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

[sjb17 192]

1 minute ago, Stylereveal said:

Just to be clear, I was reading other interviews that they really don’t need the I-864 unless there’s new information, but bring it anyways? 

Many folks here who have already had their interviews say it's better to be over-prepared than under-prepared so IMO it can't hurt to bring it with you even if there are no changes to report.

[Stylereveal 38]

46 minutes ago, sjb17 said:

Actually, hold on. I just re-read the FAQ and notice it doesn't say explicitly whether a photocopy is sufficient or the original is required for the petitioner birth certificate. @Hawk Riders or @DGF can either of you confirm and I'll update the FAQ?

Just looked on the website for interview preparation and it does say photocopy for the petitioner when you bring  your I -864. 

[AnkitShah20 32]

1 hour ago, sjb17 said:

No, a photocopy is sufficient. You can find answers to these types of questions and more in this FAQ: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1k927pE5wqzTN5n0lPYZ1JQxgbmnzmNWX5hSteyii0BY/edit?fbclid=IwAR1GmZJ2tTD19avokn0L8F852HAyfrw57OJChkxsbak6KM_JWAB0IupskT4

Do we need petitioners birth certificate? I was not aware of this. Can anyone please confirm is petitioners birth certificate is needed. I did not see it on the list anywhere. 

[sjb17 192]

8 minutes ago, Stylereveal said:

Just looked on the website for interview preparation and it does say photocopy for the petitioner when you bring  your I -864. 

 

3 minutes ago, AnkitShah20 said:

Do we need petitioners birth certificate? I was not aware of this. Can anyone please confirm is petitioners birth certificate is needed. I did not see it on the list anywhere. 

Someone else can correct me if I'm wrong but according to this page: "Every visa applicant, no matter their age, must bring certain documents to the interview, including photographs, the original or certified copy version of all civil documents submitted to NVC. You do not need to bring your Affidavit of Support or financial evidence you submitted to NVC."

 

Since the petitioner birth certificate is included in the "AOS supporting documents" category, you probably don't need to bring it but it is listed in "documents to bring to the interview" section of the CR-1/IR-1 FAQ so a photocopy can't hurt to be safe.

[Specter 35]

Just to be on the same page, The new canadian Police verification certificate should read application type as:- Criminal Records Check for Personal Use : Other(Provide Details) right?

[AnkitShah20 32]

19 minutes ago, sjb17 said:

 

Someone else can correct me if I'm wrong but according to this page: "Every visa applicant, no matter their age, must bring certain documents to the interview, including photographs, the original or certified copy version of all civil documents submitted to NVC. You do not need to bring your Affidavit of Support or financial evidence you submitted to NVC."

 

Since the petitioner birth certificate is included in the "AOS supporting documents" category, you probably don't need to bring it but it is listed in "documents to bring to the interview" section of the CR-1/IR-1 FAQ so a photocopy can't hurt to be safe.

I see it states....” 10. Petitioner birth certificate (if born in US) or proof of status. @sjb17 is this where you are looking? What if the petitioners is not US born? 

[jackanddeona 310]

1 hour ago, sjb17 said:

 

Someone else can correct me if I'm wrong but according to this page: "Every visa applicant, no matter their age, must bring certain documents to the interview, including photographs, the original or certified copy version of all civil documents submitted to NVC. You do not need to bring your Affidavit of Support or financial evidence you submitted to NVC."

 

Since the petitioner birth certificate is included in the "AOS supporting documents" category, you probably don't need to bring it but it is listed in "documents to bring to the interview" section of the CR-1/IR-1 FAQ so a photocopy can't hurt to be safe.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/MTL-Montreal.html#pre_interview_checklist

 

This checklist is the best to go off of. It is directly from the consulate.

 

Edit: If you don't want to click the link or are just curious it says you need original birth certificate of petitioner. We have had people be asked for their affidavit of support.

Edited January 13, 2021 by jackanddeona

[MrsDex 41]

Can anyone give more information regarding this quote from the FAQ for reasons a Visa may be declined:

• Lack of domicile (bring as much as you can but it would appear that a formal lease (not just a letter) is what they are looking for

Does this refer to the petitioners home? And if so has anyone had a circumstance of where they will be staying with family during the transition to the states while finding an apartment or purchasing a home?

 

Thanks!

[Abhikochar 102]

6 minutes ago, MrsDex said:

Can anyone give more information regarding this quote from the FAQ for reasons a Visa may be declined:

• Lack of domicile (bring as much as you can but it would appear that a formal lease (not just a letter) is what they are looking for

Does this refer to the petitioners home? And if so has anyone had a circumstance of where they will be staying with family during the transition to the states while finding an apartment or purchasing a home?

 

Thanks!

This will be my situation too. I would be contracting a lease on my name once my husband receives his IL. I have been advised by my lawyer that is sufficient for proof of domicile..in my case I am more of re establishing domicile..lived here in Toronto for the last 10 years, so cant really show a house or anything on my name in the U.S. 

[Magnolian 47]

16 minutes ago, MrsDex said:

Can anyone give more information regarding this quote from the FAQ for reasons a Visa may be declined:

• Lack of domicile (bring as much as you can but it would appear that a formal lease (not just a letter) is what they are looking for

Does this refer to the petitioners home? And if so has anyone had a circumstance of where they will be staying with family during the transition to the states while finding an apartment or purchasing a home?

 

Thanks!

This is something I have been wondering too. We are planning to live with my mother-in-law who lives in a big house alone until we find a house or an apartment. We are planning to get a letter from her stating that we can live with as long as we like. I have been just wondering it this would be sufficient enough for us to establish domicile. I hope other people here can shed some light on this.

