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

[mizzem 144]

10 hours ago, anto3knee said:

Hi all! 

This is my Wife's experience with Dr Cheema for her medical exam.

 

We received notice on Dec. 10, 2020 that our interview would take place on Jan. 29, 2021 at 08:30am. 

 

Booking the appointment: 

On their website, it states to email their office. So on Dec 11, 2020 I sent them an email and provided them with all the necessary details (full name(s), interview date, case number). The office sent me a prompt reply about 2 hours later already giving me an appointment date and time. They had me booked for Dec 16, 2020 at 08:00am. In the email they give you more instructions to have the necessary paperwork in hand. 

 

I had to bring the following to my medical exam, but always refer to the email attachment to see if they changed/added more requirements:

1. Current and Valid Passport
2. Proof of Interview Letter/Email Print Out (showing your full name(s), interview date, place of interview, and case number)
3. Proof of Immunizations – I lived in 2 different provinces growing up, so I had to contact the Health Units in the communities I lived in to get that information AND don’t forget your up-to-date flu shot if its flu season 
4. Addresses (both current and where you intend to live/stay once you move to the States)
5. Medical Records – mainly for those with a chronic illness/disease. I brought my anxiety medication and birth control with me to the exam, just in case they were to ask. Dr Cheema just quickly checked the label and made a note of it. 
6. Payment – it was $350 for the exam and $50 for a courier (the second is optional, but I opted for a carrier just in case). This covers the Dr Cheema’s medical exam, x-ray, and blood/urine tests.

**You DO NOT need to bring passport photos to the medical exam, they are able to do this for you at the clinic.

 

Appointment Day:

Since I was visiting from out of province, I booked a hotel (Civic Hotel Autograph Collection in Surrey...I highly recommend it!) that was about a 15 min drive away from Dr Cheema’s office. I arrived at 07:55am. It was early, so it was easy to find a parking space right outside his office. Lots of parking in the plaza. I walked in and told the ladies at the front desk that I had an appointment for my medical exam. The ladies at the front were very kind. They ask you for all the required documents so that they can look through and photocopy them. Once she returned my original copies to me, she gave me more paperwork to fill out and sign, and photocopied them as well (they were basic questions like your full name, date of birth, current address, intended address once in the States, etc.). After filling out their paperwork, they told me to sit down in front of the camera to take passport photos, then they took payment from me. Once that was finished, they told me to sit down and wait to be called, I didn’t wait too long, it was about a 10 min. wait max.

 

Once I was called in, the lady took me to an area to measure my height and check my weight. She then, brought me over to the exam room and told me to wait there for Dr Cheema. Dr Cheema came in shortly after, and asked me some questions as he listened to my chest, cover one eye and read a chart, checked for more breathing, and checked my blood pressure. After this, Dr Cheema wished me good luck and told me I was good to go. Before I left, the ladies at the front reminded me to go and get my x-ray and blood/urine tests, they highlight the addresses on the paperwork they give you to give to the other offices. The exam itself went by very quick! I was finished by around 08:30am. *They mail/courier you the packet.

 

Blood/Urine Test:

Next, I headed over to Life Labs for my blood/urine tests. It wasn’t too far away, less than a 10 min. drive. Lots of parking, I parked right in front. I went in and because of Covid they had someone downstairs in the lobby sitting in a desk ready to direct you to which floor you need to go. I showed him the paper I received from Dr Cheema’s office and he instructed me to go upstairs. There was a line for the elevator because it moves super slow and they only allow one person/family inside at a time (due to Covid), the stairs are just to the left of the entrance and you’ll get to Life Labs much quicker that way 😉 I was first in line, and the receptionist took the piece of paper from Dr Cheema’s office and gave me a seat number to go and sit in around the corner. They took a blood sample, and instructed me where to go for my urine sample. I finished and left Life Labs at 09:05am. 

 

X-Ray:

Finally, I headed over to West Coast Imaging. It was also about less than a 10 min drive away. Parking for this building is in the back of the building. It’s a West Park parking lot, so you’ll need to pay at the pay station. I walked into West Coast Imaging, and waited for a receptionist to call me up. I gave her the other piece of paper that Dr Cheema’s office gave me, and she took it and instructed me to sit down. The wait for x-rays was the longest of all the clinics, but once I was called in the chest x-ray itself went by quite fast and I was able to leave. I left West Coast Imaging at about 10:00am.

