Montreal Process Recap

[ralyse 31]

Hi Everyone!

I've been obsessively scouring the Packet 3 threads since basically the day we filed and my paranoia is starting to get to me. I've been keeping a list of anything important and it's been expanding and growing based on all the fantastic threads here in the Canada forum. That said, I'm now starting to worry that I've overthought this entire process so much that I'm going to miss something or get something wrong entirely. (This is what it's like in my head...) So I'm hoping you'll all humour my with my little rundown and let me know if there's anything glaringly missing or blatantly wrong?

-Currently I'm at the "Call NVC to see if they've gotten our case" stage. Today was the first day I tried, they have not.

-Once they have, I call every few days asking if it's been sent to Montreal and get my Montreal case number

-Then I start calling DoS waiting to see if the case has been logged at Montreal and Packet 3 has been sent.

-Once it's been sent, I send the following:

Signed Checklist

DS-160 x 1

DS-156K x 1

DS-230 x 1

DS-156 x 2

To this address, with my Montreal case number on everything:

ATTN: Immigrant Visa Unit

315 Place d'Youville Suite 500

Montreal Quebec

H2Y OA4

-Once delivered, I wait for DoS to say Packet 3 has been logged, and Packet 4 sent.

-Once packet 4 sent, I ask if I'm authorized to schedule the interview, and I do so via the website.

-Call and book Medical.

-Wait for interview.

Am I missing anything? is this correctly thought out? I've got everything for Packet 3 already and everything but the Affidavit of Support is ready. (We figured with the delay in interviews for Montreal that we could work on that while waiting). I want to make sure I get through this process (At least until booking the interview) as quickly as possible because unfortunately I'm out of a place to live as of August 1st. I realize the chances of getting an interview before then when I'm not even at NVC yet will take a miracle, but that won't stop me from keeping my fingers crossed. If it doesn't happen, at least once the interview is booked I'll *know* and have to figure out somewhere to live for the interim, too. (I don't suppose anyone thinks there's any hope in talking to Montreal about a possible early interview for this reason? I doubt it, but it's not like this was planned. Roommates had something major happen and can't wait until I've got my visa to give notice as was our original plan.)

Okay, that's a bit of a ramble. I appreciate anyone who can hold my hand through this to point out anything I'm missing or validate that I've got everything covered.

Thanks so much!

[KASH2011 382]

-Once it's been sent, I send the following:

Signed Checklist

DS-160 x 1

DS-156K x 1

DS-230 x 1

DS-156 x 2

You don't need Ds-160 (online form) for K1 visa.

you also need to have DS-157.

read: The travel.state.gov FAQ website states that:

"When I apply for a nonimmigrant visa using the online DS-160, are additional forms required?

No, with two exceptions. When applying at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate that is using the new DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, you will use only one (1) form. For Embassies and Consulates that have converted to this new process, the DS-160 has replaced all of the following forms: DS-156, DS-157, DS-158, and DS-3032, which are no longer necessary.

NOTE: The exceptions are Fiancé(e) Visas (K-1/2) which still require use of the forms DS-156 and DS-156K, and the Treaty Trader/Treaty Investor visa "

[JeannieL 44]

Looks like you have everything in order :-) I hope that you get through the NVC process quickly and on to Montreal.

As to KASH response.....Montreal requires the DS-160 to be done online and a copy sent with packet 3. Montreal does not require the DS-157. There are different requirements for different consulates, please be careful when giving information on a consulate that you are unfamiliar with :-)

[iampatricias 17]

Jeannie's got it right - I submitted a DS160 and did not do a DS157 (approved yesterday!).

I followed the same procedure as you've got listed there. Remember that the updated Letter of Intent to Marry should be dated within one month of the interview.

Good luck and great plan to stay on top of things by calling the NVC and DoS!

[Penny Lane 8,159]

-Once it's been sent, I send the following:

Signed Checklist

DS-160 x 1

DS-156K x 1

DS-230 x 1

DS-156 x 2

You don't need Ds-160 (online form) for K1 visa.

you also need to have DS-157.

read: The travel.state.gov FAQ website states that:

"When I apply for a nonimmigrant visa using the online DS-160, are additional forms required?

No, with two exceptions. When applying at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate that is using the new DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, you will use only one (1) form. For Embassies and Consulates that have converted to this new process, the DS-160 has replaced all of the following forms: DS-156, DS-157, DS-158, and DS-3032, which are no longer necessary.

NOTE: The exceptions are Fiancé(e) Visas (K-1/2) which still require use of the forms DS-156 and DS-156K, and the Treaty Trader/Treaty Investor visa "

I'm sorry, but this is false information. Montreal requires the DS-160.

