IR-1/CR-1 Montreal DQ'd private message group goes public part 3

[Canada5 15]

Just now, Hawk Riders said:

...that's answered in the post you quoted above..

Oh, I thought that only related to the interview itself -- I didn't know that was related to the medical appointment as well!

 

I'm so sorry!

[katelynns 36]

18 minutes ago, Canada5 said:

Thanks for answering so many of my questions!

For your medical, which passport did you bring?! (Or, did you bring both there too?)

I brought both there too!

[Hawk Riders 814]

5 minutes ago, Canada5 said:

Oh, I thought that only related to the interview itself -- I didn't know that was related to the medical appointment as well!

I misread and responded too quickly; deleted post after noting my error. Recommendation: bring both to medical.  

[Danii 312]

According to the FAQ, the main vaccines you need to have are TD, MMR, varicella (chicken pox) and occasionally the flu shot. Some other sites show a longer list but didn't explain which ones apply to everyone. Did anyone need to show proof of Hep A? That's the only one I don't have at the moment. 

Edited October 19, 2021 by Danii

[opallynn 30]

Dr. Cheema’s office never got back to me so I booked with the Montreal panel physician, where the closest date would be the 2nd.  So I’ll be spending 10 days in Montreal, while my toddler is across the country with my parents (husband works full-time and needs to use his time off to come get us when I get my passport back). I’m both excited, and dreading this trip. 
 

I ended up booking at the Candlewood on René-Levesque, has anyone stayed there? The reviews are amazing, rooms have kitchens, and it’s a lot cheaper than the Best Western. 

[From_CAN_2_US 1,106]

I understand that one has 6 months from the date of the medicals to cross the border and activate the CR1/IR1 visa.

 

Does anyone know what happens if one fails to cross the border within 6 months? Would you just have to redo medicals or restart the whole process or interview again....?

[Hawk Riders 814]

@From_CAN_2_US, Dept of State indicates a full valid medical and visa are required (from the temporary extension period notice). If you don't think you'd be able to make it in those 6mos I might suggest delaying the interview so you wouldn't have to redo the medical and await the issuance of a new visa...

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/one-month-extension-of-immigrant-visa-medical-examinations.html

[rainbow-skies 130]

APPROVED!

PD: July 16th, 2020

DQ: April 30th 2021

Case Expedite Approved: Aug 27th, 2021

IL Received: Sept 20th, 2021

Interview Date: Oct 19th, 2021 at 1300 hrs (1pm)

 

I arrived for my interview at approximately 1245pm. The security guy pulled me in at approx 12:50pm. They allowed me in with a digital watch, my jacket, and a black shopping tote (used to carry my binder and my photo album). I proceeded up the elevator to Window 6 - this is where they take your passport and give you a number. I then was called to Window 5 to handover my civil documents (birth certificate, police cert, marriage cert, passport photo x1). I was done with these two processes by 1:07pm  I was then advised to sit and wait until called again.

 

By 1:45pm-ish, I was called to Window 1 where a lovely gentleman with a cool Captain America Funko figure interviewed me. He was really kind and cool.

Questions asked (i forget the order): confirmed my spouse's name, when we met and where, when we got married, and what we do for work. He then says he will approve my visa, handed over the info on how to track the passport and stated it will take 2-3 weeks - but that it usually arrives earlier. 

I was out of the consulate at exactly 1:53 pm.

 

Notes:

- The lady said most of the interviews are held in the morning and very few are in the afternoon - this allows for them to get all paperwork done and get home as per her

- Hotel -- I stayed at the Novotel for 2x nights approx $350 CAD; it is about a 5-6 min walk to the Consulate

- only documents asked for were --> original civil documents. No copies, no Tax documents, no evidences were requested.

 

I HAVE A QUESTION! Are we not receiving physical sealed packets anymore? The agent just gave me my civil documents back and said I was approved and that was all. Are they electronic now and I just show up at POE with solely my passport and the visa?

 

Thanks !

[Hawk Riders 814]

1 minute ago, rainbow-skies said:

Are we not receiving physical sealed packets anymore? The agent just gave me my civil documents back and said I was approved and that was all. Are they electronic now and I just show up at POE with solely my passport and the visa?

Yep. All electronic.

It's in the FAQ!

[rainbow-skies 130]

1 minute ago, Hawk Riders said:

Yep. All electronic.

It's in the FAQ!

Awesome, Thanks!

[HAB 23]

Does anyone knows if we have to apply for social security separately if you already have checked the box that you want the social also. Cuz the officer at the border said you have to apply, so I am not sure. Anyone has answer and how long does it take usually. Is before or after the green card ?! 

[HAB 23]

Does anyone knows If a Canadian driver license  works in US before applying for a us driver license and how long the Canadian one is good for ?

[Ontarkie 14,193]

2 hours ago, HAB said:

Does anyone knows If a Canadian driver license  works in US before applying for a us driver license and how long the Canadian one is good for ?

After your move you are no longer a visitor. You will need to get your US DL usually within 10 days of moving. Some states gives you a little longer. Ignore all mention of how you can use your foreign DL as those lines are for visitors not new residents.

[DGF 730]

8 hours ago, HAB said:

Does anyone knows if we have to apply for social security separately if you already have checked the box that you want the social also. Cuz the officer at the border said you have to apply, so I am not sure. Anyone has answer and how long does it take usually. Is before or after the green card ?! 

No need to apply unless your SSN has not arrived within 3 weeks of entry, then call the SSA. It usually arrives before the green card by quite a bit but everyone's timeline is different. 

[bkoz 13]

Question for the group:

 

Since my DQ date is April 16, it seems probable that I'll get an interview letter in November for a December interview date. Currently in US with a TN, regretting not filing for AOS, but here we are.

 

The complication is that we're having our first child in a couple weeks (due 10/31) and I just don't think it makes sense for me to be away from a newborn baby and a recovering mom in order to do the physical exam and the interview, after which I would not be able to get back into the US until I get the passport back. So I think I have to strongly consider rescheduling the interview, if one falls to me next month.

 

How does rescheduling the interview work? Has anyone rescheduled their interview recently and how long would it take before the interview is rescheduled?