no Im going alone

she needs to work and she'll have to take days off to drive me in...

do you guys know how to get a temporary employment authorization? do you ask that at the consulate? or at the border?

Not at the consulate. You ask when you activate your visa at the border. But you may or may not get it; depends on the officer, and I'm not sure if it's too common. (Basically, ask for it, but don't expect to get it, IMO.)

hmmm

so how long can it take before I can actually work?

there are so much interesting companies in my field in pitts.

Well say you don't get the stamp when you activate your visa, then you have to get married, file for AOS, and wait the approximate 2-3 months for your EAD to be approved before you can work. I would suggest doing some digging on the forums here as there's quite a bit of discussion on the topic.

The whole work thing is so confusing. I've read that the EAD stamp is kind of a thing of the past but that some older POE officers will still use it. It's value is debatable supposedly because you still have to stop working after 90 days anyway if you haven't received your EAD after AoS. And I've also read that the k-1 does allow you to work for those 90 days it's good for too (making the stamp kinda obsolete). I think the best way would be to work for a temp agency if you really want to work because you can explain your situation & ask for an assignment that only lasts that long. Or if you find a company willing to hire you temporarily and then give your job back again as soon as EAD comes I'd go for it. Seems kinda risky though. I think I"m gonna put my fiance to work around the house for those 3 months lol. There's a ton of stuff that needs to be done since I just moved in April and I work full-time. He can settle in and get acclimated & check out the job market during that time. Less hassle.

As for what to wear to the interview...I think I"m going very casual. I hate dressing up so it's going to be jeans if it's cool out, shorts if it's warm. Maybe a nicer shirt than a t-shirt.

I'm just going crazy these last 2 weeks before the interview!! I feel like I just want each day overwith so it gets another day closer. It's getting unbearable and has been waaaaaaaaaaaay to freakin long to have to wait. I feel like someone who dove too deep into the ocean with no o2 tanks and is just seeing the sun through the surface of the water & trying to break the surface before losing consciousness!! Wow that's dramatic eh?

Agreed, the whole thing is really confusing. And there's lots of opinions on VJ about what is right, legal, etc. We might ask for the stamp for the heck of it but we don't plan on Scott working until at least 2 or 3 months into his living here. I also think it's less hassle.

I'm not a fan of dressing up either! So if I wear something "nice" it would be like a summery skirt if it's hot that day. But I don't think it's going to be hot in just 6 days!

Don't go too crazy. You are in the home stretch. It's like we ran a marathon and our bodies are just dying to fall over and stop running but we're so close to the finish line that really, if you think about it, it's pretty awesome. I liked your analogy too.

This weather is so crazy!! You're right, it most likely won't be too warm in 6 days. Around here (WI) it's supposed to get back to low 70's by the weekend so possibly it'll at least be nice out. Right now it's like fall again...40's!! And yesterday it was in the 80's.

I'm really not going too crazy. Seems like moment to moment my emotions change though. One moment I feel so relaxed & relieved to finally be counting down the days and at others it's unbearable to have to wait even another minute before I leave. I feel I have everything organized and then the next minute I want to review all my papers just to make sure. Perhaps I am crazy and just in denial, hmmm.

friends, having a lawyer can be more confusing than going DIY

what does your packet 4 say about getting the visa?

does it mention dhl fees to get it back?

am I suppose to bring an envelloppe with my address on it?

Effective Jan 1/07, Montreal mails the visas out. You will need to take a 314mm x 394mm Xpresspost, pre-paid, signature required envelope with you to the interview. Address it to yourself. Most have received the envelope back within 2 business days HOWEVER, be prepared to wait at least a week. Some VJ members have waited for 7+ business days! Best advice - write down the tracking number so you can check it via the Canada Post website.
That's from the Montreal embassy info on VJ. I'm the USC, but I do believe packet 4 says to bring that xpresspost envelope as well. That's how you get the visa.

