Where are K1 interviews held?

[Flames9_RN 358]

Always good to listen to personal experiences, but at the same time, should know what the gov't "official stance" is, you just never know who is looking at ur paperwork. I personally don't know about the BC, as I'm whitebread prairie lad,lol.

I had doubles of everything, was no way I was flying to Montreal and them needing something, then having everything delayed, but thats me! And no I did not have a ton of evidence-quality over quantity! Evey-thing fit nicely in a legal size plastic accordion binder--which is great for the interview AND after the interview, for the next stages,as you can continue to keep stuff in it, makes for a very easy find!

[SF2007 48]

Thanks for answering my question guys Jeannie: Ugh... You sent the petition July last year and only had your interview this week? :\ Well, if mine goes at the same rate as yours then I have about 5 months to go. That's not too bad, I just hope it goes smoothly.

If you don't mind answering another question... I know that, among other things, you're supposed to bring your "medical history" to the examination. I have not yet received any further instructions as my case only just left the NVC last week, but I thought I'd call my physician and ask about the process and associated fees for obtaining my medical history just to be prepared. She said that she needs more detail regarding what I specifically need before she can help me. I already have my vaccination record, but I was wondering if you know what other "specific" documents one generally needs to bring to the medical examination? (I'm guessing this may vary depending on which panel physician does it). Or, is it at least explained in detail in the instructions I will be receiving in the future, or is a pdf available online?

Sorry for asking so many question!

Thanks again!

Hi there,

You will be interviewing in Montreal and there are 2 medical clinics you can choose from there. There is also a medical clinic in the Toronto area.

As for the medical history, you will need to disclose (and document if applicable) any surgery/serious & chronic illness/current and past alcohol & drug use/medication/mental health history. Other than that, they take a chest x-ray, check your vaccination record, give you the missing shots and run a blood test. Whole process takes about an hour.

For your birth certificate, have it translated. Mine was delivered by the province of Quebec (in French) and the consulate did ask me for my translated copy. You could probably get away with not providing a translated version but I wouldn't risk it.

I would also recommend you start digging in the Canada regional forum further to gather info for your upcoming packet 3 and 4

It's exciting, you're almost there!

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I think so people get it translated for good measure. But I say save the $50. The one place that we did need a translation was when I was getting a US tax ID number for him to file our US taxes. He didn't have a passport at the time so instead we used a birth certificate and driver's license. That's the only time I needed a translation.

J-

I dunno know - might as well get it translated now while you can. Once in the US - you'll probably have to show it at various times and trust me - you're not running into too many folks who can speak French down here.

[pocheros 101]

Thanks for all the info guys I think I will get the birth certificate translated just in case and also to use in the USA, as I had never thought of that. It sucks that I have to pay extra money for something that probably won't be necessary (to obtain my visa, at least- I understand it would be useful for AOS) but I'm not taking any chances with something as important as this.

Regarding medical history, I've never had any surgery (besides my wisdom teeth if that counts? lol), never had a drug/alcohol problem, never had a mental health problem or serious, chronic medical illness, and the only medication I've taken for any length of time was birth control pills, although I am no longer taking them. According to the panelphysicians website I only need to bring documentation for anything that was "abnormal" (along with the vaccination record, ID, photos, and consulate letter.) I wonder if it'll look strange if I don't bring any medical history, though?

Ahh! I'm so nervous because there's so many things I still have to do! Questions that I never had thought of until now keep popping into my head. It's quite nerve-wracking to think I might travel all the way to Montreal and spend all this money only to be denied because I forgot something or didn't fill something out right.

Yet another question:

Is a copy of the I-129F necessary after your petition has been approved? I asked my fiance to photocopy the entire petition before mailing it but he didn't. I don't know why I have the originals of the evidence for the I-129F, but not the forms. Should we go through all the forms and fill them out again just to be handy? It's not listed as an interview requirement but I thought we should have a copy...

Is this the appropriate place to be posting so many questions? I guess I should be posting them in the K1 forum, hmm! I just stumbled upon these forums and there's soooo much useful information here. I will definitely need to dig around some more with the search function. I could probably spend all day reading these forums and taking notes!

Edited April 30, 2011 by pocheros

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Thanks for all the info guys I think I will get the birth certificate translated just in case and also to use in the USA, as I had never thought of that. It sucks that I have to pay extra money for something that probably won't be necessary (to obtain my visa, at least- I understand it would be useful for AOS) but I'm not taking any chances with something as important as this.

