darth vader

My interview for myself and my daughter was today and we were approved!   Similar experience to eveyone else.  Lots of waiting.  Keeping a 6 year old entertained with a pen and paper was interesting but it helped pass the time.
On our drive into Quebec we were pulled over right at the sign on the 401 and questioned where we were going and where we were staying as I went last night so I could just drive into Montreal on the morning.  My husband is a truck driver, so the officer was more than confused when I told him I was sleeping in a truck in the parking lot, so I had to explain why I was in my car and my timeline on when I would be exiting the province.  Showed him my letter and parked my car. 
I waited at window 6 for about 15 minutes before I sat down and waited over a hour to be called to a other window.  Gave him documents such as police certificate (which was in my married name and my passport was in my maiden name not a issue!) previous divorce certificate, marriage certificate and birth certificate for myself and my daughter.  
He asked us to sit back in the waiting area while he uploaded the new documents to the file.  I tried to do this ahead of time but couldn't.  My case at NVC was effected by some sort of glitch.  I was able to become DQ however under civil docs it says incomplete and the computer thinks there was no police certificate there but it was.   I called three times to the NVC last year to assure myself this wasn't going to affect anything and it didn't other than I can't upload new docs pre-interview because of the glitch.   We sat back down and waited about 20 min before being called back for fingerprints.  Sat again and waited a short time before being interviewed at another window.   
Provided some basic personal information, I was asked the typical how we met, how often we saw each other while dating, when we married, what he does do work, what I do for work, kids from my previous marriage and then provided a picture of each of us.  He asked for documentation to show our intention to establish domicile so I showed him a bank statement and a car ownership.   
I came so prepared and he never asked for most the things on the checklist.  Surprisingly didn't ask for the 1040 or anything pretaining to income.   
Another issue I thought I may have is with our common child.   We didn't apply for CRBA as we read the requirements and couldn't find any proof to meet them.  So we went the visa route. After reading about this after we applied I did get a little worried she wouldn't be eligible for the visa.   I figured he would have atleast asked about CRBA  But he approved the visa and informed me that when we cross she may not need to pay the green card fee And will be automatically adjusted to citizen persuant to some section of the law that entitles her to citizenship when she enters legally.  
I'm so happy to be moving forward with life.  We have alot of lose ends to clear up before moving so I won't be activating the visa until July. Hopefully the boarders are still closed the and I can cross quickly and easily!

We completed the NVC stage without any issue with my wife, the petitioner, living in Canada and it's been like 7 years I think. Her domicile is still the US, with bank statements and drivers licence, it's not an issue. I don't know why you keep asking the same question over and over again in the forum...I think you're over thinking the whole interview process 😉
 
We plan to move together to the US once the visa in hand and I don't see why there would be an issue. Yes the CO can still decide otherwise, but hey we're not the first ones in this situation ! We ll show that we already moved money to the US prior to the interview with bank statements and a simple letter signed by my in laws, explaining we ll stay at their place for a couple month.
 
Also, Option 2 is not taking into account the whole quarantine stuff and budget to stay at the hotel (2000$) when you travel to Canada, hopefully it's gonna be lifted soon.

Obviously I can't guaranty it as I don't know what is going to go through their mind at the interview. But an actual move 2 months before the interview with apartment and job. I can't see that being something they will have issue with. 

Yes I would think her being back in the US even just a few months before the interview will be enough. 

I want to say option 1 also. If she actually moves back a few months before your interview it should not lead to a denial. You would be able to show her US ID, apartment lease job paystubs showing her back in the US. Her visiting Canada will be just that a visit. 

My letter of intent stated I intended on getting my license during my next visit. I had it in time for my spouses interview. Perhaps she can make an appt for it when she knows she is moving, then share a copy of the license, or even temp license, once received. And upload to CEAC.

voter reg is something that can be done/maintained outside of US

I suggest option 1.  
 
Option 2 would mean your wife will pay for rent or mortgage unneccesarily.  

In case we are forced to get a joint sponsor, can a retired person be a joint sponsor? The only person who can be our joint sponsor is my father-in-law but he recently retired. Right now his only income is the social security, since he hasn't started cashing in the 401k. However, he can definitely furnish enough assets. Can he be successfully made our co-sponsor with his assets rather than his income (which may fall short)?
 
Have we seen an such case of a retire co-sponsor accepted successfully?
 
@Lemonslice @Ontarkie @pushbrk @TBoneTX please advise!

Crossing the land border into the US requires no Covid test, however the US State may have its own requirements that may/may not be loosely enforced.
Crossing into Canada by land requires a test conducted in the US no earlier than 72 hours prior to attempted entry, as well as a second test at the crossing and then a third towards the end at the 14 day home quarantine. No hotel quarantine for land crossings unless you fail to comply with land border testing requirements. Tests can be waived if you have a proof of positive Covid diagnosis within the last 90 days. No exemptions for vaccination...yet.

Congrats on your approval! I am so freaking happy for you. You were worried about birth certificate for no reason at all. And to think you were considering rescheduling your interview because of it. Can you remind me what you did for the domicile - did you sign a lease or use a housing arrangement letter from a relative?

@darth vader, review this thread and the FAQ for useful information and remember all documents going to NVC for IV applications are uploaded through the CEAC portal.

