Forum	Title	Content	Member	Sex	Country	Date/Time
Canada	This is not IT	Boarding pass from return trip (if she flew) would be a good item. Unfortunately, people have waited many weeks for approval after submitting documents after interview, some up to 12 weeks. Takes them a long time to get to mail.	birdnerd	Female	Canada	2010-08-24 19:22:00
Canada	Enter the US first then apply for change of status?	Unfortunately, DCF is not necessarily the fastest way to immigrate, at least not in Canada, as we seem to be just as affected, if not more so, by the slowdown in Montreal. You do skip some steps (USCIS and NVC), but there's still the massive black hole that is the consulate. You can get more info and are welcome to join with other Canadian DCFers here.	birdnerd	Female	Canada	2010-08-27 14:40:00
Canada	POE	Pretty sure the CR-1 visa is a SINGLE USE visa. It is, however when you activate it, they stamp the I-551 in your passport, which acts as a temporary GC until the real one arrives, so it is good for multiple entry. Some people have also been advised by border guards against doing this (activation then turning around), as once you activate the visa they pretty much want you to be a resident. Edited by birdnerd, 13 August 2010 - 12:25 AM.	birdnerd	Female	Canada	2010-08-13 00:24:00
Canada	October MTL Cr-1 Interviews	The toronto medical place doesn't seem to like my calls. I left a message though. Yeah, they don't answer calls live. It might take a few messages to get hold of them. I played phone tag with them today. They have dates on Mon, Tues, Weds, starting Sept 27. I would just choose a day, call and leave them a message saying which date, your case number, etc. They told me to bring: 1) p3/p4 (she said 'the interview letter', or whatever has your case number, because I told her p4 no longer has interview date on it) 2) passport 3) 3 photos 4) vaccination records 5) $275 CAD, cash or money order ONLY And to be there between 7-8 am.	birdnerd	Female	Canada	2010-09-16 19:20:00
Canada	Can log into appointment scheduling system	Try calling. They actually have operators available who can book your appointment. These are the local access numbers: Montreal - 514.400.2591 Calgary - 403.800.1194 Halifax - 902.982.2191 Ottawa - 613.800.0917 Toronto - 647.955.3736 Vancouver - 604.800.2794 Quebec City - 418.800.1751 Toll-free number in Canada 1.877.341.2441. Toll-free number in the United States 1.877.341.2441.	birdnerd	Female	Canada	2010-09-21 07:10:00
Canada	when should i officially freak out?	Yay, so happy for you! We really all need to sit down and write some carefully-worded letters to some elected officials once we're down there...	birdnerd	Female	Canada	2010-09-21 19:55:00
Canada	Starting to panic	It's also worthwhile to note that they do tell you it can take up to TWO WEEKS [ie 14 business days] to get your visa out to you. You said that it has been 10 days, so you are not "technically" over the time that they say it can take. But that doesn't mean it's any less frustrating or worrysom. However, I would still keep calling and emailing, make sure you explain that "AFTER" your approval you made arrangements with their two week guideline in mind, and that you direly NEED your visa there ASAP becuase you won't have a place to stay, etc. Keep trying it doesn't hurt. Good luck and I really hope it works out for you, sending all the positive vibes your way! =) Actually, it has only been about 5-6 business days since the interview. It'll probably be on its way soon.	birdnerd	Female	Canada	2010-10-04 20:49:00
Canada	Montreal apptment times?	I totally ignored the time on my interview letter after reading posts on VJ advising it was best to get there as early as possible. We arrived around 6:45 and were out by just after 9 a.m. At no time did anyone mention the time noted on our letter. Not sure if things have changed over the past year. Yeah, with the new system you can book either 8:00, 8:30 or 9:00. The P4 letter also indicates that they don't want you to arrive more than 20 minutes before the scheduled time.	birdnerd	Female	Canada	2010-10-17 19:57:00
Canada	Montreal United States Embassy	Ahem, bump! Had to search for this post as I had a mental block as to which side of the door to line up on!	birdnerd	Female	Canada	2010-10-19 21:18:00
Canada	Totally confused after interview	I was and what weird lady? there was a weird lady? Yes I was the one with the child running wild...oh such a headache. Well congrats again!! Haha, I hope it's not me! Edited by birdnerd, 20 October 2010 - 04:51 PM.	birdnerd	Female	Canada	2010-10-20 16:50:00