Regarding medical history, I've never had any surgery (besides my wisdom teeth if that counts? lol), never had a drug/alcohol problem, never had a mental health problem or serious, chronic medical illness, and the only medication I've taken for any length of time was birth control pills, although I am no longer taking them. According to the panelphysicians website I only need to bring documentation for anything that was "abnormal" (along with the vaccination record, ID, photos, and consulate letter.) I wonder if it'll look strange if I don't bring any medical history, though?

Ahh! I'm so nervous because there's so many things I still have to do! Questions that I never had thought of until now keep popping into my head. It's quite nerve-wracking to think I might travel all the way to Montreal and spend all this money only to be denied because I forgot something or didn't fill something out right.

Yet another question:

Is a copy of the I-129F necessary after your petition has been approved? I asked my fiance to photocopy the entire petition before mailing it but he didn't. I don't know why I have the originals of the evidence for the I-129F, but not the forms. Should we go through all the forms and fill them out again just to be handy? It's not listed as an interview requirement but I thought we should have a copy...

Is this the appropriate place to be posting so many questions? I guess I should be posting them in the K1 forum, hmm! I just stumbled upon these forums and there's soooo much useful information here. I will definitely need to dig around some more with the search function. I could probably spend all day reading these forums and taking notes!

Like you, I had no medical history to tell them about. The doctor asked me a quick few questions and said "Well, that was easy!" No problem at all.

About the I-129F copy, I personally have a copy of everything including the original evidence but that's because I'm the one who put the package together. I recommend having a copy just in case anything's gotten lost in the process, but I honestly don't believe it's totally necessary. It's good that you have the originals of your evidence. I wouldn't worry too much about it if it's not something you have. Maybe others here can chime in if they've actually needed their copy of the petition.

Yes, this is the proper place to be posting your questions. You're going to be going through the Montreal consulate, and some questions/answers are consulate specific so it's good that you're asking them here instead of the general K1 forum where people may have different answers that don't really apply to you.

These forums have been invaluable to me in this process. There's no way I would have been as calm and well prepared as I am if it hadn't been for the people here who are willing to help and share their experiences. I'd have been completely lost!

[SF2007 48]

Like you, I had no medical history to tell them about. The doctor asked me a quick few questions and said "Well, that was easy!" No problem at all.

About the I-129F copy, I personally have a copy of everything including the original evidence but that's because I'm the one who put the package together. I recommend having a copy just in case anything's gotten lost in the process, but I honestly don't believe it's totally necessary. It's good that you have the originals of your evidence. I wouldn't worry too much about it if it's not something you have. Maybe others here can chime in if they've actually needed their copy of the petition.

Yes, this is the proper place to be posting your questions. You're going to be going through the Montreal consulate, and some questions/answers are consulate specific so it's good that you're asking them here instead of the general K1 forum where people may have different answers that don't really apply to you.

These forums have been invaluable to me in this process. There's no way I would have been as calm and well prepared as I am if it hadn't been for the people here who are willing to help and share their experiences. I'd have been completely lost!

Agreed with Coconuts! At this point beware of any info and tips given by anyone who's not going through one of the two Canadian consulates as there are regional differences.

You might want to find and read the thread "K1-ers waiting for Montreal". A lot of questions regarding the appointment with the consulate have been answered there

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I just wanted to add in addition to all of the great advice already offered is that you will probably find the interview somewhat anti-climatic. With what you have posted it does not sound at all likely you have any reason to worry about a denial. If you are missing a requested document they will generally ask you to submit it rather than deny you so you don't really need to worry about that. We are fortunate that Canada is one of the easier countries from which to get an approval - even if we seem to wait longer than many other countries to get that approval

It is a good idea to make copies of everything and keep a copy for your records. There will be forms you will need to fill out in future parts of the immigration process after you get to the US that repeats the information on the forms you have already completed. It is much easier just to copy that information over rather than try and figure out again the dates and addresses of what happened and when - plus you are assured that the information is always consistent.

If you are missing any of the vaccinations get them from the local Health Department or from your GP. They will be covered by OHIP. The medical exam by the Panel Physician and any missing shots he gives you, however, are not covered so you would have to pay for them out of your own pocket. (You have to pay for the exam anyway). Your GP can provide you with the proof of your vaccinations even though she can't do the medical.

The other advantage of having copies of your paperwork is if you wish to visit the US during this process. Carry a complete copy of your K-1 file in case you are questioned by US border authorities when trying to cross. It shows that you are aware of the proper process, have already invested time and money in the proper process, and are less likely to be seen as an immigration security risk. It has proven helpful for a number of us to have copies of the paperwork in those circumstances. You may not ever use it, but if you need it, you have it.

