waitingformylove1

Wow that was a fast responce thank you so much!! She my wife was orignally from the Philippines but has been a legal resident of Canada and lived there for over 6 years to almost 7 years. That is were we had met, where she was living and where she came from prior to marriage on a K-1 VISA. Should I put Philippines instead of Canada? When I did the intial set up account and our for status/ location I put Canada because that is where she lived and came from at that time. Please see our time line/events

She was returning back from the Philippines after visiting her father & relatives she hasn't seen in almost 7 years (since being in Canada). She traveled over there with her sister, brother in law and neice & nephew who are all US Citizens and witnessed the aforementioned event(s).They were gone for two weeks. She has already been living in the USA since she came down on 02/05/12. NEVER BEEN OUT OF STATUS.

I agree I don't know how this individual came to "HIS" conclusions regarding our marriage etc. but we have known each other for almost 3 years PRIOR to our being married and several visits with my immediate & exteneded family members as well. Thanks for the advise I probably will file a formal complaint, it was really unbelievable how this guy was acting/treating EVERYONE in his line.

Hi all fellow VJ's,

I am writing or requesting information especially from anyone who might have had a VERY NEGATIVE experience regarding their rentry in the USA via Advanced Parole (AP) at the Los Angeles international airport (LAX).

The topic covers 2 overlapping issues & I'm not sure which is the best forum, to be in - i.e in the general AOS forum or the AOS reports/progress forum. Mod's please move were appropriate

My wife just returned recently from the Philippines and went through secondary at LAX. The border agent was an absolute #$@@^ - you get the idea. He berated/yelled and interrogated my wife for literally 20 + minutes. He was VERY MAD and upset that my wife's passport is still in her maiden name while her EAD/AP combo card is in her married name, as well as her other legal documents: state issued photo id etc. He asked her how we met, how long we were married, how many times we met before we were married - you would think that she was going for her Visa interview. He then proceeded to tell her that our relationship/history was very weak, marginal or questionable. He told her that she will have significant problems later on with the AOS PROCESS, SPECIFICALLY to be approved . She was dumbfounded,never expecting anything like this neither did I. She had ALL supporting documentation with her from the entire K-1 process, AOS NOA 1, marriage certificate/license etc. She offered the documents to him and he repeatedly stated no he didn't want or need to see them. He did ultimately grant her reparole back into the USA, which expires on 10/08/12.

He told her that she had until that time 10/08/12 to get her passport in her married name or risk being deported - when the AP date expired?? That our marriage he felt is basically a sham and that she would probably be rejected for her AOS approval. Our case was transferred to the CSC on 04/20/12 unfortunately. He said several other things which I honestly don't remember but even her other family members who were there are concered about the way he acted and what he was saying to her. To make matters worse there was a guy in front of her in the same line who was from Japan I believe and he DIDN'T have the correct documentation and WAS being deported back to his country of origin right there, taken out of line into a hold area - not making this stuff up.

I have tried to assure her that she was and is STILL perfectly legal in her immigration process/status through the whole AOS process according to US law. That the border agent was a very cruel,uncaring and condesending person. She has never been out of status (our marriage & all paperwork filed etc) was all done almost 7-8 weeks before her K-1/I94 even expired. She is convinced because of what he said that she will be deported after 10/08/12 if her green card isn't approved by then.

Here is what is stated on here I94 CARD she received AT LAX: Paroled until 08 OCT 2012, purpose : DA AOS I-512 Sept 08 2012 LAX 0389

Can any of this cause her any future or long term problems or delays? Has anyone else here gone through a similar situation? what was the outcome? do we need to do an info pass,call a congressman, ISO etc?

I am mainly writing this and asking for you help, responce or answers so that she can see from others here that she has nothing to worry about. She will be more consolable if I can show her that other people here have experienced "hurdles or set backs" in their AOS process and ultimatley were approved. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL !!!!!!!

Some other things I forgot to mention like you,the Montreal blunders also cost us at least 5-6 weeks total processing time,not as much as you, but enough to mess up our plans as well. We were already planning on her being here with the family for our marriage and holiday season, but now it will definitely be after the holiday season like mid to late January at least. We missed all of the earlier December interviews before 12/11 dates because of the Fee issue & had to schedule a later appointment. Our interview and the visa processing will take place during the Christmas & New Years vacation breaks, so heavens only knows how much longer that will take, hmmm maybe We are a catergory C after all !!! -LOL

Just wanted to try and cheer you up and let you know that you aren't the only one feeling this way with the holiday seasons coming up.

