Mumbai Consulate Interview - IR1/CR1

[From_CAN_2_US 1,106]

35 minutes ago, darth vader said:

I am in similar situation but I would warn you to take into account the travel ban to/from India. You may only get 20 days time from IL to interview and if there are travel bans that may not be enough time to travel from Canada to India, get medical and biometrics done before interview. Had you thought of this?

Thank you. Yes, I have thought of this and taking it into account in my decision making.

 

Curious, have you already transferred your file from Montreal to India. Do you currently live in Canada?

Edited June 13, 2021 by From_CAN_2_US

[darth vader 133]

10 minutes ago, From_CAN_2_US said:

Thank you. Yes, I have thought of this and taking it into account in my decision making.

 

Curious, have you already transferred your file from Montreal to India. Do you currently live in Canada?

I live in Canada, but I didn't transfer since I don't trust the travel aspect. If you miss the interview due to travel/quarantine/new variant, there is no knowing when you will be able to get a new interview date, it could be months/years. So perhaps it is better to wait 3-4 months longer in Montreal. Do you plan to just go to India 3-4 months in advance?

Edited June 13, 2021 by darth vader

[From_CAN_2_US 1,106]

4 minutes ago, darth vader said:

I live in Canada, but I didn't transfer since I don't trust the travel aspect. If you miss the interview due to travel/quarantine/new variant, there is no knowing when you will be able to get a new interview date, it could be months/years. So perhaps it is better to wait 3-4 months longer in Montreal. Do you plan to just go to India 3-4 months in advance?

Thanks, yes I recognise the risks and just exploring all avenues. And no, I don’t have ties to India to allow me to go there 3/4 months in advance.

 

Good luck to both us with Montreal...The wait time right now is 10-11 months from date of case complete.

Edited June 13, 2021 by From_CAN_2_US

[darth vader 133]

7 minutes ago, From_CAN_2_US said:

Thanks, yes I recognise the risks and just exploring all avenues. And no, I don’t have ties to India to allow me to go there 3/4 months in advance.

 

Good luck to both us with Montreal...The wait time right now is 10-11 months from date of case complete.

Thanks! and good luck to us. Does your spouse live with you in Canada or in the U.S.? Waiting is insane!

Edited June 13, 2021 by darth vader

[From_CAN_2_US 1,106]

3 minutes ago, darth vader said:

Thanks! and good luck to us. Does your spouse live with you in Canada or in the U.S.? Waiting is insane!

In the US 🙁.

 

I Guess we are better off than many atleast, because we have the opportunity to visit each other being geographically closer. Many couples separated across continents can’t say the same, and I can’t imagine their anguish...

[darth vader 133]

2 minutes ago, From_CAN_2_US said:

In the US 🙁.

 

I Guess we are better off than many atleast, because we have the opportunity to visit each other being geographically closer. Many couples separated across continents can’t say the same, and I can’t imagine their anguish...

Are you able to visit your spouse in the U.S. with a pending IR1/CR1 visa? Does CBP ever question or stop you? Just curious!

Edited June 13, 2021 by darth vader

[From_CAN_2_US 1,106]

38 minutes ago, darth vader said:

Are you able to visit your spouse in the U.S. with a pending IR1/CR1 visa? Does CBP ever question or stop you? Just curious!

Yes, there are many spouses from Canada who are waiting for their interviews while staying with their USC spouses in the US. 
 

You are technically allowed to enter the US on a B1/B2 or VWP/ ESTA. But it is left to CBP officer’s discretion to deny entry should they believe you are entering with an intent to Stay and adjust status rather than return. So there is always that risk of denial. But should you be able to demonstrate strong ties to Canada eg: employment (ideally not fully remote), lease agreement etc., have a booked return ticket to Canada, and you have significant history of visits to US which are short and with no (overstays), you should mostly be OK.

 

I personally have not visited the states since when I flew there for my wedding. My spouse has been visiting me every 2/3 months, as his job allows it more than mine, but the option for me to visit him is always there.

