Long, Strange Journey

[JillA 2]

Hi Dante,

I wish you the best of luck with your upcoming interview. Your list looks good, but don't forget the amount you have to pay the day of your interview (when I went in July it was $131 USD).

My interview was painless and smooth, I hope the same goes for you.

[Dante 0]

Thanks JillA. The fee is actually at $400 USD now. I'll be bringing two credit cards...just in case.

Thanks for the reminder.

[Galateia 1]

Thanks JillA. The fee is actually at $400 USD now. I'll be bringing two credit cards...just in case.

Thanks for the reminder.

Sweet mercy, are you serious?! $400?!! Good grief!

I'd just like to assure you that the interview will go fine. Even if there is a problem with your paperwork, they won't deny you, they'll just do a 'pending approval' until they get the missing piece. From what I've gathered, and from my own experiences, Canadian-meets-American is a classic tale that raises no eyebrows with the consulate.

Remember they are watching out for visa fraud. Canadians have no "motivation" (my Consular Officer's term) to immigrate to the US, and many of us are giving up a better quality of life in Canada to be with our beloveds. What they want from you is the paperwork to be in order so their job goes more smoothly, and to make sure you'll be a productive member of US society once you're married to your American sweetie. So it's a good idea to have some sort of plan to get a job if they ask- in my case I answered that there was a call centre close to our apartment that I'd be trying to get a job at as soon as I got work authorization, and that I was confident I could get it as it was similar to where I worked at the time. It can be as simple as "I work in X field, so I'll be looking for work in a related field in the area" just to show you're looking ahead to being employed and paying taxes.

The visa interview felt like a formality, really.

My actual visa-centric interview was about 30 seconds long, and the rest of it was spent gossiping about our similar university degrees. It was so painless. Unless one of you is a milionaire and old enough to be the other's grandparent, I don't think you need to worry about it.

Not only that, but lots of us Canadians get our AOS cases transferred to the California Service Center and - boop! - approved and greencard in hand without even an interview. If you have a simple case, there is no need to worry. They're watching out for crooks, not Cdn-US lovebirds. So don't stress, you'll be fine.

Y'hear?

[Beautiful_years 0]

Hey sorry about your mom, goodluck with interview!

[Carlawarla 1]

Just to be sure, I checked the Consulate page and it still says the fee is $131.00. Where did you see that it had gone up to $400.00? I think you have to deposit the visa fee at the Scotia bank and bring your receipt to the interview, but someone can correct me if I'm wrong. I was interviewed in Vancouver, and things are a bit different there.

Another thing it says is that as of October 22, 2008, you have to electronically fill out the DS-160 which you submit electronically, and take a confirmation page to the interview. Unless you've done that already...

I also wouldn't worry about the passport pictures, unless you do have the time to go back to Black's. If all else fails, I'm sure there is a booth where you can take them at or near the Consulate.

Best of luck again!

[Dante 0]

Just to be sure, I checked the Consulate page and it still says the fee is $131.00. Where did you see that it had gone up to $400.00? I think you have to deposit the visa fee at the Scotia bank and bring your receipt to the interview, but someone can correct me if I'm wrong. I was interviewed in Vancouver, and things are a bit different there.

Another thing it says is that as of October 22, 2008, you have to electronically fill out the DS-160 which you submit electronically, and take a confirmation page to the interview. Unless you've done that already...

I also wouldn't worry about the passport pictures, unless you do have the time to go back to Black's. If all else fails, I'm sure there is a booth where you can take them at or near the Consulate.

Best of luck again!

I should have time to run to Black's at lunch. I just want everything to run smoothly.

$400 USD is what was listed in the documentation attached to my appointment letter. It does state if you haven't paid it already you can pay at the interview, and they do accept major credit cards. And I didn't see anything in the package about the DS-160. My head is filled with too many numbers and letters. I think I'll bring some of it to work with me and just double check it all again on my break. I do remember the DS-156 came with my previous package. Oh boy. I almost forgot about that one. And a quick check of the US Department of State site shows it's currently in use for Montreal and Vancouver.

I have to run to work now. I guess I need to look into it there some more.

Thanks for the catch.

[trailmix 77]

Hi Dante,

I assume you are referring to this statement in the letter:

If you have not already paid them to the National Visa Center, please bring the fees: USD $400.00 per person for immigrant visa processing. You may pay in U.S dollars or Canadian dollars according to the U.S. Government exchange rate in effect on the day of your interview. You may also pay this fee by major credit card.

The $400 fee they mention is for CR1 and IR1 visa applicants, not K1 applicants - CR1/IR1 pay:

Immigrant visa application processing fee (per person), Form DS-230 : $355.00

Immigrant visa security surcharge, for all IV and DV applicants: $45.00

Which is the $400 fee. They pay this to the NVC. K1 and K3 don't (because you don't have any processing at NVC). You just get to pay a lot more money later, when you adjust status.

Edited December 17, 2008 by trailmix

[Dante 0]

Thanks for the clarification Trailmix. Sounds like I better find time to go to the bank today and get the $131 USD just in case. Much better than $400 anyways.

And I think I'm going to fill out the DS-160 (as I mentioned, it does say it's now used by Montreal and Vancouver). So, I can bring the confirmation for that with me, and have the filled out DS-156, just in case. Cover all of my bases, so to speak.

Well, it's going to come down to the wire, but I think I'll have everything prepared and ready to go.

[trailmix 77]

Thanks for the clarification Trailmix. Sounds like I better find time to go to the bank today and get the $131 USD just in case. Much better than $400 anyways.

And I think I'm going to fill out the DS-160 (as I mentioned, it does say it's now used by Montreal and Vancouver). So, I can bring the confirmation for that with me, and have the filled out DS-156, just in case. Cover all of my bases, so to speak.

Well, it's going to come down to the wire, but I think I'll have everything prepared and ready to go.

You're welcome!

Edited December 17, 2008 by trailmix

[SpiritAlight 1]

I'm not sure you put this in your package for the interview:

some "evidence" of your ongoing relationship.

Like:

photos

telephone calls (a sheet)

airline ticket stubs (boarding passes)

some emails

etc.

varying dates on stuff from beginning until current.

That is all.

Best of luck...you will not need it! Ha!

Dress warmly for showing up early and hanging outside Montreal U.S. consulate (if that is where you are going).

Remember: they do allow any bags inside. Put your stuff in a paper accordian file or a plastic bag.