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

[bort_s 63]

Interview was last Monday received my passport back today.  Planning to enter US by car at the beginning of April.  

[Kai G. Llewellyn 837]

1 hour ago, Jmillerca said:

Ill be honest. I’ve been staying up untill 2 am every night for the past week because Im expecting mine this next batch 😂😂

Yeah, I've been checking like crazy lately as well even though I don't expect to be in this batch of interviews (DQ Sept 23rd). Just really hoping that we'll get an IL by April so that me and the hubby can return home at the start of the summer.

Edited March 8, 2021 by CanadaDude

[saj 1]

Hi guys,

 

My wife finally got her passport back today after the interview on Feb 22. We are planning to cross the border to USA this weekend by car. Are they asking for negative covid tests at the border crossings?

 

Regards

[Mikeeastern 81]

21 minutes ago, saj said:

Hi guys,

 

My wife finally got her passport back today after the interview on Feb 22. We are planning to cross the border to USA this weekend by car. Are they asking for negative covid tests at the border crossings?

 

Regards

No. 

[Montreal23 13]

2 minutes ago, Mikeeastern said:

No. 

Did they put your case in Additional processing because, they told my husband that his case went for AP and it will take 2 weeks. His interview was on February 17. 

[Hawk Riders 814]

@PawID & @Fefe Le Pew, approved?

[PawlD 17]

46 minutes ago, Hawk Riders said:

@PawID & @Fefe Le Pew, approved?

Yes!! Feels so surreal! I was in there for almost 3 hours. Actual time talking to agents about 10 minutes.

 

Have to recommend Hotel Cantlie. Easy 5 minute walk to the Consulate and free parking if you book through their website. Plan on flying to Florida as soon as I get my passport and another COVID test.

[Mzamour 47]

On 3/6/2021 at 2:57 PM, Lovepeace0303 said:

Hi! Has anyone activated their immigrant visa by flying out of YYZ (Toronto Pearson)? How was the process? Were you pulled into secondary? Feel free to DM me to share! Thank you fam. 

 

On 3/6/2021 at 3:19 PM, SSS24 said:

I'm also curious about this!

Hi,

Yes I crossed on February 26th at YYZ. The process was quite easy and straight forward. 

First, I checked in my bags (Had to show my COVID test results before dropping my bags. Air Canada insists on this). Then I proceeded to US border security - I didn't have to use the kiosks after the security point because they were all barricaded (I guess due to COVID). It was really quiet at the POE and there were really no other passengers.

 

A lady directed me to one of the Border officers and I told him I wanted to activate my IR1 visa. He was very polite and told me we had to go to secondary. At secondary entrance, he scanned my boarding pass and informed me that was to let the airline know I was with them. Inside, I was asked to sit while he went into the their office (again, I was the only one there but they had officers just going about their business). After a while, another officer called me to the counter and asked questions like my name, name of my petitioner, my address in US, when I initially filed the petition (I guess this was to ensure they had the right person in front of them lol). Thereafter, he told me to expect my GC within 6months or so and if I didn't get it by then I should give GC office a call. He also informed me that my IR1 stamp was valid for 1year from that date and I could use it for things like travel back and forth, and job search pending when I got the GC. I asked about SSN but he wasn't so sure and he asked that I call SSN  administration since that's a separate office. Then, he said 'Welcome to the United States', asked me to have a nice day 😃 and handed me a docket to give another officer at exit so that they would let me out.

 

At the exit, I dropped the docket in a tray and an officer collected my boarding pass to scan again (He said that was for the airline to know that I was out of secondary and to put my bags on the plane). I left feeling very relieved!

In general, all the officers I engaged with were very polite and helpful.

 

Things to note

1. Arrive early - Just in case you're delayed for any reason. I was there 2hrs before my flight and I had more than sufficient time to go through all the formalities

2. Print out your COVID test result. You will need to show it at check in

3. There is an attestation form that US requires from passengers flying into US. Complete and print the attestation form. You will find it on Air Canada (or your airline site). Air Canada will not let you board the plane if you do not have it

4. More importantly, RELAX! Don't stress yourself out☺️

 

Good luck!

[mam521 2,062]

One year ago today, I was leaving the Consulate in Montreal with my kids after waiting 634 days for an interview approval so we could rejoin my husband in our family house in Texas.  Little did I know that the world would change by the end of the week. 

 

Have faith, guys.  You'll get there, I promise!  

[A&RN 64]

Passport update: Received Monday, 1st March (1 week after interview) in Toronto. Interview was 22nd February. 

 

Date of entry: Saturday, 6th March

 

POE Update: I crossed through the Ambassador Bridge (Detroit-Windsor). The process was smooth. It took about 30 minutes. I had rented a car to cross over. They asked where I was coming from, where I was going, when I got married and asked me to go to secondary. At secondary, they asked how much stuff I was bringing with me and what was in it. I gave them all the required documents: Passport with visa, Rental car documents, Bill of Lading and Customs Form 3299 (I had UPack ship my stuff). I also gave them a detailed list of my items in the UPack cube by box number. An officer came back to confirm where I wanted my Green Card and SSN sent and then 15 minutes later came back with all my documents and passport, said "Congratulations and Welcome to the United States". I didn't need to get out of the car.

 

Will update once I have received my GC and SSN. Feel free to ask me any questions!

[Momof7yold 1]

Hello, 

 

I have been a silent member but got immense help from this group. Thanks to everyone here for sharing their experiences! I had my interview on Feb 24 and received passport on March 7th in Vancouver. We plan to move to Seattle around March 20th. Have a few questions:

 

1) Is there a negative COVID test required at land border crossing?

2) What forms and documents are needed at POE for customs? 

3) I have a 2010 Toyota Camry (have not been able to sell it off), so looking for options to take it with me. How can I take the car with me without importing it at the moment? How will insurance and licensing work in Washington state during the one year before registration?

For the other option, if I import it, what are the documents that I need to have to present at POE? What are the next steps to do in Washington to register the car? Looking for firsthand experiences. Thanks! 

[jstriders 70]

1 hour ago, Momof7yold said:

Hello. I asked this question few days ago

1) Is there a negative COVID test required at land border crossing?
and received an answer that at this time no COVID test is required at the land border

 

 

[Cressidia 25]

ugh i'm so nervous. i'm supposed to be in this months batch of interview letters and i'm so scared it won't be there XD i keep checking my email like a crazy person.

[Meghan.brooke 60]

Just now, Cressidia said:

ugh i'm so nervous. i'm supposed to be in this months batch of interview letters and i'm so scared it won't be there XD i keep checking my email like a crazy person.

Same!!! Its driving me insaneee

[Leah123 40]

41 minutes ago, Meghan.brooke said:

Same!!! Its driving me insaneee

Same!!! I keep waking up in the middle of the night to check.