IR-1/CR-1 Montreal DQ'd private message group goes public

[rafale1973 141]

Approved! I’ll post more once back home! 

[Lovepeace0303 310]

LOVE SEEING ALL THESE APPROVALS! Let's keep them coming! ❤️ 

[ONtoHOU 228]

Consulate Process - Montreal IR1 

 

My appointment was scheduled for 8:45am. I arrived at 8:41am and was let in by the security guard. He asked me a series of Covid related questions and then asked me to wait until the person ahead of me was through security before moving through security. It was standard airport security, I didn’t use the lockers. I was directed to take the elevator to the 1st floor. Once I arrived I went immediately to window 5 to provide my passport and then told to sit and wait until my name was called. 

 

There was 12 people in chairs when I first got there. At one point there were 18 of us and no longer any open seats (socially distancing considerations in mind). I think a lot of people had to wait well beyond their interview time to be let in by security downstairs because of that.  It also seemed like most people spent considerably more time being interview. The woman who arrived just ahead of me must have been at the window for 20 minutes when it was her turn to interview. They seemed to be really, really behind schedule. I think at least 7 of 12 windows were operational as people were called to windows 1-7. 

 

I had a lot of time to wait because I wasn’t called up to provide my documents until 9:45. I was called to window 6, asked to provide my original birth certificate (I provided the Ontario long form), original marriage certificate (I provided Ontario short form) and police certificates. My police certificate was new (August 2020), it said Privacy Act Other. I also had a foreign police certificate and translation.  Next they asked if any of our financial information had changed. My husband got a new job, so I provided a new I-864. He asked for the 2019 Tax Return to accompany it. I had the full return with all schedules (over 50 pages) but he only wanted the 1040. He did not want any income slips (1099 series and W2s).  Any documents that were new the officer put a sticky note that said *scan* on them. I was then asked for one photo (2inch x 2inch) he scanned it and then gave it back to me. Next was finger printing on the electronic reader. I was then told to have a seat and wait to be called up. This all took about 10 minutes. 5 minutes later I was called up to the same window again, and he explained he forgot to give me the domestic violence pamphlet. I sat back down and read it. 

 

I then waited until 1030am to be called to my interview window. It was window #2 and the woman was extremely nice. I used the hook to the left on the window to hang my coat.  She asked if I was from Texas because of the necklace I was wearing. I explained that my husband was. She then asked me to swear my oath and took one set of finger prints as my oath. I was asked:

• when did you met your husband? 
• Did you start dating right away?
• When did you start dating? 
• What year did you get married? 
• When was the last time you were able to see him? (She was surprised he could come to Canada - I noted the changes to rules to allow it) 
• What does your husband do for work? 
• Have you ever committed a crime anywhere? 
• Have you ever stayed in the US longer than you were allowed? 
• Conversationally she asked about my foreign police certificate and why I had it (I lived there 8 months - previous NVC guidance indicated you’d need it). She thanked me for providing it. 
• Did I have a nexus card? ( I didn’t have to provide it she simply said “thought so” after I answered Yes so I assume they had some extra info about me because of that) 

 

At some point she returned my original birth certificate and marriage certificate - don’t remember when. 

 

She then told me I was her easy case of the day and she would be able to approve my visa, and I exhaled and said that I’d be very happy to be that for her. She laughed.  I got my white Welcome to the US letter and a document outlining how to check the status of my visa.  She said to expect 2-3 weeks for delivery.  She asked if I had any questions and then I went on my way. It took all of 5 minutes with her, I think she had already told me I was approved by minute 3.   I was outside the consulate by 1038. 

 

So thankful for that step to be over.  I’ll let you all know when I receive my passport. Thanks to everyone for the support during this long wait -  DQ Jan 2020, PD Nov 2018. 

