ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
CanadaWedding anniversary!
Awww, that's so sweet. Happy anniversary! :dance:
~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-05-23 13:44:00
CanadaPacket 3 received!

If he is the US Citizen, he shouldn't need his birth certificate. Those documents are asking for the Canadian citizen's information.


Liz, I'd check your Packet 3 instructions when you get them since I know they're going to be different from what Vancouver sent me. I know mine said that they needed both one original and one photocopy of each person that is named in the application. I took it as that they required both mine and Bee's; I could be wrong, but better safe than sorry.
~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-05-24 00:07:00
CanadaPacket 3 received!
Prior to the interview, you have to fill out your DS-230 Part 1 and fax it to the consulate; once you get the checklist filled out, you also fax that in - there's a statement at the bottom of the page where you fill out your potential interview date (and also tell them when you're getting married!) and sign it.

The DS-156 and DS-156K are for the interview, along with all the other evidence listed on the checklist - make a photocopy of all certificates along with the originals. They'll want the USC's original birth certificate too, so if you're attending the interview alone make sure that gets sent to you prior to the interview. (Since my fiance intends to fly in for the interview he's just bringing the original with him.)
~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-05-18 13:13:00
CanadaPacket 3 received!
Looking over the link that misa helpfully provided for us, I can say that it mostly matches with what I received. Some differences that I got compared with that link though:

The Form OF-167 letter I received was only one page and was mostly for the sponsor to sign in the event that an I-134 is to be submitted at the consulate. The gist of it can be found on #7 on page 2 of the OF-167 given in the link.

Saskatchewan no longer has a physician available for medical examinations. :( (This info was updated on April 25th of this year, for those that were curious.)

---

I also got my police certificate at the RCMP detachment in Vancouver and was able to receive it within the hour. The only reason I had to wait that long was because the commissioner couldn't find an RCMP officer who was able to sign it off (all out at lunch!). It's very ordinary, a single printed piece of paper with two signatures and a rubber stamp. For $40! :blink: I brought my short-form birth certificate and driver's license, and they were able to process the info, but I would also bring a passport in case there's a problem.

The best updated forms can be found here; one of the links they gave me on Packet 3 were outdated, but luckily I caught it in time.

For the passport photos, I'd recommend London Drugs, but please make sure that they are properly done - I used to work at the ones in Broadway and Kerrisdale, and I know some of them will just flake out, while others will take the time to do the job properly. Best thing to do is go in at a non-peak hour, otherwise they will just fankle the job. :P (Or, just go somewhere else - LD is just my recommendation.)

Am I right to assume that you also get a generated barcode in form DS-156 and NOT DS-156K or DS-230 Pt. 1?

---

Hope that helps all the nervous people going through the Vancouver embassy!

(And yes, I've been a very, very busy girl today. :D)

Edited by Nini & Bee, 17 May 2007 - 06:45 PM.

~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-05-17 18:44:00
CanadaPacket 3 received!
AndreaK - it's not listed on the checklist in Packet 3, but I know for a fact that you need to bring at least a photocopy of your NOA2 to the interview. I'm guessing it's under the category of "Evidence of Engagement". The NOA2 is also needed for adjusting status later on so make sure your fiance gets that letter! ;)

Without a scanner, I'm forced to type out the contents of Packet 3 - so when I get home from classes later this afternoon, I'll paraphrase the checklist for all the VJ'ers that are going through Vancouver so you can start preparing your to-do lists. Sound fair? I promise, I'll be thorough. :D
~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-05-17 13:10:00
CanadaPacket 3 received!
Bee is now a stressed wreck: "So, what do I need to mail you? What can I do on my end? Is there anything I can do?..."

Stacey33 and HannahP - yours should be coming in anytime now! :D

If I had a scanner, I'd copy these documents... let me know if you want info so you can start early. :)

Edited by Nini & Bee, 17 May 2007 - 10:21 AM.

~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-05-17 10:20:00
CanadaPacket 3 received!
The mailman personally handed me the envelope from the Vancouver consulate, and I just about fell off my porch. Definitely the nicest mail I've received all year, apart from the snail mail that Bee sends me. :D

Here's to a good day for the rest of you all! :dance:
~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-05-16 16:10:00
CanadaApproved in Montreal
Congratulations! :D
~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-05-22 11:53:00
CanadaDS-230 Question

Where do you go to get a copy certified?

