ToddD

27 minutes ago, CanadianGirl3 said:

Received today. January 4th! 
does anyone know if you can get your flu shot vaccine and Covid vaccination (which is required for the health screening) in the U.S.? Or do all vaccinations need to be completed in Canada.

My wife had one vaccine in Canada and the other in the US and they were accepted. 

21 minutes ago, Van24 said:

Hi @ToddD,

Could you please share the name of the company you used? I am planning the same move from BC to Seattle and finding a right moving company is a headache. You are absolutely right that prices are all over, so far I've got from $7000 till ~$10000 for 3 bd apartment. 

I used Campbell Moving. Here is their info. I first started with the web site link and then worked with LeeAnn. She was very nice. Remember to be as specific as possible for an accurate quote. 

LeeAnn Galant

Relocation Specialist

Campbell Moving Calgary

320A 28 St, NE, Calgary, AB, T2A 5R2

P 587-885-0337

8 minutes ago, Ontarkie said:

A U-Haul trailer shouldn't cost that much. Would a U-haul Pick-up truck work, it might be cheaper then the 20foot trucks.

Do you have somewhere safe and trustworthy you can store some things? If you do you can bring your stuff over in a couple trips or so. 

Right. A UHaul is a reasonable option and you can drive that over the border. I just had too much stuff to deal with all of the lifting myself. 

21 minutes ago, kkeys said:

Pods and UHaul are both around 5k for me 🥴 Any other suggestions of shipping freight etc?

I got quotes for the same thing from BC to Seattle. The best I was able to get was about $4,000 for 70 boxes and 3 room of furniture in a fairly large shipping truck company. Prices are all over the board. I just did a google search for international moving companies and did a ton of calling and emailing around. It's helpful if you are very specific about the number of boxes you estimate, as well as the furniture and appliances. Everything costs money, so being specific help with an accurate estimate. I got estimates from 4 to 20,000, so do your homework. 

15 hours ago, michael_n1988 said:

Thanks, yea we’ll be flying too. 
 

That makes sense as crossing via land border has higher potential of an over stay, having your car and likely more belongings..

I agree. Flying was always easier for my wife coming from Canada. She was pulled into the office several times when driving, but she brought all sorts of proof of still working and living in Canada, which they often asked for. She was never denied though. 

4 hours ago, hilaryb said:

It’s definitely worth bringing any documentation you have proving ties to Canada, but it also unfortunately depends on who you get at the border as I have learned. I crossed 3 times without issue since applying for the visa (2 by air, 1 by land) and was denied the 4th time (land border) because the CBP officer I had told me that you’re not allowed to enter the country after filing the I-130. As for the 3 previous times I was allowed entry, he told me that I should consider myself lucky. Didn’t want to see any documentation I offered that would show ties to Canada. Even told me that I could be barred from the country if I tried to enter again before getting my visa. Was a really upsetting situation that I would have loved to avoid! Flying has always been a much smoother experience. 

It's also a good idea to bring any proof of the vacation... like hotel reservation proof, tickets to an event you're attending, etc.  We have friends visiting next week in a similar situation and we are writing an email to them saying we are looking forward to them staying with us on specific dates. They will print the email and take it to the border when crossing. I recommend bringing anything that can help provide weight / evidence of a limited trip and your intent is to return to Canada. Another recommendation is bringing utility bills, pay check stubs, and anything that shows ties to Canada to return. 

18 hours ago, kryptonite said:

I was shocked too when the officers told me that I couldn’t cross. I live in a border city and would cross regularly just to shop, go out for dinner, etc. Regardless, I assumed it was for good reason and did not want to argue or fight it out of fear that my entire process will be ruined. 
 

5-6 weeks is quite long and I really hope it doesn’t take that long. That’s almost as bad as being put at the end of the line after uploading a document on to CEAC. He said “a few weeks” and people have varying definitions on what “a few” is lol.

 

So other than FedEx notifying you, the embassy didn’t send anything to confirm they received your document? Did they send you anything saying they’ve sent out your passport? I’m just trying to figure out what I should be checking or expecting. Am I to wait for an email from the embassy saying we finished with administrative processing, we’ve sent out your passport? Should I keep checking the CEAC status to see it change from “Refused”? Am I going to get some sort of tracking info? Or do I just one day check the mail and my passport is there lol?