 

The whole thing went by quicker than expected, not sure if it was just pure luck or maybe because of Covid. I’m not sure if its possible to make appointments for West Coast Imaging/Life Labs on the day of, I personally didn’t call to try, both those were just my walk-in experience.  

 

I received my packet from Dr Cheema’s office by courier on Dec 19 at 11:00am. I live in Alberta so that is why it was couriered to me. But for those living in the Vancouver area, I believe they will instruct you to pickup your packet on a different day.

 

Hope this review helps any others going through the same thing. Thank you for reading! Wishing everyone the best of luck for their medical exams and interviews! Happy holidays.

 

Thanks for this info. My husband’s medical is next week in Toronto and his interview is also Jan. 29 at 9:30! Good luck!

[jackanddeona 310]

1 hour ago, mizzem said:

Thanks for this info. My husband’s medical is next week in Toronto and his interview is also Jan. 29 at 9:30! Good luck!

I believe the Toronto doctor requires photos but someone who knows can confirm?

 

Also just as an interesting note. They did almost 100 visas in November even though we only had a few people get them. I'll be interested to see December's numbers.

[SASAS 122]

6 minutes ago, jackanddeona said:

I believe the Toronto doctor requires photos but someone who knows can confirm?

 

Also just as an interesting note. They did almost 100 visas in November even though we only had a few people get them. I'll be interested to see December's numbers.

Yup. Dr. Mascarenhas in Toronto requires 1 photo.

[BeeSee 22]

First time posting anything in detail about our case. I want to first say thank you from the bottom of my heart for everyone who participates on this thread or VJ - this forum has kept me sane in some difficult times and I hope by posting that I can be of help to others in some small way. Even if it's just to encourage you to stay strong through all the ups and downs.

 

My petitioner is my husband who is a USC by birth.

We have been married 10 years. We have two children. 

 

We filed our I130 in September 2019.

Our case was approved and sent to NVC in May 2020.

We put in our required documents in June but, there was a delay to DQ because missed a message sent to us through CEAC. (Some sort of glitch in the system where the messages were not appearing online).

DQ Sep 3, 2020

We sent an expedite request Sept 10, 2020. (It was requested based on an unexpected serious medical diagnosis and also because I am a health care professional/frontline worker in the hospital). We are not sure which reason (or if both) was why we were approved.

Expedite approved September 23, 2020.

Interview Letter on October 5th.

I was visiting my husband/children during this time in the US - and had to rush back to quarantine and do the medical.

Interview on October 14th.

I was then put on AP/Refused for the next 60 days (I realized I shouldn't complain that I was put on an extended AP given we were expedited and jumped the queue but, it was a long and sad 60 days of not knowing if it could be longer or what the reason fro the AP was.)

I was asked for my CV and also given a DS 5535 which we sent in 2 days after my interview. (I am a Canadian Citizen by birth and have no international travel outside of the US in over 10 years.)

 

After many case updated dates on the CEAC tracker - I received a "Issued - AP" message on Dec 18, 2020.

I then received the final "Issued - Final Processing" message on Dec 21, 2020.

Today (Dec 23) I received my tracking number and my passport is on it's way.

 

We got our Christmas miracle and I'm so happy that I can be with my family again. But, I know that many of you have been waiting much longer and still have a long way to go - I hope that maybe some of our process might shed some light into the stage you're in. I know it helped me to see what others have experienced.

 

I'll update my timeline soon.

Wishing everyone all the best and for things to move along for you all too!

 

Edited December 23, 2020 by BeeSee
typo

[Lovepeace0303 310]

1 hour ago, BeeSee said:

First time posting anything in detail about our case. I want to first say thank you from the bottom of my heart for everyone who participates on this thread or VJ - this forum has kept me sane in some difficult times and I hope by posting that I can be of help to others in some small way. Even if it's just to encourage you to stay strong through all the ups and downs.

 

My petitioner is my husband who is a USC by birth.

We have been married 10 years. We have two children. 

 

We filed our I130 in September 2019.

Our case was approved and sent to NVC in May 2020.

We put in our required documents in June but, there was a delay to DQ because missed a message sent to us through CEAC. (Some sort of glitch in the system where the messages were not appearing online).

