Sylea

After about a 15 minute interview I was approved, all consulate staff were very nice.

I must give a HUGE thanks to Visa Journey and its members who provided support and guidance during this process. In particular, Sayin's Wikis regarding the both the visa process and the consulate experience were invaluable - I most definitely recommend anyone going through Montreal to review and study her info, none of it will steer you wrong. NLR and Lakehouse's quick replies to various questions I had were always spot on helpful and friendly.

I know this isn't the end of the process yet, so I'll continue to be on VJ and try to help others where I can.

I'm sitting at YUL waiting for my flight back to Vancouver, and will post an in depth story of my experience in Montreal and the process in the consulate review section.

I wish you all the very best of luck and love.

Namaste and Peace.

*rests her hands on your shoulders*

You are going to be fine! You're as prepared as you can possibly be. The worst that can happen is that they request you to send them further documentation and since you aren't leaving Canada until Christmas you will have plenty of time to provide anything you may be missing.

I've been thinking about you and wish you all the luck in the world. They say this is the easiest part, everything will be fine friend!!

Thanks to all. Approved in about 20 minutes. Emotionally exhausted and trying to calm down.

Will post full review once I get back to B.C.

If you follow Saylin's info, and review other consulate reviews, it's a piece of cake.

Namaste.

Anyone else want to weigh in on this, just to ease my mind?? (not that I can do very much about it at this stage, LOL)

Thanks Raven- Well, all I've got of his is what I've indicated, so it will have to do.

I actually walked up to the Consulate this morning and spoke to the guard - I asked him what time I should be there for my 930 appointment and all he said was 'doors open at 730", and "no backpacks or purses".

So...........I plan to walk up there around 715 with just my wallet, room key and accordion folder with my documents, I guess.

If I have time before I check out tomorrow (flying back to BC same day) I'll jump on here and post a quick note, and will add a full review once I'm home.

Cheers and best of luck to you too!!

Peace.

Long distance is not for the faint of heart, I have been doing it for over 6 years. Even as I write "6 years", it's hard to wrap my head around that amount of time.

My husband and I tried to see each other every 3-4 months or more - being 3000 miles apart and having demanding careers w/limited vacation time was part of the challenge. Not to mention extricating ourselves from our existing marriages (I had been separated for over 7 years when we met, and am very close friends with my ex, my husband was separated but went through a bitter and financially crippling divorce as his ex had mental health and substance abuse problems, she then passed away a couple years after their divorce, so the financial part was resolved tho not in the way we would have asked for) We have been through all these things together, even at our distance. Second Life (where we met) is still a part of our lives and we use it's voice feature to spend time with each other and friends there. Yahoo Messenger, Skype, texting, telephone. There was rarely a day where we didn't speak to each other. We also spent many evenings watching movies and tv shows together by syncing up our audio.

We knew after meeting in person in 2008 that we were in it for the long haul, as I was raising my teenage son and was not in a position to move countries until he was finished school and on his own life journey. We also knew that we each had met our absolute soul mate, and we were deeply committed to one another from the very first meeting.

Perhaps one other advantage was our ages - being older and having been in unhappy marriages, we both knew what we DIDN'T want, and we both had reserves of patience that younger people seem not to have.

Has it been easy?? Not on your life. Were there times when we both questioned the whole relationship?? Absolutely. Do I cherish every moment we've ever had together?? Totally.

So, that was my long winded reply.

I'm sitting in a hotel room in Montreal, with my interview at the consulate in the morning. Assuming I'm approved, I shall be moving to the US on Christmas day to at long last have a proper life with my beloved husband.

All I can say, if you are meant to be together and can find the strength, you will find a way to make it work.

Good luck to you.

Namaste and Peace.

Hi All - sitting in my hotel room in Montreal, reviewing my documents for the umpteenth time for interview tomorrow morning...

The interview letter at very bottom of documents required lists "Eligibility Document" - please tell me this is a copy of my spouse's birth certificate showing he's a US Citizen?? The Packet 4 info requests "Copy of Petitioner Status in the USA" and "Copies of Documents proving petitioner's US Domicile"???

I have to think these are the same things?? I have the I-864 and 2013 his tax return, his birth certificate and divorce documents, as well as all my stuff.

Did I miss something?? Trying not to freak out.

Eeep.

Thanks to all who answer!

Peace.

Makes sure you keep track of jobs that you have applied to---as just as in Canada, they can request that info...and if your not actively looking for a job, they can terminate the EI.

