -copy of IV package (certicates) -completed DS-230 Somewhere between optional and required: proof of relationship. Here's an EXTENSIVE thread on suggestions for proof: http://www.visajourn...e-relationship/ Bring as much as you can. You probably won't be asked for it at Montreal, but it's always better to be safe than sorry.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-11-20 23:41:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	after ds3032	Hi evryone; Am new in this field; i just filled DS3032 and got response from nvc to pay amount of 230 US dollars. the probleme : I cant pay online also too I cant pay by money order: in my country we not allowed to send money abroad. please help thank you Like others have suggested, have the petitioner pay. Even if you could pay yourself, the money has to come from a US bank account, and typically, beneficiaries don't have this yet while still living abroad. Edited by Saylin, 13 December 2012 - 10:08 AM.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-12-13 10:07:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	NVC ask for AOS that has already been mailed...	Hello! One question on (hopefully) small problem... My wife (in the USA) mailed my DS-230 packet on Nov. 26th by express post service, and hers AOS packet the next day. Today, we received an e-mail from NVC reqesting the missing AOS formular. The pdf from NVC has three pages: on first page they say that something is missing and details follow on next pages: [...] As I said, we already mailed AOS package, and it reached NVIC few days after DS-230, and it is now unclear what are we about to do? When they say "Affidavit of Support form" do they think on the form only (I-864EZ form), or on the whole AOS package? Did they receive AOS package or not at all? (Acc. to the sentence: "We have reviewed the documents which you submitted..." it looks like they did, but then, what are they asking for when AOS package is complete?) Is there any phone operator we can speak to, or we have to assembly and mail the AOS package once more? Thanks Grats, this is what we call a false checklist here on VJ! And it means GOOD news! It's a great indicator that your IV package was reviewed and accepted! What NVC does is, once they start reviewing a package, they send out a checklist for the other package, without checking if it's even in the building. Because of this, it gives quite a lot of people a scare. But in reality, it's nothing to worry about. Actually, it's something to celebrate. Affidavit of Support should pay and print out bar code cover page on top of your AOS application and along with tax transcripts and most recent pay tubs and it should be sent in before DS-230 package This is completely wrong. It does NOT matter whatsoever which package is sent first. The AOS and IV are two separate tracks at NVC that have nothing to do with one another, just that both need to be done before the case is complete.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-12-13 09:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	quick question on the DS-230	On the DS-260 it does ask for exact dates and addresses for places lived though doesn't it? Unless they've changed it, yes, they do.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-12-13 22:37:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	quick question on the DS-230	Yes I know I fill out online, but on Saylin's NVC for Montreal filers, it said it was a good idea to have it filled out so that when I do the 260 I have the info and such. But, thank you! I guess I will just wait until I do the 260...I just got my NOA2, so just waiting to get the NVC case number I will update my timeline! Glad you're following my instructions Although I do suggest filling out the DS-230, since on the DS-260 it only asks for the last 5 visits, you don't need to completely fill out the DS-230 in that aspect. Just make sure you have the last five dates.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-12-13 13:22:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	forms which one for what	affidavit of support, what is the differences between 864 w, 864 ez, and 864 Read here: http://travel.state..../info_3197.html Moved from Mexico, Latin & South America to IR-1 forum as more appropriate.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-12-16 22:24:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Cost of Medical Exam in Canada?	of course it's worth it seeing him again soon is the only thing keeping me together. Thanks for your reply I will look into this ASAP.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-12-22 23:51:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Cost of Medical Exam in Canada?	lol GREAT!! as far as I know shots are not covered in Ontario except for flu shots I think! This journey gets better and better everyday! everyday I find out about something new something that I have to pay more $$ for. All part of the process if you want to be with your loved one. Just think of the end result. Is it not worth it?	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-12-22 22:18:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Cost of Medical Exam in Canada?	ok, so after getting this test done, will the shots I will be needing be covered by OHIP? or would I have to pay for them?! No idea *lived in Quebec*	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-12-22 22:13:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Cost of Medical Exam in Canada?	I just came across this topic, hopefully someone can answer my question...I don't know which shots I've had and don't have any records of it, I don't think I even had any of the shots listed in the medical exam section...so what's going to happen? they're going to make me get each and single one of them?? Your best bet would to get a antibody titers blood test done. It tests the anti-bodies in your system to see which shots you've had. You would then bring this test with you to the medical as proof of your immunity. Find a doctor asap to get this done. Whatever you don't have immunity for, get the shots done asap as well. Getting this done ahead of the medical will save you $$$ as they'll more than likely charge up the @ss to get it done at the panel physician.