jstriders

No problems, but things to keep in mind as per the FAQ:
 
"Can I cross to activate my visa and then return to Canada and do a full move later?
Yes. But note that the moment you cross the border you are a resident of the US and not of Canada. You will not be covered by your Canadian healthcare and will need travel insurance (Canadian healthcare can be quite expensive if you are not a resident). This is because you have to be moving permanently when you activate your visa. Crossing to activate your visa and then going home isn't technically allowed even though we do see it happen. Moving permanently but then visiting to tie up loose ends is allowed, but is not enough to satisfy the requirements to keep healthcare.
 
There are also tax implications if you are still working in Canada during this time and it is best to involve an accountant. The date you activated your visa will be your departure date for the CRA and not the date that you do your final move."
 
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1k927pE5wqzTN5n0lPYZ1JQxgbmnzmNWX5hSteyii0BY

To folks paying their USCIS $220 fee after their visa arrives and before they enter the US - here is a quick tip.
 
I did not read carefully on the "where to find your A-number" section. I briefly skimmed it, located it, and moved on. When I went to USCIS to pay, the number didnt work directly. This information may be in the instructions in the Welcome letter that comes with your visa, but in case it isn't: 
 
 
Visa Stamp
You can also find your A-Number and DOS Case ID on the visa stamp (also called a visa foil) in your passport, as shown in the picture below.
Your A-Number is identified as the Registration Number on your visa stamp. If your A-Number is fewer than 9 digits, insert a zero after the “A” and before the first digit to create a 9-digit number. For example, “A12345678” would become “A012345678.” Your DOS Case ID is identified as the IV Case Number on your visa stamp. However, please note the IV Case Number has two additional numbers at the end, such as 01 or 02. When entering the IV Case Number as the DOS Case ID, do not include the last two numbers. For example, if your IV Case Number is “ABC1234567801,” you would enter your DOS Case ID as “ABC12345678” (do not include the “01”).  
Source: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees/uscis-immigrant-fee/immigrant-fee-payment-tips-on-finding-your-a-number-and-dos-case-id

Hello everyone! 
I had my interview this morning at Mar 22nd at 10:00am. The security let me in at exactly 10:00am, I was waiting outside 30min earlier just to make sure I'll be on time.
The security asked me some COVID-19 related questions then they scanned my stuff and have my phone and smart watch kept in a locker box. I was then directed to go up at the first floor to window 6.
A staff took my passport and provided me with a number and told me to have a seat and wait for my number to be called on the monitor.  After a few minutes, I was called at another window and asked for original documents: birth certificate, marriage certificate, police clearance/s, and a passport photo. I was asked if I have the 2020 tax return, I told her my husband has not filed it yet and she said it's okay. She gave me the pamphlet and told me to go back to my seat.
I waited again for a few minutes and was called to a window for the interview. The lady was very nice to me, here are a few questions that I was asked:
If I read and understood the pamphlet regarding domestic violence.
When did you meet your husband?
Where does my husband live?
What does he do?
Countries I've visited in the last 5 years
My longest stay in the states
After that, she told me everything looks good and that my visa is approved. She told me they will be able to print it this week and possibly receive it by next week. I was there for about 1.5 hours. I feel so relieved! ☺️ Thank you all so much for posting your experiences in here. This group has really helped me with all my questions and made this lengthy process easier! Please do not hesitate to ask me if you have any questions. ☺️
 
 
 

I FEEL THIS 1000% 
 
I literally cried my eyes out when my husband received his passport/visa and then again when he actually arrived. Only took 3 years for us, but the feeling of being DONE is simply out of this world!

Update: My case updated to READY on CEAC today!! Yayayayy!! Thank you so much everyone for your encouragement and support. We seriously could not have gotten through this without the support and information in this group. 
 
Question: the message underneath the status updates says my case is ready to be scheduled for an interview in Montreal. I seem to remember someone else posting about this, and I'm assuming this is just a temporary message, as I've already had my interview. This is normal right? I'll just be waiting for it to change to ISSUED. 

