alaskabound

I feel like I'm the only one who got unlucky (should I say screwed?) in the end!

Other Canadian filers got their visas in 1-3 days!

I had wondered if it would be a bit delayed for you because it was Remembrance Day/Veterans Day the day after your interview, so that would delay things by at least one day. Plus you are on the west coast. Fingers crossed that you will have it today!!

Hey alaskabound. How are u?

Hi! We are great, it is so good to finally be together wih my husband! We have been very busy getting the little ones settled in the new house and getting our lives set up here! No sign of my SSN or official green card yet, but it has only been since Nov 8. How are you?

POE - DFW

Waited in line for about 5 min...went up to the first desk...took hubby's fingerprints and picture...took to back room...waited about another 5 min..called hubby up, he signed one paper, gave phone number and they said 'here you go!' Didn't look at the chest X-ray and the declaration form had a big red 'I' on it so they glanced at it said you are good to go. Great to have it finished and done!

Thank you to all those who helped get us all though the process and for the moral support as well!

Best of luck to those still waiting!??

Congrats!!

Approved :)

Yay! Congratulations!

I didn't have any problem with the US domicile issue at the Montreal Consulate.

My CO didn't even look at my US domicile documents!

However, I'm still waiting for the visa since my interview on Monday!

OMG! It's been a LONG weekend! LOL!

It's ironic that this nightmare continues even after I got approved at the interview.

Congratulations on the approval!! I am so behind on the thread I am sorry I didn't congratulate you sooner! I hope you have it in hand tomorrow!

Just checked CEAC website. File showing in transit. Who hoo finished with NVC.

So happy for you!

Oh, went those things to NVC and hadn't even thought about needing it for the interview

If you already sent evidence in to NVC then just bring copies to the interview, just in case!! I didn't end up needing to provide anything, but my husband had already returned the the US 6 months before my interview date.

What kind of proof would they need? I can't book flights until we have visa in hand and my husband is broad with me? lol

Hi sorry it took me so long to go back and read the posts, I am still WAY behind since our move! You should read up on domicile requirements. Does your husband still maintain a US postal address and drivers license? Can you provide proof that his time abroad was temporary or if he has accommodation and a job lined up upon his return? The embassy in Ireland may not be as strict with domicile requirements, they are in Canada I have heard.

POE SUCCESSFUL! It went smoothly, about 45 minutes (it was 3am!) and I am in now Alaska with my husband! Our children are sooooo happy, and so are we! Thank you for the support, good wishes and help everyone! Any questions, let me know! My interview was Monday, and here I am in the U.S. by Saturday afternoon! Yippee!

Had our interview in Montreal today....

APPROVED APPROVED APPROVED!!!!!!!!!

Soooooo happy and relieved!!!!!

YAY YAY YAY!

ok this is a bit off topic, and Im not sure if this is the best place to ask this question but honestly I dont know where would be the appropriate area, so hopefully someone here will know the answer...

My interview is next week for my wife ( Im the USC) I am currently living abroad with her and our children, I have a job offer for when we enter the US, but they just contacted me and apparrantly the job they have for me just changed to be a job in another country, (not the US nor Mexico). They would also be hiring my wife, so this is a US based job and we would be getting paid through the US systen with w2 and what not, but we wouldn't be physically in the US, and I understand that once my wife is issued her residency, she must spend a minimum of 6 months per year within the US. Is this going to cause her to lose everything we have been working for these past 17 months? Or is there a way to keep her green card valid even if we are not within the US, because in order for her to work for this company they will require her to have a social security number to be able to work and get paid.

Thank you in advance, hopefully someone will have an idea or could guide me as to where I should post my question.

They will explain to you when you get your green card stamp in your passport that having a green card bestows some responsibilities on you and one of them is physical presence in the USA. If you need to be outside of the country for longer than the minimum physical presence requirement (not sure exactly what that is) you can file for an extension for your status. Will you be living in the US at all before you go?