[Hawk Riders 814]

2 hours ago, Specter said:

Just to be on the same page, The new Canadian Police verification certificate should read application type as:- Criminal Records Check for Personal Use : Other(Provide Details) right?

Correct.

[Specter 35]

15 minutes ago, Hawk Riders said:

Correct.

Thanks!

[Stylereveal 38]

9 hours ago, AnkitShah20 said:

Do we need petitioners birth certificate? I was not aware of this. Can anyone please confirm is petitioners birth certificate is needed. I did not see it on the list anywhere. 

I looked on the site and it says photo copy

If you previously submitted to NVC an I-864 affidavit of support (AOS):  Bring proof of your petitioner’s legal status in the United States (photocopy of a U.S. passport, birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or legal permanent resident card) and their federal U.S. tax return (Form 1040) from the previous year.

[CGs_Mother 114]

16 hours ago, M Brown said:

Just saw this.  Do you have a source to confirm this is essential travel?  Thanks. 

Travelling for immigration purposes is essential under Canadian federal law. (Which is why that minister in Quebec was allowed to travel to Peru to settle the affairs of his spouse, and the caucus and party had cleared his travel so he never should have had to resign, but I digress...) If such travel was not allowed, then our friends who have crossed at the land border while the borders have been closed would have been turned back, regardless of status. 

 

Just have your letter with the interview date and such with you at all times. It's possible for you to be stopped along the 401 corridor by the OPP and SQ, since you're driving. Have everything ready - your hotel confirmation (or name and address of the place where you are staying), your dates of travel, your interview confirmation, etc. They just want to make sure you're not going to Montreal for a protest against the lockdown or a gathering of any kind or for non-essential (partying) purposes.  IF on the off chance someone issues you a ticket, you can always fight it and get proof from the Consulate that you were there. 

 

Good luck with your interview! On Inauguration Day no less!!

[Tofu 343]

Morning, as promised - here is a run down of my interview on Monday, Jan 11, 2021.

 

Location

- In the RBC building; which is on the streetcorner

- I arrived 5 minutes early (10:10 AM), and a security guard asked me general covid questions

- I went through airport-like security; I did not have my phone or smart watch with me so it was very smooth

- Unlike many other reviews, I found the security guards to be professional and not rude.

- Security guards directed me to the elevator to go to floor 1; and then booth 6 once I arrived.

- Note: my husband walked me to the interview, and was waiting outside to make sure I got through - I didnt realize this happened, but he was asked to leave (not surprising)

 

Arrival:

- So elevator doors opened to floor 1; and opened up to what looks like a regular passport office.

- Took me a moment to orient myself, but I found booth 6 which was just straight ahead and to the left

- It is DEAD quiet in there!  So everyone just kind of awkwardly looks at eachother..

- booths 1-5 are down a hall to the left, and 6-10 are straight ahead but to the left.

- No one was at booth 6 when I arrived so I was awkwardly standing around, and a nice gal told me she thinks I needed to sit down  and wait; as  no one had been there in a while.

- We later both went up to booth 6 and were directed to other booths (at this stage she took and kept my passport)

 

Step 1:

- I was directed to booth 4; which was down the hall

- Passport was already at the desk by the time I got there

- Asked for: Marriage certificate, Birth certificate, police clearances (I had one from UK), AND photocopies of Police Clearances

- I was asked for my husband's phone number

- She confirmed my mailing address in Canada & Intended address in the US (she stated them, I didnt share with her)

- Was asked for my passport photo, and to remove my mask - she compared the photo to my actual face; she then returned my passport photo and told me that its all electronic now so she didnt need to keep it.

- Confirmed attorneys name (not that they have been overly helpful-HA)

- She also confirmed the date of my I-864 (not the expiration date, the date that it was signed- so assuming checking to see if they had most up-to-date)

- Believe this whole process took about 5-10 minutes

- At the very end, I was handed a pamphlet on domestic abuse, and sat back down.

 

I then hand sanitized, and at back down. 

 

* Please note: As of 1/11/21, the clock was out of batteries and stuck at 430, which is hilarious because I peeked a couple of times and kept thinking man, time is REALLY crawling..  I really had no sense of time while in there.

 

Step 2:

- Over the loud speaker, I heard my name called, and was called to booth 11, which was nearest to everyone sitting in the room; so I am sure they overheard all.  

- I was asked how we met; so I explained the circumstances

- I was asked if my husband owns or rents in NYC,

- I was asked when was the last time I saw my husband, so I explained he was in Canada currently on a tourist visa, and had been since March 15, and that we had obtained permission from the Government of Canada for an extension to stay. 

- I was then asked for his newest tax transcript - which i provided, she reviewed and asked to keep, I told her of course. (2019 tax transcript.  Note: I had already uploaded this to CEAC, along with his most recent paystubs)

- I was asked what he did for work - and I explained and so she said oh, ok so he can work remote, and she seemed satisfied by this.

- Lastly, I was asked to explain what was described in the domestic abuse pamphlet I had been handed.

- At this point she told me all that was missing was my Medical (which i was aware of), and she advised me that she would have to give me a 221g refusal notice, but provided me the information on how to track my case online.

- She then asked if I needed my passport for immediate travel and if not, she would keep it and then mail it back to me

- Believe this process took about 15 minutes.

 

My walk back to the hotel was 15 minutes, and I arrived back just before noon. 

 

As of this AM, 1/13/21 - my medical results have still not been sent to the consulate.  I called and followed up with Medysis, and they said they are being sent today... so waiting for that confirmation email.

 

Hopefully this is helpful to one, or more of you - and I wish everyone the best of luck!