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

[2Ps 49]

2 hours ago, Lovewithoutborder said:

Hey everyone,

 

So here’s the dilemma I’m having. My interview is April 21st and my second wedding anniversary is June 2nd. If everything goes smooth at my interview and I get approved I should get my passport back around end of April early May. I really don’t want to spend an extra 4-5 weeks separated from my wife but at the same time I’ve heard that removal of conditions is a huge headache with the 2 year greencard where if I wait 4-5 weeks I’ll get a 10 year greencard. Anybody who has any info on the difficulty or stress of filing for ROC on a 2 year greencard, or anybody who has any opinion on whether I should cross or wait it out please feel free to let me know what you’d do in my situation! 
 

 

I was in the same boat, but I crossed the border 3 days before our 2 year anniversary (March 17th) after spending some time with my family in Canada. I was pretty bummed that we didn't get to celebrate the 1st one, so I crossed to celebrate our 2nd anniversary. At least, we would be together when we remove the condition, and hopefully won't be much of a headache like this past year.

 

Also, as you mention when I crossed the Peach Arch border, there were only 2 people behind me. And I was at the border for less than 1/2 hour. Good Luck!

Edited March 18, 2021 by 2Ps

[Kai G. Llewellyn 838]

There appears to be a *lot* of people who have been upgraded to IR1 because the spousal process has been taking so long in recent times, so hopefully that will mean that there will be a lot fewer I-751 petitions down the line meaning that it's hopefully a lot quicker. I would also hope that the Biden administration will take off a lot of the onerous policy changes that have really slowed things down at USCIS, i.e. removing mandatory interviews for every case, and secondary officers reviewing every case and so on.

 

At least that's what I'm banking on. My 2yr anniversary is Feb 17th 2022, and I'm looking at hopefully being interviewed in May, and I'm sure as heck not gonna wait another 8 months lol.

Edited March 18, 2021 by CanadaDude

[Jay&Sid 211]

6 hours ago, Lovewithoutborder said:

Hey everyone,

 

So here’s the dilemma I’m having. My interview is April 21st and my second wedding anniversary is June 2nd. If everything goes smooth at my interview and I get approved I should get my passport back around end of April early May. 
 

 

 

I am completely agree with @mam521, @Lovepeace0303, @Mzamour.

 

We are also in the same situation and expecting interview in first half of the May and hopefully visa by the end. Our 2yrs mark is end of the June and we have decided to wait it out. In our opinion an extra month makes so much sense to get 10yrs GC. It will save money and hustle to go through another series of paperwork for ROC. 

[MichaelZas 21]

8 hours ago, B&Grr said:

Hello everyone,

Sorry, I was originally going to post results and details  a few days ago but I'm very depressed and frustrated right now. My two kids were approved and I was given 221(g) because my long format birth cert doesn't have my parents names on it. It shows up as "refused" on my status.

 

We stayed at Best Western - Hotel Europa - relatively clean, quiet, Coras was steps next to reception.  Anyone who is travelling to Montreal and staying in downtown area please be aware the 8 pm curfew still applies right now. We flew in Friday night (taxi around $45 from airport to hotel) for Monday 8:30 am interview. We spent the weekend walking around and ordering takeout and eating it at the hotel. No dine ins allowed. Shopping wise - line ups everywhere because of the limited occupancy at each store.  Krispy Creme had a long line up because only 4 customers were allowed inside at any given time. 

Our appointment was at 8:30 AM (with the spring time change and the zone time change it was literally still feeling like 4:30 am).  

 

We arrived 5 minutes early, security checked off our names. Went through mini version of airport security check - my son's digital watch had to be stored at the locker. I had a very small bottle of water, some crackers and books for the kids to read which they allowed. I carried it in my small cloth bag to hold kids stuff including my documents.

Then usual process as others: Security screening and directed to go upstairs.
As soon as I reached upstairs, I was directed to window 6 to give the passport and received tix number 1505. At 8:30, I was number 1505 and I am assuming there was approx 5 people ahead of me with physically 3 other people in the room.. not sure if they other two's interview was done or not with 1502 number now on the ticket tv screen but 1501 was still there.

