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

[summertime2 43]

Yes I got my IL today, interview date is Feb.8 @Hawk Riders!

[betzzymathew 20]

12 minutes ago, Hawk Riders said:

Interview dates:

@Allis0n, @scottandlisag, @Coco Beau, @chanel167, @Mi and Di, @betzzymathew, @Abe&Noha

?

Joining the huddle. 

DQ - June 1 2020

Interview - Feb 22 2021

[fxch3 28]

Hi everyone! 

 

For all the spouses that are separated due to COVID-19, I actually travelled to the States while waiting for my interview. I also applied for the I-539 (extension to stay) while I was there. Here's how the process went: 

 

DQ: May 29, 2020 

Aug 5, 2020: My husband (US citizen) flew to YYZ to visit me for 3-4 weeks. He didn't have much of a problem, the officer just asked him the following:

• Why are you travelling (A: To visit my wife, she is a Canadian citizen. In July, they've allowed immediate families to visit so I wanted to take this opportunity since I haven't seen her in over 10 months)
• Do you have documentation for the marriage: (A: Yes - he showed our marriage licence (copy), my passport (copy), drivers licence  (copy)and citizenship card (copy)) 
• How long are you visiting: (A: 3 weeks returning date is Aug 23, 2020 and he showed him the return ticket)
• Address where you are quarantining and they gave him info on the quarantine act. Upon getting to YYZ, they asked the same questions and it was a quick process. 

Aug 23, 2020: My husband (US Citizen) and myself (Canadian citizen applied for IR1) were travelling to LAX from YYZ. Travelling to America was the hardest thing ever, they stopped us and we got to the gate 1 min before closing.This all happened at YYZ and keep in mind it is my fault for not having enough information while flying - so take your chances. They could have said no but the officer said I'll let you stay for your birthday but you have to leave by Dec 1, 2020. 

• I got pulled aside because I was travelling with 3 suitcases (My goal was to stay there for 4 months)
• Why are you travelling? (A: I am going to live with my husband for 4 months, here's the marriage certificate)
• Do you know you aren't supposed to travel? (A: Yes but I thought I can visit my husband? I'm exempt from the travel ban)
• Are you planning to live there or stay for a short time? (A: I am only staying there for 4 months, I am returning Jan 2021) 
  • At this point, they pulled us into that Custom & Border room to visit an officer. Another officer called us up and asked us a bunch of questions and proofs.
• Have you applied for an immigrant visa? (A: Yes, IR-1 I am currently DQ and waiting for my interview. I have to return to Canada to complete my interview. But regardless of that, I work for a Canadian company that knows I am going to America for 4 months and will return. 
• What's your I-130 number. I don't see you applied for any visa on my end? (A: PANIC MODE - I had to show him my NVC account, DS-260, i-130. For some odd reason when he scanned my passport it did not pop up that i filled an application online. It was a horrible stressful experience of trying to log into my account to try to find my digital i-130 that was mailed to our house in California. Thankfully my mother in law had the I-130 that showed ACCEPTED.)
• What's the NVC number? USCIS number? 
• Where are you living?
• What is the proof you are returning (A: I have a job at a Canadian company but didn't have an official letter from my company that I needed to return. I don't have a mortgage under my name so I had no proof I was returning.)
• What do you do? What does your husband do? (A: XYZ told him this and I think he asked us how much we make to ensure it wasn't a part-time job and had some type of potential to return back. Even then he said no you can't travel)
• After much begging and back and forth he said I will give you a travel visa until Dec 1, 2020 - you better come back to Canada before this date. 
• We ran to our gate which was about to leave in 1 minute. 

Oct 2020: I applied for the i-539 (extension of a visa stay), I applied for an extension until May 2021 because I thought my interview would have been in April 2021. I completed the bio-metrics in Nov, 2020. When I called the embassy the lady said that, if the custom border officers show up at my house to tell me I am overstaying, I can show them the i-539 receipt and biometrics date and just let them know I am waiting for an approval which can take up to 6 months. At that time, it is their decision to either 1. let me stay and wait for the final decision or 2. Notify me I must leave. I never got to that stage since I knew my IL would come some time in January so I flew to YYZ on Jan 7, 2021. 

 

Jan 7, 2021: I flew from LAX to YYZ. They never asked me about my visa or extension. They just told me I had to quarantine and call a number every day. 

 

Jan 18: Received IL for Feb 17, 2021

 

**please do not take the risk of travelling unless you have proof of returning. I got lucky but it was not worth the stress of knowing they could say no at any time** 

[Coco Beau 39]

Got mine, Feb 12.

