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

[leo18 23]

For my medical with Dr. Lee they said they will be taking the pictures. I thought pictures for interview and medical have to be updated and the same. If they are not it should be okay right?

[leo18 23]

On 2/5/2021 at 3:54 PM, odie85 said:

Hello, just wondering if anyone here is in the same situation as me and looking for guidance, I apologize if this information is somewhere obvious and maybe someone can point me in the right direction. 

I had my first interview March 2020 and was denied. Had to file i-601 and it just got approved. Does anyone know what happens next? 

Did they tell you at interview that you needed to file an i601? 

[YYZ&MIA 117]

20 hours ago, Emilini said:

So, we've decided to try to reschedule my appointment and if that fails, apply for AOS.  My interview was scheduled for March 1st.  Even if we were in Canada (I'm here on an R-class i-129) it would still be incredibly difficult to get everything done in a 3.25 weeks... childcare, travel, drs apts, etc during a pandemic... not to mention the cost.  Please note that on my piece of the database and I will update my timeline too.

How does the rescheduling process work? 

[INF 96]

3 hours ago, YYZ&MIA said:

How does the rescheduling process work? 

You have to register your appointment and then miss it. Then they will reschedule for you is what I understand! 

[zor435 21]

Has anyone been travelling to the states recently? Did you have any trouble with the officers with a pending cr1? We are having our wedding reception in may after it was cancelled last year, I am nervous about whether ill be able to go through the custom officers especially now with the new restrictions. What documents should i have with me to cross and should I disclose that I am having my receptions and will be a short stay. 

[Meghan.brooke 60]

4 hours ago, zor435 said:

Has anyone been travelling to the states recently? Did you have any trouble with the officers with a pending cr1? We are having our wedding reception in may after it was cancelled last year, I am nervous about whether ill be able to go through the custom officers especially now with the new restrictions. What documents should i have with me to cross and should I disclose that I am having my receptions and will be a short stay. 

Yes! My husband came for Christmas and is staying for 2 months. So we had documents prepared just incase. We had a signed letter from his work saying that he still has a job when he comes back, we got a pay stub, a house/apartment bill, and had our marriage certificate with him. We also had a copy of the 1-130 receipt just in case too. So he had absolutely no trouble! The officer didn't even ask how long he was staying for, he just asked where he was going and if he had anything to declare and then let him through. BUT each officer is different and I know some people do get questioned out more so it's always better to be prepared with as many documents as you can travel with. Especially ones that tie you to your home country like a signed letter from work, pay stub, and a rent bill or something to prove that you still have ties to your home country. Hope this helps! Good luck traveling!!

[Cressidia 25]

My ceac log in shows that my case is still at nvc, will it update any time before i get my interview letter? i was dq'd in august, so "technically" im supposed to be scheduled sometime in march but i've not gotten any changes to my account to show it's even on the way to montreal? is this normal during covid times?

[acmanu 68]

Appointment for Medical with Dr Cheema set on Feb 16, 2021

 

Quick question for the group - Me and my wife filed 2019 taxes as married filing jointly and also got ITIN number. Just wondering is it mandatory we file 2020 taxes or will 2019 tax return suffice? Also I believe I saw we need W2, tax transcripts and 1040 for the interview. Is that correct? 

[mam521 2,062]

1 hour ago, Cressidia said:

My ceac log in shows that my case is still at nvc, will it update any time before i get my interview letter? i was dq'd in august, so "technically" im supposed to be scheduled sometime in march but i've not gotten any changes to my account to show it's even on the way to montreal? is this normal during covid times?

It will stay at NVC until your interview is assigned.  

 

1 hour ago, acmanu said:

Appointment for Medical with Dr Cheema set on Feb 16, 2021

 

Quick question for the group - Me and my wife filed 2019 taxes as married filing jointly and also got ITIN number. Just wondering is it mandatory we file 2020 taxes or will 2019 tax return suffice? Also I believe I saw we need W2, tax transcripts and 1040 for the interview. Is that correct? 

No - if you have your interview date already, you won't need your filed 2020 taxes.  Take your 2020 W2 with the other items you listed.  The tax transcript for 2018 and 2019 will demonstrate a positive record of filing taxes.  

[mam521 2,062]

@zor435 could you please go and fill out your timeline?  Thanks in advance!

[Ptitchou 117]

Married May 24, 2019
NOA1: July 27, 2019
NVC DQ: May 22, 2020
Feb 8, 2021 - Approved 🥰

 

Had my interview at the consulate this morning for 8:45. Arrived a few minutes before and they let me in, asked the run of COVID questions, then did the x-ray scan of my coat, wallet, and folder. Kept my phone and gave me a key. Directed to go to Floor 1, Window 7 and gave them my passport.

Waited around for maybe a half hour and then was called to window 5 to provide my documents. They asked for the originals (not copies) of my birth certificate, marriage certificate, both my and my husband's divorce decrees from our previous marriages. Then they told me my medical had arrived (it was emailed by the doctor 4 days ago) and to have a seat and wait to be called.

Maybe another half hour or so went by (the clock is still broken!) and I was called up to Window 1, met with a nice middle aged man with greying hair. Swore the oath, did the fingerprints, answered how we met, when we married, any kids, addresses. He asked me for my husband's divorce certificate and asked if I had a copy (I did). Not sure why they needed it again, since I had submitted it previously but ok. 2019 taxes (1040) were brought as well and they kept the copy I brought.