Sat down for 10-15 min and called back to window 6.

Asked for current Canadian address and spouse's address and phone in USA. Took my birth, marriage, police cert and passport (which I got back after scanning), kids document that provides details we have consent from their biological father to move to US. Provided my finger-prints and given with a pamphlet and sat down

15 min later... called to the window 1 - I asked the officer if the kids needs to be here right now. He asked where's the kids and I replied they are in the waiting area reading. He responded - let them continue reading and will call them here later

 

The questions:

- When and how I and my spouse met 
- What my spouse does 
- What do I do
- Where I will be living in USA and my plans there ( I said I'll be looking for a job)
- What was the longest I stayed in US ( I said about 3 months - explained to officer that we have been flying back and forth and trying to make sure neither myself or spouse overstay at either country)
- When did you came to Canada 
- Countries visited in last 5 years

- How old are the kids (the kids were in the waiting area reading away until they were called)

Then we got into a friendly chat about our kids and also where the officer was from.

Officer was on the computer here and there, got to my birth certificate and told me I have the wrong version. I said.. this is the long version. He replied they need the version with my parent's names on it. He gave me 221(g) and so my application is now refused until I send in another birth cert (Birth Cert story to be continued end of this writeup.). He wanted to keep my passport but I asked him if I can have it back because my son has orthodontist appointment end of April and I would to fly him down there, come back and submit my documents then.  Long story short, received my passport back but will need to send it in when I send in my birth cert. I had also explained to officer, when I ordered my birth cert back in the summer it look a LONG time to get my birth cert, it was not a quick turn around. He showed understanding of long process in covid era.

 

Then we called the kids - kids had their questions:

- How old are you

- What grade are you

- Which subject do you like

-Then somehow they end up talking about online school

 

The kids are approved, we checked on CEAC and it says approved. Interview was Monday, Thursday now and haven't received any other update.

Whole process was about 90 min.

 

I got back to hotel and went into panic mode to realized I don't have instructions how to mail in my birth cert in - officer only provided instructions how to obtain birth cert from Manitoba. I had emailed the Montreal Consulate and received auto reply so I knew at least the email got to them. By Wed, no reply so I called the call center from this page: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/MTL-Montreal.html#pre_interview_checklist. The lady looked up my file and send me and email with subject line "US Visa Personal Courier-In Instructions". After I got off the call with her I got another email with same subject line with same instructions so I'm not sure if it was lady on the phone that sent it twice to me or the second one was a response to my email.

 

Now the fun part of my story. My newly ordered birth cert with my parents names on it HAS AN ERROR. omg. Here is an example of the error with names I made up.  Our surname is repeated as middle name in both my parents names. On top of that I never new my dad's name was "Henry".

Jackson, Vi Henry Jackson

Chow, Jen Li Jackson

 

Contacted vital status agency and they said I had to fill out inquiry form, send my parents immigration paper work (I said they don't have it anymore, it's been over 40 years, they have their citizen card and passport, lady told me to send those in for now) and they will review this situation and mentioned something that it will take a long process etc etc.

 

My mom went to security box to look for some documents and voila! She found my dad's name change documentation and voila! she found my old birth cert with their names on it and it was spelled correctly. So I emailed the lady at vital status and basically told her in a nice way that the new birth cert they sent me doesn't even match my original one and sent in absolutely all documentation including my dad's name change. I'm still waiting to hear back from vital stats now.

 

So I'm in a dilemma..  anyone with any thoughts what I can do right now? Do I went for vital stats to fix my birth cert? Do I submit my original birth cert, new birth cert with letter to consulate explaining what is happening in hopes they will review my case with the documents I have? 

 

Thanks so much!

I am sorry to hear that, hopefully you will be able provide a new birth certificate and it will be all fine! I am wondering though what address do you send missing documents when you need to?

