CanUkie

03/10 - Paid USCIS fee
03/11 - Entered US (via land POE)
04/29 - Card is being produced
05/04 - Card was mailed
05/08 - Card arrived
 
58 days from crossing the border to the card arrived

03/10 - Paid USCIS fee
03/11 - Entered US (via land POE)
04/29 - Card is being produced
05/04 - Card was mailed
05/08 - Card arrived
 
58 days from crossing the border to the card arrived

just to add to this:
 
once it says ISSUED, check your Consular account https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca/iv/users/sign_in 
The "status" should have your tracking # and once it gets shipped and ready for pickup - it will show "ready for pickup" right beside the Tracking #. Just write it down and bring it with you to the Courier Service Location that you've selected in the consular appointment registration.

Just a quick update:
 
Had a super smooth interview last week (on Mar 6th) and got approved in the afternoon. The IV was printed the next day (Mar 7th), and I got my passport on the 9th (Courier-Return Service, free). Crossed the border (via land) on activated my visa on Mar 11th.
 
Enormous THANK YOU to everyone on the forum. It’s been a long journey, and having people sharing their experiences and insights along the way was absolutely priceless.
 
@Hawk Riders, I’ve updated my timeline - feel free to adjust the excel sheet whenever you can:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LvnDvX95_tfWtTvsJJM49PDPPvPKal0WG2rgdZHhsz0/htmlview?urp=gmail_link&usp=gmail#
 
I’ll be posting more detailed reviews later in separate forums: Telus Medical (in Montreal), U.S. Consulate and POE CAN-US crossing.
 
Here is a quick snapshot with few tips in the meantime:
 
2022-Oct-21 - DQ’d
 
2023-Jan-27 - IL (Interview Letter) by email  (98 days after DQ’d)
 
2023-Feb-8 - Medical Exam @Telus Sante in Montreal (26 days before the Interview)
 
2023-Feb-14 - Confirmation email from Telus Sante that the medical results were sent to the Consulate (1 week after the exam); The email will have your updated vaccination records as well
 
2023-Mar-6 - Interview in U.S. Consulate in Montreal (approved)
2023-Mar-9 - Passport with IV is ready to pick up (in Ottawa), shipped by BSL (free Courier-Return Service)
2023-Mar-11 - CAN-US POE (via land)
 
 
Re: Interview letter and instructions
Everything you need for the interview registration, medical exam, and pre-interview documents checklist is in the email.
Here is the link, just in case: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/MTL-Montreal.html
Make sure to print 2 x copies of the IL email, as you’ll need to leave one at the Medical Exam and show the 2nd one at the Embassy on the day of the Interview.
 
Re: Medical Exam (@Telus Sante in Montreal)
Try to book it as early as possible (at least ONE week before your interview). TWO weeks would be safer, as there are a limited amount of doctors who can sign off on your exam results, the clinic is super busy, and you don’t want to get any delays with your visa just because the medical didn’t get to the consular on time.
 
~$500 for the exam + any vaccinations you need on the day of the exam ($50-$70 per vaccine). Try to get as many vaccines as possible ahead of time via your family physician or walk-in clinic (especially flu shots and COVID vaccines), as you’ll be paying extra for anything that’s missing. Bring your Immunization Booklet (or a letter from your physician confirming your immunization status). You can check the list of required vaccines in the IL email. Just FYI: COVID vaccine is mandatory unless you get a waiver, but that may take time. Also, if you decide not to go to Montreal and do a medical exam in Toronto or Vancouver - keep in mind that they don’t do extra vaccinations on-site. I believe only the Montreal Clinic does that.
 
