ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
CanadaVisiting U.S. while waiting for interview
No visa is necessary, but she will need to show strong ties to Canada at the border. This is what we're planning do do for most of July, so we're hoping that my interview confirmation will be a strong tie in the eyes of the border officer.
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-06-28 12:22:00
CanadaPublic Notary

Statement of intent to marry.


I'm seriously considering just driving to Buffalo, NY (1 hour plus border) and doing it there. Faster, cheaper and less hassle.

Thanks for the suggestions, I tried banks and post offices and whatnot. Apparently it's just not as easy here.


Doesn't need to be notarized! Just signed and dated.
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-06-29 21:59:00
CanadaMontreal
Congratulations!! :D Great review on your timeline, too!! :)
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-06-30 12:48:00
Canadaeyeglasses for Medical

I wear glasses and they never even mentioned them at Dr. Seiden's. They didn't do an eye exam, and from reading recent experiences from other VJers on here they didn't check their eyes, either.



Yup, same here. I'm pretty blind without my glasses and they didn't even ask me about them.
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-07-01 11:49:00
CanadaHappy Canada Day!!!!!
Happy Canada Day!

I'm spending it at work because my employer feels Canadians should be able to complain and ask for a manager about their wireless and cable bills from 7am until Midnight every day of the year, including holidays. :S

But I do have a cute Snoopy Canada Day shirt :)
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-07-01 10:42:00
CanadaNumber to call?

OK, so CRAZY story....and please don't be mad VJer's, but I had to share with you because we are just beside ourselves.....Last night when we logged into the CSC site, wait time for an interview was 102 days....the thought of another 3 months was ridiculous....logged in this morning and they had an interview available within 24 DAYS!!!
Interview is set for Monday, July 11 @ 8:30.....super pumped people!!!


Well, that's awesome! Congrats! Did you end up paying or are you waiting to pay at the interview?
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-06-17 09:05:00
CanadaNumber to call?
Yup, if P4 has been logged and sent you can log into the CSC site and book the interview.

Good luck!
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-06-16 14:15:00
CanadaNumber to call?

We sent in our packet 3 to Montreal 10 days ago....what is the number we need to call to see if they have received and see if we can set up an interview???!

have been looking through the Canadian forum threads but have not stumbled onto that phone number yet.....

Any help would be appreciated, thanks!


You'll want to call DOS: http://www.visajourn...he-nvc-and-dos/
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-06-16 13:53:00
CanadaRescheduling appointment

Hi guys

Thanks again for the responses. My daughters passport came in and we were able to reschedule (finally) for October 12th. This is a lot sooner than i had anticipated....yay! SO I guess we are off to Montreal the week before to have her medical done, wait for the results, hit the interview, and, presuming everything goes well, pick up her passport and visa from a DHL office. Does anyone have any idea of how long after the day of the interview the visa's are usually ready? I think I read somewhere that they could be picked up at the consulate the next day or in three days from your DHL depot. This will have a lot of bearing on booking our flights.

Thanks again for all the help. In times of immigration panic, it's nice to just read posts from others who have had similar experiences and powered through things just fine.


Passport wait times have fluctuated a lot recently, from people who get it within days to people whose have taken weeks. There's a poll here that's got some data, but I wouldn't book anything: http://www.visajourn...-from-montreal/
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-07-05 16:24:00
Canadainsruance covered medical?

And thanks for correcting me ralyse, you're more on top of things than me :lol:


Anytime! ;)

(LOL no, it can happen. I just remembered reading that thread so I went on a search to find it.)
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-07-06 21:06:00
Canadainsruance covered medical?

It turns out I was wrong. I just looked at my packet 4 and it states that "fees may be paid in US Dollars or the Canadian dollar equivalent [so CAD is totally fine as long as it adds up to 350 US]. We accept cash and credit cards only."

So credit cards, US cash, and Canadian cash are totally fine.


I found the thread I was thinking of: http://www.visajourn...ng-at-montreal/

Evidently later in P4 (I'm at work and don't have it on hand) it specifies for K1 it has to be US cash. I'd take the US cash just to be safe.
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-07-06 19:15:00
Canadainsruance covered medical?

ahhhh got it, so confusing!

and the actual interview in montreal, they accept credit card in addition to US cash, correct?


I believe it's US cash only at the interview, actually... but I can't seem to find the link to verify. Hopefully someone else will weigh in.
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-07-05 23:00:00
Canadainsruance covered medical?

can anyone tell me, credit cards are accepted at the medical, correct?

Looks like they are, but wanting to make sure!


