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

[HD_BIRDS 121]

2 hours ago, From_CAN_2_US said:

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2021/06/government-of-canadas-first-phase-to-easing-border-measures-for-travellers-entering-canada3.html

 

Border Restrictions eased for fully vaccinated Canadians and other currently exempt - in effect July 6 onwards....

This is excellent news!!

[Danii 312]

Hey everyone, I replied to a post last week about whether you need to bring the petitioners birth certificate or not to the interview. I mentioned that we were not required to upload it to NVC, and Montreal only asks for it if it "applicable" (though they didn't mention when it's applicable), so maybe you won't need it at the interview. 

 

This is what NVC says under petitioner documents: "If you are applying for an IR5 visa as the parent of a U.S. citizen or for an F4 visa as the brother or sister of a U.S. citizen: You must obtain an original birth certificate for your petitioner, or a certified copy." (The paragraph goes on to say that for CR1/IR1, if the petitioner was previously married, you need to bring documentation of that. It does not mention birth certificate)

 

I messaged the consulate asking them to confirm if the petitioners birth certificate was not required for IR1/CR1. This was their reply: "If you were previously advised that the petitioner’s birth certificate is not necessary for the processing of the case, you do not need to provide it at the time of your interview appointment." 

 

It's kind of vague... But I think it's safe to say you don't need it. I definitely understand that it's easier to just bring it with you just in case. But if you are for some reason unable to get it to Canada, I think you'll be okay. 

 

I think it was this account who asked. I hope this helps a bit! @YYZ&MIA

Edited June 21, 2021 by Danii

[YYZ&MIA 117]

14 hours ago, Danii said:

Hey everyone, I replied to a post last week about whether you need to bring the petitioners birth certificate or not to the interview. I mentioned that we were not required to upload it to NVC, and Montreal only asks for it if it "applicable" (though they didn't mention when it's applicable), so maybe you won't need it at the interview. 

 

This is what NVC says under petitioner documents: "If you are applying for an IR5 visa as the parent of a U.S. citizen or for an F4 visa as the brother or sister of a U.S. citizen: You must obtain an original birth certificate for your petitioner, or a certified copy." (The paragraph goes on to say that for CR1/IR1, if the petitioner was previously married, you need to bring documentation of that. It does not mention birth certificate)

 

I messaged the consulate asking them to confirm if the petitioners birth certificate was not required for IR1/CR1. This was their reply: "If you were previously advised that the petitioner’s birth certificate is not necessary for the processing of the case, you do not need to provide it at the time of your interview appointment." 

 

It's kind of vague... But I think it's safe to say you don't need it. I definitely understand that it's easier to just bring it with you just in case. But if you are for some reason unable to get it to Canada, I think you'll be okay. 

 

I think it was this account who asked. I hope this helps a bit! @YYZ&MIA

Thank you so much! I appreciate you sharing that info. 

[Patelsn7 48]

18 hours ago, Danii said:

Hey everyone, I replied to a post last week about whether you need to bring the petitioners birth certificate or not to the interview. I mentioned that we were not required to upload it to NVC, and Montreal only asks for it if it "applicable" (though they didn't mention when it's applicable), so maybe you won't need it at the interview. 

 

This is what NVC says under petitioner documents: "If you are applying for an IR5 visa as the parent of a U.S. citizen or for an F4 visa as the brother or sister of a U.S. citizen: You must obtain an original birth certificate for your petitioner, or a certified copy." (The paragraph goes on to say that for CR1/IR1, if the petitioner was previously married, you need to bring documentation of that. It does not mention birth certificate)

 

I messaged the consulate asking them to confirm if the petitioners birth certificate was not required for IR1/CR1. This was their reply: "If you were previously advised that the petitioner’s birth certificate is not necessary for the processing of the case, you do not need to provide it at the time of your interview appointment." 

 

It's kind of vague... But I think it's safe to say you don't need it. I definitely understand that it's easier to just bring it with you just in case. But if you are for some reason unable to get it to Canada, I think you'll be okay. 

 

I think it was this account who asked. I hope this helps a bit! @YYZ&MIA

very helpful, we were wondering the same. I am going to take it just in case but it will be in transit, hoping I have it before the interview. If not, I wont worry too much

[Patelsn7 48]

Hi all  - I was wondering if anyone has been asked for wedding/couple pics at the interview? I was not sure how many to take with me and whether to take pics starting our dating days all the way to the wedding and latest pics

[Patelsn7 48]

sharing some learnings for anyone in Ontario (ages 18-64).  For proof of immunity to MMR and Varicella , I got the blood work which could take upto 10-15 days as it needs to go through the Public Health. Thankfully I got my results within a week but would have been worried if I didn't have enough time! So try to get the proof of immunity if you are waiting on the IL. Hope this helps. The Tetanus-Diptheria shot I got anyways last week so that was fine

[ME_RHEDZ77 269]

2 minutes ago, Patelsn7 said:

Hi all  - I was wondering if anyone has been asked for wedding/couple pics at the interview? I was not sure how many to take with me and whether to take pics starting our dating days all the way to the wedding and latest pics

I read from the very beginning of the Part 1 of this thread "IR-1/CR-1 Montreal DQ'd private message group goes public" and the part II w/c I'm almost getting done, I don't remember reading someone who shared their interview experience mentioning they were been asked for pictures as proof of their marriage.