Canada	Criminal Record Background Check Question	Ok fellow Canadians, I have a question........ My fiance and I just recieved our NOA2 (after waiting forever!!!) and I am trying to get as much paper work and whatnot out of the way now, so I'm not running around when Montreal sends me packet 3. I live in Toronto and I recently went to Police Headquarters and requested that my name be run through the RCMP's National Criminal Records repository (I have no criminal record). No problem! Today I recieved my certified copies in the mail and I am concerned on what the letter says. I assumed I would get a clear cut type of answer such as, "No, there is no criminal record for this individual". I just wanted to confirm with others who may have had this done in Toronto, that what my letter says is correct. Like I mentioned, I have no criminal record and have never been arrested, so it was to my understanding that getting my fingerprints wasn't neccessary. Here's what my letter says (I've left out the persoanl info) Re: (NAME&DOB) Please be advised that a search of the National Criminal Records repository maintained by the RCMP did not identify any records for a person with the name(s) and date of birth as indicated. Positive identification that a criminal record may or may not exist at the National Criminal Records respository can only be confirmed by fingerprint comparison <<<<< This second part is what concerns me. Should I get my fingerprints taken just to be on the safe side? I appreciate any help I can get! Nope, you're good. That's just what the letter says. You only need to get the fingerprint check done if you have a criminal history.	birdnerd	Female	Canada	2010-10-21 08:02:00
Canada	Is there anyway to get ahold of Consulate in Montreal	Hi Kevbev, Actually they don't send you an interview date anymore, just a letter telling you that you are eligible for an interview and you go online and set-up your own interview. The unfortunate thing is that you require the letter for your medical and for the interview. For what it's worth, canok, I don't think they actually needed the P4 at the medical. They used to, but I told the girl the P4 no longer has the interview date on it, and she said just bring something with your case number on it (like P3 letter). All I needed at the consulate was my printout of my self-scheduled interview. Nobody looked at the (new) P4 letter. I think you might be ok, you should maybe call wherever you're doing the medical to double check. Edited by birdnerd, 22 October 2010 - 11:47 PM.	birdnerd	Female	Canada	2010-10-22 23:46:00
Canada	My Wife (Canadian Citizen)'s Situation Help & Advice Please!	We are now working on actionable items after lots of reading up and studying. I have a couple of questions as we work on the paperwork. There is no question that CR1 is better, and K3 might or might not be faster(?). Here are questions I am having trouble finding answers: - Can it hurt to file for both? It seems based on canadian_wife's post here, filing I-129F will cause the I-130 to go back to the line, and causes a delay for the CR-1. Is there any official information on that? - The only difference between CR1 and K3 when it comes to filing appears to be I-129F, is that correct? - If the answer to the above question is yes, do I submit TWO I-130, one for direct CR-1 and one for K3? Or, do I submit just ONE I-130 for both? You submit one I-130 for the petition for alien relative (for the CR-1), then when you get your receipt number (NOA 1), then you use that to submit the I-129 for the K-3. So, the processes are kind of vaguely consecutive, but also kind of concurrent. We don't know much about the procedure, but it seems that your I-130 starts processing, then when they receive the I-129 they put the two of them together at the back of the line. If that happens and they get to the processing stage at the same time, then USCIS will close the K-3 and proceed with the CR-1.	birdnerd	Female	Canada	2010-10-26 15:13:00
Canada	Approved	did you get your visa yet? I had my interview on the 19th and havent gotten mine yet... and I live in montreal!! Yes.	birdnerd	Female	Canada	2010-10-26 15:18:00
Canada	Approved	Big congratulations to you both! Out of curiosity, for what time did you guys schedule your interviews? I foolishly scheduled mine for 9:00am, and according to the "rules", I shouldn't arrive before 8:30am... My self-scheduled interview (DCF) was for 8:30. I still got there for 6:50, was out almost at my scheduled interview time. Interviewer said that I was her first interview of the day, and that I must have gotten there early, I said 6:50 and she was like 'wow, that's early'.	birdnerd	Female	Canada	2010-10-20 16:54:00
Canada	Approved	Congrats!!! Did you follow the "time" of your appointment or did you go first thing and stand in line?? We both got there early - I was there 6:50, Canadiandggal arrived next at 7:00. When the doors opened at 7:30, there were still only 4-5 people in line. Edited by birdnerd, 20 October 2010 - 03:57 PM.	birdnerd	Female	Canada	2010-10-20 15:56:00
Canada	Approved	First in line at 6:50, out at 8:40. Met Canadiandggal and her little one. Very nice people at the consulate. Will post longer review later. Edited by birdnerd, 20 October 2010 - 09:01 AM.	birdnerd	Female	Canada	2010-10-20 09:01:00
Canada	visa denied?	what is ap? You can go into AP after being 'approved' at the interview. Someone on the Canadian forum has had this happen recently, they received their visa about a month after their interview. You should call Department of State at 202-663-1225, they can tell you what the latest is regarding your visa - if you're in AP, if it has been printed, sent, etc.	birdnerd	Female	Canada	2010-10-28 07:18:00
