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

[Hadarah 172]

On 9/30/2020 at 12:23 PM, DGF said:

I have a couple of questions about the I864 for those who have already interviewed because I can't get a straight answer on either:

 

1. Did they ask for the original I864 or was a copy ok? An original with wet ink signatures from both my husband and our lawyer does not exist since it was done over email. I have the version with my husband's wet ink signature (that doesn't match what was uploaded to CEAC because it is missing the lawyer's signature) and a copy that has both signatures (and matches what was uploaded to CEAC) but neither are wet ink. I could also potentially get the one with a wet ink signature from our lawyer but it won't have a wet ink signature from my husband since they signed a scan. Our lawyer is dodging this question so I'm a little worried. 

2. Did you bring a new I864 with recent information given that the original is roughly a year old? Did they ask for it if you did?

I know I might be late in this reply... Sorry been off for a while during my transition to the US. But they didn't even ask me for it at all when I interviewed. I had it out and ready and I said, you don't need the I-864? He said, no you already uploaded it. So that was enough I guess!

[jackanddeona 310]

7 minutes ago, arae said:

Just commenting to say I appreciate this stance given all of the unnecessary vitriol toward K1 folks. We've all had an absolutely exhausting process. Nothing has been fair about any of this.  To shame one group for getting processed before others, especially when we're all literally in the same exact boat at MTL, is discouraging. We should be cheering each other on as we all work toward our final goal of starting our lives with our partners. All of us had our reasons for choosing the visa route that we chose. We are all still family regardless of which process we're in.

I agree. I am happy for every single person who gets to be reunited and I know that also means I am a little closer myself. 

[Hadarah 172]

On 10/2/2020 at 12:44 PM, Michelle_VM said:

Question for those of you who have had your interviews. Did you need a copy of the I-864 that had not "expired"? There is a date at the top. It is not a big deal for me to fill out another one, but my joint sponsor's husband is currently deployed and we thought all the paperwork was behind us. I already have to bother my joint sponsor for more tax transcripts, pay stubs, and letters from employer, so I would hate to ask her to redo the paperwork portion as well. I have seen a few people mention a new I-864 but I'm wondering if it was just a precaution or is it necessary?

On that note, are W2s proof of current employment or do I need to ask my joint sponsor to get a letter from her employer?

And in case anyone knows... would I need 6 months of W2s from just my joint sponsor or from her husband as well? 

You shouldn't need a new one... sorry if someone responded already and this is a dupe. Just catching up now. But I didn't need a new one, they didn't even ask to see mine at all. Just the 2019 tax info was needed in regards to finances.

[FrostyDog 25]

Hm... I think the only issue we would have is that it’s unfair to give priority to people involved in a lawsuit (K1 or Spousal visa doesn’t matter). Of course, all we want is everyone to be reunited with their family but this interview given to one person without an expedite reason suggests that they treat people who threaten them first and I think that’s why people are angry. 

[Hadarah 172]

On 10/6/2020 at 10:09 AM, murrv said:

Hey guys, anyone who has recently had an interview - did you have to get new passport photos? Mine were take in February so they're older than 6 months. In the appointment confirmation email they sent it just said 2 passport photos, no mention of how recent but in other lists I've seen that they have to be taken within 6 months. Does anyone know if that's still a requirement?

 

In February I just got them at a walmart photo but now I have no idea where to get them and I'm really nervous about going in somewhere to take pictures without a mask. (I'm in the GTA)

I got new ones, and they did ask for two photos from me. I noticed others were only asked for one.  I was in Mississauga at the time, and I just went to the corner store where they had a passport photo setup option. They turned out just fine. Anyway yes, it's a good idea to get current photos within 6 months. 

[jackanddeona 310]

2 minutes ago, FrostyDog said:

Hm... I think the only issue we would have is that it’s unfair to give priority to people involved in a lawsuit (K1 or Spousal visa doesn’t matter). Of course, all we want is everyone to be reunited with their family but this interview given to one person without an expedite reason suggests that they treat people who threaten them first and I think that’s why people are angry. 

Nope. I have seen comments about how unfair it is that K1's are being given interviews when they were announced in September and when they started scheduling them. This is just another excuse. One which honestly is in no way actually proven to be true. People have been reporting information from Facebook that's been wrong for months. Maybe that's how you feel but some other people have proven to feel differently about k1's.

[Hadarah 172]

4 hours ago, US-EH said:

Does anyone on here know how long the Green Card is taking to arrive after entering US? Will the social security card come around that time or do we have to take green card to ss office in order to get?

