ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
CanadaQuestions on DS160 form for K-1 applicant
Montreal requires BOTH the DS-160 and DS-156. In this thread http://www.visajourn...guide-montreal/ scroll down to step #4 and #5, this is up-to-date instructions for preparing and sending packet 3 to Montreal, including which forms to fill out and how to mail it. Don't forgot the DS-230 as well, even though some people say it's all online Montreal wants a paper copy of it.

You can find all the forms here: http://montreal.usco...ument=visa_pkt3

I also put 50 years on my form.

As for the visits, list the most recent dates. I believe there's a field for "list additional dates here" which creates a supplement that prints off in addition to the first page. You can also add something along the lines of "including many more dates of unknown specificity due to frequent travel, between the years of XXXX-XXXX."
pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-09 19:55:00
CanadaHappy (Canadian) Thanksgiving!
I'm thankful for a lot of things, but I am especially grateful for VJ since I don't know if I would've made it through the visa process without it! :)
pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-09 20:07:00
Canadaanyone give up on k1?

And just go and get married? im so tired frusturated by waiting..I keep hearing all of you about no interview dates and we are still awaiting noa-2. Im just tired and i feel like my clock is ticking..sorry hormonal day..breakdown

Is it any quicker?


Unfortunately you just have to hang in there. Definitely DO NOT get married in the middle of the K1 process or you'll void your K1 and you'll have to start all over again with a spousal visa and that takes even longer than a K1! The K1 is the fastest route even though it takes so long. Once you're past USCIS things start to pick up again.

When I was waiting for my visa I cried a lot and sometimes the stress and the pressure was just too much and I'd have breakdowns and sometimes start arguments. But I just kept imagining the day when I'd finally get on the plane that would take me home to my fiancee and that put it in perspective. I knew that I would get my visa eventually, I may not have known when I'd get it but I knew that if I stay focused and prepared everything right that I would be moving sometime in the future, and the thought of finally getting everything over with kept me on track.

It's horrible not knowing when you'll be able to finally see your fiance again, but just remember there IS a light at the end of the tunnel. You WILL eventually receive your visa and reunite. Just keep moving forward. :)
pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-11 14:08:00
CanadaTypo in DS-260, case with consulate already

Yup, EP means electronic processing. And it's currently only available to IR-1/CR-1 visa applicants, as well as other visa categories that go through NVC. And nope, they never chose randomly. You have to sign up. It's still optional for Canadians.


Ohh, I see :) That explains all the IR1s/CR1s I talked to at the Montreal embassy who had done EP :lol:
pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-12 13:55:00
CanadaTypo in DS-260, case with consulate already

Please remember it's a different process for IR-1/CR-1 cases. You two are/were K-1 applicants and the above doesn't apply. Most Canadians opt-in to do EP which means the first time the consulate sees the original packages is the day of the interview when we bring the AOS and IV packages. So, they don't return any documents asking if there's any mistakes. And being that the DS-260 is online, they can't return that to see if there's errors. Thankfully, Montreal is still not used to the new system, so they require a DS-230 at the interview, which is when the OP can submit that with the correct year of marriage, and all will be okay.


I did not know this, thanks for the correction :) What does EP stand for, electronic processing? o_O Is that an option for IR-1/CR-1's? I thought they randomly chose cases for electronic processing.

VJ is educational, as always :)

Edited by pocheros, 12 October 2011 - 12:53 PM.

pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-12 12:51:00
CanadaTypo in DS-260, case with consulate already
At my interview in Montreal they handed me the original packet 3 I had sent in and told me to review it an make any necessary corrections with a pen. So if you bring a correct copy of the form and correct it when they hand back packet 3 you should be fine. They understand that we're human and make mistakes :)
pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-12 00:11:00
CanadaAppointments available in Montreal! Schedule yours NOW :)
Congrats to everyone who finally got an interview date!!! :dance:

I'm happy for you all, but at the same time I'm just in agony. I want to book my appointment too!!!! but I just sent off my packet 3 :( My petition expires in January, and I pray to God that when I receive notice of my packet 4 being sent, I hope I get something in December at the latest.

