leo18

Hi Everyone. Finally after our waiver was approved in September 2021, the consulate finally asked for my passport in January 2022. I submitted and the still refused because my documents are all expired since my interview was in March 2021. So they are asking for an updated DS-260 and medical. I can’t book a medical because they didn’t activate my e-medical portal and waiting for that. To update ds-260, is it just doing the form again? They said courier documents but didn’t specify. Does anyone know what I should so or has gone through something similar?
 

@leo18 may be able to advise...

DQ May 23
Interview: Feb 8th 10:00 am  APPROVED!
 
What may be less common about my case is that we had to reestablish my husband’s domicile, and were approved with no issues.  
 
Here are some quick notes on my process:
 
Security was the same as everyone else’s description.  Airport style security, kept my phone.  
Went to window 7 where I was asked for my passport.  Sat down.  
Called to window 4, and was asked to submit originals of my birth certificate, marriage certificate and 1 passport photo.  He also asked if my AOS needed any updating.  I said my husband changed employers but he said that was ok and didn’t change anything.  He then asked who lives at the address we intend to live at in the US (since we are both in Canada).  Sat down. 
Called to window 11 for the final interviewing process.  
Oath and fingerprints
She commented she hadn’t seen a SK marriage certificate in a long time.
Since my husband lives in Canada she asked about his US citizenship.  I explained he was born in the US and came to college in SK, then stayed after marrying me.  She said we would talk about our US plan at the end.  
How did you meet?
Why are you wanting to move now, after having been married for almost 11 years?
I explained that after getting married I had 2 years left of my degree in Regina, then we stayed for financial reasons, then we started our family.  Our first 3 kids were born within 3.5 yrs and life felt chaotic - at this point she interjected and said, “I did the exact same thing!  I know exactly what you’re talking about.” and that was it.
What does your husband do for work? - He is a cabinet maker and finish carpenter.
Do you have a joint sponsor and who is he to you?
Then she said, “What are all of these documents I see that you’ve submitted?  Wow.”  I told her we followed a list of things to reestablish my husband’s domicile and tried to provide everything on the list.  
We provided proof that we were preparing to list our Canadian residence, emails to prove communication with local employment connections in the US, a rent-to-own agreement for the family ranch property which includes the family home as well as a cabinetry shop, pics of the shop, bank statements, proof of PO box ownership, letter of intent to homeschool our oldest child, and prepared passport applications for our four kids. 
She only looked through the bank statement, PO box and lease agreement.  When we talked about the lease agreement I explained that it is family land which we would be the 4th generation to own, and that it includes a family home as well as the cabinetry shop that my late Father-in-law worked out of.  She seemed to immediately put the pieces together herself, remembering that my husband is also a cabinet maker, and I didn’t even have to tell her that my husband planned to work out of the shop.  She said, “This looks great.  I’m just going to put a note at the bottom here that you’ve met the requirements.”
Do you have Birth Abroad certificates or passports for your children?
I said we had all the paperwork ready but hadn’t been able to go to the consulate yet due to COVID.  She was very nice and gave me info on how to get my kid’s paperwork expedited in Calgary (closest to us).  
She checked that my medical was in, and said she would be able to approve my visa!  
 
I had uploaded updated versions of my husband’s taxes, our joint sponsor’s 2019 tax transcript and W-2, our lease agreement, and my joint sponsor’s license, which had expired.  I was not asked to show any of these.  
 
She also let me know that at my first entry into the US I would have another interview, and to expect it to be about 30 minutes.
 
So grateful for this forum!  We have done everything ourselves from start to finish thanks to the experiences of others posted on here.  

 

I got DQ June 4 and interview March 1!!

For everyone that just got their letters, congrats! 
 
Now, step back, take a DEEEEEP breath.  It's all gonna be ok! ☺️
 
I know, it hits you because you've been waiting for forever to get the news, but everything will be ok!
 
You won't be able to register your appointment for a day or 2, so don't panic.  When you register for your passport return, you can change your delivery from Canada Post to courier up until a few days before your interview.  
 
Please make sure you check the FAQ's for the items you need in your packet and interview.  
 
And, I most sincerely hope the odds are in your favour - that medical appointments and flights cooperate and play nice for everyone to book (and arrive) without too many headaches or additional stress.  
 

I got DQ June 4 and interview March 1!!

I got DQ June 4 and interview March 1!!

I got DQ June 4 and interview March 1!!

I got DQ June 4 and interview March 1!!

I got DQ June 4 and interview March 1!!

I got DQ June 4 and interview March 1!!

I got DQ June 4 and interview March 1!!

I got DQ June 4 and interview March 1!!

I got DQ June 4 and interview March 1!!

I got DQ June 4 and interview March 1!!

Congratulations everybody!! I guess I just missed it. My DQ date is June 4. 

I had my interview this morning at 8:00. It was approved 😭❤️
Arrived at 7:50 and waited outside. One person was let in at a time. The first officer asks some covid screening questions then directed me to security. 
I did not bring a phone or smart watch. Just my paperwork and my wallet. Went through metal detector and was directed up the elevator to 1st floor and to take my passport to window 6. 
No one was being helped at the window when I got there so I was able to give my passport and then directed to have a seat. The wall clock batteries are still dead so I'm not sure how long I waited before being called to window 4, maybe 10-15 minutes. The lady at window 4 was friendly. She asked if this was mine/my husbands first marriage. I stated that it was. She asked for the address and I explained that he had moved recently and indicated it on a new i-864 form (I uploaded it to NVC as well). She asked for the new i-864 to see the address and verified that it was signed and matched the one I uploaded. She also asked for:
-1 passport photo
-original marriage certificate
-original birth certificate
-original police clearances (I had 2, one from Canada and one from Cayman Islands) 

She verified the forms and then noted that I had uploaded my husbands 2019 tax transcripts to NVC. She praised me for being organized and having it uploaded. She did not ask me for the copy of the tax transcript. She asked me if I had the W2s and I gave her that as well as the 1040 form (she didn't ask for the 1040 but when I said I have it she said she would take it too). Both the 1040 and W2 were photocopies and this was fine.

