Good enough reason for expedite?

[From_CAN_2_US 1,097]

I have been mulling this over for a Long Time but haven’t acted on it because I think the answer is we don’t have a strong enough reason. That being said, we are reaching a point where it is becoming very very difficult for us, so I thought I would ask the opinion of folks here.

 

We are only recently DQ’d and have about a 9-12 month wait ahead of us with Montreal Consulate for the interview. I was wondering if we have any grounds to request an expedite?

 

My Husband (USC) suffers from depression and anxiety which was diagnosed when he was a teenager. He has learnt to Live with it but the last year has been especially tough on him. His cat, who was almost like a daughter to him had to be put down in April last year after battling cancer for a Long Time. Then his father passed away in July, again after battling cancer for a 4 years. My husband lives alone and works from home so because of COVID he went through all this while in isolation. Because of border restrictions and COVID, I couldn’t visit him. We were apart for 8 months At a stretch last year when he was going through the worst time of his life.
 

We managed to get married in October and applied for my immigration visa the next month thinking it would be a 11 month process. But now it is looking to be closer to 20 months.

 

He did not have the support system he needed when he was going through this difficult time last year because I couldn’t be with him. He tells me, and I can see, not having someone there with him has robbed him of his ability to grieve and heal properly. The rest of his family had their spouses with them and they have managed to get through it healthily. But I see him broken, and I feel like it’s only getting worse....
 

Now his mother has been diagnosed with  cardiac issues and she went through surgery 3 weeks ago. Luckily, she got through it fine and is recovering, but again, it’s been hard on my husband. I think he is unable to deal because he is still traumatised by the death of his father.

 

I don’t want to get into details of how it has affected him, his ability to just get through the day, but I am worried for him. I want to be there for him...

 

Would the consulate consider any of this a valid reason for an expedite? 
 

I feel a little ashamed asking, because I know everyone has their own reasons why they MUST be with their spouse and I do feel guilty for wanting to skip the queue. But for me, it’s getting very very hard to see my husband suffering this way, so I simply wanted to ask if there is any chance...

Edited May 28, 2021 by From_CAN_2_US

[payxibka 10,044]

You'll never know unless you try

[Boiler 43,436]

You do not need much evidence to seek an expedite, to get it approved you do and it sounds like the medical reports will be key.

[Ryan H 3,790]

Moved from Progress Reports to Process & Procedures.

[Mollie09 1,543]

You lose nothing by trying, and it sounds like it's definitely worth a shot. The good news (or bad news) is that the one suffering the hardship is the US citizen.

I wish you all the best, sounds like a really tough situation.

[From_CAN_2_US 1,097]

1 hour ago, Mollie09 said:

You lose nothing by trying, and it sounds like it's definitely worth a shot. The good news (or bad news) is that the one suffering the hardship is the US citizen.

I wish you all the best, sounds like a really tough situation.

Appreciate this. 

 

The irony is, while he wants me there for support, the immigration process to get me there has added to his stress,. And now for him to work with me to gather documents and make a case for the expedite will be additionally stressful. All this, while I think we all agree that the chances of it working is low. He is in a fragile state right now...I will talk to my husband to take a call together whether we should attempt the expedite.

Edited May 28, 2021 by From_CAN_2_US

[Boiler 43,436]

Could he move to Canada?

[From_CAN_2_US 1,097]

23 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Could he move to Canada?

Actually back in 2019, our plan was for him to move to Canada by applying for Permanent Residency for him through me. That takes 18 to 24 months, but we were also considering him looking for jobs here that would get him here in the meantime with a work visa. But we abandoned the whole idea when he shared with me his fear of moving further away from his parents when his dad was sick at the time. He also finds comfort in the more rural, natural and quieter setting of New Hampshire where he lives. He finds Toronto stressful and being in big cities is not good for his mental health. We decided then that I would move to him instead.

