ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
CanadaExplain how to pay interview fee at Scotiabank?
I think I've figured out why I can't get any farther than I have on the Visa Info Service website. Duh...do I feel stupid! :bonk: I guess now we have to pay BEFORE the interview, right? Up until now it was my understanding that we paid AT the interview. Don't know how I missed that one. :huh: But ANYWAY....................

Since I'm in the States right now, and I don't have a credit card, I'll need to have my mother go to Scotiabank and make the payment for me. How does that work? I'll need to give her explicit instructions.

Or has someone got another suggestion? I just hesitate to call Montreal for info and not be able to get through, or be put on hold for ages, only to find it's a very simple procedure.

Thanks to anyone who can enlighten me.
Tim and ErinFemaleCanada2010-09-21 15:35:00
CanadaAnyone else have a November 23 interview?
I scheduled my own as per instructions in the letter from the embassy. I had some problems getting through it, because I kept getting stuck on some mystery login page. But I kept on trying and finally got through it. Good luck scheduling yours. I've heard that some people were able to call and schedule an appointment if they had problems with the online scheduling.
Tim and ErinFemaleCanada2010-09-29 08:37:00
CanadaAnyone else have a November 23 interview?
My interview is November 23. Just wondering if anyone else is interviewing that day.

Tim found out he can take holidays during that time, so he can drive up and take me and all my belonging home with him! :dance:
Tim and ErinFemaleCanada2010-09-28 17:42:00
CanadaFinally going to Canada!
Enjoy your visit, Joyce! Oh and stop by Harvey's and have a burger for me, will ya? ;)
Tim and ErinFemaleCanada2010-09-29 08:46:00
CanadaSeiden vs. Medisys
My interview is in Montreal on November 23. I need to book my medical and be able to pick up my results a day or two before the interview. I know that recently I saw a thread in here somewhere that compared the two clinics, but I can't seem to find it. Any comment would be appreciated.

Erin
Tim and ErinFemaleCanada2010-10-12 16:06:00
CanadaWhich letter gets me in the Consulate door?
Is it the letter I received in the mail that says to go online and book an interview date? (already done)

or is it the confirmation email that I received after I booked my interview date? (do I just print it out?)

or should I be expecting something else to come in the mail confirming my interview date?

Thanks guys! :)
Tim and ErinFemaleCanada2010-10-27 21:44:00
CanadaForm listing belongings to present to border?
Is there a specific form to fill out listing the belongings I'm bringing across, or do I just make my own list? I saw a form 3299 somewhere, but it was for "unaccompanied goods." Mine are crossing with me.

Just wondering. It's one of those nagging little questions that is preventing me from falling asleep tonight. :P

So much info to process...so many lists of little things to do before medical, interview, POE...not enough brain capacity these days to accommodate it all. A brain can hold only so much it seems. :wacko:
Tim and ErinFemaleCanada2010-10-28 22:41:00
CanadaAffadavit of Support
Thankyou all for your quick replies. Tim can't find his last year's return, so hopefully he can get a transcript before my interview date...Nov. 23 :whistle:
Tim and ErinFemaleCanada2010-10-29 11:45:00
CanadaAffadavit of Support
Does anyone know under what circumstances he would need 3 years worth of tax transcripts?
Tim and ErinFemaleCanada2010-10-28 22:03:00
CanadaAffadavit of Support
Does my Tim(Petitioner) need any tax returns as supporting documents for the Affadavit of Support?
Tim and ErinFemaleCanada2010-10-28 21:41:00
CanadaK1 November Interviews in Montreal
Mine is November 23. Getting nervous already.... :(
Tim and ErinFemaleCanada2010-10-19 15:15:00
CanadaWhat are the chances of getting visa the day of interview?
Oh thanks to everyone for your replies! Now I'm thinking there's at least a minute chance of getting it that day or at least the next. I was going to ask them anyway....and smile alot, as someone suggested. :P
Tim and ErinFemaleCanada2010-11-05 13:33:00
CanadaWhat are the chances of getting visa the day of interview?
I know this has been asked lots of times. I'm just wondering if anyone here has had any RECENT success in maybe picking up their passport/visa the day of, or day after the interview. The thing is we'll be on a pretty tight schedule, and not having to wait that extra few days to pick up at DHL location would be great.