Good luck to all of you at your interviews. *fingers crossed*


Montreal automatically extends your petition when you schedule an interview, by the way. If you schedule your interview in January or later it's completely fine :) My original interview date (and that of many others) was beyond my petition expiration date and it didn't cause problems.

Also make sure to call DoS to ask if packet 4 has been logged- you don't have to wait for it to physically arrive in the mail. As soon as DoS says packet 4 has been logged you can schedule your interview. :)
pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-13 21:17:00
CanadaIs e-reader Kindle allowed in interview day?

thanks everyone for helpful advice.
May I ask the place in downtown to temporarily store those elec. items ?


Most people leave their stuff in their hotel room. Besides my interview stuff, I also brought the key card used to open my hotel room, and some change in case I needed to get more passport photos (there's a booth on the first floor.)
pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-15 12:43:00
CanadaIs e-reader Kindle allowed in interview day?
Don't bring ANYTHING besides the papers you need for the interview. I saw one guy get turned away for an electronic key remote on the day of my interview, as inky mentioned. No cell phones either! :P
pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-14 00:03:00
CanadaCan I come back to Canada after POE?

Hi Everyone - Related questions for the group (so glad I found this site). 1) Can you file for any of this "before" you're married (our wedding is a bit after I arrive in the US)? 2) Can you file for permission to work separately and first to get that piece started - again 'before' the wedding? 3) I have elderly and unwell parents in Canada.....if something were to happen before I get the AOS completed I've heard you can apply for an emergency leave if a family emergency arose. Again, would this be applicable "before' marriage? Thank you to anyone who can point me to a link or information that will answer all of these questions. Thanks VJers...... :)


You can file to work (EAD) separately from AOS and AP but it costs around $300 (it's "free" to file it with AOS) and it's kind of useless because it only allows you to work until 90 days after you POE. On top of that it usually takes some time to process, so filing it separately you're looking at spending $300 for a couple months of employment at best.

You can't file for AOS before you're married, but to get legally married you don't have to have the big wedding. You just go fill out some forms, it's quick and easy (or at least it was here in Las Vegas.) Okay, technically they required a ceremony, which meant we went across the street to some little chapel place where they performed a 5 minute ceremony with no bells and whistles. And bam- we were married! So you can do that and then just have your real celebration later. :)
pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-15 12:48:00
CanadaCan I come back to Canada after POE?
When you're approved at your interview they hand you a piece of paper with some instructions and it explicitly states:

"The K1 visa is for a single entry only, which is used the first time you enter the US. After that, if you leave the US, you will not be able to return using the K1 visa or proof of Canadian citizenship. Should you do so- including return travel to Canada or a honeymoon anywhere outside the US - you will be unable to re-enter the US without first obtaining an immigrant visa abroad as the spouse of an American citizen."

That means redoing the whole process, including the excruciating wait with USCIS!

You can travel inside the US, however I *think* there's some weird gray area with the territories (virgin islandss puerto rico etc.) so if you're planning on going to one of those areas I'd do some more research. I'm not entirely sure on that, it's just something I skimmed over once awhile ago. But if you're just going to one of the 50 states it's fine, as long as you don't have any layover (if you fly) in foreign countries!

From what I've read, on average it takes about 60-90 days for AOS/AP/EAD to get processed, so if you file soon after POE (filing for AOS costs $1k) you can expect a 2-3 month wait (I'd er on the side of 3+ months).
pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-14 14:17:00
CanadaPHOTO REQUIREMENT FOR MONTREAL INTERVIEW

My interview is next week. My photos were within the six months when I sent pkt3 and got pkt4. They are not quite 8 months now because of the long wait to get the interview. I had enough made and was going to use those because they're the same as all of the others I sent which made sense to me.

Would it be wiser to have new ones taken for the matter of 7 weeks? I look the same... no change in hair length or color etc. How strict on exactly 6 months or less?