(sorry if this seems like a silly question)


You can usually go to a notary public, or USCIS for certain certified copies (like the I-134).
~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-05-24 00:00:00
CanadaDS-230 Question
Hehe, no problem - I just started, so I've still got a clear head about me. For now... :unsure:
~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-05-18 13:20:00
CanadaDS-230 Question
No, you don't have to submit anything along with your DS-230. What I would do is make a photocopy of the originals, and keep both for the interview in case they want photocopies there.
~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-05-18 13:01:00
CanadaVancouver Bound
Good luck to Jim at his interview and medical! Here's hoping for another one across the border! :D
~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-05-22 18:09:00
Canada*Sniffle*
CutienPurg and misa - we definitely have the same friends. ;)

"Well, what do you mean you have to apply for a visa?" And then the look I give them just makes them go, "oh."

For some reason it's been easier for us to leave each other at the airport, but then again, we talk constantly to each other throughout the day (and rack up huge phone bills neither one of us can really afford.......). The first time we left I was in tears going back to JFK.

It -is- easier when immigration isn't tied up in long-distance relationships, I think. It definitely takes a stronger kind of gut to be able to handle both separation and the fact that someone else "up there" is ultimately determining your future together.
~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-05-17 10:29:00
CanadaHow do you decide when to get married (the legal marriage) after interview?
From what I've seen with PA, it's a three-day wait to get a marriage license. Then either we're going to find a district judge (I'm not sure what the wait will be on that) or one of our friends, who just so happens to be an officiant. Formal ceremony to follow, though, once we have enough money to clear our debts and buy a house. Whenever that will be...

Edited by Nini & Bee, 24 May 2007 - 07:47 PM.

~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-05-24 19:46:00
CanadaInterview Date
Congrats and good luck, Allie! :D
~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-05-23 13:42:00
CanadaNVC and Vancouver consulate case numbers
I got my Packet 3 in about three weeks after we received our NOA2.
~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-05-26 01:30:00
CanadaNVC and Vancouver consulate case numbers
Yes! Go ahead and order your police certificate! :D
~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-05-25 19:00:00
CanadaWe got a Sponsor!
Great to hear! Congratulations! :D
~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-05-24 19:32:00
CanadaI have my Interview Date!!!
Yeah, when my fiance visited Vancouver we stayed at the Century Plaza for about $85 a night. We booked it through their hotel site, too.
~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-05-23 19:19:00
CanadaI have my Interview Date!!!
Wow, congratulations! :D
~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-05-23 18:28:00
CanadaWelcome to the NVC...wooooo hooooooo!!!!!
Wow, congrats! :D
~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-05-29 13:16:00
Canada2 weeks to interview...
Are you thinking about the OF-167, instead? If so, that should've been mailed to you; it's included in the Packet 3. The OF-167 is the additional form that has to be signed by the sponsor along with the I-134, stating that the sponsor has financial responsibility for the beneficiary.

Hope that helps you out! And don't stress too much about the interview, you'll do fine. :D
~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-05-28 15:24:00
CanadaDo you have to take Fiance or mother-in-law to interview?
You can definitely go alone to the interview; others choose to take their fiance, like me. :)
~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-05-21 23:45:00
Canadagot an interview date!!
Congrats on your interview! :D
~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-05-30 02:24:00
CanadaDouble turkey!
Well, the issue with my fiance's parents is... they're vegetarians. The kicker is that his dad makes the turkey. I don't want to put his dad into a lot of trouble, but I also don't want to upset him because I didn't ask for his help. (He really does make a fantastic turkey.)

Luckily, the rest of his family are carnivores, and they'll definitely want to celebrate the Canadian holidays with their new addition to the family. :D
~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-06-01 00:45:00
CanadaDouble turkey!
My fiance and I were talking the other night about our infinite love for roast turkey and the stuff that is accompanied with it (mmm, potatoes). After further discussion, we concluded that we had to have both Canadian and American Thanksgiving every year once I moved down to the States.

I was just wondering, is there anyone here as crazy as we are? :whistle:
~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-05-28 11:54:00
CanadaWhy no Tim's in the US...
Now, why isn't there a Tims near Philly? :(
~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-05-29 18:27:00
CanadaWhy no Tim's in the US...
Awww, congrats! :D
~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-05-29 12:57:00
CanadaGood luck Stacey33!!!!!!
Congratulations! :D
~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-05-31 16:41:00
CanadaGood luck Stacey33!!!!!!
Good luck, good luck, good luck! :D
~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-05-31 00:52:00
USCIS Service CentersWhere to file?

