Final stretch: interview in less than month

[Galateia 1]

It's been more than a year since I sent in my packet 3, so I barely remember everything that needs to be done. The information is out there, but scattered all over and I can feel my stress levels rising, and I'm already leaving hoofprints behind me, pulling my wool out, and bleating fearfully.

I need your help!

My interview is on Feb 6th. I plan to go up there via coach canada for $18 each way, and stay at the hotel across the street. Is it the:

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites

MONTREAL CENTRE-VILLE

155 BLVD RENE-LEVESQUE EAST

Is that the right hotel?

Also, where can I find the checklist of what documents, etc, I am supposed to bring? I remember there was a form in my packet 3 I was supposed to fill out and bring, the DS 230?? Is that the form that my interview letter asks me to fill out online and print out and bring?

Also, my medical was on Feb 4th of last year. My interview is on Feb 6th of this year. This means my medical is expired by 2 days, right? I know I have to get another to file the AOS, but do I have to get another before my visa interview as well? MTL screwed up my file twice and my interview should have been in Dec or Jan at the latest, when my medical was still valid. What should I do?

My letter from MTL states I can purchase the FedEx envelope from them: "Discounted Xpresspost traceable mailers will be supplied in the Visa Section at the time of the interview; payment by valid credit card is required. The price for a next day Regional service is $6.66; the price for two day National service is 10.08, plus applicable taxes and surcharges." Does that mean that I can just buy the envelope there?

I'm already feeling my stress levels redlining. It's been a year since all this was fresh in my mind and I'm feeling a little panicked. Please help!

Edited January 13, 2008 by Galateia

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

It's been more than a year since I sent in my packet 3, so I barely remember everything that needs to be done. The information is out there, but scattered all over and I can feel my stress levels rising, and I'm already leaving hoofprints behind me, pulling my wool out, and bleating fearfully.

I need your help!

My interview is on Feb 6th. I plan to go up there via coach canada for $18 each way, and stay at the hotel across the street. Is it the:

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites

MONTREAL CENTRE-VILLE

155 BLVD RENE-LEVESQUE EAST

Is that the right hotel?

Also, where can I find the checklist of what documents, etc, I am supposed to bring? I remember there was a form in my packet 3 I was supposed to fill out and bring, the DS 230?? Is that the form that my interview letter asks me to fill out online and print out and bring?

Also, my medical was on Feb 4th of last year. My interview is on Feb 6th of this year. This means my medical is expired by 2 days, right? I know I have to get another to file the AOS, but do I have to get another before my visa interview as well? MTL screwed up my file twice and my interview should have been in Dec or Jan at the latest, when my medical was still valid. What should I do?

My letter from MTL states I can purchase the FedEx envelope from them: "Discounted Xpresspost traceable mailers will be supplied in the Visa Section at the time of the interview; payment by valid credit card is required. The price for a next day Regional service is $6.66; the price for two day National service is 10.08, plus applicable taxes and surcharges." Does that mean that I can just buy the envelope there?

I'm already feeling my stress levels redlining. It's been a year since all this was fresh in my mind and I'm feeling a little panicked. Please help!

Everyone gets nervous (I checked my parents' documentation at least 10 times)so take your time with reviewing documents and please don't stress out.

In the packet you were sent (on the page marked "Appointment Letter for Immigrant Visa Applicants") there should be a checklist with numbers (they don't all apply to every case) for each document (number one is appointment letter, number two is passport, number three is b/c, number four is adoption decree, number five is marriage cetificate, number six is death or divorce cert., number seven is police cert., number eight is court records, number nine is military records, number ten is updated I-864, number eleven is medical examination, number twelve is photos). I am speaking from an IR5 perspective. Get some post-it notes and label what you need in the order they advise you for presentation. Put everything in a clear accordian folder with tabs. If you don't have one you can buy one or I saw plastic bags and burlap shopping bags being used by some people.

There are some reviews in older posts that have the nearby hotels but I think that is the correct one.

With respect to the medical I can't say. I don't think that they're going to give you grief over a few days. If I was in your position, I'd take it with me and explain the situation. It's easier and cheaper than doing the medical again.