Re: Interview (@U.S. Consular in Montreal)
Make sure to register your Interview (the link is in the IL email) and print out the confirmation - you’ll need both (IL email and the Interview Registration Confirmation) at the entrance. Show up 15 min early. They won’t let you in before, especially if there is a line outside but don’t worry, you won’t miss your interview as the security will sort the line and let people in in groups based on their Interview time. ALL requested ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS (birth certificates, marriage certificate, police clearance, etc.) is a MUST. You won’t even get to the interview as someone at the consular will check if you brought all requested documents before you actually meet with an interviewing officer. The interview itself goes pretty quickly, 5-10min. Honesty and transparency is the key!
Here is some helpful info on the steps before & after the Interview:
https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca/iv/information/iv_overview
And some info directly from the Consular on how to organize your documents for the interview itself:
https://ca.usembassy.gov/visas/fiancee/appointment-checklist/
 

Just a quick update:
 
Had a super smooth interview last week (on Mar 6th) and got approved in the afternoon. The IV was printed the next day (Mar 7th), and I got my passport on the 9th (Courier-Return Service, free). Crossed the border (via land) on activated my visa on Mar 11th.
 
Enormous THANK YOU to everyone on the forum. It’s been a long journey, and having people sharing their experiences and insights along the way was absolutely priceless.
 
@Hawk Riders, I’ve updated my timeline - feel free to adjust the excel sheet whenever you can:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LvnDvX95_tfWtTvsJJM49PDPPvPKal0WG2rgdZHhsz0/htmlview?urp=gmail_link&usp=gmail#
 
I’ll be posting more detailed reviews later in separate forums: Telus Medical (in Montreal), U.S. Consulate and POE CAN-US crossing.
 
Here is a quick snapshot with few tips in the meantime:
 
2022-Oct-21 - DQ’d
 
2023-Jan-27 - IL (Interview Letter) by email  (98 days after DQ’d)
 
2023-Feb-8 - Medical Exam @Telus Sante in Montreal (26 days before the Interview)
 
2023-Feb-14 - Confirmation email from Telus Sante that the medical results were sent to the Consulate (1 week after the exam); The email will have your updated vaccination records as well
 
2023-Mar-6 - Interview in U.S. Consulate in Montreal (approved)
2023-Mar-9 - Passport with IV is ready to pick up (in Ottawa), shipped by BSL (free Courier-Return Service)
2023-Mar-11 - CAN-US POE (via land)
 
 
Re: Interview letter and instructions
Everything you need for the interview registration, medical exam, and pre-interview documents checklist is in the email.
Here is the link, just in case: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/MTL-Montreal.html
Make sure to print 2 x copies of the IL email, as you’ll need to leave one at the Medical Exam and show the 2nd one at the Embassy on the day of the Interview.
 
Re: Medical Exam (@Telus Sante in Montreal)
Try to book it as early as possible (at least ONE week before your interview). TWO weeks would be safer, as there are a limited amount of doctors who can sign off on your exam results, the clinic is super busy, and you don’t want to get any delays with your visa just because the medical didn’t get to the consular on time.
 
~$500 for the exam + any vaccinations you need on the day of the exam ($50-$70 per vaccine). Try to get as many vaccines as possible ahead of time via your family physician or walk-in clinic (especially flu shots and COVID vaccines), as you’ll be paying extra for anything that’s missing. Bring your Immunization Booklet (or a letter from your physician confirming your immunization status). You can check the list of required vaccines in the IL email. Just FYI: COVID vaccine is mandatory unless you get a waiver, but that may take time. Also, if you decide not to go to Montreal and do a medical exam in Toronto or Vancouver - keep in mind that they don’t do extra vaccinations on-site. I believe only the Montreal Clinic does that.
 
