ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
CanadaMontreal Interview
If you're in the Toronto area that is lol
Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2013-10-14 06:38:00
CanadaMontreal Interview
If you're in the Toronto area that is lol
Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2013-10-14 06:28:00
CanadaMontreal Interview
Thanks!
Which panel office did you call to get an appointment?
Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2013-10-14 06:17:00
CanadaMontreal Interview
Hello all!

I finally received my packet 4 informing me that I can set up my interview with Montreal. Only problem is - there are no available appointments! I've been refreshing for 3 days with no luck. I would get my medical done, but it says that I need to show the medical office the interview confirmation, as well as packet 4 email.

Anyone have an idea as to how long a wait it is to get an available interview? We are due to have our first born in just over a month. I am so anxious!




Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2013-10-13 19:59:00
CanadaAlright... who else is trying to schedule an interview at MTL?

2 APPOINTMENTS LEFT IN DECEMBER AS OF 11:02 PM ET!!


Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2013-10-16 22:02:00
CanadaAlright... who else is trying to schedule an interview at MTL?

FOLKS! As of 11:02 am ET, appointment are open!!!! Grab yours NOW. January to February open. 


Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2013-10-15 10:02:00
CanadaAlright... who else is trying to schedule an interview at MTL?
Oh, I don't feel so alone! I've been checking repeatedly since October 10th. I have the iPhone, tablet, and computer going.. I may be bordering obsessive haha!
Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2013-10-14 06:24:00
CanadaMedical Exam in Toronto (Dr.  Lyndon Mascarenhas)
Went to him this Wednesday. The receptionist told me it would take 3 to 4 days to for the medical package to be ready to be picked up. I received a call the following day saying that my package was ready to be picked up. I haven't picked it up yet, but did it take this quick for you all too?
Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2013-11-02 00:26:00
CanadaWhat does fiance need to accompany me on interview day?

Thanks,guys :-)


Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2013-12-15 00:17:00
CanadaWhat does fiance need to accompany me on interview day?

 
It is the easiest part of the process if you are prepared  AND been totally honest here on VJ----usually the people who have the issues--and go on AP if they were born in a country that is not on good terms with the USA---which quite often they don't mention that here on VJ and then go on AP and are all surprised!  congrats


Thank you!

Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2013-12-14 00:26:00
CanadaWhat does fiance need to accompany me on interview day?

Some people post just for the sake of posting, others mean well, but some are just clueless


Agreed.

Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2013-12-13 23:27:00
CanadaWhat does fiance need to accompany me on interview day?

They might request a proof of his American citizenship - can be his Birth Certificate too; if he's using his Enhanced driver's licence (which is a relatively common document for an American driving to Montreal, they'll know what it is...) and the guard has questions, he'll ask a Consular Officer.  How do you think they help Americans who have lost their passport? ;)  
Good luck at your interview. 


He was able to be let in with his enhanced DL. They never even asked for his birth certificate!

Thank you for the good luck wish. The interview went great - APPROVED! Honestly, it was the easiest step out of this whole process.



Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2013-12-13 23:21:00
CanadaWhat does fiance need to accompany me on interview day?

Thanks for noticing the fact that I was asking a specific question! I think some people think they know everything Vern the mere and simple fact is... they don't know what they don't know lol. I just hope that they are not giving people wrong information. I would personally only answer questions when I know a definitive answer to to. It's the right thing to do, right?


Sorry for spelling mistakes. I'm on the iPad and am not ashamed to say that I did not proofread!

Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2013-12-13 23:16:00
CanadaWhat does fiance need to accompany me on interview day?

 I second this - my now husband accompanied me to Montreal and into the consulate and interview. He was even asked some casual polite questions
 
I'm astounded by the number of negative, know-it-all responses in this thread which are un-informed. I'm sure the OP's fiance knows how to cross the border by now and she was asking a very specific question which didn't get answered


Thanks for noticing the fact that I was asking a specific question! I think some people think they know everything Vern the mere and simple fact is... they don't know what they don't know lol. I just hope that they are not giving people wrong information. I would personally only answer questions when I know a definitive answer to to. It's the right thing to do, right?

Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2013-12-13 23:13:00
CanadaWhat does fiance need to accompany me on interview day?

