204

Hello everyone! 

For short version regarding IV interview questions, please proceed straight to red highlighted "Then the actual interview started!". 

Although I'm not an EB applicant, we went through the pain of waiting FOREVER and I really feel that. During that time we supported and helped each other, I feel obligated to share my experience. Most importantly, hang in there and keep up the hope - massive IL will be coming very soon as I believe FB backlog should be cleared very soon. 

Jun. 06, 2022 @ CST 9:55AM - IL received - interview scheduled for Jul. 22, 2022 @ 9:15AM.

Jul. 11, 2022 @ CST 9:30AM - Appointment for physical exam; I'm done at 12:00PM due to Rogers network outage, they've to process the appointments booked before mine. I highly recommend Dr. Ian Zatzman in Vanghuan! He's really efficient and extremely friendly. Most importantly, blood work and X-ray can be done within the same building, so you don't need to run all over the city. Make sure bring your vaccination record or lab report showing immunization. The list is here: http://www.health1stmedical.ca/vaccination-table.html. Please be sure to get these vaccines beforehand to avoid any delay because Ian's office doesn't give any vaccines and you will have to do all listed vaccination before he can proceed with your medical report. 

Jul. 22, 2022 @ CST 9:00AM - I arrived at Second Cup Coffee across the Consulate and put my luggages (leaving everything behind except the file folder for IV interview) with my fiancé. She bought a coffee and waited there. 

Jul. 22, 2022 @ CST 9:10AM - I talked a nice and friendly security about my IV appointment at 9:15AM and he allowed me in. Handed in my passport to the receptionist. She gave a ticket and put a sticker at the back of my passport. Then I went through an airport-like security machine. Got to second floor and waited. After about 10mins, my ticket number was called, then I headed to Window 1 (not too sure about this). The guy asked me for original my passport (expired and new), PCCs (China & Canada), Birth Certificate & U.S. passport-sized photo (have it scanned and gave me back). He also asked me my legal status in Canada. After that, I was told to sit and wait. After about 15mins, I was called to Window 4. The VO was a really nice and friendly person. I said Good morning, sir and he greeted me Happy Friday. Then the actual interview started! He asked the following questions: what's my D.O.B,; Who petitioned for you; What's your petitioner's name and D.O.B; What do you do for living; Where do you live; Have you ever been to the U.S.; Have you ever been refused to the U.S.; What countries did you visit for the past five years; Did you ever visit your petitioner; How your petitioner got her Green Card; What your petitioner doing for living; How do you contact your petitioner and frequency; What's last entry into the U.S. and what did you do there; What's highest level of education; What do you study; etc. Basically asking questions covering my background and my petitioner's background. After answering these questions, the VO headed to his printer and got back with a white sheet 221g marking "additional processing is required". He told me that my case is neither approved nor refused and I should hear back from him within few weeks. Then he gave my Birth Certificate back but kept my both PCCs and passport. I got out the Consulate at exactly 10AM (9:15 - 10:00AM); I would say it was quite efficient. I got to Second Cup Coffee and used my cellphone to check CEAC which showed my case was refused. 

Aug. 02, 2022 @ CST 2:13PM - My CEAC status was updated but still showed refused. 

Aug. 04, 2022 @ CST 1:24PM - My CEAC status was updated but still showed refused. 

Aug. 04, 2022 @ CST 3:45PM - My CEAC status was updated to issued. 

I'm still waiting for my passport to be sent back to me; I'll update when I get it. 

Regards, 

1 minute ago, canadian_wife said:

You said you were Canadian PR, what is your citizenship?

 

Good luck

I'm Chinese passport holder. I believe this's one of the reasons. 

Just now, mam521 said:

What, exactly, was the 221g for?  Was your medical at the consulate already at time of interview?  

Sorry, I forgot to mention - no docs are required from me and medical arrived before my interview. 

Greetings, 

I had immigrant visa interview (Category: F2B, DQ: Aug. 28, 2020, PD: Jun. 16, 2015) in Montreal on Jul. 22 morning. The CO asked me a lot of questions and the actual interview lasted about 10mins. After interview was done, he retained my PCCs & passport and I was given a white paper (221g marking - additional processing is required). All docs were good, he didn't need anything from me and medical result arrived couple days before my interview. He also said I should hear back from him within one week, which is today. So far, I still haven't any update in CEAC which still shows "Refused". 

