biggish data

Double checking documents for interview + a few questions

I have my interview on Tuesday Feb 4th... & I already feel sick with stress! I am going through my folder of stuff & want to list it so someone can double check it for me...I am paranoid I will end up missing something important.

-Appointment confirmation

-Loomis information

-Copy of biographic page of passport

-2 US passport style photos

-Medical results

-Original long form birth certificate (& copy)

-Police check (& copy)

-Letters of intent signed January 10th (from both petitioner & beneficiary)

-Copy of petitioner birth certificate

-Noa1 & Noa2 (originals & copies) & packet 4 (wasn't sure if originals were needed of these but got them anyway!)

-Affidavit of Support - i-134 filled out by petitioner, with tax return from last year (wasn't living in country before that so we couldn't do past 3 years) His father is the co sponsor so he filled out a seperate i-134, we have past 3 years tax returns, w2s, letter from employer, pay stubs.. hope they are mostly interested in him, because my fiance is a student & has no income at the moment so we don't have any supporting evidence for him other than tax return.

-Relationship evidence: pictures of us, phone records, skype calls, letters he sent me, flight itineraries. Probably won't ask for it but I am of course bringing it just in case!

Now question...it says on the list of things to bring to bring this:

Two Nonimmigrant Visa Applications, Form DS-156 (A Form DS-156, prepared in duplicate.)
One Nonimmigrant Fiancé(e) Visa Application, Form DS-156K

I already sent these in with packet 3?? I want to be sure on whether I have to do these again or if they will have them with my packet 3. I do have a copy of my packet 3 that I am bringing with me as well. I just don't want to get there and find out that I was supposed to fill these out again. Can anyone who has gone recently tell me for sure that they did or did not ask for these?

Do they know that I have already paid the $240 visa fee? It does say on the appointment confirmation page under applicant details "MRV Fee amount $240" "MRV Fee Receipt:" & then a number..is that all they are looking for?

Also, how do I attach the passport photos? They came in a little folder from costco..do I leave them in that? Or paperclip them to a page? Haha...I am over thinking everything...

I am only going for the night, & am scared to go and navigate on the bus downtown from the airport all alone! I am not used to that sort of thing haha. I will be so happy to have it all over with.

Thanks for the help!

Edited by kc247, 28 January 2014 - 08:39 PM.

kc247

Female

Canada

2014-01-28 20:37:00

Just been approved, a few things to note (Quebec Consulate)

Oh dear I hope it was because they were missing documents or something like that. I am terrified!

kc247

Female

Canada

2014-02-01 22:53:00

if you could have the same job, same salary, would you choose Canada or the US?

I wouldn't be moving to the US if it wasn't for my soon to be husband, I had plans to move to Alberta to get a better paying job in my field (I am from NS...jobs are scarce here). We thought he'd go to school up there and we would live there..until we saw how much more tuition is for an international student. So that is why I'm going there. I have high hopes to move back to Canada after he is graduated..but I know we will go to wherever he gets a good job. I love Canada though...& will definitely be back someday!

kc247

Female

Canada

2014-02-05 08:57:00

Montreal here I come

I know i need 2 passport pictures for my interview... Does anyone know if they also want 2 pictures of the petitioner?

Thanks

I was never asked for my 2 passport pictures but I did have them with me..not sure if that is normal? :S Also no, none from the petitioner.

kc247

Female

Canada

2014-02-07 16:41:00

Montreal here I come

I will arrive early , thank you! Did you need the 156 forms? How did your interview go?

Nope didn't need any of those forms. I took copies just in case but I could see they had my i-129f packet there, & my packet 3.

My interview went really well, the lady was quite nice & just asked me basic questions like. how we met,.how long we had been dating, how we keep in contact, why we chose to live in the US, & questions about the wedding. Was glad to have it over with though!

kc247

Female

Canada

2014-02-05 22:00:00

Montreal here I come

I just came back yesterday from Montreal Went from Halifax as well!

