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Hotel/Visa Interview Review

By Revenesque in Canada

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Revenesque Rising Star

Revenesque   2

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

What a CRAZY day! After three sunny & warm days, we got a blizzard this morning just in time for my interview! BTW, I'm supposed to be back home in Vancouver right now, celebrating with friends and family but nope, hubby and I are stuck in Montreal for another day!--not due to the snowstorm--but due to a bird strike that grounded our flight. What's the chance of THAT happening?! And we're coming down with a cold. :(

Anyhoo, here's my review:

HOTEL - Le Westin Hotel

A-

PROS: Big modern room and bathroom, comfortable $2600 bed, step-in marbled-walled shower, central to downtown, old Montreal, Chinatown.

CONS: Low flush toilet, overcharging for valet parking (which they immediately corrected)

VISA IMMIGRATION INTERVIEW

B+

PROS: Met cool VJ peeps (K&I's hubby Ian & Lonie) & socialized (Thanks--you helped passed the time waiting!), friendly security guard who let me keep my protein bar because he noticed I was pregnant (but confiscated my hubby's OJ...Enjoy the drink, Mr. Security Guard!), the friendly window booth officer who checked over our documents & fingerprinted me, the even friendlier and helpful interview officer who approved my visa (Yeah!). We were not asked to produce any documents (good! I didn't bring any except for updated financials, which he didn't care to see.) Questions we were asked after swearing in:

1) Ravenesque - How did we meet? (Online dating site)

2) Ravenesque - When did we physically meet each other? (I asked if I can refer to my calendar and he said, "no" so I gave him just the month and year, no day, which he was OK with.)

3) Ravenesque - What do you do for work?

4) Hubby - What do you do for work?

5) Ravenesque - Do you have children? (Not yet, just the one in my belly). Are you planning to give birth in Canada or USA?

Because of the last answer,

1) I am planning to have the child in Canada while under the universal healthcare

2) remain in Canada three months afterwards as per the EI/Maternity Leave Benefits regulations and will not be ready to immigrate until at least October

3) AND that I will still need my passport to be able to visit my husband on the weekends

the officer said I have been approved for a visa BUT he will not issue my visa now until I'm ready to immigrate. He made a note in the file for me to send in my passport in October so they can issue the visa then. I don't have to return to Montreal. Also, my visa will have an expiry date of March 2011, the one year anniversary of my medical. Then he gave us instructions about our baby getting her US passport so she can enter the USA when I land. Works for me! :yes:

CONS: Got there at 6:45am, was fifth in line, waited outside in the blizzard in -2 degrees temperature, was assigned the coveted first five letters, A to E (we got E), but was then forgotten in the queue by the security guard. He called A to D group and sent them ahead first, then the rest of the non-lettered people came up. We noticed about four people who came in after us got called ahead of us before my hubby decided to inquire. I'm so glad he did because we got re-inserted back into the queue, albeit a little late. By the time we were done, it was 10:40am and we were STARVED!

I'm so glad this leg of immigration is over! Thanks to everyone here who helped me along the way. Couldn't have been so smooth without you! :yes:

Edited by Revenesque

08-31-07: MARRIED!

USCS JOURNEY

04-18-08 : Mailed I-130

05-28-08 : Received NOA2

NVC JOURNEY

08-26-08: Mailed Choice of Agent (DS-3032)

09-19-08: DS-3032 received. Notice to pay IV Application Processing fee

06-08-09: Paid $400 IV fee and $70 AOS fee

12-21-09: Mailed AOS and IV package

12-28-09: Failed Login

01-07-10: Case complete!!!

MONTREAL EMBASSY JOURNEY

03-31-10 : Medical exam

04-27-10 : Interview date

11-12-10 : Received Visa

03-06-11 : USA entry

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Ontarkie Grand Master

Ontarkie   14,133

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

Congrats

Spoiler

Met Playing Everquest in 2005
Engaged 9-15-2006
K-1 & 4 K-2'S
Filed 05-09-07
Interview 03-12-08
Visa received 04-21-08
Entry 05-06-08
Married 06-21-08
AOS X5
Filed 07-08-08
Cards Received01-22-09
Roc X5
Filed 10-17-10
Cards Received02-22-11
Citizenship
Filed 10-17-11
Interview 01-12-12
Oath 06-29-12

Citizenship for older 2 boys

Filed 03/08/2014

NOA/fee waiver 03/19/2014

Biometrics 04/15/14

Interview 05/29/14

In line for Oath 06/20/14

Oath 09/19/2014 We are all done! All USC no more USCIS

 

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lgg Experienced

lgg   2

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

congrats, Reven sounds like quite a day! Glad that you're all done and really cool that they accommodated your birth schedule.

ROCKING!

:)

USCIS

NOA #2: Approval June 25th, 2009 - 92 days

NVC

July 8, 2009 to August 10, 2009 - 28 days

Interview Assigned - December 3, 2009 - FINALLY!!

Medical - December 14, 2009 - Passed

Embassy/Interview - January 26, 2010 Montreal, Quebec Canada - 167 days PASSED!!!