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-12-22 22:06:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Cost of Medical Exam in Canada?	Hey Saylin, I know this is now getting off topic but I noticed on your signature that you were denied entry to visit your husband both times you tried after you got married. Can you tell me what happened? I am a little nervous... he and I were married in August and we are planning a trip next month to visit for Thanksgiving and Christmas and then return Jan 5th. So we are planning to be there from Nov 15th-Jan 5th including travel time. I am concerned about crossing the border and being denied entry since now they know we are married. I have a post about it here: http://www.visajourn..._1#entry5755399 Any thoughts? First time was my own fault. I was naive about the system and knew nothing about how green cards worked. After the officer explained what to do (file I-130 petition and all), we immediately mailed off our petition. About a week later, I wanted to visit my husband. I bought a flight (think it was just for 2 weeks) leaving from within the US (domestic flights were cheaper than flying international), so my dad drove me down to the border. The officer I unfortunately got was a real #######, to say the least. He kept saying I was not allowed to visit whatsoever, not until I got my visa. He was also giving me false information about a K3, and so on. He concluded the conversation with warning me that if I were to go elsewhere to try to cross the border and tell another story (????), that I could be banned from the US. So, I decided not to chance it, thus, my husband came up to visit me instead (which was more inconvenient, unfortunately) 5 times while I was "stuck" in Canada. My advice: just bring lots of evidence of strong ties to Canada and that you'll be returning when you say you will. And just hope you get a good officer. Cause no matter how much evidence you have, if you get that one bad officer (like I did) who doesn't give a damn about anything and woke up on the wrong side of the bed, you can still get denied as the officer's have the ultimate power of letting people in, whether you're legally allowed to visit or not.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-10-18 23:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Cost of Medical Exam in Canada?	So OHIP doesn't cover this? It might cover vaccinations taken before the medical, but no, it doesn't cover the medical. As stated here http://www.panelphys...s/ExamCosts.htm : "The cost of the medical examination, blood testing and x-ray is NOT a benefit of Canadian Provincial government health insurance plans. You may be able to obtain reimbursement from private insurance or your sponsoring employer."	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-10-18 19:14:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Cost of Medical Exam in Canada?	WOW. So for me and two little people we are talking $700-$900 just for the medical exams? And there is no way to get the medical done with your own family doctor? Can I knock the price down by at least getting some of the shots done with my doctor first and providing the records? Like CanLee said, the medical has to be done by an approved panel physician. There's currently 4 I believe in Canada: 2 in Vancouver, 1 in Toronto, and 1 in Montreal. But yes, you can get your shots done ahead of time. I actually recommend this as, if you need shots at the medical, they're going to cost a lot more than if you get them done at a family doctor or clinic.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-10-18 08:42:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Cost of Medical Exam in Canada?	Hello all, Just wondering if any fellow Canadians can help us out with factoring in the cost of the medical exams with our cr1 budget? Our interview will be in Montreal. Is the cost of the medical included with the cost of the interview or is is additional? I assume we will need to pay for three as we are petitioning for me and two children. Thanks for any info! For IR-1/CR-1 applicants, there is no interview fee. As for the medical, it varies by panel physician, but usually around $200-$300. Additional fees if you're missing vaccines. For my medical (at Medisys in Montreal), it cost ~$230. It's $215 base price, but I was missing the flu shot (unbeknownst to me as I thought flu season was over ), which added about $20.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-10-17 23:31:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Are fees required at the consulate if we pay $230 to the visa center?	Hello All, I-130 (NOA2) was approved in July 2012. Weren't able to proceed because the CR 1 beneficiary (wife) in India is still in the process of getting her passport. I am in the process of paying fees ($230 + $88) for DS 230 and Affidavit of support. Still need to wait for the submission of DS 230 because passport's biographical page is a requirement. The question is are fees required at the consulate if we pay $230 to the visa center? If so, how do you find out how much? Also, how does this delay due to her Indian passport issues reflect on the case? Thanks For IR-1/CR-1 cases, there are no fees at the embassy as those have been paid at NVC. The only fee you may have to pay is for courier, but this differs by country. And they don't care about the delay for the passport. As long as everything's handed in, they could care less how long it takes you.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-12-27 15:17:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	What does THIS mean on DS-260?	Question: Do you have documentation to establish that you have received vaccinations in accordance with U.S. law? Am I thinking too hard? My answer is YES, we have our vaccination histories. Isn't that all that means? If you have proof of vaccinations, then yes, the answer is yes. This was my answer (excuse the caps, the form automatically put it like that): "I HAVE HAD A VACCINATION RECORD SINCE I WAS BORN WITH ALL THE REQUIRED VACCINATIONS CLEARLY RECORDED BY A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL."	