ljs

They were nearly 3 years old. Thankfully the police checks arrived two days before their interview. Thanks for the reply :)

My daughter and family have their interview in Montreal in a week. The only thing outstanding is the RCMP checks, which is supposed to take 10 business days and when she called to see where it was, they said you get it when you get it, covid etc…

This must be an issue for everyone, they were documentary approved in 2007, then everything was put on hold and their police checks expired. My question is, what has happened to others going to the interview without the updated RCMP checks in hand? Is it denied outright? Denied awaiting documents? Rescheduled? I can’t find the information anywhere!

Thanks for your help.

In August, 2002, the "Child Protection Act" was signed into law by President Bush. What the act does is remove the "age out" limitation, so if the AOS application is accepted prior to the child's 21st birthday, the child can still AOS even after they turn 21.

It is my understanding that the child protection act is not applicable to K-2's as they are not immigration visas. You and your child have to completly adjust before 21, FBI checks and everything, or your 21 year old will be deported.

Linda

You may have [roblems getting a visa for you son who is 20. When I did my interview, they said that I had to have a reasonable chance to adjust before my daughter turned 21...they thought that 6 months was reasonable, she was turning 21 in 4 months. My lawyer spoke to someone in the office and it was reluctantly granted. My daughter who was at university did not feel that she could wait for the AP to be granted so she could leave and return to school while the AOS was pending, so we abandoned the K-2 when it became clear that she would not be able to get AP if she activatged the visa over christmas. I will now have to apply for a I-130 for her if she wishes to immigrate, which she doesn't right now.

It is hard, mum's like to have thier kids nearby! Lucky for us Canadians though we can have our kids come and stay for 6 months if they need to...and really, at 21+ that may be long enough!

Linda

How awful for you! It may not be too late to have drug testing done...depending on the substance it can be detected by urine and blood for days after the event and hair analysis can detect most substances for a few months. I don't know hbow important it is for you to have this information, but if it is head off to the dr soon. Have you reported this to the Canadian police? Don't know if they are interested in knowing or may help you obtain the testing.

Take good care.

Linda

You can write to your credit card company and contest the charges if this doesn't get resolved by travel cuts. It takes some time but should work, and they usually lift the charges off your card while the investigation is pending.

It is interesting to learn that your son was allowed into the USA. When I got my K-1 visa and my 20 year old daughter (4 months away from 21) was given her K-2 as well, we were taken aside when I went to pick up the visa and told in no uncertain terms that we were going to run into problems at the border getting her in as there had been a new directive saying that if there is no possiblilty to adjust the border patrol at customs were to deny entry, and that if there was slim possibility of adjusting to make a judgement call about allowing entry. We were told the Consular Officer should have told us this when granting the visas so we could have reconsidered then if we wanted to have the visa put in her passport or not. Since she needed to finish a semester of university and was going to join us at christmas break, that would leave her just 3 months til she was 21-not enough time we were told. They also told us that attempting to enter and being denied or entering and not being able to adjust and overstaying or being deported was not helpful if wanting to apply for a visa later for her.

In the end we decided not to have her activate her visa, she was needing to finish university, and we were not sure if she would be able to adjust during her winter break. She is in her final year of law school and really couldn't afford to miss classes.

Our lawyer said the Consulate like to scare, I can see no benefit in them doing so...but maybe he was right, since your son was allowed entry. He said we should take our chances on entry but absolutely had to have her adjust or get AP before she went back to school, but as it was over christmas, it would be dicey. Previous delays with immigration left me feeling less than optomistic.

This whole age out business is ridiculous, holding us to a date (AOS) we have no control over, especially given that some people are held up in FBI name checks for ages!!

***end rant***

billrussell, all the best with your son's AOS, I hope it goes smoothly.

Linda

We received our greencards before the EAD and AP were approved. At the interview our agent made a very big deal about destroying the EAD and AP cards when we received them, as we are responsible if they fall into the wrong hands. It has been quite a while now since we applied for EAD/AP and still they have not arrived.

It would seem reasonable that the EAD/AP process would be abandoned once the GC is approved, so I am fairly sure that doesn't happen! But I may be wrong.... should I still expect to get the EAD/AP? Should I start making inquiries as to the whereabouts of these documents? Anyone have a similar experience?

Thanks for your input.

Linda

It says on the interview information that they must attend if they are over 14. My teenage daughters attended recently in Montreal, and they were not interviewed per se, just asked if they wanted to go to the US and my eldest daughter was asked if she had ever been arrested .

It was painless, and nice to have some company.

Linda

If you take it into an office with your documents from packet 3 I'm pretty sure you can have it expidited. I did it with my daughter. Good luck.

I recently got my drivers licence in Napa CA and they let me keep my Ontario DL and gave me a temp CA DL (after doing the written test) so I could get insurance. I took the driving test, which was easy and they mailed me my CA DL and never asked for my Ontario one.

Linda

It's okay -- I just did my road test here in Petaluma today and got my full licence! I don't have my own car, so having a learner's permit was no biggie.

