krazykraut

I have also travelled to the US while waiting for the interview. My wife (USC) and I (German) just kept some documentation on us. My work contract, the apartment lease, my canadian car insurance, the parking ticket at the airport, a picture of the cat waiting for us at home, the interview appointment letter, a few recent pay stubs, printout of the eticket for the return flight, and our canadian work permits.

As I also wasn't too sure about it, I went to the US Border Control post here at Calgary airport, where they do the pre-clearance. They have some odd opening hours for the general public, but I finally managed to speak to an officer. He looked me up in the computer and confirmed that there was nothing derogatory popping up. He would not give a straight answer as to whether I'd be permitted into the US or not, but smilingly said "this is entirely up to the admitting officer, but I don't see why not."

I would think if you can make a strong case that you are not entering with the intent to stay there should be no problems. And yes, I do fully agree with the posters above that advise you not to misrepresent any fact, as this can come back to bite you big time.

- Krazykraut

I travelled monthly to DC from Canada and never had a problem, but yes some people do get denied that have a relationship visa in the works. I have read many more success stories than denials. Pretty much what it all boils down to is the POE officer!! Here are my tips:

1) Always tell the TRUTH. never lie to the POE officer

2) Be confident in ur replies

3)keep ur response short and to the point, dont tell ur life story!!

4) look the POE officer in the eye when speaking to them. They are looking for people lieing and have been trained to find them!

5)pack light! No job resumes with you

6) Bring ties to Canada (letter from employer when ur expected back at work, lease, etc etc)

7) Always be polite, being rude isnt going to get ya anywhere, and could make things worse!!

8) have a plan in case u do get denied (be polite) It wont harm ur visa application if ur denied,that is if ur polite and didnt lie! Refer to #1

Best of luck

Well, what do you know: just yesterday we got Packet 4 with an interview date Apr 11, 2008. Woohoo!

I can take the thought of winter now: we know there's going to be an end to it! And we're moving to Colorado, where they have lots of snow too, but not these bleak, grey and bitterly cold winter days you get in Alberta.

Will update my timeline soon.

Cheers,

- Krazykraut

I've been trying to find some more info on how DCF in Canada works. We filed the I-130 In Calgary in August. The completed packet 3 was sent to Montreal end of October, and has been signed for.

I wonder if there is any other notification? When do the quoted 4-6 months start counting?

Some people here have a "placed on MTL waiting list" event on their timeline, I wonder where that comes from.

Thanks for the collective insight,

- Krazykraut

Hi there :wave: We did DCF through MTL and here's how it worked. Once you send back ALL the papers with packet 3, the wait is about 6 months. Seems MTL is beginning to speed up a bit, but do prepare yourself for yet another charming Canadian winter

And once MTL receives your packet 3, you're on the waiting list

I've been trying to find some more info on how DCF in Canada works. We filed the I-130 In Calgary in August. The completed packet 3 was sent to Montreal end of October, and has been signed for.

I wonder if there is any other notification? When do the quoted 4-6 months start counting?

Some people here have a "placed on MTL waiting list" event on their timeline, I wonder where that comes from.

Thanks for the collective insight,

- Krazykraut

Yes, asked whether the documentation regarding my legal status is Canada was sufficient. I haven't even received Packet 3, and it has been two months since the I-130 was approved.

- Krazykraut

Got the same message. Looks like they just have an autoresponder now. It's appalling, esp. if one has a legitimate question.

- Krazykraut

Do you mean you asked them a question other than - when do I get an interview - and you got the canned answer??

Got the same message. Looks like they just have an autoresponder now. It's appalling, esp. if one has a legitimate question.

- Krazykraut

I sent an email to the Consulate in Montreal today and received a generic email back. My last email to them re: interview date was on Oct. 1/07. In your opinion, will I get an interview date before the beginning of December? it's hard to plan anything - i'm selling my condo and want to choose a closing date.

------------------------------------------------

Good Morning Montreal Consulate,

Would you be able to provide an update as to when I might receive the notice of my interview date? Any information would be helpful.

Thank you for your time.

--------------------------------------------------

Hi everyone,

I wonder if someone else is in the same situation: I'm a German citizen, living in Canada. I've been here for 18 months now, on a work permit. My wife (USC) lives with me, she got an open work permit, too. We started the DCF in Calgary in August, where they immediately approved the I-130. Proving residency was no problem, since she has a Canadian Social Insurance Card and health insurance. Five weeks later we got a letter from the MTL consulate, asking me to prove MY Canadian citizenship or legal status in Canada. I immediately sent a copy of my work permit, but haven't heard from them since. I'm wondering if they can still turn us down. MTL has assigned a case number already, so I'm hopeful. Anyone else has more info on this?

Cheers,

- Krazykraut

Can anyone answer these questions or even some of them?

Q: Is there any residency requirement for a U.S.C to file DCF in Canada?

A: We filed at the consulate in Calgary, and they were very helpful. Even though it is not written anywhere, apparently you should be able to prove that the USC has been in Canada for at least six months. If you have a provincial health card, or anything else official with an address on it (Driver's License), that should do.

Q: Do we HAVE to be married in Canada in order to file DCF?

A: No. We got married in Vegas and that was fine.

Q: Can we just walk in to the Consulate with our forms or do we need an appointment?

A: Yes. No appt. needed. Took us less than an hour.

Q: How long will i have to wait until i get an interview???

A: The information leaflet you get when filing states 6-8 months. Urgh. Another winter.

Q: Where are the interviews held?

A: For DCF in Canada: Montreal only.

are you both considered permanent residents of Canada? if not, the DCF discussion is a moot point.

I'm here on a work permit, with the PR expected anytime soon (had the medical 4 wks ago). Spouse is on open work permit (tied to mine), so I believe that is good enough for residency requirements. SIN card, her name on the lease and provincial health card should help to prove that.

Has anyone here been turned down at the consulate because of this?

Krazykraut

K-3 is not an option when filing DCF because you are dealing with the consulate not USCIS for the visa and no NOA1 for the I-130 is generated, DCF results directly in a CR-1 or IR-1 visa, which is way better than the K-3 anyway.

CR-1/IR-1 results in an immediate green-card, K-3 has to file AOS and perhaps wait months to a year or more for the green-card.

Thanks,

we will probably file the I-130 with the USCIS VSC then, this way we can have both processes running.

- Krazykraut

Hi everyone,

my spouse (USC) and I (German citizen) were planning to file the I-130 at the Calgary consulate here in Canada. DCF is supposed to be the fastest route, however, since everything goes through Montreal the I-130 approval may be fast but the wait times for interviews seem to be very long. We'd love to file an I-129 as well and keep the K-3 option open. Do you receive an NOA when doing consular filing?

As I understand, this NOA1 is necessary to file the I-129F. Also, I heard someone mention that we won't be able to track anything online when doing DCF. Correct?

Thanks in advance,

Krazykraut