Unless the consulate specifically asked to speak to him he won't be allowed to accompany you to the interview past the main entrance anyhow. It specifically says this on their website.


That's very odd. For the K1 Visa interview in Canada, the petitioner is allowed to accompany the beneficiary to their interview. My fiancé came with me, the consulate never asked him to come. The packet 4 email that I was sent actually mentioned that a US citizen is allowed to accompany me. Of course, I brought my fiance.

He was able to come into the consulate with his enhanced DL. The lady checking never even asked for his birth certificate confirming his citizenship.

The interview turned out great! I was approved after a short, maybe 5 minutes total if interview time!





Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2013-12-13 21:51:00
CanadaWhat does fiance need to accompany me on interview day?

The consulate will want to see a passport.


Actually, he got in with his enhanced drivers license.

Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2013-12-13 21:41:00
CanadaWhat does fiance need to accompany me on interview day?

Thank you so much!

 

The enhanced license is an officially recognized form of citizenship identification for US purposes.  This isn't international travel...this is entering a US government building.  When we went through there was a young lady...couldn't have been older than 30, taking the Canadian passports and putting a sticker on the back that was already printed for the interviewees that day, making sure each person had an interview scheduled.  She didn't even open my US passport to verify my identity or anything like that.

 

The search feature here is your friend :-)  first hit is this page:

http://www.visajourn...5&topic=K1 Visa

where there is a post from VeeNDee that says this:

 

"My fiance asked if he could enter as a US citizen with an enhanced driver's license. They asked if he had proof of his identity of a US citizen and he said yes, so they got him to wait in line. (They never DID ask to see his ID and never asked us about his identity again). Not sure if he just looked extra trustworthy or if they forgot that step, but we were both glad since he had forgotten his passport in the US and only had his enhanced driver's license with him."

 


Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2013-12-12 11:04:00
CanadaWhat does fiance need to accompany me on interview day?

I'm aware that it's the official International ID - that isn't my concern. I've e-mailed the embassy, but they are notoriously slow at responding.

 

In any case, it isn't a big deal whether he's let in or not. It would just be nice if he was. I just need someone to give me a definitive answer, not a speculation. Thanks for your response all the same.

 

The passport is THE official International ID. I wouldn't be surprised if the Embassy didn't allow him in. Email them and ask.

 


Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2013-12-11 16:56:00
CanadaWhat does fiance need to accompany me on interview day?

Thanks.

 

Hopefully others can confirm if his documents will suffice for entry into the consulate!

 

Maybe, In my case my fiance showed his passport at the entrance, I think that will make it easier 

 

 


Edited by Steve&Hazel, 11 December 2013 - 04:45 PM.

Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2013-12-11 16:42:00
CanadaWhat does fiance need to accompany me on interview day?

 

He won't be allowed (or may not be allowed) re-entry into the US without the passport.  Travelling internationally, even to Canada, without a US Passport is foolhardy, IMO>

 

It isn't "foolhardy" at all. Canadian and American citizens can cross each others' borders by land with an enhanced drivers license. Flying will require a passport.


Unfortunately , he has to get a passport . There are two options one is like a card that looks like a driver licence , the other one like a little notebook BUT either one will have to

be applied in advance. :-/

 

He has an enhanced driver license, which he uses to cross the border. It's an alternative to a passport.


Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2013-12-11 16:34:00
CanadaWhat does fiance need to accompany me on interview day?

He doesn't need a passport to drive through the borders, he will only need it if he flies internationally. He's crossed the border by land many times with his enhance drivers license. Since we will be driving to Montreal from Toronto, crossing the border for him will not be an issue.

 

My question is if he can get into the consulate with his enhanced DL, since and birth certificate only.


Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2013-12-11 16:30:00
CanadaWhat does fiance need to accompany me on interview day?

Hello fellow VJs!

 

My interview is on Friday in Montreal. My fiancé will be coming with me. I am just wondering what documents he will be needing to be let into the consulate with me. He is an American citizen, but he doesn't have a passport. He has his American enhanced driver's license though and the wallet-size birth certificate. Are these enough for him to be let in with me?

 

Thanks for the help in advance :-)


Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2013-12-11 16:12:00
CanadaCan I file for SSN even after K1 Visa expired?
Hello, fellow VJs! I hope your journey is going well!

