Canadian 2013 Filers

[kc247 22]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to posting here, and after weeks of reviewing various US immigration forums including VJ, and attempting to swim through getting my general affairs in order to prepare for such a huge change, finally found this Canadian related section.

I must say my head hurts and there is so much information that I feel overwhelmed.

We (my US spouse and I) sent our I-130 petition on July 20, 2013 and received our I-797 notice of receipt on the 29th.

We then also sent an I-129F on July 29th and received the notice of receipt on Aug 5th.

I've read since then, here on VJ that we shouldn't have bothered to send the I-129F and that in fact it could delay processing on the I-130:(

What confuses me at times, is knowing what to read, what to prepare for. Who knows whether I'll be following the K3 route or the IR route, and not knowing timelines clearly makes preparations difficult. But I'll forge ahead!

I'm now going to focus on a few things I need to do, but please inform me if you feel there are some other priority tasks I should consider. I'll get my long-form Birth certificate, I'll look into getting my vehicle 'approved' with Toyota so that I know whether I meet EPA/DOT standards, and find my statement of ownership. I'll also try to figure out my last 10 years of travel into the US as I'll require that on an upcoming form.

A couple of questions have arisen from reading forums:

Is it true, or shall I say I'm kind of shocked, that I have to go to Montreal for the visa interview?! wow. I put Calgary on the petitions - do I need to contact USCIS NBC to have that location changed?

Secondly, I noticed in a thread here somewhere that the medical can only be done in places like Vancouver and Montreal? Again, shock, as I was anticipating it would be no big deal to locate an immigration-approved medical exam someplace here in Calgary.

Thirdly, in registering for this site, it asks, as many of you have listed, the service center and local office that your case is associated with... how do I know what mine is?

It will be a pleasure to make this journey with the rest of you. Thanks in advance for any advice you can provide!

The i-129F is for US citizens who are bringing a fiance to the US to get married. If you are already married you do the i-130!

http://www.visajourney.com/content/i130guide1 <--That is a guide for the i-130.

& you are right, Montreal is the only place that does interviews for that type of visa. Also they will know this, and will put it as your local office instead of Calgary.

[Lakehouse 293]

The I-129F also serves as the precursor to bringing a spouse into the US via the K3 non-immigrant visa, and can potentially occur faster than the processing time for the I-130, at least in theory. That is why we opted to provide both. The I-130 appears to be at an 8 month approval timeline whereas the I-129F is showing 5 months.

Once inside the US on the K3 visa, I would move forward with the Adjustment of Status and Affidavit of Support, but at least would be with my husband rather than apart.

[kc247 22]

I thought the K3 visa was dead? Just what I've read but I could be wrong!

[quitepainful 56]

I thought the K3 visa was dead? Just what I've read but I could be wrong!

its not "dead" just that the odds of it being administratively closed is higher than it being approved prior to the i-130.

[pro_star 52]

As far as the medical goes, as another Calgarian, our closest is in surrey bc. I believe there is an office that does it in Montreal, I know there's also a couple Toronto/Barrie area. I think this info is on the Montreal consulate site.

My advice. If you don't have your immunization records, go to your doc and say you need the bloodwork done to see if you need any boosters etc....I got to visit the vampires for that last week. Now the blood test will show that you have immunity to the diseases or you need the boosters - so you can get on that from here, one less thing to worry about for the big medical.

[His karma 20]

I'm wondering since you booked your interview before the received Packet 3, they'll cancel it and you'll have to repay the fee? Let us know!

Well the stars are aligned, my appointment wasnt cancelled, and my fiance got aletter saying the consulate received everything. So I faxed off my packet 3 this morning, sent an e-mail to ask if they can e-mail packet 4 to me and sent an e-mail to Dr.Cheema's office to book my medical. Lets pray they have a spot for next Tuesday. If so I will be doing my interview on the 12th. If not...I guess it will be October as that is the next available spots.

[Lakehouse 293]

Thanks pro star, and good luck His karma. It's exciting to see progress!

Also, thanks kc247 for saying that they'll manage the correction of the Consulate. It will save me one more task.

I can only hope the K3 isn't 'dead', and it's still defined as an available option on sites including USCIS. Guess I'll be the guinea-pig here as far as that goes:)

The extra costs of that route don't trouble me, it's being away from my husband that is at the core of attempting that option.

[pro_star 52]

hey don't worry, I put Calgary as my consulate too, and was so excited thinking yay, it's right downtown, I wouldn't even have to take a full day off work for consulate interviews!

NOPE!

I'm just waiting to get more numbers and stuff, though with the house not being sold, all I can do is beg and plead for extensions. (on the off topic side of things I've contacted another realtor, waiting to hear back from him...cause mine are BIG PILES OF FAIL!)

[His karma 20]

I am vibrating right now,

The consulate e-mailed me back, and will send my Packet 4 letter to me today. I booked my medical, so all I need is that letter and I am on the road to Vancouver on Monday. My Medical is Tuesday and my interview on Thursday. For once, jumping the gun didn't backfire on me.

I wish you all this much speed and good fortune.

[pro_star 52]

Sweet jeebus that was quick! safe travels!

*ninja edit cause I'm cool like that* you flying or driving?

Edited September 4, 2013 by pro_star

[His karma 20]

I am going to drive. I figure it saves on the cost of a taxi, since gass will be abut the same as a taxi to Surrey from the hotel...Which I need to book now. Between crazy at work , and doing this so quickly, I am feeling very scattered.

I am also calgarian and I thought at first it would be great to do everything locally but Noooooo, Vancouver it is. but better than having to go all the way to Montreal as it would for the Spousal Visa. I am feeling very blessed at the moment. I know many that are waiting for Montreal to process things are waiting much longer.

[pro_star 52]

yeah, rock it check expedia or the like for cheaper hotel options

All the best of luck!

[Lakehouse 293]

I notice you both had your I-129F approved in 3 and 4 months! That is much faster than the current estimate I see when I check my case status on the USCIS website. It gives me hope that this could lead me to the K3 quickly. Do you think there is a difference in the I-129F processing for the K1 vs the K3? Perhaps they're processed at different locations...

Congrats on your good news His karma!!

[His karma 20]

Mine was a transfer to Texas from Vermont. They processed them very quickly and we werent expecting to innitially even get NOA2 until October so this is a blessing.

I don't know about the K3, as I haven't heard anything about them at all. but best of luck to you.

[kc247 22]

Wow that was quick!! Ugh I would honestly rather be going all the way to Vancouver than Montreal. I hear horror stories of the wait time for an interview at Montreal. I am hoping by the time I get to the point to book an interview I am one of the lucky ones who only has to wait a month or so.