Canadian spouse visiting US spouse in US while waiting?

[LeprechaunSean 0]

There are two consulates which process family based visas in Canada, Montreal and Vancouver.

IR1/CR1

All IR1 /CR1 and IR5 visas will be processed/interview at Montreal.

K Visas

K visas are processed/interviewed at both Montreal and Vancouver, depending on your Province of Residence:

Manitoba and West: Vancouver

Ontario and East: Montreal

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/Canada

It would probably be a good idea for you to read the guides to find out which one suits you best.

- You can file for an IR1 visa - submit your I-130 at the Vancouver consulate - submit more paperwork - your wife will interview in Montreal.

- You can file for a K3 visa - submit your I-130 via mail (not directly to the consulate) - your wife will interview in Vancouver.

Where is that canada forum? I was trying to find it earlier..

There is info on adjusting status in the guides.

It's somewhat of a toss up. Vancouver tends to schedule interviews faster - so that is an upside there - however with direct consular filing you don't have to go through that 3-6 month wait to get your I-130 approved.

I would also recommend you visit the Canada forum as there are timeline threads for both Montreal and Vancouver and you can ask questions of people who are waiting for interviews or I-130 approvals right now.

[trailmix 77]

Canada forum: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showforum=93

Or you can click on the 'forums' tab at the top of the page, scroll down until you see 'Regional Forums' then click on 'Canada'

Edited June 11, 2009 by trailmix

[LeprechaunSean 0]

we're also wondering exactly what my wife should say at the POE, should she just say she's on vacation (which will be true), or should she say she and my son are coming to visit me? (also true)

[trailmix 77]

we're also wondering exactly what my wife should say at the POE, should she just say she's on vacation (which will be true), or should she say she and my son are coming to visit me? (also true)

Personally I would suggest she say she is coming to visit you. Why wouldn't she?

Honestly, if she brings proof of ties, it will probably be fine.

From the Canada VJ wiki page:

Some words of advice from VJ member flames9

1) Always tell the TRUTH. Never lie to the POE officer

2) Be confident in your replies

3) Keep your response short and to the point, don't tell your life story!

4) Look the POE officer in the eye when speaking to them. They are looking for people lying and have been trained to find them

5) Pack light! No job resumes with you.

6) Bring proof of ties to Canada (letter from employer showing when you are expected back at work, lease, etc etc)

7) Always be polite, being rude isn't going to get you anywhere, and could make things worse!!

8) Have a plan in case you do get denied (be polite). It wont harm your visa application if you are denied, that is if you're polite and didn't lie! Refer to #1

Edited June 11, 2009 by trailmix

[Jauque 1]

So it seems a little hazy on this subject, I'm trying to find out what happens at the border if my wife and son try to come visit me after I've filed their two I-130's at the vancouver consolate. I know canadians are allowed up to six months in the US, but I've heard horror stories about people being refused entry because of 'immigrant intent." I'm american, but I've been living in canada forever, if I go start my job in the states, will they stop my wife and son at the border? I'm really not ready to spend months away from my family. Anybody that has experience with DCF and wait times, border crossings, etc....I'd love to hear from you. Oh yeah, my wife will have a permanent address here in canada, and a return ticket, etc.

I don't know about the DCF aspect but I do know that while a lot of people talk about it being a "gamble" to cross the border as a canadian while a visa is processing I've actually had better experiences crossing with my NOA1 then I ever did crossing without it.

[LeprechaunSean 0]

Hey, are there any forums or posts discussing the basic differences between the visa's? like what's the difference between an Ir-1 and a Cr-1? or between a K-3 and an IR-1? just a quick overview of the differences...

[Sarah and Aris 0]

Hey, are there any forums or posts discussing the basic differences between the visa's? like what's the difference between an Ir-1 and a Cr-1? or between a K-3 and an IR-1? just a quick overview of the differences...

Hopefully this may help you...it helped me

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...mp;page=compare

[LeprechaunSean 0]

OK.................I'm confused again. I'm filing DCF, which visa will most likely be faster, an IR-1 or a K-3? If I file for a K-3, do I have to mail the application in to vermont? or will the vancouver consolate do it all there?

[trailmix 77]

OK.................I'm confused again. I'm filing DCF, which visa will most likely be faster, an IR-1 or a K-3? If I file for a K-3, do I have to mail the application in to vermont? or will the vancouver consolate do it all there?

Yes, that part can be a bit confusing - I mean in theory one would think the K3 would/should be faster - however the fact that you can DCF with the IR1/CR1 makes them probably about the same. You cannot DCF for a K3 - you have to mail it to vermont.

Filing DCF knocks months off of the wait time because really it is all about having the I-130 application approved on the spot. You have probably looked at some timelines here - getting the I-130 approved, when mailed in to the U.S., can take several months.

So while there is less paperwork to do up front with the K3 and you would get to interview in Vancouver (which is less of a wait time for interview than Montreal) - the Vancouver advantage pretty much isn't - when compared to doing DCF for the IR1.

[LeprechaunSean 0]

OK.................I'm confused again. I'm filing DCF, which visa will most likely be faster, an IR-1 or a K-3? If I file for a K-3, do I have to mail the application in to vermont? or will the vancouver consolate do it all there?

Yes, that part can be a bit confusing - I mean in theory one would think the K3 would/should be faster - however the fact that you can DCF with the IR1/CR1 makes them probably about the same. You cannot DCF for a K3 - you have to mail it to vermont.

Filing DCF knocks months off of the wait time because really it is all about having the I-130 application approved on the spot. You have probably looked at some timelines here - getting the I-130 approved, when mailed in to the U.S., can take several months.

So while there is less paperwork to do up front with the K3 and you would get to interview in Vancouver (which is less of a wait time for interview than Montreal) - the Vancouver advantage pretty much isn't - when compared to doing DCF for the IR1.

thanks trailmix, that's basically the answer I was looking for. So IR-1 it is....

[LeprechaunSean 0]

Any estimates on the montreal interview timelines?

[trailmix 77]

Any estimates on the montreal interview timelines?

Yes, around 2-3 months for them to schedule one, once you get to that point.

We track this in a thread in the Canada forum, keep in mind there is only 1 person on the list, Reeena, who actually did DCF - the rest were all mailed to the U.S. - Reeena's was a bit long as she had some RFE's etc I believe:

IR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview

[LeprechaunSean 0]

So if my applications are approved at the vancouver consolate, will they set up the interview right then?

[trailmix 77]

So if my applications are approved at the vancouver consolate, will they set up the interview right then?

No. Basically:

1. You take in the I-130 and G325As - submit those, they are approved.

2. Once Montreal receives your paperwork they will contact you and let you know (send you a checklist) of what else they need.

3. Once they receive your checklist back - they will then schedule the interview.

Below is a copy of the letter they give you when you submit your stuff at Vancouver. I have a copy of the checklist too, but it says there is not enough room to upload it.

Edited June 12, 2009 by trailmix

[LeprechaunSean 0]

So if all goes well at the interview in montreal, how long before you actually have a visa in hand?