I didn't receive any indication they received my document or looking at it. Some advice I received on the forums here was keeping on eye on the status web site. It might say Refused for a long time, but pay attention to the date. If the date changes, then someone touched your case or maybe looked at your case.

After 5 weeks, the status changed, and then a couple days after that, the status changed to Approved. After it was approved, I received a notification through email the passport is being returned and received a tracking number. The passport arrived within 2 days. The 5-6 weeks is what I was told from another person on the VJ forums and it was accurate in my case, so that might be true with yours as well. 

18 minutes ago, kryptonite said:

Hi everyone, I had my interview yesterday in Montreal on November 2nd at 9:45 AM. Exactly what I didn’t want happened - my case went into administrative processing.

 

Quick back story on everything. The officer was very nice; all my documents were accepted and there were no issues with them. He asked me many questions and was content with all of them except for one which is what resulted in my case being put in to AP. My wife had recently moved to another state in the US and she was visiting me in Canada. We were both crossing from Canada to the US with the intention that I was going to help her move into her new place, build some furniture she ordered, etc. the border officers at that time refused me entry and said that you are not doing anything illegal (he literally repeated this multiple times) but, you cannot cross to the US while your case is being processed. Once it is is complete, you can then cross. This happened in May of 2022. I have not attempted to cross since then, I respected their judgement and of course I wouldn’t want to do anything that would jeopardize this months and months long process.
 

Fast forward to the visa interview, the officer asked me if I was every denied entry to the US and I explained to them the story above and he responded really well to it and seemed quite understanding. At the end however, he said he cannot issue the visa at this time and it requires some additional processing because of the denial of entry at the border. He said based on what you said, everything seems okay but we have to check it on our end. He said there’s nothing you need to do, no documents to submit or anything. Everything is on going our end.

 

I asked him for a rough timeline of everything and he said he can’t give an exact time but said hopefully a few weeks. He suggested that they keep my passport on file but also gave me the option to take it with me if I wanted. I chose for them to keep it as I do not want any further delays with me having to mail it back to them. 
 

I know there’s no knowledge of a proper wait time with AP, but does anyone have any experience with something like this given that I do not have to submit any documents and that they are not waiting for me to do anything? My file could be put at the bottom, it could be in a different pile from those who they are waiting on documents for, I literally have no idea.

 

Also, do they notify you when they are done with AP? Or would they just send the passport out whenever they are done doing their processing?

 

Was almost at the finish line but looks like I’m going to have to wait a bit longer to cross it.

 

Thanks in advance for the responses!

It's bizarre they didn't let you cross the border while your visa is being processed. My wife crossed all the time to visit me in the US while hers was being processed. 

That said, this sounds minor and my wife was in a similar position when they asked for one more document at the interview that we didn't have. The agent also said everything was good and as soon as they receive the additional document, it will be reviewed for approval and send the passport back with the visa.

The AP time took about 5-6 weeks and there was no indication they received it other than I got a delivery receipt from the delivery company (FedEx).  For weeks I kept checking this web site to see the status change. When it was approved, she received her passport within a couple days. CEAC (state.gov)  Good luck!

2 hours ago, michael_n1988 said:

Which document were you missing? 

Missing my divorce certificate. The agent did not accept the signed divorce order from the judge, so I had to find a certificate. I fortunately was able to order one quickly and ship it within a few days. 

2 hours ago, ctr said:

Hello all, I have my interview scheduled for Dec 2. Do I need to get a flu before my medical? Dr. Lyndon Mascarenhas website says flu shot is required Nov - Mar. Is that for the medical or the interview?

 

Flu shots are only available from Nov 1 in Ontario so I was wondering if I should wait to get my medical done after getting the flu shot.

 

Also I don't have a family doctor. Can I skip the vaccine checklist if I have my vaccine records? Thanks!

 

My recommendation is having proof of everything before the medical appointment. My wife even got a blood test before the medical to show proof of at least one of the vaccines in her system, even though she didn't have written proof prior. She also got one of the vaccines that couldn't be proven by a blood test before the medical. If you have your medical after November 1st, it's best to have everything ready and completed before the medical, because that way the office can send your results to the consulate without waiting for your additional proof (like the flu shot). 