She gave me my documents back and my passport photo and handed me the domestic violence pamphlet and asked me to sit to wait for the interview. 

I sat for maybe 3-5 minutes and read 1.5 pages of the pamphlet before being called to window 11. The lady was friendly. She asked me: 
-Is this my/my husbands first marriage
-do either of us have kids
-what year did we meet
-where/how did we meet
-what does my husband do for work
-have I ever been denied crossing at the border
-have I ever over stayed a visa
-she asked me if I read the pamphlet and I said part of it but i hadnt had a chance to read the whole thing. She said that was fine and just said to read it when i have time. 

Then she said congratulations and explained that my passport would be mailed back to me in 2-3 weeks. 

I honestly feel so relieved and a little bit in shock. We've been waiting for this day for so long. Our petition was submitted Jan 2019, approved Jan 2020 and interview finally completed Jan 2021. 

Good luck to everyone ❤️ 
 

Congratulations everybody!! I guess I just missed it. My DQ date is June 4. 

Hi everyone! 
just checked my mailbox and found my green card in there, 13 days after my border crossing. Still no SSN though 

Details on today's interview Jan-13 at 8:45am:
 
I arrived at 8:40am and the security officer asked for my name and time of interview. He did not ask for the IL since he had a list of individual names and times with him. 
He let me in and I went through security clearance (similar to the airport). I only had a binder for my docs (no bag) and did not bring any cell phone with me.
 
I was asked to use the hand sanitizer dispenser, take the elevator and go to 1st floor - window #6. At the window, an officer only asked for my passport. I gave my passport and was told to seat down and wait for my name to be called.
Please note that the room is Covid friendly and individuals are spaced out accordingly. Masks must be worn at all time (I was never asked to remove it even during the interview). There is one security guard on-site. There are 2 bathrooms, a water fountain and hand sanitizer dispensers. No vending machines.
 
After 15 minutes, I was called to window #3. The other officer took my fingerprints. I was asked to provide the following docs: Original marriage certificate, true-copy of birth certificate along with certified translation, police certificates (from Canada and country of birth along with certified translation),  1 passport photo (which was scanned and returned to me), signed copies of 1040 forms.
The officer did not ask for the following: I-864 (there was no change since last time it was submitted), DS-260 confirmation page, petitioner photocopy of birth certificate or US passport.
Please note that I did not have W2 since my petitioner lives, works and files taxes in Canada. 
The officer confirmed they did receive the report from the medical exam, and gave me the pamphlet to read (domestic violence & sexual assaults and legal rights in the US). I was told to seat down and wait for my name to be called for the interview. 
 
After waiting approx. 1 hour, my name was called to window # 4 for the interview. The officer asked me to take an oath and took my fingerprints again. He asked if I read the pamphlet and wanted me to summarize its content. The following questions were asked:
- Who is the petitioner? What is your spouse's job?
- What do I do for a living?
- Where do we live?
- Where do we intend to move and live in the US?
- Do we intend to keep our current jobs in the US? We actually do as we both work remotely and our companies have US presence. 
- Since the petitioner lives and works in Canada, I was asked to provide info on foreign assets/income? We just went through the US federal tax return and I had the FBAR form with all the details.  
- How and when did I meet my spouse?
- When did we start to live together? 
- Where did we get married? Did we have both families?
 
The officer said everything was in order and he approved my IR-1 visa. He gave me the "Welcome to the USA" letter and another paper with info once your visa is approved (check document status, what to do with tracking number, requesting home delivery).
He kept my passport and 1040 forms and informed me that these will be returned to me in a week or so. He also confirmed that I have until Jun-16, 2021 the latest to activate my permanent residency (6 months from the date of medical exam). He informed that it'll most likely take 1 hour at POE. 
 
The interview lasted about 15 minutes. It was quite straight forward and smooth. The officer was very pleasant and friendly.  
 
Hope this helps. Should you need further info/details, do not hesitate to reach out. I'll update the thread once I receive the tracking info for the passport. I opted for the premium delivery service ($20) via Purolator.  
 

Hi everyone, 
I have a bunch of questions
Does anyone got their IL for next month. I am waiting eagerly for mine. 
Secondly, which doctor in Ontario is the quickest to send report to the embassy on time. 
How is Montreal doing with all curfew and stuff? Is the commute easy?  
Best of luck to everyone
 

This does make me wonder if they're still going to schedule the next batch though...

Just got this email. Fingers crossed they stay open this time and don't cancel!!!!

You're not blind, there is no mention of tax transcripts in their checklist. I think it's just down to them being separate beasts. The NVC prefers tax transcripts (it's probably easier to review a bunch of transcripts since they're much shorter than returns!), while Montreal doesn't explicitly state a preference. At least that's my interpretation. The FAQ is specifically for Montreal so when possible I use what Montreal says rather than the NVC so that I don't miss any consulate specific information. If there's something that I can include that would make this section easier to understand let me know and I will update it!
 
As an aside, if my memory is serving me correctly, at my interview I was asked for the 2019 return, but when I said that I had both the return and the transcript, they asked for the transcript instead. Hope that helps with the second guessing  

On the brink of the year's end, I want to wish us all a better 2021!