I have a question that I'm hoping that you all can help answer. I entered the US as a K1 visa holder. My husband and I filed for the Adjustment of Status shortly after we got married. Along with that, I sent it the advance parole and work permit request also. I was under the impression that I had to wait for my work permit in order to apply for my Social Security Number - how stupid of me to not have read further into that. I found out shortly after the 90 days that my visa expired that I didn't have to wait.

Am I still able to apply for my SSN even after my visa expired?

Any information will be helpful, I only ask that you answer with actual facts.

Thank you all in advance!

Edited by Steve&Hazel, 22 March 2014 - 02:49 AM.









Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2014-03-22 02:47:00
CanadaEstablishing Credit
Excuse my typos and grammatical errors - I'd blame it on auto correct, but unfortunately fat fingers on an itty-bitty iphone keyboard is also to blame :-)
Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2014-07-29 23:50:00
CanadaEstablishing Credit
I'm going through the same issue. After researching some credit cards, I found that the Discover Secured Credit Card to be fair. You have to put a deposit of $200 minimum, and you get it back after a year. However much you put down as a deposit will be your credit card limit. It's the first card that I got approved of. Discover reports the the three major credit bureaus every month. Alternate ideas would be a prepaid visa. I also applied for a Walmart card, apparently they're a more willing to approve applicants.
Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2014-07-29 23:47:00
CanadaCanada Immigration & K1 Guide for Montreal

Is the cost to schedule the interview now $240 USD instead of $350?


Yup, cost for k1 is $240 usd.

I went to to Dr. Mascarenhas this Wednesday. The receptionist told me it would take 3 to 4 days to for the medical package to be ready to be picked up. I received a call the day after my medical saying that my package was ready to be picked up. I haven't picked it up yet, but did it take this quick for you all too? I assume that everything went well, as the doctor said that they'd call me if something was wrong.



Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2013-11-02 01:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsHow long does it usually take for Montreal embassy to send Packet 4?

it took them a couple weeks to send out my packet 4 after they received packet 3. I never did get packet 3 in the mail... and i got packet 4 sent to my e-mail. Keep calling DOS every few days and ask them if it's been sent out smile.png

 

Thanks for that! Just wondering if you had to show a physical appointment letter to the panel physician when you got your medical. I'm afraid that if I never receive a packet 4 in the mail, but have been advised by DOS that that it's okay to book an interview, that panel doctor won't make an appointment for me without a letter/document to show them that I'm okay to schedule a medical.


Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2013-10-03 14:47:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsHow long does it usually take for Montreal embassy to send Packet 4?

Hi all!

 

My fiance and I filed our K1 Visa application in February. NOA1 and NOA2 were received fairly promptly.

 

Unfortunately, I never received my packet 3. After waiting a month, I finally did some research and found that it seems to be typical that packet 3 isn't sent out at all..or "lost" in the mail. I sent off packet 3 and Montreal just received it, as per usps tracking. How long will it take them to mail off packet 4? I'm afraid that they won't send it, same as packet 3, or it might get "lost in the mail."

 

Also just wondering what other February 2013 filers' timeline is like so far that have to deal with the Montreal Embassy.

 

Thanks to all the responses in advance :-)


Edited by Steve&Hazel, 03 October 2013 - 02:13 PM.

Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2013-10-03 14:11:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsStarting our K1 journey

My fiance and I started ours in February of this year. My interview is in December. My advice:

 

- Don't wait for your packet 3 checklist to be sent to you in the mail. Once you receive your NOA2, start getting your packet 3 together. You can find the checklist online. You will need to gather documents, such as a police clearance certificate(s). This may take time to get through RCMP. I've heard that some people had to wait months! Once you have all documents, send the packet off. I made the mistake of waiting for the packet 3 checklist to get mailed to me. I waited one month - pretty much set us back a month.

 

- Once you send your packet 3 off, make sure you pick the service that provides a tracking number, so you're able to know when it arrives. As soon as you find out, send Montreal or Vancouver (whichever embassy will hold your interview) an e-mail and let them know that you sent packet 3, it's arrived, and ask when you'll receive packet 4 notification. My embassy is Montreal, and they are notoriously slow with processing things. Be on top of everything by sending them e-mails - unfortunately, you can't call them.