That's fine you're offering some anecdotal suggestions; however, you come across as rather toll like and combative in your responses. 
 
As you have likely noticed, this is a very fast paced, near real time thread.  The information provided is about as up to date as one can get in regards to IR1/CR1 visas and their processing at the Montreal consulate.  If you don't care for the information as it's provided, maybe this particular thread is not best suited to you.  New people join the thread in search of answers and don't want to be confused by misinformation from the past.  They want to know what they need to do or what is acceptable in the present.  It's also why @Hawk Riders works hard at keeping the spreadsheet up to date and @DGF works hard at keeping the FAQ's up to date.  These are invaluable resources that all are encouraged to reference because they've been built out from the same questions and concerns being voiced a number of times. 
 
Again, just trying to keep it relevant to the present. 

I went to see Dr. Zatzman yesterday. His office takes your pictures, so there is no need to bring any with you. Passport, IL and record of vaccinations were required. 
Everything went fairly fast and smooth. I didn't have to wait too long in lines to get my X-Ray. Lab waiting time was about 50 minutes, but it worked perfectly for me as I stepped outside to have some fresh air after challenging morning drive from Windsor to Toronto. Dr. Zatzman charged $260 for initial appointment with him, X-Ray was $70 and labs $30 with change. 

The only issue I had is with my new updated information. I updated my passport to married name after DQ. Back in August last year I uploaded it to CEAC and notified NVC. They updated my information, IL arrived in my married name. However, medical paperwork at Dr. Zatzman was in my former name (passport number surprisingly is correct new updated one!)
So, now I have initial appointment in my former name, but X-Ray and Labs are in my married name! I was warned to contact NVC and embassy right away in attempt to correct the issue. Medical office told me that I possibly will have a confusion at the border and will have troubles proving that I am the same person. They also told me that I may have to return once again to do my medical. Currently awaiting for replies from NVC and/or embassy to see what can be done to resolve the issue painlessly. Will update everyone once I hear back.

Here’s my review!
 
I booked my appt the morning I got my interview letter (Jan 17th 7:30AM) online for Jan 24th 10:30AM. Got a confirmation email about half hour after I booked it. On Jan 21st, I got an email and text notification that the appt got rescheduled to 10:45AM. 
 
I called the office to double check the time and things I need to bring. Receptionist informed that passport photos are NOT needed. Just passport, interview letter, and immunization records. (I brought passport photos just in case lol) 
 
I got to the location around 10:30AM. Parking is big, but was packed when I got there. Had to drive around a bit before I got a spot. Went in the building, up the elevator, down the right hallway to the back. I got into the office at 10:37AM. Receptionist told me to take a seat. Called up to the desk around 10:50AM. She took a photocopy of my interview letter and passport. And asked for my address, took my photo and signed a paper. Paid $260 with debit (debit or cash only). They gave me an eMedical info sheet. Then waited for the doctor.
 
Called in to see Dr.Zatzman around 11:15AM. We went through the questionnaire. Medications, drug/alcohol problems, surgeries, psychological history, and some other basic things. I noted my appendectomy at age 12 and bipolar disorder. I told him that I was on medication but have been off since June 2019 and was discharged from my psychiatrist. He noted this under the comments section. (I did bring a doctors note with a very brief history of my psychiatric health, but wasn’t asked for it). He then took my height and weight (told me to keep my shoes on), and blood pressure. Then we went over the immunizations. I gave him my yellow pamphlet. He noted flu shot, tdap, mmr, and just took a verbal confirmation that I’ve had chicken pox. He then gave me 2 papers for the blood/urine test and X-ray. Dr. Zatzman was very nice and friendly. Throughout the visit we chatted about what city I was going to and about the blackhawks/bulls/bears. At the end, he wished me the best and hoped I’d be with my husband soon. I was out of his office around 11:26AM. 
 