Thanks Flames, I figured it was the same process as it ever was. I remember filling out the little cards back in the 1970's the one time I did claim. LOL

Just be nice to have the financial bridge to finding a job I want, and not just any job once I get settled.

Peace.

The visa stamp is for 6 months from approval.

When you filed the DS260, you requested the Social Security card, not the green card. The green card process is separate and you chase it before you cross the border.

You'll get the instructions at the interview, but essentially the page states how to pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee ($165.00):

-go to www.uscis.gov/uscis-elis and log on to USCIS ELIS and select 'create a new account', then fill the fields completely and accurately.

-select benefit type ie 'USCIS Immigrant Fee' from a drop down menu on the 'step-by-step online application' page.... entering your A-number, and case number from the embassy (i.e. MTL2014...)

-enter payment information..

Be sure to print out the confirmation page just in case

I paid mine online July 12, have since gone back into the ELIS account to update my physical address as I'm of course in the US now. A recent call to DHS at 1-800-375-5283 confirmed that there is a back-log in sending green cards out and I can hope for it's arrival in the next week or two even though I crossed at POE July 23rd, and the original estimate was for arrival within 60 days from that date.

My Social security card arrived without any chasing, but I now forget exactly how long it took to arrive.

Hope this helps and good luck at the interview!!

Excellent info, thank you my friend!! Off to Montreal tomorrow morning!!

NLR - thanks, I am now LMAO.

I keep telling myself, 3 months from now, 3 months from now.....etc.............................

Peace.

Ok because I'm stressing out about interview (even though I know in my rational mind it should just be a rubber stamp) the US Consular website refers to a $325 fee at time of interview for a family based visa.

Can I assume (I know I can, oddly) that this fee was already paid when NVC process was underway?

I would really hate to get to interview and discover I was supposed to have a USD money order with me or something......

I will be SO glad to get this part behind me!!

Thanks for the straight goods as always, NLR, there's so much conflicting info on here sometimes.. - I'll just pay for it after I'm stateside. Be so glad to get interview and then move over and done with!!

Glad you found your coffee - I'm already pining for Dare cookies...................

LOL

Peace.

No it's not paid at POE.

You can pay it before POE or up to a year after POE.

http://www.uscis.gov/uscis-elis

NLR, I knew I could count on you!!

I think I should bring some Kicking Horse Coffee with me in my suitcase and then I can mail it to you when I get to Michigan!! LOL (was reading the foods thread the other day...........hahah)

If the fee is FOR the green card, I would think my best option would be to pay it before my POE??

Peace.

So interview next Wednesday, and plan on making my POE at YVR on December 25th!

Are there any fees that have to be paid at interview or POE?? I thought I read that somewhere??

Help appreciated!

Peace.

I'm aware that my visa page in my passport acts as my green card... I was just stating that EI wants the actual green card copied when I have it, as the visa page has an expiration date upon which benefits would otherwise cease.

My EI payments are coming through

Ok phew! I was starting to get a little worried about this.

How long is the visa stamp in your passport good for? 5 or 6 months??

If we filed EP and stated that my green card was to mailed to my us address, do I still have to chase it once I'm there??

I'm really counting on being able to collect EI for a while at least.

(Lakehouse, I've yet to have a chance to reply to your email, was thrilled to read it all and promise I'll reply soon!)

Peace all.

I liken plane travel costs to gas prices here in Canada - absolutely no rhyme or reason.

I'm looking to make my POE Christmas day - discovered it's basically the cheapest and quietest day to fly. I too will have my cat, so have decided to spend time with family in Vancouver before flying to MI - it breaks the trip up for Mr Zippy, and hopefully my processing in customs will be short and sweet at around 4AM December 25th!! (or should I worry about crabby CBP officers?? LOL)

By the way Not a Tailor - LOVE the name Peter Parker!!

Cheers.

Peace all.

**For the Canadian Portal thread**

As I work through my packing to get ready for my defection to the US of A, I am already pining for things I know I can't get down there! LOL

I just stocked up on Tetley tea, then decided to search Canadian groceries and thought I'd share this link if anyone was interested.

http://www.canadianfavourites.com/

Their product and shipping costs are half way decent, especially for those of us who won't be living near the border.

Anyway, it made me happy to find this site and I've got it bookmarked for later on!!

Peace all (and happy Canadian Thanksgiving!!)

They didnt write anything on my ROE as I recall-----I just included a short note I was moving to reside with spouse in the USA..and yes as part of the process I recall sending in a scanned picture of the I-551 (the visa in ur cdn pasport) As well included a short note stating that Cr-1 (IR-1) are eligible to work in the USA right away

Thanks - the ROE's are all electronic now, so my boss HAS to choose a reason. I think moving from area should be fine.