I know I had another question, but my brain is too full of stuff right now to think. (Interview is Nov. 23) :wacko:
Tim and ErinFemaleCanada2010-11-05 11:08:00
CanadaIs it still first come, first served?
My appointment is for 9:30, and I'm just wondering if it's still worth lining up at the doors before they open.
Tim and ErinFemaleCanada2010-11-05 13:35:00
CanadaFederal income tax return
Tim did order transcripts, but we're not sure he'll get it before my interview date. So he's bringing along his last year's tax return. He has other supporting documents as well for the Affadavit.

MSR: Did you have the tax return, transcripts, or both?

Thanks for your replies. :)
Tim and ErinFemaleCanada2010-11-08 20:58:00
CanadaFederal income tax return
Tim is wondering if he needs to have his income tax return notarized, as supporting evidence for the I-134 Affadavit of Support. I thought I'd read that somewhere in here, but can't find it now. If it needs to be notarized, who could do it for him?
Tim and ErinFemaleCanada2010-11-08 18:49:00
CanadaCrossing the Border for XMas Vacation
I wasn't denied entry either while my K-1 was being processed. I crossed in July for a visit and had all my proof and paperwork with me. My story is here if you'd like to read it:

My link

Good luck, and have a great Christmas! :)
Tim and ErinFemaleCanada2010-11-09 18:16:00
CanadaDHL
Thanks for the info. It's good to know since we'll be on a tight schedule and don't want to be waiting needlessly.
Tim and ErinFemaleCanada2010-11-09 18:07:00
CanadaParking near Montreal consulate?
I'd like to hear from people who know where there's parking (free or not) fairly close to the consulate.

Thanks to all. :)
Tim and ErinFemaleCanada2010-11-09 18:03:00
CanadaSealed envelope contents at POE
That stuff in the envelope is probably stuff we gave them anyway. :rofl:
Tim and ErinFemaleCanada2010-11-09 20:48:00
CanadaSealed envelope contents at POE
I was reading some guides in here and came across this:

[Does anyone know exactly what happens to this wad of papers in the brown envelope (after) the USCIS (INS) at POE goes through them?
A..It is sent to the USCIS (INS) district office closest to where you will reside, which will be the office handling your case once in the USA.
(NOTE: the envelope may "transit" through one of the Service Centers, but it will end up at your local office at some point in your adjustment of status process - i.e. when you apply to be a permanent resident) ]

So what if this paperwork somehow gets lost? Am I right to ask at the border if they can photocopy everything for me before they send it off? Has anyone here ever requested that?

I know...probably worrying for nothing... :unsure:
Tim and ErinFemaleCanada2010-11-09 20:27:00
CanadaAnyone who has stayed at La Tour hotel
Ya, I've read the stories about La Tour, but I don't mind if it's just for one night.

It's nice to know we can lock up some stuff even before we check in. I'd love to walk around the area and see some things while we have time. It's going to be a rush the next morning to pick up the medical results at Medisys and get over to the consulate. My appointment isn't until 9:30, but like everyone else I'll try to be at the doors before they open at 7:30.

I think check-in time at La Tour is 3 p.m. right? And check-out time is noon the next day? Correct me if I'm wrong.

I'm not even sure what time of day is the best to be driving in downtown Montreal. IS there a good time? All I know is that when I went for my medical a couple weeks ago it was during the lunchtime rush...we arrived around 12:30! NEVER wanna run into traffic like that again! :o Maybe we'll try to arrive in Montreal before the noon rush...park...then walk around and watch the chaos. :lol:

Oh boy...the nerves are getting to me now. "Just breathe, Erin..." :whistle:
Tim and ErinFemaleCanada2010-11-16 17:43:00
CanadaAnyone who has stayed at La Tour hotel
I thought I read somewhere on VJ that La Tour (or maybe it was another hotel) has lockers or something where I can lock up some things before I head off to my interview? I don't want to leave stuff in our hotel room. Does anybody know?
Tim and ErinFemaleCanada2010-11-16 16:16:00
CanadaIs my interview checklist ok?
So, printing out the entire DS-160 is just a matter of going back to the online site and logging in and printing it? I mean, I figured once I'd printed out the confirmation page that I was done with it...and maybe couldn't access it again. :( Do I just log in again and it will give me the option to print? (Grrr...now I'll need to impose on someone again to use their printer, as I don't have one.)