[ralyse 31]

Thanks for all the input/reassurance! I'm glad I didn't have a complete logic fail on something, here. Just called NVC and got my Montreal case number and everything so it's hopefully moving nicely along

[JeannieL 44]

That is great news! Now on to Montreal. Have you got everything in order for your medical? I'm not sure if you read my post about the passport pictures somewhere but.....I went to Shoppers Drug Mart to get my passport pictures done...In total you need 5....3 for the medical and 2 to take to the interview with you (don't send them with packet 3) The nice lady took my picture and printed it. Then we took that and scanned it, then printed it on glossy photo paper. She had to play with the color a little, I forget now if she had to make lighter or darker. Anyway.....The first 2....the originals from the special camera were $9.99 a page....So one page of that....Then I got 2 pages of the photocopies at .19 a page. She cut them all for me according to the specs. I took the 3 copies to the medical and will take the 2 originals to my interview. Just an idea on how to save about $20.

[ralyse 31]

Oh nice, that's a really smart way to do that! *adds it to list*

I unfortunately lack a family doctor and have for quite some time (since moving for school) so I've not got my vaccination records and was just going to have to pay to have it done at the medical. But otherwise, I've got everything in order

[JeannieL 44]

I suggest going to a clinic and getting the blood work done to see if you need the MMR shot. If you had the chick pox as a child then just kinda remember what grade you were in and figure out what year. If you did not have the chicken pox you might want to have the blood work to see if you need the vaccine. You should get the TDaP shot as well. Getting them before your medical will save time and money :-)

[GLo 0]

Oh nice, that's a really smart way to do that! *adds it to list*

I unfortunately lack a family doctor and have for quite some time (since moving for school) so I've not got my vaccination records and was just going to have to pay to have it done at the medical. But otherwise, I've got everything in order

No family doctor? This is a common problem (particularly in Toronto). Have you tried going to a walk-in clinic to get an antibody titre test done? I would highly recommend doing that since it will be extremely costly if you get it done at the medical.

[ralyse 31]

Yeah, it's very common on Kitchener-Waterloo too, unfortunately. Somehow going to the clinic never even crossed my mind though, even though it's basically across the street! I'll definitely check into that on my day off next week! Thanks!

[Shorah 2]

Yeah go to a clinic. If you do you medical in Toronto they don't actually do any immunizations there.

I needed my MMR again (for a stupid reason) but they couldnt do it there.

I had to go to a walk in clinic and fax the results back to the office.

[iampatricias 17]

I also went to a walk-in with my immunization record and a print-off of the required vaccines, and the doctor I saw gave me all the shots I needed (either updates or all new ones) for free. I did that about 2 weeks before the medical and it was really reassuring to know that there wouldn't be any problems. I also had him write a little note about my prescriptions (from the same clinic).

We'll help you get through this!

[GLo 0]

Yeah go to a clinic. If you do you medical in Toronto they don't actually do any immunizations there.

I needed my MMR again (for a stupid reason) but they couldnt do it there.

I had to go to a walk in clinic and fax the results back to the office.

I remember seeing an "Accepting new patient" sign at Dr. Seiden's office. Medicals for Visa are done on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings, but they're are a regular doctor's office afterwards.

It's rare to find a doctor who is accepting new patients in Toronto. Heck I actually work in a hospital and none of the family physicians here are accepting new patients without a referral. I would recommend checking the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario “Doctor Search" and Health Care Connect. Again, a walk-in clinic would work too.

[NinoniAndBoosBoos 6]

I also went to a walk-in with my immunization record and a print-off of the required vaccines, and the doctor I saw gave me all the shots I needed (either updates or all new ones) for free. I did that about 2 weeks before the medical and it was really reassuring to know that there wouldn't be any problems. I also had him write a little note about my prescriptions (from the same clinic).

We'll help you get through this!

Jeannie - Great advice on the passport pics re: Shoppers and the Flu shot to avoid the cost at the Medical, whenever that happens..

Iampatricias, I have had no luck getting my immunization records, called Toronto Public Health, called my public School, High school, Family Dr. doesn't have any record of my shots: gets a bit confusing when Toronto Amalgamated with the other boroughs and became GTA, and records were archived but they don't know where. There is also the problem that I was a little tyke a long, long time ago, and too much time may have lapsed to find any records of my immunization. I am seeing my Family Dr. for my complete physical so hopefully she can assist me. Public Health told me I should get the Adult "booster", again the Flu Shot advice from Jeannie was brilliant. Any other advice you might share that will help me down the road with immunization process?