1 hour ago, BrianZ said:

Just had my submitted docs reviewed by NVC yesterday. All docs were accepted, but there was a “Case Document Review Note” telling me to upload my “proof of eligibility” to have my interview in Canada, given that I am a Chinese citizen living in Canada. So I uploaded the doc in 4 hours after this note. My question is, does anybody know if this would take them another 2 months again to review? Is this “case document review note” the same thing as “case FE review note”?

In our case, at the interview, the agent wanted one more document. I submitted it the next day and it still took 5 weeks for the agent to review it and approve. I could be awhile. 

4 minutes ago, X_P said:

My husband had his interview on August 10 and was approved and he just received his passport back in the mail the his visa (wooohoo!). I was pleasantly surprised how fast that was but I noticed the visa says it expires January 2023? Why does it expire so soon?  I thought IR visas were good for ten years

The January date is when you need to cross the border into the US and declare you are immigrating to activate the visa. There is a limited time to do that. If you are under a CR1, then it's good for 2 years. 

On 7/13/2022 at 9:26 AM, ToddD said:

See attached what she will be requesting today. It is a limited Temporary Passport for this situation where her original (and still active) passport is stuck with another country visa office for processing and need to travel during that time. Obviously she wouldn't need this if the MTL consulate was responding to a simple additional document to process for us. It's now week 5 waiting for MTL with no updates about how much longer it will take. 

Here is an update for anyone that has a visa / passport stuck at the consulate and they must travel. You can get a temporary passport. Cost is about $200 CAD. 

Be prepared to spend many hours at the passport office and also be prepared for the staff there not knowing what you're talking about. You'll need to be polite but push for what is allowed to get the temp passport and when you get your original back with the visa in it to do a exchange, where the original passport with the visa in it is activated again (only one passport can be active at a time) and surrender the temp passport. 

1. Ask for a temporary passport application, because your current passport is "Inaccessible" (official term is Inaccessible Passport)
   • You can get a temp passport if you prove your current passport is stuck at a foreign consulate for processing AND you must travel
2. Show proof of your passport being stuck in processing with the consulate and also proof that you have corresponded with them about the delays. 
3. Show proof of upcoming travel
4. Bring an original birth certificate and proof of your identity 
5. Fill-out an application for a temporary passport (might be the same as a regular passport, but make sure they file it properly)
6. Provide a guarantor (my wife used her adult daughter that is not living with her). The agent will call. 
7. Provide 2 references that are friends that can vouch for you. The agent will call them. 
8. If travel is urgent, the passport can be made within a couple of days, so show proof that you must pick it up in time for travel. 
9. Once you pick-up the temp passport, make sure there is a stamp/sticker inside that shows that it is a temp passport (the cover won't say it). 
   • I heard the temp passport is good for one year, not just for this specific travel date. 
10. When you arrive at the border, bring your proof of travel, proof of needing the temp passport, and of course your temp passport.
    • In our case, the USA agent didn't ask for anything other than the passport and didn't say anything or ask about it, but that's no guarantee. 
11. When you finally receive your original passport with the visa, go to the passport office again
    • Request that you need to surrender your temp passport and have the original activated again. 
    • You cannot carry two passports (from what we were told), so you need to activate one and surrender the other. 
    • You might need to push that you're not applying for anything new and all the agent needs to do is accept your temp passport and activate the original. My wife had to push a little about the urgency of this swap, because the initial staff wanted her to wait in the long application line all day. This wasn't necessary. 
    • My wife stood with the agent while the original was being activated again on the screen. It takes about 30 minutes for the system to process the swap, but it will be fairly quick (not hours or days). 

47 minutes ago, roshakky said:

When was your interview? Did you need any additional forms for was it approved at the interview?

Wife's interview was June 10. Unfortunately, the agent asked for my original divorce certificate, which she didn't have and wasn't in the main list of things for her to bring. They kept her passport and I had to mail it to MTL the following week and she didn't get the visa issued until July 22nd. There were no updates given until it was issued. All I knew was someone signed for it at the address provided in MTL.  

3 minutes ago, mam521 said:

@DGF are you still looking after the FAQ's?  

 

Just an update for those of you with NEXUS cards. 

Canadian NEXUS offices remain closed with covid excuses on the doors.  The US NEXUS offices are open.  

My wife's application has been pending for months now. Not even to the interview stage, but good to know the US offices are open when it finally gets the conditional approval. 

