Montreal Consulate - few quick questions! (Carrying documents/photocopies)

[EvanB 0]

Hey guys,

So I have my interview at the Montreal consulate next Wednesday. Been reading as much as I could on the requirements and don't want to mess anything up... so have 2 questions:

#1) Wondering the best way to bring all my documents as bags etc aren't permitted... Put everything in a giant binder? A few envelopes? In our case the I134 the most recent tax year is a full return in itself (~60 pages! - no transcripts available yet) and combined with everything else it will be a hefty package!

Would be nice to know what others who have gone through this found the easiest/most acceptable way without getting into any trouble...

Also, sorta tying into that...

#2) What EXACTLY needs to also be photocopied? I seem to recall reading about some people saying photocopy EVERYTHING, but that seems crazy/overkill/redundant (especially a full tax return!), and going by the official instructions here it seems to indicate only exactly what needs a copy (ex: passport bio page, birth cert, etc).

Am I safe to assume I only need copies of what it specifically asks for on the packet 4? You'd think but it seems a lot of this stuff you really have to dig to find out exactly how these guys want it... which is the only reason I ask! So this place is great as a lot of you guys have been through it first hand!

Thanks so much for all the help in advance!! Appreciate it.

[TBoneTX 43,001]

*** Country-specific thread moved from K-1 Process forum to the Canada regional subforum. ***

[NikLR 13,220]

You need the i-134 (original) and entire tax return including w2s and schedules. People recommend a photocopy of the entire package in case something was misplaced or lost by the USCIS, NVC, or consulate. Bring new dated and signed intent to marry letters. Bring petitioner and beneficiary original birth certificate and a photo copy, any original divorce decrees (from either person) and photocopy, etc..

I used a clear accordion folder. Rather like this

[Ash.1101 1,755]

What does schedules mean? That's the first time I've seen anything about that.

I was planning on having my mother (who would be the co-sponsor) send signed I-134, her W2, this last years tax return, signed letter of employment, and paystubs. She made 3k more than the amount needed last year and makes more this year, so I just want to make sure that's everything they'll ask for before I send all the papers over.

Edited July 8, 2015 by Ash.1101

[Trason 3]

I may be a bit of an organization freak but I had everything in a 2 inch binder, in page protectors and colour coded. In retrospect it was a bit overkill, but for my sanity I felt very prepared for the interview. I had my documents divided into 3 sections: my information, my husbands information and my father in law's (who was our co-sponsor). I also had a separate folder of proof of relationship with pictures and evidence of our relationship (of which they did not even glance at). If I were to do it again, I would have placed all my originals of the documents they request you bring to the interview together, with a separate section of photocopies.

I interviewed 2 copies of everything just in case, but you are probably safe just having the original and one photocopy. At my interview they did ask for photocopies of my passport.

In regards to your transcripts, is there any way you could just photocopy 2 pages onto one page and print it double sided? That may save some paper.

[NikLR 13,220]

What does schedules mean? That's the first time I've seen anything about that.

I was planning on having my mother (who would be the co-sponsor) send signed I-134, her W2, this last years tax return, signed letter of employment, and paystubs. She made 3k more than the amount needed last year and makes more this year, so I just want to make sure that's everything they'll ask for before I send all the papers over.

Your mother in law would know. She needs EVERYTHING she would send in a paper tax return.