 

In Hindsight, I am glad he didn't move, because in 2020 his father's health deteriorated rapidly and he might not have been able to be there with him in his final days. And now he is able to drive to NY to be there for his mother when she needs support such as when she had surgery recently.

 

Also, at this point moving on a work visa would not make sense, because he has a good job in the US which he doesn't want to leave when the ultimate goal is for us to settle there...

 

I think if we decide to not apply for expedite or get denied the expedite, we have to just bite the bullet and wait it out...

 

[retheem 553]

16 hours ago, From_CAN_2_US said:

I have been mulling this over for a Long Time but haven’t acted on it because I think the answer is we don’t have a strong enough reason. That being said, we are reaching a point where it is becoming very very difficult for us, so I thought I would ask the opinion of folks here.

 

We are only recently DQ’d and have about a 9-12 month wait ahead of us with Montreal Consulate for the interview. I was wondering if we have any grounds to request an expedite?

 

My Husband (USC) suffers from depression and anxiety which was diagnosed when he was a teenager. He has learnt to Live with it but the last year has been especially tough on him. His cat, who was almost like a daughter to him had to be put down in April last year after battling cancer for a Long Time. Then his father passed away in July, again after battling cancer for a 4 years. My husband lives alone and works from home so because of COVID he went through all this while in isolation. Because of border restrictions and COVID, I couldn’t visit him. We were apart for 8 months At a stretch last year when he was going through the worst time of his life.
 

We managed to get married in October and applied for my immigration visa the next month thinking it would be a 11 month process. But now it is looking to be closer to 20 months.

 

He did not have the support system he needed when he was going through this difficult time last year because I couldn’t be with him. He tells me, and I can see, not having someone there with him has robbed him of his ability to grieve and heal properly. The rest of his family had their spouses with them and they have managed to get through it healthily. But I see him broken, and I feel like it’s only getting worse....
 

Now his mother has been diagnosed with  cardiac issues and she went through surgery 3 weeks ago. Luckily, she got through it fine and is recovering, but again, it’s been hard on my husband. I think he is unable to deal because he is still traumatised by the death of his father.

 

I don’t want to get into details of how it has affected him, his ability to just get through the day, but I am worried for him. I want to be there for him...

 

Would the consulate consider any of this a valid reason for an expedite? 
 

I feel a little ashamed asking, because I know everyone has their own reasons why they MUST be with their spouse and I do feel guilty for wanting to skip the queue. But for me, it’s getting very very hard to see my husband suffering this way, so I simply wanted to ask if there is any chance...

Go ahead and ask for an expedite. If they approve so be it.  Don't be ashamed for anything. America is the land of the brave for a reason

[nastra30 1,984]

Op, you may try for an expedite. All they can say is no. Your current position in line for an interview will not be affected if they say no.

[P0907 127]

As @nastra30 said it won't affect your application if an expedition request is rejected.

 

It sounds like you have a good chance since the hardship is on the side of the USC, however you are at the mercy of the embassy. Make sure to get a letter confirming the diagnosis you mentioned (include it with your application) - they will want proof.

 

Wishing you the very best of luck!

[Boiler 43,436]

Sounds like the issue if getting the supporting medical evidence together.

[USC4SPOUSE 506]

@From_CAN_2_US, you could always reach out to your US Senator or congressperson. Just a thought. Either way, documentation is key in these situations. Wish you the best on your journey.

[Ife2020 37]

On 5/27/2021 at 9:25 PM, From_CAN_2_US said:

I have been mulling this over for a Long Time but haven’t acted on it because I think the answer is we don’t have a strong enough reason. That being said, we are reaching a point where it is becoming very very difficult for us, so I thought I would ask the opinion of folks here.

 

We are only recently DQ’d and have about a 9-12 month wait ahead of us with Montreal Consulate for the interview. I was wondering if we have any grounds to request an expedite?