Re: Interview (@U.S. Consular in Montreal)
Make sure to register your Interview (the link is in the IL email) and print out the confirmation - you’ll need both (IL email and the Interview Registration Confirmation) at the entrance. Show up 15 min early. They won’t let you in before, especially if there is a line outside but don’t worry, you won’t miss your interview as the security will sort the line and let people in in groups based on their Interview time. ALL requested ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS (birth certificates, marriage certificate, police clearance, etc.) is a MUST. You won’t even get to the interview as someone at the consular will check if you brought all requested documents before you actually meet with an interviewing officer. The interview itself goes pretty quickly, 5-10min. Honesty and transparency is the key!
Here is some helpful info on the steps before & after the Interview:
https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca/iv/information/iv_overview
And some info directly from the Consular on how to organize your documents for the interview itself:
https://ca.usembassy.gov/visas/fiancee/appointment-checklist/
 

Just a quick update:
 
Had a super smooth interview last week (on Mar 6th) and got approved in the afternoon. The IV was printed the next day (Mar 7th), and I got my passport on the 9th (Courier-Return Service, free). Crossed the border (via land) on activated my visa on Mar 11th.
 
Enormous THANK YOU to everyone on the forum. It’s been a long journey, and having people sharing their experiences and insights along the way was absolutely priceless.
 
@Hawk Riders, I’ve updated my timeline - feel free to adjust the excel sheet whenever you can:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LvnDvX95_tfWtTvsJJM49PDPPvPKal0WG2rgdZHhsz0/htmlview?urp=gmail_link&usp=gmail#
 
I’ll be posting more detailed reviews later in separate forums: Telus Medical (in Montreal), U.S. Consulate and POE CAN-US crossing.
 
Here is a quick snapshot with few tips in the meantime:
 
2022-Oct-21 - DQ’d
 
2023-Jan-27 - IL (Interview Letter) by email  (98 days after DQ’d)
 
2023-Feb-8 - Medical Exam @Telus Sante in Montreal (26 days before the Interview)
 
2023-Feb-14 - Confirmation email from Telus Sante that the medical results were sent to the Consulate (1 week after the exam); The email will have your updated vaccination records as well
 
2023-Mar-6 - Interview in U.S. Consulate in Montreal (approved)
2023-Mar-9 - Passport with IV is ready to pick up (in Ottawa), shipped by BSL (free Courier-Return Service)
2023-Mar-11 - CAN-US POE (via land)
 
 
Re: Interview letter and instructions
Everything you need for the interview registration, medical exam, and pre-interview documents checklist is in the email.
Here is the link, just in case: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/MTL-Montreal.html
Make sure to print 2 x copies of the IL email, as you’ll need to leave one at the Medical Exam and show the 2nd one at the Embassy on the day of the Interview.
 
Re: Medical Exam (@Telus Sante in Montreal)
Try to book it as early as possible (at least ONE week before your interview). TWO weeks would be safer, as there are a limited amount of doctors who can sign off on your exam results, the clinic is super busy, and you don’t want to get any delays with your visa just because the medical didn’t get to the consular on time.
 
~$500 for the exam + any vaccinations you need on the day of the exam ($50-$70 per vaccine). Try to get as many vaccines as possible ahead of time via your family physician or walk-in clinic (especially flu shots and COVID vaccines), as you’ll be paying extra for anything that’s missing. Bring your Immunization Booklet (or a letter from your physician confirming your immunization status). You can check the list of required vaccines in the IL email. Just FYI: COVID vaccine is mandatory unless you get a waiver, but that may take time. Also, if you decide not to go to Montreal and do a medical exam in Toronto or Vancouver - keep in mind that they don’t do extra vaccinations on-site. I believe only the Montreal Clinic does that.
 
Re: Interview (@U.S. Consular in Montreal)
Make sure to register your Interview (the link is in the IL email) and print out the confirmation - you’ll need both (IL email and the Interview Registration Confirmation) at the entrance. Show up 15 min early. They won’t let you in before, especially if there is a line outside but don’t worry, you won’t miss your interview as the security will sort the line and let people in in groups based on their Interview time. ALL requested ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS (birth certificates, marriage certificate, police clearance, etc.) is a MUST. You won’t even get to the interview as someone at the consular will check if you brought all requested documents before you actually meet with an interviewing officer. The interview itself goes pretty quickly, 5-10min. Honesty and transparency is the key!
Here is some helpful info on the steps before & after the Interview:
https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca/iv/information/iv_overview
And some info directly from the Consular on how to organize your documents for the interview itself:
https://ca.usembassy.gov/visas/fiancee/appointment-checklist/
 

Just a quick update:
 
Had a super smooth interview last week (on Mar 6th) and got approved in the afternoon. The IV was printed the next day (Mar 7th), and I got my passport on the 9th (Courier-Return Service, free). Crossed the border (via land) on activated my visa on Mar 11th.
 
