? re: presenting visa application at initial interview

[laura428 0]

After reading this on the DCF info page...

3- The foreign spouse’s visa application will include The Packet Formerly Known As “3”. This will include DS-230 Part 1 (the visa application) and a checklist of required documents. It may include information about the medical procedure for your area and certainly instruction for the Affidavit of Support I-864. If you have all of the documents for the petition + visa application ready at your first visit to the Consulate (to file the I-130) you may persuade the Immigrant Visa workers to accept the visa application early and start a provisional file for you. It is certainly recommended that one be as over prepared as possible when pursuing DCF.

... I have a question: is this "packet formerly known as '3'" available anywhere online so that we may prepare it in advance of our initial interview? And, if so, does it include that list of required documentation? We would, of course, like to get things moving along as quickly as possible... anything that could help quicken the process would be fantastic.

Oh... and another somewhat unrelated question: I (the USC) will be sponsoring my husband and two children. (Still trying to figure out the whole domicile issue and whether we'll need a co-sponsor, but that's another thread.) I know that I don't need to be present at the final interview in Montreal, but do my two (two year old and 3 month old) children need to be there?

Oh... and another (sorry... it's amazing how one question kind of gives birth to a million more, isn't it?)... for those who know the system in Canada, does the final interview have to be in Montreal? I thought I read about someone doing it in Vancouver. This would be much easier for us as we're in Calgary... much quicker trip.

Thanks for any info you can provide... much appreciated.

[meauxna 15]

After reading this on the DCF info page...

3- The foreign spouse’s visa application will include The Packet Formerly Known As “3”. This will include DS-230 Part 1 (the visa application) and a checklist of required documents. It may include information about the medical procedure for your area and certainly instruction for the Affidavit of Support I-864. If you have all of the documents for the petition + visa application ready at your first visit to the Consulate (to file the I-130) you may persuade the Immigrant Visa workers to accept the visa application early and start a provisional file for you. It is certainly recommended that one be as over prepared as possible when pursuing DCF.

... I have a question: is this "packet formerly known as '3'" available anywhere online so that we may prepare it in advance of our initial interview? And, if so, does it include that list of required documentation? We would, of course, like to get things moving along as quickly as possible... anything that could help quicken the process would be fantastic.

hi laura!

The packet 3 documents can be found here at VJ somewhere.. probably under the Embassy info for Montreal. Your P3 docs will be the same as the ones for anyone applying for an Imigrant Visa (CR-1/IR-1). It usually includes the checklist of things you need.. police check etc. You'll be able to find this info online easily.

Oh... and another somewhat unrelated question: I (the USC) will be sponsoring my husband and two children. (Still trying to figure out the whole domicile issue and whether we'll need a co-sponsor, but that's another thread.) I know that I don't need to be present at the final interview in Montreal, but do my two (two year old and 3 month old) children need to be there?

If your children are US citizens and don't need to interview for a visa, I believe you can save them the long trip. They do need US passports.

Oh... and another (sorry... it's amazing how one question kind of gives birth to a million more, isn't it?)... for those who know the system in Canada, does the final interview have to be in Montreal? I thought I read about someone doing it in Vancouver. This would be much easier for us as we're in Calgary... much quicker trip.

Thanks for any info you can provide... much appreciated.

You can file the petition I-130 at any Consulate except Quebec. The Immigrant Visa interview can *only* take place in Montreal. The Vancouver stories you saw were probably for a K visa, which does not apply to your type of case.

Best wishes!

PS: you saw the post that's pinned to the top of the DCF Forum, regarding Canada, right?

[laura428 0]

PS: you saw the post that's pinned to the top of the DCF Forum, regarding Canada, right?

I did, and thanks for your help! Actually, my children are Canadian citizens, born here... they'll be going through the process along with my husband. B/c of this, should we make plans for everyone to go to Montreal when the time comes?

[meauxna 15]

PS: you saw the post that's pinned to the top of the DCF Forum, regarding Canada, right?

