EC&IC

I'm really sorry you're going through this whole thing. I unfortunately can't help, but I hope it'll get resolved ASAP.

Had my interview today! I got in line outside at 8:40, my appointment was at 9:15. Security had people go in according to their appointment time. After going through security, I was in the waiting room at 9:15. And while I wasn't called before 9:45 the first time, I was out of the building at 10:20. Everything went smoothly. I was called twice, they asked for the papers mentioned on the list (birth and marriage certificates, police certificate, etc.), also for my husband's tax transcript and his proof of citizenship, and my fingerprints were taken. The interview was short, I was asked the usual questions (how and when we met, where we're going, if I was ever denied entry in the United States, etc.). The interviewing officer didn't want to confirm his decision, he said “the system has to check a few things, like your fingerprints, but if nothing comes up, I'll approve your visa by the end of the day”. And it was marked “ISSUED” on the website by 1:30pm!!!! 😃 He said my passport would be returned to me within two weeks—but when I expressed my surprise, he said “sometimes it takes two days, sometimes it takes two weeks”... I'll keep you updated. One comment: many people didn't seem to expect they would have to wait outside, and they weren't dressed accordingly. It was very cold, and they were freezing. I guess people who read this forum know about this, but be prepared to wait outside a bit! This is such a long and stressful process, I can hardly believe I'm at the end. This forum and everybody has been so helpful, I really appreciate it. I'll let you know how long it takes for me to get the passport.

Same, I called Telus after my medical (three weeks ago) because I was wondering if it was a mistake, since they never asked me for one either, but I was told it was no mistake. I thought I saw someone having to give one a while ago, but differences in age (as mentioned by thenextman) would explain it!

I'm sorry I don't have anything to contribute in answer to your questions, but I just wanted to wish you good luck on your interview!! Keep us updated!

FWIW, when I went in for my exam at Telus on Feb. 28, she told me that my results would be sent to the consulate within 10 days, and that I'd get an email confirmation. I got that confirmation on March 7, so seven days later. They might have said 10-15 days to avoid getting phone calls...? I also only got a PDF of my vaccine record, but it's reassuring to read: “Vaccination requirements complete? Yes”! Good luck on your interview!

Wow, almost 6 hours?! That's horrible, I'm sorry! As to the shots, I haven't witnessed situations similar to what you've seen (and I can’t imagine treating this process nonchalantly!!!), but even though I consider myself to be extremely organized and got many new shots beforehand after reading the required list multiple, multiple times, I was *still* missing two booster shots that I didn't realize I was supposed to have! I guess that as long as you have both covid shots, you can be missing boosters of other vaccines if you've got at least the first dose, but it still bothered me! I don't know what it is about this vaccine list that was so confusing to me!

(Please let me know if this should be posted elsewhere.) Had my medical exam today in Montreal, here is my recap. In short, I was missing vaccine boosters despite having reviewed the list over and over again, and a few details could be interesting to pregnant women or women trying to conceive (especially as concerns X-rays and vaccines); otherwise it was pretty straightforward! My appointment was at 7:45am. I arrived about 5 minutes in advance and had to wear a mask. There was only one other person before me. The lady at reception took my 5 photos, passport (she gave it back straight away), vaccination documents (she kept them), and consulate letter. She took a passport-style photo and gave me a few forms to fill out (personal information, medical history and consents to vaccination). At around 8, I gave her back the forms and sat back in the waiting room. I got called for the X-rays at around 8:25, at the same time as another lady. We got into cabins and put on a paper gown. I got done first and came out, leaving my things in the cabin. The technician asked if I might be pregnant, and when I said it was a possibility, I had to sign consent forms. She explained that she would protect my abdomen and that while there was indeed a very small risk of harm, I would actually receive 10x more radiation from the sun in an airplane than from an X-ray picture. She took two pictures, and 10 minutes later I was dressed and back in the waiting room. At about 9:00, I got called by the nurse. She inquired about one prescription that I have, likely because it seems to be an “off-label” use, and then went over my vaccines. I thought I had them all covered (I read the US list many times!), I had got a few at a pharmacy in January and February to get up to date, but she told me that I was missing three boosters: Hep B, MMR, and varicella. (I did know about the varicella, as I got the first shot less than a month ago.) I think one of the shots I got as a child was the “wrong” one for the US. She also said that as I'm trying to get pregnant, I should *not* have gotten a live varicella vaccine at the pharmacy. I got a bit confused about the rest. If I remember correctly, she also said that had I not gotten that dose a few weeks ago, she would have been able to give me MMR and (my first dose of) varicella together today, in a safe form. Also because of the possibility that I'm in the very early days of a pregnancy (or perhaps because I got the live varicella shot less than a month ago), she said she couldn't give me the MMR and varicella shots now. So she gave me the HB shot, but wrote a note that it was not advisable to give me the other two today. She said that I can get them later (I still have time before the interview), but that it wouldn’t change much, since my current vaccine status doesn't prevent me from entering the US. I asked her to confirm this about 32 times! It's really bothering me, but she said I would have one year to get up to date, and even then, the authorities might not even follow up. She printed the updated Quebec vaccine records and gave me a copy, along with my original records that she had kept. Then she noted my height and weight, did an eye test (she didn’t check my glasses but asked me to read a line with my glasses on, one eye at a time), and took a blood test. That part was done at 9:30. At about 9:50, the doctor called me. She went over the form (I verbally added two details about my “ancient” medical history that I had remembered, just to be transparent, but she didn’t worry about them or write them down). She temporarily left the room to allow me to put on a gown (I kept my underwear on), and she checked my eyes, ears, knee reflexes, listened to my heart and lungs, and she lifted the gown to palpate my abdomen a couple of times. We were done at 10. At 10:15, another lady at reception called me to settle the bill. I paid about $440, this includes one HepB shot ($51). She said it would take about 10 working days for the results to get to the consulate, and I would get an email when that would be done, but the consulate already has received notice that my examination was done today. After I left, I was unsure because I remembered reading on this forum that at least one person had a urine sample collected in 2021. So I called and asked if that was an issue, but the man on the phone said that none needed to be collected. So that's it! All in all, it took 2.5 hours, the people were very nice, and the waiting wasn't too bad. Let me know if you have any questions!