APPROVEDDDDD! WOHO IT WAS SO FAST AND EASY LOVE ITTT I ALSO GOT THE IR VISA ! MY PASSP WILL BE READY IN 2 WEEKS JUST ONE WEEK BEFORE I LEAVE!! i have a quetion the embassy told me the IR visa will make me save up to 2k wat that meanss? and do i have to do anything else after POE// ?? like when i get to usa i supposed to get a green card right?> and can i work as soon as i get there with that visa im confuse now but happy that this nightmare is done thanks to everyone of u

Congrats! You will be able to work with the temporary stamp in your passport, but probably need the SSN first!

I'm super excited about my interview next Monday! Not nervous at all!

I've put my interview documents together! Let me know if I'm missing anything!

(I didn't do EP so I've sent all my original documents to NVC!)

- Interview Letter

- Loomis Confirmation (for the Montreal Consulate)

- Medical Results

- DS-260 Confirmation Sheet

- Passport

- 2 Passport Photos

- Petitioner's Birth Certificate (requested by the Montreal Consulate)

- Applications (I-130, G-325A, and I-864 - in case they misplaced them)

- Petitioner's Tax Transcripts (2013, 2012, and 2011 - in case they misplaced them)

- Amended US Individual Income Tax Return (Changed from "Single" to "Married")

- IV Documents (Copy of Police Certificates, Birth Certificate, and Marriage Certificate)

- CEAC Printout (Showing that we've paid the AOS and IV fees)

Relationship Documents:

- Property Ownership Statement (Joint)

- Property Assessment Notice (Joint)

- Home Insurance Statement (Joint)

- Mortgage Statement (Joint)

- Bank Account Statement (Joint)

- Automobile Insurance Statement (Joint)

- Old Apartment Lease (Joint)

- Affidavit by Friends and Family

- California Domestic Partnership Declaration (We lived in California)

- Relationship Photos (about 20 photos for the last 17 years we've been together)

US Domicile (Intention to Return):

- Petitioner's Employment Letter (Stating that the company is allowing the petitioner to work from the US)

- Petitioner's Recent Pay Stubs (for the last 3 months - We've already sent pay stubs for the last 6 months)

- Buyer's Agency Agreement (We have a buyer's real estate agent in Seattle)

- Mail Forwarding Receipt (from our address in Canada to the address in the US)

- US PO Box Receipt

- Bank Account Statement (We converted our savings from CAD to USD)

- Public Storage Receipt

- Hotel Receipt (Staying in a hotel in Dec)

- Contract of Purchase and Sale (We sold our house in Canada)

- Automobile Transfer Form (We sold our car in Canada)

The only thing I could think of is some sort of proof that petitioner will enter the states on or before the same date you arrive - I think that is a requirement I read somewhere! Good luck!

Wow you got your visa back with your passport already? That is awesome, congratulations I am SUPER HAPPY for you, what a relief that package must have been!!! Thanks for the well wishes, I appreciate it!!!

Thanks I can't believe it but it's real, sealed packet and all! We look forward to hearing your good news tomorrow!

Congrats! You got your passport with the visa back in 3 days!?

You're moving to Alaska in Nov!!??

I hope it's not snowing badly there! Fingers crossed!

Thanks! So delighted to have visa in hand!!! Such a good feeling! I hope they continue to work this fast for everyone with upcoming interviews! I can't wait to see the snow! Good luck!

Well I can definitely relate - this process and the minute to minute step by step waiting has caused me to shed tears on more occasions than I can count!

The good news?!

My interview was on Monday, approved, visa issued Tuesday, email from Loomis late Wednesday, tracked package and it was delivered at my Loomis location early today (Thursday), I had it in hand at 10am, and will do POE and fly to Alaska on Saturday!!!!

Good luck tomorrow!

Hi AlaskaBound! I just logged on today and read your interview, thanks so much for making it long and detailed, that is super helpful! Now I am freaking out about his passport pics, they were taken August 6 (3 months today). Thanks for including the bit about the police certificate, that helps a lot.