Good luck - and you're in the right place to get the most useful information about getting a K-1 through Montreal.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

A nice to have, I know others have done it too, is a letter from your current Cdn doctor. Mine wrote a nice summary indicating my current medications (think it was bc pills and flonase at the time lol) how long I had been a patient and any conditions I'd been treated for (I have ovarian cysts PCOS). He indicated that I had no history of conditions such as mental illness or depression. The panel physician seemed to appreciate the letter, I think it was just helpful, but not necessary by any means.

My Cdn doctor of course charged me a fee to get the letters done for both my daughter and myself, but I felt it was worth it. I had copies of the letter later to bring to my new doctor in VA.

[pocheros 101]

Coconuts: I feel similarly! These forums are a great resource and have made the process much less scary. I'm so glad I found them. What would we do without the internet?

Kathryn41: That's true. I'd rather go through an embassy with a longer wait that approves visa more often

I'm calling my GP today to schedule an appointment. Looking at what vaccinnes are required, I actually don't need anything for a couple more years but I figure I might as well get my booster now. (I'm aware that for AOS you need more vaccinnes than what's indicated on the panel physicians website.)

Here's some more questions. I'm referring to this link: http://montreal.usconsulate.gov/content/content.asp?section=visas&document=visa_pkt3 for packet 3.

1. Should photocopies be in colour? I know it's a silly question, but when I applied for my passport a few years ago I had to provide colour photocopies of ID, which makes sense since a black-and-white photocopy would obscure your appearance. So, for things with photographs (such as the biographic information page in a passport), do the photocopies have to be in colour (as requested per the checklist in packet 3?) What about "official" documents like your birth certificate and NOA2? I'm hoping they only have to be in black and white since colour ink for my printer/copier is expensive haha

2. Also, this isn't indicated anywhere in packet 3, but should I bring my SIN card to the interview? Seems like I should. (Perhaps it's indicated in packet 4? I should be doing more thorough research >>)

3. When the checklist in Packet 3 indicates "evidence of domicile," what do they mean? I mean, I know they want evidence that I'll have somewhere to live, but what's considered proper evidence for this? Do K1 applicants do this part, or only other visa applicants?

4. The checklist in packet 3 also indicates I-864. Correct me if I'm wrong, but K1 visa applicants only do the affidavit of support I-134, right? Or do we do both?

5. For the I-134, will they want originals of my fiance's tax returns or are photocopies sufficient? (Trying to figure out what stuff I need from him since he's visiting me at the end of the month. I already know he needs letters from his employer and the bank.)

6. For good measure, should I provide any passport-style photos of my fiance? I already have some photos of use together, so...

You guys have NO IDEA how much I appreciate your help. Thank you so much for all the valuable knowledge and information!

Edited May 2, 2011 by pocheros

[SF2007 48]

Here's some more questions. I'm referring to this link: http://montreal.usconsulate.gov/content/content.asp?section=visas&document=visa_pkt3 for packet 3.

1- Black and white are fine but for the passport photos which need to be in color.

2- No SIN card needed for the consulate at any point.

3- From my own experience, it's the USC's proof of residence. The USC needs to prove you'll have somewhere to live in the US. Gas, electricity, water bills, mortage on a house, rental contract are all good proof of residence.

4- I-864 will be needed for AOS. For now, you need to have your fiance(e) file the Affidavit of support which is I-134 and to provide you with all the support material required (3 last pay stubs, disclose financial assets, letter from the bank, letter of employment stating starting date and salary, etc).

5- I had only copies of the monthly bills, pay stubs and tax returns but I did provide the original and signed letter of employment and the one from the bank.

6- You have to document that you maintained a relationship since your fiance applied for the I-129f. Montreal rarely asks for it, but better be prepared. I did include photos of us together in that section, but no passport style ones.

Hope this helps

Edited May 2, 2011 by SF2007

[Shorah 2]

Keep in mind that not just K-1ers use that checklist, so there are things asked for on it that don't apply to us.

I didn't have any proof of domicile stuff in there and it wasent asked for.

Heck, they didn't ask for even HALF of the stuff I brought for the interview.

And honestly the guy who interviewed me asked me like 5 questions.

Of course I was nervous as hell the same as you're feeling but I read and read and I went to my interview prepared and it was quick and easy.

The lady at the window who took my stuff even commented on how organized I was and thanked me for that lol.

So try to relax, keep reading and organizing and you will be fine I'm sure!

[SF2007 48]

So try to relax, keep reading and organizing and you will be fine I'm sure!

Agreed!

[pocheros 101]

Thanks again for all your help guys This forum has cleared up a lot of things for me!