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hawaiicostco

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Everything posted by hawaiicostco

  1. Also, I drove down to the border to enter as an immigrant for the first time and have my immigrant visa stamped, I then immediately drove back to Canada. And 3 days later I flew into the US and showed the border agent my stamped immigrant visa, no problems at all. No need to wait for the physical green card to leave and re enter the USA, your stamped immigrant visa is your temporary green card.
  2. Update: Entered the US 4 days ago and went to the local social security office this morning. I showed them my passport and stamped immigrant visa. They gave my SSN on the spot.
  3. I’m really sorry to hear that. You weren’t missing any documents? Did you get the DS5535 after the second interview? I wish things go speedy for you.
  4. Could you update when your husband receives his SSN in the mail please? I'd love to know since my job hiring portal does not allow me to proceed with my application without it. Thanks!
  5. Got the visa issued today. Start to finish took 4.5 hours, I read 1-2 hours somewhere on the forum and thought I could get away with eating a little breakfast and have early lunch afterwards. Nope, stomach was unhappy for most of the time I was in the consulate. Small lockers are provided free of charge, they fit no larger than your phone, smartwatch and earphones together. Drinking water fountain is provided. Some 40-50 applicants were in the waiting room at any given time. There were 12 windows/booths for the interviews, today 4 of them were dedicated to American citizen services. The interview is a 2 step process. I got to the consulate at 830am, did security screening and put all electronics away in the locker. They will then tell you to take the elevator to the first floor, which is where the whole process happened. I waited 2 hours until my number was called. The first interview was just a document check really, the lady just asked who my petitioner is, confirmed the addresses and contact information, and obtained my original documents, this took about 10-15 minutes. I sat back down and noticed that most of the staff were gone for lunch break (or planning world domination idk), I waited another 2 hours before my number was called for the actual interview, this also took 10-15 minutes. The staff are highly trained, the interview is just to figure out whether your application is legit and not a fraud, so as long as you're legitimate there's nothing to worry about. I was lucky because both the staff I dealt with were nice and not the type to give you a hard time, both of them smiled frequently and are the kind of person who wants you to succeed, provided you followed the pre-interview guidelines and are not missing any documents of course. It seemed like most of the staff are like that just by observing them interact with other applicants. The staff who did my second interview was just as excited as me when he issued my visa! Best of luck to everyone, the finish line is closer than you think! For out of town visitors, I recommend Best Western Plus Downtown Montreal-Hotel Europa. 3 minute walk to the consulate, tons of food options within walking distance, and cheap, easy and quick access to/from the airport with bus route 747. I stayed in a room with a queen bed, the bathroom is a little small, but for a one night stay, I really couldn't complain given the cheap price. If you want to be safe, stay 2 nights and avoid almost missing my return flight like I did! Here's my brief timeline: I130 Filed: Late July 2022 I130 Approved: Late July 2023 Case sent to NVC, NVC Case Created and Paid IV and AoS Fees: Early August 2023 NVC fee status changed to PAID: Mid August 2023 DQ: Late August 2023 Interview Letter: 21 Nov 2023 Interview: 24 Jan 2024 Concurrently I also applied for Canadian citizenship: Apply for Canadian citizenship: Late August 2023 Acknowledgement of Receipt: Mid Oct 2023 Citizenship Test: Early Nov 2023 Became Canadian citizen and new Canadian passport issued: Early December 2023
  6. Could I bring my phone, smart watch and wallet with me into the Montreal consulate? I know for the Toronto consulate, they did not let me bring my phone and smart watch in, but I don't remember if they're ok with a wallet.
  7. Thanks for the replies everyone. The employer I want to work for (and generally all the employers in my field) require me to input my SSN on the hiring portal otherwise I could not submit the job application/
  8. Hello, Could I activate my Immigrant Visa, and hence LPR status, at a land border, and then immediately return to Canada? This is so that my SSN gets processed as I need that to apply for jobs in the US, and I wish to not quit my job in Canada yet until I secure employment in the US. So basically, could I use my Immigrant Visa to re-enter the US in the future to visit my spouse while waiting for the green card to come in the mail because I know that could take several weeks? Is my situation a legit reason to not move to the US immediately and reside in Canada momentarily until i get employment in the US? I don't think my spouse and I can afford me being unemployed even for a bit. Thanks!
  9. I went to Dr Cheema yesterday, just brought my passport, interview appt letter, driver's license, immunization records (originals), glasses. I am not taking any medication. They will make copies for themselves as needed. They don't take credit cards, so I brought cash for the exam ($355 for my age group) and was told that I needed a Tdap booster ($50) so I paid for that with my debit card. They will take your headshot there so you don't have to bring 5 passport sized photos. A nurse took my weight and height measurements and sent me to a room. Dr Cheema then came in to ask a dozen yes/no questions, took my blood pressure measurement, listened to my chest, asked me to read numbers from 1.5 ft away (like reading a book) and gave me the Tdap booster. After the 5 minute meeting with Dr. Cheema, you get sent to west coast medical imaging for xrays and lifelabs for blood samples, both are within 10 mins drive of Dr Cheema, you don't have to pay anything for these tests. Overall was a pleasant experience and took 3 hours from start to finish, mostly waiting and looking for parking at west coast medical imaging. West coast medical imaging is a walk in clinic, and for lifelabs your appointment will be made by Dr Cheema's clinic, usually within 2 hours after your appointment at Dr Cheema.
  10. Hey everyone, I got my Canadian citizenship recently and have the interview next month. I uploaded my Canadian citizenship certificate and Canadian passport to CEAC immediately. My DS260 and courier service are registered with my old passport (and citizenship). I used my Canadian passport as ID for my medical exam. Is this going to be a problem? Can I just show up at the interview and mention that I am now a Canadian with my new Canadian passport? I'll bring my old passports and cut up PR card for sure. Also, my mother's name is misspelled on my birth certificate, if I don't get a new one with her name spelled correctly, do you think I'll get the DS5535? Thank you and good luck everyone!
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