We did the medical on Monday, not sure how it went since they don't give you the results but I'm guessing everything was fine. I wrote a super long review but haven't figured out where to post it yet, probably will post it with my interview review Friday.

Tuesday I got a call from my doctor's office in Winnipeg, I had a followup appointment booked for next Monday, the day after we get back. I booked the appointment a month ago. They called because they wanted to reschedule my appointment for this Friday, November 7 at 11am (10 eastern)... the EXACT same time as husband's interview appointment!!!! They would not give a reason, my guess is the doctor probably decided to make a long weekend of it since Tuesday is Remembrance day. When I questioned it, I got a lecture about how people have lives and the world doesn't revolve around me. I'm sure it was an overreaction but between the stress of having my life planned out in 5 minute increments for the last year and now a week to sit and do nothing but wait, I had a meltdown and spent most of Tuesday crying and pouting... the stress of a year of having my life put on hold and living on a schedule that is not my own all came out on Tuesday (FYI I feel much better now )

So yesterday we decided to take a walk to the consulate just to see where everything is... It took 15 minutes to walk there, including about 7 minutes waiting for the hotel elevator so not bad at all. I was reading the times posted in the window when the security guard opened the door to ask if he could help us. There was nobody outside, it was early afternoon. I told him our interview was scheduled for Friday. He said to make sure to bring the loomis paper and no bags and we would be fine, said the doors open at 7:30. I told him our appointment isn't until 10. He said "you didn't hear it from me but around here things work on a first come, first served basis". Then I told him I was the USC and my husband was the one interviewing, asked if it was ok for me to come in with him. He said as long as I bring my US passport he would be sure to let me in. He was very nice, hopefully indicative of the rest of the staff inside.

Husband just called Medisys, they told him the results would be ready to pick up in about an hour. We are just across the street so will leave in about half an hour. He said it sounded like they were gonna start putting it all together after he called, like if he hadn't called they would not have started to work on it yet. It will feel so much better once we have that packet in hand, one more small victory on this long journey.

Congrats on getting approved! I'm raising my 20 month old daughter alone and it's horrible. I've taken her 3 times to see my husband in Palestine but omg it's so dangerous. When I applied for our I-130 in July 2012 I never EVER thought 2 and a half years later we would still be going through this. my husband is getting denied at his interview for overstaying a past visa, so I have another year of being a single mom waiting for his waiver

That is truly heartbreaking. Good luck and I wish you well in surviving this process, and thanks for sharing your story. <3

Interview completed.....APPROVED!!!!

Can't pick it up until wed though, which creates a bit of a problem so we will see what happens....time invested so far...17 months, 6 days and counting until POE!

Congratulations!!

Best of luck to you for a painless interview and a happy outcome! I'll be thinking of you

We landed in Montreal today, I'm typing this from our hotel. Husband's medical is tomorrow, just a quick walk from here, after his appointment that will be one more milestone reached, with 3 big ones left (interview, house sale & POE)

Things are starting to get REAL!!!! At last :-)

JeffNJazz, how is your time in Montreal going? Did you get your medical results back yet? Good luck on Friday! I am not sure if you saw my review yet or not, but the regional police cert wasn't an issue, but as mentioned it did have a box ticked referring to no matches in the rcmp database. Good luck on Friday!!

Hi dwheels

Thank you so much for answering me again. I did not ask specifically about Australia but she seemed pretty uncommunicative. To be honest I had the most terrible headache and felt physically sick at the time. I have just been to bed for a couple of hours and feel a little better. I am not sleeping and the whole stress of it is taking its toll. I have two teenagers who are banking on getting home for Christmas and that dream is fading. I am trying so hard to keep everybody's spirit is up. Will just have to wait and see how it pans out.

msc13, I am so sorry to hear about your story. This geographical separation when it involves keeping children far apart from one of their parents is just heartbreaking and such an unecessary hardship for all of you to bear. Hold on, you will be all toghether again one day soon. My children are much younger (2&1/2 years old and 7 months old) and even in my situation I am often at the point of tears trying to cope and make it to the end of this process. I had my interview finally on Monday (after nearly 15 months since we sent in the I-130), and nearly 5 months since the last time my husband was able to travel here to see me and our little ones, and when the consular officer said approved at the end of the interview, words cannot even describe what that means to us. I wish you all of the luck in the world to get to be "home" for Christmas.

