Clifford27

And another change. It's now "Issued" - your visa is in final processing. I guess I'm just waiting for the tracking number now.

Just changed to Issued. So happy.....

Have you seen any sort of tracking info for yours yet?

Broppy. Could you please share what questions they asked? Thanks

My interview was the same day as Broppy.

They asked for the following

1. Confirmation or receipt of payment of interview

2. Long form birth certificate.

3. Police record check documents - originals

4. My fiancées intent to marry letter, dated wry in 30 days of interview

5. I-134 support form and documentation to back it up. We provided a copy of the 2014 tax return, most recent pay stub.

6. Copy of a lease agreement or mortgage of where we will be living.

7. I also had to provide my fiancées divorce documents from her previous marriage.

8. 2 passport photos

9. And the medical folder

After that was done it was on to the interview, and I was asked

1. Where and when we met.

2. What brought us to the place we met

3. And was I excited to be moving and getting married.

After that I was told welcome and given 2 documents, one was a welcome letter, the other was a how to track my visa.

Good luck.

And another change. It's now "Issued" - your visa is in final processing. I guess I'm just waiting for the tracking number now.

Status just changed to Administrative Processing

Fingers crossed for another update today.

And another change. It's now "Issued" - your visa is in final processing. I guess I'm just waiting for the tracking number now.

Lucky You! Congrats!

The date changed to today for us but nothing else.

Maybe tomorrow.

Mine just changed to "Issued" - undergoing necessary administrative processing.

Ours says "Ready" if you have had your interview Check your status in 2 days

Well congrats on your status change today

Ours changed but not to that hahaha

Mine's still "Ready" too. Status updated 5 Jan. Hoping it'll change Monday; I'd really like to start the long drive next weekend.

No change on ours today, still showing ready for interview update Jan 5

You'll want to plug your MTLXXXXXX case number into CEAC as an "Immigrant Visa": https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx?eQs=WwjqOlbeRYzCYubaSQI+RA==

It will say "Ready" for a few more days possibly, then it could change to "Administrative Processing" possibly. Eventually, it will change to say "Nonimmigrant Visa Application" and "Ready", then that will change to "Administrative Processing" (this is when they are actually printing the visa). Finally it will change to "Issued". Once that happens, you will receive an email from the consulate that your passport has been mailed, then you will receive a second email from Canada Post with the actual tracking number in it.

Ours changed to "Issued" exactly one week from the interview. Some take longer, some are shorter. Don't worry, it will all be done soon

Thanks for the info. Still shows that the interview stage stuff. Not changes as of yet. Hoping to see it change by Monday or Tuesday

I was #9. Thought I was on a roll - 3 and 5 were quick too - just number 7 that slowed things down. And #2 was okay - she was so pleased I could hear her thank you from the waiting area.

And yes, the guy at the door was less than professional. I was okay, but while waiting to go through the metal detector, he opened the door and yelled at someone outside who'd just arrived (something along the lines of "I don't speak French. Lose the backpack or go somewhere else"). Once inside, though, security was very pleasant - they even checked my cigarette lighter.

As soon as Canada Post delivers my passport, I'll be driving down to Louisiana. Hopefully next weekend.

Congrats and enjoy the food down south!

Was the couple that slowed it down the one with the baby?

I stressed about my papers all night before and it went so fast and didn't have one issue with any of the stuff which was great. I thought for sure I would be there till lunch or after. So I had booked my train later in the day. Via wouldn't let me change my train, well they would but at a cost of $160.... So I sat and listened to music for 6 hours hahahaha

Congrats! Our IR-1 interview is this coming Monday (Jan 11th).

Keep us in your thoughts & prayers that everything goes smooth and we get an instant approval.

Not the best sleeps lately, my head just keeps buzzing - "what if we are missing something"

Since I have Friday off, I will be laying everything out to quadruple check that I have all originals & photocopies needed.

We fly to Montreal on Saturday and fly back Tuesday.

Good Luck!

1) no. Only residents of Canada can do their taxes electronically. Yours must be paper filed.

2) yes

3) yes

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falcngrl

Canadians who immigrate to the USA due to family reasons (ie moving to live with a spouse) can claim EI while living in the USA. You still must be ready, able, and willing to work but you do not have to be living in Canada.

With regards to the EI, do you still have to have a Canadian Bank account for deposit? Or will they deposit to a US Bank?

Hey everyone,

How long does it take for the website to update the status of the my K1 being approved?

Currently it still says check DS-160 status.

I though got the guy who did the interview said it would update within 24 hrs. Wondering if I need to do something else?

Congrats guys! please keep us updated with how long it takes to get your passports back

Soon as I have it back I will post.

Congrats. I figured you were number 1, but you were in and out so fast I didn't get a chance to say hello.

I was also approved and had a very similar experience apart from having to wait for nearly an hour while the couple before me handed over their documents at the first window. The interview itself (also at window #8) was more moaning about the weather than anything else. And even with the delay, I was finished by 10am.

What number were you, dam would have been nice to say hi. Sorry about that.

I wished the lady that was #2 good luck before I left because she had forgotten her I-134 document, but had all the back up for it and they told her it was up to the guy doing the interview. I hope she made out ok, I met her and her fiancé outside before hand.

My only negative today was the security guard at the front door he was a little rude and abrasive. But beyond that I was very happy with everything.

