Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Form DS-156K	Hello, I am trying to sort through my Package 3 for the consulate in Montreal, Canada. Do I need to mail in photocopies of my official documents (ie. birth certificate, police check), along with the required forms? The letter from the consulate reads 'do not send the original documents, but return the checklist indicating you have obtained the documents listed.' This is what I assumed was OK, but then I read the DS-156K form and it states that these documents 'must be attached.' What do I do? One paper is telling me one thing, and the other is telling me another. Thanks for your help! (:	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-03-23 22:36:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Regarding Packet 3...some question	I didn't pay an additional fee. I didn't see an opportunity to. I assumed that the fee was already paid with my fiance's petition?!? I hope that I assumed correctly! As for the medical, I think that you have to have your interview scheduled first. I would still try calling and booking an appointment.	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-04-21 14:15:00
US Embassy and Consulate Discussion	Regarding Packet 3...some question	I was also confused by Montreal's paperwork, but after some advice and re-reading I feel confident that I completed the requirements properly. Just complete the forms and send in the necessary amount. For instance, Montreal asked me for two copies of the DS-156. I also photocopied all of the forms as backup for the interview. The DS-160 is an online form and requires you to upload a passport photo. I scanned my original passport photo and it was accepted. Once this form is complete you will need to print out the comfirmation page and submit it with your package 3. Form DS-156K lists that "your birth certificate, police certificate, etc., must be attached in order to apply for a visa", but I was instructed by past applicants to leave those out and instead prepare them for the interview. The consulate wants original copies at the interview. I hope that this helps! I FedExed Package 3 to Montreal 2 weeks ago and am still waiting to be scheduled for an interview.	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-04-20 15:41:00
Canada	Medical Exam	Thanks everyone! I phoned Toronto this morning and left a message. Have a great weekend. Emily	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-06-11 11:35:00
Canada	Medical Exam	Hello, Just wondering if anyone had any trouble booking their medical exam. How far in advance did you book it? I have been out of town and have not scheduled an appointment but am anticipating a July interview (hopefully!!!!!!) Thank you! Emily	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-06-10 17:30:00
Canada	DS-160	Thank you! This is what I figured. I should be fine with just the confirmation page. I look forward to the day when all of the required package 3 forms can be completed on-line. It will make life so much easier for people!	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-06-16 13:02:00
Canada	DS-160	Hello, I have a question about the online form DS-160. When I submitted my package 3 to the consulate I sent in the printed confirmation page but did not include a hard copy of the completed forms. I am concerned about what to bring to the interview. Is the DS-160 confirmation page enough? If not, I'd have to fill out a new DS-160 because the information from the previous one cannot be saved (why not!?!!??!!?) This would mean I would have a new confirmation page and number. I don't want to take any chances with Montreal. Thank you!	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-06-16 12:00:00
Canada	Approved November Filers - The Wait for Interview	Vero, I'm sure you're going to have a nice date waiting for you when you phone in on Monday. You might even receive the actual Package 4 in the mail that morning! I can't wait to get mine, just so I can actually confirm, on paper, when the date is. I feel like I made it all up after all of this waiting! It's too good to be true (:	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-06-18 22:26:00
Canada	Approved November Filers - The Wait for Interview	I phoned at 4:50 and got my date!!! August 3rd!!! The lady was so sweet and put up with me screaming into the phone (: I am so happy to see all of these interviews being scheduled. Congrats to you all! It has been a looong wait but once our interviews are over and done with all of this waiting will feel like a distant memory. It is time for me to go to the cottage and celebrate !!!!	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-06-18 16:26:00
Canada	Approved November Filers - The Wait for Interview	I'll phone Montreal tomorrow. I am still optimistic about July but at this point I'll take anything. All I want is to be scheduled! Come on Montreal!!!!	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-06-17 10:54:00