You only need the i-134 not the 864 (that is for your AOS once you get to the US)

My recommendation is get there early! I went early (got there about 6:55am) & was the first in and the first out..and was soo happy I was! I did not want to wait around in that place.

kc247

Female

Canada

2014-02-05 21:05:00

Interview and AP

I would try it again, the site might been under maintenance when you tried.

Been trying since Wednesday. Though I have never typed my # in since probably November, so I can't say what or if it said anything before the interview.

kc247

Female

Canada

2014-02-07 20:14:00

Interview and AP

I'm so confused about CEAC...when I enter my MTL # it says 'your search did not return any data' :(

kc247

Female

Canada

2014-02-07 16:11:00

Moving to the states on a K1

I am planning on just taking 2 checked bags and a carry on with as much as I can. My parents & sister will be coming the following week for the wedding and will check a couple bags for me as well. Flying with stuff is my only hope..Utah is way too far from Nova Scotia to drive just to take a bit more stuff!

kc247

Female

Canada

2014-02-08 17:26:00

CEAC says "Issued" but no e-mail from Loomis

Don't worry about your waybill # too much haha, they didn't sent me an email for about a week. Also my # on CEAC didn't even work until after they sent the email!

kc247

Female

Canada

2014-02-16 17:31:00

Was I supposed to receive my medical results back after K1 interview?

Instead of starting a new topic I am going to just add to this...I am working on my AOS right now, and it says for the I-693 you don't have to have another medical if you are a K1 visa holder if it was completed within the past year. I thought I wouldn't have to submit anything because they have it all on hand. The only thing I got back at the interview was my CD with xrays. Now I am reading that you have to get a civil surgeon to complete some form and it is difficult to get one who won't want to do a full medical? I have no copy of the vaccination form the doctor filled out at the medical. Is there any way of getting this done without having to go to another doctor?? Has anyone had success without sending anything in? Shouldn't USCIS have all of the medical stuff on file??

kc247

Female

Canada

2014-03-06 12:22:00

Was I supposed to receive my medical results back after K1 interview?

The $300 is paying the doctor and his staff, as he isn't getting paid by the province. Just a few pages of paper!!

Yess I realize that, I am just stating that it would be nice to be able to see them as well.

kc247

Female

Canada

2014-01-31 18:33:00

Was I supposed to receive my medical results back after K1 interview?

I was wondering this myself... I would kinda like to see what is in it after paying $300 for all of it haha.

kc247

Female

Canada

2014-01-31 17:28:00

Interview date is February 10....I have a boring 4ish months ahead of me if I can't find a sooner date!

kc247

Female

Canada

2013-10-25 12:48:00

I hear that. Praying my winter tires can go another season...

Oddly enough still haven't heard anything from nvc or Vancouver consulate. Haven't been pesting cause a) been busy with work and b) still haven't sold the house. Wonder if nvc is affected by the shutdown...

I had to call to find out anything..my fiance never got any sort of email / letter (yet). I had to call DOS the other day just to find out my case is headed for Montreal. You could just not call since I know you are not in any hurry & just wait till you receive packet 3 probably! It is probably already headed for Vancouver by now since I know your NOA2 was right before mine!

kc247

Female

Canada

2013-10-08 19:17:00

Wow that was quick!! Ugh I would honestly rather be going all the way to Vancouver than Montreal. I hear horror stories of the wait time for an interview at Montreal. I am hoping by the time I get to the point to book an interview I am one of the lucky ones who only has to wait a month or so.

kc247

Female

Canada

2013-09-04 20:09:00

I thought the K3 visa was dead? Just what I've read but I could be wrong!

kc247

Female

Canada

2013-09-02 17:21:00

Hello everyone,

I'm new to posting here, and after weeks of reviewing various US immigration forums including VJ, and attempting to swim through getting my general affairs in order to prepare for such a huge change, finally found this Canadian related section.

I must say my head hurts and there is so much information that I feel overwhelmed.