I do have a letter of intent from myself that I printed out before I realized the consulate only required one from the petitioner. I never threw it away, so I'll add it to my folder just in case. And I'll have Tim redate his, because I believe I read that it has to be dated and signed within so many (?) days of the interview.

I also forgot to mention in my first post that I do have proof of ongoing relationship in the form of pictures, a few phone bills, and boarding passes from my last few trips to visit Tim. (I was lucky enough to be able to spend about 6 months out of the past year with him.) :)

Just holler if you guys think I'm good to go.

P.S. to Inky: I wonder why you were told that? After all, the USCIS website states that they only need the confirmation page. :unsure:
Tim and ErinFemaleCanada2010-11-16 09:15:00
CanadaIs my interview checklist ok?
I did a quick search and found this on the USCIS website:

Please note that after you have completed the DS-160, you need to take these next steps:

* Print and keep the DS-160 barcode page. (You will not need to print the full application.)

So I don't know why MSR was asked for both the application AND the barcode confirmation printout.

Yes, I have U.S. cash...all crisp and new too! :P

I didn't forget the medical results. I'll be picking that up at Medisys early in the morning of my interview, then RUNNING over to the consulate. :lol:

As for the vaccination results...I gave Medisys the results of the titres test I had done awhile back, since I didn't have access to a vaccination record from school. Nobody questioned it. So I'm assuming that whatever Medisys has in my records/results envelope will be accepted at the consulate.

Thanks for the tip about the cafe. I know I read about it recently in someone's post. Was that you jadenjewel? I also believe I spotted that cafe when I was taking a virtual walk with vpike.com around the area of the Montreal embassy. :D
Tim and ErinFemaleCanada2010-11-15 22:29:00
CanadaIs my interview checklist ok?
Ok, starting to get really nervous now, as my interview is fast approaching (Nov. 23). Here's what I've gathered up. I'd love to get some reassurance from others who've already had their interviews, that what I have is sufficient. Otherwise, I won't sleep for the next few days. :P

- passport
- email confirmation of interview date (2 copies, just in case)
- money for interview fee (is it still $350?)
- original and copy of long form birth certificate
- police check (2 copies)
- confirmation printout of DS-160
- photocopy of biographic page of passport
- 2 passport photos
- originals and copies of both our divorce certificates
- letter of intent to marry from petitioner
- I-134 Affadavit of Support (Tim is bringing it to me, along with supporting documents)
- supporting documents for I-134:
Employment verification letter from Tim's employer
Employee History Income Report
Bank statement
Copy of last year's income tax


I'm bringing two copies of everything, just in case.

Gee, it seems like it was a long time ago when I first joined VJ and was reading someone else's list. It seemed so overwhelming to me at the time. Well I'm still overwhelmed right now...and very nervous. If someone just tells me I've got everything, then I can relax. If I've missed anything, chime right in....... :)
Tim and ErinFemaleCanada2010-11-15 20:31:00
CanadaAm I going to be eligible for benefits?
I was wondering whether they'll take into consideration the 52 weeks prior to the last day I actually worked (in April), or 52 weeks prior to the date (early November)that my ROE was submitted. That's something I'll have to ask them I guess.
Tim and ErinFemaleCanada2010-11-17 19:46:00
CanadaAm I going to be eligible for benefits?

Not sure if this will help you but here goes.

I left / quit my job on Feb 12. 2006. I flew to Spokane on Feb. 23 and stayed here till
May while our K-1 was processing. We had hoped that our interview date would have been before May but it wasn't so I went back to Canada. Anyhow had the interview in June and POE was the 26 of June.