Canada	Approved November Filers - The Wait for Interview	Hello, This is a question to all the Ontario people who got there long form birth certificate. I got my long form birth certificate at the end of 2009. I've been reading a lot lately about what the birth certificate is sapost to look like... and now it's making me wonder..lol They sent me a long paper with a certified photostatic print of a record.. it is from the office of the registrar general of Ontario.. it has all my registration numbers and certificate numbers on it, with the date it was issued and filed. In the middle of the form it is just a photocopy of what my mom filled out on a form when I was born and then at the very bottom it does say it is a certified copy with a signature of the deputy registrar general and it has a sealed stamp... I'm guessing this is plenty enough.. I was just expecting to actually have a actual print out of a certificate. Anyone else's like this???? My long form birth certificate looks like that too. It doesn't look official, but it is. Edited by Rose416, 08 June 2010 - 03:28 PM.	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-06-08 15:28:00
Canada	Approved November Filers - The Wait for Interview	I phoned DOS at 10am today for the first time. The operator, Sarah was very nice and said that the consulate had received my P3 and I am eligible for an interview. When that interview will be remains a mystery! I was so nervous that I forgot to ask for the specific date my P3 was logged. Oops! Better get over these nerves before Montreal!	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-06-03 10:11:00
Canada	Approved November Filers - The Wait for Interview	Thank you for adding me to the list Vero and Chris. I am going to call DOS tomorrow and hopefully discover my logged in date.	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-06-02 16:35:00
Canada	Approved November Filers - The Wait for Interview	Hello! I'd like to thank VisaJourney for keeping me sane during this process!! All WAS going smoothly, and rapidly, with my K-1 petition. I had hopes of a June interview and flew to California (with NO problems at the border), to be with my fiance. I FedExed my Package 3 from LA to Montreal on April 6th, and it was received by Montreal the following day. It has been nearly 2 months (57 DAYS!!!) and I am still waiting to be scheduled for an interview. I was really starting to panic, but then I began reading the posts on this forum. It is so comforting to know that I am not alone in this! I am going to phone the DOS tomorrow. I didn't know it was OK to call and have been emailing Montreal instead. I sent my first email one month ago and have yet to get a response. I don't even know if my Package 3 has been logged!!! Hopefully we will all hear some good news from Montreal soon!! I am flying back to Toronto June 13th and plan on scheduling my medical ahead of receiving Package 4. Good luck to you all!!!!	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-06-02 14:40:00
Canada	Medical Exam Review	The number I called was for the Halton region. Here's a list of the different departments... https://www.publiche...=2&userID=11863	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-07-01 09:34:00
Canada	Medical Exam Review	I phoned Public Health Ontario this afternoon. It was so easy. The records are coming from my school district (Halton) and should arrive in the mail Monday. YAY!	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-06-30 18:44:00
Canada	Medical Exam Review	Rose416...I just thought I'd point out that in your signature, you show the medical as June 31st, 2010. June only has 30 days. Thank you! I don't know what I was thinking! The less days until my interview, the better (:	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-06-30 18:41:00
Canada	Medical Exam Review	Just thought I'd comment on the medical exam I had today. I went to Dr. Seiden in Toronto but the doctor who examined me was Dr. Malcom. He was very nice and from start to finish the whole experience was pretty simple and painless. I arrived at 6:30am and waited outside, not knowing the front door was unlocked and a few patients had already entered the clinic. Finally, a nice nurse arrived and I waited with her until the rest of the staff showed up at 7 and the doors 'officially' opened for the day. There were only a half dozen or so people there and things moved fast. I left the clinic at 8:30am. Easy! There were a couple of issues involving my case however. My immunization records do not include vaccinations from my previous doctor. I had no proof of MMR and didn't think this would be a problem. I assumed Dr. Malcom would give me the vaccine on the spot, during my exam. This was not the case. I also have a problem with tetanus. I got the shot in 2008 and apparently this is not recent enough for the US government. I cannot get another shot however because it is too soon! Soooo....I can get a titre test but they no longer give them for tetanus in Ontario. I would have to go to the US or contact Public Health Ontario and request proof of 2 tetanus vaccines, previous to my 2008 one. Getting the information together should be easy enough. I need to fax in the records to Dr. Seiden and can pick up my file two days later. My advice to future medical exam patients : book your exam at least a month before your interview. Give yourself enough time! AND make sure you have your vaccines and proof up to date!	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-06-30 09:19:00