We (my US spouse and I) sent our I-130 petition on July 20, 2013 and received our I-797 notice of receipt on the 29th.

We then also sent an I-129F on July 29th and received the notice of receipt on Aug 5th.

I've read since then, here on VJ that we shouldn't have bothered to send the I-129F and that in fact it could delay processing on the I-130:(

What confuses me at times, is knowing what to read, what to prepare for. Who knows whether I'll be following the K3 route or the IR route, and not knowing timelines clearly makes preparations difficult. But I'll forge ahead!

I'm now going to focus on a few things I need to do, but please inform me if you feel there are some other priority tasks I should consider. I'll get my long-form Birth certificate, I'll look into getting my vehicle 'approved' with Toyota so that I know whether I meet EPA/DOT standards, and find my statement of ownership. I'll also try to figure out my last 10 years of travel into the US as I'll require that on an upcoming form.

A couple of questions have arisen from reading forums:

Is it true, or shall I say I'm kind of shocked, that I have to go to Montreal for the visa interview?! wow. I put Calgary on the petitions - do I need to contact USCIS NBC to have that location changed?

Secondly, I noticed in a thread here somewhere that the medical can only be done in places like Vancouver and Montreal? Again, shock, as I was anticipating it would be no big deal to locate an immigration-approved medical exam someplace here in Calgary.

Thirdly, in registering for this site, it asks, as many of you have listed, the service center and local office that your case is associated with... how do I know what mine is?

It will be a pleasure to make this journey with the rest of you. Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide!

The i-129F is for US citizens who are bringing a fiance to the US to get married. If you are already married you do the i-130!

http://www.visajourn...tent/i130guide1 <--That is a guide for the i-130.

& you are right, Montreal is the only place that does interviews for that type of visa. Also they will know this, and will put it as your local office instead of Calgary.

kc247

Female

Canada

2013-09-02 15:24:00

Ahhh hope it sells soon for you!!
I am gonna try later this week probably but doubt anything will be there this soon... but the way things have been going who knows!

kc247

Female

Canada

2013-08-27 17:31:00

that was quick. I haven't even called the nvc, I thought I had to give it two weeks...

Did you get your case number already?? I haven't called yet about mine.

kc247

Female

Canada

2013-08-27 16:00:00

After Interview, Approved. Wait time for Visa? (Montreal Consulate)

When was your interview date? Mine was Feb 4th, I got my waybill # Feb 10th, passport was ready Feb 11th. You will probably get an email from Loomis when they pick up your passport. Did they interviewer tell you how long it would take? She told me 1-2 weeks, some people are told a few days, I think it all depends on how busy they are at that moment with processing visas.

kc247

Female

Canada

2014-02-14 09:31:00

(the i-94 is now electronic and you get it online, just so you know nothing is stapled to your passport anymore, haha just to avoid confusion)

kc247

Female

Canada

2014-03-21 11:58:00

I just had heard that if you didn't already go and get one before you were married it is hard to get your first one in your married name because the name on the immigration documents is your maiden name. But if you could do it in your married name then that is great! Maybe I shouldof tried, I just had read that everyone had difficulties & I guess I like to avoid difficulties haha. I guess I have no problems in using my maiden name for things at the moment even though I am married, I am finding it hard to adjust to the name change!

kc247

Female

Canada

2014-03-19 09:57:00

Thanks again! What affidavit stuff are you waiting for? Didn't we do that in our visa application? What will I need to bring to apply for my SSN?

My husband's father is the co-sponsor so we are just waiting for his i-864 in the mail, and more recent pay stubs & letter from employer etc We fill out a different affidavit of support for the AOS than we did for K1.

I took my i-94 & my passport, and the application filled out. That's all they asked for but I had my birth certificate and IDs from home just incase.

kc247

Female

Canada

2014-03-18 17:27:00

You get your i-94 online, just google i-94 electronic copy.

