Canadians Awaiting NVC Case Numbers

[SMK 89 68]

2 hours ago, Woodrow said:

Hello everyone,

 

253 days since our NOA1. We were approved yesterday at the interview in Montreal. 

Concerning the marriage certificates, we did bring them but were told by everbody was completely unnecessary. Which they were. Divorce certificates were needed and taken. Many of the documents listed on DS-160 just weren’t needed. But better safe than sorry. 

 

I never waited for them to send me packet 3. 

Thanks for this update. Did they ask for anything that wasn't on the usual Packet 3 list that you can find online? Or basically just an original (certified copy for like death/divorce certificates, police certificate, court records, I-134) and a photocopy of everything? Also - what is the best to use for "Evidence of Petitioner's Domicile in the US". 

 

Also in Packet 3, certain things that don't apply - do you still just put a check mark next to it (i.e., if neither has military records). Also question regarding the marriage certificates - do they mean the marriage certificate for the divorce? I hope they really are ok with just the certified copy of the final divorce decrees.

 

Ps. you said you didn't wait for Packet 3 - did you just wait until you got your NVC # and then you emailed Packet 3 per the online instructions? Did they acknowledge that version or did you have to re-submit once you got Packet 3. Also, how did they do the interview process? Did Packet 4 give you instructions of where to do it online or they just emailed your date? 

[Woodrow 35]

55 minutes ago, SMK 89 said:

Thanks for this update. Did they ask for anything that wasn't on the usual Packet 3 list that you can find online? Or basically just an original (certified copy for like death/divorce certificates, police certificate, court records, I-134) and a photocopy of everything? Also - what is the best to use for "Evidence of Petitioner's Domicile in the US". 

 

Also in Packet 3, certain things that don't apply - do you still just put a check mark next to it (i.e., if neither has military records). Also question regarding the marriage certificates - do they mean the marriage certificate for the divorce? I hope they really are ok with just the certified copy of the final divorce decrees.

 

Ps. you said you didn't wait for Packet 3 - did you just wait until you got your NVC # and then you emailed Packet 3 per the online instructions? Did they acknowledge that version or did you have to re-submit once you got Packet 3. Also, how did they do the interview process? Did Packet 4 give you instructions of where to do it online or they just emailed your date? 

They didn’t ask for anything that wasn’t on the checklist. When the date for the interview became closer we received an email reminding us what documents were needed. It was actually shorter then the checklist. For domicile proof I had a copy of my lease. Never asked for it. Same for ongoing proof of relationship. Never asked for it. 

 

For the DS160 checklist.  She just signed the bottom. Didn’t check each line. What didn’t apply we didn’t have. Marriage certificates weren’t needed. We both ordered divorce certificates from our perspective localities. A one page document was just easier to deal with. 

 

The affidavit of support and supporting documentation was important. Only wanted 2017 taxes. I had more but wasn’t needed. 

 

It was after the NVC had forwarded it to Montreal that I downloaded packet 3. Packet 4 does I think tell you what website to use to book your interview. We had a couple dates to choose from. Even changed the date online after some things came up. Wasn’t a problem. 

[SMK 89 68]

26 minutes ago, Woodrow said:

They didn’t ask for anything that wasn’t on the checklist. When the date for the interview became closer we received an email reminding us what documents were needed. It was actually shorter then the checklist. For domicile proof I had a copy of my lease. Never asked for it. Same for ongoing proof of relationship. Never asked for it. 

 

For the DS160 checklist.  She just signed the bottom. Didn’t check each line. What didn’t apply we didn’t have. Marriage certificates weren’t needed. We both ordered divorce certificates from our perspective localities. A one page document was just easier to deal with. 

 

The affidavit of support and supporting documentation was important. Only wanted 2017 taxes. I had more but wasn’t needed. 

 

It was after the NVC had forwarded it to Montreal that I downloaded packet 3. Packet 4 does I think tell you what website to use to book your interview. We had a couple dates to choose from. Even changed the date online after some things came up. Wasn’t a problem. 

Great! Good to know about the taxes too - thank you! 

[kenikki 26]

On 4/16/2018 at 10:57 AM, SMK 89 said:

That being said, not sure how interviews are actually booked? Do you log in to a website to book it? Do you need a code other than your Case Number? Gosh I wish there was a current online check-list for the Montreal Consulate specifically that is current.... 

Packet 4 received today via email:

 

"This office has completed the review of the below-referenced immigrant visa case. You are now ready for an interview at the U.S. Consulate General in Montreal, where all interviews for immigration to the US from Canada are processed. This letter provides information on the next steps you must take to continue with your immigrant visa case.

