Found Frolicking

Got waybill tracking number yesterday on the 19th in the evening and visa is ready for pickup this morning on the 20th here in Edmonton, Alberta. 2 full business days for the wait, not bad at all. Well be packing trailer today and heading to the border first thing in the morning. Again will write full reviews of both Consulate interview and POE when were settled in. Cheers.

Sorry, there is no returns policy when marrying a foreign national.

Relationships breakdown, so divorce and move on.

On a personal note I find it sad that so many people think they can apparently treat a foreign spouse differently to a US spouse and return them "home" like a defective appliance.

Who knows the circumstances... But in regards to how some foreign spouses are treated that's opening a whole can of worms that's wrong on a lot of levels, often on the side of the foreign national as much as the citizen.

Visa status now says issued as of this Monday morning Aug 18th. Hoping it arrives Wednesday so we can rent the U-Haul that day and start loading to leave on Thursday. Wouldn't be in a huge rush if I didn't have work waiting for me and my son's birthday on the 31st. Anyways, just thought I would throw that out there. Will post a review of consulate experience and update when visa is in hands. Cheers.

Yep, that's all you need. All they really want to see is that official sheet with that reference ID # (it's how Loomis will get in touch with you, and let you know when it's ready for pick up), and of course I'm sure it's important that they see you selected a location to pick up, too. Good luck!!!!

Hello all,

So I finally got my interview letter from NVC for Montreal on September 17.

I keep reading that I have to register to courier prior to my interview; however, my letter mentioned nothing about this.

What should I do?

Will this info come in another letter from the Consulate?

Sorry if this was already asked before =)

Thanks!!!

Hey! So I was thinking the same thing as you (we had an interview for an IR-1 just yesterday): it wasn't in the letter, so I don't need it. But you DO need it. It was the VERY first thing I was asked for when we entered the building, and they obviously weren't letting people in without it. So it's ridiculous and frustrating. I really hope most people find out about getting that here. It doesn't come in another letter or anything. You're just somehow supposed to know to do it. How, I have no idea.

I can't believe it. But WE'RE DONE! WE WERE APPROVED after nearly 2 years of paperwork and fees. However, I have one remaining question... My husband was told (I wasn't there---I had to check out of the hotel) by the interviewer that "the visa may take 1 to 2 weeks to arrive". Is everyone told this? We're IR-1 if that makes any difference. Is it a technicality? Just to be "safe" and not give you the most common expectancy in case something does delay it? Just want to know whether to wait as originally planned (we were expecting it Wed/Thurs) or to plan for my husband to return for another week or so until it does arrive. Thanks everyone!!!

People who chose to wire money: which bank did you use, and what did they tell you the rates where? Also, when did you use this service?

I went into TD the other day and asked about wiring money, and they said anything over $5k has an $80 fee. I find this annoying since so many other banks (from what I've seen here) charge $20-$25!

No, you don't. This thread is about biometrics, not the medical...

Sorry, totally misread that! I really need to be getting more sleep .

My husband and I just picked up his immigration medical results this afternoon. Was just wondering if anyone else noticed there's a CD inside one of the envelopes? It is stamped saying not to open it, so of course we haven't. Just curious!

You do not.

Actually, yes you do. I don't know how recent this change was, but it was mentioned on the phone when I made the appointment. My husband went to his immigration medical appointment just several days ago, and THREE US passport-sized photos (2"x2") were required, they were all stapled to separate copies of the medical documents.

What if she used her enhanced license instead of paper passport?

I don't know if it's possible. Since June 1, 2009 they made the switch to essentially requiring a passport to get into the US. They make exceptions, but they make it difficult. At least that's what I've heard. I could be wrong!

I hope that's the case, thank you! Since we're IR-1 and they only let the interviewee into the Consulate due to limited space, it seems like there should be quite a bit there that doesn't apply to us. Digital fingerprints are totally fine, happy to hear they take them there. We've had such a nightmare process with all the forms and getting supporting documents that I just don't want another delay. Thank you!

So I was reviewing this list:

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/Consular_Interview_Questions

It all looked fine, except it says to bring fingerprints to the interview? It says they'll tell you when, where, and how... but they never even mentioned the thing about needing a reference number for Loomis so I was wondering if that was another one of those things they just don't mention. When did you do fingerprints? Where? Thanks in advance!

According to an experience someone else had for their K-1 visa in Vancouver, it only delayed her visa by a day or so. Really not bad at all! The problem was system-wide and actually affected their systems worldwide. We are dealing with a ROBA (Report of Birth Abroad) for our son, and they didn't mention any delays in it getting to us, which is great. So even though our interview is soon (Aug. 15) I'm not worried. I hope your visa gets to you quickly!!! It really seems like the waiting is the worst!

We're planning to leave the day after we get our visa in hand post-interview. There's a lot of options for moving CAD funds to the US. Which did you use and why? What did it cost? I'm tempted to wire everything directly from our bank account, but concerned about the cost since they won't even tell me the fee because it "depends on the amount." We could also withdraw it all from the bank and take the cash across the border and deposit right away (doesn't seem smart to travel with cash since we're driving). And last option I know of is to convert it all into traveler's checks and then deposit into my US bank account. Then of course there's exchange rate and currency exchange fees to consider. Would love anyone's input! Thank you!