PS ~ Finally! More people here in the North Bay area!

Congrats....and not only am I in the North Bay Area, I'm origionally from Southern Ontario

I keep thinking we should start a Bay Area Visa Journey club and use it as an excuse to travel the bay area and meet other canadians

Interview yesterday was successful…another hurdle jumped!

All in all it was painless. The biggest stress was waiting for our tardy lawyer. She told us not to sign in until she got there, and she would be there 15 minutes before our appointment, but she didn’t show up until 3 minutes before our appointment, while we were signing in. That aside it was not too stressful.

We arrived at the San Francisco office 45 minutes prior to the appointment and there was quite a line up outside of the building. The same deal as the consulate, show your appointment letter and passport, metal detector, no cell phones with cameras, no electronics, no food or drink. We saw several people get sent back out to dispose of their cell phones. Someone should set up an electronics babysitting service! It took us about 20 minutes to get through the line and up to the waiting room. We checked in and were called in about 15 minutes past our interview time. Our officer was very nice and soft-spoken; he worked hard to put us at ease. We took an oath to tell the truth, and then the interviews began.

He started with my husband (the USC), asked to see his ID (CA license) asked him where he worked, when my birthday was and when we got married. He then asked for my passport and CA ID (DL). He then made a note that our DL addresses were not the same…I have been bugging my husband to get his changed!! He asked me where I lived, when I arrived, my husbands birthday, a few of the questions on the form (have you been arrested/prostitute/smuggler/fascist/deported?) asked me if I was working and for my phone number and said that was it, we were approved. He then filled out some paperwork and then gave the form to the attorney to review the notations. He made notes in red pen with checks beside the questions I answered, 7 checks in all, which included the address/phone number confirmation. He then interviewed my daughter, saying that since I was approved she was approved he just had a few questions and he checked her passport, asked her if she was in school, asked for her school ID, which she did not have and asked her for her address and phone number, so he knew she knew it in case she needed it in an emergency and that was it. Attorney reviewed notations (4) and she signed form. The officer then asked for employment letter, bank statements, pay stubs, 2006 tax return, utility bill, insurance bills, and photos. He tuck them into my file and didn't look at anything but the photos.

Our attorney asked for the I-155 stamp in our passports, the officer asked why since the green cards are issued and arrive in 2 weeks, and I said I have all my family out of the US including my elderly mother (thank goodness she wasn’t in the room!) and my kids so I would like to be able to travel in an emergency. He was surprised that we had not received our EAD or our AP yet, and stamped our passports.

And that was it. And no name checks pending.

As far as other useful information- the building is easy to find…look for the Homeland Security/ICE vans and long line out front and there is a parking lot directly across the street which is $4.75 per 15 minutes (really!) with a daily max of $30.00. A few blocks north is a parking garage which is $2.75 per 15 mins and a daily max of $12. Worth the 5 minute walk. There are lots of Starbucks around and a few places to grab lunch, though seating is limited.

The DMV instantly gave me an Oregon Licence (i was impressed). I then asked for my BC License back...and said no I could not have my BC License back because they hole punched it and destroyed it! &*%^ I thought you have

to be joking? I explained I had 2 residences one in Oregon and 1 in BC Canada. His attitude was...since I now

have an Oregon drivers license " I am now an OREGONIAN" ...what the faaa.......

I returned to BC and got another BC Drivers License...fooled him! LOL

Apparently that's what many people do when the U.S. DMVs void their Canadian licences! Too bad I didn't know that beforehand (not that it matters too much), and had purposefully avoided letting the CA DMV know that I have an Ontario licence. The only difference here is that I now have a learner's permit (must be accompanied by a licenced driver) and not a temporary licence until I get my full licence.

I recently got my drivers licence in Napa CA and they let me keep my Ontario DL and gave me a temp CA DL (after doing the written test) so I could get insurance. I took the driving test, which was easy and they mailed me my CA DL and never asked for my Ontario one.

Linda

Well this hasn't settled my increasing nerves about our interview today! I want someone nice.

I've applied for EAD and AP but have had only one touch,and no sign of them, so hopefully the name check will be done and we will walk away with greencards today.. Our lawyer said not to expect the name check to be done since people who have had FBI security checks for visas before are finding that they are stuck in name check hell. And that is me....

Fingers crossed, but save me a spot....

Linda

Getting a bit nervous pre AOS interview! No good reason, just dislike the lack of control

Before we knew better we hired a lawyer to help with our immigration process, and since she is still whittling down the retainer, she is going to accompany us to the AOS interview on Wednesday. I asked her what her role would be and she said that it was to ensure 'proper communication and to clear up any misunderstandings'. Hmmmm.

Has anyone had a lawyer at the AOS interview with them? Was it helpful? Should I ask her to sit and wait to be spoken to or will she pipe in when she deems necessary? Do you think it is prejudicial to have a lawyer there? How was your experience?

Thanks.

