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

[Kai G. Llewellyn 837]

22 minutes ago, Riversong said:

The communication from the consulate is horrible! The not knowing is increasing my anxiety levels

Yeah, it's pretty awful. Sadly there's not really any accountability when it comes to visas, we just have to wait for the bureaucrats to do their thing...whenever that is. Kinda reminds me of the sloths in the DMV in Zootopia. xD

Edited April 12, 2021 by CanadaDude

[Riversong 420]

1 minute ago, CanadaDude said:

Yeah, it's pretty awful. Sadly there's not really any accountability when it comes to visas, we just have to wait for the bureaucrats to do their thing...whenever that is. Kinda reminds me of the sloths in the DMV in Zootopia. xD

OMG! I love the sloths in Zootopia!! Well I love sloths in general, but they're too cute in Zootopia ❤️

[MichaelZas 21]

Hi folks,

Does anyone know what can be done to register my car in the US and change the plate if it is Already there?

I did not activate my visa yet (still in Canada) but my wife (USC) borrowed my car few months ago and is using it there already. Do I have to drive back to Canada, stay for 2 weeks and drive the car again to US in order to import it?!😢 or is there any other way to do it from the US?

[Magnolian 47]

5 hours ago, jstriders said:

Hello everyone. 
I am back home now and finally have some time to write my interview's review:
 

My experience was pretty much as everyone else's, but my batch of applicants were let in couple minutes early before our 8:30am schedule (it was three of us entering at the same time).
I submit my passport first, then was called again to submit all of my documents (photos, birth certificates, mine and my grown children, marriage certificate, legal name change certificate, divorce certificates, mine and my husbands, police certificates, Canadian and from my birth country).
At the actual interview was asked many more questions than majority of applicants (this is based on previous reviews, where I saw people were asked 5 to 10 questions in total):
Address of my husband, and if we are planning to live there,
His phone number,
His place of employment and occupation,
What do I do for a living
How long ago I immigrated to Canada,
How my husband and I meet,
Where did we get married and when,
Who was attending our wedding,
How often we visit each other since we applied,
Where have I traveled in the last 5 years,
What was the longest time I visited USA and when,
Have I ever overstayed my visa,
Have I ever been denied entry to USA,
Asked about my grown children (names and dates of birth) and if they are planning to come to live with us at the later time,
If we have more children between us (yes).
Asked how old is my husbands daughter,
Next question was what her date of birth
And what is their custody arrangements and clarified that she will be basically living with us.
What am I planning to do when I move with my husband
Asked if I am currently employed and where.

There was a slight snag when they found a "discrepancy" in information on my birth certificate. More than once I was asked what is my mother's maiden name. I have provided that, but in my birth certificate my mother listed under her married name (this is normal procedure in country of my birth). They asked me to wait until they check something and after a little while they said that everything checks out.

I think this is it... Maybe I missed something, but basically this was the whole interview. I think officer was more curious about my life story, when what how... He said he is approving my application and gave me the paper "Welcome to United States of America".

That was it and I was free to go.
The whole interview was about 1.5 hours in total.
 

Hi Congrats on your successful interview! As you mentioned you had immigrated to Canada, I was just wondering if you need to bring your work permit/study permit or PR card. I have a work permit which I will bring to my interview, and I was just wondering if they specifically asked you for the

permit or PR card.  

 

[canuckchic 34]

3 hours ago, MichaelZas said:

Hi folks,

Does anyone know what can be done to register my car in the US and change the plate if it is Already there?

I did not activate my visa yet (still in Canada) but my wife (USC) borrowed my car few months ago and is using it there already. Do I have to drive back to Canada, stay for 2 weeks and drive the car again to US in order to import it?!😢 or is there any other way to do it from the US?

I asked this recently with regards to my car. This was the response I got directly from the CBP:

 

The following information explains how to import a vehicle, and you can contact the nearest CBP port for their local procedures if it is already in the US. It may be easiest to go to a border port.

Mark

What are the requirements to import a personal vehicle into the United States?
Document Requirements

1. CBP Entry Summary form 7501 for personal vehicle importation.
2. DOT HS-7 Declaration Form.
3. EPA 3520-1 Form.
4. “Bill of sale” or “gift of sale” (allowed to be handwritten, and does not need to be notarized).
5. Foreign registration/title.
6. Proof the vehicle meets U.S Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements, by a presenting a letter of compliance from the original manufacturer or U.S. DOT/EPA labeling physically on vehicle or vehicle is 25 or more years old.
7. The vehicle must physically be presented for examination. 