I just went to the SSN office today & applied for my SSN. I got it in my maiden name because I heard so many people getting turned down with their married name because the visa is in maiden name, I will just get it changed when I have my EAD. We are also hoping to send out AOS by the end of the week, just waiting for Affidavit stuff! If I were you I would go to the guides and start the AOS paperwork now so you can send it asap. (How to get a SSN is in the guides too )

kc247

Female

Canada

2014-03-18 16:45:00

Drivers liscence

Same thing here! Apparently you have to take a written test AND a road test! My brother is applying for his AOS as well (from a student visa) and he told me he went to he DMV and they told him that..so he is taking his this week. You have to have your EAD though so I can't for another 2-3 months or more! I have been driving the car..I am not sure on the laws..I can't not drive though, my husband goes to school and works all day long, I would rather not be a hermit in the apartment (though I already am most of the time!), I'll just play dumb if I get pulled over, or just hope I don't!

I agree though I have had my license since I was 16 yrs old..so 7 years or so, and haven't ever had an accident or anything close..I dread having to take another road test!

kc247

Female

Canada

2014-03-24 10:18:00

Name change issues- advise?

It's annoying with the immigration thing to change your name. My SSN is in my maiden name, but I applied for my AOS in my married name, & plan on changing my SSN to my married name after I get my EAD. It's annoying though because things have to match your SSN ... so when I applied for health coverage I apply in my maiden name.. when people ask me my last name though, I say it's my married name.. sure doesn't make things easy!

kc247

Female

Canada

2014-03-25 00:06:00

Pros and Cons of getting US Citizenship as a Canadian

It's all personal feelings for people. I have no interest in it at the moment, maybe years from now if we end up staying here, just because it would make it easier if we did end up moving back to Canada and decided to move back to the US. & because you are done with paperwork and USCIS! My only problem is I am a very proud Canadian! I don't really like in the oath how it mentions renouncing all allegiance to any other place you are a citizen..or something like that. I know it doesn't mean you actually have to renounce your citizenship but I don't take the words lightly. I couldn't do that in good conscience because to me, my Canadian citizenship will always come first. It's hard to say what will happen in the future but the only reason I came here was because tuition for my husband was wayy too much in Canada compared to what he pays here, if it goes my way & he can get a job in Canada, we will move to Canada in a few years when he is done his schooling..but we shall see! It is a personal decision though many people have different views on it. I think there was a thread on this not too long ago you could read.

kc247

Female

Canada

2014-03-20 14:16:00

AOS Medical

oh Kc, that make sense, ok, please, keep me updated, how long now?

I just sent it yesterday so I have awhile to wait until I hear anything

kc247

Female

Canada

2014-03-25 15:12:00

AOS Medical

I just sent in my AOS packet, I included NOTHING medical wise, no copy of this DS-3025 I hear people talk about, didn't go see a civil surgeon or anything. I had my medical done in December, & when I went to my interview nothing was given back to me. & when I went to my medical I had all my vaccinations up to date. I didn't want to pay to have a civil surgeon fill anything out if it wasn't necessary..so I sent nothing. I am just going to wait and see if I get an RFE and if I do..then I will have to go get it filled out! I will post if I do get an RFE! I am hoping they have everything on file already but we will see!

kc247

Female

Canada

2014-03-25 13:33:00

Crossing border with K-1 in April

Probably all depends on the airport/how busy it is. I went through Halifax & arrived about 3 hours early, it probably took about 45 minutes my whole time in customs, they were really nice, didn't really question it all just had to look up a few things because they don't get K1 visas very often.

kc247

Female

Canada

2014-03-29 14:57:00

What did you do for health insurence?

I have been trying to apply for obamacare on the healthcare.gov website for the past week+..sooo annoying, freezes on me and now I can't even log in! Keeps saying they have to confirm my identity before I can pick a plan. I am going to have to call tonight to get coverage before the 31st..but would much rather just complete it all online. I miss Canada and the coverage I had there!

kc247

Female

Canada

2014-03-29 15:31:00

What did you do for health insurence?