DQ Sep 3, 2020

We sent an expedite request Sept 10, 2020. (It was requested based on an unexpected serious medical diagnosis and also because I am a health care professional/frontline worker in the hospital). We are not sure which reason (or if both) was why we were approved.

Expedite approved September 23, 2020.

Interview Letter on October 5th.

I was visiting my husband/children during this time in the US - and had to rush back to quarantine and do the medical.

Interview on October 14th.

I was then put on AP/Refused for the next 60 days (I realized I shouldn't complain that I was put on an extended AP given we were expedited and jumped the queue but, it was a long and sad 60 days of not knowing if it could be longer or what the reason fro the AP was.)

I was asked for my CV and also given a DS 5535 which we sent in 2 days after my interview. (I am a Canadian Citizen by birth and have no international travel outside of the US in over 10 years.)

 

After many case updated dates on the CEAC tracker - I received a "Issued - AP" message on Dec 18, 2020.

I then received the final "Issued - Final Processing" message on Dec 21, 2020.

Today (Dec 23) I received my tracking number and my passport is on it's way.

 

We got our Christmas miracle and I'm so happy that I can be with my family again. But, I know that many of you have been waiting much longer and still have a long way to go - I hope that maybe some of our process might shed some light into the stage you're in. I know it helped me to see what others have experienced.

 

I'll update my timeline soon.

Wishing everyone all the best and for things to move along for you all too!

 

Thank you for sharing your experience! Congratulations on finally making it to the end. Your post really did help give some hope to those of us still stuck in this journey. Did you receive a 221g for admin processing at the interview or were put into it after the interview was complete? What was the AP for? 
 

Glad you’re finally done and can be reunited with your family for Christmas and beyond. ❤️ 

[BeeSee 22]

2 minutes ago, Lovepeace0303 said:

Thank you for sharing your experience! Congratulations on finally making it to the end. Your post really did help give some hope to those of us still stuck in this journey. Did you receive a 221g for admin processing at the interview or were put into it after the interview was complete? What was the AP for? 
 

Glad you’re finally done and can be reunited with your family for Christmas and beyond. ❤️ 

I received a 221g at the interview and given my passport back (which I knew was a bad sign, there may have been some tears...). The officer would not tell my the reason for the AP. I tried to ask a couple times and she just said "we have more work to do on our side" - that's it.

 

I got an email from them 4 days later asking me for my CV and to fill out a DS 5535 (which is not common for Canadians from what I've read). In the end I'm not sure we'll ever really know what it was for...it really is the most frustrating part of all of this is the unknown parts of it where you have no idea what's going on! I hope you get that issued news soon! I feel for so many of you being delayed due to the medical, you're so close but, it doesn't feel that way at all. 

[acmanu 68]

25 minutes ago, BeeSee said:

I received a 221g at the interview and given my passport back (which I knew was a bad sign, there may have been some tears...). The officer would not tell my the reason for the AP. I tried to ask a couple times and she just said "we have more work to do on our side" - that's it.

 

I got an email from them 4 days later asking me for my CV and to fill out a DS 5535 (which is not common for Canadians from what I've read). In the end I'm not sure we'll ever really know what it was for...it really is the most frustrating part of all of this is the unknown parts of it where you have no idea what's going on! I hope you get that issued news soon! I feel for so many of you being delayed due to the medical, you're so close but, it doesn't feel that way at all. 

Is your job related with Tech/Engineering by any chance? 

[April M 28]

3 hours ago, BeeSee said:

First time posting anything in detail about our case. I want to first say thank you from the bottom of my heart for everyone who participates on this thread or VJ - this forum has kept me sane in some difficult times and I hope by posting that I can be of help to others in some small way. Even if it's just to encourage you to stay strong through all the ups and downs.

 

My petitioner is my husband who is a USC by birth.

We have been married 10 years. We have two children. 

 

We filed our I130 in September 2019.

Our case was approved and sent to NVC in May 2020.

We put in our required documents in June but, there was a delay to DQ because missed a message sent to us through CEAC. (Some sort of glitch in the system where the messages were not appearing online).

DQ Sep 3, 2020

We sent an expedite request Sept 10, 2020. (It was requested based on an unexpected serious medical diagnosis and also because I am a health care professional/frontline worker in the hospital). We are not sure which reason (or if both) was why we were approved.

Expedite approved September 23, 2020.

Interview Letter on October 5th.

I was visiting my husband/children during this time in the US - and had to rush back to quarantine and do the medical.

