Courtney86

59 minutes ago, Mason_inami said:

There  are 15 filers in 2021 from LA in VisaJourney Timeline,  half of these 15 filers got their interview within 3 months. Table below shows their filing date, interview date, and how many months from filing to an interview.

 

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Thanks for the response! So I understand that timeline easy enough, but that still doesn't show when in the process they actually got told their interview date. 

i.e. After their biometrics appointment did it take 1 week, 1 month, etc. to be told "Your upcoming interview is x date". Or in other words, how much notice do you get before your interview date? i.e. Is it typically "You're interview date is x [which is in 2 weeks]" or ""You're interview date is x [which is in 2 months]" etc. 

Does that make more sense?

If we need to cancel our trip we have to do it in the next few weeks in order to get a refund, so I'm just wondering when we will find out the interview date, not how long from appointment til the actual interview itself.

Hey all. I'm familiar with the timelines showing the various dates for people (filing, biometrics, interview, oath). But I'm trying to figure out how long on average it's taken to find out when your interview is after your biometrics appointment. (i.e. How long til receiving notice of the interview date)

My wife had her bio. appointment in LA on 4/4 and based on timelines we're guessing her interview could fall late May when we already had a special trip planned. Obviously we will cancel/ change dates if need be but it'd be great to know sooner than later! Any clues?

I've tried to search for this and still confused. My wife (green card holder) did her biometrics 5/10/21 and now has an interview tomorrow, 12/5/2,1 for removing conditions (that I'll also attend). It says to bring lease statements for joint occupancy and financial records showing joint stuff, and then a vague 'other docs establishing your marriage in good faith.' We submitted a massive amount of proof of our marriage when first applying for the removal of conditions (financials, utilities, photos, social media, etc etc). My qu.- do we need that much evidence again at this stage? 

A few weeks ago I lost all of my documents on my old laptop, including all of the evidence I had gathered at that point. (I know, I know, I thought it was backed up). I can gather it all again but just curious anyone's experience on how much new evidence they needed?? 

Thank you!!

2 hours ago, BChance said:

Did you guys pay extra for courier service or just to pick up at Canada Post in Calgary? Oh, and congrats again!!

Normal, no extra

21 minutes ago, Ayaoyao said:

No worries. My interview was the 21st of November and it’s been at issued-final processing for a few days with no emails with tracking

I am worried if I missed the tracking email and they might send my passport back so I’ve been trying to find any other way to check if my passport has been sent out. In the AIS page it says “check for ds-160” under status

Oh I wouldn't stress then. There were serveral people ahead of you so they may not have sent yours yet. Our interview was Nov. 13th. 

FYI- The email we got Monday saying they would start sending them was to me (US citz) directly in response to my email asking if they'd send our docs back. The email on Tuesday saying it had been sent only went to my wife (Canadian). 

28 minutes ago, Ayaoyao said:

Question, when you check your ceac status, does it still say ISSUED- final processing or did it update to anything else after your passport has been mailed out.

Interestingly enough I don't see either of those options. I hadn't looked at CEAC in awhile, just logged in to check for you. It still says "Your case is currently being reviewed at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where your visa interview will take place." under Summary and "Your case is currently at: Montreal" in the top right. Obviously that's not true. 

I don't see anywhere that says status.... sorry

Good news. Passports come immediately! Our interview was Nov. 13 and we've been waiting for the strike. 

We got word on Monday via email they would start sending them out despite the strike still going on and to expect delays. Tuesday got an email that it was sent and a tracking number. Wednesday (today) notice that it was at the post office in Calgary ready for pick up! 

One important note - it said it has to be picked up by Thursday (tomorrow?!) or it would be sent back. Soooo keep an eye on your email friends

We also got our original docs back that they forgot (?) to give us at the interview. Not sure if they would have done this automatically or only because we emailed and asked but yay. 

4 hours ago, Kat & Jim said:

Just in case anyone is not yet aware, this was on the CTV news website today and should be all over the news by now. Hopefully this helps out some of you who need to make plans for the Passport return after the interview. 🙂

 

Good luck to everyone ! 

 

CTVNews.ca Staff 
Published Tuesday, November 20, 2018 12:51PM EST 
Last Updated Tuesday, November 20, 2018 5:34PM EST

 

Federal Labour Minister Patty Hajdu says the government will table legislation to end the Canada Post strike unless a resolution is reached “over the next few days.”

Developing story...

 

 

I'd feel better about this if in the same news reports it didn't have the quote direct from Canada Post "This is likely to be the situation [major delays] for the foreseeable future, meaning the next several weeks, including the peak holiday season and through January 2019." 

I thought for sure we'd have the passport by mid/end of December (our interview was Nov. 13th) which is when we need it but eeeek. Still holding out hope!