Lawyers seem to... not be up to date ... not well informed on embassy specifics ... and sometimes seem to confuse the different types of visas!! I'm sure it's pretty hard to keep up with all things immigration, but sheesh with how expensive they are... I've also heard other lawyers say that immigration law is the most complex type of law to practice.

You can also purchase the envelope at the consulate on your interview day.

The visa fee (not sure if that is the same as dhl fee) is $131 US.

That is good to know! Thanks for the information.

no, that she told me. the 131$US is purely for visa fees

dhl(its that courrier company) would be something else

Im at work right now, Ill check on my packet 4 letter but Im pretty sure it says nothing about receiving it.

Oh, *that* dhl! Ugh, I HATE them. They *always* lose things / don't deliver them / hate me otherwise / etc. I thought I read it was Canada's ExpressPost mail, but honestly, I have no idea if such a thing exists under that name or if they do use DHL or what. Dangit. Now I feel ever worse about it getting lost in the mail. Why can't they use FedEx like normal people?
I haven't ever seen the actual P4 letter since I'm the USC so I really don't know what it says.

Ok so I checked and its like CBR said, you can bring your envelope OR you can use your credit card to pay 6.99 for regional delivery or 10 something for national delivery.

they dont take responsability for lost passport/visas so they advise that you do that "signature required" thing for the envelope

also they say that the next-day delivery can only be understood as next-day AFTER they're done processing it.

Thanks for this info.

Do you happen to know if that means that the signature required thing is something you can take care of whether you bring your own envelope or buy it from them?

if you buy it from them it will be signature required

I think they say that for if you buy your own at the post office

It seemed more like an advice than anything "required", so that the passport/visa doesnt get lost in the mail or left in your mailbox and then, I dont know, stolen...

Oh I definitely plan to do it and think it's good advice; I just wasn't sure if it could only be done one way or the other. This is good, as I plan to just get mine there.
Thanks.

Let us know how that goes for you, since there are some of us (ahem) who are having the same worries

Haha, will do for sure.

I figure with all the other paperwork we need to remember to bring, the dang envelope can wait to be bought there!

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but I could've sworn I've read on here that someone went and they were out of ExpressPost Envelopes when they went.

I would probably buy one in advance because I'm anal like that, even if my theory wasn't true.

Well, my interview is Monday morning, and I won't arrive in Canada till Saturday night. I could ask my SO to do it but he's the type to not get it done, or buy the wrong envelope, or something. So... I mean, what would the embassy do if you needed your things mailed to you and they had no envelopes? Tell you you're out of luck & no visa? I guess that would be all the more reason to convince them to let us pick it up in person the next day.

You should have him get one just to see what he comes up with.

He'd show up with a regular white letter envelope or a used brown box.

Guys...I still haven't gotten my appointment letter

Maybe email the consulate? How long have you been waiting for it now? Sometimes people's letters don't show up, but if they've scheduled you, they know it.

Overall, I'd say it's better to have the interview date with no letter than no date at all. I know you are supposed to bring it to the interview but it wouldn't be the end of the world if you didn't have it. Try to contact them to see if maybe they can mail out another copy or at least are aware that you haven't gotten it.

Actually, you could also call DOS and ask them what date the letter was sent out. They knew when mine was. That info might help too.

They knew when ours was sent out too. They should also know what you're supposed to do if it hasn't shown up. I have heard of people never getting it but I'm not sure what they take to get into the consulate.

I'm going to email the consulate.
I'll call DoS on Friday morning if I don't get it in the mail tomorrow.

Hey everyone!!

Wow... I've been away from vj for a while... been spending lots of time with Eric in Georgia. I'm still waiting on my Interview date. Hopefully I'll hear something real soon!

Hope everyone is doing well :-D

Missed you Lori!!!
Don't stay away so long!!!

I would definitely email the consulate and call DOS. The consulate supposedly sent out our package 3 in March and we never got it so we emailed the consulate to see what was going on with our case and thats when they told us they mailed package 3 to us and then they just sent another one to us.

