So I going through this process with an immigration attorney, and she is out of Maryland, but I am from Washington. So Vancouver seems to be the most logical choice of Consulates, but she automatically put Montreal on the form?

I'm just wondering if there is a known difference between the two? My fiance is ok with flying to Montreal, and wants to make a vacation out of it, but I don't know what to do.

Any advice?

Vancouver is faster with getting you in for an Interview. Any chance she could change it?

Where is your fiance from?

He lives 30 mins from Vancouver.

His petition should automatically go to Vancouver.

His petition should automatically go to Vancouver.




But if our attorney put Montreal? I'm just confused as to why she would do that?? I just don't want to second guess her, and then be wrong

We can physically change the form, but I just want to be sure that I'm correct when I do so.

Consulate is usually decided by where your fiance lives in Canada. I don't remember the exact cut off point, but the Western provinces will go to Vancouver. Unless it is a CR1 (Montreal is the only Consulate that handles CR1)

Personally, I am a little miffed at your Attorney.

Agreed. It would seem she doesn't quite know what she is doing.

Vancouver is much faster with interview dates than Montreal, I doubt anyone who had a choice would choose Montreal.

Anyway, as mentioned, it appears they send it to the nearest consulate for you, for K visas.

I suspect your Attorney got confused with the IR1/CR1 visa - which is only processed by Montreal, Vancouver is not an options for those immigrant visas.

The thing is, one would hope she knows that.

(Manitoba and west - Vancouver, Ontario and east - Montreal)

Wow, now I'm worried... I was hoping that hiring someone would get rid of this feeling of being lost, but it seems to be making it worse...

I think if you have a really GOOD attorney it would be a great thing. We don't have many people here on VJ with good attorneys (because the attorney would be answering your questions - informing you of all the steps along the way )

Unless you have any major issues in you case (any criminal records, deportation, etc) I don't feel an Attorney is really needed. There are very few of us here who actually did use one.

I know in my case, I got all the info I needed right here on VJ.

I'm not saying to fire your Attorney- but I think you would be fine without her. Just my opinion.

Well, what is going to be nice is when she deals with the Embassy... she will be doing all the mailing back/forth. I will be in school and working, so I won't be able to handle the stress of this then... I'm just hoping I get my money's worth then?

She won't really need to do much.

Once the I 129 is approved, it gets sent to NVC- then NVC will send it to Vancouver. Vancouver will send out Package 3 (A list of things you need to have ready- birth certificates, divorce certificates, passport photos, Police certificate, make your medical appointment,etc.) Plus a few forms you need to download and fill out. You then fax this back to Vancouver and they set up your Interview.

It's really you who still does most of the work.

Good info Stacey, I wasn't exactly sure what the process entailed, but that seems pretty darn straight forward.

As you mention, the petitioner still ends up doing the bulk of the work anyway.

Correction- it's your fiance who will fill out the forms and get all his stuff together. I forgot who was who

Well we are living together right now, and he's working full-time right now.... and I can't work, so I've been filling out all the paperwork. Our attorney is having us do all of the paperwork at once, and mailing it to her, so once I mail this out, I'm pretty much done!

I just have to worry about the AOS once he gets approved

Also- Your fiance can get almost all the stuff he needs now and have it ready. Once he gets the package 3- he can call and make his medical appointment (he will need the consulate letter when he goes to the appointment) He can even fill out all the forms and just date it when package 3 comes.

I had everything ready and faxed back my checklist and forms the same day I got package 3.

Your fiance will have to get a Police Certificate from the Police or RCMP. If he has anything on his record he will need to get his fingerprints done as well. The results for the prints can take a long time so if he does have any record at all I would get that done ASAP.

So you are in Vancouver right now?

I wonder if you can get married in Canada and file DCF, how long have you been in Vancouver? LenandBren...any suggestions?

These two sites here and here can really help you to understand the process that you are going through. I don't see really needing an attorney unless your fiance has some sort of a record or there have been some issues in the past that would require legal advice. Even though she will fill out the forms, you/your fiance will do most of the work . And it sounds to me like she isn't all that great at filling out the forms! I did the whole I-129F process just from reading online (before i found VJ) and the K-1 part with the help of the wonderful people here at these forums. It really isn't as much work as you would think.

To answer your question - you DEFINITELY want to get that changed to Vancouver, as they are a LOT faster (2-3 months usually at the least) about processing and getting the interview date set.

Whatever you choose to do, good luck with your visa I hope things go smoothly!

we too used an attorney, what a waste of $2500, plus filings cost!! All most attorneys are in straight forward cases are expensive proof readers, thats it!! You stil have to gather all the required paperwork such as long form birth cert, poice cert, etc etc, plus get the required personal data. So all theey are are proof readers. They dont hurry things up for you, and there is no requirement for them at the interview. For most Canucks the interview is the easist part of the process. Your in and out of the actual interview in less than 10 minutes and they ask VERY basic questions!! But thats my opinion. My wife and I were busy too, and were told wrong info at a local USCIS office(that paperwork was too difficult, one should use an attorney), thus the reason with an attorney. All the info you need is on VJ, even examples of already filled out forms!! But that sonly my opnion, and it aint worth much.

Regards to ur lawyer putting down Mtl(shows his competence right there)its not the end of the world. other K1'ers did the same, and at the appropriate time (not sure which packet it is for K1) they emailed Mtl and stated they were in the VAN region, and had it transfered, so it should not be that big of a deal. Best of luck

you have to have legal status (PR or student or something) in Canada to file DCF, as I understand Michelle is just on an extended visit. Is that true Michelle?

Yes, I'm not technically 'legally' here in Canada... Just hangin' out for an extended visit.

Oh he doesn't have a record... thankfully! I would be scared to go through this whole process thinking that I might get denied for something like that...

yeah, American's are only allowed to be in Canada 6 months out of the year, so you're already there illeagally. No technically "legal" about it. I know that you want to stay with your boy, but if you get caught by CIC you could be banned from Canada for a few years. In the long run you're better off to go home and be apart for a little while.

Oh, I know that. I'm moving home in 10 days. Then when I visit, I will have proof that I am going to school, have a job etc so I can get through the border...

They also have no proof of the total time I've spent here, just most of the times when I cross... Don't worry, I have my bases covered