 

My Husband (USC) suffers from depression and anxiety which was diagnosed when he was a teenager. He has learnt to Live with it but the last year has been especially tough on him. His cat, who was almost like a daughter to him had to be put down in April last year after battling cancer for a Long Time. Then his father passed away in July, again after battling cancer for a 4 years. My husband lives alone and works from home so because of COVID he went through all this while in isolation. Because of border restrictions and COVID, I couldn’t visit him. We were apart for 8 months At a stretch last year when he was going through the worst time of his life.
 

We managed to get married in October and applied for my immigration visa the next month thinking it would be a 11 month process. But now it is looking to be closer to 20 months.

 

He did not have the support system he needed when he was going through this difficult time last year because I couldn’t be with him. He tells me, and I can see, not having someone there with him has robbed him of his ability to grieve and heal properly. The rest of his family had their spouses with them and they have managed to get through it healthily. But I see him broken, and I feel like it’s only getting worse....
 

Now his mother has been diagnosed with  cardiac issues and she went through surgery 3 weeks ago. Luckily, she got through it fine and is recovering, but again, it’s been hard on my husband. I think he is unable to deal because he is still traumatised by the death of his father.

 

I don’t want to get into details of how it has affected him, his ability to just get through the day, but I am worried for him. I want to be there for him...

 

Would the consulate consider any of this a valid reason for an expedite? 
 

I feel a little ashamed asking, because I know everyone has their own reasons why they MUST be with their spouse and I do feel guilty for wanting to skip the queue. But for me, it’s getting very very hard to see my husband suffering this way, so I simply wanted to ask if there is any chance...

Hello, I’m pretty sure he’s suffering from ptsd. Is he in therapy? A therapist can write a letter on his behalf explaining how detrimental it is for him to have support through his grieving process.

[aurmorr 270]

On 5/28/2021 at 12:01 PM, From_CAN_2_US said:

Appreciate this. 

 

The irony is, while he wants me there for support, the immigration process to get me there has added to his stress,. And now for him to work with me to gather documents and make a case for the expedite will be additionally stressful. All this, while I think we all agree that the chances of it working is low. He is in a fragile state right now...I will talk to my husband to take a call together whether we should attempt the expedite.

Hey so here is my story with that so far and where I am:

 

I have PTSD and my “temporary” living situation while waiting for my visa has become more and more complicated. I submitted for expedite in Jan-Feb on the grounds of my mental health from not having a support system, the mental health of my wife for being in total isolation for a year, and the financial burden of maintaining two households while navigating the pandemic. 

 

It was immediately rejected. To the point where I don’t even know if the actually took time to read it and consider or if it’s just some hazing ritual where they reject everyone first off no matter what. 
 

i didn’t give any specific diagnoses for mental health because it is SO stigmatized in the USA and they do not have the same protections for discrimination against people with mental health problems. I have started to develop heart and breathing problems do to the stress I’m under with my housing insecurity, family members here fighting terminal illness where I’m forced to be a support for them while I have no support for myself, and I have been reconsidering reapplying for expedition but have been warned against it because disclosing mental health issues could have consequences and that TERRIFIES me.

 

the Montreal Consulate is known only to expedite in cases of terminal health situations and even then most of us are sure at this point that they would deny us there too if they didn’t want to deal with our dead bodies. Like that’s the reputation of the Montreal Consulate. And that scares me, and I’m stuck considering reapplying for expedition due to the physical problems I’ve developed but if I have to disclose my mental health to do that? I don’t know… 

 

On 5/27/2021 at 10:36 PM, Boiler said:

You do not need much evidence to seek an expedite, to get it approved you do and it sounds like the medical reports will be key.

So our specific consulate in Canada absolutely needs it. It is one of the toughest consulates to get expedition for in the whole world. 
 

@Ife2020 Really? I saw your reply after I posted initially but I’ve been really scared of doing this because I don’t want to be rejected because I have PTSD. That would absolutely destroy me and I don’t think I could survive that.

Edited May 31, 2021 by aurmorr