I emailed Montreal (no response yet) and just called DoS. The lady said they mailed it out on the 12th of May.
I think it sits in the mail room for like a week or something
I'll probably get it today.

I asked her what I should do if I don't get it, she said 2 weeks or so before the interview call and they would express mail one to me.

I'm sure I'll get it any day now.

Thank goodness!! I'm sure it'll come too Laura. Let's just hope they don't let our visas sit in the mailroom!! We're gonna be waiting for that thing before we drive home!

Hello All !

A little hello from California
I will be back in montreal the second of june for the interview the 4th (Can't wait but for now i am all sad i am leaving next monday and will leave my sweet alone for a big 11 days )
until he comes and join me back on my birthday date the 13th of june around midnight (wich should make it for the 14th )

Rae ! are you on facebook ? send me a pm with your infos !
Also, if you can send us the order in wich they ask you for the documentation, it would be awesome !

kisses to all !

Melusine!! Are you all ready & all excited for your interview on Wednesday?! How cool that you have gotten to spend all of this time with your SO; 11 days apart will be no sweat!

I am actually not on facebook, sorry!

I'll either take notes or try to remember everything at the interview as well as I can. For now, I have organized our paperwork in the order it is on the checklist.

Woootwooooot, one more work day and I'm on my way to ye olde Montreal!

I flipping love the people working at Montreal.
Their responses in emails are hilarious.

I simply got a message back saying this:

"Interview June 20th"

LOL
Like...write a complete sentence dolt.

No appointment letter in the mail yesterday, hoping for today.

OH! And my xray isn't THAT big, reading things on here made it seem like it was monstrous! Anyway...

Melusine and R&S, best of luck with your interviews coming up, cannot WAIT to read the reviews!!!!

Thank you Laura!!

yeah, Montreal people sure are gems. They didn't even answer your question, it seems. I would rewrite them, tell them that yes, you know when the date is, but need the letter, and point out that they didn't answer your question. But then, that's me, and I get annoyed with dumb responses like that, so I like to be catty right back.

Maybe they will respond with:

"Letter mailed already"



I was also under the impression that the X-ray is as big as a house; even Scott said "It's huge!". Good to know it's manageable in reality.

Okay, I'm going to PACK NOW!!

WOO HOO!!
Are you guys taking the xray with you? I'm thinking of not.

We are. I know they never ask for it and we won't get asked for it either, but I'm too anal to actually not bring it.

Plus I think it would be a bad example to set for my already forgetful Scott. I'm always like, did you do this, have you gotten that, etc. To not bring something would probably confuse him enough to make his head explode.

Plus I believe in Murphy's Law. If you intentionally don't bring it you will be the first person on VJ to be asked for it, I promise!

ARG!
I'll bring it then

Absolutely on the xray I took mine because I was sure I would get asked if I didn't have it. I bet they wait and if you don't have it then they ask for it, sick sense of humour I am thinking.

Have a great trip to Montreal and a great interview on Monday rae_and_scott and and Melusine have a great interview on Wednesday. Best of luck to you both even though you won't need it.

The xray is big when you think you have to cart it with you, I thought it was too. It is about 12 by 18 and like I said I didn't put it in a suitcase was so paranoid something might happen to it so held onto it all the way from Toronto to Montreal on the train lol.

And for the record I had to redo my medical and they don't do xray here they do a skin test so it is sitting in my closet lol.

Thank you Leafgal!

Speaking of the medical... our lawyer told us to get a copy of the vaccination records at the interview (for AOS). Do you (or anyone) know how that works? Will they do that at the consulate, or is that going to be something at the border when we activate the visa?

When the doctor filled out my vacination (I had him give me my boosters as I knew I needed them and had no vacination records) he gave me 2 copies of it and told me I could make copies of them. It was just a sheet showing which ones I had and which ones were not needed. I did send a copy of it to my lawyer with my new medical since had been over a year before when I had the other one in Canada (didn't file AOS right away).