I did, and thanks for your help! Actually, my children are Canadian citizens, born here... they'll be going through the process along with my husband. B/c of this, should we make plans for everyone to go to Montreal when the time comes?

hi, I realized I didn't answer your lead question, which was about presenting the visa app at the I-130 appointment.

I'm reasonably sure that you can not, as that info goes to MTL. But if you have it ready and with you, you can always ask at Calgary. Maybe they can forward it internally, but proceed with caution. You really want to stay inside of their 'system' so you don't throw them a curveball they can't deal with.

Your children may also be US citizens; have you investigated that? I'm not clear from your answer if you consider them Canadian, American or both (they are probably both---look in the citizenship forum here for the pinned topic for links to the children's citizenship act info--there is a quick test you can take to determine if they have US citz from birth).

This will save you considerably money if they are USCs. And, there will be special rules you'll have to be aware of with them being dual citizens (yes, it's OK).

[laura428 0]

Your children may also be US citizens; have you investigated that? I'm not clear from your answer if you consider them Canadian, American or both (they are probably both---look in the citizenship forum here for the pinned topic for links to the children's citizenship act info--there is a quick test you can take to determine if they have US citz from birth).

This will save you considerably money if they are USCs. And, there will be special rules you'll have to be aware of with them being dual citizens (yes, it's OK).

Holy cow - that's great news! This begs the question, though... if they're not going through the DCF process, do I have to show that I can support them (on the I-864)? Since I'm a stay-at-home-mom, we were actually going to use my husband's income and secured job (same job as the one here in Canada - seamless transition to the States) as well the substantial amount of money we have invested in our house (which we'll be selling) instead of my income, but have cousins in the States who are willing to act as co-sponsors if necessary. I would assume that I'd have to show that I CAN support them, but as all else with immigration, I guess I should assume nothing.

[meauxna 15]

Your children may also be US citizens; have you investigated that? I'm not clear from your answer if you consider them Canadian, American or both (they are probably both---look in the citizenship forum here for the pinned topic for links to the children's citizenship act info--there is a quick test you can take to determine if they have US citz from birth).

This will save you considerably money if they are USCs. And, there will be special rules you'll have to be aware of with them being dual citizens (yes, it's OK).

Holy cow - that's great news! This begs the question, though... if they're not going through the DCF process, do I have to show that I can support them (on the I-864)? Since I'm a stay-at-home-mom, we were actually going to use my husband's income and secured job (same job as the one here in Canada - seamless transition to the States) as well the substantial amount of money we have invested in our house (which we'll be selling) instead of my income, but have cousins in the States who are willing to act as co-sponsors if necessary. I would assume that I'd have to show that I CAN support them, but as all else with immigration, I guess I should assume nothing.

Super! Be sure to let us know what you find out. Remember that the kids will need US passports to enter the US if they are citizens.

First, nothing will change WRT the I-864; your children were part of your "household" before and they still are. Your income level must be sufficient for all the people related to you/living with you + your immigrant. You + kid + kid + immigrant spouse. (see form I-864)

Your husband's income will probably be accepted---document his job move thoroughly. My husband's foreign-but-ongoing-income was counted, but our CO did make mention of the fact that he was not yet a US resident (and therefore did not qualify to be on the I-864?). The ongoing income from a foreign spouse is a reasonably unusual situation, so no guarantees as to what happens with that.

That income will be bolstered by your substantial assets; again, very similar to my situation. We just documented everything and explained our situation. You could also do what we did: have a Joint Sponsor's I-864 held in reserve. If you are having the interview and the officer says you need a JS, you can just whip out the packet. If the officer is happy enough with your I-864, you can return the JS docs to your cousins and thank them VERY much for the insurance. I suspect that coming from Canada will weigh positively in your case, when added with all the other information.

Your last line sums it all up nicely, tho. "with immigration, I guess I should assume nothing."