Ptitchou

My interview is Feb 8, but as I've been recovering from COVID (lovely Xmas gift from my visiting husband! 😓), I needed to delay my medical a little longer, fully accepting that it might not arrive at the consulate in time. 
 
I spoke with Dr. Mascarenhas ahead of time, explaining the situation to him, and he let me know that if it wasn't ready in time, he'd give me a deferral letter to bring with me. They allowed me to submit my passport photo electronically ahead of time, so they didn't need a hard copy.
 
My appointment was at 1:30pm today. It was very busy, but I was seen within 5 minutes. COVID safety protocol was decent. I filled out paperwork asking for medical history, surgeries, medications, any history of alcohol or drugs abuse (no questions about use itself or any questions about cannabis, for any Canadians who might wonder), and any history or psychological or psychiatric issues such a schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or Major Depressive Disorder. I stated I have depression and ADHD, which I'm medicated for, but not Major Depressive Disorder. No questions were asked on this or anything else. 
 
He was nice, though very quick and to the point. He looked over everything, said it looked fine and was satisfied with my titre test results as proof of immunization (MMR, varicella immunity from chicken pox) and a letter from my GP for Tetanus and Flu shots.
 
I explained to him that there was a spot of COVID pneumonia on my lower right lobe as detected in my CT scan a few weeks ago, so they may see something there when looking at my x-ray. He said thank you for the heads up on that. The lab will be faxing my results to my doctor, since I already needed a Post-COVID follow-up x-ray and we wanted to save on radiation exposure. 
 
He explained very clearly how things would go - go pay at the counter, then down to the basement for the x-ray, then across the street for the urine and bloodwork (which are both only for STD detection). I am to email him on Thursday evening and find out whether or not the results came back in time. If so, he will email them to the consulate ASAP on Friday. If not, I have to pop back over to his office and pick up my deferral letter. 
 
Super quick, super nice, and surprisingly hassle-free. Not even a physical exam or blood pressure taken. Height & weight was verbally recorded and the only thing he asked about was why I had a particular surgery (was an accident that required nerve repair). He was satisfied with a simple answer. 
 
The x-ray tech was super nice, as was the tech who took my blood. All in all a decent experience. 
 

Married May 24, 2019
NOA1: July 27, 2019
NVC DQ: May 22, 2020
Feb 8, 2021 - Approved 🥰
 
Had my interview at the consulate this morning for 8:45. Arrived a few minutes before and they let me in, asked the run of COVID questions, then did the x-ray scan of my coat, wallet, and folder. Kept my phone and gave me a key. Directed to go to Floor 1, Window 7 and gave them my passport.
Waited around for maybe a half hour and then was called to window 5 to provide my documents. They asked for the originals (not copies) of my birth certificate, marriage certificate, both my and my husband's divorce decrees from our previous marriages. Then they told me my medical had arrived (it was emailed by the doctor 4 days ago) and to have a seat and wait to be called.
Maybe another half hour or so went by (the clock is still broken!) and I was called up to Window 1, met with a nice middle aged man with greying hair. Swore the oath, did the fingerprints, answered how we met, when we married, any kids, addresses. He asked me for my husband's divorce certificate and asked if I had a copy (I did). Not sure why they needed it again, since I had submitted it previously but ok. 2019 taxes (1040) were brought as well and they kept the copy I brought.
I kept everything in a portable file folder and had tiny tab stickers labelling everything. He said he was really impressed and almost thought he was looking at their files with how well I organized it. He said he appreciated the clear labelling.
He asked if I was given the pamphlet on domestic violence at the other window (I was not) and he was surprised. So he gave me one and explained what it was. Then he said he was going to go ahead and approve  me, handed me the Welcome letter, and that I can expect my passport with the visa to be returned within 3-4 weeks.
Tips:
- Dress in layers. The thermostat in the waiting room was set to 24C and with how warm I dressed for the frigid Montreal weather, I was sweating buckets indoors.
- No hand sanitizer at the counters by the fingerprint readers (ew), but there is a giant jug of it at the security guard's desk.
- bring a paper book, crossword, or something to keep your sanity
I won't be moving until the summer, since I want to wait until our 2 year anniversary to cross and activate as an IR-1 instead of the 2 year conditional.
 
