Update: we received our passport pretty last night (9:30pm) at our home yesterday! Now currently in the US!!! 🙌
What happened with us is that our passport did not arrive on the Friday like the tracker said it would. Instead, the tracker showed that it was sitting in some facility in our city and did not move/change status for over 24hrs. So the next day Saturday, we called like crazy. Once in the morning, once early afternoon and again late afternoon. After much persistence we finally got patched through to a higher up manager who took our case seriously - we emphasized that it was a passport and we were on a deadline etc. They opened a “case” for us or something, put our file on priority. It was then delivered that night outside of Xpresspost’s normal delivery hours.
If your passport does not arrive on its scheduled date, it’s worth calling aggressively and letting them know that your passport is late and you need it urgently. Ask to speak to a manager if they try to brush you off.
Just got my interview date! January 18th! Cc date September 25. I called this morning at 9 and they said they didn't have a date for me and then I got my email less than an hour later.
Got my interview date!!!! January 11th at 7:30 a.m. , cc date sept 21st.
Could anyone who has an interview in December do me a huge favor and ask if they ever make a special exception to let someone pick up a passport instead of waiting in the mail? I have a trip overseas booked, and the last possible date I could get my passport is the 16th... which seems impossible if I had to wait for it in the mail, although I’m in Ottawa just two hours from Montreal so it wouldn’t need to go very far.
Hate to double post, but I crossed into the USA on my CR1 visa tonight. Everything went well and I am officially a permanent resident of the United States. Best of luck to you all ♥️
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
Sigh, thanks Lauren! I just called NVC and they said the same thing. I may have to arrange for a back up co-sponsor, in case the Embassy does not accept my assets.
bizzai got a reaction from MissMyHusband in Canadian October + November 2018 Case Complete To Interview For Spousal Visa Filers Thread
bizzai got a reaction from LaurenJSchafer in Canadian August+September 2018 Case Complete To Interview For Spousal Visa Filers Thread