I just crossed the border by plane on Monday. Went through Pearson International in Toronto. The immigration portion was fast and easy, but at the end, the officer said, "So we'll be sending your green card to the address you just gave us.... no idea how long THAT will take." Soooo yeah I have a feeling it will likely take a long time to get the actual green card. But in the mean time, you should have no problem using the stamp in your passport next to your visa for all things you'd need a green card for. So no worries there.   I think there are delays for social security too. For myself I'm in a bit of a different situation as I already have a SSN from years ago when I went to university in the states. For me I just have to get my name changed to my married name from my maiden name cause the actual number stays the same.  But if it's your first time getting one, this article might help. It's about getting an SSN during covid. It's from the guy we used to help us with our immigration. https://www.visacoach.com/how-to-get-social-security-number-during-covid-19/

[FrostyDog 25]

1 minute ago, jackanddeona said:

Nope. I have seen comments about how unfair it is that K1's are being given interviews when they were announced in September and when they started scheduling them. This is just another excuse. One which honestly is in no way actually proven to be true. People have been reporting information from Facebook that's been wrong for months. Maybe that's how you feel but some other people have proven to feel differently about k1's.

My comment was not about k1.. I’m sorry if you interpreted it that way..

 

If this lawsuit was for CR1 people and the people involved get an interview first then it would have the same result to me.. not fair. 

 

There is absolutely no need/reason to have upset conversations between fiancé and spouse, I agree 100% on this!! 

[Sanmcall 7]

On 10/6/2020 at 1:04 PM, Hawk Riders said:

How'd it go yesterday, @Sanmcall?

Ah, reported approval via FB; got it!

Hi, thanks for reaching out. Yes, as of Monday, Oct. 5, we are finally done with this part of the process (below is what I wrote on FB).  And now we have to get through the other challenges of what our lives will look like living in the states (I've been here in NS with him since mid-June). We never struggled with any of the details of him moving to the states (our plans were/are? to move to Florida) until Covid and the border closed and continues to stay shut down.  Do we leave Covid-free NS and head to Florida in mid-January? When will he be able to see his young adult son who has severe autism? Will he be able to find a job as easily as we thought?  (In the meantime I'm still having to keep my domicile in Maryland until he crosses the border.)  A lot of things to work through (since we're in NS and on another 14-day quarantine since we went to Montreal; we have a lot of time to discuss options). 

 

"My husband’s interview (IR1/CR1 spousal) was completed and successful in Montreal today. It feels so good to have this process done after 20 long months. It was fast and easy for him today (took less than an hour). He was called up to the first window to submit paperwork and that process took 15 minutes - they asked for one form at a time (he had a plastic accordion file with labeled tabs). They took all originals (no copies probably due to Covid) including passport, 2 passport photos, birth/marriage/divorce certificate, his sealed medical packet (gave him back the X-ray CD and immunization record), police certificate, DS-260; I-864 along with my 2019 federal taxes (I had not uploaded it before the interview at the advice of our attorney), recent bank statements and a copy of my lease. They asked him if he knew my address and phone #, and our attorney’s name. They did not ask for the interview letter/email or any photos of us. He was fingerprinted and then sat down for about 15 mins before being called to another window for the interview (standing up) and it lasted about 5 mins. Questions included ones like How did you meet? Longest you stayed in US? Been to any other countries together in the past 2 years? Do you plan on working in the US and asked what he did for a living? What I did for a living? Asked if I was working remotely (since I’ve been fortunate to be in Canada since they opened the border).

Any involvement with the police? He was fingerprinted again. Welcome letter to the USA received.

 

Everyone was very nice and it wasn’t crowded (roughly 6 people in the waiting room).

 

I’ve seen comments about having to cross into the US before the Police certificate expires. As long as it hasn’t expired when the interview is held, it has nothing to do with when you have to cross. You must cross within 6 mos from your medical. We will most likely wait to cross until our 2 year anniversary in mid-January since you can get a 10yr green card vs a 2yr one if you wait to cross

after that date. Still working out all the details.

 

Hope this info helps someone. Wishing success for all of you!"

[DGF 730]

1 hour ago, jackanddeona said:

On the legal aspect of all of this I definitely don't know enough about law and what is actually a required service for USC but I have a gut feeling that a quick immigration process isn't one of them. 

 

Is there problems at the montreal consulate in comparison to other ones around the world? Maybe. I don't really see the point in trying to fix it. I highly doubt a court would set a time limit on an immigration timeline and we have already seen that American politicians don't seem to have any way to change things here. 

 

What I don't agree with is the narrative that K1 visas were prioritized or that they should be below spousal visas. Getting to the states is the first part of an even longer process for them where the spouse doesn't even have the right to work until they are done. I also believe their relationships are just as important to them as mine is to me. I could have done a K1 just like everyone here but chose not to based on a number of reasons. Maybe if I had known about covid I would have chose differently. Hindsight is 20/20. But, if I had, I vehemently disagree with the people here who are implying that it would make my relationship and immigration application somehow less important 

For the first part, there's a saying that more experienced members of the forum love: immigration is a privilege not a right. It drives me nuts to hear it when I'm frustrated with the process, but it is true 😛 

For the second, Montreal is one of the worst consulates in the world in terms of backlog. Mexico is worse. India was/is tied. Then there's us. If you look at the issuance numbers Canada issues much less per month than Mexico or India so it doesn't make sense that we're up there with them in terms of backlog. Montreal's wait was 2-3 months at the beginning of 2019 and now it's 11 months. I don't think that a time limit would ever be imposed, but some transparency around what caused it and what they're going to do to fix it (even if it takes a while) would go a long way.