[2Ps 49]

On 3/17/2021 at 10:35 AM, bort_s said:

I thought Covid test was only required for flying into the US not for land crossing unless this has changed recently, hard to keep up with all the changes. 

 

On 3/17/2021 at 10:54 AM, Tofu said:

Not sure on this, but we will get one either way just to be sure!  Lots of variables these days.

I called the border before I crossed and they confirmed that it is only required for air travel. I crossed the border on March 14th.  Also see the FAQs here. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html#:~:text=On January 12%2C 2021%2C CDC,airline before boarding the flight.

Edited March 19, 2021 by 2Ps

[mam521 2,211]

16 hours ago, CanadaDude said:

At least that's what I'm banking on. My 2yr anniversary is Feb 17th 2022, and I'm looking at hopefully being interviewed in May, and I'm sure as heck not gonna wait another 8 months lol.

8 months is very different than 4-5 weeks.  I don't blame you at all!  

 

I get wanting to be together to celebrate an anniversary, but marriage should be a lifelong commitment.  Many, many anniversaries to come and nothing says you can't celebrate a month after the actual date.  It's an even bigger, better reason to celebrate that you're finally DONE...for at least a decade!   No more being separated and no more headaches of just trying to reach that friggin finish line.  A deep breath and sigh of relief when you are handed back that passport with the visa stamp activating your new life.  

[Lovepeace0303 310]

2 hours ago, mam521 said:

8 months is very different than 4-5 weeks.  I don't blame you at all!  

 

I get wanting to be together to celebrate an anniversary, but marriage should be a lifelong commitment.  Many, many anniversaries to come and nothing says you can't celebrate a month after the actual date.  It's an even bigger, better reason to celebrate that you're finally DONE...for at least a decade!   No more being separated and no more headaches of just trying to reach that friggin finish line.  A deep breath and sigh of relief when you are handed back that passport with the visa stamp activating your new life.  

I FEEL THIS 1000% 

 

I literally cried my eyes out when my husband received his passport/visa and then again when he actually arrived. Only took 3 years for us, but the feeling of being DONE is simply out of this world!

[CGs_Mother 114]

20 hours ago, CanadaDude said:

At least that's what I'm banking on. My 2yr anniversary is Feb 17th 2022, and I'm looking at hopefully being interviewed in May, and I'm sure as heck not gonna wait another 8 months lol.

My 2 year anniversary is May 8, 2021. I was DQd in September 2020 (priority date is January 2020) and had applied for a CR-1. We missed our first wedding anniversary because of COVID, and we're going to miss our second anniversary together hopefully because I get in for the May batch, but again, because of COVID and this $2000 hotel stay upon return to Canada that won't be lifted before the summer thanks to the 3rd wave hitting Ontario. My fear now is that this 3rd wave will cause Quebec to impose more restrictions and push us all back even further. :\ So while it might be cool to not have to go through the admin nightmare of having a CR-1 vs an IR-1, this is now the longest my husband and I have been apart, all thanks to a hotel stay that only the very wealthy can afford. I know that there are people from other places that are much worse off - you can just read their stories here at VJ - but it's still frustrating, especially when you see the progress in the US regarding the vaccines and getting COVID under control. 

 

For those of you flying in for your interviews - good luck and hopefully your stays will be short and only $1500 or less...

[TedsGirl 200]

28 minutes ago, CGs_Mother said:

My 2 year anniversary is May 8, 2021. I was DQd in September 2020 (priority date is January 2020) and had applied for a CR-1. We missed our first wedding anniversary because of COVID, and we're going to miss our second anniversary together hopefully because I get in for the May batch, but again, because of COVID and this $2000 hotel stay upon return to Canada that won't be lifted before the summer thanks to the 3rd wave hitting Ontario. My fear now is that this 3rd wave will cause Quebec to impose more restrictions and push us all back even further. 😕 So while it might be cool to not have to go through the admin nightmare of having a CR-1 vs an IR-1, this is now the longest my husband and I have been apart, all thanks to a hotel stay that only the very wealthy can afford. I know that there are people from other places that are much worse off - you can just read their stories here at VJ - but it's still frustrating, especially when you see the progress in the US regarding the vaccines and getting COVID under control. 