 

- Get all the required vaccination shots in preparation for your medical while you are waiting for packet 4. Once you receive it, book your interview. Some panel doctors refuse to give you an appointment unless you have an interview date. It is harder to get an early interview with Montreal. Vancouver is pretty good.

 

Anyway, send me an email/message on here if you need help!


Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2013-10-20 22:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsPregnant and giving birth before interview.

Your baby is a US citizen regardless wheer you have him or her. Where you have your baby has no bearing on the decision to grant you a Visa. Stop worrying and concentrate on the miracle about to come forth. It is okay.

 

Just when you get back you have to file to get a US passport for your baby and all that fun CRIBA stuff. But focus on childbirth for now.

 

Oh by the way Congratulations.goofy.gif

Thank you so much! I will TRY not to worry lol. This is my first baby, and the stress of the upcoming interview and where I'm going to end up giving birth is wearing on me. I know that stress is not good, though! :)


Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2013-11-15 18:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsPregnant and giving birth before interview.

Steve and Hazel, relax, you can have a baby anywhere you want, that does not affect your process. Of course you have to let them know once the baby is born. In my experience Montreal is one of the best American consulate, you have the nicest people looking to help you not to deny or inconvenience you as long as all the paper work is straight forward there is nothing to worry. FYI my baby was born in US before I get the visa, almost same experience, enjoy and congrats to you too

Tomas.Fone, you have no idea how relieved I am to read this - I am literally almost going to cry (relief and pregnancy hormones lol). My question is, what paperwork did you present on interview day with regard to the baby?

 

Thank you so much again!!!


Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2013-11-15 18:02:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsPregnant and giving birth before interview.

And how are you going to pay for it. A normal hospital birth cost around $10.000.

If I were to go into labour while I'm visiting here, we'll have no choice but to pay for it out of pocket. Being a worrier, I called the hospitals in the Buffalo area, just in case I were to go into labour and some have payment plans. 


Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2013-11-15 17:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsPregnant and giving birth before interview.
Okay, I need to some major advice!

I'm Canadian and my beneficiary and fiance is American. I am due any day now and am visiting the USA. If I go into labour in USA and have my child here, will it affect Montreal's decision to approve me? I was not pregnant when we first started the visa process, but got pregnant shortly after - it was not planned for sure, but we are happy nonetheless. The process is just taking longer than the pregnancy.

I am very worried and stressed that I won't get approved if my child were to be born here. Any advice would be much appreciated.




Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2013-11-15 16:58:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress Reportsdont want to wait another 4 or 5 months

Don't give up. Stay strong, we're all going through this together, and you are not alone!


Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2013-10-03 15:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsFebruary 2013 filers K1
"No longer a prisoner" that's funny, because I joked about being a "prisoner" here too lol. Anyway, thought to update- I've been living here since December on my k1 visa. I've really been here since October, since I'm Canadian and am allowed to visit anytime. I've had my advance parol and work permit ID for a while now. I also got a letter a couple weeks ago regarding my adjustment of status: seems that I may not need to go for an interview. Unfortunatey, it said on the letter that this AOS may take up to 6 months. I'm not too concerned about that. I have all I need to live here: my SSN, work permit, and my advance parol so I can cross back into Canada and come home to NY anytime I want! Not to mention that I live under the same roof with my now husband and our baby girl :-). Will update once I know about the possible waver for interview and receipt of green card.

Hope you all are doing well and snuggled up close to your sweeties tonight!


Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2014-07-27 21:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsFebruary 2013 filers K1
Just went on my interview at the Montreal consulate - APPROVED! The interview was the simplest step in this whole process, which took just over 10 months.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL!


Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2013-12-14 00:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Case Filing and Progress ReportsFebruary 2013 filers K1

Congratulations to those who're done with this process!

 

We filed our in February. NOA1 and NOA2 came fairly promptly for us. The process started slowing down right around the time that I'm supposed to receive packet 3. Anyway, I never received it, so I did some research and found that this is pretty typical. Just sent packet 3 to Montreal and am currently waiting for them to log it in and send me packet 4.

 

To those who are dealing with the Montreal embassy and have already received their packet 4 and have the interview scheduled - how long did you have to wait? I am so anxious, I hope that I actually receive a packet this time!


Steve & HazelNot TellingCanada2013-10-03 14:24:00