 

I also remember someone asked the same question and one folk response is that the stage of providing pictures and communications (i.e. text messages, email) are all in the part of submitting in USCIS.  If I'm not mistaken, he/she mentioned that it is up to you if you (the VJ'er is on CR-1) want to bring for evidences. Another here also shared their preparation and mentioned that she/he even had a 2 folder binder with them on the interview just to be well prepared and have it all in case IO will ask something but she/he was not been asked for proof such like photos and communications with their spouse. 

 

As for me even my wife's category is IR-1, I printed the 25 pages proof of bona fide marriage and will print photos with what we submitted at USCIS stage and some latest photos we're together. There's nothing harm of bringing more documents. "Better to have many documents and be required to provide few, than to have few and be required to provide many documents" just for my 2 cents. 

 

There is really a big advantage of being prepared and well organized. I recall my dad, when he had his interview in US Embassy, with his being well organize and his preparedness of having more files/documents, the lady IO congratulated him and appraised him for being organize. 

[From_CAN_2_US 1,106]

@Patelsn7 @ME_RHEDZ77 @Riversong

 

I received a response from Montreal confirming the validity of the police clearance certificate to be 2 years.

[From_CAN_2_US 1,106]

General Question - How long does the interview last? Is it conducted at a counter or in a room?

 

My only experience of interview at a US consulate was when I applied for B1/B2 visa, and that was literally less than 20 seconds long and was conducted at a counter.

 

Edited June 22, 2021 by From_CAN_2_US

[ME_RHEDZ77 269]

3 minutes ago, From_CAN_2_US said:

@Patelsn7 @ME_RHEDZ77 @Riversong

 

I received a response from Montreal confirming the validity of the police clearance certificate to be 2 years.

@From_CAN_2_US wow!!!! what a great relief to our folks here! We really appreciate you initiatives on bringing up this issue to US C.G. Montreal

 

@DGF may be you can add this new update info in FAQ?

[ME_RHEDZ77 269]

3 minutes ago, From_CAN_2_US said:

General Question - How long does the interview last? Is it conducted at a counter or in a room?

 

My only experience of interview at a US consulate was when I applied for B1/B2 visa, and that was literally less than 20 seconds long and was conducted at a counter.

 

what I had read from our folks' shared experiences, averagely about 20 mins and they were all had their questioning portion like a counter "window". If my memory is right, that window is #2 or #1, and window #6 is where they take PCC, Birth Cert, 2x2 photos, passport, finger print scanning.

[From_CAN_2_US 1,106]

1 minute ago, ME_RHEDZ77 said:

what I had read from our folks' shared experiences, averagely about 20 mins and they were all had their questioning portion like a counter "window". If my memory is right, that window is #2 or #1, and window #6 is where they take PCC, Birth Cert, 2x2 photos, passport, finger print scanning.

Wow 20 minutes! Guess they dig in then...

 

Looking forward to the experience...

 

 

[Patelsn7 48]

26 minutes ago, ME_RHEDZ77 said:

I read from the very beginning of the Part 1 of this thread "IR-1/CR-1 Montreal DQ'd private message group goes public" and the part II w/c I'm almost getting done, I don't remember reading someone who shared their interview experience mentioning they were been asked for pictures as proof of their marriage.

 

I also remember someone asked the same question and one folk response is that the stage of providing pictures and communications (i.e. text messages, email) are all in the part of submitting in USCIS.  If I'm not mistaken, he/she mentioned that it is up to you if you (the VJ'er is on CR-1) want to bring for evidences. Another here also shared their preparation and mentioned that she/he even had a 2 folder binder with them on the interview just to be well prepared and have it all in case IO will ask something but she/he was not been asked for proof such like photos and communications with their spouse. 

 

As for me even my wife's category is IR-1, I printed the 25 pages proof of bona fide marriage and will print photos with what we submitted at USCIS stage and some latest photos we're together. There's nothing harm of bringing more documents. "Better to have many documents and be required to provide few, than to have few and be required to provide many documents" just for my 2 cents. 

 

There is really a big advantage of being prepared and well organized. I recall my dad, when he had his interview in US Embassy, with his being well organize and his preparedness of having more files/documents, the lady IO congratulated him and appraised him for being organize. 

Many thanks, I fully agree, it is probably a great peace of mind to be over prepared. I will take as many pics as I can, thanks for your input

[Patelsn7 48]

12 minutes ago, ME_RHEDZ77 said:

@From_CAN_2_US wow!!!! what a great relief to our folks here! We really appreciate you initiatives on bringing up this issue to US C.G. Montreal

 

@DGF may be you can add this new update info in FAQ?

 

Amazing, thanks for sharing with us. So much confusing info out there

[Patelsn7 48]

20 minutes ago, From_CAN_2_US said:

@Patelsn7 @ME_RHEDZ77 @Riversong

 

I received a response from Montreal confirming the validity of the police clearance certificate to be 2 years.

Thank you very much!! I got my finger printing done last week just in the fear of them not accepting it, but this is good to know for others in the same boat