I had no intention of filing for EI as I was sure my leaving work in Feb. and not arriving here till June would make me ineligible. I posed a question as you have and got some input, some said I wouldn't get it and it was Flames9 who suggested to me "You have nothing to lose by applying all they can say is no"
So I applied expecting nothIng and I received 24 weeks of EI. I had to explain the reason for my being unemployed from Feb.to my POE in June.
In the letter I wrote them I explained that during that period I was here doing paperwork, awaiting an interview from MTL and arranging for our marriage.
Also told them my unemployed time spent in Canada was spent on selling my home and tying up lose ends

Make sure they write on your ROE reason for leaving: Relocating for Marriage.

Hope this helps you and that you obtain your EI. Good luck


Thanks, Allie. That gives me some hope. :thumbs: I got nowhere on the phone (no live person to talk to), but I'll head down to the E.I. office tomorrow. I was just doing my online application and had to stop because I need some info from my boss.

Thanks all for your input.
Tim and ErinFemaleCanada2010-11-17 16:12:00
CanadaAm I going to be eligible for benefits?
As I said, I was not "officially" unemployed until I returned from my last visit to the States at the end of October. I had been on leave of absence, but just before I returned my boss was aware that my interview was fast approaching and I'd be moving to the States as soon as end of November, so she had gone ahead and submitted my ROE, figuring I probably wouldn't be back to work. I was unaware of this until I got back, when I went to her to tell her to put my reason for quitting as "relocation to the U.S. for purpose of marriage." Her reply was "Oh, I already submitted the ROE." But she got on the phone and was able to make some changes to the reason for quitting. That part is fixed, so I'm not really worried about the fact that I "quit" since I had good reason. I guess I'm worried about being denied because I waited so long to apply.

Oh well, I guess I'll never find out unless I call. Some money is better than none at all. But no money is not good. :(

By the way, I'm multitasking right now...in the middle of making moist, chewy, warm ginger cookies. :D Cold rainy day here...perfect for baking.
Tim and ErinFemaleCanada2010-11-17 14:58:00
CanadaAm I going to be eligible for benefits?
Here's the scenario:

I've had this job for 3 years. My boss has been VERY generous in giving me leaves of absence when I've gone to to States to visit Tim.

I was in the States from approximately from April 20 until June 20, then back again from end of July to end of October. Between those trips I did not work. I wasn't "officially" jobless, since my availability to work was open, depending on how my visa application was moving along. My boss left it up to me whether to return to work during that time. As I said, I wasn't officially unemployed.

When I returned to Canada end of October, my boss asked me if I wanted to work between then and the time I will be moving. Since I still had some things to take care of regarding my medical and interview (both in November), I declined to return to work.

My boss electronically submitted my Record Of Employment, and put April something as my last day worked.

I'm sure I read that one should file an application no longer than 4 weeks after the last day worked. I'm not sure how that will work with E.I., since I didn't really KNOW my last day would be in April.

I'll be talking to someone at E.I. about it, but I just thought I'd ask here for anyone's opinions about whether they think I'll be eligible for benefits.

Hope this all wasn't too confusing. :P
Tim and ErinFemaleCanada2010-11-17 12:26:00
CanadaApproved!
We breezed through the interview in Montreal, and we're both happier than we've ever been! :dance: Thankyou to everyone here on VJ that got us through this whole thing. We couldn't have done it without you. :thumbs:

I don't have time right now to do an interview review, but I'll do it as soon as I can.
Tim and ErinFemaleCanada2010-11-23 18:57:00
CanadaIs DHL courier service open on weekends?
Just wondering. :whistle:
Tim and ErinFemaleCanada2010-11-26 21:10:00
CanadaWhich phone number is the correct one?
I can't tell you how heartwarming it is to have people like the members of VJ who jump right in to help those of us who have questions, or who just need reassurance that things are on track. I'd like to thank all of you. (L)
Tim and ErinFemaleCanada2010-11-28 10:38:00
CanadaWhich phone number is the correct one?
So if DHL will call me with a waybill number, couldn't I just call them first (and repeatedly :P )and find out if my visa is ready? I mean if I gave them my name or something?
Tim and ErinFemaleCanada2010-11-27 21:56:00
CanadaMontreal K-1 Interview December
QUOTE (Hugglebuggles @ Oct 28 2009, 05:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Wow. I've already become so Americanized I read those dates and thought, "Wow, February 12th? That's a long wait" laughing.gif

But congrats on getting dates!! That's great.


