DGF

Same! FAQ updated.

Hi! Here's an answer I posted a while back. I'm not sure who runs the FAQ, but can this please be added @Hawk Riders ? I see this question asked once a week! 
 
"I mentioned that we were not required to upload [the petitioners birth certificate] to NVC, and Montreal only asks for it if it "applicable" (though they didn't mention when it's applicable), so maybe you won't need it at the interview. 
 
This is what NVC says under petitioner documents: "If you are applying for an IR5 visa as the parent of a U.S. citizen or for an F4 visa as the brother or sister of a U.S. citizen: You must obtain an original birth certificate for your petitioner, or a certified copy." (The paragraph goes on to say that for CR1/IR1, if the petitioner was previously married, you need to bring documentation of that. It does not mention birth certificate)
 
I messaged the consulate asking them to confirm if the petitioners birth certificate was not required for IR1/CR1. This was their reply: "If you were previously advised that the petitioner’s birth certificate is not necessary for the processing of the case, you do not need to provide it at the time of your interview appointment." 
 
It's kind of vague... But I think it's safe to say you don't need it. I definitely understand that it's easier to just bring it with you just in case. But if you are for some reason unable to get it to Canada, I think you'll be okay. I think you will still need to bring something that proves your petitioners status."

@Melody1920, please read the FAQ document linked in my signature. The document covers exactly the types of inquiries you are presenting here. Cheers!

Hey!

I've seen quite a few people ask about free testing in the US, etc. and just wanted to share what I've been using. 

I'm not sure if this helps (as I don't know how many people are in the Seattle/Tacoma/Everett area), but I've used Solvhealth (https://www.solvhealth.com/) to get a PCR test (I haven't looked past the more central areas, but I'd say if you're anywhere within Washington State, maybe try to look up your location on the site and see if there's anything nearby!), and have always gotten my results back within 24 - 48 hours! 
 
Hope this helps/hope you're all able to find some free or more affordable options, as this testing thing definitely adds up.  

Please read the FAQ it is answered there

Read the FAQ. 
 

Read the FAQ. 
 

Friendly reminder, especially to newer people, to please read the FAQ. I'm seeing many questions being asked that it answers. The FAQ exists because having the same questions answered every couple of pages clutters up the threads and makes it harder for people to find information in them later on. 

Friendly reminder, especially to newer people, to please read the FAQ. I'm seeing many questions being asked that it answers. The FAQ exists because having the same questions answered every couple of pages clutters up the threads and makes it harder for people to find information in them later on. 

I may be completely off base with what you're referencing here, but the people DQ after December are on the 2021 DQ tab. It definitely slows down though. Whether that's a product of the pandemic or just people not finding this group until they've been waiting a while (which is what is usually the case) I don't know. 
 
It's the first one. I've updated the FAQ to reflect the new wording. 
 

Thanks guys for your suggestions and help as always. I was able to fly with an expired PR card. I just took copy of marriage certificate and my husband's passport copy. And it was fine

if it makes you feel any better, you're pretty much guaranteed to be in the first week of September so technically, you've only been delayed by a week or two. I know it's still #######, but you know they're not gonna skip you next time nearly there!! 

October 5 DQ, August 16 interview!
So excited, it feels like this has been so long coming.

We got the interview letter for August 16th.
DQed on Oct. 2nd

YAAAAAAAAS! Appointment finally got
 
August 4th at 9:30
DQ: Sept 23rd 2020.

Biometrics are taken at the interview. There is no need for a separate biometrics appointment for our visa category. 

Biometrics are taken at the interview. There is no need for a separate biometrics appointment for our visa category. 

Had my IR-1 interview this morning and got APPROVED
 
I suggest following the advice in the linked post. I found it very similar to my overall experience and helped me prepare properly:
 
A few notes on my experience, some points might be very niche.
 