Canada	October K-1 interviews in Montréal!	Congratulations to MSR! I'm headed to Montreal in the early morning. I lived above the St. Lawrence bakery across from Schwartz's in the late eighties, and have only been back once since 1990. Hopefully, all is going to go well and I'll have a couple of hours to check some old haunts... Schwartz's was FANTASTIC when I was there last week. Exactly the same as it was several years ago, and I'm sure the same as it was 50 years ago.	birdnerd	Female	Canada	2010-10-24 22:16:00
Canada	October K-1 interviews in Montréal!	I believe TBenjamin and Newinhere have received their passports back and they received literally 2-3 days after their interview. That was with the new DHL pickup system? If so, then sweet!	birdnerd	Female	Canada	2010-10-18 12:44:00
Canada	October K-1 interviews in Montréal!	Have any of the early October interviewees received their passports back yet? Just trying to get a sense of how long it is taking for the consulate to send them out.	birdnerd	Female	Canada	2010-10-17 19:56:00
Canada	October K-1 interviews in Montréal!	Hendea3, how did you get past the blue screen? It seems to keep coming up on me regardless of what I try....hmmm I was wondering if it might be an Apple/Mac incompatibility with the site (maybe the browser), but I dunno. I got that screen the few times I tried from my home computer, but it worked ok when I did it at work (Windows terminal).	birdnerd	Female	Canada	2010-09-16 06:57:00
Canada	DHL or Xpresspost for MTL consulate	Does anyone know why they keep your passport? Seems strange to me.... They keep your passport so they can affix the visa in it - it's kind of a foil paper that gets glued onto a page in your passport. They stamp it at POE with your date of entry to 'activate' the visa. Edited by birdnerd, 08 November 2010 - 04:30 PM.	birdnerd	Female	Canada	2010-11-08 16:30:00
Canada	Documents required by Canadian Citizens/Residents/Landed Immigrant to enter the U.S. and how long can they stay?	"Lawful Permanent Residents of the U.S. must continue to present a valid Permanent Resident Card (I-551), a passport is not required for air, land or sea travel." No contradiction here...if you have green card, it is enough for getting back to the US. The interesting thing is that permanent residents of the US (other than Canadians) can travel to the US without visas, but landed Canadian residents cannot, unless they of course are originally from a visa waver country.	mikey78	Male	Canada	2010-02-26 10:12:00
Canada	Refusal of entry for immigrant visa holder at port of entry	I'd go with what trailmix and OBX say...do not volunteer any information, just answer the questions they ask. It seems like there is little consistency between CBP officers processing IV cases in regard to coming back to Canada; we've heard about some people just crossing border for a coffee and returning to Canada the same day just to start their GC procedure going and those that, alike your friend, were treated harshly. Best way is simply to fly...airports seem to be easier - maybe just because they do not imagine someone just crossing the border to come back the same day and of course if you are flying and don't have a trailer full of stuff with you no one would wonder why...but if you are on the land crossing then at least they might ask out of curosity and then...some people give them the answer that may cause trouble such as: Oh, I am just activating my visa today but I am coming back in a week coz I gotta finish some business...	mikey78	Male	Canada	2010-07-09 13:49:00
Canada	Montreal Storage Lockers	I stayed at La Tour and the morning of my interview I checked out and left my bags in their storage space. I left everything in my bags and it was safe and convenient.	mikey78	Male	Canada	2010-10-19 21:10:00
Canada	POE	One thing to consider when you are on the bus at the POE and you are immigrating is that when you get to the border (here I am basing it on Buffalo Peace Bridge) the bus driver will be requested to unload all passengers bags and then each passenger is requested to collect their bags and proceed to immigration and customs...obviously if you have more than 2 bags this becomes a project and you will need to ask someone for help. So here is my advice, when you get on the bus try talking to the bus driver and explain that you probably will need a bit more time at the border. Once the bus driver is aware of the situation he might be willing to help you with your bags (especially when you are traveling with a child) but more importantly, he is the first person out of the bus and he is talking to the immigration officers at the gate. If he will let them know that he has someone on the bus who is immigrating, the immigration guys might be able to accomodate you and start processing your case right off the bat as they will start processing other people from the same bus. I assume that you will be on a scheduled route bus so the immigration officers are expecting mostly tourist traffic and try to keep buses on their schedule. But if they see a level of consideration on your part, they should be willing to help out.	mikey78	Male	Canada	2010-12-02 11:58:00