I have U.S. B1/B2 visa and had frequent U.S. entries and exits; I'm holding Canadian PR in Canada; I also google my name & used name, it turned out both came back with something related to rocket & electronic technologies. 

Could anyone elaborate should it be a problem? What's the process of being 221(g)? Any experience?

Any input is highly appreciated!! 

Thank you in advance. 

24 minutes ago, VA21202 said:

They just changed the time stamp of the page. The time stamp of the actual updates itself seem to still be the old update from July 6.

 

“As of July 6, 2022, most Immediate Relative and fiancé(e) visa cases being scheduled for interview in Montreal were documentarily complete at the National Visa Center in May 2022;  most Family Preference cases scheduled for interview were documentarily qualified in July 2020; and most Employment cases scheduled for interview were documentarily complete in March 2020”

I believe they updated the chart. 

2 hours ago, FaithandPatience said:

Thank you for the reply. We have our interview coming up soon, so it should be safe to update the documents right? Also I was reading few other posts and some people said that uploading documents in additional docus section is always safe. I want to be very sure before uploading any documents. Your reply helps me a lot. If there are others who may also know the answer to this question, please clarify.

Same question here. 

Not sure, do we have to upload updated docs to CEAC? 

In the Consulate's website, I didn't see anything regarding uploading updated docs... 

Can anyone advise please?

7 minutes ago, VA21202 said:

Totally fair, I agree with this two cents haha. thanks again

Yeah, you're very welcome. Just to want to share my insights and to relieve depression as I totally feel the anxiety of waiting so long. 

Below assumption is based on VB stays the same and won't advance for next couple months. 

I see the tracking sheet that F2B DQ'ed in Nov. 2020 got IL. My friend DQ‘ed in Apr. 2021 is not eligible for IL. So, there should be around 4 - 5 months of DQ F2B cases to go; maybe the other FB categories follow similar pattern. Conservatively speaking, if the post process 2 months of DQ FB cases per month, FB backlog should be cleared at most 3 months. However, that's just my own option. Hopefully it's true! 😁

11 minutes ago, VA21202 said:

not many cases that are eligible for IL that were DQ’ed after Dec 2020

Sorry, to clarify - all I know is F2B, not sure the other categories (F1, F3 & F4); maybe they're similar?! Anyways, my two cents - EB cases will be processed by the post within few months. Good luck all! 😃

4 minutes ago, VA21202 said:

Got it, thanks for the detail. So I guess what I’m trying to convey or play devils advocate about is that we don’t really know how many (10s/100s/1000s) folks there are who are waiting since long time and therefore may continue to receive ILs for Family category. Your friend is one example of Oct 2016, there could theoretically be 100s others who might now become eligible right? Maybe I’m missing something but I’m trying to understand how you arrive at the view that Family ILs might be reducing significantly now that they’ve reached December 2020. Thanks again for all your insight! Lot on the line for me in the next 2-3 months so trying to the cautiously optimistic about your insight but also trying to understand it better

No problem. This is just my two cents. I reached this conclusion because VB has been stagnate for almost one year. Even though many are DQ'ed, not everyone's PD is current. 

1 hour ago, VA21202 said:

Thanks for that insight. Help me understand how the bulletin works, I’m looking at this table on the bulletin page and aprt from F2A, every other category is atleast 6 years away (i.e. currently processing 2016 or older) So I’m confused about the F2B example you gave of your friend. Does that mean your friend has to wait for F2B Priority Date globally to move from Oct 1, 2016 to Apr 2021? Appreciate your input. 

Hi Van21202,

We should be looking at VB chart A represents who gets IV interview provided she/ he is DQ'ed. VB chart B represents who can submit documents to CEAC for being DQ'ed. 

Anyone who is prior to the date posted in VB chart A is eligible to receive IL provided she/ he is DQ'ed. Anyone who is after the date posted in VB chart B is not eligible to pay fees and submit documents. 

In my friend's example, even though she was DQ'ed on Apr. 2021, her PD is Oct 2015. Thus, she's not eligible to get her IL. 

33 minutes ago, F2J_March said:

Visa Bulletin for August  is not even out yet and they have already scheduled interview for August 2022 so its quite confusing to understand what's happening.  Does visa bulletin even matter?

Theoretically speaking, provided that anyone who is DQ’ed AND PD is current, she/ he is eligible for an interview as long as the post can handle within its resources. 

1 hour ago, Van24 said:

Oh! You are right! Will keep my fingers crossed that you WILL receive it TODAY!

