part IV, the big IR1/CR1 DQ'd message group...

[JB1514 1]

Hi!

Last week, I was (finally) able to get a medical appointment in Montreal (summer vacation reduced the available spots as per the receptionist). My appointment is after my interview (Interview August 1, appointment 9). Have any of you experienced this? Should I reschedule my interview... seems easier to get than a medical? I’m afraid that not having my medical exam prior to the interview will cause an outrageous delay…more than rescheduling the interview after the medical exam.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[From_CAN_2_US 1,106]

6 minutes ago, JB1514 said:

Hi!

Last week, I was (finally) able to get a medical appointment in Montreal (summer vacation reduced the available spots as per the receptionist). My appointment is after my interview (Interview August 1, appointment 9). Have any of you experienced this? Should I reschedule my interview... seems easier to get than a medical? I’m afraid that not having my medical exam prior to the interview will cause an outrageous delay…more than rescheduling the interview after the medical exam.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Historically, rescheduling the interview is not recommended, as it is unpredictable when they would reschedule it. It ends up being several months after. I think someone waited 6 months even. But this was back when there was a 12 month backlog at MTL. Not sure anything has changed since the backlog has been eliminated. Since this only happened in Feb 2022, I don’t think this information is available, as it is unlikely anyone here that has tried rescheduling interview since then.

 

Unfortunately MTL not having medical results at the time of interview also causes delays of 2 weeks to 2 months (in rare cases longer).

 

Are you able to book a medical at one of the other doctors, in Toronto for example?

Edited July 5, 2022 by From_CAN_2_US

[shocksandaunyx 7]

After an 8 week wait after the interview, we finally got approval and passport back. He crossed yesterday and it only took 25 minutes. 
Out of curiosity, does anyone know how long it takes to get SSN?

[ToddD 23]

On 6/20/2022 at 7:12 AM, Anthony35 said:

I had my interview on 5/27/22, at the end of the interview the agent said everything looks good, but I needed to submit an official copy of the petitioner’s birth certificate. I submitted the official birth certificate by courier and it was delivered on 5/30/22. My status was updated to refused on 6/1/22. I contacted the consulate and reported to that I had confirmation that the requested birth certificate was received by them in 5/30/22. They responded that they still don’t have the birth certificate, but that does not mean they have not received it just that it had not been processed. It is now three weeks later and my status still says latest updated 6/1/22 and refused but under administrative review. I am getting worried that it is taking so long for them to update my status. Is this long time unusual or par of the course for the Montreal consulate?

 Thanks in advance.

Have you received any updates yet for your situation from the MTL consulate? I'm in a similar position. They asked for my (petitioner’s) original divorce certificate in my wife's interview and sent it a week later. It's now been 3 weeks, with an updated date of 6/28 and still in Refused state. 

[From_CAN_2_US 1,106]

20 hours ago, shocksandaunyx said:

After an 8 week wait after the interview, we finally got approval and passport back. He crossed yesterday and it only took 25 minutes. 
Out of curiosity, does anyone know how long it takes to get SSN?

Congratulations!

 

It usually takes 2-3 weeks to get your SSN. 

 

I got mine within 10 days.

[ClemsonC 62]

23 hours ago, shocksandaunyx said:

After an 8 week wait after the interview, we finally got approval and passport back. He crossed yesterday and it only took 25 minutes. 
Out of curiosity, does anyone know how long it takes to get SSN?

Congratulations!  Do you know why it was an 8 week wait?

[From_CAN_2_US 1,106]

21 minutes ago, ClemsonC said:

Congratulations!  Do you know why it was an 8 week wait?

If I remember correctly @shocksandaunyx had the original of the divorce document missing during their interview and had to send it in after.

 

If you have everything MTL needs with you at the interview, they are able to process you immediately. This is probably because they alot a time for your visa processing on the day of your interview. Once you miss this window, they put your file on the back burner and move on the applicants that are interviewing next. When you submit your missing document you are still on the back burner, until MTL can find a time slot to spend reviewing these old cases…

 

Historically this wait has been around 45 days to 60 days. But some get lucky and get processed sooner.

[cdndesro 44]

On 7/5/2022 at 4:53 PM, shocksandaunyx said:

After an 8 week wait after the interview, we finally got approval and passport back. He crossed yesterday and it only took 25 minutes. 
Out of curiosity, does anyone know how long it takes to get SSN?

I had my SSN in 8 days and GC in 30 days. 

[Zams 3]

Hello all,

 

Long time lurker of this forum and its been very helpful for me looking at all the people going through the same process and I found some great advice and people posting their interview experience really helped. 

 

I had my interview recently and I am pleased to say I was approved for my greencard. I will share my entire experience of the day to pass it you all who are still waiting eagerly. For reference I was an F2A who got upgraded to IR1 recently due to my spouse becoming a citizen. DQ was in Feb 21.

 

We were let in as per the appointment time we were sent for the interview. There is a lock box to store your car keys and phone. It's best to only have your folder with all necessary documents with you. Try to not bring anything else with you. You are assigned a number when you go through security and once you go up you will be seated till you get called for your document check. 

 

The documents requested were:

- Original passport

- Original birth certificate (as submitted online) 

- Original marriage certificate (as submitted online)

- Original PCC (as submitted online). The Canadian one required is one done with finger prints

- One 2x2 passport photo (which is scanned and returned to you) 

- A copy of I864EZ - Affidavit of support. Just a quick glance. 