Hi! I am about to send I-130 and I-485 with the supporting documents and other forms like G325a, I-765, I-864, I-131. I am a US citizen living in San Jose and I am applying for my wife. Could you tell what address/service center I should be sending the papers to?

Thanks.


San Jose, California? Don't the instructions say to file at the California Service Center?

Are you filing for a K3?
~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-07-26 11:53:00
USCIS Service CentersDo the employees have to be so terrible?
Ugh, sorry to hear about your experiences. (And of course hoping that won't happen to me, hehe.)

I really don't understand why grumpy people get customer service jobs. If you hate dealing with people, then why are you at your job? *scratches head* On the other hand, if you're having a bad day, why would you take it out on people? I guess we'll really never know.

Eventually (as in, never) I'll stop giving people the benefit of the doubt and actually be one of "those" people, you know who I'm talking about. :D
~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-07-03 18:17:00
USCIS Service CentersUSCIS new Advisory on Processing times!!
That's crazy news. Here's hoping that the backlog will clear (relatively) soon. whistling.gif I couldn't imagine waiting that long for naturalization...
~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-12-02 00:09:00
USCIS Service Centersi-765 and i-485
I'd suggest taking a look at the timelines at the top of the page to get an idea as to how long it'll be for the EAD. There have been reports that USCIS has been delayed with general processing due to the fee increase in July. Generally it shouldn't take any longer than a couple of months though.

Edited by Nini & Bee, 14 November 2007 - 03:20 PM.

~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-11-14 15:20:00
Waivers (I-601 and I-212) and Administrative Processes (221g)APPROVED FINALLY
Congratulations! biggrin.gif
~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-08-28 21:58:00
Asia: SouthVery new and still learning: I-129F for two-week visit?

Hi All,

I'm sorry if this is a stupid question. I have tried searching not only this forum, but others as well. I'm trying to figure out the best way to get my Thai girlfriend (21, college student with a career in the military) over here to America for a two-week vacation.

As I understand, the I-129F form is only if I intend to marry her within 90 days of her coming over, but we don't plan on actually getting married until she finishes college (4 years from now). If not the I-129F form to get her a visa for a visit, how shall I go about doing so? Is there any way to "sponsor" her visit, along with her doing her part in showing her ties (ie bank account, job, school, acknowledgment and time off from work specifically for vacation abroad) to Thailand to make a compelling argument that she'll return?

Also, if the I-129F is the only way to get her here, what are the repercussions if she simply goes back to Thailand instead of marrying me within that 90 day period? Do I get in trouble, legally, or does that pretty much damn any chances of her returning for another visit, or eventually coming here permanently for marriage? Thanks in advance everyone -- I've really been trying to learn as much as I can, but my brain is full and I need to ask questions now instead of more force-feeding info.


Couldn't you possibly get your girlfriend to apply for a tourist visa at her closest US consulate? I definitely don't agree that you should apply for an I-129F visa - you're correct in your assumption that the visa is only if you intend to marry her. It's an immigrant visa, so using it for the basis of a "visit" will be a complete waste of your efforts and money. (Not trying to be harsh here, but just stating the facts - a few hundred dollars and the months-long process of compiling evidence, medical exams and consulate interviews may not be what you two had in mind.)

If you do apply for an I-129F and she does go back home within the 90-day period, it may make it harder for both of you in the future if you do intend to apply for the visa again - they'll certainly look at the application more closely the second time around.

I'd suggest just looking at the requirements for a tourist visa from the US consulate website in Thailand and going from there.

(Did this really need to be moved?)

Edited by Nini & Bee, 10 July 2007 - 01:48 AM.

~Nini~FemaleCanada7/10/2007 1:47
Africa: Sub-SaharanBlood Diamonds
Bee and I are strongly against conflict diamonds, so that was a huge thing for us when we were assembling my ring at the jeweler's. After a lot of discussion, we felt comfortable enough to go with a Canadian solitaire from the Ekati mines. :)
~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-06-11 19:47:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)How do you know?
You'll unfortunately need to wait for the snail mail to come to you, otherwise you can call the NVC and see if they've received it. I wouldn't recommend calling them during their peak hours, though; call around dinner time.
~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-05-22 12:00:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)How do you talk to NVC
Usually calling in the morning or right before they close is a good time.
~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-08-21 22:33:00
National Visa Center (Dept of State)FINALLY....CASE COMPLETE
Great news! Congrats! smile.gif
~Nini~FemaleCanada2007-10-15 20:04:00