You can buy the envelope there if you don't have one. I have no idea what the price is with surcharges but I think it is about the same as at the post office. Take a credit card and some cash just in case.

Good luck and remember we're here for you!

[Galateia 1]

Everyone gets nervous (I checked my parents' documentation at least 10 times)so take your time with reviewing documents and please don't stress out.

In the packet you were sent (on the page marked "Appointment Letter for Immigrant Visa Applicants") there should be a checklist with numbers (they don't all apply to every case) for each document (number one is appointment letter, number two is passport, number three is b/c, number four is adoption decree, number five is marriage cetificate, number six is death or divorce cert., number seven is police cert., number eight is court records, number nine is military records, number ten is updated I-864, number eleven is medical examination, number twelve is photos). I am speaking from an IR5 perspective. Get some post-it notes and label what you need in the order they advise you for presentation. Put everything in a clear accordian folder with tabs. If you don't have one you can buy one or I saw plastic bags and burlap shopping bags being used by some people.

There are some reviews in older posts that have the nearby hotels but I think that is the correct one.

With respect to the medical I can't say. I don't think that they're going to give you grief over a few days. If I was in your position, I'd take it with me and explain the situation. It's easier and cheaper than doing the medical again.

You can buy the envelope there if you don't have one. I have no idea what the price is with surcharges but I think it is about the same as at the post office. Take a credit card and some cash just in case.

Good luck and remember we're here for you!

I emailed the consulate and politely said "thanks to you guys screwing up TWICE, you've just f*cked over my medical. Not my fault. Can you accept it a few days expired?" but I don't have much hope as there has been a lot of stuff on this forum about people not getting replies.

Are you referring to the appointment letter than says "Dear LastName, FirstName MiddleName: This office is now ready to begin final processing of your visa application blah blah blah" with my interview date at the bottom?

I don't have a checklist with this one, it only talks about security stuff (what you can't bring in with you, bags, etc) and the fedEx envelope.

Thanks for being there, this process just turns the strongest people into panicked sheep, doesn't it.

[L_n_O 3]

This was my list... hope it hleps!

Good luck!

you'll do great!

1. Coach Canada e-tickets for travel

2. xpresspost envelope (314x394)

3. My canadian passport

4. 2 Passport pics (2x2)

5. $100 US

6. Packet 4 appointment letter

7. Sealed Medical (Seiden) File

8. My birth certificate & 2 copies

9. RCMP Police Certificate & 2 copies

10. I-134 (AOS) & 2 copies

11. Ol's Letter of Employment & 2 copies

12. Ol's Pay stubs

13. Ol's Bank Letter & 2 copies

14. Ol's IRS transcripts of past 3 yrs

15. Ol's Letter of Intent & 2 copies

16. DS-156K (unsigned) & 2 copies

17. DS-156 with barcode (just in case) & 2 copies

18. Tickets: plane, bus, train

19. Photographs of us together

20. Mass email sent to family & friends announcing our engagement

21. Copy of Ol's new lease (as of Oct 27th 2007) for our new place

22. Receipt for my wedding dress

23. Phone Bills

24. Wedding Program & Thank you card from Ol's brother's wedding

25. Ol's Birth certificate (just in case)

26. NOA2 Approval (just in case)

[Galateia 1]

The hotel is actually La Tour Centre Ville, isn't it? At 400, René-Lévesque Blvd. West?

My appt is at 9:00 am as per the letter, should I take the coach canada departure that leaves at 1:30 pm or 3:30 pm to be safe?

[L_n_O 3]

The hotel is actually La Tour Centre Ville, isn't it? At 400, René-Lévesque Blvd. West?

My appt is at 9:00 am as per the letter, should I take the coach canada departure that leaves at 1:30 pm or 3:30 pm to be safe?

Either way, plan to be there for 7 am despite your interview time..

[trailmix 77]

The hotel is actually La Tour Centre Ville, isn't it? At 400, René-Lévesque Blvd. West?

[Galateia 1]

MTL just replied to my email and told me to go #### myself in regards to my expired medical, because if I'd accepted my original July date, there would have been no problem.

So now I am in a panic, trying to get another medical at short notice and I can't call the doctor until Monday. Now I'll be freaking all weekend!!