 

yay! I can't say enough how helpful this page has been, especially the spread sheet. Thanks for maintaining it for everyone.

 

 

[gavinski91 102]

2 hours ago, T&S_MTL said:

I'm wondering how many interviews they're gonna be able to schedule. Really hope we won't have to wait the end of the year or 2022 to get an interview 😒 (We were DQed on Oct 2nd), can't wait to see the updated spreadsheet 😃

We were DQed 3 days after you. Based on the spreadsheet data, if current trends continue I would project that we'll be interviewed in early May (based on the assumption that ~23 spreadsheet entries get interviews each month).

[legendqueue 163]

What the heck is my DS-260?  Do I need to put the number on this courier registration page?  It's not showing as a mandatory field.  The FAQ says it's a barcode at the bottom of a confirmation document but I can't see any barcode with number on ANY document they sent me haha.

 

Also did anyone else have issues finding vaccination dates?  I thought I had my MMR date but I don't.  What format do the doctors generally want this in?  Do they need an official document?  I've asked Dr Cheema's office the same question but their directions are a little hard to untangle.

 

[Hawk Riders 814]

2 minutes ago, legendqueue said:

What the heck is my DS-260? 

Log back into your CEAC; review your IV application

 

[T&S_MTL 113]

18 minutes ago, gavinski91 said:

We were DQed 3 days after you. Based on the spreadsheet data, if current trends continue I would project that we'll be interviewed in early May (based on the assumption that ~23 spreadsheet entries get interviews each month).

Thanks. This is what I had in mind last month but it looks like they just sent way less interviews letters than the last month. 🤞And congrats to everyone who received one 🎉😃 feels good to see it's moving forwards for some of us 🙂

[Mi and Di 17]

@Hawk Riders 

 

mine current DQ(10 June) is invalid in sheet 

 

Actual its July 10, so I might need to wait another month

 

please update if possible

 

thank you

 

 

 

[legendqueue 163]

5 minutes ago, Hawk Riders said:

Log back into your CEAC; review your IV application

 

Thank you so much.  I've always looked at IL day and gone "haha, all these people are asking obvious questions, they must be freaking out today" and now I can confirm that yes, when you get your IL you freak out for a day.  

[2Ps 49]

Hello is X-ray mandatory for medical? Currently, I might be about 2 months pregnant and I emailed Dr. Cheema's office replied this 'Please consult your family doctor in regards to your Chest x ray requirements during pregnancy as chest x rays are mandatory part of exam'. 

 

I don't have a family doctor and my first appointment with a doctor from a walk in clinic is Jan 22nd and I didn't want to delay with my medical and wait till Friday. I read somewhere in visajourney that it is recommended only after passing the first trimester. Could someone who has experienced this before please shed some light. Also it says ' Pregnant women receiving chest radiographs should be provided abdominal and pelvic protection with double-layer, wrap-around lead shields.'  Is that safe? 

 

Since my interview is Feb 9th, I wanted to get medicals done asap, but now I am confused... any advice would be wonderful.

Edited January 18, 2021 by 2Ps

[Hawk Riders 814]

2 minutes ago, 2Ps said:

I might be about 2 months pregnant

From the FAQ:

I’m pregnant, how will that affect my medical?

One user reported the following experience:
“I did not get any vaccines, as I am currently pregnant. I still had to do the chest x-ray (you can refuse, but then your visa application halts until you get the x-ray). The technician let me know it's about the same amount of radiation as if I were to take a plane to Europe, plus she gave me a lead "vest".”

Additionally, different physicians have different requirements for pregnant applicants that may take extra time to complete (such as getting a note from your doctor). Please check in advance to confirm if the physician you are seeing has any additional requirements. 

 

[Makeitgood 25]

Received my passport today😃. Interview date was Jan 13th. 

Thank you guys for your support and good luck! 

Edited January 18, 2021 by Makeitgood
Not relevant

[Emilini 10]

@Hawk Riders can I still be added to the database?  I dq'd  on June 3rd 2020.  

[sjb17 192]

A heads up in case it's helpful for anyone getting their medical completed at Dr. Cheema's office in BC: I was originally offered an appointment for January 25 but since my interview is on February 1 I kindly pushed a little and asked if they could squeeze me in sooner as I've been seeing that some applicant medical results aren't being received/processed by the Consulate in time for applicants' interviews despite being sent electronically. They were really accommodating and scheduled me in for January 20 instead, which should be enough time!