 

Schedule your visa interview appointment

Please visit https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-CA/iv/information/contact_us to obtain information online or via telephone concerning scheduling an interview appointment for you and those family members included in the petition. If you have not previously registered your information and selected a Canadian Postal Corporation (CPC) courier location on this website, please do so now.

 

You must have the Passport Number, Date of Birth, Nationality, MTL case number, and visa category for each applicant (principal applicant and all family members, including children) ready in order to access the website. When prompted to select “Trip Purpose”, you must choose ‘Permanently Immigrate to the US.’ After entering your information, you will be prompted to select an appointment time for you and your family."

^^^ You also need your DS-160 confirmation number.

Note that the link does not send you to where you need to register. It sends you to a Contact Us page.

However, click on Home and you will be able to register from there: https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-CA/iv (the same link that @D&B had previously mentioned).

 

Steps once you are registered and the account is confirmed:

1. Complete Applicant Information;
2. Choose your Courier;
3. Complete the payment;
4. Schedule the Interview; and
5. Print out the Instructions page.

[Rose__ 303]

@kenikki I see that your interview is in June, was this the earliest you could book it?

[kenikki 26]

1 hour ago, Aurora194 said:

@kenikki I see that your interview is in June, was this the earliest you could book it?

Earliest I could see was May 23 or May 25.

[D&B 34]

14 hours ago, Woodrow said:

Hello everyone,

 

253 days since our NOA1. We were approved yesterday at the interview in Montreal. 

Concerning the marriage certificates, we did bring them but were told by everbody was completely unnecessary. Which they were. Divorce certificates were needed and taken. Many of the documents listed on DS-160 just weren’t needed. But better safe than sorry. 

 

I never waited for them to send me packet 3. 

Congratulations!!! It must be so exciting.

 

Thanks for info on the marriage certificates. I think I will order mine just to be safe. (it is so odd ordering a marriage certificate for a marriage when I'm already divorced but like you said rather safe than sorry.) We wait so long in this process I don't want any of the wait to be caused by my neglect to get some paperwork.

[D&B 34]

6 hours ago, kenikki said:

Packet 4 received today via email:

 

"This office has completed the review of the below-referenced immigrant visa case. You are now ready for an interview at the U.S. Consulate General in Montreal, where all interviews for immigration to the US from Canada are processed. This letter provides information on the next steps you must take to continue with your immigrant visa case.

 

Schedule your visa interview appointment

Please visit https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-CA/iv/information/contact_us to obtain information online or via telephone concerning scheduling an interview appointment for you and those family members included in the petition. If you have not previously registered your information and selected a Canadian Postal Corporation (CPC) courier location on this website, please do so now.

 

You must have the Passport Number, Date of Birth, Nationality, MTL case number, and visa category for each applicant (principal applicant and all family members, including children) ready in order to access the website. When prompted to select “Trip Purpose”, you must choose ‘Permanently Immigrate to the US.’ After entering your information, you will be prompted to select an appointment time for you and your family."

^^^ You also need your DS-160 confirmation number.

Note that the link does not send you to where you need to register. It sends you to a Contact Us page.

However, click on Home and you will be able to register from there: https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-CA/iv (the same link that @D&B had previously mentioned).

 

Steps once you are registered and the account is confirmed:

1. Complete Applicant Information;
2. Choose your Courier;
3. Complete the payment;
4. Schedule the Interview; and
5. Print out the Instructions page.

So happy for you. Once they finally sent you packet 3 it didn't take long at all to get packet 4. Just wish it hadn't taken so long to get packet 3. You must be so excited to have your interview booked. I can hardly wait to be at that stage.

[kenikki 26]

1 hour ago, D&B said:

You must be so excited to have your interview booked. I can hardly wait to be at that stage.

Yes, it's been a long time coming, lol.
I will try scheduling the medical tomorrow so hopefully I can arrange to get it all done in one trip.

 

 

[NikLR 13,232]

~~moved to Canada regional forum with other like regionally specific topics~~

[D&B 34]

13 hours ago, kenikki said:

Yes, it's been a long time coming, lol.
I will try scheduling the medical tomorrow so hopefully I can arrange to get it all done in one trip.

 

 

When I finally get to that stage I’m debating between flying to Vancouver for my medical and then into Montreal for only the interview or just doing it all at once in Montreal. I guess it will really depend on dates available for the interview. Were you able to schedule the medical for the date you wanted?

[kenikki 26]

1 hour ago, D&B said:

When I finally get to that stage I’m debating between flying to Vancouver for my medical and then into Montreal for only the interview or just doing it all at once in Montreal. I guess it will really depend on dates available for the interview. Were you able to schedule the medical for the date you wanted?

Just got off the phone with Medisys in Quebec.