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

Thanks for being there, this process just turns the strongest people into panicked sheep, doesn't it.

If I think too much about this process, the blood pressure rises and I'm likely to pop a f*ckin' blood vessel. I don't feel panic, there's another word:sheer, atavistic RAGE. A pacifist with rage problems, imagine that. Galateia please do not freak. Do not let your love be defined by machinations of a self-serving, self-perpetuating and completely inane bureaucracy.

[trailmix 77]

MTL just replied to my email and told me to go #### myself in regards to my expired medical, because if I'd accepted my original July date, there would have been no problem.

So now I am in a panic, trying to get another medical at short notice and I can't call the doctor until Monday. Now I'll be freaking all weekend!!

Deep breath, it will all work out.

Just another hoop to jump through, I'm sure when the Dr's office hears about what they are asking of you that they will be obliging and get you in there like - right away!

You are almost there, process almost complete and then you will on your way and immigration processing will just be an annoying memory - until you adjust status

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

MTL just replied to my email and told me to go #### myself in regards to my expired medical, because if I'd accepted my original July date, there would have been no problem.

So now I am in a panic, trying to get another medical at short notice and I can't call the doctor until Monday. Now I'll be freaking all weekend!!

That sucks

[L_n_O 3]

make sure you go to Seiden though!

[Lona.C. 16]

sorry about the F&^% up with your medical ,

but do take liz advice and the list she gave ,

how I remember its the DS 156 + DS 156 K thats a must fill on computer and dont sign it till the interview ,also you probly need a updated police certificate if thats over a year old ,

and am not sure but can someone correct me if she needs an updadted I 134 ( notorized ) , and dont forget the NOA aproval letter , they askd me for it when i had the interview ,

sorry to slam all this on you but stay strong and try to keep a clear head , remember your love is stronger then anything and on the end you will be together , good luck

[Galateia 1]

sorry about the F&^% up with your medical ,

but do take liz advice and the list she gave ,

how I remember its the DS 156 + DS 156 K thats a must fill on computer and dont sign it till the interview ,also you probly need a updated police certificate if thats over a year old ,

and am not sure but can someone correct me if she needs an updadted I 134 ( notorized ) , and dont forget the NOA aproval letter , they askd me for it when i had the interview ,

Ack, the NOA letter? He just mailed this off on Friday with his notarized support and letter of intent to marry, but he didn't mention anything about the NOA, is that going to be a big problem?

So far, I have:

La Tour booking for night before interview

Tickets to and from MTL

Long birth certificate

Co-sponsor's affidavit of support documents

Cdn passport

Copy of original petition

Interview letter from MTL

Will have:

new medical (with Laity again, becaise Seiden's secretary has something rotten stuffed up her... )

new passport pics, because my old ones are a year old, I have to get new ones, right?

new police report

new visa fee of $131 in USD

xpresspost envelope

letter of intent to marry from USC

affidavit of support

Online versions of DS-156 and DS-156k as soon as I get to someone who has a printer!

As for proof, we haven't been using the phone as I live with a friend to save up and I can't be tying up her phone or calling late. We talk every day via IM, but those are way too personal to be printing off and giving to a stranger.

We have some digital pics a friend took that I could print off on a coloured printer, would that be acceptable? One of those pics shows my engagement/promise ring. I also have his plant ticket from when he came up here from TX last summer to visit, and I believe he's sending me some Credit Card proof that he made a bunch of purchases up here, but I don't think he's got his statement from his holiday visit a few weeks ago. I worry if this is enough proof.

Is this going to be a huge problem? We included a huge amount of proof in our original petition basically documenting my financial presence in his town for the 3 months I was there: groceries bills, movie tickets, etc, his constant calls to me and mine to him, our petition was an inch thick. He also included original photos of us together.

What do you guys think?

[Galateia 1]

Oh SH!T!!

Did I have the totally wrong criminal record check?

Do I need this one: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/crimrec/finger2_e.htm

That you have to mail away for? I don't think I have time to get it back before my interview date! My regional Police told me I could get the regular criminal record check for $35 like I did for the petition and that was okay.

HELP HELP!