- Verbal review of address and contact details

 

After submitting your documents they ask you to be seated until your number is called for interview. 

 

The interview questions asked were very basic, things... Stuff you will know if you're honest about the relationship. They asked me the following:

- Where we met, how we were introduced, when we got hitched (I explained all the various stages). Where the ceremony occurred. 

- Where my spouse lives. What they do for a living. 

- Where I live and what I do. What are my plans in America. Where I'll work/stay. 

- Whether we have kids. 

- What my longest stay in the USA was 

- Whether I have had problems with law enforcement anywhere in the world

- What countries have I been to in the past few years. 

 

After those questions the interviewer congratulated me and said a visa was issued. The status of my application changed by the time I was home. Overall the day went well. If you have all the right documents as submitted to ceac and it's a straightforward case, just stay relaxed and answer all questions calmly. 

 

Good luck to all that are still waiting. Be patient. Your time will come. 

 

 

[QCCT 6]

Congrats on this milestone and thank you for sharing! We are in the same boat F2-A to IR-1, DQ'ed since September 2020. Can you share your timeline from the time your petition was upgraded. I am looking for any kind of indication of timing, after a 3-year wait for my husband to move with us. Thank you!

[JB1514 1]

On 7/5/2022 at 12:42 PM, From_CAN_2_US said:

Historically, rescheduling the interview is not recommended, as it is unpredictable when they would reschedule it. It ends up being several months after. I think someone waited 6 months even. But this was back when there was a 12 month backlog at MTL. Not sure anything has changed since the backlog has been eliminated. Since this only happened in Feb 2022, I don’t think this information is available, as it is unlikely anyone here that has tried rescheduling interview since then.

 

Unfortunately MTL not having medical results at the time of interview also causes delays of 2 weeks to 2 months (in rare cases longer).

 

Are you able to book a medical at one of the other doctors, in Toronto for example?

Thank you @From_CAN_2_US 

 

I followed your recommendation and booked an appointment in Toronto with Dr. Lyndon Mascarenhas.

 

If anyone is looking for an appointment in Montreal August 9, 2022 - let me know we can coordinate something. 

 

 

[ClemsonC 62]

Hi everyone! How long does it take for the consulate to receive from NVC? It’s been saying In Transit since June 29th. Just curious

Just hoping it gets there before the next round of ILs come out (nvc didn’t schedule since it’s an expedite)

Edited July 9, 2022 by ClemsonC

[ToddD 23]

Is there a way to ask the MTL consulate for some type of temporary official letter so she can visit me in the US? My wife's passport is still at the Montreal consulate for a month now, waiting for them to review my divorce cert and send it back with the approved visa for CR1. I noticed recent posts here that it could be another month to wait, but the agent said in the interview it would only be "a few weeks" to process. If that's possible, what do we request? It seems like if she had a letter from the consulate, plus a driver's license and birth certificate, it would be acceptable for crossing the border. We don't want ask for her passport back and cause further delays. 

[Family One 49]

2 hours ago, ToddD said:

Is there a way to ask the MTL consulate for some type of temporary official letter so she can visit me in the US? My wife's passport is still at the Montreal consulate for a month now, waiting for them to review my divorce cert and send it back with the approved visa for CR1. I noticed recent posts here that it could be another month to wait, but the agent said in the interview it would only be "a few weeks" to process. If that's possible, what do we request? It seems like if she had a letter from the consulate, plus a driver's license and birth certificate, it would be acceptable for crossing the border. We don't want ask for her passport back and cause further delays. 

I'm sure you are aware that the CBP will accept the following documents for travel to the US:

• Canadian passport
• Enhanced Driver's License/Enhanced Identification Card
• NEXUS, FAST/EXPRES
• SENTRI enrollment cards.

I have been told by a US passport agent that the best (and apparently legal) substitute for a passport is a color photocopy of the original passport, accompanied by an original photo (not photocopy) identical to the one in the passport.  Most people probably don't have an extra photo from when they applied for their passport, but it's worth getting an extra photo next time.

 

There is no way to guarantee that they will make any exceptions for you if you arrive without one of those documents.  Sometimes it has worked with a birth certificate and driver's license, but it is completely at the discretion of the border agent.  If you choose to assume the risks and try, make sure you have the following additional documents:

-  Proof that you will return to Canada - VERY IMPORTANT

- Document(s) that show why MTL kept your passport (ex. interview letter, DS-5535, etc.) The consulate will not give any other document for the sake of traveling, and will tell you not to travel if you ask.

 

Good luck with your wait.  "A few weeks" in consular language stretches pretty long sometimes.  I've been there.

[ThisIsHell 15]

On 7/5/2022 at 12:36 PM, JB1514 said:

Hi!

Last week, I was (finally) able to get a medical appointment in Montreal (summer vacation reduced the available spots as per the receptionist). My appointment is after my interview (Interview August 1, appointment 9). Have any of you experienced this? Should I reschedule my interview... seems easier to get than a medical? I’m afraid that not having my medical exam prior to the interview will cause an outrageous delay…more than rescheduling the interview after the medical exam.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

I live in Montreal but had to drive to Toronto to get my medical. I was able to get an appointment a week after I got in touch with Dr. Lyndon. It's a lot of driving in a day but it will save you some very lengthy delays afterwards