Who can file the importation?

1. You have to physically represent yourself at the POE (no one can do it for you).

      2. You must have status in the U.S in order to do a personal vehicle importation. 

·Be a U.S. citizen
·Resident or
·A non-resident with some type of status in the U.S. (e.g. work visa, student visa etc.) or in some cases a “snowbird”.

3. If you are a Canadian citizen with no status in U.S. and selling/delivering to U.S. citizen, this is not eligible for personal vehicle importation. Must follow commercial vehicle importation guidelines.

Where/When to do the Importation? 

• You should fill out an CBP Form 7501 for the importation of your personal vehicle, at the first port of arrival in the U.S.
•       No exceptions for U.S. citizens – they must import the vehicle and make entry at their first port of arrival or vehicle not eligible to enter commerce.
•           The individual may need to personally call/contact the CBP office they plan to do the import at to find out their hours of operation, and if the offices requires an appointment. All POE’s operate differently.

Entry after the fact

1. In some instances, certain individuals, for example, non-residents on work visa’s (student visa’s etc.) can do a personal vehicle importation at the CBP facility closest to where they now reside.
2. Household goods – for U.S. resident, non-resident with status, if vehicle arrived as part of household goods (e.g. moving company) and not declared at time of entry. May import at closes CBP facility. 
3. The individual will need to contact the CBP office they plan to do the import at to find out specific requirements.

Exceptions

1. A non-resident may drive the vehicle in the U.S. for up to one year without importing the vehicle. The non-resident must export the vehicle by the end of the year. There are no extensions.

What kinds of vehicles does this apply to:
•      Passenger cars
•      Pick-up trucks
•      Boats
•      Pull-behind campers
•      RV’s
•      4 wheelers
•      Snowmobiles
•      Trailers
•      Any articles that require title/registration from DMV (varies by state).
Importer’s Responsibilities:

• The Importer must be advised to maintain a copy of the entry package (Informal CBP Form 7501, DOT HS-7, EPA 3520-1) for title and registration purposes at the appropriate State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
• The Importer is responsible (not CBP) to provide the entry package to the DMV.  This will allow the Importer to plate/register/title the vehicle.

Partner Government Agency (PGA) Requirements:

• The Department of Transportation (DOT)/National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is responsible for administering motor vehicle safety, bumper and theft prevention standards.  

• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for administering vehicle emission standards established under the Clean Air Act. 

• Compliance with DOT and EPA requirements must be demonstrated prior to the importation of a motor vehicle into the United States. 

• A completed DOT HS-7 Declaration and completed EPA 3520-1 form is required for all vehicle importations.

Personal Imports of Canadian Certified Vehicles:
•      Vehicle must be imported by an individual for personal use, and not for resale.
•      Vehicle must bear a label certifying its compliance with all applicable Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS).
•      Importer must furnish a letter from the vehicle’s original manufacturer stating that the vehicle complies with all applicable safety, bumper, and theft prevention standards, with the possible exception of the labeling requirements of Standards 101 Controls and Displays, and 110 or 120 Tires and Rims, or the daytime running lamp requirements of Standard 108 Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.
•      If the manufacturer’s letter states that vehicle does not meet the parts marking requirements of the Theft Prevention Standard at 49 CFR Part 541, or is not equipped with an FMVSS No. 138-compliant Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), the importer must produce an invoice showing that the required parts have been marked or that an original vehicle manufacturer’s or OEM TPMS (and not an aftermarket off-the-shelf system) has been installed.
•      Vehicle must not be salvage, repaired salvage, or reconstructed.
What is a Non-Conforming Vehicle Imports?
•      Vehicles under 25 years old that are not originally manufactured to conform to all applicable FMVSS can only be lawfully imported into the United States if:
•      They are determined eligible for importation by NHTSA, based on their capability of being modified to conform to all applicable FMVSS; and
•      They are imported by a registered importer (RI), or by a person who has a contract with an RI to bring the vehicle into compliance with all applicable FMVSS.
•      RI entries must follow commercial vehicle importation guidelines
•      Vehicles that are originally manufactured to conform to all United States EPA federal emissions standards.
•      The emission label states, “This Vehicle Conforms to U.S. EPA Regulations Applicable to xxxx Model Year New Motor Vehicles”.
Non-Conforming Vehicle Imports/Independent Commercial Importers (Code A, C, J, Z)
•      In order to import a vehicle that does not conform to United States emission standards you must engage an Independent Commercial Importer (ICI) to modify, test, and certify the vehicle.
•      All ICI’s in active status are listed on the agency’s website at: https://www.epa.gov/importing-vehicles-and-engines/independent-commercial-importers-icis
•      Non-conforming vehicle ICI entries must follow commercial vehicle import guidelines.
Exceptions
A non-conforming vehicle can be imported if:

• For EPA requirements, if it is at least 21 years old (code 2).
• For DOT requirements, if it is at least 25 years old (box 1), based on its month and year of manufacture (mm/yy).

a.       For example, a non-conforming Japanese Domestic Market right hand drive vehicle manufactured in April 1994 may be lawfully imported in April 2019.
Importer’s Burden to Prove Vehicle Age
It is the importer’s burden to prove to CBP and the NHTSA that the vehicle is at least 25 years old.
Acceptable Documentation Includes:
·An original invoice showing the date that the vehicle was first sold or a registration document showing that vehicle was registered at least 25 years ago.

• Absent such information, a statement from a recognized vehicle historical society identifying the age of the vehicle.
• A Japanese Export or De-registration certificate (for Japanese domestic market right hand drive vehicles).
  1. Typically provided for the vehicles exported from Japan.

For basic CBP vehicle import requirements: www.cbp.gov (click on “trade”, then click on “importing a car).
For information on NHTSA’s importation program:  www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import.  Information on that site includes a detailed list of answers to frequently asked questions.
For EPA vehicle importing requirements: https://www.epa.gov/importing-vehicles-and-engines

Locate a Port of Entry in California
https://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports/ca

Thank you again for contacting our office.

[Flowergirl 737 45]

6 hours ago, MichaelZas said:

My exam was on March 29 and my interview on April 7th. Dr. Lee Randall (Toronto) managed to send the Medical on April 5th. If you have all the vaccines completed and have proof of certain microbiotics reactive in your blood (as proof of prior vaccination) it is not impossible to be sent in 1 week.

Hey there, I am booked with him as well this week. Did you have to wait a long time for blood work or x-ray?

Is there a way to register for that ahead of time ?

[Flowergirl 737 45]

On 4/11/2021 at 9:09 PM, showag said:

Awesome. I am sure it's exciting  I am crossing soon as well through the Rainbow bridge border by Niagara.

Did they check your car to see if it had TPMS installed? Are we allowed to cross the border without

having the car converted to the US standard?

[MichaelZas 21]

On 3/20/2021 at 9:19 PM, State and Maine said:

I have lawyer representation and after a quick google search I found that the g28 form is for a lawyer to fill out to legally be your representative. I have no idea if my lawyer filled this out and am not too worried as their name is on all the documents and payments provided to uscis and nvc. Have you been dq yet? 

 

49 minutes ago, Flowergirl 737 said:

Hey there, I am booked with him as well this week. Did you have to wait a long time for blood work or x-ray?

Is there a way to register for that ahead of time ?

I didnt have to wait a longtime but yes you can go to the lifelabs website and book an apointment at the one at 520 Ellesmere 45 min or so after your appointment. This helps in case it was busy at the lab that day.

For x-ray it s at a different office in the same building and they let you do it only after the blood test, you cant book an appointment for this one but expect a wait around 20 min.

Edited April 13, 2021 by MichaelZas

[MichaelZas 21]

1 hour ago, canuckchic said:

I asked this recently with regards to my car. This was the response I got directly from the CBP:

 

The following information explains how to import a vehicle, and you can contact the nearest CBP port for their local procedures if it is already in the US. It may be easiest to go to a border port.

Mark

What are the requirements to import a personal vehicle into the United States?
Document Requirements

1. CBP Entry Summary form 7501 for personal vehicle importation.
2. DOT HS-7 Declaration Form.
3. EPA 3520-1 Form.
4. “Bill of sale” or “gift of sale” (allowed to be handwritten, and does not need to be notarized).
5. Foreign registration/title.
6. Proof the vehicle meets U.S Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements, by a presenting a letter of compliance from the original manufacturer or U.S. DOT/EPA labeling physically on vehicle or vehicle is 25 or more years old.
7. The vehicle must physically be presented for examination. 