To the poster whose spouse is a student and who is covered under their parent's insurance, you may want to look into coverage through the university as a married couple. Universities usually provide very reasonable coverage for their students and dependents. You may find that joint coverage at the university is cheaper than private coverage for yourself ? and if your spouse is their parents' only child, then they would realize a savings as well without him on their plan. Shuffling the dollars around may lead to a good plan that works for everyone.

A very long time ago when I was between jobs, I enrolled in classes which had the additional benefit of affordable health care coverage for me and my family which was significantly less than the COBRA coverage i would have needed otherwise.

Thankyou, yes we did look into it, was surprisingly more expensive than I thought. Right now I am looking into the whole obamacare thing, seeing what it is in comparison. Hoping to have something this week..I don't like going any amount of time without!

kc247

Female

Canada

2014-03-23 19:36:00

What did you do for health insurence?

I still haven't figured out health insurance for myself, trying to get something asap.. my husband is a student so is still covered under his parents. Hopefully I will get a full time job eventually when I get my EAD that I will get coverage with hopefully not too long after... but until then there are so many different options I don't understand.. everything costs hundreds of dollars a month.. hard when my husband is a student only working part time and I can't work!

kc247

Female

Canada

2014-03-19 20:02:00

I have a LG G2 phone with Rogers right now, if I unlock it can I use it with Verizon or AT&T?
My husband told me Verizon or AT&T will charge me extra because I have no previous "phone credit" in the US. Is this true?

I'm not completely sure, I know with mine I ended up just leaving it and getting a new one, I had a Galaxy S2 with Koodo. It was all too complicated for me to bother bringing it over so I just got a new one. You could try it though!

kc247

Female

Canada

2014-04-08 22:13:00

I ended up going with Ting Mobile. It seemed the cheapest. I bought a Samsung Galaxy S3 on Amazon & just activated it with Ting. Any other carrier that has free calling to Canada costs like $60+ a month and I don't use my phone enough to pay that! I will probably do like pro_star said, just purchase long distance cards and then I won't be charged long distance minutes.

kc247

Female

Canada

2014-03-28 13:05:00

Free texting in Canada or to Canada? Big difference. My daughter has Virgin mobile here in the States and she texts her cousins back in Canada all the time. Most often I find folks back in Canada seem to have restrictions on being allowed to text outside their area code or outside Canada. They receive my texts but sometimes cannot respond. Facetime is handy if everyone has an iPhone on both sides.

Any US plan is going to roam 10 miles over the border into Canada unless you get an international plan as well. We actually bought a Cdn smartphone to use just when we're back home visiting in ON because we feel naked without a phone...mind you its quiet

Nonono sorry, free texting TO Canada haha. That is strange, I talked to a virgin representative person and they told me at the moment they have no texting plans to Canada, it costs something like 20 cents a text or something. I told them I couldn't go with them if that was the case! :S

kc247

Female

Canada

2014-02-13 08:17:00

I suggest you look at Ting (ting.com). It's a no contract service and any minutes or text messages you don't use this month will carry over for the next month. It runs on Sprint's network, customer service is US-based and they have a nice variety of phones.

Looks nice do you have any problems internationally texting? I was looking into virgin then they said that they have NO plans for free texting in Canada...I didn't even look more into them..I have to be able to text my Canadian family & friends!

kc247

Female

Canada

2014-02-12 17:47:00

Page Plus is a pre-paid carrier and works on Verizon's network Any Verizon phone will work with them. We bought our phones off ebay.
Their unlimited plan is $45 a month.
I currently have an iPhone4 on the $45 plan and hubby has an LG Envy on a $12 plan that's 250 minutes 250 texts and 2gb of data (he doesn't use his phone much)

I like the sounds of this! He is already with verizon & really likes the service. I have never bought a phone off ebay... did you just search verizon phones??

kc247

Female

Canada

2014-02-05 09:05:00