4 hours ago, Bethany123 said:

Hi, sorry for the delay. I didn't see this comment until today. I got my original documents back at the interview when they called me up. They should've given them to you. 

All good, I agree since we were the only ones who didn't get them back except one other person. I emailed and they said 'they would normally send them with the passport but they won't because of the strike'. So...we're going to have to request new stuff since picking up isn't an option for us. Womp womp. 

1 hour ago, LaurenJSchafer said:

Hey Courtney, so I remember you saying that you were in Calgary. Just to be clear... because we are looking at staying for a couple of weeks in Montreal if this is true...they gave you the option of picking up your passport in person? I read that they were only allowing certain people to pick up in person (ON and QC residents), which didn't make sense to me. But if you wanted to and had chosen to stay and wait, you could have picked up your passport in Montreal, correct? We are planning on staying a couple of weeks to do the medical, the interview, and then wait on the passport if we can pick it up in person. Thanks for your help. Congrats again! 

Hey sorry, I can't actually speak to that. My wife didn't ask about the possibility of getting the passport in person (as we knew we couldn't stay an extra 3 biz days...we had already been there 9 days due to the wait time btw the medical and the interview). 

I'll copy their email response about getting documents back below. It only mentioned the documents, not the passport, so I wouldn't 100% count on it to mean both:

Thank you for your inquiry.

All original documents are usually returned to the applicants by Canada Post registered courier mail when the passport and the visa packet are sent out.

Regrettably, because of the postal strike the courier service is unable to ship your documents at this time. The Official U.S. Department of State Visa Appointment Service is offering you to pick up your documents in person or through a representative at the U.S. Consulate General in Montreal located on 1155 rue St-Alexandre, Montreal Quebec H3B 1Z1. 

You or your representative are authorized to come Monday to Friday, from 10:00am to 12:00pm. Please bring a copy of this email AND a written authorization if a representative is picking up your documents, for our local guards in order to let you into our building. Please note that the U.S. Consulate General in Montreal is closed on American and Canadian holiday’s.

Also, heads up- we spoke to a friend today who works for Canada Post and they did not accept the deal today. 😏

She said it's the Union holding it up, not the people- the last time they were directly asked what they wanted it was a year ago. Cross your fingers they get this sorted asap! 

37 minutes ago, MtnBoarder said:

Hey sorry for the delay, in the US as of last night and half way to Colorado now.

they kept my originals as well and handed them back when I picked up my passport in Montreal.

congrats and good luck with the timeline you have! 😊

Thanks for the response! I emailed them and they got back to me a couple days ago. They said they usually send them back with the passport, but because of the strike they won't send them right now and gave the option to have them picked up. (Unfortunately we are in Calgary)

What was unclear was if they won't send them *at all* because of the strike, or just not right away. So I responded back asking to clarify that and haven't heard back yet. That said, looks easy enough to replace both. I was frustrated thinking of the effort and money to deal with it but what's another $60 at this point 😂

4 hours ago, Hill.ary said:

Hey sorry! My husband says they took the copies and gave him back the originals.

Ugh this is so frustrating! We had copies of everything with us but they never asked her for them, and never said anything about not giving the originals back. Sucks we didn't realize til later but sounds like they never should have needed to keep them in the first place and our chance of having them returned is slim. I've emailed, we'll see what they say 😕

21 hours ago, Courtney86 said:

Hey @Hill.ary  and @Bethany123 congrats again! We had our (approved!) interview this morning- Can either of you please confirm if the interviewing officer kept your originals docs? (Birth & marriage specifically)

 

If not, did they mention them coming with your passport? I'm getting super worried they forgot to give them back and my wife forgot to ask in all the excitement. Would love to know we aren't the only ones and this is normal. Thank you!!

Ugh this is so frustrating! We had copies of everything with us but they never asked her for them, and never said anything about not giving the originals back. Sucks we didn't realize til later but sounds like they never should have needed to keep them in the first place and our chance of having them returned is slim. I've emailed, we'll see what they say 😕

Help! My wife had her interview in Montreal yesterday and got approved (yay!) but we realized last night that they didn't give her back her original docs after going through them in the interview. Specifically worried about the birth & marriage certificates.

Is this normal? Do they mail them with the passport? Looking for someone to set my mind at ease! We leave Montreal in a few hours and wondering if I should try and show up to get them back if it was a mistake... 

1 hour ago, Loois said:

CONGRATS and thanks for the info!!!!!

 

Did they ask you for documentation on domicile?

Thanks! Nope, nothing beyond what I stated though I had it all with just in case

Hey @Hill.ary  and @Bethany123 congrats again! We had our (approved!) interview this morning- Can either of you please confirm if the interviewing officer kept your originals docs? (Birth & marriage specifically)

If not, did they mention them coming with your passport? I'm getting super worried they forgot to give them back and my wife forgot to ask in all the excitement. Would love to know we aren't the only ones and this is normal. Thank you!!