LMAO! Yeah my fiance has been correcting me for years on the correct order of dates....he had a heck of a time with it when he lived in Canada. It drove him bonkers.
LiLMermaidFemaleCanada2009-10-28 16:34:00
CanadaMontreal K-1 Interview December
QUOTE (Colleens @ Oct 28 2009, 01:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I just sent off my packet 3, so fingers crossed that it gets logged quickly and that Montreal is still being generous with the interviews!!!


Mine should be arriving any day now and it'll be sent back ASAP. I agree....hopefully they are caught up and we can get in for an interview December or early January. I think pretty much all the K1's have gotten interview dates but I don't think the CR1 people have all gotten scheduled yet.

LiLMermaidFemaleCanada2009-10-28 13:54:00
CanadaMontreal K-1 Interview December
Only 2 so far huh....how many are out there that have sent off their packet 3 and are now waiting for an interview still?
LiLMermaidFemaleCanada2009-10-28 10:35:00
CanadaK3 visa Montreal
I don't think you actually read the responses. You've been asking the same question since before you even sent in the packet 3. If you actually take the time to look around you'll see how long people have been waiting. You also seem to be under the misguided impression that since you filed for a k3 that your something special. You will not be processed any faster then the k1's or cr1's no matter what your lawyer told you.
LiLMermaidFemaleCanada2009-12-04 09:48:00
CanadaWe got our Interview Date!!!!
Congrats!!!
LiLMermaidFemaleCanada2009-12-04 09:22:00
CanadaAmerican in Canada....AUGHHHH!
QUOTE (Kathryn41 @ Dec 5 2009, 09:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
One other point - the OP can sponsor her partner to Canada as a conjugal or common-law spouse BUT - and this is a big but - her divorce has to be final. She cannot be married to someone else and claiming a partner relationship for the benefits of immigration. He is allowed to be in Canada as a visitor for 6 months maximum. He is allowed to apply for a Temporary Resident extension (do this now as it takes time to process). If Canadian authorities believe he is living in Canada without the proper visa he will be asked to leave and if he doesn't comply, he will be forced to leave and not allowed back in without the appropriate paperwork.

I think you are going to have to face the reality that there will probably be times of separation for the two of you. Most of those who are married and trying to have a partner immigrate either to Canada or to the US have had times of separation, although it is less likely for Canada than for the US - but the trick here is you have to be in a recognized partnership and to do that you have to be 'eligible' to be in that partnership. Being married to someone else doesn't make you eligible.

Good luck.


You can be common-law and your divorced not finalized. I went through this when my fiance and I were living together in Canada. Only problem for her is it has to be for at least one year.

"A person who is married to a third party may be considered as a common-law/conjugal partner providing that his/her marriage has been broken down and they have lived apart from the spouse for more than one year. The relationship with a common-law/conjugal partner cannot be considered to have started until a physical separation from the spouse has occurred. A common-law/conjugal partner relationship cannot be established if one or both parties continue their marital relationship."

"Common-law partner - A common-law partner is defined as a life partner in a committed relationship who has been continuously living together for at least one year. This person can be either opposite or same sex/gender. This is often referred as a domestic partner or civil partner in certain countries"

What we did because we did not want to file for permanant residence in Canada as we did not think we'd be staying there was get a temp work visa. Since he is in IT he was able to do this through NAFTA and although a pain it was faster then anything else. He had to drive to the border and re-enter Canada and its done at the border and up to the border guards whether its granted or not.
LiLMermaidFemaleCanada2009-12-05 21:54:00