Linda

We just got a puppy...that's taking up a lot of my time right now! I have also been settling in my daughter, organizing the house, getting the lay of the land in my new city and researching the job market and education upgrades I'll need. I really don't know how I will fit work into my life once I get my EAD or greencard

it's ashame I do not have cable to watch it. I wonder if they post it later on on their website. does anyone know??

if not, could anyone let me know any important thing they talk about after the show is over by posting it here?

thanks

Go to a bar or hotel lobby. Find a TV.

yes ma'm

I actually have a night class tonight that goes from 6 till 9 but maybe we get out early and i can go watch it somewhere

You can read the transcripts of the show after it airs on the cnn website:

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/pzn.html

Linda

You can add that our visas were granted too

Pregnancy is not a contraindication for Tetanus-Diphtheria immunization, which means she can have the immunization, so I doubt there would be any waiver for that. I have provided a link from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) with the information for you.

http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/preg_guide.htm#td

Linda

I'm sure there is an order but they asked for them so quickly and I was a bit nervous so I can't remember.

I used the accordion file method, had things well labeled. I had originals and photocopies of everything, with the originals and photocopies paper clipped together. It did not cause problems at the security check, but if I were to do it again I would not paperclip everything together...it just caused problems because they want originals of some things and copies of others and she asked for them pretty quickly. I had paper and clips everywhere!

Linda

For what it is worth JG, I would get a flight out next day...especially if you are of the cautious tribe (which I am).

Here's why; there is a possibility that you will be delayed picking up your visa. When I went to pick mine up, the woman in front of me was sent away without a visa, because it wasn't done...yes they were sorry and yes she was promised, but it somehow got missed and she was told to come back the next day. On one of our visas there was a mistake, I was panicked, especially since the previous visa recipient was sent away. My daughter was flying out that night and I thought for sure we would have to cancel her flight. They asked if I could come back the next day and I told them about her flight and they fixed it, but it took an agonizingly long time. I must be scarier looking than the other woman! We made arrangements to fly out the next day because I didn't want to cut it short on time at the airport and figured picking up the passports at 230, out at 3, back to hotel and pick up luggage 345, at airport by 5pm at earliest which meant a late flight out. As it was I wasn't out of the visa office until almost 4, got back to the hotel at 415 and my daughter was on the bus at 430...just in the nick of time! Also if there is a snowstorm, it could take forever to get to the airport during rush hour.

Oh and the night I had the visa in my hot little hands...I slept like a log! The adrenaline crash from the pre interview stress was hard and I was glad to not be on a plane for 7 hours.

Just my 2 cents

Linda

They took my bank letter from my fiance's bank when I was in Montreal last month. He also had difficultly obtaining a letter and also asked for the $20/month search fees but he took a copy of his statements to the bank manager and a letter draft and asked them to do it and they finally did. But it was a major pain and negotiation.

Good Luck.

Linda

I activated my K-1 and my daughter's K-2 visa at Montreal Trudeau Int'l Airport a few weeks ago (Nov 16th). We arrived at the airport at 530am on a weekday and it was BUSY at the preclearence! We were sent to the secondary screening and it took about 20 minutes for our turn. Our packet was taken by an officer into an office who then proceeded to process us, though no one spoke to us yet...I just kept my eye on our stuff. I was certain, given the fact that they process most of the K visas in Montreal, that it would be a breeze, they would have seen one before and we'd be in and out quickly. I was wrong. There was much too-ing and fro-ing between our officer and several other officers, and I became very worried when our officer came out and said she couldn't find us in database "x" and another officer said try database "y"...that's when I started feeling nauseous. She referred endlessly to a big white binder, and filled in reams of paper. About an hour after our packet was taken by the officer, we were summoned to the counter and given our passorts and a stern lecture on working-don't and travelling, also don't, I was reminded that I must marry my USC within 90 days or leave the US. I was shown my I-94 and reminded to relinquish it when I left the US. I had planned to ask for a temporary EAD, but decided against it after the lecturing...I was just grateful to have the ok to pass through customs and frankly, chickened out.

That was my experience..a bit protracted but in the end no problems. Here is my advice for what it is worth:

1. Do not get into customs early in the morning...while I was processing the new shift came on...I'm sure it took longer as they all stopped to chat to the new shift. Also you are dealing with officers who are coming off a night shift. They are tired and crankier, and I heard more than one complain about it being too close to getting off shift to care anymore. It seems to me that they change shifts around 7 am.

2. Sit in the first row of the seats, that way you can keep your eyes on your packet and perhaps overhear what they are saying about it. At the very least, you can eavesdrop on the others going through secondary to help pass time. I witnessed 3 people being denied entry, and heard all sorts of interesting stuff being discussed by the officers...they do not value confidentiality here

Hope that helps.

Linda

I was not asked for it at my interview 2 weeks ago in Mtl. Is it on the checklist?

Just wanted to share the news that we got our visa, despite my best efforts to worry myself out of one. After a 4 minute deliberation, we were given the famous card to pick up our visas tomorrow afternoon.

I am beyond relieved, quickly crashing from weeks worth of adrenaline and am off to soak in the tub. Will post the whole experience later.

Thanks for everyone's support.

Linda