Hey all... We had our interview in Mtl last Thursday. It's been a busy week back at work so I haven't had a chance to post about it yet. Fortunately everything went as smoothly as possible. We stayed at the Intercontinental, a few blocks from the Consulate. Our appt letter said 9:30, but we showed up a little after 8 to be on the safe side. Basically they just checked us in and we waited for our number to be called. Then they take some fingerprints and ask for the documents. With my affidavit, they just looked at one of my paystubs and that was it. With the medical, they didn't look at the X-ray. I imagine its cause they can't read it anyway. Then we paid at the cashier and waited again. Then they brought us back into a room and asked a few basic q's: when did you meet, when is the wedding, etc. Really friendly about the whole thing. They then tell us we are approved! The only hitch was that they no longer sell expresspost envelopes, so make sure you bring one. We had to go to the post office down the street.
We spent the rest of the weekend celebrating in MTL. Other than the weather, everything else was a blast. My fiancee got her visa a couple days ago, and is coming next week. Good luck to all of you!

Sal

Congrats!! For others the 0930 for Mtl really means nothing, one can go first thing in the morning. Congrats

lol i don't even realise the interview will be next week ! That's just crazy....
i'm like more excited for all of you !!

i guess i'll get the adrenalin shot when i'll be on the plane monday

dangit I guess that means I do need to ask Scott to get an envelope. What are the dimensions we need to get again? Thanks for the heads up wolverine. Very happy to hear that everything went so well.

So, Leafgal, since you got your vac. copies at the medical, do you think if we ask for it at the interview they'll give it to us? I mean, do they open the medical at the interview? I guess they must....

Melusine, I think my adrenaline shot is getting started today... Just a few more days for both of us now!

This is getting so exciting!! I can't wait to hear about your interviews.
Melusine: I feel kinda like you do too, that it's not going to hit me until they actually say "you are approved"!! I bet I'm gonna cry and not be able to control myself. It's been bottled up for so darn long now! It feels surreal that we're all talking about going to our interviews finally.

Rae: Ask at the interview about the copy of his immunizations. I could be wrong, but I believe there's an official form that the doctor transcribes them onto. That's what you want a copy of. If they don't give it, I would ask at the POE. IF they don't give it up we'll have to get it from another civil surgeon in the US and pay the huge stupid fee. What a rip off/scam. OR what if they call the doctor that did the medical? Would they have record of it, do you think?

wolverine: Sounds like you guys made the most of your trip to Montreal! So she got the visa in a matter of a few days it sounds like. That's awesome!! Congratulations!!

If the beneficiary's vaccinations were COMPLETED as part of the visa process, IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO INCLUDE FORM I-693A IN THE AOS SUBMISSION. All your medical information is enclosed in the brown envelope which was handed in at the POE. The envelope is then forwarded on to USCIS where it will be consolidated with the I-485 submission, once received. If you received a copy of the Vaccination Documentation Worksheet (Form DS-3025) from your Panel Physician, you may include a copy of that form in your AOS submission in place of Form I-693a.

Just found that in the AoS section sticky. So does that mean we shouldn't worry about the vaccination record copy if all vaccinations are complete? Sounds like it to me. I don't want an RFE for it though while waiting for green card. What do you guys think?

Well I think it can't hurt to go ahead and ask for it while we're at the interview. And I liked your advice about asking the doctor, since we'll know on Monday whether or not the consulate gives us a copy, and after that we'll be in Toronto and have time to deal with it then if we need to. But it's good to know that it's not necessary. I suppose I would simply rather try to get it since my lawyer asked for it, and I hate having to tell her things like, "actually, that isn't necessary, I know more than you b/c of VJ, blah blah".

We'll be asking for it too at the interview. We will have plenty of time while waiting for the visa to check with the panel physician that did his medical too. Let us know what happens!

So are you PACKED YET!?????