indian citizen & Canadian PR - Will I have tough time at IR1 interview? If so, what can I do to prepare?

[darth vader 133]

I am an Indian citizen and a Canadian PR. I am wondering if Indian citizens are given a tough time at Montreal consulate during their interviews? My wife and I have been married for more than three years, and lived together for almost three years.

1. Any advice on how to prepare for potential expected questions for non-citizen like me are highly welcome.

2. If it helps, I have a Canadian graduate degree and am an internationally published academic author. I also work for one of the world's top firms here in Canada. Wonder if that'd help establish credibility at the interview and how to present that? Should I take my resume, published paper(s), diploma and letter from the firm with me to the interview?

3. In case it is advised that Montreal is unreasonably tough on non-citizens, can I interview at New Delhi consulate for example? Is such a transfer of the consulate even possible given that I live in Canada now?

Please don't hesitate to share your thoughts.

Thanks.

Edited May 7, 2018 by darth vader

[Crazy Cat 42,035]

I would be more concerned with the US citizen's US domicile.....

[Going through 5,671]

Biggest obstacle to overcome will be proving wife's US domicile.  Montreal Consulate is very strict when it comes to the domicile factor.

[darth vader 133]

12 minutes ago, missileman said:

I would be more concerned with the US citizen's US domicile.....

 

2 minutes ago, Going through said:

Biggest obstacle to overcome will be proving wife's US domicile.  Montreal Consulate is very strict when it comes to the domicile factor.

I am aware of that being one of the most important requirements for Montreal. We think we will have it covered.

1. Although, in terms of living arrangement - Would having a living arrangement with my in-laws be considered enough? if so, can we just get a letter from them or do we need to sign a formal lease with them?

2. Domicile requirement won't get you denied but you'll be given a chance to establish domicile and provide proof after the interview. If the C.O. is satisfied with the new domicile proof, they will approve the IR1 visa. Is my understanding correct or can lack of domicile/intent of domicile lead to denial of IR1?

[Going through 5,671]

This thread is Montreal/Canada-centric and will help you with added tips on proving US domicile (it is WELL worth the read if you haven't yet):

 

 

 

[geowrian 22,338]

17 minutes ago, darth vader said:

1. Although, in terms of living arrangement - Would having a living arrangement with my in-laws be considered enough? if so, can we just get a letter from them or do we need to sign a formal lease with them?

This is fine to include as evidence of domicile, but is very unlikely to meet domicile requirements on its own. Showing domicile - or sufficient intent to establish domicile - is about more than just having somewhere to stay. A formal lease is not required (but is never a bad idea...any rental arrangement should have this immigration or not IMO).

 

17 minutes ago, darth vader said:

2. Domicile requirement won't get you denied but you'll be given a chance to establish domicile and provide proof after the interview. If the C.O. is satisfied with the new domicile proof, they will approve the IR1 visa. Is my understanding correct or can lack of domicile/intent of domicile lead to denial of IR1?

To be more specific, it would result in a visa refusal under INA 221(g), pending sufficient evidence of domicile. It is technically a refusal, but what some call a "soft refusal" in that it can be overcome by providing more documentation.

[Ontarkie 14,378]

Montreal is not harder on Non Citizens. They as long as you have proof of legal residence in Canada it's not any different then any other country. You need all police background checks for every country you've been in for 6 months or more since after the age of 16. If your education or work history is one of the ones that is scrutinized. They will want a resume and school transcripts. This applies to anyone citizens or not and in every country. If someone is from a High fraud Country then the same long AP/background checks that would apply in that country would apply for Montreal. That can slow things down but would be no different in home country. 

 

Now the link above for domicile is important to read. just a letter from your inlaws will not cut it. Montreal pretty much expect the USC to get their butt back to the US to set up shop before the immigrant gets the visa. 

[darth vader 133]

43 minutes ago, Ontarkie said:

Montreal is not harder on Non Citizens. They as long as you have proof of legal residence in Canada it's not any different then any other country. You need all police background checks for every country you've been in for 6 months or more since after the age of 16. If your education or work history is one of the ones that is scrutinized. They will want a resume and school transcripts. This applies to anyone citizens or not and in every country. If someone is from a High fraud Country then the same long AP/background checks that would apply in that country would apply for Montreal. That can slow things down but would be no different in home country. 

 

Now the link above for domicile is important to read. just a letter from your inlaws will not cut it. Montreal pretty much expect the USC to get their butt back to the US to set up shop before the immigrant gets the visa. 

This.

As I said earlier - we believe we are OK in terms of domicile requirements as my wife will likely move ahead of me.

Now, to the part that concerns me -

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If someone is from a High fraud Country then the same long AP/background checks that would apply in that country would apply for Montreal.
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Is India considered a high-fraud country? More specifically in your experience, are Indians interviewing in Montreal usually subjected to APs?

Thanks.

Edited May 7, 2018 by darth vader

[Crazy Cat 42,035]

8 minutes ago, darth vader said:

This.

As I said earlier - we believe we are OK in terms of domicile requirements as my wife will likely move ahead of me.

Now, to the part that concerns me -

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If someone is from a High fraud Country then the same long AP/background checks that would apply in that country would apply for Montreal.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Is India considered a high-fraud country? More specifically in your experience, are Indians interviewing in Montreal usually subjected to APs?

Thanks.

There is no "official" high fraud country list.  However, I have seen India listed as one.  But to be honest, I think your concern is misplaced.  I don't think it makes a difference whether you interview in Canada or India.  You will have no control over the length of time your case spends in AP status.  All cases go through AP.  Some cases are processed in a matter of hours, while others take days, weeks, or months to finish.  I would concentrate my attention on building solid evidence proving a bona fide relationship and the items known to get a lot of attention at Montreal such as domicile......good luck..

[Ontarkie 14,378]

Everyone is subjected to APs. The length of those APs depends. If you have to send in any additional documents then you can count  on a minimum of at least 6 weeks of AP. 

 

I don't know if India is high fraud, you may need to check the regional forum for that.

Whether they would be faster then Montreal or not I have no idea. Another thing you would need to look at in that regional forum.

 

It truly boils down to how good they are at releasing information to the US. If things are hard to verify  it's going to be slow regardless of where you interview. Not a single person will get their visa fast from Montreal. Same day or next day just won't happen. Will you get it in a week? Probably not, but heck it can happen.

 

Look at how interviews are handled in India. That is where you will probably get the best advice on where to interview.