For Dr Seiden at least it's only Cash, Money Order or certified cheque. Outlined here: http://www.panelphys...s/ExamCosts.htm
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-07-05 21:29:00
CanadaGOT AN INTERVIEW!!

HEYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Ryan and I got our interview today!!! It's October 12th!! Seems like so far but I am just so glad to have it booked!!


Congratulations!! I remember that feeling :) Even if it's far, it still comes... we're less than a month from ours now and when we first booked it ine arly may it felt like it would never get any closer!! :)
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-07-05 18:27:00
CanadaNo appointment date

We paid our fee up front....although based on what someone else posted, I guess this doesn't matter since they also paid their fee upfront and couldn't see the calendar.


What does your "Trip Purpose" say?
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-07-01 16:56:00
CanadaNo appointment date

I have been checking the websites for more than a week but no luck. What should/could I do?


Just have to wait, unfortunately... they'll open up the next block of dates eventually. Keep refreshing in case someone cancels, you might get lucky! :(

I went about 1.5 weeks before I got a date, but I know others were waiting even longer.
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-06-28 17:20:00
CanadaToronto Medical Review
Wow, I guess Monday is just the busy day then! The waiting room was absolutely packed by the time we left at 8:15! Standing room only!

And if it was the same receptionist as Monday, she was so incredibly nice! :D
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-06-23 11:56:00
CanadaToronto Medical Review
Excellent! I'm glad it went so smoothly! When I was there, I got through everything but the exam really quickly, and for that I waited until 8 when the doctor (I didn't get her name, but she was female) came to talk to me. And I'll agree, the process of it was really efficient!

Fedex just dropped off mine now, from my medical on Monday. This xray is huge, I don't know where to keep it!! :)
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-06-23 10:18:00
CanadaLand Border Questions / Ties to Canada
Well, had our border crossing experience last Thursday... first time I've ever had any trouble. In the car was my computer (Which I knew might cause trouble) a suitcase for each of us and some of our camping stuff (What I still had in Canada... namely two camping chairs, my sleeping bag and an empty cooler). I also had a grocery bag with some toiletries and makeup bag and my fiance had his sleep apnea machine.

At initial inspection he guy looked through all my K1 paperwork, but said he was sending us to secondary because of the computer.

In secondary we told them the same thing, that we're going to stay with friends and then camping in Minnesota (We had copies of the campsite registration, our friends info, etc.) The reason I had my computer was to do some gaming for the week we were at our friends. Showed all my K1 stuff. The officer flat out told us he believed I would be going back, especially with the interview so close, but he didn't like some of the stuff I had with me. He named my computer, as well as Ramon's sleep apnea machine and, bizarrely, my makeup bag which had about 6 things of nail polish in it.

He left us inside and went and tore apart the car a second time (We could see, they had already gone through everything once, this time they were going into every bag we had). We watched as about 5 border officers went through the car and stood around talking. They then came back and started asking Ramon all about the time he crossed a few weeks ago (already mentioned in this thread, when they took him into secondary.) They asked him what the officer said about my stuff and he told them "He said it was up to the officer's discretion."

At that, the officer got really rude with us, told Ramon that's not what was said according to the report and that he was told to never again try bringing my stuff across or he'd be in trouble. Now, I wasn't there for that conversation, but I know Ramon well enough to believe that if they'd told him that he would've remembered. He especially wouldn't have taken another carfull of my stuff less than a week later (Which he did without problem, or even secondary).

So Ramon reiterated that he hadn't been told that and the officer we'd been dealing with said he was going to talk to his supervisor, he didn't think I should be allowed through.

So, we're pretty worried at this point and Ramon's a little pissed that they're telling him he remembered wrong or something like that. Our officer comes back and asks for Ramon's driver's license and SSN and starts filling out some paperwork. He asks me for my DL, then basically tells me I'm an idiot when I say I don't have one. He just stands there typing for a while and then hands us a paper that we're supposed to give to Canada customs, because he's sending us back. It states we're not allowed to enter with my computer or nail polish. He then tells us he wanted to refuse me but his supervisor is making him only refuse the stuff instead. Basically, being pretty rude to us because his supervisor overruled him? I don't know.

So we go back to the car, back over the border, (paying the bridge toll again, should be noted) and the Canada customs guy looks at our form and says "Really? Nail polish? That's ridiculous." and then laughs and jokes about refusing some of Ramon's stuff into Canada just to repay them for being jerks to me. He was really nice :)

So we run into Sarnia and leave my computer and nail polish with my roommate's mom and head back over the border (Paying the toll a third time), we're marked to go right back into secondary so we head inside and the shift has switched so we have a completely different officer. He looks over everything and leaves for about fifteen minutes. He comes back and starts hassling me about ties to Canada. He ends up telling us the guy we dealt with earlier left really terrible notes and he couldn't really tell what happened but he tracked down the supervisor that signed off on it so he's going to let us through.