I personally believe MTL post will deal with EB cases very soon; maybe next 2-3 months. 
As per tracking sheet, the post sent IL to FB cases DQ’ed on Dec. 2020. Please note the premises for sending an IL are 1). You’re DQ’ed. 2). Your PD is current. 
As far as I know, visa bulletin for FB have been stagnant for almost a year; so there shouldn’t be many cases that are eligible for IL after cases DQ’ed Dec. 2020. For example, my friend is F2B too with DQ date Apr. 2021 but her PD isn’t current yet. 
So, keep up the hopes. Massive amount of IL for EB will be coming soon! 
Cheers. 

1 hour ago, Blueeyes1989 said:

@Ravinder kaur Get pasport style photos (atleast 5-6). Other than that, prepare a folder with originals of every item which you uploaded in NVC AND 1 photocopy. Have your petitioner, fill out a new affidavit of support (I-864) and take the original and a photocopy to the interview. Get IRS transcript for the past 3 years. PCC must be issued within 2 years of your interview date. Do you have a checklist of documents in you interview letter? Also did the interview letter came from NVC or the Consulate?

Hi @Blueeyes1989, just wondering, I confirmed with clinic that they'll take your photos and don't need to bring extra photos... I guess we just need to bring two photos outlined in the checklist. 

23 minutes ago, VA21202 said:

@204 Thanks for sharing! Based on the graphs shared earlier, I think this is the first time since July 2019 that MTL has touched 100 EB visas issued. Moreover, it’s only the third time MTL touched a 100 EB visas since 2017. I guess March 2020 was an abnormally huge DQ month for EB, and probably >95% of the applicants aren’t here on the forum.
 

Trying to think of what other reasons there could be for us to not see that March 2020 date move while they are issuing record EB visas each month, any ideas?

It's good to see MTL is issuing more, which indicates they're trying to reduce the backlog. At least, they're working, not taking vacations... LOL

Maybe you're right; EB people DQ'ed on Mar. 2020 are exceptionally high and that's why IL is stagnated... 

Good morning, 

May visa stats is available now: MAY 2022 - IV Issuances by Post and Visa Class.pdf (state.gov).

30 minutes ago, cyyz2000 said:

Is this for premium delivery service (i.e. delivering it to your home)? If so, then you might need to pick it up at your local post office instead. 

I chose pick-up point as I maybe moving. 

5 minutes ago, Blueeyes1989 said:

Looks like MTL has skipped lots of interviews. Not sure what thier thought process is.

 

I believe there're less cases for F2A/ F2B and hence they got IL sooner than other class? That's just my two cents.

2 hours ago, mam521 said:

I believe Dr. Zatzman has been getting the results in pretty quickly.  It will be close, but do the interview anyway...I'm sure you've been waiting for forever for it!

I tried to register courier but there's no Manitoba (MB). What can I do in this case? 

Hi guys, 

I need a little help here. I'm trying to register for courier but in drop-down menu below, there's no Manitoba (MB). What should I do in this case? Thank you in advance. 

5 minutes ago, mam521 said:

Just don't forget your driver's license!   You'll need it for ID since you won't have your passport. 

Yes, I'll bring my DL and PR card with me. 

Just wondering, if my interview is on Jul. 22, I do my medical exam on Jul. 11 with Dr. Ian Zatzman in Ontario. Can the result be available to the Consulate on time? 

Thank you! 

11 minutes ago, mam521 said:

If your home is in Canada, yes, you leave Montreal and go home.  Your passport (if registered correctly) will be sent to your local post office once Administrative Processing (AP) is complete. 

Thank you for your response! 

Hello everyone, 

I’ve a quick question - can I leave Montreal for my home once I’m done my interview at the consulate? Do I need to stay in Montreal for couple more days for some administrative stuff? 
 

Thank you in advance! 

Quick question - can I leave Montreal for my home once I finish my interview at the consulate? Do I need to stay in Montreal for couple more days for administrative stuff? 
 

Thank you in advance! 

Hi guys, 

I'm preparing for the interview on Jul. 22 and have gathered below docs. Do I miss something here? 

If so, please advise. Thank you in advance. 

1 minute ago, VA21202 said:

FB got letters today (saw one up to Oct 21 2020). Congrats @204! I remember you were active here, back when EB and FB moved together very slowly at MTL. Good luck to you

 

 

Thank you very much!
 

I’ll keep everyone posted how everything goes.