I went down the elevator to do blood/urine lab first (you can do them in any order). Handed the receptionist my form that Dr.Zatzman gave me around 11:30AM. Sat down, waited. Called up around 11:37AM. Was asked to double check my information. That’s when I realized my address was wrong (wrong unit#). Receptionist at the lab fixed it and told me to go back upstairs to fix it with Zatzman’s office after. I paid $30.34 with Credit card (accepts cash/debit/credit). Sat back down and waited. This lab is nice in that they have a screen with the list of clients and approx wait time, so you can see where you are in the queue. Called in by the nurse around 12PM. She took my blood and gave me the cup for the urine test. Placed the cup in the white biohazardous box and left. 
 
Went to the X-ray office (also on the first floor but by the elevators) around 12:15PM.  Again gave them the form from dr.Zatzman. And told them of the address error. They took my passport. Paid $70 with credit card (accepts cash/debit/credit). As the receptionist was entering my information, I was already being called in by the X-ray tech. They let me go in while she was still doing something on the computer. Went to the change room and told to take off everything on top including bra, put on the gown and tie it in the back and to put my hair up in a bun. Then went into the X-ray room and it was really quick. Changed and went back out to the receptionist. The computer glitched so they were still inputting my info. Nonetheless, I got my passport back and was out of there around 12:25PM. 
 
I just had to go back upstairs to Dr. Zatzman’s office to fix my address. 

I was told by dr.Zatzman earlier that the package usually takes about a week and that the office will call me when it’s ready for pick up. 
 
summary: 
1 hour 48 mins
$360.34 ($260 debit, $30.34 credit, $70 credit) 

All in all a pretty easy and smooth experience. Hope this helps! Feel free to message me any questions  
 

I would suggest using the updated, current information. 

omgggggggg i got my interview scheduled! my interview is april 28th 2021! at 7:30 am!!
 
does anyone know if i need to redo the police certificate before then?

Congratulations on all the new ILs! I know from experience how much that email can turn your brain to mush so I'd like to remind everyone who received dates today to read the FAQ  

I want to add into the good news. My interview was just on Wednesday and my visa has already been issued, a tracking number created, and it’s in Canada Posts hands. Estimated delivery is mid week. 
 
I am blown away. 

For any sponsors that file jointly, you will need their W-2s in addition to their tax transcripts, since the tax transcripts don't differentiate between income of the two individuals who are filing jointly.
If your sponsor makes enough on his own, then you just need the tax transcript for his and his wife's joint filing, and then his W-2s (I'm assuming you already have the AoS completed with his info).
I told y'all - I knew as soon as I opened the thread today and there were 5 new pages that interview letters had been sent!

No I haven’t received anything. 
I guess cut off date is 15 Aug so far.
I will update you if I get something. 
 
congratulations! Everyone who received IL.
I am so happy for all of you. 😀 

634 days for us and we had amazing landlords who'd already extended the lease 2 times but really wanted to move home...
 
Interview letter is your golden ticket.  I had appointments with Medisys before I was registered.  The registration is really registering how you want your passport sent back and where you want it sent to. 

I just received IL!!! It is scheduled for April 9/21 at 8:30am

I just received IL!!! It is scheduled for April 9/21 at 8:30am

I just received IL!!! It is scheduled for April 9/21 at 8:30am

IL Recd today.  April 28.  DQed Aug 15.

DQ 7/23/2020
IL 3/12/2021
int date 4/7/2021

Others can correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure you can book your medical as soon as you have your interview letter.

Yay!!!!! I checked early this morning and thought for sure I’d have to wait till Monday. And then an email just came in saying my interview is April 21st!
 
DQ date: August 11
 
So exciting! And congratulations to everyone else who got theirs as well!!

DQ July 29th
Interview letter 7:45 Pacific
Date Apr 14 8:45
See you there!

Interview Letter received today at 10:15
DQ: Aug 11 2020
Date: April 14, 2021
I was so excited I started crying!

if you got the letter, you're approved