wally

first, photocopy EVERYTHING from now on.

second, try calling back and speak to another person at Passport Canada, maybe you'll find someone a little more co-operative

third, if you can't find anyone more co-operative, after the application is mailed back, ATTEND a passport office with the correct documentation...I did that...they did not keep any of my original documents and the passports arrived within a week, registered mail...at that time you can also try and get your surname changed. However, if your petition is filed using your maiden name, you may face some confusion later.

Bird's custard! that's right, I had to make the custard part of my trifle by scratch this past Xmas.

and Cherry Blossom...mmmmmmmm

We took copies of every document related to the Visa. It all fit nicely in an accordion file. It was a precaution in case something was missing. What is absolutely required is passport, interview letter and medical.

At any POE you will be directed to another area once you the custom's officer know you are activating your Visa. They will then open your brown envelope and process you for your Permanent Residence card (Green card) which will include your fingerprints.

If you are petitioning for a CR1 all your originals or certified copies should have been sent with the DS-230's. The only original documents you will require at your interview is your passport, the interview letter and the sealed medical They will give back all the originals and your brown envelope when you get your Visa at the interview. If you wish to take copies, photocopies, that'll be fine.

I'm not sure about Ghana but we got RFE'd for ORIGINALS or CERTIFIED COPIES. They would not accept the photocopies. We wrote our MTL #'s in pencil in the upper right corner.

I had the titre test done as I couldn't remember...it took about 3 weeks to get the results back. For my children, I just told them at the medical that they had chicken pox and they accepted my word.

Medisys has more than one office...I got off the University/King subway exit and it was right there.

Cannot remember exactly but I think it was 14 and under were not required. I brought my son along (10) anyway. You're not long in that building if your daughter can handle the travelling. There were other families in there and everyone kept kinda quiet..probably just the tension of waiting. Your interview letter will tell you if she has to attend.

I went to medisys on Front St...was cheaper then Seiden

get your GP to give you a tetanus..should be no charge

I got varicella (chicken pox) titre test and the MMR booster...still at no charge

I found a chart somewhere online, can't remember where, that listed what was needed at what age.

Timmy's...you can get the individual portions

I can't find the Maynard's wine gums either, or Ju jubes

since you have an interview scheduled, I'd call the consulate and ask them what your options are as your medical results will have an impact

getting the visa might have to be put on the side-burner for now as you need to take care of your health

be strong, you'll get through this

reminds me of the head checks I used to do at school

still gives me the heeby jeebies

like flames said, nothing electronic or large purses, backpacks..etc. Homeland Security are the first people you'll see....you won't get past them without your interview letter and passports. Once you get past them, they'll send you down the stairs to the elevator.

My son was wearing his Heely's (wheels in the heels) and was rolling around in this waiting area. Homeland Security came out of nowhere and yelled at him for rolling around and told him he'd throw us all out if he got caught again. We took the wheels out. The next day when I went back for the Visa's...they remembered us and asked where we got the shoes.

did I see N dakota?

where?

and congrats on your interview

well, my experience in Montreal was a good one. Sure, the driving is brutal around there but it's got to be the culture. We also stayed at the Day's Inn and I'm not sure why you were charged so much for parking, we parked underground and it wasn't near as much as you did. We tried to try out our 'school' French on whoever we could but most people spoke English.

I'm sorry you had a rotten visit. Just the stress of the interview is rough enough. Montreal/Quebec really is quite beautiful and it's too bad most people make only flying visits and can't stay to see the rest of it. I went to the Jazz Festival a couple of years ago....amazing.

hey,

our interviews were at 9:30a and we were there around an hour before. You can go in earlier and see if you can get through the queue a little faster. Remember to only take in the required paperwork. We didn't take in our x-rays cause the doctor at the medical said we were good. Homeland Security confiscated our car remote.

I do not believe they issues the Visa's the same day. We got ours the next day after 2 or 3pm. The interview letter should have instructions as to getting it expressed posted back to you if you can't wait for it.

Congrats, this is the easiest part of the whole process.

In Ontario, I had to get a Certificate of Divorce from the Superior Court. It has a red seal on the top left and states the names, date of marriage, date divorced was issued and the date the divorce was active. The last date reflects the waiting time required after a divorce is issued.

Wally..

So they never asked you for the divorce order then???

like Jersey girl said...your divorce (at least in Ontario) is not truly final until 30 days after the divorce is granted by the judge. After the 30 days I had to go back to the Superior Court and request the Certificate of Divorce...only had to wait a few minutes and I think there was a small fee.

no offence to all you fine lawyers out there...my divorce one was awesome...but unless you are the only case they are currently working on...and if that's the case then I would question their abilities...using a lawyer to confirm and verify documents can only add longer waiting times to this process. When I was going through this I considered it a part-time job...between filling out documents, searching for documents, arranging appts., and the never ending phone calls and site checks for case status.

wow, congrats...maybe we'll see you on one of those Animal Planet shows

In Ontario, I had to get a Certificate of Divorce from the Superior Court. It has a red seal on the top left and states the names, date of marriage, date divorced was issued and the date the divorce was active. The last date reflects the waiting time required after a divorce is issued.

thanks for this info...sadly, nothing happening in my State

won't be here anyway. On July 1st we're gonna be joining my old running group in Toronto for the Canada Day 10K. So looking forward to seeing them, my family and more importantly, to top up my Timmy's supply.

the only thing that we did not already have a copy of in the brown envelope was the medical...I don't think K visas are much different

I put dates for the visits I could remember and also put 'numerous other visits'....Canadians are expected to enter many times.

call the office where you're getting your medical for your interview...I believe not all the shots have to be given before it but you have to start it

my experience is the rates go higher during high travel times, such as holidays and summer.

when we travelled for Easter, we booked in Jan., by March the flights were twice the cost.

try searching other smaller airlines such as West Jet if they're available for you