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

[ToddD 23]

On 7/9/2022 at 3:03 PM, Family One said:

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.

Hi,

Thanks for all of that detail! Yes... I know about the alternatives to cross the border, but unfortunately my wife doesn't have Nexus or an enhanced driver license. She found out that at least BC is no longer issuing enhanced driver licenses, so that will have an impact on many others in the future. The enhanced DLs are still accepted at the border, but not being issued or renewed from what I'm hearing. 

 

We didn't think getting the passport back would take so long for such a simple case and we have a concert to attend in Seattle on the 23rd.  We might try the option of a printed copy of the passport and original birth certificate... along with proof of the concert and proof of returning to Canada after the concert weekend. She might try crossing a few days before and if it doesn't work, we could sell the tickets and she goes back. 

 

I keep checking daily on the CEAC status site and it still says refused and the last updated date was the 28th (interview was June 10). I can only assume they processed the document, but haven't done anything with it yet. My wife emailed them about a week ago and got a canned response that didn't confirm if they received the document or not and just blamed delays on covid and volume of mail. Not helpful at all. She's starting to lose faith about when she will ever hear any helpful update. 

[From_CAN_2_US 1,106]

1 hour ago, ToddD said:

Hi,

Thanks for all of that detail! Yes... I know about the alternatives to cross the border, but unfortunately my wife doesn't have Nexus or an enhanced driver license. She found out that at least BC is no longer issuing enhanced driver licenses, so that will have an impact on many others in the future. The enhanced DLs are still accepted at the border, but not being issued or renewed from what I'm hearing. 

 

We didn't think getting the passport back would take so long for such a simple case and we have a concert to attend in Seattle on the 23rd.  We might try the option of a printed copy of the passport and original birth certificate... along with proof of the concert and proof of returning to Canada after the concert weekend. She might try crossing a few days before and if it doesn't work, we could sell the tickets and she goes back. 

 

I keep checking daily on the CEAC status site and it still says refused and the last updated date was the 28th (interview was June 10). I can only assume they processed the document, but haven't done anything with it yet. My wife emailed them about a week ago and got a canned response that didn't confirm if they received the document or not and just blamed delays on covid and volume of mail. Not helpful at all. She's starting to lose faith about when she will ever hear any helpful update. 

Hope you are able to cross with those documents.

 

An extreme alternative is to try to apply for a duplicate passport because of your passport being “inaccessible”

 

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-passports/security/lost-stolen-inaccessible-damaged-found.html

 

Contact here:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-passports/contact-passport-program.html

[QCCT 6]

Any guesses on when ILs may be out this month?

Edited July 11, 2022 by QCCT

[oscarrifici 10]

Does anyone know if submitting a results of criminal record check (one without submitting fingerprint) is fine or may cause refusal.

 

still waiting for document review. Not sure if I can edit and reupload one with fingerprint

Edited July 12, 2022 by oscarrifici

[Family One 49]

7 hours ago, oscarrifici said:

Does anyone know if submitting a results of criminal record check (one without submitting fingerprint) is fine or may cause refusal.

 

still waiting for document review. Not sure if I can edit and reupload one with fingerprint

That depends which country you are talking about.  I assume Canada.  The one they ask for from Canada requires you to submit fingerprints.  But the document you receive does not have the fingerprints on it.

 

That does not mean an automatic refusal if you get the other record check.  It has been done.  But you are in a vulnerable position, with potential (maybe even probable) delays of months, if not more.  If you want all the chances on your side, pay attention to each detail, and submit the correct criminal record check.

[oscarrifici 10]

2 hours ago, Family One said:

That depends which country you are talking about.  I assume Canada.  The one they ask for from Canada requires you to submit fingerprints.  But the document you receive does not have the fingerprints on it.

 

That does not mean an automatic refusal if you get the other record check.  It has been done.  But you are in a vulnerable position, with potential (maybe even probable) delays of months, if not more.  If you want all the chances on your side, pay attention to each detail, and submit the correct criminal record check.

