Feeling the need to panic (Package from Montreal)

[Galateia 1]

I'm feeling lost and slightly hysterical. Okay, maybe more than slightly hysterical. Since I'm guessing that everyone else on here is probably familiar with this kind of hysteria, I figured this was the best place to let it all out.

Dealing with this immigration process feels like fighting a cloud of gnats; there are a billion tiny things to worry about and if you miss one, you're done. The more I read the boards the more panicked and alarmed I feel, and since my fiance isn't really a 'detail-oriented' person' (e.g. He misspelled my name on the petition) I'm more or less left with this task on my own.

I got the package from the embassy with my D230, etc. on Friday Dec. 22nd.

Now, it says to return the D230 Part I immediately but it's Jan 9th and I'll be sending it tomorrow. Is this going to be a huge problem that I didn't sent it immediately and am sending it now?

I've been trying to track down some info (i.e. what dates we moved from X to Y when I was a teen) and I'm very worried (read: nearly hysterical) over the 'Everywhere you've worked for the last 10 years, from month X to month Y' part. I have no way of pinning down the dates of when I worked as a 16 year old! How complete does this list have to be? There was one place that I worked on and off for years, so I just gave a range of dates for that with an asterisk directing to a lower line. Is this going to be a problem? Are we going to get rejected because I wasn't specific enough? Did I mention I'm freaking out?

And I also wasted a line putting 'Unemployed- Full Time Student', not realizing there was a space below for educational institutions. And speaking of, do I only have to put down my university and high schools, omitting grade schools?

I really want to send this off ASAP but I'm concerned that I haven't done it properly and that we will get dinged for that. If I mess up the D230, what happens? Will they reject us out of hand, making us start from scratch, or will they re-send me a D230 (I read Montreal wants you to use only the forms they send you) to re-do, or will they ask for further clarification?

Advice and guidance is much needed and will be very appreciated.

[Mephys 2]

For the DS-230 Part 1 in fact they just want you to send it immidiately when you get done filling it. Compared to the checklist where people that has no idea about this process would wait till they have all documents to send it. But here we all know all the time it takes for them to schedule the appointment in Montreal, so what I did is I sent my DS-230 part I when I got done filling it, and I included my checklist as well (was missing the police certificate, the I-134 and the medical). Now I'm done gathering all this stuff after a month and stil havent received the appointment letter. So im very relax about all this. We have all the time needed to do this.

As for the schools, I included all junior and high schools because i didnt know and was paranoid as well, but found out many people only filled college and universities and were approved.

Mephys

Edited January 10, 2007 by Mephys

[Kathryn41 3,205]

You'll be ok - it is natural to worry about it, but there isn't a problem. They mean that they want you to send back the form when you have filled it out rather than wait until you have all of the other documents before you send it. They will establish your file and do the paperwork at their end when they receive back the form - all part of preparing for when you notify them that you are ready for the interview. Sending the form back confirms to them that the petition that was forwarded to them from NVC is still valid and they can expect to receive your application for the K-1. Fill the form out as completely as you can. If you have dates that overlap - such as several part time jobs - you can add details on an extra page if you feel it is necessary. Just make sure you don't have any dates unaccounted for; if you were unemployed - write unemployed:-). The same thing with addresses - be as accurate as you can but if you have lived a lot of places you may not remember the exact dates you moved. Try to be complete and accurate, but they aren't going to crucify you or deny you if you write you moved in January and you actually moved in February. If they have any questions about your form they will ask you for clarification. Good luck - oh, make sure you keep a photocopy of everything you submit for yourself - it will save you some time later because they will ask you again on other forms for much of the same information and you won't have to try to remember it all over again.

[girl 37 7]

I had to estimate a few dates (because I honestly couldn't remember what they were) and they didn't question it at all. Like Kathryn said, keep a copy of the form. It'll help you can keep your story straight if you can't remember whether you moved or started a job in April or in May. I only included university education and that was fine too. And I wrote a fairly general statement about trips to the US because there were too many trips to remember.

[Caladan 19]

My fiancé didn't check the mailbox (he lives on a farm, it's a mile away) until two days after the packet had been delivered. They don't have little leprechauns watching your mail box. I'm not trying to be flip, just to cheer you up and remind you to BREATHE. What if you'd been travelling over the holidays, like my fiancé, and only returned late tonight, like my fiancé, and only received the packet now? Your NOA2 is good for a while yet. bREEEEEATHe.

They just don't want you sitting on it for weeks upon weeks, because I think they can't start the security checks or any other processing until they get that from you. I'd bet if you'd sent it on the 23rd they'd not have looked at it until after the New Year anyway. BREAEEEETHE.

You can attach a sheet if you need to. My fiancé is was in carpentry for ten years, and worked for several firms for stints of eight months. We just wrote 'see attached' on the lines and faxed it along with the form. Just ensure you have all the time accounted for. We did the same for visits to the U.S. He signed and dated the attachment.

[mozplay 28]

I had to attach separate sheets (supplements) for jobs, places lived and visits to the U.S. I just used the same format as we did for the initial petition to indicate that there were sheets attached.

As for worrying... you are going to do it. Nobody can tell you not to worry because it's impossible (as far as I am concerned). Best advice is to keep somebody who is grounded close by to hand you a paper bag when you begin to hyperventilate and to tell you that you have done it all right.

Read the forums and share your stress. If nothing at all, it will help pass the time.

Monique

[Galateia 1]

Thanks for all the helpful advice; I've started the arduous process of trying to track down all of the places I've worked to find out when I worked for them. Oy.

That means more delays before I get my D230 and checklist mailed off. But at least I can go ahead and mail it off when the DS230 is ready; I made arrangements for my medical in London for Feb 2! I was a little shocked at the price: $225!! I thought London cost $180? But they were super sweet and patient at the London office, which is an improvement over the nasty b*tchiness I got from Seiden's in Toronto when I called them.

Now I need to figure out how the whole affidavit of support works, since my fiance is a student and therefore makes no $$, his dad will be the one who will be pledging support. Is there a thread on how to go about having someone other than the petitioner sign the affidavit of support?

And hoo boy, you're right about the stress. I can't count the number of time I've cried in the last 3 days from sheer stress/hysteria/anxiety. Murphy's Law + Immigration = a hysterical me.

Edited January 11, 2007 by Galateia

[Caladan 19]

The 'Foreign Embassy forum' has lots of threads on this, but it's pretty simple. If your fiancé's dad wants to sponsor you, he needs to fill out an I-134, gather the evidence it requests in duplicate (employment letter and tax returns are common choices), and have it notarized.

[CutienPurg 0]

And hoo boy, you're right about the stress. I can't count the number of time I've cried in the last 3 days from sheer stress/hysteria/anxiety. Murphy's Law + Immigration = a hysterical me.

I think someone left some valium in the cabinet next to the fridge

[Galateia 1]

And hoo boy, you're right about the stress. I can't count the number of time I've cried in the last 3 days from sheer stress/hysteria/anxiety. Murphy's Law + Immigration = a hysterical me.

I think someone left some valium in the cabinet next to the fridge

They did? Where?! WHERE?!

[Mephys 2]

And hoo boy, you're right about the stress. I can't count the number of time I've cried in the last 3 days from sheer stress/hysteria/anxiety. Murphy's Law + Immigration = a hysterical me.

I think someone left some valium in the cabinet next to the fridge

They did? Where?! WHERE?!

sorry i emptied it..