Canada	New I-134 Form - Signature	I kind of panicked when I saw your post about expiring I-134 forms. My interview is in two weeks and I don't think I could get the new forms filled out in time. I looked on VJ for advice and read that the expiry date refers to the edition of the form expiring. When I looked at the USCIS website it notes that 'previous editions are accepted'. So I guess the date doesn't really matter?? http://www.uscis.gov...00045f3d6a1RCRD I hope this is correct. Anyway, I guess I'll let you know after the interview. If you can have the forms filled out again, do it. Better safe than sorry I suppose. Hopefully I won't be sorry	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-07-18 17:48:00
Canada	US Banking with Canadian Banks	Excellent question! From my research I figure I'll have to open a new account with a US bank. I'm a TD banker and there aren't any branches in California (my soon to be new home too). I know that Paypal allows the transfer and conversion between banks, but has a 10% service charge. I have an ING savings account and apparently I can add a US bank account to it and transfer money to and from my Canadian bank for free. I am going to hold onto my Canadian bank account as well. As for earning credit, I don't know how I'll go about this. My fiance and I plan on opening up a joint account as well as my own independent account. Hope this helps!	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-07-27 19:52:00
Canada	Interview Next Week	Hi Vero, You are so prepared!!! You'll do great. Two 'issues' that came up at my interview today were: 1/ Missing DS-160 printout from my package 3. The only concern with this is the consulate trying to sort through the kinks of their new on-line system. (Me not printing out the pages didn't affect my 7 hour wait!) but I think they like to have the hard copy to review with you. The confirmation page is the most important, but they didn't even ask to see any of my other documents from Package 3. 2/ Proof of petitioner's citizenship. It looks like you have a photocopy of your fiance's passport. Perfect! I panicked a little because I didn't think I had this or needed it, but it turns out my fiance was smart enough to stick a photocopy of his birth certificate into my interview package (: Despite these concerns, I got approved (: Also, you only need two passport pictures and they ask for the original of your Criminal check. They don't want photocopies. Only a photocopy of your passport and birth certificate are needed, as well as your originals. Before my interview, a woman walked through my paperwork with me to clear up any discrepancies and confirm information. It was all very relaxed and she was very understanding about any changes that had been made from the original Package 3 documents (my fiance had his phone number). They didn't ask for any relationship proof and I felt disappointed afterward because I had spent so much time gathering info! Oh well. At least I can keep all of our photos now! Also, as soon as I paid my fee at the beginning of the day, I knew I was approved and reminded myself this when the panic set in before my actual interview (7 hours later!!!) Also,everyone at the consulate is very friendly and welcoming. You'll do great! (I guess this is my mini-review). I have more info, for later	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-08-03 15:51:00
Canada	Montreal Review	I was told my visa should be here by next Monday or Tuesday, so I'd like to fly to LA on Thursday. I haven't booked my flight yet. My POE will be Toronto Pearson and I plan on giving myself plenty of time. I cannot wait! We're hoping to have our civil ceremony and a celebration with friends on August 27th. None of this is going to feel real until I am in his arms again (: I'm dreaming!!	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-08-05 07:41:00
Canada	Montreal Review	Thank you so much!	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-08-04 21:18:00