 

For those of you flying in for your interviews - good luck and hopefully your stays will be short and only $1500 or less...

Oh no really? I'm sorry to read this.

 

Ah well perhaps no May wedding for us then. Dress ordered yesterday🙁 Ah well. I knew the hotel quarantine wouldn't end last day of April. I hope it does...

[State and Maine 190]

37 minutes ago, CGs_Mother said:

My 2 year anniversary is May 8, 2021. I was DQd in September 2020 (priority date is January 2020) and had applied for a CR-1. We missed our first wedding anniversary because of COVID, and we're going to miss our second anniversary together hopefully because I get in for the May batch, but again, because of COVID and this $2000 hotel stay upon return to Canada that won't be lifted before the summer thanks to the 3rd wave hitting Ontario. My fear now is that this 3rd wave will cause Quebec to impose more restrictions and push us all back even further. 😕 So while it might be cool to not have to go through the admin nightmare of having a CR-1 vs an IR-1, this is now the longest my husband and I have been apart, all thanks to a hotel stay that only the very wealthy can afford. I know that there are people from other places that are much worse off - you can just read their stories here at VJ - but it's still frustrating, especially when you see the progress in the US regarding the vaccines and getting COVID under control. 

 

For those of you flying in for your interviews - good luck and hopefully your stays will be short and only $1500 or less...

I don’t think priority date really matters for scheduling interviews does it? Fingers crossed we get our letters in April batch. 
Borders im sure will remain closed until the majority of people get vaccinated. That being said if you are a Canadian citizen flying home for your interview you can opt out of the covid testing and hotel quarantine and they’ll give you a ticket, which I’m told won’t stand up in court but is still cheaper than the hotel. Quebec cases aren’t changing much but hospitalizations are trending down so we shouldn’t have to worry about another lockdown before cold and flu season is over...

[Kai G. Llewellyn 838]

9 minutes ago, State and Maine said:

I don’t think priority date really matters for scheduling interviews does it? Fingers crossed we get our letters in April batch. 
Borders im sure will remain closed until the majority of people get vaccinated. That being said if you are a Canadian citizen flying home for your interview you can opt out of the covid testing and hotel quarantine and they’ll give you a ticket, which I’m told won’t stand up in court but is still cheaper than the hotel. Quebec cases aren’t changing much but hospitalizations are trending down so we shouldn’t have to worry about another lockdown before cold and flu season is over...

Priority dates are meaningless in the IR/CR world as visa numbers are always available. It's not used for determining order for interviews, it seems completely based on the DQ date, so you should get a letter in the April batch if all goes well.

[B&Grr 17]

20 hours ago, MichaelZas said:

I am sorry to hear that, hopefully you will be able provide a new birth certificate and it will be all fine! I am wondering though what address do you send missing documents when you need to?

They actually send you an email with postage prepaid, just need to follow the instructions you get from email and bring it to Canada Post. It's like similar to returning stuff to Amazon. 

[Meghan.brooke 60]

4 minutes ago, B&Grr said:

They actually send you an email with postage prepaid, just need to follow the instructions you get from email and bring it to Canada Post. It's like similar to returning stuff to Amazon. 

Does it really take up to 60 days for them to process a new document? 

[B&Grr 17]

14 minutes ago, Meghan.brooke said:

Does it really take up to 60 days for them to process a new document? 

Based upon my chat with the officer that day, it could be that long. It is case by case situation depending on what documentation you are providing and if needs to be followed up with background checks that was not done due to the missing documentation or if something triggered for additional background checks.

[Meghan.brooke 60]

I need some help. So my daughter could possibly we born before my husbands interview date. If she was born like the day before or something, would he seriously need her birth certificate?? I was looking through the checklist and it says he needs any children's birth certificates even if they arent immigrating. My husband obviously wont be there for her birth and I couldn't get him her birth certificate for a long time because I need her original one. Do you think they would be understand because of this?? 😭