Edited June 13, 2021 by From_CAN_2_US

[Amrit Gurbir 21]

30 minutes ago, darth vader said:

Are you able to visit your spouse in the U.S. with a pending IR1/CR1 visa? Does CBP ever question or stop you? Just curious!

I think his or her spouse can visit them without any issue since they are a U.S. Citizen.  However, he/she cannot since they are an Indian Citizen living in Canada, they would be in the same boat as any Indian Citizen trying to visit the U.S.

[Amrit Gurbir 21]

3 minutes ago, From_CAN_2_US said:

Yes, there are many spouses from Canada who are waiting for their interviews while staying with their USC spouses in the US. 
 

You are technically allowed to enter the US on a B1/B2 or VWP/ ESTA. But it is left to CBP officer’s discretion to deny entry should they believe you are entering with an intent to Stay and adjust status rather than return. So there is always that risk of denial. But should you be able to demonstrate strong ties to Canada eg: employment (ideally not fully remote), lease agreement etc., have a booked return ticket to Canada, and you have significant history of visits to US which are short and with no (overstays), you should mostly be OK.

 

I personally have not visited the states since when I flew there for my wedding. My spouse has been visiting me every 2/3 months, as his job allows it more than mine, but the option for me to visit him is always there.

Oh that's surprising, I thought it would be hard to enter with just those documents.

[From_CAN_2_US 1,106]

8 minutes ago, Amrit Gurbir said:

Oh that's surprising, I thought it would be hard to enter with just those documents.

Mostly they don’t even ask for the documents, but it is recommended to have them with you Incase they do. They usually do ask when you plan to return to Canada. 
 

In Canada, should we be flying, immigration is done at the airport in Canada, not after landing in the US. So should you be denied entry, at least you don’t have to fly back.

 

In any case, bottom line, while you have your IR1/CR1 in progress avoid going if you can, but it is usually not a problem entering from Canada provided you have demonstrable ties here.

 

 

Edited June 13, 2021 by From_CAN_2_US

[Amrit Gurbir 21]

2 minutes ago, From_CAN_2_US said:

Mostly they don’t even ask for the documents, but it is recommended to have them with you Incase they do. They usually do ask when you plan to return to Canada. 
 

In Canada, should we be flying, immigration is done at the airport in Canada, not after landing in the US. So should you be denied entry, at least you don’t have to fly back.

 

In any case, bottom line, while you have your IR1/CR1 avoid going if you can, but it is usually not a problem entering from Canada provided you have demonstrable ties here.

 

 

Got it, that is good to know although not really relevant in my case.

[From_CAN_2_US 1,106]

Is Mumbai/ Bombay the only consulate in India to conduct IR1/CR1 interviews?

[Kp3105 1]

1 minute ago, From_CAN_2_US said:

Is Mumbai/ Bombay the only consulate in India to conduct IR1/CR1 interviews?

Unfortunately, Yes.

[From_CAN_2_US 1,106]

21 minutes ago, Kp3105 said:

Unfortunately, Yes.

Thanks. Yes, that is unfortunate and ridiculous for a country of the size and population of India.

 

It is the same for Canada - interviews are conducted only in Montreal in the entire country.

 

I know that at least back in 2006 these IR1/CR1 interviews were conducted in multiple consulates in India. I wonder why they changed it.

Edited June 13, 2021 by From_CAN_2_US

[Amrit Gurbir 21]

43 minutes ago, From_CAN_2_US said:

Thanks. Yes, that is unfortunate and ridiculous for a country of the size and population of India.

 

It is the same for Canada - interviews are conducted only in Montreal in the entire country.

 

I know that at least back in 2006 these IR1/CR1 interviews were conducted in multiple consulates in India. I wonder why they changed it.

Yeah, no information on that anywhere, it could be related to some restrictions set by India.  It honestly sucks for people living in the north and north eastern regions of the Country.  Having to fly in or spend multiple days to get there in this pandemic.