Yes, I have no doubt there are numerous people on here,that have anger or hated issues toward the Montreal consulate. It seems to be three basic categories to apply

A. It seems you either are "lucky" and get through the whole process - no problems at all or any RFE'S in the entire process

B."somewhat lucky" maybe an RFE or two, possibly delayed or lost mail etc.

C. or just plain "unlucky" - a whole lotta problems/RFE'S - any or everything you can possibly imagine could go wrong, in the entire process.

We are basically category B. - never received packet 3 as of today, but because of this site knew not to wait for it and sent it ourselves - thank you VJ'S !!!

Had additional paperwork requested AFTER our NOA2/ petiton was approved for proof of her residency - AGAIN don't know what they did with it the first time.

Had to wait 5 days days for them to say they didn't charge us for the MRV fee/scheduling, but when we called consulate they said they couldn't help us & wouldn't let us book or schedule an interview, UNTIL it was determined or corrected on the (CSC)end. Then they consulate asked us if there was anything they could help us with, except scheduling - LOL. Still all in all I am very greatful because compared to some other people's experiences here, we are lucky to be where were at in spite of Montreal's blunders. It will all work out and when it is done you can leave it behind you for the rest of your life and NOT look back. Keep you spirits up as you near the end of this part of "your Journey"

On thing I wanted to add to this excellent guide/thread and to help out any of my fellow VJ'S in Canada [bEven though the I-129 F petiton paperwork doesn't intially require or mention it,if your finace/fiancee or spouse,is a permanent Canadian resident go ahead and submit a copy of their permanent resident or citizen card/paperwork when you submit the intial application/petiton. This was required of us AFTER receiving the NAO2 / I-129 approval. The letter came from the NVC via the Montreal consulate, requesting a copy of this information before they would process any further, in all it added another 20 days of delay until they "sent out packet 3"[/b]Hope this will help others

good luck

Frostiana, congratulations on your successful P.O.E and also good luck with your AOS paperwork. Thank you for your attempt to help me as well, with my scheduling issues. I am very happy for you both and also excited because we are only about 6-7 weeks behind you in regards to P.O.E etc.

Best wishes to you both and have a wonderful and blessed Holiday !!!!!!!!!!!

Thank everyone for your help or suggestions. We finally were able to schedule an interview. I realize that we could of scheduled w/o paying until interview date, but wanted to get that out of the way-(one less thing to think about). The whole problem or hold up was,that it took CSC a long time 5 business days, to simply reply IF the Credit card was charged or not and where our MRV fee recipt number was. I agree if the website is "kind" to you it all goes through very smoothly and easily. After 5 days I received the email that the charge didn't go through, which we had already assumed had happened, but with a $350 fee you wait to be sure.

So I tried one more time to pay in advance - perfect it went fast, easy and smoothly, no problems at all.We finally are scheuled Yaaaaa!!!!

Some observations or things to note for others who need book/schedule in the future. While I was on the CSC website & we were waitng to hear back from them regarding the payment. It consistently showed the same results for over the last 5 days and that is this.

A. When trying to use the pay in advance option (K-1/K3)- the next available interview dates were always listed between 35- 40 days away.

B. When checking out pay of the day of you interview option (ready to schedule) - the next available openings were always about 80 - 84 days away.

So in conclusion it seems that at least from our experience, if you are willing to take the "risk or stress" of trying to pay in advance you could possibly speed up or get an earlier date for you interview verses choosing the day of interview option. Of course if there are cancellations that always helps to speed up as well.

Lastly there were still about 7 to 10 openings for the month January ,if you are going to choose the (ready to schedule) day of interview payment option.

good luck to you all

Hi, I would suggest that you call or email the facility where the medical exam will take place and tell them what has happened and see what they say. I have read or even heard from others who had the same problem,that they were told that a copy of the letter they received from the NVC - (which has your specific case # & consulate where it will be processed etc.) or even a confirmation email for your scheduled visa interview, or DS-160 would allow you to go ahead a have the exam anyway. You could always try to email the consulate and see if they could email you a copy of the packet 4 letter.

Hope this helps and the very best of luck to you.

Hi Frostiana thanks for your reply and your suggestion. We've already thought of that as well. The only thing that is holding us up at this point (calling credit card company) and now using the ready to schedule option instead,is that in case of a delay of them processing the credit card payment. We don't want to pay twice i.e. - a credit card payment processed several hours or days later and then also end up paying at the consulate,if her card was indeed already billed. This already happened to someone else here on VJ. I agree with you, we will just have to wait and see if she was charged and if not just pay at the consulate on the day of her interview.

