IR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview

[Jill & Jeff 3]

Congratulations!

Was the EPA to ensure he didnt pay duty on his car? I have been wondering this for myself when my POE comes up.

It's to make sure that his car conforms to all the US EPA regulations. I'm not sure how duty works, but the letter the consulate provided us with said that most Canadian cars don't have to pay a duty (assuming it has something to do with NAFTA).

We'll have to go back up to Highgate Springs, VT this weekend and take care of it. They'll give us a form so that he can register the car down here in NH.

J-

[Heather&Matt 0]

It's to make sure that his car conforms to all the US EPA regulations. I'm not sure how duty works, but the letter the consulate provided us with said that most Canadian cars don't have to pay a duty (assuming it has something to do with NAFTA).

I see. I just bought a brand new car in December so I'm sure it conforms to regulations. I have heard mixed things about duty though. A Canadian friend of ours did the K-1 Visa and apparently had to pay duty when he registered his car with PA. I'm going to look into it more...the last thing I need is to pay duty on a brand new vehicle.

[AB2CO 1]

I see. I just bought a brand new car in December so I'm sure it conforms to regulations. I have heard mixed things about duty though. A Canadian friend of ours did the K-1 Visa and apparently had to pay duty when he registered his car with PA. I'm going to look into it more...the last thing I need is to pay duty on a brand new vehicle.

I don't claim to be an expert on this, but I think the compliance letter/EPA stuff is about making sure the vehicle can even be brought into the US without having to do mods to make it compliant. I don't think it has any effect on whether the vehicle is dutiable or not.

As for duty, I think there is no duty in most cases. but I thought I read something somewhere along the line that you had to have had the vehicle for one year to be able to import it as part of your immigration without duty. But as I said, I don't claim to be an expert on this . . . my vehicles were older and I just had to fill out a couple of forms and I was good to go.

[Jill & Jeff 3]

I see. I just bought a brand new car in December so I'm sure it conforms to regulations. I have heard mixed things about duty though. A Canadian friend of ours did the K-1 Visa and apparently had to pay duty when he registered his car with PA. I'm going to look into it more...the last thing I need is to pay duty on a brand new vehicle.

What he is paying in PA is not duty. Duty is paid at the border. What he's paying is the personal property tax on his vehicle to the state of PA. It's basically the fees you need to pay to register your car.

J-

[Matt n Shannon 3]

Hey Pixel and Jill & Jeff what kinda questions did you guys get asked. Post a modest interview review please

[NBtoPitt 2]

The interview was very basic. We lined up outside and were let in around 7:30. We went through a security check, basically like one at an airport. We were directed downstairs to a waiting room. After a couple of minutes (if you're one of the first ones through) you're called to go in an elevator right beside the waiting room and then you sit in another waiting room.

They call you to a window, like ones at the bank (kind of), a couple of times to give documents (the ones asked for in the letter) and to have your fingerprints taken. Then you wait some more in the waiting room. Then you're called into a little room and are asked questions. For me they asked how I met my husband, where he was living and where I intended to live, and that was pretty much it. She handed me a welcome letter and said I can expect my passport back within a couple of weeks.

[Jill & Jeff 3]

The interview was very basic. We lined up outside and were let in around 7:30. We went through a security check, basically like one at an airport. We were directed downstairs to a waiting room. After a couple of minutes (if you're one of the first ones through) you're called to go in an elevator right beside the waiting room and then you sit in another waiting room.

They call you to a window, like ones at the bank (kind of), a couple of times to give documents (the ones asked for in the letter) and to have your fingerprints taken. Then you wait some more in the waiting room. Then you're called into a little room and are asked questions. For me they asked how I met my husband, where he was living and where I intended to live, and that was pretty much it. She handed me a welcome letter and said I can expect my passport back within a couple of weeks.

That's about exactly the same questions I got. The women that both Pixel and I got was a really really nice blond lady. She asked how we met, if he intended to live at the address on the forms. She asked where we got married and if the CBP gave him a hard time coming into the country. Overall, she was super nice and made us feel really comfortable.