The infamous clock is not working yet again lol I was asked: where did you meet, where you got married, who’s the petitioner, what do they do, longest stay in the us, and if I’ve ever been denied or overstayed my visa - same questions that come up in all the reviews pretty much I served in the military so I was asked to confirm the years of service and type of service - conscription in my case. I was not asked for the original military records even though I offered them I mention we have a kid together, I offered their CRBA but they said they don’t need it and just made a note of that No questions or request for tax information as I had submitted it all 3 days before the interview and CO said ‘they’ve got all they need’ The police certificate from my home country had to be sent straight to the consulate (some law about the individual can’t receive it, only the government that is asking for it). So I asked it to be sent back in September 20’ and while tracking number showed it was delivered, I reached out to the consulate and they refused to confirm they’ve received it until I get an interview date. Getting that police certificate is a 6-8 weeks process with covid so I was anxious I sent a document so long ago and literally couldn’t confirm until my interview letter arrived two weeks prior. I reached after the IL and they confirmed they have received it and added it to my file and it was present for my interview, so while they couldn’t confirm until the case was “in Montreal” they nonetheless had it ready for the interview. Phew I had a name amendment not a name change - after the wedding. basically fixing the English translation of my last name to be easier to read while not changing how you’d pronounce it. The amended is shown as a correction on a page in the passport, but it’s not a new passport. It led to situation where my passport bio page says name A and supporting documents say name B, I couldn’t get a new passport in time. I was super nervous about it and it ended up being a non issue, not even asked about it. my take is as long as you have the right documents with you to show the name amendment it’s fine. The visa will still be issued in the old name since it’s just how they do it (according to bio page). I will apply for an I-90 or wait for N400 in the states most likely to fix it.  
Ran into  @helloTdot at the elevator at Best Western after our interviews. Was nice to share the relief of approval with a fellow VJ’er
 
As of this afternoon my case is in Issued - AP, will update when I receive the passport.
 
Good luck everyone!

I just had my interview today and was APPROVED :) 
 
I'm not sure if this will help, but I only handed my original police certificate that's due to expire exactly 1week from today, July 9th.  I do have a more recent one that I got last month just in case, but they never asked for it and I forgot to ask if it's really 2years now.
 
I would assume they would have said something if it's an issue given the very close expiration date, but it was accepted as is.
 
 
I was told you have to move to the US 6months from your medical exam date, so I don't think it'll be an issue if you wanna stay a bit longer after your interview.

Yes you can use it to travel. You do run the risk of the agent not knowing what the stamp means (since someone traveling with a stamp isn't as common as someone traveling with a green card) so be prepared to explain what the stamp means or ask for a supervisor if they give you trouble.
 
No you don't need to be vaccinated. As far as I'm aware, you don't need a test either as long as you cross by land.
 

Yes you can use it to travel. You do run the risk of the agent not knowing what the stamp means (since someone traveling with a stamp isn't as common as someone traveling with a green card) so be prepared to explain what the stamp means or ask for a supervisor if they give you trouble.
 
No you don't need to be vaccinated. As far as I'm aware, you don't need a test either as long as you cross by land.
 

Yes you can use it to travel. You do run the risk of the agent not knowing what the stamp means (since someone traveling with a stamp isn't as common as someone traveling with a green card) so be prepared to explain what the stamp means or ask for a supervisor if they give you trouble.
 
No you don't need to be vaccinated. As far as I'm aware, you don't need a test either as long as you cross by land.
 

Updated. Also this is excellent news for those waiting!
 
It certainly doesn't feel like 20 minutes! I would have said my interview was less than 10 minutes, with about half of that being actual questions and the other half being the interviewer doing stuff in his computer and giving the "you've been approved" spiel. 
 
99% of the time the marriage certificate alone is sufficient proof (in combination with the questions they ask). My binder was something stupid like 5lbs of "just in case" documents, but all I was asked for was what was on their checklist  Bring as much as you need to make yourself comfortable going in to the interview though!

Updated. Also this is excellent news for those waiting!
 
It certainly doesn't feel like 20 minutes! I would have said my interview was less than 10 minutes, with about half of that being actual questions and the other half being the interviewer doing stuff in his computer and giving the "you've been approved" spiel. 
 
99% of the time the marriage certificate alone is sufficient proof (in combination with the questions they ask). My binder was something stupid like 5lbs of "just in case" documents, but all I was asked for was what was on their checklist  Bring as much as you need to make yourself comfortable going in to the interview though!

Updated. Also this is excellent news for those waiting!
 
It certainly doesn't feel like 20 minutes! I would have said my interview was less than 10 minutes, with about half of that being actual questions and the other half being the interviewer doing stuff in his computer and giving the "you've been approved" spiel. 
 
99% of the time the marriage certificate alone is sufficient proof (in combination with the questions they ask). My binder was something stupid like 5lbs of "just in case" documents, but all I was asked for was what was on their checklist  Bring as much as you need to make yourself comfortable going in to the interview though!