4 minutes ago, mam521 said:

It's in the FAQ's 

 

As for whether you can work without the SSN, the answer is yes, you can.  See the instructions for I-9.  Many HR personnel are unfamiliar with these instructions and *think* you need a social, but you don't.  Not immediately.  The Social is so they can pay the government on your behalf.  They can withhold those amounts and pay it as soon as you are able to provide them your social. 

That's great clarification. Thank you!! No need to delay finding work then. ;) 

After the Visa is issued and you arrive in the US, how long does it take to get your SS number / Tax ID? I read the visa stamp and temp green card (until the official card arrives) is proof of being eligible to work, but won't employers need the SS number as well? Curious how long that takes to arrive. 

1 hour ago, Mmk2112 said:

Is it worth it to pay premium pickup/delivery for passport visa and packet ? Can anyone shed some light on it ?

Once issued, our visa arrived in 2 business days to the Vancouver Canada Post Office. We didn't see the need for premium delivery. 

19 hours ago, SamuelR said:

Where did you do your medical? I got mine from Dr. Lyndon in Toronto and they did not ask for proof of vaccinations except for COVID. 

https://www.drgulzarcheema.com/index-3.html 

Dr. Cheema in Surrey, BC. This link explains what vaccines are required for US immigration per age group. It should be the same for any medical exam office you go to in Canada, because this is a US requirement. 

55 minutes ago, Mmk2112 said:

Got mine as well. Interview date Sept 12 ... time to schedule medical

Medicals fill up fast, so get one soon. Biggest challenge for us for the medical was proving past vaccines. She got a blood test to prove 2 of them and the one she couldn't prove (TDAP), she got at her personal doctor before the medical exam. 

21 hours ago, ToddD said:

Today (7/21/2022) we received our shipping notification today from the MTL Consulate and the tracking number from Canada Post. We are assuming the passport will arrive by Wednesday next week at the latest... assuming it actually ships-out on Friday. Excited that it's nearly over!!  @Hawk Riders for tracking. I'll let you know when the passport actually arrives, but the visa is issued and no longer in admin processing!

Passport arrived today in Vancouver!! Wow! Overnight delivery. Who knew... she didn't need the temp passport afterall, but it got her down here for the weekend. @Hawk Riders the passport has now been delivered, so we're done. Next step is to move down and declare at the border office.  

Does someone have a recommendation or what to say exactly when crossing the border for the first time with her CR1 Visa? Does she say something like "I am a new perm resident and crossing the border for the first time with my new visa."  What happens next? 

Today (7/21/2022) we received our shipping notification today from the MTL Consulate and the tracking number from Canada Post. We are assuming the passport will arrive by Wednesday next week at the latest... assuming it actually ships-out on Friday. Excited that it's nearly over!!  @Hawk Riders for tracking. I'll let you know when the passport actually arrives, but the visa is issued and no longer in admin processing!

18 minutes ago, From_CAN_2_US said:

Normally MTL processes visas with missing documents about 60 days after they receive them. So you are probably very close to the finish line.

 

You will see the status change to “Issued - AP”, then “Issued - Final Processing, after which you will receive the tracking number for the passport being delivered to the applicant.

Oh just saw this! Congratulations!

 

It depends on when they ship it out. Normally it is same day as final processing status. There have been times where they took 2 weeks to ship it though. Once they ship it, you will received tracking number and then in most cases will receive the passport in 3 working days.

 

Hopefully MTL will ship it out today and you will receive by Friday.

Thanks for the info. We're excited to finally be near the end. 

@Hawk Riders if you need to update the xls, our status was changed to Issued today, awaiting delivery. 

45 minutes ago, ToddD said:

Anyone have a similar experience and know what happens to finish the CR1 approval? We are in additional administrative processing after providing my original divorce cert, I've seen the status date change from June 17, June 28, and now July 19 with the status still saying Refused. We've received no other communication other than a canned email when we asked for an update. MTL has her passport after my wife's interview on June 10 for a CR1. She doesn't need to come back. Just needed the divorce cert. 

I should have waited a few hours. It now says Issued!! And it says "Your Visa is in final processing and may take up to 10 business days to be shipped to you."  Does anyone have experience in how many days it typically takes to be returned?  Looks like we are close to being finally being done. 

4 minutes ago, Mmk2112 said:

I was DQ'd 23 May and still waiting for interview letter from MTL

March 8 for DQ and May 2nd for IL. I was wrong before. Looks like it was almost 2 months not 3 weeks.