We can see the car the whole time, they didn't even check it.

Sigh.

So, all told, we spent over two hours in secondary the first time and then about twenty minutes the second time. Paid the bridge toll three times and I have no computer (fine, I get that) and no nail polish (which still baffles me) but I'm here for a few weeks. And we get to go on our camping trip :)

And my laptop has been in Michigan for like three weeks, so I can use it (even if its old and turns off randomly, LOL).

I've never so much as gone to secondary before so I'm not sure how typical my experience was, and Ramon is really upset that they hassled him over something he swears up and down was never actually said to him. But at the end of the day, we made it across and we knew trying to bring my computer was potentially risky.
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-07-11 13:01:00
CanadaLand Border Questions / Ties to Canada
In the interest of updating, I thought I'd share: my fiance crossed again today at Bluewater Bridge. He had with him a table, some DVD racks and a bunch of boxes of my stuff, car not quite as full as last time but pretty packed. He told them again how my lease was up before my visa appointment and I have nowhere to store the stuff, they asked to see documents so he showed them the printout of the visa interview confirmation and the NOA2 since that has HIS name on it too, instead of just mine. No secondary this time, they just let him through.

Glad to say that's the last time I'm sending anything (Down to a suitcase and my computer now!)

Edited by ralyse, 27 June 2011 - 04:50 PM.

ralyseFemaleCanada2011-06-27 16:50:00
CanadaLand Border Questions / Ties to Canada
Just spoke with my fiance, he took his SUV absolutely packed with my stuff (Including three tubs of obviously women's clothing). They took him to secondary to search it, and he told them exactly what was going on (That my lease is up a week before our K1 itnerview and I really don't have anywhere to store it). He told them he had already arranged to leave it at my roommate's mom's place in Sarnia if he was refused and that is apparently what made up the officer's mind to let him through. They didn't tell him not to do it again, but reiterated to him that it will always be up to the officer's discretion. They told him they believed his story, he showed them the printout from the CSC site confirming my interview date and said he had clearly done his research on what to do if he was refused.

So, I'm quite happy to say he just got about 75% of everything I own across the border with minimal issue :) Not that I doubted it, but it's so true that being honest with the border officers is *always* your best bet, it seems.
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-06-21 14:28:00
CanadaLand Border Questions / Ties to Canada
Thanks so much everyone, this is exactly the type of info I wanted to get! I'll definitely resist the urge to send clothes, then, and I'm glad to know that worst case scenario he'll just have to drop the stuff off at my roommate's mom's place.

Thanks everyone!!
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-06-16 11:39:00
CanadaLand Border Questions / Ties to Canada

My husband took 2 bags for me back to the US via land when he came to visit. The CO pulled him over and searched his car. When he identified his stuff vs. my stuff the CO let him cross but warned him not to 'import' any more of my things. The CO said that if he tried again, he would not be allowed to enter the US with the stuff and would have to 'dump them' somewhere before he is allowed to enter


That's what I'm hoping will be the case, if there's any trouble... hence arranging with my roommate's mom in Sarnia. I'm well aware there's a likelihood he'll be denied, I'm just hoping to avoid my stuff getting confiscated. Thanks so much for sharing!

Edited by ralyse, 15 June 2011 - 08:00 PM.

ralyseFemaleCanada2011-06-15 19:59:00
CanadaLand Border Questions / Ties to Canada
I'm wondering if anyone has an experience with something like this. I'm very fortunate because my fiance is only about 5 hours away in Michigan and has the freedom to come here quite often. Last time he visited, he took some bags of my stuff back in his car (Just DVDs and books, only like 4 grocery store bags full) and a table. The Border officer didn't even ask him about what was in his car.

He'll be here again this weekend to take me to the medical and I was hoping to send significantly more stuff back in his car. (Winter clothes, board games, more books, some yarn and crochet stuff...) Not enough that it would look like he was moving an entire apartment, but enough to fill the back of his SUV.

I understand it's up to the specific border officer, and he has no intention of lying if they ask him what's in the car, I just wonder what would occur if he wasn't allowed to bring my stuff across. Would they confiscate my things? Would I be able to get them back? Would he be allowed to turn back? (My roommate's mom lives in Sarnia, if this happens she's said we can just store my stuff at her place.)

I'm hoping someone has experience with this, I have nowhere to live as of the end of July and will be on a friend's couch so I need to have as much of my stuff with my fiance as possible to avoid paying a lot of storage costs. (Fortunately, I have no furniture other than a bookcase and the table he already took).