Canada	Montreal Review	I am home from Montreal now and just ripped up my Package 4 letter! It's nice to finally say goodbye to the Montreal Consulate! I had my K1 interview on Tuesday, August 3rd, and here is a little info on my experience. I hope you find it useful and comforting at the same time. The prep leading up to the interview is stressful and the waiting long and frustrating, but before you know it you'll be celebrating too! OK..so my mom and I stayed at Hotel St. Denis on Rue St. Denis (www.hotel-st-denis.com). If you're a CAA member it's pretty affordable. We had a nice big room with two double beds and a big TV for $107/night. Very comfortable, quiet and close to the Consulate. I could have walked but opted to take a cab ride (4 minutes away, $6) on the day of my interview. Rue St. Denis also has lots of affordable restaurants, including an Italian one next door to the hotel. Delicious tiramisu On the dreaded Interview Day, I woke up at 5 got to the consulate for 6:20am and was the only one there until a handful of people showed up around 6:45. The line grew rapidly around 7. Get there early! The doors were unlocked at 7:30am. Have your passport and Package 4 letter ready and remember: no electronics or food is permitted. I had my file folder in a plastic bag and was allowed to bring in an umbrella. First in line, I was sent to the waiting room downstairs (in the dark as they hadn't turned on any lights yet!) I was given a number and soon after called by security to enter the secondary waiting room. After a brief wait my name was announced on the speaker (make sure you sit on the left side of the room otherwise you can't hear the announcements). At the booth I was asked for: - Passport + 1 copy (doesn't need to be notarized) - Long form birth certificate + 1 copy (same as above) - Package 4 letter with scheduled interview date - Criminal record for Canada and UK (I lived there for 18 months) - 2 Passport pics - Recent letter of consent from Petitioner - Affadavit of support/ co-sponsor + evidence of support (I had a photocopy of my fiance's birth certificate as they asked for proof of citizenship to back up support. Also incl., letter from employer, tax papers from 2009, signed letter from bank showing opening of account and activity, pay stubs.) - Proof of domicile (rent agreement, recent hydro bill and visa bill) - my massive Expresspost envelope (12*15) with my address filled in (don't put the consulates address) - sealed medical results (they didn't ask for the x-ray. Why the heck do we have to carry that thing around then?!?!) They didn't ask for any evidence of a relationship. I had email printouts and photos just in case. I was asked if I had the printouts of form DS-160 (I only included the confirmation page when I sent in Package 3 as I had printer issues and didn't want to redo the form.)They didn't seem to mind that I didn't have it however. I was then asked to go to the cashier and pay the $350 US. You are allowed to pay with credit cards or the Canadian equivalency. After this I waited again, until I was called back to my original booth to show my receipt and scan my fingerprints. Easy. All of this was completed by 8:30am. Then the fun really began. The people I had waited outside with (early arrivals) started being called in for interviews (one guy was there for a k3 interview and others were receiving immigration). As the time rolled on and people came and went I started to get nervous. Did they forget about me? Why the heck am I still waiting at 10:30am? I thought I would be done and back at the hotel for breakfast by 9:30!! I noticed another couple who had been waiting since 7:30am. They were also k1-ers and equally nervous/annoyed. There are no phones in the consulate and only a couple of vending machines, so as the clock struck noon I was getting hungry and concerned for my worried mom and fiance (waiting for my news in California). Finally at around 12:30 I was called up to another booth. At this point I was one of the half-dozen left in the once packed waiting room. I was told that I was a 'guinea pig' as the staff gets accustomed to a new K1 program. I suppose this is why there were no July interviews?? I had to stand at the window for 10 minutes while a group of people went over my file together and took notes for their own reference. Everyone was being really nice and apologetic and even joked with me about the whole thing. So by the time I was called into the interview room at 1:15pm I was no longer nervous. I took an oath, and answered the simple questions. My interviewer was very friendly and joked about my fiance being a body builder in Venice beach (he isn't). He asked how we met and what my fiance does for work. He questioned my passport as I travelled lots before and have many stamps! We talked about the UK because he used to live there and he asked what I did for work while I was there on a working-holiday visa. He asked if I was ready to 'settle down'. YES!!!! He asked what I did for work and if we had our wedding date booked. Then, 5 minutes later he congratulated me for my visa being approved. I asked if it could be expedited (a K3er was told to come back tomorrow to pick up his passport) but this was nicely denied. He assured me it would be in my hands soon. That's about it! 7 hours of waiting for a 5 minute interview! I am so happy it's over and wish you all the best of luck. my thoughts for you is : eat a big breakfast before hand and bring a good book! Also, breathe!! You're going to do fine At the end of the day I got a piece of paper from the consulate congratulating me on my engagement. Next week I will be with my fiance to finally celebrate and put all of this waiting and separation behind us. Finally!	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-08-04 18:40:00