Saylin	Female	Canada	2013-01-09 22:34:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Got NVC case # and sent optin email- do I need to call NVC again?	Was this a typo or did it indeed change to DS-261. Because I've been seeing 260 every time prior to this. There are two online forms. DS-261 : online DS-3032 (Choice of Agent form) DS-260 : online DS-230 (Immigrant Visa form)	Saylin	Female	Canada	2013-01-10 10:09:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Got NVC case # and sent optin email- do I need to call NVC again?	Saylin, do we have to attach the ds-3032 to the optin email? No. Canadians do NOT submit the DS-3032. They have the online version (DS-261) to submit. Please click the wiki I wrote about the NVC process in regards to EP and online forms. It's in my signature below.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2013-01-09 17:13:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Got NVC case # and sent optin email- do I need to call NVC again?	Haha...guess im going a bit crazy with posts, but thank you!! It's alright You're welcome	Saylin	Female	Canada	2013-01-09 12:27:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	total cost of CR1 Visa from beginning to end	Wow...	Saylin	Female	Canada	2010-10-18 18:43:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	total cost of CR1 Visa from beginning to end	CanadianRedneck, is your number correct? 104k? If it is, how? EAbbas, don't worry, it won't cost you over 100k for this process. Just a few thousand at the end of it. And tri_gear, you're completely right, the end result is priceless	Saylin	Female	Canada	2010-10-18 18:16:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	total cost of CR1 Visa from beginning to end	Here's a quick rundown for fees: I-130 - $355 (going up to $420 on November 23) Affidavit of Support bill - $88 Immigration Visa bill - $404 Medical - varies (depends on what country and whether you need vaccines, but will be a few hundred dollars) I-751 - $545 (going up to $590 on November 23, this is to remove conditions) N-400 - $675 (going up to $680 on November 23, this is to become a US citizen after being married and living in the USA for 3 years) There will also be costs for police certificates needed at the NVC stage, passport style pictures, and mailing documents to USCIS and NVC. And I don't know what embassy you'll be going to, but there might also be a cost of purchasing DHL or an envelope to get the visa sent to you.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2010-10-18 11:29:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	Just Sent My AOS Packet	Good Afternoon Everyone, I was curious about something. I sent my AOS packet to the NVC about 1 week ago. How long does it take to hear from the NVC after I send it? I sent it from a Post Office in the Philadelphia area. Thank You, Joe NVC won't contact you about the AOS package (unless there was something missing/incorrect, in which you'll get a checklist). If you want to know if it's been reviewed and accepted, you need to CALL them.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-07-25 14:15:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	how many copies	Hi, Im just wondering how many copies (original plus 1,2 or 3 copies) of each document i should include in the AOS and IV packets? Thanks Dean You don't include any photocopies in the AOS package. And the only things you include photocopies of in the IV package is of the birth and marriage certificates, along with the originals, so you can get the originals back at the interview.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-07-30 18:34:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	IV packet	Saylin for president!	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-08-01 21:44:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	IV packet	I've paid the IV fee and its already shows paid. DO I have to wait for them to email me to send the package or should I just send the package? Thanks If it's appearing as PAID in the payment portal, then you can send the package. No need to wait for correspondence.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-08-01 21:25:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	How to package DS230 for mailing?	Sending originals and copies of the marriage and birth cercificates. Should I do the same for police report? I have two sets of originals anyway, second set to take with me to interview just in case... No need to send a photocopy of the police report. You don't get the original back at the interview.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-07-31 13:53:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	How to package DS230 for mailing?	I suppose To many numbers Gotta be careful with the numbers. They're similar, but are two very different forms.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-07-31 13:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	How to package DS230 for mailing?	I thought the ds-230 was the email that you send back to them? Im confused now The DS-230 is the Immigrant Visa Application form. Are you perhaps thinking about the DS-3032? The Choice of Agent form?	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-07-31 12:52:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Procedures	How to package DS230 for mailing?	Never send originals unless you are asked. You should bring originals to the interview really. For IR-1/CR-1 applicants, originals ARE needed. Proof: http://travel.state..../info_3195.html (first paragraph on the page) You were a K1 applicant, which is a completely different process. I need to include copies in addition of the originals of the marriage and birth certificate? I was just going to send the originals... Thanks! Yes, you need to include the originals as well as photocopies. The purpose of the photocopies is so that they can have a copy for their records thus returning the originals to you at the interview.	Saylin	Female	Canada	2012-07-30 21:55:00