We always cross via the Blue Water Bridge at Sarnia/Port Huron, if that's relevant.

At the same time, I'm looking for recommendations for ties to Canada, since I'm hoping to get to a camping trip in Minnesota in July. I won't have a lease or a job, and I've never so much as been asked for ties before, but I want to be prepared. It will be me and my fiance, again through Port Huron and we'll have my computer and camping stuff with us. I've heard mention that people have used their visa interview appointment as a tie, so I'm planning to bring a printout of that. Otherwise, I'm not sure what I could use. (I've got a good backup plan if I get denied, as I'm aware it could be quite likely especially with my lack of ties and the fact we'll have my desktop in the car with us.)

So those are my two inquiries, I'm hoping someone can help me out!
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-06-15 19:41:00
CanadaPackage 3 lost in the mail??

Where do I mail everything?


This is where I sent mine:

ATTN: Immigrant Visa Unit
315 Place d'Youville Suite 500
Montreal Quebec
H2Y 0A4
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-07-11 16:59:00
CanadaPackage 3 lost in the mail??

Hi Everyone,

Our package 3 was sent out on June 23rd. And, I still haven't received it in mail. It's been over 2 weeks. I called DOS they said call the Montreal consulate. But, Montreal consulate doesn't take any live calls. How can I get them to resend the package. I am so lost.


Please help!!!

Thanks!!


I'm not sure about getting it resent, but You don't actually need package three for anything. All the information from it is on Montreal's website, you can send everything off without actually receiving P3. http://montreal.usco...=immigrant_visa
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-07-11 15:49:00
CanadaMontreal Process Recap

bump!

I can't find the link to the Montreal embassy instructions, the one that tells you where to stand on the elevator and the like? My laptop died and I had all the links bookmarked, this was one of them, so I'm bumping it again to the top for anyone currently at this stage with me! Ralyse, you must be getting totally psyched about your interview date, it's under a month now, right? (yeah yeah, stalking the KW filers!!!)


TOTALLY psyched. Just got back from a camping trip and will spend the next few days getting the documentation ready. It's coming so quickly!
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-07-18 23:17:00
CanadaMontreal Process Recap

You can register for DHL when you get your packet 3 or notification that packet 3 has been sent. At that time you will also fill out your forms (if you haven't already)....You do not have to wait for physical packet 3 to arrive before sending the packet 3 forms and checklist to Montreal. Have you called DOS to see if packet 3 has been sent?


I've got everything ready to send as soon as I hear that Packet 3 has been sent, I just wasn't sure where the DHL part fell into the timeline. Thanks for clearing that up!
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-04-19 18:57:00
CanadaMontreal Process Recap
I got my blood test done today (since my vaccination records are MIA in the Toronto area as well. Region of Peel, actually, but still.) They didn't specifically call it a titre test, but were checking my immunity for MMR, at least.

I do have a question regarding the original reason I started this thread... my head is having trouble working out when I have to sign up for the website & DHL and all of that. Is that when P4 is sent out?

We're on our way to Montreal, hopefully won't take long for P3 to get sent to me so I can send it all off :)
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-04-19 18:42:00
CanadaMontreal Process Recap
Yeah, it's very common on Kitchener-Waterloo too, unfortunately. Somehow going to the clinic never even crossed my mind though, even though it's basically across the street! I'll definitely check into that on my day off next week! Thanks!
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-04-14 11:10:00
CanadaMontreal Process Recap
Oh nice, that's a really smart way to do that! *adds it to list*

I unfortunately lack a family doctor and have for quite some time (since moving for school) so I've not got my vaccination records and was just going to have to pay to have it done at the medical. But otherwise, I've got everything in order :)
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-04-14 10:58:00
CanadaMontreal Process Recap
Thanks for all the input/reassurance! I'm glad I didn't have a complete logic fail on something, here. Just called NVC and got my Montreal case number and everything so it's hopefully moving nicely along :)
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-04-14 10:36:00
CanadaMontreal Process Recap
Hi Everyone!

I've been obsessively scouring the Packet 3 threads since basically the day we filed and my paranoia is starting to get to me. I've been keeping a list of anything important and it's been expanding and growing based on all the fantastic threads here in the Canada forum. That said, I'm now starting to worry that I've overthought this entire process so much that I'm going to miss something or get something wrong entirely. (This is what it's like in my head...) So I'm hoping you'll all humour my with my little rundown and let me know if there's anything glaringly missing or blatantly wrong?

-Currently I'm at the "Call NVC to see if they've gotten our case" stage. Today was the first day I tried, they have not.