 

As for the third, although we don't know that they are being prioritized at this point in time, we do know that they have been in the past. And it's because they are just as important as us that it sucks as much as it does that we aren't being treated equally. If we are the same why were we stopped for 5 months last summer while their category was allowed to continue? And why, if we are the same, are they now getting interviews before us despite being at the same point in the process (DQ vs P3/P4)? After the way spouses have been treated by Montreal over the past year and a half the thought that we are once again not being given equal priority just because they signed on to a lawsuit sucks. I'm definitely happy for them, but I want both categories to be treated equally.

[Hawk Riders 814]

::looked at soapbox, considered getting up on it, reconsidered and returned said soapbox to closet::

 

I'll settle for reiteration of this:

37 minutes ago, DGF said:

immigration is a privilege not a right.

 

[Akaur 95]

37 minutes ago, DGF said:

For the first part, there's a saying that more experienced members of the forum love: immigration is a privilege not a right. It drives me nuts to hear it when I'm frustrated with the process, but it is true 😛 

For the second, Montreal is one of the worst consulates in the world in terms of backlog. Mexico is worse. India was/is tied. Then there's us. If you look at the issuance numbers Canada issues much less per month than Mexico or India so it doesn't make sense that we're up there with them in terms of backlog. Montreal's wait was 2-3 months at the beginning of 2019 and now it's 11 months. I don't think that a time limit would ever be imposed, but some transparency around what caused it and what they're going to do to fix it (even if it takes a while) would go a long way.

 

As for the third, although we don't know that they are being prioritized at this point in time, we do know that they have been in the past. And it's because they are just as important as us that it sucks as much as it does that we aren't being treated equally. If we are the same why were we stopped for 5 months last summer while their category was allowed to continue? And why, if we are the same, are they now getting interviews before us despite being at the same point in the process (DQ vs P3/P4)? After the way spouses have been treated by Montreal over the past year and a half the thought that we are once again not being given equal priority just because they signed on to a lawsuit sucks. I'm definitely happy for them, but I want both categories to be treated equally.

I think everyone is just getting frustrated at this point. 

[jackanddeona 310]

54 minutes ago, DGF said:

I'm definitely happy for them, but I want both categories to be treated equally.

I'm not here to argue about montreal and what should or shouldn't happen. From what I have seen on these forums people trying to just get frustrated. But if everyone around here had the outlook that I quoted from you then I wouldn't have said anything. If people here have the right to say K1's are less deserving than us I have the right to disagree.

[Hoffmaya 124]

5 hours ago, kburbasaur said:

I'm approved!!!

 

The whole process only took about 75 minutes. They asked for:

-birth certificate

-passport photos

-divorce decree

-marriage certificate

-police certificates (I had them for Canada, UK and UAE)

 

After the first window and taking biometrics, I was told to wait until I was called for the 'interview' portion.

 

Questions I was asked was:

-Where did you meet and when?

-How often did you see each other?  (since he was in the US and you in Dubai?)

-When did you get married?

-What husband does for a living?

-Is this both of your first marriages?

-Current US address 

 

Because my medical expires on October 16, he strongly advised me to pick up my visa in-person at the consulate, so I'll do that as soon as it's ready.

 

It was streamlined process all in all.

 

 

Congrats and thanks for sharing these details. Always useful/appreciated. 

[Lovepeace0303 310]

1 hour ago, DGF said:

For the first part, there's a saying that more experienced members of the forum love: immigration is a privilege not a right. It drives me nuts to hear it when I'm frustrated with the process, but it is true 😛 

For the second, Montreal is one of the worst consulates in the world in terms of backlog. Mexico is worse. India was/is tied. Then there's us. If you look at the issuance numbers Canada issues much less per month than Mexico or India so it doesn't make sense that we're up there with them in terms of backlog. Montreal's wait was 2-3 months at the beginning of 2019 and now it's 11 months. I don't think that a time limit would ever be imposed, but some transparency around what caused it and what they're going to do to fix it (even if it takes a while) would go a long way.

 

As for the third, although we don't know that they are being prioritized at this point in time, we do know that they have been in the past. And it's because they are just as important as us that it sucks as much as it does that we aren't being treated equally. If we are the same why were we stopped for 5 months last summer while their category was allowed to continue? And why, if we are the same, are they now getting interviews before us despite being at the same point in the process (DQ vs P3/P4)? After the way spouses have been treated by Montreal over the past year and a half the thought that we are once again not being given equal priority just because they signed on to a lawsuit sucks. I'm definitely happy for them, but I want both categories to be treated equally.

PREACH! 🙏 I'm happy for anyone that can be reunited with their loved ones (spousal or K1), but I absolutely agree that we should be treated fairly and equally if we are BOTH important priorities to the Consulate. Favoring one over the other is what is causing this frustration to boil to the surface.