Any fellow Calgarians/Albertans?

[zentaco 28]

Hi all. Curious whether there are any other calgarians or albertans here that are going through the K-1 visa process (though it'd be interesting to hear about other visa processes as well)? How's it working out for you?

My fiance and I just made it to the second Notice of Action and I can't say my nerves are letting up.. Though it's a relief to know we haven't been denied yet! The inevitable medical exam scares the ####### out of me though as I'm a hypochondriac and stress tends to trigger it - and I've had plenty of that in the last year (graduated from SAIT, got contracting work which has switched over to temporary employee as they know my visa plans). Need to figure out where the best place to go for my vaccinations will be as well, as I think I will need around half a dozen. I'm planning on visiting my fiance next month and now I'm nervous after hearing about the potential for denial of entry, though I visited last december with no issues (we applied at the end of october). How are you handling the waiting?

It's a bit tough not having much control over the situation, so I've been trying to get extra evidence and forms together for the next part of the process, as well as order additional copies of my birth certificate (thought I was missing the long version) and a police check, though I'm not sure whether I'm getting the right check or not as it was difficult to find information on the process and the station staff didn't really have more for me. I'm a bit more scatterbrained than my fiance at times, so I'm hoping I can get through these next steps okay.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Hi all. Curious whether there are any other calgarians or albertans here that are going through the K-1 visa process (though it'd be interesting to hear about other visa processes as well)? How's it working out for you?

My fiance and I just made it to the second Notice of Action and I can't say my nerves are letting up.. Though it's a relief to know we haven't been denied yet! The inevitable medical exam scares the ####### out of me though as I'm a hypochondriac and stress tends to trigger it - and I've had plenty of that in the last year (graduated from SAIT, got contracting work which has switched over to temporary employee as they know my visa plans). Need to figure out where the best place to go for my vaccinations will be as well, as I think I will need around half a dozen. I'm planning on visiting my fiance next month and now I'm nervous after hearing about the potential for denial of entry, though I visited last december with no issues (we applied at the end of october). How are you handling the waiting?

It's a bit tough not having much control over the situation, so I've been trying to get extra evidence and forms together for the next part of the process, as well as order additional copies of my birth certificate (thought I was missing the long version) and a police check, though I'm not sure whether I'm getting the right check or not as it was difficult to find information on the process and the station staff didn't really have more for me. I'm a bit more scatterbrained than my fiance at times, so I'm hoping I can get through these next steps okay.

Phew - breathe! No need to worry about the medical. It's a very average check-up + a chest xray. Search our forum for 'Vancouver medical' and you can read some recent reviews to put your mind at ease. Find out which vaccinations are needed, obtain your vaccination record from the local regional health unit (or where you grew up and went to the Dr if it's not the same, even your mum mght have it) and compare the 2 to see what you're missing, then just go to your Dr (or clinic or whatever) to get the missing ones. Most Cdns are missing very many (I think I needed a tetanus shot only).

When traveling now remember to bring evidence to show your ties back to Canada. A letter from your employer saying when your expected return is. A copy of the NOA showing you're applying through the proper channals to move to the US, copy of rental lease or mortgage etc.....just be calm and matter of fact at the border, don;t offer more info then asked and DO NOT LIE, honesty is the best policy.

As for the stress and the waiting....it has gotten to every single one of us during the wait. You have to hold it together and not get discouraged. Absolutely use this time to spend extra time with family and friends. Don't wish it away, you'll have plenty of time with your soon to be husband I'm all for a good cry occasionally myself. Looking forward and knowing this is a bief time of waiting for a lifetime of happiness is worth it. Keep busy, it helps too.

And of course come whine to us here in the Cdn forum!

[zentaco 28]

That's good to know.. I think it's the x-ray that freaked me out, as I had one as a child for my finger and cringed even then. I did have a regular checkup last year with my first blood test that showed I was healthy (except low D) so I'm trying to remember that. I do have my vaccination records for that part, got it from my mom.

I don't have any good evidence of ties to where I live (live with my parents still and pay rent in cash), though I have my employment contract and extension as well as access card and my return ticket back home, so hopefully if any issues arise that will be enough evidence.. If not, it'll be tricky as it's a connecting flight. I can easily afford another flight home or have family friends in the connecting city but it would be a downer.

Good point about family.. Though there have been some issues with my parents lately and I find myself having a short temper and wanting to move.. But I know I'm going to miss them terribly when I'm no longer nearby.