Canada	MONTREAL INTERVIEW DATE!!	Congratulations! You must be so excited!!	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-08-06 12:23:00
Canada	POE at Toronto Pearson	Hi Vero, I assume it would be the same experience at Montreal. The officers might want to search your bags, so you would need to bring them with you. I was recommended to make a written list of all of my belongings in specific suitcases. Sometimes the officer will just scan over the list rather than go through the bags. I hope this is all they'll do! I didn't do a very good packing job (: I haven't received my package yet. If it doesn't arrive by Wednesday I'm rescheduling my flight. I probably shouldn't have booked it, but there were only 2 seats left on the flight I wanted so I'll take my chances! Hopefully my visa will be in my mail box tomorrow!!!! I hope you manage to sleep tonight. Good luck tomorrow. You will do great!!!	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-08-08 11:24:00
Canada	POE at Toronto Pearson	Thank you for your replies. I'm no longer nervous!!!	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-08-07 09:34:00
Canada	POE at Toronto Pearson	Hello, I'll be making my POE at Toronto Pearson next week and am unsure about the process. I've been reading reviews but still have a few questions. When and to whom do I declare that I'd like to activate my K1 visa? Also, do I check in with my airline (VirginAmerica) before hand? I'm concerned because I will be arriving before the check-in counters open. I plan on giving myself at least 4 hours before my flight. Also, for anyone flying to LA, Virgin has just launched a new direct route from Toronto. They fly to other US cities as well, and the fares are pretty reasonable. They also allow you to check in up to 10 bags (for a $25 fee/bag.) Thanks for your help!!	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-08-06 12:39:00
Canada	Completely Terrified about Monday	Vero, You have nothing to be nervous about. Your relationship is real! Be honest and confident and answer all of your questions with a smile. This whole K1 process is quite invasive, but if you've done the paperwork and been honest throughout you will come out of that interview smiling! Be happy, you're almost at the finish line! Honestly, apart from the waiting, the interview was so easy. I felt proud and excited to talk about my fiance. The interviewer isn't looking for elaborate responses. They want the truth but it all goes so fast and it feels natural. I had originally been nervous because my fiance and I have only known each other for a year and last year we travelled and were unemployed. None of that came up at the interview. You have a cosponsor right? You'll do great!!! Just believe in yourself because you have nothing to be afraid of. I've read your list of required documents. You've gone over and beyond what is expected. You are ready!!!	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-08-07 09:30:00
Canada	I was denied...	Ha ha Vero, I almost started crying when I saw your post. So mean... Seriously though, congrats on your approval! I think I had the same guy interview me. He was very friendly. Have fun packing and getting ready for the big move!!	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-08-10 11:51:00
Canada	Alaba... APPROVED :-D	Congratulations!! Time to celebrate	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-08-12 08:46:00
Canada	Is just confirmation for DS-160 ok? (Montreal)	I only mailed the confirmation page with Package 3 and brought a copy with me to the interview. They asked if I had the entire form printed out but it didn't seem to matter that I didn't. If you want to fill out the form again just print out that along with the new confirmation page/barcode and bring that with you.	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-08-12 14:36:00
Canada	Perfect Timing!	My POE was so easy! Toronto Pearson didn't seem busy today (?!?!). I was the only one waiting in secondary. The officer was very friendly and joked about Montreal being so slow. He didn't even look through my bags or the list of items I had printed out. I have loads of time to kill now and am anxiously awaiting my flight. Best of luck to all of the rest of you August interviewees! All of this waiting is so worth it! Like my fiance said to me the other day, "we've already hit the home run, now we're just going over the bases. Maybe we'll trip a little, but we'll make it to the plate soon enough."	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-08-12 14:31:00