I kept everything in a portable file folder and had tiny tab stickers labelling everything. He said he was really impressed and almost thought he was looking at their files with how well I organized it. He said he appreciated the clear labelling.

He asked if I was given the pamphlet on domestic violence at the other window (I was not) and he was surprised. So he gave me one and explained what it was. Then he said he was going to go ahead and approve  me, handed me the Welcome letter, and that I can expect my passport with the visa to be returned within 3-4 weeks.

Tips:
- Dress in layers. The thermostat in the waiting room was set to 24C and with how warm I dressed for the frigid Montreal weather, I was sweating buckets indoors.
- No hand sanitizer at the counters by the fingerprint readers (ew), but there is a giant jug of it at the security guard's desk.
- bring a paper book, crossword, or something to keep your sanity

I won't be moving until the summer, since I want to wait until our 2 year anniversary to cross and activate as an IR-1 instead of the 2 year conditional.

 

Good luck to everyone on their journeys and thank you so much to everyone here for all your help and support. Couldn't have done it without y'all. Now I need to figure out all the crazy logistics of moving, taxes, etc. But first - I'm going to have a much deserved NAP. 😴

[VIR CHAMP 25]

12 hours ago, zor435 said:

Has anyone been travelling to the states recently? Did you have any trouble with the officers with a pending cr1? We are having our wedding reception in may after it was cancelled last year, I am nervous about whether ill be able to go through the custom officers especially now with the new restrictions. What documents should i have with me to cross and should I disclose that I am having my receptions and will be a short stay. 

I live in Ontario (not far from border) and my wife is in NJ. I was traveling atleast once a month before Covid restriction started. Also stayed there for over a week during Christmas holidays. You can simply tell them that your Green Card file is in process and they have no issue with it. They are pretty chill with it. No issue on crossing the border and coming back. They know that you have already have file going on and you are not going to risk it by any means.

[Tofu 343]

3 minutes ago, Ptitchou said:

Married May 24, 2019
NOA1: July 27, 2019
NVC DQ: May 22, 2020
Feb 8, 2021 - Approved 🥰

Congrats!  We share the same anniversary!

[VIR CHAMP 25]

4 minutes ago, Ptitchou said:

Married May 24, 2019
NOA1: July 27, 2019
NVC DQ: May 22, 2020
Feb 8, 2021 - Approved 🥰

 

Had my interview at the consulate this morning for 8:45. Arrived a few minutes before and they let me in, asked the run of COVID questions, then did the x-ray scan of my coat, wallet, and folder. Kept my phone and gave me a key. Directed to go to Floor 1, Window 7 and gave them my passport.

Waited around for maybe a half hour and then was called to window 5 to provide my documents. They asked for the originals (not copies) of my birth certificate, marriage certificate, both my and my husband's divorce decrees from our previous marriages. Then they told me my medical had arrived (it was emailed by the doctor 4 days ago) and to have a seat and wait to be called.

Maybe another half hour or so went by (the clock is still broken!) and I was called up to Window 1, met with a nice middle aged man with greying hair. Swore the oath, did the fingerprints, answered how we met, when we married, any kids, addresses. He asked me for my husband's divorce certificate and asked if I had a copy (I did). Not sure why they needed it again, since I had submitted it previously but ok. 2019 taxes (1040) were brought as well and they kept the copy I brought.

I kept everything in a portable file folder and had tiny tab stickers labelling everything. He said he was really impressed and almost thought he was looking at their files with how well I organized it. He said he appreciated the clear labelling.

He asked if I was given the pamphlet on domestic violence at the other window (I was not) and he was surprised. So he gave me one and explained what it was. Then he said he was going to go ahead and approve  me, handed me the Welcome letter, and that I can expect my passport with the visa to be returned within 3-4 weeks.

Tips:
- Dress in layers. The thermostat in the waiting room was set to 24C and with how warm I dressed for the frigid Montreal weather, I was sweating buckets indoors.
- No hand sanitizer at the counters by the fingerprint readers (ew), but there is a giant jug of it at the security guard's desk.
- bring a paper book, crossword, or something to keep your sanity

I won't be moving until the summer, since I want to wait until our 2 year anniversary to cross and activate as an IR-1 instead of the 2 year conditional.

 

Good luck to everyone on their journeys and thank you so much to everyone here for all your help and support. Couldn't have done it without y'all. Now I need to figure out all the crazy logistics of moving, taxes, etc. But first - I'm going to have a much deserved NAP. 😴

Congratulations!! Thank you for sharing your experience.
Did you drive there ? May you share any tips for parking?

[Ptitchou 117]

11 minutes ago, VIR CHAMP said:

Congratulations!! Thank you for sharing your experience.
Did you drive there ? May you share any tips for parking?

Thanks! 

 

I didn't drive here, I took the train. Toronto to Montreal is about 6 hours by train and since I bought in advance, it cost $100 round trip. 

 

I am staying at the Sheraton, which is less than a 5 minute walk from the consulate. There's a Provigo grocery store around the corner from here, so I picked up some food and water for my room last night. 

 

I can't offer advice on parking, but I can say that my last experience with driving to Montreal on a summer visit, we had such a huge difficulty with parking that we vowed never to take the car here again.