Interview on October 14th.

I was then put on AP/Refused for the next 60 days (I realized I shouldn't complain that I was put on an extended AP given we were expedited and jumped the queue but, it was a long and sad 60 days of not knowing if it could be longer or what the reason fro the AP was.)

I was asked for my CV and also given a DS 5535 which we sent in 2 days after my interview. (I am a Canadian Citizen by birth and have no international travel outside of the US in over 10 years.)

 

After many case updated dates on the CEAC tracker - I received a "Issued - AP" message on Dec 18, 2020.

I then received the final "Issued - Final Processing" message on Dec 21, 2020.

Today (Dec 23) I received my tracking number and my passport is on it's way.

 

We got our Christmas miracle and I'm so happy that I can be with my family again. But, I know that many of you have been waiting much longer and still have a long way to go - I hope that maybe some of our process might shed some light into the stage you're in. I know it helped me to see what others have experienced.

 

I'll update my timeline soon.

Wishing everyone all the best and for things to move along for you all too!

 

I am so happy for you , congratulations 👍

[OhSoFaizy 12]

Anyone have any idea when the next round of IL will go out? I have a DQ of june 3rd so i am thinking soonish for early February interview date if everything remains on track. Would this assumption be reasonable?

[betzzymathew 20]

55 minutes ago, OhSoFaizy said:

Anyone have any idea when the next round of IL will go out? I have a DQ of june 3rd so i am thinking soonish for early February interview date if everything remains on track. Would this assumption be reasonable?

Usualy middle of month (jan 12th -20th 2021). I made a simple extrapolation with my DQ date (June 1st)  with the data in spreadsheet and I anticipate late Feb based on that. 

Ofcourse you are also to account for Govt shutdown, Presidential Proclamation for other visa types expiring , Covid possible delays ..... and all our estimates go out the window :D  

[M Brown 25]

I have my interview coming up on Jan 20.  Can anyone tell me what type of IRS transcript I need to get, for which tax years and how to get it?  My wife is the US citizen so she needs to do it on her end and send it to me.  The tax returns and transcripts are the last documents on my list.  Thanks. 

[BunyanP 89]

7 hours ago, OhSoFaizy said:

Anyone have any idea when the next round of IL will go out? I have a DQ of june 3rd so i am thinking soonish for early February interview date if everything remains on track. Would this assumption be reasonable?

Mine is June 1st. I just rescheduled my flight for January 10th back to Canada to make sure I can do my 2 weeks of quarantine and medical before Feb. I’m thinking it will be early February given that the last round covered 2 1/2 months and Our date was missed it by a week and a half or so. Of course anything can happen, it I hope they stay on track, bc I’m cutting my trip short after not seeing my wife and  kids for almost 6 months.  
 

 

[A&RN 64]

9 hours ago, OhSoFaizy said:

Anyone have any idea when the next round of IL will go out? I have a DQ of june 3rd so i am thinking soonish for early February interview date if everything remains on track. Would this assumption be reasonable?

Based on Jan 2020's data, the dates for February went out on the 2nd Tuesday of January. So I assume we will get ours between Jan 12th-19th. I am DQ June 1st so I am coming back on Jan 12th to ensure I get 2 weeks to quarantine and am able to do my medical in time for the interview. I am going with the assumption that ours may be in the first half of Feb since they scheduled 2 months worth of interviews in 1 month. 

[Hoffmaya 124]

10 hours ago, M Brown said:

I have my interview coming up on Jan 20.  Can anyone tell me what type of IRS transcript I need to get, for which tax years and how to get it?  My wife is the US citizen so she needs to do it on her end and send it to me.  The tax returns and transcripts are the last documents on my list.  Thanks. 

You can check the FAQ here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1k927pE5wqzTN5n0lPYZ1JQxgbmnzmNWX5hSteyii0BY/edit

 

The section "COVD-19 Documents" provides useful info.

[April M 28]

1 hour ago, Hoffmaya said:

You can check the FAQ here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1k927pE5wqzTN5n0lPYZ1JQxgbmnzmNWX5hSteyii0BY/edit

 

The section "COVD-19 Documents" provides useful info.

The form can be downloaded from the IRS website at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506t.pdf. The sponsor also can request a transcript by calling 1-800-829-1040. The sponsor should request that the transcript be sent directly to his or her address, not to the National Visa Center.