I just wish they would be more clear or concise on the CSC web site - for example on the CSC web page "there are currently no interviews available proceed no further or log back in later etc." - before you go through the effort of typing everything in only to find out it was a waste of time to begin with.

I am hoping that someone else here can possibly tell us if they encountered a similar situation and what they did to get it resolved.

Hi everyone, I need some input from my fellow VJ's out there, concerning the MRV/CSC online payment procedure. My fiancee called me tonight and was upset because when she tried to pay the fee online at CSC,with her Visa card (we are at that phase now) - after entering her information & clicking submit/confirm payment button, it didn't seem to finish the transaction and it would not take her to or load the schedule interview page.

When she did click confirm /submit,she said all the information she typed on the page went blank for a few seconds and then the page automatically refreshed or reloaded itself and when it did all of her information was on their again - like she has typed previously. She told me that she was given a reference id# number.

I have aleady went to the CSC website and when you click on contact us, a message pops up stating that it could take 4 hours to verify or process, the transaction and 4 business days to respond to requests.

My questions to those of you who might know or can help are these.

1. Is the reference # she received only for the DHL account or is it used for applying for an interview day? What number will she need to use for interview booking?

2. Can she call someone to confirm if her credit card was number already charged,be given a MRV receipt # and then apply for an interview?

3.I have already used the search tool and read of people having similar issues/problem. Some people think this might be a way for Montreal to control or slow down the number of interviews being booked until more interview openings are available? does anyone know? any and all information is needed

I was afraid that this will be the major pain in the butt having read what the rest of you have dealt with in regards to this specific issue with Montreal.

Thank you all in advance for your help.

Thank you all for all of your support and for those of you who are at the same phase of the Visa process or just behind us, I hope that we all will have a "VERY SPECIAL" holiday season & reason to celebrate as our loved ones get their approvals. We can truly begin our lives together and then also(for those that it applies too) can then get ready for the next "ROUND" of paperwork AOS,EAD GC,SSN -lol

Hi eveyone,Tyring to find out if anyone else found a solution to this problem. My fiancee, just called me a few hours ago very upset and she also is having the same problem(s) and tried to pay online tonight via credi card and the same thing happened to her as other here. She was able to enter all her information, credit card number etc, but when the next part comes to confirm payment and then be able go to the schedule/interview part it won't link her to that page. She DIDN'T click submit a SECOND time because she doesn't want to possibly be charged a second time.

She told me that when she did click submit button that her information, what she had typed in "DISAPPEARED" from the screen, the screen refreshed itself and she had the same page in front of her with her information in the required fields again. I told here just to leave it alone and NOT to click submit, which she already knew not to do. She did received a reference number, but I don't know if it applies to the payment or her DHL account set up.

I told her possibly that her information was submitted and that the credit card needs to be validated or verified & then processed before she can then access the schedule/interview page. When I went on the CSC site and when you click on the contact us button/link - a message pops up regarding the MRV credit card payment and it states that it can take 4 hours or more to process/validate payment and even up to 4 days to respond to requests. I'm assuimng that it is business days & not weekends.

Anyone else have any additional or helpful inofrmation, please help us out and thanks in advance

Hi, I know that you are frustrated but, as much as possible try not to let it get you down, just remember it WILL WORK OUT !!! for you both. Use this time to strengthen your relationship together. I know for my fiancee and myself it helped us to get stronger or closer because of all the time we have waited and the many issues we've dealt with along the way. It helped even early in our relationship,in our case -(before we're marriage)to learn how to uplift,encourage and even honestly acknowledge some possible issues or weaknesses we might have had with one another and to address them. Just remember literally everyone here knows how you feel and what you are going through in many different ways.

I have no doubt you will have many other people here offer you their support, prayers and encouragement and when it does all finally fall into place and happens you will both be doing this !!!!!! it's finally over and continue a beautiful life together.

You can then continue the VJ spirit here and pass on your encouragement / experiences to others as they go through the same process.

Good luck to you to both in every possible way !!!!

Hi to all of my fellow VJ's out there !! I am starting this thread for all those who have just recently gotten to the packet #4 /ready to schedule interview phase. I thought that it would be nice to keep each other informed if any openings occur and to possibly help each other out,when any openings are posted. Like many of our fellow VJ's from the previous months have done, specifically for the Montreal Consulate.