Birth certificates are issued by municipal bodies in India. As such, different bodies have different formats. Most likely, Montreal would not know enough to give you trouble on the birth certificates since even in India there are several formats. Having said that, if you have time, try to see if the Indian consulate can issue a birth certificate on a short notice, if not, take Indian high school marksheets/passport (as you said)/any other Indian document you can think of that mentions your parents name (aadhar card?). With luck, you would be absolutely fine. Worst case, you may have to get a new birth certificate and upload after interview. But again, given Montreal doesn't know much about Indian formats, India has multiple formats, you have secondary corroborating proof etc. my guess is you will be fine. Whatever you have, take it go in with a clear plan on what to say (only if asked, please don't volunteer any information or try to explain anything if not asked for) and say it with confidence. Good luck! We all wish you well!

I agree with Darth. This is so weird that Montreal consulate doesn't allow u.s. citizens spouse. I can't go with my husband, but whatever...works for us. But my sister and her husband had their interview together in the U.S. every consulate works differently I guess. But it's not a big deal for us. And it's actually better because I get to stay home and handle my little one while my husband conveniently flies by himself for the interview. 

Keep the interview appointment. Explain that you have ordered new police certificate. You will get a 221g for the Canadian police certificate, which you can upload after the interview (the 221g letter will tell you how and where to upload it). You will have to wait a bit after submitting the police certificate for visa approval (could be a few days or few weeks), but cancelling the interview would also result in waiting, and if the interviews are suspended again you may have to wait a long time. Keeping the current interview seems most prudent thing you can do.

Thank you for your feedback! everyone can use more polite language I guess

I say let us start a petition then everyone of us can contact our senators and congressmen referring to the petition, and asking to reach out to USCIS. The disparity is becoming ridiculous. At least we can try to do something rather than just sitting here. It is so frustrating.

You already asked this if I remember correctly. We got DQed with my wife (USC) living with me and working in Canada, no sponsor, met financial requirements with canadian assets only. We uploaded a simple letter to explain that we ll move after getting the visa. So you will be fine, don't worry! Especially because your wife will be in the US when you have your interview in Montreal.

The whole purpose of the CR1 visa is family reunification... at some point she will need to prove domicile within the US or at the very least prove intent to obtain domicile.. Secondly a financial sponsor is required to have domicile within the US, hence the need to consider a joint sponsor if she intends to remain with you in Canada until the very last minuet or you could very likely run into issues at NVC stage... 
 
if it were me, I’d get a joint sponsor, make sure I got plenty of evidence of intention to re-establish domicile and keep my US Employer as permanent employee status working remotely (in Canada)

Aviation

I agree with aaron2020 don’t try play the system your over complicating things, at a stage when you only have a few months left in the process. 
 
In answer to your questions you as the sponsor don’t have to keep telling them that your changing job while at NVC stage or any other stage for that matter, the form is only true and correct at time of signing...so you could change jobs 50 times and that is your right and choice to do so..,
 
HOWEVER come time of interview, your spouse will need to advise them of any changes in circumstances and changes to information within the forms to ensure they are true and correct at time of adjudication and prove that your current income still meets the requirements for sponsorship e.g. >125% of poverty line.. she’ll need to take additional evidence to support this information and it may place you in AP longer due to their need to now review this information. 
 
something else to consider is that while this flip/flop employment and living out of the country might help you to see your wife and reduce the amount of separation, it also demonstrate a lack of reliable employment and possible domicile issues, something that could negatively impact your ability to sponsor your spouse..
 
personally I think a solid employment history with a reliable employer along with unquestionable domicile is the best option here.. unfortunately separation is one of the downsides of CR1/IR1 something we all have to deal with, but it’s worth it in the long run. 

Don't try to game the system.  The CO is not going to like it when people play games.  
 
The I-864 is judged based on a totality of circumstances.  Aside from the 125% poverty level, the CO is looking at how long and how reliable is that income to support the intending immigrant.
 
Flipping from full time to independent contractor and then back to full time is adding a level of complications and uncertainty to the case.  Just stay a full time employee until the visa is in hand.  As an independent contractor, you might need to show a tax return showing the annual income from that type of work.

KISS.  Keep it simple . . . . 
 
Separation is part of the process.  It you want to minimize it, then you need a Joint Sponsor.  If you can't get a JS, then you got to come back and do what is necessary to get the visa.  
 
From personal experience, it never goes well when I think someone is trying to play games and they want/need something from me. 

1. Beneficiary is Canadian
2. Petitioner aka me, I am a naturalized US citizen

I am a USC and reside in MD also. I mailed my package to the Texas address and it still ended up at Potomac.  There has been no movement on the case since NOA1 which was on Jan 7 2020.

So my advice; good luck and get ready for a (potentially) long ride

Keep the interview appointment. Explain that you have ordered new police certificate. You will get a 221g for the Canadian police certificate, which you can upload after the interview (the 221g letter will tell you how and where to upload it). You will have to wait a bit after submitting the police certificate for visa approval (could be a few days or few weeks), but cancelling the interview would also result in waiting, and if the interviews are suspended again you may have to wait a long time. Keeping the current interview seems most prudent thing you can do.

I've seen this answered here lots of times.  They will just have you provide a updated one after the interview.  Not a huge deal, just delays your process a bit.  No need to cancel the appointment, I would still go, you've waited long enough!