Canada	Any other CR1ers been told at the border that they need Advance Parole to enter the States while waiting for their visa?	It's sad and scary...the person who processed you had no idea what they were doing...but somehow it doesn't surprise me that much - at my interview in Montreal the CO made a similar mistake concerning advance parole. He told me that after I cross the border and activate my immigrant visa I can't leave the US until my greencard arrives in mail and if I would I'd need an advance parole to return. Of course an endorsed immigrant visa works as a temp green card...and I even tried to tell him that but he was very persistent in mixing up K-1 visa and AOS process with with my immigrant visa (family first preference).	mikey78	Male	Canada	2010-12-19 12:47:00
Canada	WAITING and waiting	That's too bad, Cowgirl. So, I guess when they had said it was "in review" did that just mean AP? Hopefully something will happen this week for you. My congressperson sent something on a Tuesday, the visa was approved on a Friday, printed the next Tuesday, and mailed on Wednesday. I am sure something will happen soon! Hubby called DOS yday and was told that his application is in AP processing STILL. FYI, did contact Senator's office, and they said they were going to contact Montreal that same day, which was Monday. Will have my hubby call tomorrow to see if anything has changed. I emailed montreal today, ofcourse will take forever for a reply.	Lenie7	Female	Canada	2010-05-17 08:04:00
Canada	WAITING and waiting	Hi Smurf, I sent my congressperson a letter than outlined what happened from the denial at the interview to present, and also included a copy of the letter I had sent to the consulate which listed my domicile proof. I asked for their help with my husband's visa since it had been a couple weeks past the four week time frame the consulate was supposed to reply. I also explained that being away from my spouse for as long as I have was very hard and that I would like to be reunited. My congressperson's rep sent a letter that included all of that and my husband's visa was approved within 3 days of the letter. Although we were at the 7 week mark, I do think it helped. Good luck! Oh, and I would definitely mention that you have been apart for so long. when contacting congressman do we just tell our story from time we applied until what happen at interview we are going to start preparing the letter to be sent to congressman this week we cant take being apart no more been married a year and 3 months and never lived together is totally not right or fair what should we say when contacting congressman thanks Edited by Lenie7, 17 May 2010 - 08:00 AM.	Lenie7	Female	Canada	2010-05-17 07:57:00
Canada	WAITING and waiting	Good! I'm glad that your senator is so responsive. I don't know the fax number or anything, but I do think that the senator's office has that info. I'm sure you'll be hearing good news very soon. Hi Lenie, I called my Senator's office today and requested them to contact Montreal directly. They were glad to do so, and they stated that they will do that today. Lets hope this helps me like it helped you! Thanks for the advice!	Lenie7	Female	Canada	2010-05-10 10:57:00
Canada	WAITING and waiting	Hi Cowgirl, My congressperson faxed it directly to the consulate and she may have mailed a copy, too. If you can ask yours to do that, I would because I think it's more effective. I'm sure you guys WILL be in the same boat soon...I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you! When we call they just say they are still reviewing our case and they had started on April 20th (meaning thats when they opened up our documents), some say AP others say reviewing. Ours is also a review of domicile and we had sent in our documents March 30th so about 1.5wks after yours. Do you know if your congresswoman contacted the Montreal consulate directly, or did she contact DOS or Visanet? My Senator usually contacts DOS or Visanet so if you congresswoman had contacted Montreal direcly, I can request that from my Senator. Thanks for your help. I hope my husband is in the same boat as you soon!	Lenie7	Female	Canada	2010-05-09 16:37:00
Canada	WAITING and waiting	Thanks everyone! I am soooo happy! Cowgirl, when I called on Monday, they said it was still in AP and then when I called Friday, they said it had been approved. Is yours a review of domicile, too? Hi Lenie, I was just wondering when did they exactly start reviewing your case? They started reviewing ours April 20th. I just wanted to know how far behind we are...Thanks!	Lenie7	Female	Canada	2010-05-08 16:18:00
Canada	WAITING and waiting	Thanks! It is a great relief! I'm crossing my fingers for a big batch to get approved like a couple of weeks ago, so we can all feel relieved.	Lenie7	Female	Canada	2010-05-07 11:53:00
Canada	WAITING and waiting	I just got off the phone with DOS and they said that they have approved the visa to be issued! I still kind of can't believe it and will probably feel a little uneasy until it actually arrives. Today was exactly 7 weeks after they received our additional info and this past Tuesday, my congresswoman contacted them, which probably helped. I'm sure they're coming soon for those of you still waiting! I sent an email to Montreal and called DOS, still negative.	Lenie7	Female	Canada	2010-05-07 10:42:00