22 hours ago, tnn2018 said:

@Courtney86 good luck to you and your wife for your interview in the morning! So happy for you for being so close!!

 

im also really interested to hear what happens regarding your visa pickup. Don’t forget to update us when you’re all done, I can’t wait to hear your good news and celebrate with you 😁

Thank you, approved!!! Just posted a monster long recap (sorry, overcommunicator haha). Enjoy!!

10 hours ago, MtnBoarder said:

When you are there they give you a sheet that tells you specifically what they want and the order to give it, very straightforward. Organizing now won’t help you at all.

Off topic- but did you get your originals back?? (Birth & marriage specifically) If not, did they mention them coming with your passport? 

Interview approved today!! A great moment after a long journey. 😍

So here's a long ### recap for you all & some important info:

1) If you are doing your medical in Montreal before you interview, be SURE to call Medisys and follow up on your results if you don't get the email saying they are ready. When we booked the medical they said Wed. 7th was the last day we could do for an interview on Tues. the 13th, as they needed 3 biz days to guarantee results though often ready sooner. But I was told to pick them on the 12th btw 1 and 4pm.

At the actual medical they told my wife the results would likely be ready by Friday the 9th but she'd get an email.  We still hadn't heard anything Monday morning (the 12th) so my wife called at Noon. They said to call back at 1pm. Called back, and they said the nurse would (was?) working on them. It sounded very much like the results would not have been ready for pick up had we not called to check up. So be diligent!

2) Interview process overall went exactly as others have said, very straight forward and a formality. But below are a lot of details, some obvious / some important. 

3) We arrived at the consulate around 7:20ish for an 8am appointment. There were already 4 people/groups waiting. It doesn't even open til 7:30, so everyone was huddled under the door overhang trying to avoid freezing rain. Very grateful we had an umbrella. The funny thing (that I had guessed) is that unless you are in some crazy hurry there is really no reason to get there super early. It's just one of those because everyone else is, you have to if you don't want to be last kinda things, since multiple people have 8am appointments but only two people work at a time. Basically going early doesn't hurt you at all, but don't freakout if you show up just before on time either. They also only let a few people in at a time once the doors do open, as the very first thing is to go through a short security. 

4) Security is simple. First we each showed our passports and gave them a copy of the interview email. They then give you a laminated sheet with your number on it, and what docs to gather (I'll detail below). Then did security like the airport. You cannot bring backpacks or large purses inside. Most people had their docs in either plastic accordion file type things, or in a plastic shopping bag (that's what we did). You have to check your phone at the desk (it's kept in a secure spot). It also said no USB/flash drives but when I said I had one in my (small) purse they didn't care and let me keep it. They also allowed us to keep our umbrella (I wasn't really sure). 

5) They send you down the stairs to catch the elevator up to the 19th floor. I laughed when I saw that they have a photobooth for 1 min passport pics for 10 bucks. We had to go get two extra made in the city yesterday. Glad we had it taken care of, but good to know it's there. I'd imagine if one of the only problems was with the passport pics they'd allow you to go get new ones made right then (but totally guessing). 

6) The room you wait in is fairly big. You aren't allowed to bring any food or drink in, but there is a vending machine with snacks & soda. No coffee or tea. Some reading material. We both brought books to read while waiting. 

7) The docs they ask for on the laminated sheets are the same as on the interview checklist. To memory, as I already had them all set aside in one of our big envelopes:

-Passport & passport pics

-Medical results

-Original signed AOS (I-864)

-Sponsor's taxes

-Originals of birth cert, marriage cert, police record

(I'm pretty sure that was everything but if I'm missing something it was for sure on the main stuff you are supposed to bring)

7) Our interview time was 8am. We were #6 (i.e. 5 people before us) and got called for the first part at 8:30. I say we, but I really mean my wife. Both times when talking to the officers it's only the Canadian, not the sponsor. This part was pretty straight forward- turn in everything on the laminated sheet. They kept some things (original docs) and gave back others (part of medical). You are then sent back and wait to be called again. 

8 ) **Important** If you did BOTH versions of the police record like many of us did, be sure to bring BOTH original copies. Though we got approved, I had a mini heart attack after the first window. Our file had the "old" police record and the original we brought was the new one. Having brought a ton of paperwork I knew we wouldn't need but "just in case" I was kicking myself I didn't bring both original police certs, assuming the most recent one was fine. The fist officer said the interviewing officer might have a problem with that. Not a fun way to spend the next 45 minutes. In the end the interviewing officer said nothing about it at all but don't put yourself through that stress! 😛

8 ) My wife was called for the actual interview at 9:15. It lasted no more than 5 minutes. The only questions she had was what I (sponsor) do for work, where I live, and where we got married. I could hear my wife laughing even though I couldn't hear the words, so figured that was a good sign. Turns out she completely blanked on the name of the town we got married in, since our first 'wedding' was just us an a witness and we did a regular ceremony later. She explained that,  and the woman was good-hearted about it and overall very friendly. She also said my wife and I both have cool hair (we both have dreadlocks...not what she expected to hear from a government officer hah), asked what we like to do together, and said 'I bet you two both love dancing'. True, and so random haha. 