Port of Entry - February 26, 2010 Baltimore International, Maryland

USCIS -- ROC package sent off

November 26, 2011 to Vermont station November 30, 2011 received NOA1December 16, 2011 received biometrics appointment.

January 04, 2012 Biometrics

September 2, 2012, RFE Received.

September 22, 2012 RFE responded to

October 15, 2012 ROC approved, 10 Green card on its way.

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"Here's some simple advice: Always be yourself. Never take yourself too seriously.

And beware of advice from experts, pigs, and members of Parliament."

— Kermit the Frog

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OBX Mentor

OBX   51

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted (edited)

VJ posted my reply twice so I'll just edit and say Congrats again!

Edited by OBX

USCIS

NOA1 08/19/08

NOA2 01/20/09

NVC

Received 01/26/09

Completed 02/13/09 (19 Days)

Interview Assigned 03/27/09 (6 weeks after NVC completion)

Medical

04/14/09 (Toronto)

Interview

Montreal 05/12/09 (88 days after NVC completion) **APPROVED**

POE

06/16/09 Buffalo

07/02/09 Welcome Letter Received

07/07/09 Applied for SSN

07/10/09 "Card production ordered" email received

07/13/09 SSN received

07/14/09 "Approval notice sent" email received

07/17/09 GREEN CARD received

Removal of Conditions

03/21/11 I-751 mailed to VSC

03/23/11 I-751 received at VSC

03/29/11 Cheque Cashed

03/30/11 NOA1 received (3/24/11)

04/11/11 Biometrics appointment notice received

05/05/11 Biometric appointment

12/13/11 **Approval date** (5 days short of 9 months!)

12/19/11 Approval letter and green card received

Naturalization

05/16/2019 Filed online (estimated completion February 2020)

05/18/2019 Biometrics scheduled

05/21/2019 Receipt notice and biometrics notices posted to online account.05/23/2019 Hard copy of NOA1 received

05/24/2019 Hard copy of biometrics appointment received

06/07/2019 Biometrics appointment (estimated completion January 2020)

12/31/2019 Email received "Interview scheduled"

01/01/2020 Interview date notice posted to online account (02/19/2020)

01/05/2019 Hard copy of interview appointment received

02/19/2020 Interview (**Approved**) and same day Oath Ceremony. 

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OBX Mentor

OBX   51

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

A blizzard, a bird strike and a $2600 bed!! Wow what a trip!

Great review. Congratulations!

USCIS

NOA1 08/19/08

NOA2 01/20/09

NVC

Received 01/26/09

Completed 02/13/09 (19 Days)

Interview Assigned 03/27/09 (6 weeks after NVC completion)

Medical

04/14/09 (Toronto)

Interview

Montreal 05/12/09 (88 days after NVC completion) **APPROVED**

POE

06/16/09 Buffalo

07/02/09 Welcome Letter Received

07/07/09 Applied for SSN

07/10/09 "Card production ordered" email received

07/13/09 SSN received

07/14/09 "Approval notice sent" email received

07/17/09 GREEN CARD received

Removal of Conditions

03/21/11 I-751 mailed to VSC

03/23/11 I-751 received at VSC

03/29/11 Cheque Cashed

03/30/11 NOA1 received (3/24/11)

04/11/11 Biometrics appointment notice received

05/05/11 Biometric appointment

12/13/11 **Approval date** (5 days short of 9 months!)

12/19/11 Approval letter and green card received

Naturalization

05/16/2019 Filed online (estimated completion February 2020)

05/18/2019 Biometrics scheduled

05/21/2019 Receipt notice and biometrics notices posted to online account.05/23/2019 Hard copy of NOA1 received

05/24/2019 Hard copy of biometrics appointment received

06/07/2019 Biometrics appointment (estimated completion January 2020)

12/31/2019 Email received "Interview scheduled"

01/01/2020 Interview date notice posted to online account (02/19/2020)

01/05/2019 Hard copy of interview appointment received

02/19/2020 Interview (**Approved**) and same day Oath Ceremony. 

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K & I Contributor

K & I   0

Posted
Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

Congrats!! I heard all about the snow and cold!! Ian was at the doors by 6:15am wondering why he ever listened to his lovely wife to get there early! I bet he's not complaining now!! :P LOL Glad to hear it all went smoothly for you...good luck with the baby on the way and a safe a uneventful POE.

Marriage: 04/03/2009

USCIS Journey

I-130 Sent: 04/09/2009

I-130 NOA1: 04/17/2009

I-130 Approved: 09/11/2009

NVC Journey

NVC Received: 09/28/2009

Received DS-3032/I-864 Bill: 10/03/2009

Paid I-864 Bill: 10/05/2009

Returned DS-3032: 10/06/2009

Received I-864 Pckg: 10/13/2009

Returned Completed I-864 Pckg: 10/21/2009

Received IV Bill: 10/22/2009

Paid IV Bill: 10/26/2009

Case Completed at NVC: 12/23/2009

Medical In Toronto: 04/21/2010 PASSED!!