And thanks. I need another outlet as I'm sure my fiance is tired of listening to me worry.

Edited March 22, 2012 by zentaco

[JacAng 8]

Hi Zentaco

I'm not doing a K1 visa but I live in BC and work in Alberta. I have been across at Sweetgrass twice and I am going across again on Sunday thru BC this time. What I do is call the border ahead of time and talk to the Chief and they Ok my visits then I get paroled into the states...it costs $71 american its the only way I am allowed to enter because of the petition. They have access to your file so they can see the petition and then I just have to show a letter from my employer....It may be different for you because your not married but you could always call and talk to the chief and see,I am sure its the same procedure if I was flying would just call the airport instead....

Edited March 22, 2012 by JacAng

[JacAng 8]

LOL sorry I forgot to add about the police check and shots...it wouldnt let me add to my post

Police check I had done at local RCMP they do it in the CPIC data base which is there own, the check is local and canada wide. Recieved it within 3 days and its free.

Shots I went to the health clinic and they won't just give shots if you dont need them so she sent me to the doctor for blood tests to check what i was immune to and got those results back in a week and I didnt need any....hope that helps

[zentaco 28]

Hm.. Do you have to go through the RCMP then? I went to the police station to get my police check.. Had a tick box for immigration, would be a bit annoying to find out I paid for the wrong thing (though it wasn't that expensive).

[JacAng 8]

Hm.. Do you have to go through the RCMP then? I went to the police station to get my police check.. Had a tick box for immigration, would be a bit annoying to find out I paid for the wrong thing (though it wasn't that expensive).

No you dont have to go thru RCMP thats all we have around here no city police...both are fine it just said go to local police dept or RCMP and it asked for a check either with CPIC data base or national criminal records repository

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Hi Zentaco

I'm not doing a K1 visa but I live in BC and work in Alberta. I have been across at Sweetgrass twice and I am going across again on Sunday thru BC this time. What I do is call the border ahead of time and talk to the Chief and they Ok my visits then I get paroled into the states...it costs $71 american its the only way I am allowed to enter because of the petition. They have access to your file so they can see the petition and then I just have to show a letter from my employer....It may be different for you because your not married but you could always call and talk to the chief and see,I am sure its the same procedure if I was flying would just call the airport instead....

This isn't necessary at all, is there something about your case that is unique? Plenty of IR1/CR1 have crossed to visit their US spouses multiple times during the VISA process without issue. The OP should be fine with presenting ties but as always it is not a right but a priviledge, Cdns are not guaranteed for any of us.

[JacAng 8]

This isn't necessary at all, is there something about your case that is unique? Plenty of IR1/CR1 have crossed to visit their US spouses multiple times during the VISA process without issue. The OP should be fine with presenting ties but as always it is not a right but a priviledge, Cdns are not guaranteed for any of us.

No my case is not unique at all...as soon as they found out I was married to a US Citizen it had to be done like this and its a lot less stressful...

[JacAng 8]

No my case is not unique at all...as soon as they found out I was married to a US Citizen it had to be done like this and its a lot less stressful...

ohhh you know maybe I know why...when i was first married the lawyer had said we could just do an adjustment of status and the border guys told me that was illegal to do,and gave me lots of info on doing things properly....but they still said with the petition my status changed something about what kind of immigrant I was now, so I dont know.........

[CdnBelle 3]

Hiya! I'm from Calgary

We first filed our petition I-129F in October at the Dallas Texas Lockbox and it was transfered over to the Vermont center. Got approved for that on February 1st, 2012. I Received my letter for packet 3 on February 15th and gathered all my documents, had the fiance send over his affadavit of support and submitted the checklist (for the medical I checked the box that I would have it done in vancouver while there for my interview) on March 15, March 17th Vancouver sent me instructions on booking my interview I booked the interview the same day and I will be headed there for my medical April 18th and my interview on April 19th!

The wait... well it sucks LOL. BUT definitely worth it. I didn't find any issues visiting after we had filed but I made sure to have proof of my ties to Canada (ie. Letter from HR, utility bills etc). Keep your chin up It'll be over before you know it

[zentaco 28]

Yay, another calgarian. So did you have to travel for the interview, or were you travelling anyway? I'm sort of going to vancouver on the way to san fran to visit my fiance but it'll only be a connection.. Hope I don't have to book another flight. Sounds like I might get my packet by next week if my timeline follows yours, which would be nice. Thanks!