Canada	Perfect Timing!	I finally got my K1 visa and POE envelope in the mail today, 9 days after my interview. I foolishly booked my flight before receiving my visa, but it all worked out. I am leaving for the airport at noon and just got my visa at 11:30 this morning! WOW! Talk about stress!!! It all worked out though! My bags are packed and I am sooo ready to go! I'll write a review of my POE at Toronto Pearson when I am safe and sound in California. I can't believe I get to see my fiance tonight	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-08-12 10:42:00
Canada	How did you meet?	This is a great idea Vero! I love telling people our story (: Clay and I met in Peru. We actually flew into the same airport (Santiago, Chile) on the same day, but didn't meet until 5 months later! We basically stayed in the same cities and towns without meeting one another. I was living in Cusco for 6 weeks and he was there the entire time, going to different bars, restaurants, but we never crossed paths. Finally, in May he introduced himself at a cafe in Huaraz, Peru. He asked me about the book collection and we hit it off. I was meant to go off on a hike with someone from the hostel, but they cancelled last minute, so Clay and I got to spend the entire day chatting. We eventually went on several treks together and he decided to extend his trip by another 2 months to travel with me. I then followed him to California, and the rest is history. I like to think that one day, years from now, we'll go back to that cafe in Peru and remember how far we've come (;	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-08-05 21:48:00
Canada	Canadians Living in Southern California	Hello Canucks, My husband and I are putting together a free all day music festival to benefit the St. Joseph Center (www.stjosephctr.org) VENICESTOCK 2010 Sunday, September 12, 2010 12pm-8pm Windward Plaza, Venice Beach, California We are in between the boardwalk and the beach and are expecting BIG crowds. Check us out! If you're in need of a good time, bring your picnic blanket and sunscreen and come have some fun! www.venicestock2010.com	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-08-30 18:30:00
Canada	August Interviews in Montreal - K1	mandaNchris, Has anyone started looking at the AOS stuff? Do you guys think we should start a topic to keep track and help each other with that part too? Good idea Vero. I have just started looking into AOS and the list of required documents is really intimidating. It's like applying for the K1 all over again! I am going to start working on it this week. Unfortunately, in LA county it takes extra long to receive our marriage certificate, so I should have a couple of extra weeks to put together the package. I'll let you know how it goes. Congrats again to all of the approved!!!! I am so happy for every single one of you. It's amazing how far we have all come!	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-08-23 13:08:00
Canada	August Interviews in Montreal - K1	YAY! More great news from Montreal!! Congratulations guys and gals! I am celebrating with you today Clay and I are going to pick up our marriage license this afternoon!!!!!!! I am so happy	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-08-16 10:50:00
Canada	August Interviews in Montreal - K1	They didn't ask me for my x-ray. Apparently I'm not the only one. Why does the civil surgeon insist on us bringing it then? It's so awkward to carry! I'd bring it with you just in case though. I'd hate for them to suddenly start asking for them, and then you'd be stuck. Maybe you could roll it up with a couple of elastics? I threw mine out as soon as the interview was over. (: Good luck with your interviews!!! I can't wait to hear the news at the end of the week!!	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-08-08 17:28:00
Canada	August Interviews in Montreal - K1	Hello August Interviewees! I've got good news ~~~~~~~ I GOT APPROVED!!!!!! I will write my full review tomorrow (I took mental notes to share with you all). The only thing I'll let you know is - be prepared to WAIT! I arrived at the consulate first thing. 6:30am, no one in line. I didn't leave until 1:30pm. I was one of the last to leave. Ridiculous! It turns out that I was a 'guinea pig' for a new online program (D-160) for K1 visas. By the time I got called into the interview I didn't feel nervous, just annoyed and cranky. HAHA. So, relax, get your paperwork together, have a good breakfast and bring a good book. Once they tell you you're approved nothing else matters! I am going to celebrate with my mom in rainy Montreal.	Rose416	Female	Canada	2010-08-03 12:56:00