J-

[VandJ 0]

what i hated about the consulate:

the first batch of people went in and i never saw them again

then i was the first one in the waiting room downstairs, first one in the elevator... but last one out! so i was the last in line to get my # :/

also, i got the letter E, which was useless?

the lady at the first booth looked confused as to why i was given a letter and kept it?

[Heather&Matt 0]

Thought I would share my border crossing experience last night. I have been crossing the border a couple times a week to see my husband, and he does the same into Canada. I have never had an issue. I carry all significant ties to Canada with me as well as paperwork from our CR-1 journey. Last night I was told that while my petition is pending I am not allowed to be crossing the border. He went on and on about how they would think I was immigrating to the US illegally. I explained with full confidence that I have been crossing into the US since we have started the immigration process and I have NEVER had any tell me that. As well he kept repeating "while your petition is pending" and I kept correcting him that the petition has already been approved and I have all the paperwork to prove so. He then says "well, someone may deny you enty based on your pending approval, but have a good night." He hands me my passport and I leave.

The thing that really pisses me off about this is that he is practically lying to me. I know, as most of us do, that you are allowed to visit your spouse while the immigration process is in proceedings. If this was such a problem: 1) pull me in for secondary questioning, 2) not ONE border guards has said this to me before, 3) why just let me cross then, if this was such an issue. I have actually had other border guards say "its great you are doing it the right way" or "it must be hard living apart" then you have this guy.

I realize that he was either trying to trip me up or just intimidate me...but it makes me more anxious to finally have this process over with and not having to deal with issues like this anymore.

/rant

[VandJ 0]

Thought I would share my border crossing experience last night. I have been crossing the border a couple times a week to see my husband, and he does the same into Canada. I have never had an issue. I carry all significant ties to Canada with me as well as paperwork from our CR-1 journey. Last night I was told that while my petition is pending I am not allowed to be crossing the border. He went on and on about how they would think I was immigrating to the US illegally. I explained with full confidence that I have been crossing into the US since we have started the immigration process and I have NEVER had any tell me that. As well he kept repeating "while your petition is pending" and I kept correcting him that the petition has already been approved and I have all the paperwork to prove so. He then says "well, someone may deny you enty based on your pending approval, but have a good night." He hands me my passport and I leave.

The thing that really pisses me off about this is that he is practically lying to me. I know, as most of us do, that you are allowed to visit your spouse while the immigration process is in proceedings. If this was such a problem: 1) pull me in for secondary questioning, 2) not ONE border guards has said this to me before, 3) why just let me cross then, if this was such an issue. I have actually had other border guards say "its great you are doing it the right way" or "it must be hard living apart" then you have this guy.

I realize that he was either trying to trip me up or just intimidate me...but it makes me more anxious to finally have this process over with and not having to deal with issues like this anymore.

/rant

my friend went through the CR1 process with the help of a lawyer. She was pregnant for most of the process and her lawyer told her she had NO right to enter the US before she had her visa approved... while i was going in and out of the US with the same processus pending. It's a shame that there is nothing clear about entry with a pending visa.

(but then again, i got stuck in the immigration office once at the toronto airport and i remember clearly hearing the guy in front of me being told by an officer he didnt have the right to enter the US with a pending visa.... oh well)

[Jill & Jeff 3]

Thought I would share my border crossing experience last night. I have been crossing the border a couple times a week to see my husband, and he does the same into Canada. I have never had an issue. I carry all significant ties to Canada with me as well as paperwork from our CR-1 journey. Last night I was told that while my petition is pending I am not allowed to be crossing the border. He went on and on about how they would think I was immigrating to the US illegally. I explained with full confidence that I have been crossing into the US since we have started the immigration process and I have NEVER had any tell me that. As well he kept repeating "while your petition is pending" and I kept correcting him that the petition has already been approved and I have all the paperwork to prove so. He then says "well, someone may deny you enty based on your pending approval, but have a good night." He hands me my passport and I leave.

