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

[Coco Beau 39]

7 minutes ago, Allis0n said:

Did they tell you that you should have uploaded the new police certificate to CEAC before the interview? I only ask because I also have a new police certificate to present at the interview because mine expired, too. So I'm wondering if I should upload it to CEAC. I hadn't even thought I'd need to, just planned to bring the new one to the interview.

 

6 minutes ago, jackanddeona said:

Surrey isn't the nicest place for a walk. If you have a rental car it doesn't really matter where you stay as you could drive to hiking areas or in to surrey for the medical. I booked at the closest hotel just because.

smart, for some reason it didn't even cross my mind to rent a car haha. I just planned to taxi everywhere but that is way better. Thank you.

Edited January 22, 2021 by Coco Beau

[summertime2 43]

Quote

My visa status was updated today to “ISSUED” with the “necessary administrative processing” note.

I am no expert but that sounds not too bad to me. They told you it was approved at the interview and it says "ISSUED" on CEAC. I don't know for sure but that doesn't sound like it will take much extra time...? Who can say though. Very possible I'll wind up in the same boat as you.

[karan97 7]

Hi guys,

 

my DQ is july 23rd, I know it is a little early to ask maybe, but does anyone have an idea around when will my interview get scheduled.

Thanks in advance to whoever responds.

[KStene22 79]

8 hours ago, Hawk Riders said:

Do you have an address arranged for the US yet? Be aware, per our experience and others', that the GC may be egregiously delayed 😕

It also sounds like you'll be dealing with income from foreign sources as an element of filing your 2021 US taxes next year. That's a topic you'll probably want to invest some reading time on, as well as the CRA residency determination form...

I'm curious of your story @Hawk Riders.  What caused your delay?

[summertime2 43]

Can anyone clarify if a new I-864 is necessary to bring to the interview? I have a copy of the one that we submitted to CEAC last year, but I've seen conflicting info about whether you need to fill out a new one to bring to the interview. My husband's financial situation hasn't changed.

[AfterMath 7]

Hi everyone. Interview is coming up and I'm a bit confused. My lawyer said I don't need to take originals/copies of some of the documents I uploaded to CEAC, but in another letter I received sometime last year it said I should bring originals/copies of everything I uploaded :/. I tried to look through the FAQ and Montreals checklist, and from my understanding these should be taken (in my case which is joint-sponsorship ) 

 

1.) I-864 

 

2.) Most Recent Tax Return 

 

3.) W-2

 

4.) Pay Stubs

 

Does this seem fair for on the financial documents? Obviously other stuff too (marriage certificate, copy of birth certificate, etc.) 

 

4 minutes ago, Allis0n said:

Can anyone clarify if a new I-864 is necessary to bring to the interview? I have a copy of the one that we submitted to CEAC last year, but I've seen conflicting info about whether you need to fill out a new one to bring to the interview. My husband's financial situation hasn't changed.

I have the same question.

Edited January 22, 2021 by AfterMath

[Hawk Riders 814]

12 minutes ago, KStene22 said:

I'm curious of your story @Hawk Riders.  What caused your delay?

Dunno. It's been 90 days now since POE so we'll submit a case inquiry. 

[T & R G 50]

On 1/21/2021 at 10:42 AM, stephanieingvo123 said:

I'm so relieved to hear you say this! That this is probably the easiest part. My interview is Feb 12 and I'm getting nervous for all the moving parts but thankful to read about all of your experiences! 

I was nervous as well lol. I told my husband afterward that I couldn't believe is was so nervous for nothing but you dont really know until you have your own experience. I think yours will be just as smooth. Good luck! 🙏🏽😊

[ADW & JOP 146]

40 minutes ago, Hawk Riders said:

Dunno. It's been 90 days now since POE so we'll submit a case inquiry. 

From my experience, I submitted an inquiry after 90 days. They forwarded my inquiry to another place. I did't hear from them for another month, and so I submitted another inquiry. When I submitted the second inquiry, I also submitted a report to the ombudsman, who responded within days telling me that the situation has been handled. A few days after I submitted to the ombudsman, I get a message stating my card is being printed and received my card a couple weeks after that.

 

I was not in a particular rush to get it, but it was hanging over my head. I did wonder if I involved the ombudsman earlier, whether I would get it sooner. However, the ombudsman submission requires you to highlight what you have already done to try to resolve the issue, so make sure you keep a trail.

[ADW & JOP 146]

6 hours ago, Abhikochar said:

Yes, that's what I am thinking too. Just go to Cali. And wait for his green card. Once he gets it then come back for few months to Toronto so he can do his work in Toronto and keep looking for work in the u.s. also, my husband and I are not willing to live apart either. I was ok with it initially, but my husband said no to even a month or so. So let's see how this whole thing goes for us. How long has it been for you now that you are waiting for the green card?

Once you activate your visa in your passport, your visa in your passport because your temporary green card. I used it to get my driver's license and to apply for work with no issues. The physical green card took me approximately 5 months to get with some persistent nagging. Once you hit 90 days, you can submit any inquiry. I submitted twice, prior to involving the ombudsman.

[T & R G 50]

1 hour ago, AfterMath said:

Hi everyone. Interview is coming up and I'm a bit confused. My lawyer said I don't need to take originals/copies of some of the documents I uploaded to CEAC, but in another letter I received sometime last year it said I should bring originals/copies of everything I uploaded :/. I tried to look through the FAQ and Montreals checklist, and from my understanding these should be taken (in my case which is joint-sponsorship ) 

 

1.) I-864 

 

2.) Most Recent Tax Return 

 

3.) W-2

 

4.) Pay Stubs

 

Does this seem fair for on the financial documents? Obviously other stuff too (marriage certificate, copy of birth certificate, etc.) 