Does anyone know if I can fax in a copy of passport showing my temp green card so as not delay my claim??

So I've got everything cleared with work to give my notice Dec 15th and my ROE will be filed by my employer on the 19th. I plan to submit my EI application on Dec 22.

Curious about one thing - my boss has said she's reviewed the 'reasons for quitting' on the ROE and is going to choose "Moving from Area" as it seemed to be the only one that made sense. The only other option was "Personal Reasons" but there was no where to put an explanation.

"Moving from Area" sounds about right to me, but I just wanted to get some feedback on this. The info on the Service Canada site seems designed to make people like me fret about not being eligible to receive benefits because of moving to live with my spouse.

I know it'll probably be fine, but would appreciate some reassurance from those of you that have been through the process with no issue. I've been with my employer 28 years!!

My other question is about sending EI proof of my eligibility to work in the US once I've submitted my application - can I scan and PDF a copy of the stamp in my passport?? Or copy and fax or mail? Is it not the proof that I am eligible to work once CBP has put my Alien Reg number and stamp in my passport? Am I still waiting for a separate physical green card once I arrive in the US??

Thanks for any info!

Peace all.

I'm going to Dr. Cheema's office on Oct 16th!

Did you have a chance to take a photo, Sylea?

Alas I did not, sorry - I ended up very sick with a bad cold that day, so totally forgot about the photo and had a long drive back to Kelowna still. But if you want specific directions, PM me and I'll be glad to describe exactly where it is, if that helps.

The exam itself was quick and easy, Dr Cheema is very pleasant, and his staff are also very nice. You have to go up the street a few blocks to get your xray and blood test done.

Best of luck!

Peace.

Best of luck with your move, Sylea.

Thanks very much!! After over 6 years long distance, we're SO close to being together I can taste it!!

Interview next!!

Peace.

Thanks thatangela - I would have kept Dad next to me as well, if I was using a U Haul.

Alas, the cost of a Uhaul for 3500 miles was the same as using a moving company, so we decided to do that to ease my overall stress.

I'm not worried about Dad, he will be fine.

Safe travels to you and yours.

Thanks Boston-Montreal - I had been unable to find that information on the CBP website, so appreciate the link. There's no urn, just a metal box with his cremains.

I will pack it in another box with other belongings and just list it accordingly. I have me and a cat to make my POE with, so no way for me to carry the ashes separately.

Really appreciate the help.

Peace.

***For the Canada to US threads specifically**

My dad passed away in the US back in 2012, and the cremains were shipped to me in Canada for safekeeping. (family has not decided what to do with them yet).

I am wondering if anyone has moved similar to the US when using a moving company?? I emailed US Customs about it but they haven't got back to me yet.(also backlogged like ALL of the US governmental sites!)

I am building my manifest of goods for the movers, and assume I will have to list the box of ashes. I just want to make sure there are no special documents I need to have - I have the original shipping and customs clearance documents from when they arrived in Canada last year.

Has anyone had any experience with this??

Thanks to all.

Peace.

I had my medical at Dr. Cheema's back in 2012 and it was really hard for me to find. I almost drove past it and was having serious anxiety issues when I couldn't find it. It's kind of hidden in the back and not clearly labelled. It's also beside another plaza with many doctor offices that I first went to mistakenly.

I should've taken a picture for Visa Journey. Maybe someone can take a picture in the future so people will know what it looks like.

Going back to Dr Cheema's office tomorrow to pick up my package on my way home, will try and get a photo of the office. But I Google 'street viewed' it before we went and it helped us find it. It certainly is a funny little place to get to.

Had my exam at Dr Cheema's today - hellish place to find, particularly in torrential rain and congested traffic. Got there half hour early but it was no problem for them to see me. Took my personal info, copied my passport and medical summary I provided.

Nurse took me to a back room, where I was weighed and measured.

Then I waited about 5 minutes to see Dr Cheema.

He's pleasant, matter of fact and the whole exam took all of 10 minutes. Despite a rather lengthy medical summary letter provided by my Dr, he pronounced that "nothing's the matter with you". LOL!
I went back out to the front, paid with my debit card the $280, and was given directions to a medical building several blocks up the road from his office, where I was to have my Chest xray and blood test. In and out of both in just a few minutes.

Now on my way to Victoria with hubby for our wedding anniversary holiday, and will pick up my medical package on the way back home.

I hope the interview itself is as easy and matter of fact as this was!

Peace.