I want to personally thank all of you for your input & experiences regarding your visa journey. You helped us -( My Finacee and I) save at least a month of waiting already. She received packet #4 /letter in the mail today EVEN though packet #3 was supposed to have been mailed out about 4- 5 weeks ago - (still never received it as of today). We took you advise & experiences and filled them out ourselves and sent them in,like many of you suggested to do. We actually sent them in the copies of the required forms DS 156,156K etc. and not just the checklist & DS 160 confirmation page as others have done, in case anyone was wondering. We did this because we have read on here that some of you were being delayed or even requested to actualy provide copies those other forms with the packet 3.

Now comes the "FUN PART" trying to actually schedule the interview. When I hear of any openings, I will post here as soon as I can. For some of my fellow May or June filers, let's hope that they don't slow down to much during the next couple of months to focus on the other visa types, which I know that they do, but keep those k-1 & k-3's going. For those who are in between NAO2 & packet 3 , keep the faith & be positive it will happen for you soon enough. Good luck to all !!!!

You probably already know this, but just in case you didn't, if at all possible file for these three at the same time to save time and money. Instead of filing them seperately or later on. A friend of mine, didn't know or realize this and filed for the work authorization (EAD) and advanced parole seperate from their AOS application and had to pay additional money.

I think it was like another $450-500 dollars - for those other two forms/applications, I forget but it was extra expense they didn't need or anyone else here for that matter. When he knew I was going to apply for the K-1 Visa etc., and of course the above mentioned paperwork later on, he made SURE I knew what had happened to him. So just wanted to pass that along as well to my fellow VJ'S.

Great point or clarification Pocheros!! I should have stated that more clearly or concisely. They will definetly send you a confirmation letter regarding your NAO2 approval and that it has been sent on to the NVC.

It is nice to have email notification - provided they use it. Like in my case, it was nice to know about my NAO2 approval several days to a week, before the actual hard copy was received in the mail.

I truly hope that all of my fellow VJ's " June filers" receive your approvals soon. Remember to refer to the sticky at the top of the Canadian forum - (if it applies to you),in regards of what to expect, or how to proceed after receiving your NAO2.

Sorry, I forgot to mention that I am also a June filer, which is why I responded to your post and to clarify and that my petition was sent through the Vermont Service Center. Sometimes they get behind and will focus on another types of visa applications, for a period of time and when they get "caught up" on one visa type then they shift focus on processing another type of visa application i.e a IR1, CR1, K3, K1. This could also be another possibility.

Hi, when I received my NAO2 notification on 09/08/11, as was previously stated, the post actvitiy bubble was activated. In addition, if you have set up your account for email notification you will receive the email confirming your approval and that they also have physically mailed (sent out)a letter to you notifing you of the approval and that it was sent on to the NVC. You might want to call the service number at the USCIS 1-800-375-5283 and see if they can offer any additional information that might be needed. Keep in mind that you are still within the outer/maximum "time frame" of the desired approval goals, aprroximately 5 to 6 months. Some have received much their NAO2 sooner and some even much later. If you have NOT received any RFE and it has been around the end of 5 or 6 months, since you filed or received your NAO1, I would call to see what is going on. It is posssible that it could be misplaced or misfiled in another folder etc. I truly feel for you, this is certainly a nerve racking process!!

Please keep in mind and take heart, many of us here have gone through many of the same things and we know what you are going through. There is MUCH help and support here on VJ, things WILL workout for you. Good luck to you both and I wish you the very best. !!!!!!!!!!

Hi, yes you do need to fill out the online DS- 160 form, because it is required by the Montreal consulate for K-1 VISA applicants. I think the confusion comes into play because of the way it is worded or referenced on the other website you have specified. When I was first looking into this for my fiancee, I was also initially confused regarding this specific form. As many others have already stated on this wonderful web site,they really need to rework or rewrite,their information in many places or areas. They are not always as clear or concise as it could be. You can always email the Montreal consulate. I can honestly say that I have either been really lucky or have had a very dedicated employee over there, because they have answered any questions I had quickly and even provided direct links to any information I needed. I wish you the very best because we are exactly where you are right now in the visa process. My main concern now is for the interview scheduling part,as they have allocated a bunch of interviews for K-1'S in November & December and I'm afraid it might slow down (interview dates) into the beginning of next year Jan/ Feb of 2012 to focus on some of the other visa application types.

