M Brown

Wondering if anyone has been able to drive to the border to activate their visa and then drive back home into Canada to tie up loose ends?

I have movers coming next week to empty my house but I won’t be ready to leave the country immediately - gonna have to stick around for about a week afterward before I make the final trip south.  The movers will have to hold my possessions for additional charges until I send them a copy of my activated visa so they can cross the border with my stuff.  
 

Should I bother driving to the border and back, or just have them hold everything until I’m ready to cross permanently?

1 minute ago, Hawk Riders said:

Any word yet? Also, it'd be helpful for you to complete your timeline...

Visa in hand now.  Will likely do POE in Detroit in 3 weeks time. 

2 hours ago, DGF said:

2.5 days, which felt like the longest 2.5 days of the whole process!

I can only hope to be this lucky but I doubt it.  Interview was Jan 20.  I had to upload my new police certificate to CEAC the day after the interview.  Hopefully it doesn’t take them too long to get the processing done.  

On average, how long are people spending sitting in “ISSUED ...(necessary administrative processing)” these days, post-interview?

49 minutes ago, T & R G said:

I did not bring a new I-864 aside from the original one uploaded to CEAC nor did they ask for it. They asked for most recent tax return. She did ask if I had a W2 but my husband is self employed so I did not have that. She asked me for 1 passport photo, original birth certificate, original marriage certificate, original police certificate and tax transcript. Hope that helps, good luck with rest of your journey!

These are exactly the documents I was asked for, as well.  I was not asked for W2’s or pay stubs, only 1040’s. 

Just now, Allis0n said:

Did they tell you that you should have uploaded the new police certificate to CEAC before the interview? I only ask because I also have a new police certificate to present at the interview because mine expired, too. So I'm wondering if I should upload it to CEAC. I hadn't even thought I'd need to, just planned to bring the new one to the interview.

They didn’t comment on the police certificate at the interview at all.  When at the first window visit I was asked for the police certificate, so I mentioned I brought both and the woman asked for the newer one.  They kept it and some other original documents for an hour.  During the actual interview it was never mentioned.  My visa status was updated today to “ISSUED” with the “necessary administrative processing” note.  I guess we’ll see in the coming days if there are any snags because of this.  

21 minutes ago, Jmillerca said:

Was your police certificate past the year? Or is it just because they want the new version? Im trying to figure out if I need to get the new version even though mine wont be past a year

My police certificate expired late last year and I got a new one in November.  My lawyer hadn’t uploaded the new one to CEAC ahead of the interview.  I presented the new one at the interview.  They told me I was approved and gave me the welcome to the states letter.  Just wondering if this delay is days, weeks or months - trying to get outta here. 

Had my interview on the 20th and was told I was approved.  Today I got an email asking me to upload my new police certificate to CEAC and email them to notify it was done.  I've uploaded the document to CEAC and emailed them back.  Any idea how much time this is going to add?  Thanks.

8 hours ago, CGs_Mother said:

Travelling for immigration purposes is essential under Canadian federal law. (Which is why that minister in Quebec was allowed to travel to Peru to settle the affairs of his spouse, and the caucus and party had cleared his travel so he never should have had to resign, but I digress...) If such travel was not allowed, then our friends who have crossed at the land border while the borders have been closed would have been turned back, regardless of status. 

 

Just have your letter with the interview date and such with you at all times. It's possible for you to be stopped along the 401 corridor by the OPP and SQ, since you're driving. Have everything ready - your hotel confirmation (or name and address of the place where you are staying), your dates of travel, your interview confirmation, etc. They just want to make sure you're not going to Montreal for a protest against the lockdown or a gathering of any kind or for non-essential (partying) purposes.  IF on the off chance someone issues you a ticket, you can always fight it and get proof from the Consulate that you were there. 

 

Good luck with your interview! On Inauguration Day no less!!

Thanks for the reply - I feel a bit better about making the trip.  I was going to make it a solo day trip, but my father is going to split the driving with me - no hotels.  There and back same day.  I’ll have my interview letter handy. 

1 hour ago, CGs_Mother said:

If you are in Ontario, though, and you have an interview after Thursday January 14, make sure you have proof with you as you travel to Montreal because we are under a mandatory Stay At Home Order that is being enforced...and these interviews qualify as essential travel! 

Just saw this.  Do you have a source to confirm this is essential travel?  Thanks. 

Any Ontarians planning to make the trip to Montreal in the next few weeks?  My interview is on Jan. 20th and I’m a little worried about Ontario’s stay-at-home order announced today.  My lawyer told me to proceed with my plan to drive from Toronto to Montreal next week but I’m worried about getting pulled over and issued a ticket or arrested.  I’ve emailed the premier’s office for clarification.  If anyone has new information or clarity on this issue in the next week or so, please @ me.  I will post any helpful info I can find.  Thanks.

I have my interview coming up on Jan 20.  Can anyone tell me what type of IRS transcript I need to get, for which tax years and how to get it?  My wife is the US citizen so she needs to do it on her end and send it to me.  The tax returns and transcripts are the last documents on my list.  Thanks. 

I have another question for those of you who did your port of entry by car.  Does my US spouse (petitioner) need to be physically present at the border when I cross?  I was hoping to just cruise down there, get through the border to get the paperwork started (so they create and mail my green card) and then turn around and come back to my home in Canada so I can finish packing and moving/selling my house.  I've seen some conflicting info about whether my spouse needs to be there.  We have two small children and I want her to stay at home in the US and tend to them and not take the risk of traveling.  After packing and loading out my house, I was planning on driving across the border again to stay in the US permanently with my belongings in tow (moving company).  Any advice would be most welcome.  Thanks.

Sorry if this has been asked.  Given the current lockdowns and restrictions on inter-provincial travel, has anyone travelled from Toronto to Montreal recently for their interview and what method of transportation did you use?  If driving, did you need to supply any documentation at the provincial border?  I was thinking of taking a train but I might drive instead especially if the train schedule dictates a hotel stay.  Hoping to make a day trip out of it - get in and get out.  Thanks.