Like everyone else, I had pretty much every single piece of paperwork we had turned in, including proof of relationship, domicile, etc etc. just in case. As figured, it wasn't needed at all. But Murphy's Law, just bring it. Especially if anything doesn't match what you original turned in. (i.e. #8 above)

9) After that 5 mins... approved!! She got two pieces of paper (both white- not hot pink or green as I've read). One was a welcome to the US here's some info and the other was on picking up your passport from the post office. 

10) **RE PASSPORT RETURN** We were told as others have been that they are not returning passports until the Canada Post strike is over. They did say they would notify us when it was being sent out, so at least we'll get somewhat of a heads up. We aren't planning to move for a month, so here's hoping it's all sorted by then.

My wife did not ask about picking it up in person (sorry!) so I can't speak to if/how that works. 

11) **IMPORTANT** This is more of a question as I'm not sure if this was normal or a mistake. They kept our original docs (birth, marriage, police) and didn't give them back. This only clicked tonight as I went to type this and asked my wife if she got them. She said they went through them all in front of her during the 5 min interview but she didn't think to ask for them back at the end (lots of distracted excitement as you can imagine) and the officer didn't mention anything.

So....we are crossing our fingers this is normal and they will be returned with the passport?! If any of you who already had interviews read this and can confirm, or the rest of you have read this elsewhere please help set our minds at ease.  

Hope all that info helps!!! Great appreciative to everyone who has given bits of info along the way. I'm sure some of those sitting around us were from this forum, sorry we didn't get to chat! I was pretty distracted after the first part worry we'd get stuck on a formality! Congrats to all of you

We had our interview today (approved, yay!) and it just clicked we didn't get our original docs back. 🤔 Can someone please confirm that they were supposed to keep these (i.e. birth and marriage docs) in addition to the passport? And that we are supposed to get them back with the passport? 

Or was this a mistake and she should have handed them back and we forgot to ask?

Montreal Medical (Medisys) review:

My wife said it was super simple, as others did. Her appointment was at 12:40 and we arrived only a few minutes before. A bunch of paperwork to fill out- be sure you have a printout of your interview letter (i.e. email). You will need your case number off of it. I printed 2 in case they kept it, which they did. So we still have one for the actual interview. You also need your planned US address. They also require FIVE passport pics (one per page), so ignore if others say they only needed less. 

She went in for the exam around 1 which was really straightforward. Next was X-Rays, an eye exam, and vaccines. She also had to do a pee test, as they now check for a couple different STIs. (I had read this happened some places but wasn't sure if Montreal did it or not). 

She was finished around 2:15 or so. Probably could have been faster if we had arrived earlier to fill out the paperwork. The total cost of the exam w/ 2 vaccines incl tax was $527 CAD. I think w/out the vaccines was $462 CAD. Picking up results on Monday before the interview Tuesday. 

Hope that helps! 

@BChance and those still waiting/ were told no keep trying just in case. I was CC on Aug. 9th and interview is Nov. 13th (in Montreal now!) 

BUT when I called on Mon Oct. 15th (the day that evvvveryone seemed to get their interviews, both dates before and after mine) I was told I didn't have one. I was gutted. The next day I decided to try again, and the person I spoke to told me It was Nov. 13th, and wasn't sure why I was told no. That maybe it hadn't updated yet. I didn't get an actual email until Oct. 18th. 

So, if by the date ranges, it seems you should have your interview, try calling again. You never know! But either way an email will come eventually. Hope that helps! 

7 minutes ago, BChance said:

I hope Medisys accepts 2 x 2 because that’s what I had made... 5 for them, 2 for interview

Medisys definitely accepted 2x2.

We had 6 made at Costco, but should have done 8 (since they are sold in sets of 2), because yes you need 5 for Medisys and 2 for the interview. I had read that someone only needed 1 for medical (but I think that was for another a medical in another city), and when I called Medisys and mentioned that they said 'Well...we still recommend 5 just in case'. So to me it sounded like it was one of the overkill things, and 4 should be plenty. But on arrival they said no, there are 5 pages of paperwork and we needed a photo on every page. 

My question of if the photos can differ wasn't on size but if the actual picture from the medical ones needs to match the picture from the interview ones. They will be different now since we are 1 photo short (we'll go get 2 new ones made, so at least the interview ones will be the same).