I'm sorry to comment on a year-old post, but I think this is the most entertaining writing I've seen on any forum! 😂 We just learned today that we also have this TPMS issue, and we were starting to get anxious reading the thread... I really appreciate everyone's helpful posts and suggestions, but I didn't expect to have that much fun suddenly! Thank you, @agdmills!

Oh I totally understand, same thing here. I'm terrified that one missing piece of paper (or the wrong one) will mean months of delay! I just can't wait to have crossed the border and left this whole process behind. But we're almost there!

I'm curious as to what people will say is the answer. My interview is on March 22. I'm obviously going to bring print outs of what I sent the NVC, but if they're ready, I might bring a copy of my and my husband's 2022 tax returns (both in Canada and in the US, for him, but he might not be able to get a transcript in time, as he's had to get his 2021 transcript by mail). I would bring them just in case they ask. As to the I-864s and our joint sponsor's 2022 transcript (as well as his wife's I-864A and 2022 transcript), that would seem like a lot of trouble... I see online that the earliest deadline to file taxes in the US is April 18. I would assume that the consulate wouldn't then require 2022 transcripts on either March 22 or April 4...

Someone seems to have posted it above:

Oh! Here's where I got the idea that it's only good for one year: “If you previously submitted a police certifciate [sic] to NVC, it is more than one (1) year old, and you still live in that country, you must obtain and bring a more recent police certificate to your visa interview as the one you previously submitted will have expired.” Source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/MTL-Montreal.html So I guess it isn't exactly clear if they're good for one or two years, but I'd err on the side of caution!

I thought I remembered that the RCMP certificate is valid for one year, but this page says “Police certificates expire after two years, unless the certificate was issued from your country of previous residence and you have not returned there since the police certificate was issued.”

I called the Canada Revenue Agency many times and got clear answers each time, so I suggest at least doing that, but I agree that a cross-border accountant would be ideal. Does anyone have any recommendations, actually? All the ones I found only work with millionnaires, apparently... (Asking for a $10K deposit to start!) We couldn't afford them.

I haven't had my interview yet, but based on what I've read from this forum, I don't think that it would be an issue! I'm pretty sure I've seen people present updated or new documents at their interview. (And I did see people being delayed after they sent the NVC new documents at a later date.) I hope someone who's already had their interview can chime in, but I wouldn't worry.

I would get a new one and bring both to your interview. I don't see how that would be a problem, whereas there is a possibility that they would delay your approval if you bring a document that they don't deem valid! (I hope it wouldn't be the case, but better safe than sorry!)

Has anybody had any experience with the courier service? Is it very fast? I'm hesitating between pickup and delivery. I live close enough to Montreal that the drive is doable, and I'd prefer to feel in control rather than wait at home, but I’m wondering whether I would regret going the pickup route, if I get the message late on a Friday and can't get to Montreal before the offices close. Does the courier deliver on weekends?

From what I understand, no, but your spouse needs to cross the border either before or at the same time as you. He or she cannot cross *after* you.

We got the letter during the night!! Interview on March 22. I hope you guys also have good news.

Anyone else expected an interview letter this month and didn’t get one yet? We were DQ’ed on November 9 and were hoping to be included in the January batch, based on the trend shown on the Google sheet... Just trying to see if there are still hopeful people out there! ETA: Congrats to those who got theirs!