I'm curious as to the answer but perhaps I will get new ones made before I leave.. no need to add any unnecessary "what ifs" to the mix at this stage. :bonk:


I'm not sure how strict they are about it, but it is part of the guidelines, which can be found here: http://travel.state....toreq_5334.html

This is one of those things where you want to say it probably doesn't matter, but the only person who's opinion matters is the interviewer at the embassy. For $10 I wouldn't chance it. At the very least, it will give you some peace of mind :) That way you can't say you didn't bring what they wanted! (Although there is a photo booth INSIDE the embassy, so if something were to happen on your way there you could re-do them at your interview.)

At the medical exam they snip off some of the photo to make it smaller and then glue it to your info. For packet 3, they glue the photos onto the 2x2 square that was on one of the forms (which you prepared in duplicate, hence two photos). At the interview, I'm not sure what they do with them! :P

It doesn't stop after the interview. You'll need to take more photos for AOS. Once I added up all the photos you need to take from start (petition) to finish (AOS) and it was 17 or something :bonk:

Edited by pocheros, 15 October 2011 - 04:52 PM.

pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-15 16:49:00
CanadaPHOTO REQUIREMENT FOR MONTREAL INTERVIEW

Are these two photos in addition to what was sent with packet 3??


Yes- you send two with packet 3 and bring two to the interview. You also need to bring three to your medical exam. They're all 2"x2", or american size. Just ask the photographer to do them american style, most of them (at least the places I went to) know what the requirements are.

I know it feels redundant to take so many photos but it's what they ask for. Make sure the photos are within 6 months of the interview :)
pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-15 12:39:00
CanadaMontreal Consulate Afternoon Appointment- When to show up?
For afternoon appointments they want you to show up 20 minutes before. They're strict about it- if you show up at 6am they will turn you around.
pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-15 12:52:00
CanadaToronto Medical

Yes, they have been extremely quick with email! Are appointments on a first come first served basis or do they give you a time slot when they confirm the appointment?

I just received an email letting me know the next appt date they have...but I wasn't sure if I'm able to choose a time or what. Can someone help please? Thanks!


It's first come first serve. They just ask you to show up during a certain time slot, I think it's between 7 and 8am (but I can't remember exactly as it was several months ago).
pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-17 11:17:00
CanadaCanada Pension and Old Age Security Pension
I also just remembered that I changed my address with my phone provider (Bell) a few days before leaving, but didn't tell them that I intended to cancel my phone until a few weeks after making my POE. That's how I found out Bell has this nasty policy of requiring 30 days of notice to cancel your phone (I was not on a contract, by the way) which means that I'm getting billed for an entire month even though my phone is disconnected! So investigate your phone provider's cancellation policies so there's no surprises. Had I simply notified that I intend to cancel a few weeks earlier, I wouldn't be receiving a bill next month. Grr...

Edited by pocheros, 17 October 2011 - 06:12 PM.

pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-17 18:12:00
CanadaCanada Pension and Old Age Security Pension
I accidentally quoted my own post here, and I can't find the delete button. >_>

Edit: Here is a pre-departure list, which I found in the Canada Immigration guide: http://www.visajourn...03#entry3288403

Also, don't do something silly like cancel your SIN card :) Even if you're no longer living in Canada, you are a Canadian citizen and have a right to that SIN number! Not to mention you'll want it for filing taxes :lol:

Edited by pocheros, 17 October 2011 - 06:02 PM.

pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-17 17:58:00
CanadaCanada Pension and Old Age Security Pension
I have no idea about CPP or old age security, so hopefully someone else will chime in.

I changed my address at the bank, since you'll probably want to maintain a Canadian bank account to have your tax return direct deposited into it. I believe the CRA won't direct deposit money into a foreign bank account, plus some banks are kind of iffy with Canadian cheques. I changed my address with them 2 or 3 days before my POE. Also, if you bank with someone who charges you a monthly fee to maintain a chequing account, you'll want to ask them for the lowest rate. For example, my bank charged my $13/mo for unlimited transactions (it's a rip off, I know) so I changed it to the $3.95/mo account a few days before leaving.