-Once they have, I call every few days asking if it's been sent to Montreal and get my Montreal case number

-Then I start calling DoS waiting to see if the case has been logged at Montreal and Packet 3 has been sent.

-Once it's been sent, I send the following:
Signed Checklist
DS-160 x 1
DS-156K x 1
DS-230 x 1
DS-156 x 2

To this address, with my Montreal case number on everything:
ATTN: Immigrant Visa Unit
315 Place d'Youville Suite 500
Montreal Quebec
H2Y OA4

-Once delivered, I wait for DoS to say Packet 3 has been logged, and Packet 4 sent.

-Once packet 4 sent, I ask if I'm authorized to schedule the interview, and I do so via the website.

-Call and book Medical.

-Wait for interview.

Am I missing anything? is this correctly thought out? I've got everything for Packet 3 already and everything but the Affidavit of Support is ready. (We figured with the delay in interviews for Montreal that we could work on that while waiting). I want to make sure I get through this process (At least until booking the interview) as quickly as possible because unfortunately I'm out of a place to live as of August 1st. I realize the chances of getting an interview before then when I'm not even at NVC yet will take a miracle, but that won't stop me from keeping my fingers crossed. If it doesn't happen, at least once the interview is booked I'll *know* and have to figure out somewhere to live for the interim, too. (I don't suppose anyone thinks there's any hope in talking to Montreal about a possible early interview for this reason? I doubt it, but it's not like this was planned. Roommates had something major happen and can't wait until I've got my visa to give notice as was our original plan.)

Okay, that's a bit of a ramble. I appreciate anyone who can hold my hand through this to point out anything I'm missing or validate that I've got everything covered.

Thanks so much!
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-04-14 02:00:00
CanadaHotel Reviews Montreal
Does anyone who's interviewed recently have any input? Preparing for when it's our turn to book! :)
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-05-02 17:03:00
Canadamontreal logged packet 3, packet 4 not sent

Just wondering if anyone can give me an idea of what to expect here...

Montreal received my packet 3 at the end of June. On July 7th, they sent me a letter saying they needed my passport bio page, 2 passport photos, and DS-156 typed online (I'd handwritten it). I mailed that all back. Just spoke to someone at the Dept of State now, and she said that they received that additional stuff yesterday, but they haven't sent packet 4 yet. She said "it'll be a while before you can book an interview".
Is there usually a time gap between when packet 3 is logged/complete and packet 4 is sent? I'm hoping by next week I'll get to book my interview because I'm going nuts here...


There was a gap between them receiving P3 and logging it... that could be what's happening here. They've gotten your additional documents but they haven't logged anything officially yet... just keep trying DoS is my only advice. Hopefully you can book soon :(
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-07-22 14:28:00
CanadaHow long to print and mail

This will teach me to never bother calling again.

I called DOS at 4:30 PM right before they closed and asked about my case.

The lady told me that my cases were on Administrative processing and not even completed. I said oh really. Thats not what the other people said, she puts me on hold and comes back saying. Yes you most definitely are.

So now Im worried. Wait about 3 hours, and my wife gets e-mails that DHL has picked up our passports.

GG DOS. I really would say its not worth talking to them at all.


...Wow. That's pretty misinformed on DOS' behalf. I'm glad it sounds like you'll get them shortly, though!
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-07-22 19:53:00
CanadaPacket 4 Arrived today but.....

Thank you and BTW I will be moving to MI also! :)


Awesome! I'm here right now, actually :) Weather was lovely in Grand Rapids today, finally "cooled off" a little. (As in got under 30C... One thing I cannot seem to adapt to is understanding temperature in ferenheit)
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-07-22 20:07:00
CanadaPacket 4 Arrived today but.....

YOU ARE AMAZING!!! Thank you for the heads up .. I just rescheduled for August 29th!!

I THINK I LOVE YOU!!!! :)


Congratulations on being able to reschedule!! While I'm sad nothing sooner came up in the last few months for those of us that already had August dates, I'm really glad you're not stuck waiting until October!
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-07-22 20:01:00
CanadaPacket 4 Arrived today but.....

Guess what??? I was refreshing today and got an earlier interview date!!! August 11th!!! I am sooooooooo happy! :)


Congrats, that's soon!! :)
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-07-22 19:17:00
CanadaAffidavit of Support

They only asked me for my 2010 tax transcripts.

They didnt verify originals on anything else. Just that and my AOS original signed papers.


I hope that's the case with a co-sponsor too... Is there anyone that has gone recently using a co-sponsor and can shed some light for me? Thanks!
ralyseFemaleCanada2011-07-23 09:37:00