Enormous THANK YOU to everyone on the forum. It’s been a long journey, and having people sharing their experiences and insights along the way was absolutely priceless.
 
@Hawk Riders, I’ve updated my timeline - feel free to adjust the excel sheet whenever you can:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LvnDvX95_tfWtTvsJJM49PDPPvPKal0WG2rgdZHhsz0/htmlview?urp=gmail_link&usp=gmail#
 
I’ll be posting more detailed reviews later in separate forums: Telus Medical (in Montreal), U.S. Consulate and POE CAN-US crossing.
 
Here is a quick snapshot with few tips in the meantime:
 
2022-Oct-21 - DQ’d
 
2023-Jan-27 - IL (Interview Letter) by email  (98 days after DQ’d)
 
2023-Feb-8 - Medical Exam @Telus Sante in Montreal (26 days before the Interview)
 
2023-Feb-14 - Confirmation email from Telus Sante that the medical results were sent to the Consulate (1 week after the exam); The email will have your updated vaccination records as well
 
2023-Mar-6 - Interview in U.S. Consulate in Montreal (approved)
2023-Mar-9 - Passport with IV is ready to pick up (in Ottawa), shipped by BSL (free Courier-Return Service)
2023-Mar-11 - CAN-US POE (via land)
 
 
Re: Interview letter and instructions
Everything you need for the interview registration, medical exam, and pre-interview documents checklist is in the email.
Here is the link, just in case: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/MTL-Montreal.html
Make sure to print 2 x copies of the IL email, as you’ll need to leave one at the Medical Exam and show the 2nd one at the Embassy on the day of the Interview.
 
Re: Medical Exam (@Telus Sante in Montreal)
Try to book it as early as possible (at least ONE week before your interview). TWO weeks would be safer, as there are a limited amount of doctors who can sign off on your exam results, the clinic is super busy, and you don’t want to get any delays with your visa just because the medical didn’t get to the consular on time.
 
~$500 for the exam + any vaccinations you need on the day of the exam ($50-$70 per vaccine). Try to get as many vaccines as possible ahead of time via your family physician or walk-in clinic (especially flu shots and COVID vaccines), as you’ll be paying extra for anything that’s missing. Bring your Immunization Booklet (or a letter from your physician confirming your immunization status). You can check the list of required vaccines in the IL email. Just FYI: COVID vaccine is mandatory unless you get a waiver, but that may take time. Also, if you decide not to go to Montreal and do a medical exam in Toronto or Vancouver - keep in mind that they don’t do extra vaccinations on-site. I believe only the Montreal Clinic does that.
 
Re: Interview (@U.S. Consular in Montreal)
Make sure to register your Interview (the link is in the IL email) and print out the confirmation - you’ll need both (IL email and the Interview Registration Confirmation) at the entrance. Show up 15 min early. They won’t let you in before, especially if there is a line outside but don’t worry, you won’t miss your interview as the security will sort the line and let people in in groups based on their Interview time. ALL requested ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS (birth certificates, marriage certificate, police clearance, etc.) is a MUST. You won’t even get to the interview as someone at the consular will check if you brought all requested documents before you actually meet with an interviewing officer. The interview itself goes pretty quickly, 5-10min. Honesty and transparency is the key!
Here is some helpful info on the steps before & after the Interview:
https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca/iv/information/iv_overview
And some info directly from the Consular on how to organize your documents for the interview itself:
https://ca.usembassy.gov/visas/fiancee/appointment-checklist/