Obviously the CRA is the most important to notify. You can do it on their website if you have an online account. Note: if you don't have an online account with the CRA, I *think* you have to call them to change your address. This is because in order to set up an online account they mail a code to you that you enter on their website. I changed my address with the CRA the day after I POE'd and then called them just to double check that the information on my file was correct. Remember that once you move you are no longer eligible to receive the HST/GST credits. If you receive an HST/GST credit dated AFTER you made your POE do not cash it!

Regarding OHIP, I've heard that you can just not bother with them because your card will eventually expire (although you're not eligible for OHIP after you POE, since you're not a permanent resident ;) that would be fraud) but I *think* the OHIP website says you should notify them when you move. Actually, I'm going to double check on that since I've been here for about a month and haven't contacted them :S

Also, you can ask Canada Post to forward your mail to your new address, but I heard it's $60 or something for a year, dunno if that's true. I didn't bother with that since I don't get a lot of mail.

Oh, DON'T cancel your driver's license! A lot of people drive with their Canadian licenses in the states. Don't know the specifics, exactly, since I don't have a driver's license, but it certainly does not harm you to keep your Canadian DL.

Edited by pocheros, 17 October 2011 - 05:57 PM.

pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-17 17:52:00
CanadaInterview requirements

Better be safe than sorry! My fiancee lives in the Montreal area. Can anyone recommend a good translator in the Montreal area. I need to translate some documents from french to english. Does it have to be a translator registered with the US Consulate? Can I translate the documents myself then notarize them?
I want to make sure I do this right. I know the US Consulate has too many rules

Thanks


Translators don't register with the consulate- they just have to belong to an association. For example, my translator was registered with the ATIO, or association of translators and interpreters of Ontario. Packet 4 states that it must be done by a certified translator, so you can't do it yourself.

This looks like the association you need to refer to since your fiance is in Quebec: http://www.ottiaq.org/index_en.php
pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-16 13:59:00
CanadaInterview requirements

Now that I finally secured an interview date with the Montreal Consulate I just wanted to get some clarifications on some the requirements. My fiancée birth certificate and police reports are in French do I need to translate any documents from French to English? I understand that you have to bring your taxes info along with the affidavit of support. Can I just bring the 1040 forms showing that I filed for taxes in 2010 or do I need something else. How far back do I go when it comes to tax info do I bring the last few years or just 2010 stuff.


You're referring to the birth certificate of the interviewee, not the USC, right? On packet 4 it states that documents not in English must be translated. At my interview, the kept the certified translation of my birth certificate (it's in French too.)

If you're in Ontario and near Mississauga I can recommend a translator for you (it's where I had mine done).

It's also more convenient to have your documents translated here since depending on where you move to in the USA it might be easier to procure a French-English translator in Canada.

Edited by pocheros, 14 October 2011 - 12:34 AM.

pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-14 00:32:00
CanadaTry to schedule a medical exam in Toronto, no one answers the phone?!
Dr. Seiden's in Toronto called me back very quickly (ten minutes after I left a message.) After I left a voicemail I got impatient and e-mailed them and they replied to that e-mail almost instantly, too.

I don't know what their cancellation policy is but I imagine that if you schedule a medical at one place and then the place you originally wanted to go to calls you back, it probably wouldn't be a big deal to cancel the other medical as long as you give them a few days notice.
pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-05 12:06:00
CanadaAffidavit of support/Evidence of support

The tax forms and pay stubs etc that everyone keeps referring to...is that the US citizen's paperwork or do I, the beneficiary, also need to submit financial paperwork?

I was thinking of submitting a bank statement and letter from my current employer anyway. But, am I overlooking my paperwork? Can someone please tell me whether the US citizen AND the beneficiary need to submit supporting documents for financial proof?

Thanks so much fellow VJ-ers. Everyone here has been so helpful!