If I do add it as an additional document, does that mean I go back the queue?

[ToddD 23]

18 hours ago, From_CAN_2_US said:

Hope you are able to cross with those documents.

 

An extreme alternative is to try to apply for a duplicate passport because of your passport being “inaccessible”

 

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-passports/security/lost-stolen-inaccessible-damaged-found.html

 

Contact here:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-passports/contact-passport-program.html

Thank you! She's going to the passport office this morning to find out about getting a duplicate passport due to the delays. 

[ClemsonC 62]

8 minutes ago, oscarrifici said:

If I do add it as an additional document, does that mean I go back the queue?

Most times it doesn’t. I submitted many additional docs and it didn’t push me back

[X_P 6]

On 7/5/2022 at 9:36 AM, 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 would try to get your appointment in Toronto. Rescheduling your interview could take months of delay. Not having your medical will also cause delay. My husband is in New Brunswick and unfortunately has to fly to Toronto just for the medical because we couldn't get an appointment on time in Montreal for our interview August 10.

Edited July 12, 2022 by X_P
spelling

[oscarrifici 10]

Just requested for a Certified Police certificate(with fingerprints) they said processing time is 2-8weeks. Wow🥲😳😱

[krzz 5]

 

What happens when one is unable to register online (https://ais.usvisa-info.com/) for the assigned interview date and time allotted to you by the Montreal Embassy?

 

1) Do you just go there at the allotted time and hope for the best?

 

2) Register for another available date that seems to be available on the online registering system?

 

This case was expedited so I know they have the documents and file on hand already as well as the medical.

 

any advice?

 

thnx

[ClemsonC 62]

5 hours ago, krzz said:

 

What happens when one is unable to register online (https://ais.usvisa-info.com/) for the assigned interview date and time allotted to you by the Montreal Embassy?

 

1) Do you just go there at the allotted time and hope for the best?

 

2) Register for another available date that seems to be available on the online registering system?

 

This case was expedited so I know they have the documents and file on hand already as well as the medical.

 

any advice?

 

thnx

How long was the timeframe since nvc

sent your case to MTL to when you got IL? Thought I’d ask since there’s not many that

had an expedite 

[Dawgydawgworld 20]

22 hours ago, ToddD said:

Thank you! She's going to the passport office this morning to find out about getting a duplicate passport due to the delays. 

This won’t work. If she gets a new passport, it will make her other one invalid. They need her passport to process the visa, stamp it and it’s associated with her DS260. If she gets a new one, it will only delay the process that much longer, and she won’t be able to activate her immigrant visa at border. Not to mention Canada has a massive wait time and backlog for passports currently. It’s taking an average of 3 months to get them. You’re better off just waiting for them to finish their administrative processing of your file and dont mess with it.  

[Dawgydawgworld 20]

18 hours ago, oscarrifici said:

Just requested for a Certified Police certificate(with fingerprints) they said processing time is 2-8weeks. Wow🥲😳😱

You must ask for a specific report for US immigration, under the Privacy Act. If it’s not the correct report, it will be rejected. 

[From_CAN_2_US 1,106]

16 minutes ago, Dawgydawgworld said:

This won’t work. If she gets a new passport, it will make her other one invalid. They need her passport to process the visa, stamp it and it’s associated with her DS260. If she gets a new one, it will only delay the process that much longer, and she won’t be able to activate her immigrant visa at border. Not to mention Canada has a massive wait time and backlog for passports currently. It’s taking an average of 3 months to get them. You’re better off just waiting for them to finish their administrative processing of your file and dont mess with it.  

She is not getting a new passport but a duplicate one. The other one with the consulate would still be valid. 
 

You can request for urgent processing for the passport showing proof of upcoming travel in the next few days and get one issued within 3 days. You would have to wait several hours in a queue at the passport office, camping out from 6am in the morning…