Approved in Montreal today! Yay. For details, I posted in the reviews section. No problems encountered. Now let's hope they send back my passport as quickly as possible...

Yay, congrats!

VISA IN HAND!

CONGRATULATIONS!!! SO HAPPY TO HEAR THIS!

Just a quick update for the group, my husband Steve's visa was delivered today from the US Embassy in London. So happy!!!

Congratulations too!

Had an interview for IR-1 VISA today at the embassy in Paris and it was approved!!

Wonderful!

Congratulations! Although we are not in Canada, I read your review! Excellent detailed information! Thank you for that. I'm sure hubby can use all information! Celebrate!

Thanks! I am glad it was helpful!

Congrats! When are you moving to Alaska? Next summer (once it gets nice and warm there)?

Thanks! I am moving ASAP. And yes, the longest nights and darkest months of the year are beginning, but oh well, at least my little family will be together, and we love snow! In fact, I bought myself some real winter boots from The Bay in Montreal during my visit! lol. Not joking! I haven't owned Sorels since I was a child! Soooo excited and happy!!! AND my ceac status changed to Issued! Hurrah!!

Congratulations!!! Thanks for the great review too. I did my pictures back in June so I think I'll get new ones done.

Yayyy Congratulations!!!

alaskabound

Congratulations

Congratulations. Been wondering about you all day. So happy for you.

Aww thank you everyone, you are all such a great and supportive group. I love this thread!

Yeah, congratulations

Congratulations!

Awesome! Congrats! Hope you opened a nice bottle of wine to celebrate!

CONGRATS!!! i just read your review…hmmmm take NEW PICS .. i shall remember that!!!! . THANKS!!!

my interview is at 10 am..so i will enter around 9 am….i am sure it will be a zoo…by then…oh well..

Thanks friends!! Yippee! I am still on a high note! AND my ceac status changed to Issued today early afternoon! 1 day later!

Hi everyone, just checking in - in Montreal and psyched for my interview TOMORRROW!!! Wish me luck!

P.S. @AustinCanada and @TeaCup: thank you or the fashion advice. Iol

I honestly don't think COs care what you wear as long as you are respectful of their work.

Thanks. I figured as much, but it is nice to have some reassurance! Actually getting excited for my trip :)

Hi everyone, how "dressed up" do we really need to be for the interview? Trying to pack for my trip to Montreal tomorrow!

It's old wording. It has not been updated. It used to be two separate documents (the old DS-230 - now the DS-260). They haven't updated the websites, or the official letters. That's something that has made the whole process so hard. Australia's Embassy website is over 3 years old with old processes and old data. In addition, the handbook that NVC uses is also outdated.

Sukie in NY

Thank you for your reply!!! Glad to find out I am not missing anything - interview is on Monday!!

What is the immigrant visa application 1 and 2 in P4? Is it the confirmation page of DS-260 and DS-261?

Can someone please answer this person's question - I actually was wondering this myself. Why don't they use the official form names on the P4 letter?! ..instead of the ambiguous wording. Trying to confuse us. I know based on the codes that I am not missing these items, but what indeed do they mean by part 1 and part 2?!

Hi we are flying direct from Winnipeg, on the way back there is a layover in Toronto. 2 hours to get there, 8 hours to get home after it all, LOL at least we should hopefully be able to relax a bit on the way home. If there is not good news it will be the longest flight ever!

Alright well have a safe trip and I'll be sure to write up my experience (including the whole police cert thing *fingers crossed*) afterwards! Good luck with the medical and enjoy your time if you can!!