Only the USC needs to submit supporting evidence for the affidavit of support. The consulate won't care that the canadian makes $40/hr if they're not going to have their job once they're living in the states! The affidavit is there to show that the USC and any co sponsors make enough money to support you while you sit on your bum waiting for you greencard to arrive :)

Edited by pocheros, 17 October 2011 - 11:09 PM.

pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-17 23:09:00
CanadaEnglish in Montreal
A lot of service people know English. Montreal is very bilingual so you don't have much to worry about :) Also Montreal is a fairly liberal multicultural area, the kind of people who dislike anglophones are more concentrated outside of the city.
pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-17 00:14:00
CanadaProof of Chicken Pox?

Hmm... what if I've never had chicken pox? Is that going to be a problem?


You'll need to get a varicella vaccine. Ask your doctor to give one to you :) I don't know if it's covered by OHIP, but at the medical exam if you don't have it they will charge you for it.

There's more than one shot for it. You can read about it here http://www.panelphys.../Pages/Age6.htm This shows you all the vaccines you need to have.

A verbal declaration of chickenpox.

or

Proof of immunization against chickenpox. Normally two immunizations 4 to 8 weeks apart or the first of the two within the 4 weeks prior to your immigration medical examination.

or

An antibody titers blood test showing proof of immunity to chickenpox (varicella).


Edited by pocheros, 18 October 2011 - 05:01 PM.

pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-18 16:59:00
CanadaWhen did you tell your employer you're moving?

Hi everyone! Just thought I'd get some input from others in the same boat as me. My k1 interview is scheduled for nov 28. I'm hoping to move by the first week of January.

Wondering when it's somewhat a safe bet to tell your employer that you're moving? I know there's no right or wrong answer...except for the standard 2 weeks when resigning from any job...but any thoughts would be great.

Do people usually wait till you have the visa in hand? Or perhaps just till after you're approved at the interview? Any input would be fantastic!


Just want to note that it's not uncommon for people to wait awhile for their visa to arrive in the mail. There's a poll about it right here: http://www.visajourn...-from-montreal/ Even if you're not in AP it can be a little tricky to predict when you'll actually receive your visa. Fortunately, a substantial number of people receive their visa quickly but there's no guarantee.

There is also the (rare, but sometimes it happens) possibility that when you receive your visa, the brown folder that comes with it is damaged or the information on the visa was incorrect (name is spelled wrong- it happens, they spelled my fiance's name wrong!). This is important because the brown folder is marked DO NOT OPEN and if it's been opened you won't make it through your POE (the border patrol officer is supposed to open it.) Montreal will fix it for you, but of course this will add more waiting time :)

As soon as I filed the petition for my visa I let my boss know that I would be leaving sometime within a year. When I received my interview date, I asked my boss if I could quit "conditionally," that is quit IF my visa was approved. He agreed and I set my quit date to one week after my interview (but I let him know earlier so he had about a month's notice.) My job was pretty casual and my boss was a sweetheart so it wasn't a big deal :) Plus I was living with family who didn't charge me rent for the last couple of months I lived there and I didn't have a lot of financial obligations, so my situation was very flexible even if I was going to be unemployed for some time before making my POE.

I also gave my boss a nicely done up letter of resignation thanking him for the employment opportunity, and he prepared my record of employment and a letter of recommendation for me before I left.

I would suggest giving your boss a heads up and then handing in your notice when you have your visa physically in your hand, since although it's unlikely there is a possibility you'll face the aforementioned hurdles. It also depends on how many financial obligations you have. Again, in my case I'm a young person* without a car or a mortgage or anything important, so all I had to worry about was eating, and if I only had $20 to live on a week while sitting on my butt waiting for my visa to arrive it was okay. If you have more obligations you'll want to keep your job until you know for sure that you can make your POE with an intact visa.

*Not to say that anyone here is old :lol: But I'm practically a teenager, so >_>

Edited by pocheros, 18 October 2011 - 03:20 PM.

pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-18 15:18:00
CanadaChange of Address, Proof of Domicile
Also, your fiance can either change his address by contacting USCIS or you can change it at the interview. They handed back my original packet 3 at the interview and asked me to make any necessary corrections. My fiance had moved apartments and changed his phone number so I wrote that in.