The thing that really pisses me off about this is that he is practically lying to me. I know, as most of us do, that you are allowed to visit your spouse while the immigration process is in proceedings. If this was such a problem: 1) pull me in for secondary questioning, 2) not ONE border guards has said this to me before, 3) why just let me cross then, if this was such an issue. I have actually had other border guards say "its great you are doing it the right way" or "it must be hard living apart" then you have this guy.

I realize that he was either trying to trip me up or just intimidate me...but it makes me more anxious to finally have this process over with and not having to deal with issues like this anymore.

/rant

Wow, I'm sorry you had to deal with that. I've never experienced that on my end. It's unfortunate that border guards have to treat people like that. We're doing this the correct way and there are times when we're given a hard time. The guard at the border when we came across to actually immigrate with the CR-1 visa actually gave us a hard time. I was shocked. We pulled up, and my husband said, "I'm immigrating on a CR-1 visa". The guard looks at his with this completely annoyed look, puffs his cheeks out and says, "Tonight..? Right now...? Really...!?". My husband and I were just surprised... he gave us this annoyed run down about what a problem it was and then told us to pull over as he stomped out of his little guard post inside. All he did was throw our passports on the table and another CBP (really nice man) actually did the CR-1 process.

J-

[AB2CO 1]

Received my greencard in the mail today (Jan 20) . . . I did POE on Jan 1 . . . wasn't expecting the green card this fast.

Still haven't received my SSN card . . . guess I'm off to SSN office next week.

[Heather&Matt 0]

my friend went through the CR1 process with the help of a lawyer. She was pregnant for most of the process and her lawyer told her she had NO right to enter the US before she had her visa approved... while i was going in and out of the US with the same processus pending. It's a shame that there is nothing clear about entry with a pending visa.

(but then again, i got stuck in the immigration office once at the toronto airport and i remember clearly hearing the guy in front of me being told by an officer he didnt have the right to enter the US with a pending visa.... oh well)

right...100 other border guards before this guy never said it was a problem. AND if it was a problem then why even let me into the country...no secondary questioning or anything. If it was clear cut then everyone should be consistent. I bet when I cross on Saturday I won't have even a small issue.

Edited January 21, 2011 by Heather&Matt

[Canadiandggal 49]

Thought I would share my border crossing experience last night. I have been crossing the border a couple times a week to see my husband, and he does the same into Canada. I have never had an issue. I carry all significant ties to Canada with me as well as paperwork from our CR-1 journey. Last night I was told that while my petition is pending I am not allowed to be crossing the border. He went on and on about how they would think I was immigrating to the US illegally. I explained with full confidence that I have been crossing into the US since we have started the immigration process and I have NEVER had any tell me that. As well he kept repeating "while your petition is pending" and I kept correcting him that the petition has already been approved and I have all the paperwork to prove so. He then says "well, someone may deny you enty based on your pending approval, but have a good night." He hands me my passport and I leave.

The thing that really pisses me off about this is that he is practically lying to me. I know, as most of us do, that you are allowed to visit your spouse while the immigration process is in proceedings. If this was such a problem: 1) pull me in for secondary questioning, 2) not ONE border guards has said this to me before, 3) why just let me cross then, if this was such an issue. I have actually had other border guards say "its great you are doing it the right way" or "it must be hard living apart" then you have this guy.

I realize that he was either trying to trip me up or just intimidate me...but it makes me more anxious to finally have this process over with and not having to deal with issues like this anymore.

/rant

First off hes wrong there is no rule about visiting your spouse through the process

However They do have say whether you get across or not and depending on what kind of mood they are in it is possible that they could deny you at any moment. (stupid). I do not think many people end up being denied entry but it does happen to the best of us.

[mtlgato 2]

Hi everyone--

I've lost track now of how we're updating the timeline. I was approved on Jan. 19 for my CR-1. Am I supposed to update my line on the spreadsheet? Or has someone taken over this role?

C