Canada	WAITING and waiting	Cowgirl, you're right that we'll all get through it and get approved. Some days are worse than others in dealing with the delay, but hopefully soon those of us waiting will find out something and be able to relax and not stress anymore. It does help to have the support of this forum and know that other people can empathize with us. VJ is a great forum with a lot of great people on it - I'm so glad I found it because it's helped so much! Good luck to everyone! Hi Everyone, Lenie and I were totally wrong thinking it was just the two of us left. I hope all of us get our visas soon so we can move on with our lives! I wish I had known about visajourney before my interview as I had all the documents that they would want, but the list they had asked for is only what I had taken. I wish they would be more specific in their requests! My husband has made me promise that I wont bug DOS or Montreal for about a week now because hes afraid I'm going to piss them off and make things matter worse. I'm sooo tempted though, but I guess a promise is a promise! Tauruslady, I'm so sorry to hear about your situation. You actually went the extra mile to make sure everything was set so you wouldnt have to go through what some of us are regarding sending in additional documents, and now the issue for you is getting a date. I guess when it comes to Montreal there is ALWAYS an issue. I hope you get your date soon and you should demand to have your visa the next day when you do! Mast3- so does that mean that they haven't even opened up your mail yet? Thats just ridiculous! According to the email I got back from them they said they are processing (opening up the mail) that was received mid-march and you were EARLY mid-march. I hope you hear back soon. Flames- I actually did email montreal about my surgery, but no response yet. Also, i'm afraid if I send in more documents that might just delay everything even more so im hoping they will read the email and contact me if they need more info instead of me just sending it and them just getting another excuse to delay the processing because of this EXTRA document. Finally, thank you everyone for all the support. It is really hard for all of us, but we will all get through it...probably will be a little insane by the end of it...but we will get through...	Lenie7	Female	Canada	2010-05-05 10:12:00
Canada	WAITING and waiting	Sorry you're still waiting for another interview date...I think getting the interview was the longest part of the whole process (it took 5 months!). I am sure that you will get a new date soon, since it's been around the 4 month mark for you. I noticed that in K1 filing it is easier to get an interview than CR1 filing..am I just one noticing it or...who else might?	Lenie7	Female	Canada	2010-05-05 10:06:00
Canada	WAITING and waiting	Well, hopefully we'll hear something soon. It's been almost 7 weeks for us. Took me 8 weeks to hear back...depends on the case though.	Lenie7	Female	Canada	2010-05-04 18:54:00
Canada	WAITING and waiting	Cowgirl - so sorry to hear about your biopsy (I will think good thoughts for you). Of course you would want your husband there and I agree that Montreal doesn't seem to care how much heartbreak they cause. The guy who interviewed me was one of the most unsympathetic people I've ever met. Mid-March is what they're saying? Well then why did people who sent things in AFTER that date get approved already? They are definitely NOT opening mail according to when they receive it. Either way, I really hope yours gets done soon so you can have your husband there. Again, I hope everything goes well... I just received a message from Montreal stating that they are processing mail that was received in mid-march, meaning they are a whole MONTH behind. What is even more frustrating is that I just found out that I need a cyst removal surgery which then will be biopsied for cancer (strong history of cancer in our family) and I just wanted my husband by my side for this...When will Montreal understand the emotional rollercoaster they put us on?...	Lenie7	Female	Canada	2010-05-04 14:20:00
Canada	WAITING and waiting	Well, Cowgirl...looks like it's just you and me waiting. They received my documents almost 7 weeks ago and I have no word yet, either. They just told me that they received my documents and nothing else. I am so disappointed in this country's immigration - it really shouldn't take someone over a year and a half to get their spouse to live here. This whole thing is emotionally draining and it makes me want to cry on a daily basis. I feel like it's just never going to happen and while I try to stay positive, it's really hard when you have no idea if/when they will approve. I sent in additional documents to prove domicile for the 2nd time for my husband's IR-1 visa over a month ago and nothing yet. DOS keeps stating that its under review and I've received email letters from DOS stating the same thing. I have gotten my Senator involved and they also received the same answer by Visanet that the processing can take up to 90 days, months or even years depending on the case. They just wanted some specific documents to prove domicile which I sent exactly what they had asked for. I'm getting really frustrated and upset and feel so helpless at this point. I already did all that I could do..I got the Senator involved....I emailed Montreal...is there something else that I can do??????? My husband and I have been away from each other for months and months now...Please help...	Lenie7	Female	Canada	2010-05-03 22:18:00