HD_BIRDS

6 minutes ago, Crazy Cat said:

or renewing a TN after an I-130 has been submitted for you.

Yes, they may decide to deny your TN in that case, though I applied for mine after the I-130 was submitted. I didn't have any issues.

https://bdzlaw.com/nafta-tn-blog/2010/3/8/tn-visa-obtained-with-approved-i-130.html

On 12/19/2021 at 7:11 PM, cyyz2000 said:

Thanks for linking this! Exactly what I was looking for. I'll research more into this

That's the thing - I'm not sure if it's allowed or not. I'll do some more research.

If you are applying for an immigrant visa through consular processing, immigration intent is not assumed upon entering on a TN, despite it not being dual intent. This is because you are required to leave the US for the immigrant interview at the consulate in your home country. It's a bit of a loophole. Where you can get into trouble is if you try to adjust status from a TN.

7 minutes ago, JudyB said:

Actually if you are leaving from Edmonton (since you live there I am assuming that is the case) you should be able to do it all at the Edm Intl Airport. I think if your final destination is the US they clear you at the point of origin. If so CBP has a permanent installation there just after you pass through security that you most likely will have to go through. I think you can do it all right there. I think you should give at least 1 - 1.5 hrs for CBP to process and add your normal 2 hrs for security just to be on the safe side.  Hope that helps. 

 

On another note I am seeing my passport tracking saying it is in  transit, but the details say Montreal sorting facility. I called Purolator and they told me that on the wknds they don't update the tracking info (strange if you ask me). In any case did your details show anything different like when it arrived at the EDM sorting facility or was on the truck out for delivery before you got it? Thks.

Thank you! Unfortunately I can't do the processing in Edmonton since I am flying domestically to Toronto, then on to the U.S. You are required to activate the immigrant visa at your port of entry to the United States. I am going to give myself 2.5 hours at Pearson and hope for the best!

I didn't get any updates that it had arrived in Edmonton or out for delivery. It changed to in transit, and arrived the next day. I bet you'll receive it by tomorrow.

Has anyone activated their visa at Pearson and can give me a sense of how long it should take? I'll have a layover from Edmonton to Washington D.C. and cross into the US at Pearson. That connection is tight at the best of times, so wondering if anyone has an idea how long the secondary inspection typically takes there.

14 hours ago, JudyB said:

Congrats! My interview was also on the 4th. I also chose home delivery, I am in Surrey, BC. Purolator tracking is saying its at the Montreal Sort Facility and due to be delivered on Tuesday. Did you see your tracking info update from Montreal before you received it? Thks.

Yes tracking updated from Montreal Sort Facility to In Transit on Friday evening and was delivered the next day.

21 minutes ago, HAB said:

Congrats to you getting the visa early. Do you live in Montreal. Mine is still in transit. 

I am in Edmonton but did the courier to a house option. 

4 hours ago, HD_BIRDS said:

I actually just received a notification over email with the tracking number and that the shipment is not with Purolator.

That was a typo! The shipment is *now* with Purolator. Tracking says delivery by Tuesday. 

34 minutes ago, HAB said:

Mine is the same exact wording still. Hopefully we hear something today before the end of the day, but I highly doubt it at this point and is Friday before a long weekend /: 

I actually just received a notification over email with the tracking number and that the shipment is not with Purolator.

4 hours ago, HAB said:

I am not sure how to do next after this. should we wait or contact the courier service. ? I am not sure if there is a link for it. 

You need to wait until your CEAC status changes to final processing with the message:

Your visa is in final processing. If you have not received it in more than five (5) working days, please go to http://usvisa-info.com/en-CA/selfservice/us_courrier_information to track your courier waybill.

Mine changed to this yesterday, but still cannot access the tracking number at usvisa-info.com where status still says "appointment".

1 hour ago, Canada21 said:

@HD_BIRDS Can you please share your TN experience with me? Did you receive your initial one with an already pending I-130?

Yes, I received my initial TN with a pending I-130, which was possible since I was going through consular processing. With consular processing, you are required to leave the U.S. to process the immigrant visa, so it's a loophole around the dual-intent issue. I  have had no problems at all with this during the I-130 processing, when leaving and entering the US, during the TN interview nor the immigrant interview.

1 minute ago, rainbow-skies said:

Congratulations, i am happy for you!!! 😊 

 

Question, did they require the original birth certificate of petitioner?

That is awesome!  Congratulations😀

They didn't ask for birth certificate at all for the petitioner - not original or photocopy. My husband is also a naturalized US citizen, and they didn't ask for his naturalization certificate. The only originals they wanted was my passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate, police clearance, and divorce certificate for my husband's prior marriage.

My interview letter doesn't actually have the address of the consulate on it. What is the address in Montreal? Also, am I correct that the email from the NVC is the "appointment letter"? Thank you!