Congrats on getting approved, where and when are you going?

I also stayed at that best western and agree, it's wonderful.

Congrats on the approval.

How long does it normally take for the online status to get updated?

Currently mine says: Check DS-160 status.

Congrats! Glad it went well! When are you planning to cross the border?

I want out of this winter right away.

This morning was the interview at 7:40am.

I stayed at the Best Western on Drummond and they were so nice and they had a printer downstairs to allow me to print off some stuff I needed to add to my files.

Left the Hotel at 6:55 got in a cab and was at the US Consulate at 7am. Nobody was in line, also I walked over to the Starbucks grabbed a coffee and back to line up at 7:15am. Was #1 through the door.

Called to window #1 at 8am and gave everything required, was asked to have a seat and I would be called again for the interview. At 8:15am I was called to Window #8 for the interview, was finger printed again, asked to declare everything was true that we submitted, asked how and when we met. Asked what we both did for a living. He then said congrats you are approved. Gave me a welcome letter and directions on how to track everything. Said it should arrive in about a week.

Walked out the door at 8:25am.

Was a very pleasant experience, and very thankful for all the help along the way.

Next stop California, and then going through the AOS stuff very soon.

Thanks again everyone

Hi Everyone I am traveling to Montreal tonight as my interview is at 7:40am tomorrow morning.

I remember there was a post that someone had drawn out a map of where to stand and where to go once inside the building.

For some reason I can find that post.

If someone could link it for me that would be great. I am staying at the Best Western tonight and planning on walking in the morning to my interview.

That should be it. Your medical should be good. The EAD and AP are free to file with the AOS. Whatever it costs to get a driver's license in your county is likely the other costs you'd endure.

Not being able to work is a huge deal for some of us. Generally it only takes 60-90 days to get the EAD provided your AOS doesn't get an RFE. However you can request it to be expedited due to a job offer as well.

For the AOS that can all be done close to where we are living correct? It's not like the K1 process and having to be in Montreal.

Just hoping that it's not a huge ordeal that needs travel and staying over night for stuff.

Being in California can it be done in San Jose or San Fran?

For visa costs the CR1 is cheaper, but either way you have the medical, moving, police certificate costs etc... The nice part is getting the green card upon entry to be honest. No adjustment of status. You can work or travel right away. I couldn't have done the K1 path simply because of the travel restrictions.

It's not like o can tell companies that I know when it will be done also so they can plan for it.

What other fees are we looking at beyond the $1070?

It is the spousal visa. So you have to be married first. The interviews are only done in Montreal however.

What was the cost difference going that route?

And why did you spend a week in Montreal? Turned it into a vacation?

Oh yes. That's why many of us choose to the CR1 path. Granted, spending a week in Montreal wasn't exactly cheap either.

But you need that green card.

Have to figure by the end of this we will have spent $3000+ on this whole process

1) You need to go to an SSA office. There is no cost. It's just like getting a SIN.

2) Have you read the AOS guides? It's $1070

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1k3aos

http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1aos

http://www.visajourney.com/faq/k1faq.htm

http://www.uscis.gov/i-485

Relevant forum: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/forum/7-adjustment-of-status-green-card-from-family-based-visas/

3) They will keep it open until you provide them with your EAD - Employment Authorization Document. Only after your EAD is received can you get any benefits. Before the EAD (which is filed with the AOS) you are ineligible to work, even though you'll have an SSN. Because of that you are ineligible to get EI until such a time as you are ready, willing, and able to work.

One thing to note about California. You will need to get your driver's license there after getting your EAD. But California does not exchange your Canadian license so you need to get a learners permit etc...

OMG $1070 ?

That's close to what we have paid already just to get to the interview stage, with government fees, and medical fees.

I didn't realize it was that much more out of pocket after you are approved at the interview for the K1

get SSN

get married

file AOS

additionally:

file for EI

If you worked in 2015 you'll need to do taxes in Canada as well on paper. (I know. I know... )

What do I need to apply for my SSN? Is this something that can be done online or do I need to book an appointment at a government office? Is there a cost associated with this?

Filing for the AOS what documents will I need to complete this? I am guessing the marriage certificate is the big one part? And what is the cost associated with this?

And at what point can I start talking to companies about work and interviewing? Want to make sure I don't start this to early.

Now as for the EI I will be on it starting January 1st in Canada, once I leave because of my visa I am notifying them that I am leaving because of Marriage and moving to the US. Can I reopen once I am in the US with my AOS?

I won't be leaving till end of January so I am hoping that I can get all of my income tax stuff filed before I leave.

Thanks for the help.

Oh and I will be living in California once this is said and done. As I know someone above posted it depends on where I am going to be living

Well I got my Long Form Birth Certificate today via Purolator. So it took basically 3 days.

Cost me $75 for the premium service and was worth every penny.

Thanks for the help

Just finished the online application in Ontario to get my Long Form Birth Certificate.

Paid $75 for the Premium Online 5 day delivery.

Scary part is they say of of can't be delivered in 5 days they will refund my money.

Hopefully it arrives before January 4th so I have it for my interview. Fingers crossed.

And we are 100% sure the Small version of the Ontario Birth Certificate isn't good enough?

No where does it say Long Form on any of the documents that I have filled out, and the small version says its a birth Certificate.