 

 

[DGF 730]

On 12/6/2020 at 11:20 AM, Akaur said:

Hi guys just received greencard in mail today! 
Started process: Jan 08 2019

dqd: December 24 2019 

interview: November 2 2020 

Visa and passport came: November 5 2020

crossed border November 7 2020 

Ssn card came November 13 2020

Greencard came December 6 2020

 

thanks to everyone for their support and guidance! Hoping everyone a speedy interview and reunion with their family!! 

Oh man, I crossed the day after you, also to Washington, and also had Texas as our service center and my green card still says fee was received. You are so lucky that everything arrived so quickly! Maybe we'll get a surprise in the mail tomorrow haha  

Edited December 7, 2020 by DGF

[Akaur 95]

25 minutes ago, DGF said:

Oh man, I crossed the day after you, also to Washington, and also had Texas as our service center and my green card still says fee was received. You are so lucky that everything arrived so quickly! Maybe we'll get a surprise in the mail tomorrow haha  

I didn’t even know there was a way to check status! Lol hopefully it comes in mail today or tomorrow! Let us know! 

[rafale1973 141]

My appointment was at 10h30 this morning so I arrived around 10h25. I waiting a bit outside as the first agent at the door was busy with someone else. Once that person came out I went. He asked me some question about COVID, then I went through security, I was alone so it was pretty quick and easy. They put my car key in a locker and gave me the key for the locker. Then I was directed to the first floor. Upstairs, I went to one of the window that was mentioned to me downstairs. They took my passport and told me to go sit until they call my name. Waited for maybe 15 minutes then was called up. This time, the man asked for my birth certificate (as I have a french one I also gave the english translation), my marriage certificate. He asked me what job I intend to do once in the USA and saw on the computer that my husband is in Canada with a study permit. The man had computer problem so he got quiet, which made me a bit nervous, then after a moment he told me to change window to work on a different computer. After that, he asked me to see my father-in-laws tax return, pay stub and W2. He totally didn't seems to care at all about my husband financial and my mother-in-law. He only took the statement of my husband explaining why he didn't file taxes for 2017,2018 and 2019. They took my finger prints and once he had all documents he told me to go sit and wait to be called up again. 

 

I might have waited for half and hour to be called up again. To this window, the man complemented me on my organization and saying my husband would love this. He gave me back my birth certificate and marriage license. I was asked the following questions: 

• When did you meet?
• Where are you going to live when entering the USA?
• What does my father-in-law for a living?
• The longest I have been in the USA?
• What job will my husband look for once back in USA?

After that, he gave me the welcome to USA letter and told me to contact the border where I will cross to let them know that I will be coming. He asked me if I had any question, which I asked him what can I do to be able to take my husband name as the Province of Quebec doesn't authorize me to take it. 

 

They never asked for my husband's study visa, even when I told them that we graduated back in June.

I'm just so glad that after two years, it's finally over. Finally Approved!

[SASAS 122]

On 12/3/2020 at 7:20 PM, SASAS said:

I missed the tracking email. The passport is coming on Tuesday.  🥲

Just picked up the passport! It came one day early (Monday 12/7). So surreal. It took 23 months to get here. 

[ONtoHOU 228]

35 minutes ago, rafale1973 said:

My appointment was at 10h30 this morning so I arrived around 10h25

Wow crazy the difference in how long we were there on the same day.  Congratulations! Looks like I left just after you came in. 

[jjiplaya 7]

So just to be sure (not familiar with Montreal)  the Consulate is at 1134 Rue St. Catherine West, next to the Royal bank, conveniently with no signage on it, right?

[han21 1]

Hi,

 

I am completely new to this group. I am DQ'd in Feb 5th, 2020. My interview is schedule this December 11th and I am gathering all my documents to get ready.

My only concern is that my husband filed tax return extension for 2019.