 

I have the same question.

I did not bring a new I-864 aside from the original one uploaded to CEAC nor did they ask for it. They asked for most recent tax return. She did ask if I had a W2 but my husband is self employed so I did not have that. She asked me for 1 passport photo, original birth certificate, original marriage certificate, original police certificate and tax transcript. Hope that helps, good luck with rest of your journey!

Edited January 23, 2021 by T & R G
Spelling error

[M Brown 25]

49 minutes ago, T & R G said:

I did not bring a new I-864 aside from the original one uploaded to CEAC nor did they ask for it. They asked for most recent tax return. She did ask if I had a W2 but my husband is self employed so I did not have that. She asked me for 1 passport photo, original birth certificate, original marriage certificate, original police certificate and tax transcript. Hope that helps, good luck with rest of your journey!

These are exactly the documents I was asked for, as well.  I was not asked for W2’s or pay stubs, only 1040’s. 

Edited January 23, 2021 by M Brown

[Hawk Riders 814]

1 hour ago, ADW & JOP said:

From my experience, I submitted an inquiry after 90 days. They forwarded my inquiry to another place. I didn't hear from them for another month, and so I submitted another inquiry. When I submitted the second inquiry, I also submitted a report to the ombudsman, who responded within days telling me that the situation has been handled. A few days after I submitted to the ombudsman, I get a message stating my card is being printed and received my card a couple weeks after that.

AAArrrgh! This is a dead end; the receipt number and IVF form *are* properly selected!  https://egov.uscis.gov/e-request/createOnptCase.do 

The following error(s) need to be corrected:

• You must select the Form Number associated to your Receipt Number. The Form Number you selected does not match our records for that Receipt Number."

-----------------------------------------------

Maybe they'll respond to a message from the account...

 

Form: null (I-551)

Receipt number: IOE##########

Service item number: ########

January 23, 2021

Initiate a case inquiry; it has been more than 90 days since paying the fee and since POE.

[Michy23 39]

Hey everybody! I’m writing from my new home in California with my husband beside me, and let me tell you it is so worth the stress of this process to get to this point! I feel for all of you and hope 2021 brings great things for you!

I had my interview on Monday January 11. I was given a month’s notice so I booked my medical right away for December 15, and can confirm that the consulate received it in time for my interview.

A big stressor for me was that I changed my last name towards the end of the process. We originally thought it would be easier to change it after the process was complete, but were advised by our lawyers to make the name change before the interview. Luckily it all worked out but what I would suggest is to change it as soon as you can after you get married as it will save you a lot of headaches!

My medical with Dr. Zatzman went smoothly. The only thing was that they could not update my last name on the eMedical website because he refuses to make any changes himself, saying they can only change things at the interview. They were able to change my last name in their own system so I asked them to put my name as First Name Married Name (Maiden Name in brackets). I’m not sure if that was necessary as they made no comments about the medical at my interview.

My interview went very smoothly, and since others have given comprehensive reviews I will highlight the things that maybe have not been mentioned as much. After you go through security, you go up in the elevator to the first floor and go to window 6. This part can be confusing because there is not always someone sitting behind the window there, and there are no signs telling you what to do. Don’t be afraid to wait there until you are helped, or sit down and approach the window when you see someone nearby. That is the first step where they check you in and put you in the cue for the next steps basically.

When I was called up the second time, I gave them my police check (I got a new one in my married name just in case), marriage certificate, birth certificate and one passport photo. It really helps to keep your old passport if you did a name change to show them proof.

My interviewer was very kind. She asked me how I met my husband and not too much about our relationship after that, probably because our entire relationship occurred in Canada as my husband claimed his US Citizenship after we got married in order to get a better job in the US. Luckily his mother was born in the US so he was able to become a US citizen. They asked if I had ever been turned away at the border, and how long I had stayed in the US. This was a major point of anxiety for me because I stayed for 6 months one visit, and even though that is allowed, I was nervous that they would be nit-picky about the number of days per visit. However she only asked me if it was 6 months exactly, I said yes and she didn’t have any further questions about that.

To make it easier for us, I uploaded any updated documents I had to CEAC before the interview, including financials and a current I864. You can’t change any documents already uploaded but you can add additional documents. She saw the information online and did not ask to see hard copies, but definitely bring them just in case. I emailed them in advance about my new passport and my husband’s new address but that made no difference as they didn’t update these items until the interview. **Be sure to specifically tell them of any information that needs to be updated as they won’t always ask you about whether the info is current.**

She said it could take 3-4 weeks after approval but it seems that this part is the one area where they can be quicker than expected! My status changed to READY the morning of the interview, ISSUED after I left the interview, and then two days after my interview it changed to ISSUED (final processing). The tracking page was very helpful, as I had it delivered to my home and it came exactly one week after I had my interview (January 18).

One thing to note is that even though I updated my name/passport number and my husband’s American address at the interview, none of the changes were done online. On the AIS website, I was nervous because it still stated my old name but my passport was delivered and my VISA was printed correctly with my married name.

I entered the US on Thursday through Toronto Pearson Airport. That part also went smoothly, but I had to update our American address with the officer again since apparently nobody really updates these things online even if you correct them at the interview.

Thanks so much to everyone for keeping me sane and sharing their experiences about this process! It still feels surreal that I’m allowed to stay with my husband now. Good luck!

 

[Hawk Riders 814]

Quote

Posted December 11, 2020

I can't believe it... My interview is on January 20th!! My DQ was April 29th 

@FrostyDog, were you approved?