Just now, Booey_US_CA said:

Hm ok guess I got confused about this extra form from the medical exam

In addition to the vaccine record or titers test, some of the immigration doctors require you have a medical professional "validate" the record by completing and signing a form. If required, this needs to be done prior to the medical and sent to the clinic in advance. At least in the case of Dr. Mascarenhas, the form was downloadable from their website, and you can fill it out anytime before your medical. https://www.visadoctor.ca/en/us-medical

1 minute ago, Booey_US_CA said:

Do you think someone would be able to get the vaccination form before the medical exam? Or should we wait until the medical exam after we get the interview letter?

You need the vaccination record before the medical exam. It's a required part of the medical. I ordered mine a long time ago. If you can't find or access your vaccination record, you can also get a titers blood test which will show if you have antibodies to the diseases, which shows past immunization. 

17 hours ago, YYZ&MIA said:

I dont have Canadian health insurance at this point either as Ive been outside of Canada for a while and my HC is expired. Can you elaborate on how you went about downloading your vaccination record from the public health agency? Share a link? Starting to wonder if my vaccination card is going to be enough for the Dr doing my medical of if Ill have to do what you just described.

I was able to get it online from the Alberta Public Health Agency with my old health number and birthdate. The travel clinic was also able to see my record online in the government database. I sent in a scan of my government record and asked Dr. Mascarenhas's office if that would suffice in lieu of the form, and they said no you must have a doctor complete the vaccination form itself.

12 hours ago, yyctous said:

Within a few hours, the CEAC status changed from "ready" (for an interview) to "Issued under administrative processing" to "Issued, in final processing, expect it within 5 business days". So, thankfully, it looks like it won't be 3-4 weeks after all!

Great news!

36 minutes ago, kirbhava said:

Hi there! I thought I read this somewhere on this thread but I can't find it now but wanted to ask: do any of the physicians allow you to make an appointment without an interview letter? My husband has to fly out for work soon and we are afraid that we'll be issued an interview soon but he won't have enough time to fly back from work and complete his medical in time. 

 

No, the physicians require the interview letter to make an appointment.

41 minutes ago, YYZ&MIA said:

I also booked my medical there! They have been great so far and quick to respond to emails. They did not ask me to submit a vaccine record...I do have a record of my vaccines but as my family Dr retired, I dont have anyone to fill that out.... 🤔

I submitted a vaccine record downloaded from Alberta Public Health agency, but they still made me get a doctor fill out that form. I don't even have Canadian health insurance! I had to update TDAP, so I went to a travel clinic and they did both the TDAP and vaccine form for $70. The cost of the form fill was $30.

Hi all,

Just a quick review of my medical last Thursday with Dr. Mascarenhas in Toronto. I was able to get an appointment very quickly, and even change it a couple of times and they were very accommodating. They asked you to submit a vaccine record form filled by a doctor, passport biodata page scan, passport photo scan, and interview letter scan beforehand. The entire process took only 30 minutes from start to end. The x-ray is done in the same building and lab is just down the street. There was no waiting for any of these steps, and Dr. Mascarenhas was very nice and efficient. Highly recommend.

1 hour ago, yyctous said:

Hi all,

 

 I had my 1R1 interview this morning. I was the first person in and out of the building today, 40 mins total. The person interviewing me said multiple times he intends to approve my visa, but that their systems weren't yet up and running and he had to double check one more thing first as a result. He then said I will receive my passport with green card in 3-4 weeks, and i was given a paper with info about how to find my tracking number. Does anyone know why I was told 3-4 weeks? I thought it was usually back to you within about one week. Also I live in a major Canadian city, if that matters in terms of the courier service. 

 

Thanks all.

3-4 weeks?!! That does sound like a long time. I have my interview next Monday and currently live and work in the US, so would definitely be curious to hear what others say about this.

11 hours ago, rainbow-skies said:

Does anyone know if we are supposed to receive additional correspondence/email for the interview ?

 

I have received only an email from donotreply@usvisa-info.com stating the following: 

 

You have successfully registered your immigrant visa appointment on this website.

You must print this instruction page and bring it with you, along with the appointment letter/email, to the Consular interview.  

You must attend your consular interview at the date and time assigned to you in your appointment letter/email.

Before traveling to your consular appointment, please check the Department of State Visa Bulletin to confirm that your priority date is still current. If it is not, you will need to reschedule your appointment when the priority date becomes current to continue your case processing. This does not apply for K visas (Fiancé(e)/Spouse/Child), Boarding Foils and Returning Residents (SB1).

 

Then it has the interview date and time.  

The part that confuses me is the line I made in red text, as I have only received this one email.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Mel

 

I think the appointment letter is the email sent by the NVC informing you that your interview was scheduled, with the date and time.

8 minutes ago, T&S_MTL said:

This is great! Ok yes, to let them know it's possible if I run into any issues 😃😃

 

Thank you so much 🎉 !

This is true, you don't need the SSN to start working. You are technically supposed to get it within 90 days. But when I started working on my TN the SSA offices were closed due to COVID and I didn't get the SSN for 8 months. It wasn't an issue, and my HR department was able to figure out a tax and benefits workaround.