Also, this what you need for the interview:
passport
medical exam
birth certificate (your's, not the USC's) + 1 photocopy
police certificate
medical exam
affidavit of support and its supporting evidence (this is filled out and signed by the USC- you need tax returns for this) + photocopies of the evidence and an extra copy of the actual form
letter of intent to marry by the USC signed within 30 days of the interview
2 american passport style photos taken within 6 months of the interview
appointment letter (which you can print out from the CSC website)
MRV receipt if you paid the $350 fee online
$350 USD cash if you DIDN'T pay the fee online

It's also a good idea to bring evidence of your relationship and copies of all the forms in packet 3. This is just a barebones list of what you need according to packet 3 & 4, and it's usually all they ask for.

Edited by pocheros, 19 October 2011 - 03:04 PM.

pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-19 15:02:00
CanadaChange of Address, Proof of Domicile

See, I would have never known we didn't need to provide proof of domicile. Packet 3 states we need to provide that. Regardless, I'll just have him send me copies of his new lease. Better be safe than sorry.

Also, does he just need to change his info on the USCIS website?


Packet 3 addresses more than just K1s- that's why they state evidence of domicile is required, but that only applies to certain cases, specifically when the USC is not currently living in the US. Check out this thread http://www.visajourn...guide-montreal/ for instructions on how to do Packet 3. It's specifically written for K1s going through Montreal, so this is the thread for you! :)

I saw you posted in the domicile thread. You do not need to prove evidence of domicile at all! So don't worry :) The USC can send you copies of their lease but Montreal will not ask to see it. What you should be concerned with is the affidavit of support, the I-134- what they DO want to see is that the USC meets the 125% of the poverty line and will be able to financially support you.

Also since packet 3 and 4 are a bit ambiguous you also do not need to worry about the I-864 until you adjust your status in the US.
pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-19 14:53:00
CanadaChange of Address, Proof of Domicile
Did the USC live in Canada up until recently? If not, then you don't need evidence of domicile. Perhaps posting this in the domicile thread stickied at the top of the forum would yield more answers? (I don't know anything about evidence of domicile myself.)

Edited by pocheros, 19 October 2011 - 01:07 PM.

pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-19 13:05:00
CanadaAnyone ever drove to Montreal from Toronto for Interview?
I took the VIA train from Toronto to Montreal. It only cost $125, which isn't that much compared to a car when you factor in gas and parking. I chose the fastest ones, i.e. it only took 5 hours to get from Toronto to Montreal, and the consulate was about a ten minute walk from the station. There's a bunch of hotels nearby too.
pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-20 11:59:00
CanadaAnyone ever drove to Montreal from Toronto for Interview?
Be prepared for lots of potholes in Montreal! That's the only advice I have :P
pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-19 10:28:00
Canadapolice certificate from Identification Canada (Mtl)

Woohoo, bilingual police cert!


Wooh! Good to know :thumbs:
pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-20 20:31:00
Canadapolice certificate from Identification Canada (Mtl)

Oh, didn't know that. I just thought that it being in Canada and all, they'd take it in either French or English. Well then, OP, bring a translated document if it is in French!


I'm trying to dig up the relevant posts/information but they're several months old and I can't seem to locate them. :/ I'm not 100% on this (the difference between CR1/IR1s and K1s with translations), it's mostly a hunch. But it does state in packet 4 for K1s to provide translationsif not in English. The clause where it can be in an official language of the country is from USCIS, I believe, which (if the OP doesn't know) just gives the consulates the minimum guidelines, and the consulate can be stricter if it wants.

Perhaps the OP will get lucky and receive it in both languages. Actually, cananner, maybe you could call them and ask what language it will be printed in, and if it's possible for them to accommodate you.

Edited by pocheros, 18 October 2011 - 07:44 PM.

pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-18 19:40:00
Canadapolice certificate from Identification Canada (Mtl)

I got my PCC also in Quebec (some local agency in Montreal). It was both in English and French, so hopefully it's the same for yours. If it is only in French, you should still be okay since your interview is taking place in Canada, where one of the official languages is French.