I forgot here are the main links from the Hong Kong Police web site, for the request and downloadble forms. In case anyone else might need this information in the future and hopefully it will save you a lot of time and frustration as it did me initially, don't count on the U.S GOV to set you straight, as they sometimes cause more confusion in their attempt to help - but most of you already know that - LOL. GOOD LUCK TO ALL MY FELLOW VJ'ERS !!!!!

http://www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/11_useful_info/cert_no_crime.html#oversea

http://www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/08_forms/

Hi everyone, thanks for all of your replies, suggestions and for your help. I have already used the search feature and fully agree it does help a lot. I wanted to make sure that since some of those posts were a couple of years old that the procedure hasn't changed.I have read over over those links that were sent previously as well. I am posting the responce that I got directly from the Montreal consulate today and here is their reply to my previous questions the "official document" or "checklist" of packet # 3 requesting the Police inform (concerning the Hong Kong police certificate request) I asked above.The proof of Canadian residency was already sent and they have it.I want to expedite the Hong kong police certificate request part of it, if at all possible, but according to them I shouldn't start until packet# 3 arrives ????? I have been given different answers from the DOS, Montreal consulate, the USCIS etc. which is why I asked my fellow VJ'ERS for help or actual experiences. Once again thank you everyone for all your help, we'll see what happens in the near future with this "headache" of paperwork. - LOL

Good day,

You cannot start proceeding with the packet 3, we are waiting for you to send proof of Canadian Citizenship or legal immigration status in Canada.

Sincerely,

OP8

Consular Correspondent | Immigrant Visa Unit

Montreal-IV-DV@state.gov

Hi everyone, does anyone know the answers to any the above questions? Has no one else here from Cananda had to obtain their police report from Hong Kong?

Maybe one of you VJ er's out there with your previous experience can help us with our current problem or delay. Does the Montreal Consulate send you a SPECIFIC REQUEST form for a police clearance in another country (Hong Kong) or can you use the exact same form that you can download directly from the Montreal Consulate web site ? - (specifically in the packet # 3 link)

What I am referreing specifically to is the "checklist" or "The day of your interview sheet" found in the packet# 3 section. It indicates needing the police certificates from other countries of residence etc. I emailed the Montreal consulate, they replied with a link to the Hong Kong section, BUT it didn't answer my specific questions above. I don't know why the consulate simply couldn't tell me if I can use the sheet that I can download directly myself or IF THEY SEND a different one in the packet # 3. i.e. (a different letter head OR official letterhead) one with our combined information such as MTL #, our names, EAC #.

I hope someone here can help us because this is really the biggest obstacle right now(besides trying to set up for an interview in near the future). Hong Kong takes a long time as it is to process and I don't want to find out 2 or 3 months later that out paperwork or forms sent to them weren't the right ones "official" to be sent to them "

Thank you all for your help. I have learned a lot of very valuable information on here from all of you,that I can use later when we FINALLY get to the Visa Issued stage.

Hi everyone, I just discovered this web site a few days ago. You guys are great and offer both help & hope in this frustrating process !!! I could have saved myself weeks of reading a lot of extra material,that was covered on several of these sticky threads very well. Your firsthand experiences through you own personal Visa process has also been a great help to us both.

My questions are SPECIFICALLY in regards to obtaining a police report /certificate from Hong Kong for the K1 Visa. I have already read older threads from several years ago. I was hoping to find out any current information from people who have firsthand knowledge with this. My Finacee currently lives in Toronto. We already have NAO2 and are getting ready for packet #3 etc. She was told by the Hong Kong police, they WILL NOT send her police certificate directly to her. So,these are my questions then.

1. If she can't receive the police reports directly (mailed to her) will they automatically send then directly to the U.S. Montreal Consulate? or does Montreal request them from Hong Kong?

2. If they do send them directly to the U.S. Montreal Consulate what happens if they would loose them in their mailroom, processing etc? what proof will she have for the Visa interview?

3. Can she start to apply for the Police reports now or does she need a specific form or documentation to send to Hong Kong for the police report requests? I have been given different

answers each time I called the DOS, US Consulate etc. - lol

I already sent her photocopies of the documents I have received for the K1 Visa NAO1, NOA2, the NVC letter with the MTL case # etc.

Thank you all in advance for your help. Like everyone else here just trying to move things along as best as we can. Then the final challenge to TRY to schedule the interview (that never seems available)