Canada IR-1/CR-1 Spouse Visa process and timeline.

[markusscoop 0]

Hello,

 

I have a few questions. My wife is living in the US and I am in Canada. She filed the I-130 form in March 2024. Wondering if anyone filed shortly before that and has had their case approved and sent to NVC yet? Online status says we have a week left.

 

Secondly, Once the application is sent to the NVC what is the approximate turn around time from them receiving your application to the interview date in Canada? We would be getting them all their documents done as soon as possible.

 

And lastly, We travel back and forth to visit each other but due to my flexible work schedule I travel to visit her more often. I am coming close to the 180 days allowed in the US in a year and I know that exceeding that can be very detrimental for the application. Does anyone know if there is a legal way through the USCIS to exceed those 180 days without it effecting the application. Or is the best option for my wife to just visit me when she can in Canada?

 

Thank you for your insight.

[pushbrk 12,801]

57 minutes ago, markusscoop said:

Hello,

 

I have a few questions. My wife is living in the US and I am in Canada. She filed the I-130 form in March 2024. Wondering if anyone filed shortly before that and has had their case approved and sent to NVC yet? Online status says we have a week left.

 

Secondly, Once the application is sent to the NVC what is the approximate turn around time from them receiving your application to the interview date in Canada? We would be getting them all their documents done as soon as possible.

 

And lastly, We travel back and forth to visit each other but due to my flexible work schedule I travel to visit her more often. I am coming close to the 180 days allowed in the US in a year and I know that exceeding that can be very detrimental for the application. Does anyone know if there is a legal way through the USCIS to exceed those 180 days without it effecting the application. Or is the best option for my wife to just visit me when she can in Canada?

 

Thank you for your insight.

Disregard whatever is telling you that you have a week left.  You probably have six months left.  From NVC to interview tends to vary a lot in Montreal, but think of at least six months from petition approval to interview.  Best realistic expectation is to have a visa sometime about a year from now to late next year.

[markusscoop 0]

11 minutes ago, pushbrk said:

Disregard whatever is telling you that you have a week left.  You probably have six months left.  From NVC to interview tends to vary a lot in Montreal, but think of at least six months from petition approval to interview.  Best realistic expectation is to have a visa sometime about a year from now to late next year.

Ok good to know, I did not realize their timeline was so off base. My interview would be in Vancouver if that changes anything for timelines.

[SalishSea 17,717]

15 minutes ago, markusscoop said:

Ok good to know, I did not realize their timeline was so off base. My interview would be in Vancouver if that changes anything for timelines.

No, it won’t.   All immigrant visa interviews for Canada are done in Montreal.

[pushbrk 12,801]

45 minutes ago, markusscoop said:

Ok good to know, I did not realize their timeline was so off base. My interview would be in Vancouver if that changes anything for timelines.

Changes nothing.  All immigrant visa interviews in Canada are in Montreal.

[markusscoop 0]

1 hour ago, SalishSea said:

No, it won’t.   All immigrant visa interviews for Canada are done in Montreal.

Oh ok I did not know that.

1 hour ago, pushbrk said:

Changes nothing.  All immigrant visa interviews in Canada are in Montreal.

Ok thank you, I did not know that.

[pushbrk 12,801]

10 minutes ago, markusscoop said:

Oh ok I did not know that.

Ok thank you, I did not know that.

No country has more than one US Embassy.  Many have multiple US Consulates.  Sometimes the Immigrant Visa Unit works out of the Capital City where the embassy is, but very often not.  No country has more than one US Immigrant Visa Unit.  Canada, China, India, Mexico and many others are examples of countries that have the IV Unit at a Consulate instead of the Embassy.  Mozambique, is an example of a country without a US IV Unit, so they interview in Johannesburg.  Iran has no US US Embassy or Consulate, so Iranians interview in Ankara or Abu Dhabi.

[powerpuff 6,594]

*** Thread moved to Canada regional forum ***

[Vicnic 31]

19 hours ago, markusscoop said:

Hello,

 

I have a few questions. My wife is living in the US and I am in Canada. She filed the I-130 form in March 2024. Wondering if anyone filed shortly before that and has had their case approved and sent to NVC yet? Online status says we have a week left.

 

Secondly, Once the application is sent to the NVC what is the approximate turn around time from them receiving your application to the interview date in Canada? We would be getting them all their documents done as soon as possible.

 

And lastly, We travel back and forth to visit each other but due to my flexible work schedule I travel to visit her more often. I am coming close to the 180 days allowed in the US in a year and I know that exceeding that can be very detrimental for the application. Does anyone know if there is a legal way through the USCIS to exceed those 180 days without it effecting the application. Or is the best option for my wife to just visit me when she can in Canada?

 

Thank you for your insight.

Plan for two years total for the process - there were alot of applications March 24 so it may been even longer 

good news is that travelling  to USA during the process is not difficult if you can prove strong ties. I wish there was a way to stay longer, it would be nice if they extended that option to those of us who are stuck, waiting for endless paperwork, approvals!Careful saying you can work remotely or with  flexibility …. I’m a n Vancouver too- good news is one of the five approved doctors is in Surrey ! 

[markusscoop 0]

8 minutes ago, Vicnic said:

Plan for two years total for the process - there were alot of applications March 24 so it may been even longer 

good news is that travelling  to USA during the process is not difficult if you can prove strong ties. I wish there was a way to stay longer, it would be nice if they extended that option to those of us who are stuck, waiting for endless paperwork, approvals!Careful saying you can work remotely or with  flexibility …. I’m a n Vancouver too- good news is one of the five approved doctors is in Surrey ! 

Hi thanks for your insight, yeah I am definitely kicking myself for not applying right after the marriage in October of 2023. We have some calls with immigration attorneys on Monday to see if there is a way to extend the 6 months but more than likely my wife is just going to have to come to Canada more often until I gain some days back.

 

Well I am sure I will be seeing you in the future when I get my request for a medical. Send me the name of your office if you like. How quickly do you normally have available appointments?

 

Thank you!

[Vicnic 31]

19 hours ago, markusscoop said:

Hi thanks for your insight, yeah I am definitely kicking myself for not applying right after the marriage in October of 2023. We have some calls with immigration attorneys on Monday to see if there is a way to extend the 6 months but more than likely my wife is just going to have to come to Canada more often until I gain some days back.

 

Well I am sure I will be seeing you in the future when I get my request for a medical. Send me the name of your office if you like. How quickly do you normally have available appointments?

 

Thank you!

If you get any info on extending days let me know …. We applied april 2023…. Everything has since increased in timeframes …. It’s so hard to plan …. I have obligations for family and work in January and February and in need my passport for both !!!!

keep hoping for a miracle that is not materializing …..

 

there seems to be some wiggle room if you don’t stay 6 full months in one trip BUT every officer seems to see this differently. I have been told many many different things at customs.

We are getting closer and i do not want any issues so we  keep to 182/365 To be safe … 

we all know how hard it is to not be with your Spouse ….. September was brutal for us …. 

it get harder and harder honestly….