It's different for CR/IRs and K-1s. There's a clause that documents can be on one of the official languages of the country but that's for CR/IRs and not K1s, who are instructed to provide translations for documents not in english. At least I THINK that's how it is... Not sure where I read it. I'm trying to dig up the relevnt post/information but can't seem to find it. >_<

How lenient Montreal is with french documents, I dunno. They kept the translation for my french birth certificate. I would get it translated.

Edited by pocheros, 18 October 2011 - 07:16 PM.

pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-18 19:11:00
CanadaCOMPLETED TORONTO MEDICAL YESTERDAY

Thanks so much to both of you!! Very, very informative. I figured as much for both questions that I had but just needed confirmation...uggh so frustrated..went to Metro at 40 College yesterday and then they directed me to RCMP who in turn said that I would have to go thru a company that does fingerprinting..but it's good if I can just get it done at an OPP branch.


Thanks again!! Very much appreciated and I think this site has been very helpful.

Regards
Moe


Yeah, just tell them specifically they just need to indicate that your name was searched in the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) or the national criminal records repository using your name and date of birth. In my case they wanted addresses from the past 5 years. Fingerprints are not necessary- they digitally take your fingerprints at the interview.

What you can also do now is check your vaccination history. I still had a form from high school indicating all my vaccinations and I saw that they were up to date, so I was able to bring that to my medical exam as proof. If you're missing your vaccination records you should try to locate them now and determine if you're missing any. Also if you've only had one MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) a long time ago it's a good idea to get a booster. Even though at the medical exam they only require that you've had one MMR sometime in your life they like you to have a booster- at least that's what my doctor said. I think this might have to do with adjustment of status because they look at your vaccination history again when you apply for your green card. Immunity to one the things in the MMR (I think it's rubella?) fades so that's why they like you to get a booster.

If any important documents, like your birth certificate, are not in English then you must get them translated (there's no time limit on how long they're valid for obviously.) Even if they're in French, it doesn't matter- they still have to be translated into English. :P So if that applies to you it's another thing you could get done now as well.

Edited by pocheros, 21 October 2011 - 01:04 PM.

pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-21 13:02:00
CanadaCOMPLETED TORONTO MEDICAL YESTERDAY

Hi Frostiana,
Hoping that you can help me out with a couple of questions...new to this and sent my K-1 packet on Monday. Just received confirmation today that they are sending to Vermont and should be receiving the Form I-797 within 10 days.

How long is the medical valid for? How long did you have to wait between the times that you booked and when the actual appointment occured? Should I wait until I receive more info or just book? I live in Toronto.

What was the total cost? What vaccinations did you have to get?

On another note, have you gotten your criminal records check done? I called the RCMP today and they said it could take 2 weeks to 4 months.

If you can clarify, I would greatly appreciate this.


You should check out some of the guides around here. You're waiting for your NOA1, right? (Same thing as I-797) Trust me you have quite awhile before you need to do your medical exam or police check! Generally it takes about 4-6 months until you receive your NOA2 and you don't want to get your medical or police check done until before then because it'll be another 4-6 months until the whole process is over and you want to keep everything recent.

The medical exam is valid for one year. However, you will be using the same medical exam when you enter the USA after receiving your visa to get your green card, so you don't want to do your medical too soon. You generally schedule your medical after you schedule your interview date because it is difficult to predict when your interview will actually be and you want to keep things recent. Generally you do not have to wait too long for your medical exam, they book them within a decent amount of time (within a few weeks). Well, I only have experience with Dr. Seiden's (located in Toronto, there's also doctors in Montreal and Vancouver) but it's not something you have to book months in advance. Sometimes people have trouble contacting Dr. Seiden's, though.

The cost of the exam varies depending on who does it. Dr. Seiden's charges $275 for adults who aren't pregnant. I think Medisy's in Montreal is slightly cheaper but it's expensive no matter where you go. Since you live in Toronto you will probably get your medical exam done there, and this website tells you what vaccinations you need. http://www.panelphys...munizations.htm There's more information about the medical on that same website as well.