Good luck to everyone on their journeys and thank you so much to everyone here for all your help and support. Couldn't have done it without y'all. Now I need to figure out all the crazy logistics of moving, taxes, etc. But first - I'm going to have a much deserved NAP. 😴

Fully vaccinated still have to get a 72 hour PCR test before entry and do a test on arrival. Just no quarantine. 
https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/covid-vaccinated-travellers-entering-canada

I just asked my family doctor about it and she gave me a requisition form to bring to any lab. Just tell your doctor you lost your immunization records and give them the list of what the US Visa doc requires and they'll add it to the list - it's just like any other blood test. You don't pay if you have OHIP.

I just asked my family doctor about it and she gave me a requisition form to bring to any lab. Just tell your doctor you lost your immunization records and give them the list of what the US Visa doc requires and they'll add it to the list - it's just like any other blood test. You don't pay if you have OHIP.

Married May 24, 2019
NOA1: July 27, 2019
NVC DQ: May 22, 2020
Feb 8, 2021 - Approved 🥰
 
Had my interview at the consulate this morning for 8:45. Arrived a few minutes before and they let me in, asked the run of COVID questions, then did the x-ray scan of my coat, wallet, and folder. Kept my phone and gave me a key. Directed to go to Floor 1, Window 7 and gave them my passport.
Waited around for maybe a half hour and then was called to window 5 to provide my documents. They asked for the originals (not copies) of my birth certificate, marriage certificate, both my and my husband's divorce decrees from our previous marriages. Then they told me my medical had arrived (it was emailed by the doctor 4 days ago) and to have a seat and wait to be called.
Maybe another half hour or so went by (the clock is still broken!) and I was called up to Window 1, met with a nice middle aged man with greying hair. Swore the oath, did the fingerprints, answered how we met, when we married, any kids, addresses. He asked me for my husband's divorce certificate and asked if I had a copy (I did). Not sure why they needed it again, since I had submitted it previously but ok. 2019 taxes (1040) were brought as well and they kept the copy I brought.
I kept everything in a portable file folder and had tiny tab stickers labelling everything. He said he was really impressed and almost thought he was looking at their files with how well I organized it. He said he appreciated the clear labelling.
He asked if I was given the pamphlet on domestic violence at the other window (I was not) and he was surprised. So he gave me one and explained what it was. Then he said he was going to go ahead and approve  me, handed me the Welcome letter, and that I can expect my passport with the visa to be returned within 3-4 weeks.
Tips:
- Dress in layers. The thermostat in the waiting room was set to 24C and with how warm I dressed for the frigid Montreal weather, I was sweating buckets indoors.
- No hand sanitizer at the counters by the fingerprint readers (ew), but there is a giant jug of it at the security guard's desk.
- bring a paper book, crossword, or something to keep your sanity
I won't be moving until the summer, since I want to wait until our 2 year anniversary to cross and activate as an IR-1 instead of the 2 year conditional.
 
Good luck to everyone on their journeys and thank you so much to everyone here for all your help and support. Couldn't have done it without y'all. Now I need to figure out all the crazy logistics of moving, taxes, etc. But first - I'm going to have a much deserved NAP. 😴

I am not able to work remotely, I am employed at a grocery store. When I began the process, my mother's health and mobility were different than they are now. We also live in Toronto and the province is in a healthcare catastrophe. I am leaving at a terrible time with regards to the situation here. I would put off moving by a few months but my husband needs shoulder surgery and I have to be there for him too. I wish I could have them both together in the same country. 
I am planning to get a drivers license in the US, I don't drive here though so I will need to go through lessons and whatever graduated licensing Iowa requires, then get a vehicle. I am moving to a very rural village where there is no transportation or businesses to even work at for that matter.
I would be getting travel insurance for the times I am in Canada as I realize that my OHIP would no longer be valid.
None of it is ideal. In hindsight having my husband immigrate to Canada would have been a better solution but this is where I'm at and I'm just trying to see what options are available and what is legal.  So much has changed within the past year.