That sounds like way too long. The search (faster) we got in just a matter of 2 weeks. The more thorough search (we needed both---long story) took maybe 3 1/2 weeks. And this was just this year. 7 months is WAY too long. I bet it got lost somehow. I'd call them.

Wow crazy. I wonder if this is related to the worldwide computer crash last week that delayed my visa issuance a week at Vancouver. I posted what the consulate told me in a diff post, but to reiterate they said: "There was a delay in the processing of your K-1 visa because late last week there was a severe worldwide computer issue and our systems were down. Once the system came back up on Monday, it basically took time to catch up on all the cases that were affected by this computer problem. "

I hope it's the same thing! Because that would mean it just took a few days for the media to get wind of it, but it's already back up and the delays aren't too bad. One week is manageable, it's the thought of weeks and weeks or months of delays that is worrying me.

And, as it turns out, EVERYONE is reporting the same thing, ABC, Business Week, Yahoo News, etc. It only happened a few hours ago and everyone's reporting it on the radio, too .

Okay. Who's seen this? Thoughts? Granted, I don't really take Fox News seriously most of the time, but this is freaking me out. Our interview is only a month away and we were hoping to have the visa in hand within a week of that! I wonder what the odds are that it will affect the remaining duration of our process.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/07/23/glitch-crashes-global-us-passport-visa-operations/

Thanks for the quick reply (I made the 2nd post before seeing your 1st post, only 5 mins apart, so I apologize if it seemed like I didn't read your post thoroughly) The interview letter doesn't say anything about Loomis, but we will register anyways just to be safe. Thanks for clarifying a lot of this, much appreciated. Cheers.

Sorry, we're IR-1, not CR-1. My wife knows more than me about this, lol.

To clarify, being that we fall under the IR-1 category (married more than 2 years) and have a child together, is there good chance we would get the visa the same day as interview or a couple days later? Is it worth it signing up for Loomis then? Has anyone signed up for Loomis from Alberta and if so, how quick was delivery?

My sons birthday is Aug 31st (15 days after interview) and ideally we would like to spend it with family down there so were trying to figure out the most efficient way to go about this.

Hi all,

Wife and I are very happy about the news, but worried about the whole process now. We want to fly out to Montreal (we live in Edmonton, Alberta, long trip) but are confused because we have to book a motel and flight back, but not sure when the visa will be ready after interview (2-3 days? Maybe more?), so we don't know how far to book these things.

I was reading that CR-1 applicants can get the visa/passport mailed when it's ready? How is this done? And would I be issued a U.S passport?

And if I have no choice but to pick up visa in person, then how long should I expect to wait? Would I have to fly back to pick it up?

A bit confused here. Any help would be appreciated.

My husband's parents never bothered to vaccinate him, so now we need to rush and schedule an appointment to make sure he has what is needed for the appointment (we scheduled the medical and the secretary said it's up to $150 per vaccine to get them there, which is outrageous). I've read that chickenpox is verbal. Is it true that only the tetanus and MMR are required? Can anyone verify this? Was anyone else ever asked if they had/asked to take anything else? Thanks!

Phew, thank you for your honesty. I understand many of you find it hard to believe my situation, even I think it doesn't sound good!! A few of your posts made me cry because I know what's true to me and unfortunately I now see that no matter what I can't prove that. I will return to Australia as scheduled. People can stop saying I'm the kind of person abusing the system. NO, I'm not wanting to do that at all!!

Please don't think for a moment I don't know what it's like to be separated from spouse, have had plenty of long stretches of that. Please stop being so mean! I am a person too trying to figure everything out.

Don't cry over it! I believe you. Only someone who really had good intentions would do something that naive ! And I mean that in a good way. I did the same damn thing coming into Canada. I can share my story to make you feel better if you like !

I think it's hilarious some people want to give you such a hard time. Legality is just legality. It's legal to do some things you shouldn't be able to, and illegal to do some things you should be able to. At least you and your husband are in a genuine relationship and wanting to immigrate for genuine reasons. That's more than I can say for some people. Marriages of convenience and such (my foolish father-in-law is in a horrid situation such as that).

I do agree it would be best not to risk AOS. You'd be putting more on the line than is worth, considering the consequences of it being denied, and that you don't have enough proof that immigration would listen to for your case. I can only imagine the despair you must feel at having to be separated by up to a year. But with immigration, it's important to try to keep your chin up and keep positive! Who knows, maybe you go back and you are approved in less than 6 months .

We had ours done at shoppers.

12 bucks is expensive since I'm used to prices in US.

http://www.montrealgasprices.com/

Totally with you on that. Even $12 is outrageous.

I am sure my husband will be happy when we move, since I'll stop complaining about how everything is so way more expensive here. But, then again... Maybe I'll end up constantly saying, "Oh my goodness, this is so much cheaper here! If were were in Canada this would be $__!"