Interview Date In Montreal: 04/27/2010 APPROVED!!!

Visa Received: 04/30/2010

POE Detroit: 05/11/2010

Received Welcome Letter: 05/19/10

Applied for Social Security Card: 05/21/10

Received Social Security Card: 06/01/10

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TimandJoyce Proficient

TimandJoyce   1

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

That's great Reven! I'm glad they'll be so accommodating around your schedule for the birth and everything too!!

K-1 timeline

Sent I-129f Dec. 29, 2008

Received NOA Jan. 10, 2009

NOA2 email sent April 16, 2009, APPROVED

Interview in Vancouver, June 23, 2009 APPROVED!!!!!!!!!!

Wedding, September 19, 2009, South Carolina!!

AOS

Mailed package to Chicago, Oct. 22, 2009

NOA hard copies Nov. 3, 2009

RFE Nov. 17, 2009

Finally mailed back RFE December 15, 2009

Case transferred to CSC January 7th 2010girlfreuya.gif

EAD and AP Approved, cards sent January 8th, 2010!!

AOS approved February 9th 2010 smiley-happy093.gif

Welcome letter and GC received February 16th, 2010

Done with USCIS until 11/08/11

ROC

Sent 1-751 to Vermont Service Center November 18th 2011

NOA November 23, 2011

Biometrics December 23, 2011

RFE Dated Aug. 17; received Aug. 20th

mailed off RFE end of Oct.

Received Email stating card has been ordered Dec. 4

Received Email stating card should arrive within seven days; Dec 6

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Kathryn41 Grand Master

Kathryn41   3,205

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

Congratulations!

I really enjoyed how you graded both the hotel and the interview :lol:. It's good to know that they were so accommodating for you even if the weather and the birds weren't. Safe travels home tomorrow.:)

“...Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive--it's such an interesting world. It wouldn't be half so interesting if we knew all about everything, would it? There'd be no scope for imagination then, would there?”

.― Lucy Maude Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

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Another Member of the VJ Fluffy Kitty Posse!

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zenaxe Rising Star

zenaxe   22

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: Canada
 Timeline
Posted

Congrats to you guys!! Nice to be finally done...well October I guess.

Great to read reviews, I most enjoy reading them from different people. They are very helpful ...

2007 Nov 30: Met in Las Vegas, Nevada

2009 Jul 13: Proposed/Engaged in Sedona, Arizona

2009 Dec 26: Married in Tucson, Arizona

USCIS

2009 Dec 30: Filed I-130

2010 Jan 02: I-130 delivered

2010 Jan 07: NOA1 - email - CSC

2010 Jan 11: Received NOA1 hardcopy

2010 Mar 24: NOA2 - email & text - NVC

2010 Mar 29: Received NOA2 hardcopy

I-130 was approved in 76 days from NOA1 date

NVC

2010 Mar 30: NVC received - case# assigned - emails given to NVC

2010 Mar 30: Opted in - DS3032 emailed to NVC

2010 Mar 31: Received AOS bill & DS3032 - paid AOS

2010 Apr 05: Online payment portal confirms paid AOS(Apr 2 processing date)

2010 Apr 05: Sent I-864 package

2010 Apr 15: EP confirmation email

2010 Apr 15: IV bill generated & paid

2010 Apr 15: Email confirmation - receipt of DS3032

2010 Apr 16: IV bill confirmed paid - sent DS230 package

2010 Apr 19: NVC operator confirms I864 & DS230 documents have been received

2010 Apr 21: AVR confirms all documents received Apr 19th

2010 Apr 23: Email from NVC: case complete - confirmed by NVC - sign in fail

Completed in 24 days

CONSULATE

2010 May 27: Email from NVC - consulate received file - interview Montreal Jul 27th

2010 Jun 16: Medical @ Woking Medical Centre, Vancouver, Canada - APPROVED

2010 Jul 27: Interview @ US Consulate in Montreal, Canada - APPROVED

Your interview took 201 days from your I-130 NOA1 date

2010 Aug 13:POE Washington - APPROVED

REMOVAL OF CONDITIONS

2012 May 14 - mailed I-751

2012 May 16 - delivered @ CSC

2012 Jun 18 - I 551 stamp

2012 Jun 28 - biometrics appointment NOA notice date Jun 7

2012 Dec 20 - approved

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sachinky Mentor

sachinky   464

Posted
Filed: Lift. Cond. (apr) Country: India
 Timeline
Posted

Congrats and good luck with da baby ! :thumbs:

03/27/2009: Engaged in Ithaca, New York.
08/17/2009: Wedding in Calcutta, India.
09/29/2009: I-130 NOA1
01/25/2010: I-130 NOA2
03/23/2010: Case completed.
05/12/2010: CR-1 interview at Mumbai, India.
05/20/2010: US Entry, Chicago.
03/01/2012: ROC NOA1.
03/26/2012: Biometrics completed.
12/07/2012: 10 year card production ordered.

09/25/2013: N-400 NOA1

10/16/2013: Biometrics completed

12/03/2013: Interview

12/20/2013: Oath ceremony

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