@Ptitchou Merci/Thank you. I hope that remains in place, or that Ontario can get our numbers down enough so I can stop worrying about it!
 
@T&S_MTL Merci/Thank you! I triple checked and really hope the plan comes together
 
I did re-read the I-864 and I-864A instructions, and it says the following about the intending immigrant:
 
If you included the income of the intending immigrant who is your spouse (he or she would be counted in Part 5., Item Number 1.), you must provide evidence that his/her income will continue from the current source after obtaining lawful permanent resident status. He or she does not need to complete Form I-864A unless he or she has accompanying children. What if I Cannot Meet the Income Requirements?
If your income alone is not sufficient to meet the requirement for your household size, the intending immigrant will be
ineligible for an immigrant visa or adjustment of status, unless the requirement can be met using any combination of the
following:
1. Income from any relatives or dependents living in your household or dependents listed on your most recent Federal
income tax return who signed Form I-864A, Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member;
2. Income from the intending immigrant, if that income will continue from the same source after immigration, and if the
intending immigrant is currently living in your residence. If the intending immigrant is your spouse, his or her income
can be counted regardless of current residence, but it must continue from the same source after he or she becomes a
lawful permanent resident; So I believe we will be good. Sorry about my little meltdown above. Though I love my time here on VJ, I really just want this all to be over with no more delays... 🙀

Exactly this. Even just going to the border only for the 30 minutes or so it would take to do your paperwork and then turn around back into Canada, you'll be expected to have a valid negative PCR test taken within 72 hours, plus do the 2 week quarantine and home tests. It's a bit ridiculous, but unfortunately it has happened.

That's interesting...I didn't think still contributing to CPP and EI would be applicable if you weren't a resident. Do you know if you get a better tax return because of being in the US or do you also need to pay US taxes? 

So fainting is a new thing for me as well, but I'm in my 40s. I don't get it for injections, but blood draws and IVs, definitely. The first time in recent years was when I had a failed IV attempt by a younger nurse and they moved me to a bed and had my feet elevated while putting a cool wet cloth on my forehead and the back of my neck. Having your feet elevated is the key when you suffer from syncope (the technical term for fainting), not just lying flat. It allows the blood to flow back into the brain. Basically what happens is a defensive response by the body that causes all the blood to rush to the middle of the body and protect the vital organs. It's why your heart rate quickens and vision fades. So elevating the feet helps counter that. She may still get woozy but isn't likely to lose consciousness. 
 
Let the nurses know this is an issue and have her bring whatever comforts her. It may sound silly, but I brought a little squishable stress ball shaped like a plush lemur that my husband brought me. It helps me to squeeze it and flex to get the veins to surface for blood draws and also gives comfort. The ladies at Life Labs were super sweet about it.  Good luck! ❤️ 

Hello all,
I wanted to start a separate thread on this topic rather than keep adding to the long one for easier reference. 
 
As most of us know, the situation with border crossing has been difficult and restrictions can change, so please refer to the government site for the most up to date rules: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid
 
I wanted to share our experience with having my USC husband come visit via land border.
 
My husband had recovered from COVID in January, so he has proof of a positive test that falls within the 14-90 day range. On March 4, he drove up here via the Peace Bridge and it also happened to be the day they implemented land border testing at that port. 
 
The guard was polite, but also admitted he was new and didn't really know the rules for exemptions from testing, so while he did allow my husband to enter, he still handed him two test kits and directed him to a parking area to wait in the car for someone from Public Health to come speak with him. He waited...1.5 later he finally flagged down another border guard and asked what's going on and they said just to stay put and they knew he was there. 
 
Finally, someone got to him after 2 hours of waiting in a dead parking lot and went through his quarantine plan. They accepted his previous test results and then took back the test kits, as they wouldn't be necessary this time, and then they actually phoned me to confirm I understood the risks of having him stay with me and ensure that I gave my consent. Once that was done, they let him go. 
 
So if you're crossing by land right now, be aware that it's a bureaucratic, unorganized mess and the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. Ensure that you give yourself more than adequate time and get that pee break out of the way before you reach the border. You may be there a while. 
 
That said, he's here now and may you all be able to travel to be with your families smoothly and safely. 