The receptionist was super friendly and very helpful.

She said that the medical needs to be completed at least (3) business days before the scheduled interview.
So if the embassy only schedules interviews for Wednesdays in the foreseeable future, the latest you'll be able to book the medical is the Thursday the week before.

 

Based on my interview date, May 31st was the absolute latest they would allow me to schedule the medical.

All in, I am looking at 8 days in Montreal. Not complaining as its going to be summertime and I'm sure there will be lots of things to do.

 

Here are some notes from the phone call (this is just what I was told, don't take this as the 'end-all be-all' answer).
Additionally, it may or may not only apply to Medisys in Montreal:

• The medical fee is $450 CAD (taxes included). This covers the chest x-rays, the medical exam, and blood work;
• Any additional vaccinations required at the time of the medical cost extra. If you needed all of the required vaccinations, it would cost around $600. She strongly encouraged me to speak to my GP and get whatever I could get done in advance (I think most people from the Canada Portal are aware of this);
• Advised to bring the following documents to the medical appointment:
  • Letter from Embassy/Packet 4;
  • Valid Canadian passport;
  • 5 US passport-size photos (2x2 inches)... Preferably printed from a reputable source (ie not done by oneself);
  • Any prescriptions that you have been prescribed by a medical doctor;
  • Any glasses or contacts that you use;
  • Proof of vaccinations ("the more you can provide us the better").
• I asked if I needed to bring previous x-rays and/or medical records as that was what I read online, but she said they were not required ("You will get those all done when you are here").
• You can pick up your results the day before your interview. However, you can also pick them up the day of as their office is open at 7 am.

[D&B 34]

2 hours ago, kenikki said:

Just got off the phone with Medisys in Quebec.

The receptionist was super friendly and very helpful.

She said that the medical needs to be completed at least (3) business days before the scheduled interview.
So if the embassy only schedules interviews for Wednesdays in the foreseeable future, the latest you'll be able to book the medical is the Thursday the week before.

 

Based on my interview date, May 31st was the absolute latest they would allow me to schedule the medical.

All in, I am looking at 8 days in Montreal. Not complaining as its going to be summertime and I'm sure there will be lots of things to do.

 

Here are some notes from the phone call (this is just what I was told, don't take this as the 'end-all be-all' answer).
Additionally, it may or may not only apply to Medisys in Montreal:

• The medical fee is $450 CAD (taxes included). This covers the chest x-rays, the medical exam, and blood work;
• Any additional vaccinations required at the time of the medical cost extra. If you needed all of the required vaccinations, it would cost around $600. She strongly encouraged me to speak to my GP and get whatever I could get done in advance (I think most people from the Canada Portal are aware of this);
• Advised to bring the following documents to the medical appointment:
  • Letter from Embassy/Packet 4;
  • Valid Canadian passport;
  • 5 US passport-size photos (2x2 inches)... Preferably printed from a reputable source (ie not done by oneself);
  • Any prescriptions that you have been prescribed by a medical doctor;
  • Any glasses or contacts that you use;
  • Proof of vaccinations ("the more you can provide us the better").
• I asked if I needed to bring previous x-rays and/or medical records as that was what I read online, but she said they were not required ("You will get those all done when you are here").
• You can pick up your results the day before your interview. However, you can also pick them up the day of as their office is open at 7 am.

Thanks so much for all the very valuable information. I get so excited reading your posts because I know exactly how I'll feel when I get to that stage in the process. You're soooo close now......You're very right about Montreal in the summertime. I've never been to Montreal so a little mini vacation for both medical and interview may be much nicer than a separate trip to Vancouver.

[NikLR 13,232]

Price it out. In my case it would have been cheaper to fly twice but people have found some good deals on downtown Montreal stays that have certainly made staying the week in Montreal more budget friendly.  I still chose to stay for the week, but I didn't relish flying around a bunch.  

[SMK 89 68]

18 hours ago, D&B said:

Thanks so much for all the very valuable information. I get so excited reading your posts because I know exactly how I'll feel when I get to that stage in the process. You're soooo close now......You're very right about Montreal in the summertime. I've never been to Montreal so a little mini vacation for both medical and interview may be much nicer than a separate trip to Vancouver.

Yes - thank you so much @kenikki !!! you giving us these play-by-plays are SO valuable because it helps us understand all those unknowns that are half to do with the fact that it's how only the Montreal consulate handles things. Forever indebted to you if you could keep this up for us lol! So excited for your interview date which is really just around the corner!!!!! I hope processing times don't slow down in the coming months as we start stepping into summer! 

On 4/26/2018 at 11:12 PM, NikLR said:

~~moved to Canada regional forum with other like regionally specific topics~~

What's the link to this forum?