Who can file the importation?

1. You have to physically represent yourself at the POE (no one can do it for you).

      2. You must have status in the U.S in order to do a personal vehicle importation. 

·Be a U.S. citizen
·Resident or
·A non-resident with some type of status in the U.S. (e.g. work visa, student visa etc.) or in some cases a “snowbird”.

3. If you are a Canadian citizen with no status in U.S. and selling/delivering to U.S. citizen, this is not eligible for personal vehicle importation. Must follow commercial vehicle importation guidelines.

Where/When to do the Importation? 

• You should fill out an CBP Form 7501 for the importation of your personal vehicle, at the first port of arrival in the U.S.
•       No exceptions for U.S. citizens – they must import the vehicle and make entry at their first port of arrival or vehicle not eligible to enter commerce.
•           The individual may need to personally call/contact the CBP office they plan to do the import at to find out their hours of operation, and if the offices requires an appointment. All POE’s operate differently.

Entry after the fact

1. In some instances, certain individuals, for example, non-residents on work visa’s (student visa’s etc.) can do a personal vehicle importation at the CBP facility closest to where they now reside.
2. Household goods – for U.S. resident, non-resident with status, if vehicle arrived as part of household goods (e.g. moving company) and not declared at time of entry. May import at closes CBP facility. 
3. The individual will need to contact the CBP office they plan to do the import at to find out specific requirements.

Exceptions

1. A non-resident may drive the vehicle in the U.S. for up to one year without importing the vehicle. The non-resident must export the vehicle by the end of the year. There are no extensions.

What kinds of vehicles does this apply to:
•      Passenger cars
•      Pick-up trucks
•      Boats
•      Pull-behind campers
•      RV’s
•      4 wheelers
•      Snowmobiles
•      Trailers
•      Any articles that require title/registration from DMV (varies by state).
Importer’s Responsibilities:

• The Importer must be advised to maintain a copy of the entry package (Informal CBP Form 7501, DOT HS-7, EPA 3520-1) for title and registration purposes at the appropriate State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
• The Importer is responsible (not CBP) to provide the entry package to the DMV.  This will allow the Importer to plate/register/title the vehicle.

Partner Government Agency (PGA) Requirements:

• The Department of Transportation (DOT)/National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is responsible for administering motor vehicle safety, bumper and theft prevention standards.  

• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for administering vehicle emission standards established under the Clean Air Act. 

• Compliance with DOT and EPA requirements must be demonstrated prior to the importation of a motor vehicle into the United States. 

• A completed DOT HS-7 Declaration and completed EPA 3520-1 form is required for all vehicle importations.

Personal Imports of Canadian Certified Vehicles:
•      Vehicle must be imported by an individual for personal use, and not for resale.
•      Vehicle must bear a label certifying its compliance with all applicable Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS).
•      Importer must furnish a letter from the vehicle’s original manufacturer stating that the vehicle complies with all applicable safety, bumper, and theft prevention standards, with the possible exception of the labeling requirements of Standards 101 Controls and Displays, and 110 or 120 Tires and Rims, or the daytime running lamp requirements of Standard 108 Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.
•      If the manufacturer’s letter states that vehicle does not meet the parts marking requirements of the Theft Prevention Standard at 49 CFR Part 541, or is not equipped with an FMVSS No. 138-compliant Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), the importer must produce an invoice showing that the required parts have been marked or that an original vehicle manufacturer’s or OEM TPMS (and not an aftermarket off-the-shelf system) has been installed.
•      Vehicle must not be salvage, repaired salvage, or reconstructed.
What is a Non-Conforming Vehicle Imports?
•      Vehicles under 25 years old that are not originally manufactured to conform to all applicable FMVSS can only be lawfully imported into the United States if:
•      They are determined eligible for importation by NHTSA, based on their capability of being modified to conform to all applicable FMVSS; and
•      They are imported by a registered importer (RI), or by a person who has a contract with an RI to bring the vehicle into compliance with all applicable FMVSS.
•      RI entries must follow commercial vehicle importation guidelines
•      Vehicles that are originally manufactured to conform to all United States EPA federal emissions standards.
•      The emission label states, “This Vehicle Conforms to U.S. EPA Regulations Applicable to xxxx Model Year New Motor Vehicles”.
Non-Conforming Vehicle Imports/Independent Commercial Importers (Code A, C, J, Z)
•      In order to import a vehicle that does not conform to United States emission standards you must engage an Independent Commercial Importer (ICI) to modify, test, and certify the vehicle.
•      All ICI’s in active status are listed on the agency’s website at: https://www.epa.gov/importing-vehicles-and-engines/independent-commercial-importers-icis
•      Non-conforming vehicle ICI entries must follow commercial vehicle import guidelines.
Exceptions
A non-conforming vehicle can be imported if:

• For EPA requirements, if it is at least 21 years old (code 2).
• For DOT requirements, if it is at least 25 years old (box 1), based on its month and year of manufacture (mm/yy).

a.       For example, a non-conforming Japanese Domestic Market right hand drive vehicle manufactured in April 1994 may be lawfully imported in April 2019.
Importer’s Burden to Prove Vehicle Age
It is the importer’s burden to prove to CBP and the NHTSA that the vehicle is at least 25 years old.
Acceptable Documentation Includes:
·An original invoice showing the date that the vehicle was first sold or a registration document showing that vehicle was registered at least 25 years ago.

• Absent such information, a statement from a recognized vehicle historical society identifying the age of the vehicle.
• A Japanese Export or De-registration certificate (for Japanese domestic market right hand drive vehicles).
  1. Typically provided for the vehicles exported from Japan.

For basic CBP vehicle import requirements: www.cbp.gov (click on “trade”, then click on “importing a car).
For information on NHTSA’s importation program:  www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import.  Information on that site includes a detailed list of answers to frequently asked questions.
For EPA vehicle importing requirements: https://www.epa.gov/importing-vehicles-and-engines

Locate a Port of Entry in California
https://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports/ca

Thank you again for contacting our office.

Thank you for your info!!

But how you interpret the statement below:

 

"Entry after the fact

1. In some instances, certain individuals, for example, non-residents on work visa’s (student visa’s etc.) can do a personal vehicle importation at the CBP facility closest to where they now reside."

Does it mean that we can go to a CBP facility (by appointment maybe) without having to cross the borders to Canada again?

 

[canuckchic 34]

25 minutes ago, MichaelZas said:

Thank you for your info!!

But how you interpret the statement below:

 

"Entry after the fact

1. In some instances, certain individuals, for example, non-residents on work visa’s (student visa’s etc.) can do a personal vehicle importation at the CBP facility closest to where they now reside."

Does it mean that we can go to a CBP facility (by appointment maybe) without having to cross the borders to Canada again?

 

I believe you may qualify for this statement to do that. Maybe call the place closest to you? 

I don't qualify because I'm a US citizen, so I must import as I cross the border. I just didn't want to do so with two kids under two, but I'm stuck doing it alone as my husband has to stay in Canada until his interview. 

[MichaelZas 21]

12 minutes ago, canuckchic said:

I believe you may qualify for this statement to do that. Maybe call the place closest to you? 

I don't qualify because I'm a US citizen, so I must import as I cross the border. I just didn't want to do so with two kids under two, but I'm stuck doing it alone as my husband has to stay in Canada until his interview. 

I see, I hope I still qualify since my status will be permanent resident as soon as I activate my visa (not temporary resident like students, workers, etc). I will call once there and ask. Thank you!

[Hawk Riders 814]

Passport updates, March interviewees?

@Kaleigh11, @ArgiE0601, @Tristan&Whit, @SJS8581, @Mi and Di, @Citykitty

[SJS8581 28]

Received last week, took just under two weeks. Picked up at CA Post👍

[jstriders 70]

16 hours ago, Magnolian said:

Hi Congrats on your successful interview! As you mentioned you had immigrated to Canada, I was just wondering if you need to bring your work permit/study permit or PR card. I have a work permit which I will bring to my interview, and I was just wondering if they specifically asked you for the

permit or PR card.  

 

Thank you!

I am Canadian citizen. Initially with I-130, I did submitted my citizenship certificate and card, but was never asked for it at the interview.

Well, my passport is Canadian. I think this was enough for the interviewer.

[State and Maine 190]

Update regarding mid May interviews:

 

I spoke with my lawyer about why they didn’t fill the month of may yet. And she said that it looks like it’s becoming common practice with most consulates/embassies now that they are scheduling for the next 2-4 weeks only. They would rather wait and see what the situation looks like covid wise than schedule everyone only to have to cancel later. So expect more interview letters later this month or early next month...