Also, since you live in Ontario, you do not have to get your police check done by the RCMP- you get it done by the OPP. You do not get fingerprints or anything, what you get is a certificate of no conviction. They just do a name check basically. I went to my local police station and they redirected me to the 22 division in Mississauga. You fill out a form with your name and addresses and then they just run it through a computer and stamp it. It took me 10 minutes to get mine and it cost $50. You can read more about it here. http://www.visajourn...a#Inside_Canada You only have to get a police check done by the RCMP if you've been convicted of a crime.

You should check out this guide: http://www.visajourn...igration-guide/
And this guide: http://www.visajourn...guide-montreal/
And this flowchart: http://www.visajourn.../content/k1flow

And don't be shy to start your own thread if you have more questions. But do check out the guides here on VJ, there is a lot of useful stuff already written and posted here :)

Edited by pocheros, 20 October 2011 - 08:24 PM.

pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-20 20:20:00
CanadaA few important questions before our interview in Montreal
They kept my fiance letter of intent and its on the checklist so its important to bring that. It's fine as long as it's signed and within 30 days of the interview. I have the impression that Montreal really doesn't care about the x-rays (they did not want mine either) but i would bring it just in case. Better safe than sorry. The 864 is not necessary. No idea about the citizenship but I suggest you make a photocopy of the original certificate and bring that to the interview in addition to the original.
pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-24 02:19:00
CanadaGetting ready for my interview
Folder + paper clips. Don't staple anything either.
pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-24 12:48:00
CanadaVisa approved!
Congrats! :dance:
pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-22 12:37:00
CanadaThings needed to send back with Packet 3
Oh, I forgot to specify that I was talking about Dr. Seiden's in Toronto :bonk: The procedure might be a bit different depending on where you get your medical exam. There's four places you can get it done- Dr. Seiden's in Toronto, Dr. Seiden's in Montreal, Medisy's in Montreal, and another place in Vancouver. However, the link with the vaccinations should give you a good idea of what you need and what to prepare for. There are reviews of medicals if you search for them on the VJ forum :)

Edited by pocheros, 25 October 2011 - 01:41 PM.

pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-25 13:41:00
CanadaThings needed to send back with Packet 3
Inky already posted everything that needs to be sent back with Packet 3. Packet 3 is a little confusing because one of the forms tells you to attach your birth certificate, police check, etc. but that is NOT the case. You ONLY send the forms that Inky listed plus two american style passport photos and a photocopy of the biographic information page from your passport. The checklist also addresses both K1s and CR1s so not everything on the checklist is required of you (most K1s don't need to bring the 864 for example, instead K1s do the I-134).

You DO NEED to submit the 156K and 156, as well as all the other forms Inky listed. A lot of other consulates don't require the same forms, that is why you see conflicting information, but the Montreal consulate requires the ones that Inky listed (you can view it on the Montreal consulate website as well.) Remember, USCIS only sets the minimum for what the consulates must require from you, but individual consulates can ask for additional stuff, so the procedure for every consulate is different! That is why its important to check the individual guidelines for Montreal, and to take advice from those with experience from Montreal.

The police certificate is valid for one year. I would suggest going to your local police station and asking about how to obtain one (an RCMP fingerprint check is not necessary unless you've been convicted of a crime) and how long it takes. You can read about the requirements for the police certificate here http://www.visajourn...a#Inside_Canada

For the medical you need to obtain your vaccination history. You can read about which vaccines are necessary here http://www.panelphys...munizations.htm You only need to get a chickenpox (varicella) vaccine if you didn't get chickenpox as a kid. If you don't have your complete vaccination records you should find them ASAP.

For HIV, they ask you verbally if you have it and they also take some blood samples from you. I don't know what they test with the blood samples but if you don't have HIV it's nothing to worry about because you just tell them you don't have it. :)

Edited by pocheros, 25 October 2011 - 12:33 PM.

pocherosFemaleCanada2011-10-25 12:31:00