I have similar but not as quiet frustrating as your experience at the peace bridge. The officer was following the law, so I would not expect him to be nice, he was harsh. Usually the Canadian officers are nice, and this one was not one of them. After lengthy interrogation with questions even unrelated to the covid, and this is not the first time I am visiting my Canadian wife. He also let me pay tax for my gift for my wife, and for those who didnot not know like me the allowed amount for a gift for the wife is only 60 dollars " quiet a lame, and mean law if you ask my opinion " He gave a recite and I have to pay tax inside. He also gave me two kits to work on, the experience with the fist kit is quiet also frustrating, and you have to wait for the nurse online for almost 3 hours waiting to get done and then wrap it and let them pick it the next day. " been waiting to see my wife for a while, and I have to struggle with this kit and wait for 3 hours over the phone for them to answer for the kit ; another lame experience against us ". Anyway the laws I think is gonna stay here for a while, I just feel bad for US who wants to see their loved ones, and all the bullshit politics and obstacles plus waiting times thrown at us without mercy, and no-one seems to care or doing anything about it. Immigration waiting times is getting longer prior to covid and now with Covid even longer and no-one is doing anything. I think they should expedite their work load, and finish all these backlogs, so we are done with this game. Immigration and Embassy workers should get vaccinated and expedite their work like every one who has extra work to finish. This should not be excuse for them, should be the opposite.  

Hello all,
I wanted to start a separate thread on this topic rather than keep adding to the long one for easier reference. 
 
As most of us know, the situation with border crossing has been difficult and restrictions can change, so please refer to the government site for the most up to date rules: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid
 
I wanted to share our experience with having my USC husband come visit via land border.
 
My husband had recovered from COVID in January, so he has proof of a positive test that falls within the 14-90 day range. On March 4, he drove up here via the Peace Bridge and it also happened to be the day they implemented land border testing at that port. 
 
The guard was polite, but also admitted he was new and didn't really know the rules for exemptions from testing, so while he did allow my husband to enter, he still handed him two test kits and directed him to a parking area to wait in the car for someone from Public Health to come speak with him. He waited...1.5 later he finally flagged down another border guard and asked what's going on and they said just to stay put and they knew he was there. 
 
Finally, someone got to him after 2 hours of waiting in a dead parking lot and went through his quarantine plan. They accepted his previous test results and then took back the test kits, as they wouldn't be necessary this time, and then they actually phoned me to confirm I understood the risks of having him stay with me and ensure that I gave my consent. Once that was done, they let him go. 
 
So if you're crossing by land right now, be aware that it's a bureaucratic, unorganized mess and the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. Ensure that you give yourself more than adequate time and get that pee break out of the way before you reach the border. You may be there a while. 
 
That said, he's here now and may you all be able to travel to be with your families smoothly and safely. 

Hello all,
I wanted to start a separate thread on this topic rather than keep adding to the long one for easier reference. 
 
As most of us know, the situation with border crossing has been difficult and restrictions can change, so please refer to the government site for the most up to date rules: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid
 
I wanted to share our experience with having my USC husband come visit via land border.
 
My husband had recovered from COVID in January, so he has proof of a positive test that falls within the 14-90 day range. On March 4, he drove up here via the Peace Bridge and it also happened to be the day they implemented land border testing at that port. 
 
The guard was polite, but also admitted he was new and didn't really know the rules for exemptions from testing, so while he did allow my husband to enter, he still handed him two test kits and directed him to a parking area to wait in the car for someone from Public Health to come speak with him. He waited...1.5 later he finally flagged down another border guard and asked what's going on and they said just to stay put and they knew he was there. 
 
Finally, someone got to him after 2 hours of waiting in a dead parking lot and went through his quarantine plan. They accepted his previous test results and then took back the test kits, as they wouldn't be necessary this time, and then they actually phoned me to confirm I understood the risks of having him stay with me and ensure that I gave my consent. Once that was done, they let him go. 
 
So if you're crossing by land right now, be aware that it's a bureaucratic, unorganized mess and the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. Ensure that you give yourself more than adequate time and get that pee break out of the way before you reach the border. You may be there a while. 
 
That said, he's here now and may you all be able to travel to be with your families smoothly and safely. 