We were married in 2018 and he filed tax return in 2018 separately. However, we decided to file jointly in 2019 and the pandemic hit. I did not have ITIN at that time. Without passport or certified copy of passport it seemed impossible to get ITIN. My husband spoke to his accountant and did rough calculation saying we did not owe any money to the government. We decided to wait until I moved to US to file the tax as I have been waiting for an interview for a long time.

 

I do have my husband's W2 for 2019, pay stubs and the extension request letter. I am very nervous if I need to delay my interview just for this tax report. I am getting more mixed messages when I do research. Anyone had the experience? Where should I call for more information? Thank you! 

 

[rafale1973 141]

1 hour ago, wordsfromdani said:

Wow crazy the difference in how long we were there on the same day.  Congratulations! Looks like I left just after you came in. 

Yeah you got called up just I was giving my passport at the window five. You were the only other french name I heard ahahha 

[rafale1973 141]

1 hour ago, jjiplaya said:

So just to be sure (not familiar with Montreal)  the Consulate is at 1134 Rue St. Catherine West, next to the Royal bank, conveniently with no signage on it, right?

Yes, that is the place. You will see two gigantic nutcracker outside the building on the street that will help you find the place.  

[HD_BIRDS 121]

15 hours ago, exp said:

Done.

 

However, the section "National Visa Center Processing" is a bit confusing and I am not sure what most of these dates mean. My case is DQ, I think it is done at the NVC and forwarded to the embassy.

 

 

 

I would also like to be added to the spreadsheet. I have completed my timeline @Hawk Riders

[T&S_MTL 113]

2 hours ago, rafale1973 said:

My appointment was at 10h30 this morning so I arrived around 10h25. I waiting a bit outside as the first agent at the door was busy with someone else. Once that person came out I went. He asked me some question about COVID, then I went through security, I was alone so it was pretty quick and easy. They put my car key in a locker and gave me the key for the locker. Then I was directed to the first floor. Upstairs, I went to one of the window that was mentioned to me downstairs. They took my passport and told me to go sit until they call my name. Waited for maybe 15 minutes then was called up. This time, the man asked for my birth certificate (as I have a french one I also gave the english translation), my marriage certificate. He asked me what job I intend to do once in the USA and saw on the computer that my husband is in Canada with a study permit. The man had computer problem so he got quiet, which made me a bit nervous, then after a moment he told me to change window to work on a different computer. After that, he asked me to see my father-in-laws tax return, pay stub and W2. He totally didn't seems to care at all about my husband financial and my mother-in-law. He only took the statement of my husband explaining why he didn't file taxes for 2017,2018 and 2019. They took my finger prints and once he had all documents he told me to go sit and wait to be called up again. 

 

I might have waited for half and hour to be called up again. To this window, the man complemented me on my organization and saying my husband would love this. He gave me back my birth certificate and marriage license. I was asked the following questions: 

• When did you meet?
• Where are you going to live when entering the USA?
• What does my father-in-law for a living?
• The longest I have been in the USA?
• What job will my husband look for once back in USA?

After that, he gave me the welcome to USA letter and told me to contact the border where I will cross to let them know that I will be coming. He asked me if I had any question, which I asked him what can I do to be able to take my husband name as the Province of Quebec doesn't authorize me to take it. 

 

They never asked for my husband's study visa, even when I told them that we graduated back in June.

I'm just so glad that after two years, it's finally over. Finally Approved!

Did you have to show any proof of ties with the US for your husband ? My wife (US citizen, as a student now working) is living here in Montreal, Canada as well, and I keep reading about how hard it can be to get approved at the embassy when the US citizen is not already in the US.

[rafale1973 141]

30 minutes ago, T&S_MTL said:

Did you have to show any proof of ties with the US for your husband ? My wife (US citizen, as a student now working) is living here in Montreal, Canada as well, and I keep reading about how hard it can be to get approved at the embassy when the US citizen is not already in the US.

No, but they could have check what I submitted to NVC in January. I submitted bank statements, copy of his visa, voter card. But at the interview they didn’t ask to see any of the papers.