I'm also interested in hearing more about this. I wonder if maybe a separate thread topic on US/Can finances would be a good idea? 
I'm also still paying off a line of credit with my bank in Canada and will be keeping my job (but under contract instead of full time with deductions) so they'll be paying me in my Canadian account too. 

I'm also interested in hearing more about this. I wonder if maybe a separate thread topic on US/Can finances would be a good idea? 
I'm also still paying off a line of credit with my bank in Canada and will be keeping my job (but under contract instead of full time with deductions) so they'll be paying me in my Canadian account too. 

I have a history of fainting as well when giving blood and have fainted occasionally with vaccines.  When I did the blood work at LifeLabs I had them draw my blood in a private room with me laying down.  They were accommodating, I was just upfront about it and asked to have the blood drawn laying down.  I find looking away helps my needle anxiety.  I know its odd I love tattoos but hate getting needles go figure. 
 
I had updated all my vaccines before going as they were covered by Alberta Health Care and saved me having to pay at Dr. Cheema's office.   

Yes this last time she had one at the pharmacy they had her lay down and they put a cold cloth on her head. She still panicked and fainted. Im sure it is better but seems every time she has to have something done she gets worse with panic. I think all she needs is Hep A but them will have to go over for blood draw, too. We are so glad to be this close and her anxiety and depression has been worse with pandemic and waiting to immigrate so its just hard knowing she has to go through this, too. 

Hey, I called Service Canada last week (2/16/21) to confirm that we are in fact eligible and the answer is yes.  

As long as you have the 1040 and w2s or whatever other supporting documents were required, you should be fine. The person interviewing me said they were well aware that the IRS has a crazy backlog and many people haven't been able to get their 2019 tax transcript, let alone 2020. I had submitted 3 years of transcripts when we were at the initial NVC stage because he's self-employed, so that's the general recommendation there, but I was worried about not having a w2. The 1040 and supporting docs were accepted at the interview without issue. 

I got a Welcome to the USA paper at the interview and the exact same paper arrived with my passport return as well. You'll likely get it in the mail with your passport too. 

I'm home.
 
Arrived at Peace Arch around 5:45pm on Thursday Feb 18.  Day was sort of an avalanche of delays and minor things going wrong but nothing really major, so showing up at the crossing was a few hours behind schedule.  I rolled up in a 10 foot uhaul towing my car.  Said I was activating my visa, was asked if I was moving which was a fun question given that I was *driving a moving truck*, and got sent over into secondary.  After a while I got asked the usual declaration questions, answered them, and presented my list o' stuff and what boxes they were in.  The list was treated like it was on fire so I guess nobody wants to have to actually review the list and they may figure that if someone actually went to the trouble of preparing such a list that they're not playing fast and loose with the rules, which was true for me.  Chilled in the truck for about 30-40 minutes, tried to distract myself from randomly crying or whatever about being on the very last step of this 908 day journey, messaged my wife who relayed a message from our 6-year-old that he thought it would be a good idea if they came to the border to help, since I was taking "for ages", etc.  Eventually another officer came to check the visa and told me to come inside.  I recommend the restroom inside the Peace Arch CBP building for its exciting 30-second-long flush, incidentally.  Anyway I sat on the bench in a very empty building (5 or so officers and me) and admired the Chihuly glass-blowing stuff.  Got called up and answered a few questions and had a photo taken, which I didn't see but is quite possibly the worst photo ever taken of me as I was exhausted, my hair was a wreck from loading the truck and hooking up the tow dolly in the rain, and I'd been randomly tearing up for the last hour or so.  The officer stamped my passport and said congratulations and I sputtered some sort of thank you and said "I'm just gonna go cry in the truck a bit" which I did while messaging "I'm coming home" to my wife before driving the last 15 minutes to get to her and my step-son.
 
She'd made spaghetti and meatballs.  It was the most delicious meal of my life.
 

Update: Email for passport return by Purolator sent on Friday, Feb 12
Passport with visa arrived in hand today, Feb 17. 

Update: Email for passport return by Purolator sent on Friday, Feb 12
Passport with visa arrived in hand today, Feb 17.