bauser

Does the I-134 have to be notarized???

If you use the new October 2008 edition from the USCIS website, it does not require notarization.

I confirmed this with Montreal before my interview and used them at the interview without a problem.

Here is the link: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00048f3d6a1RCRD

You can use the new I-134 without notarization in Montreal.

I confirmed this before and used them without a hitch at the interview.

Here's the link: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00048f3d6a1RCRD

Try to look on the bright side -- this is the last step of the visa process and there is more waiting behind you than ahead of you.

Also, by the time you go to Montreal it will be warm again so the wait outside will be a lot nicer.

Just FYI: The average time between sending back Packet 3 and receiving an interview date with the last batch of interviewees was ~2.5 months.

I used up 3 at the medical (Dr. Seiden in TO) and 2 at the interview (Montreal).

Have you asked the consulate through email? You're probably best off submitting 3 of the 4 that you have for the medical. Then get 2 more done closer to the interview. One photo gets wasted this way, but at least you'll have the right amount and they'll be consistent within each submission.

Well that was easy! All the reviews and experiences contained in this thread match my own, so I'll just provide some abbreviated notes:

-Arrived outside by 6:55 and was 3rd in line. All applicants were processed by 9:15 or so. Interviews began at 9:25 and lasted about 5-10 minutes each, with a break of 5 minutes between each interview. I was called at 9:50 and was out by 9:55.

-The guard asked us to line up to the LEFT of the doors, so if you are first go to the left side under the camera.

-While you are waiting for the elevator (past security) take the time to assemble the paperwork as indicated on the provided handout (passport, photos, police clearance, medical results, affidavit of support). Clip it together with the letter-card (e.g., A, B, C...) that they give you. If you do this now, you won't be asked for the paperwork in the clip later.

-Your letter on the letter-card indicates the order that you'll be called for interviews. However, it does not indicate what order you'll be called for paperwork and fingerprints. Everyone gets processed (paperwork + payment) before the interviews start so don't worry about getting called out of order for the first phase.

-Remember to photocopy the inside (picture page) of your passport because they ask for it.

-You get back your original Birth Certificate and they keep a copy... but they keep the original Police Certificate.

-You don't need to bring your chest x-ray unless the doctor discussed TB with you.

-I was asked an abbreviated set of questions: how did we meet, when did we meet, where we plan to stay, what my job is, what her job is... and i'm pretty sure that's it. We talked about health insurance and how I would no longer have any once i move there. She did not ask me about the proposal, though she did note that my fiancee and i had known each other since 2002 and lived together for 2 years so maybe that's why it was not important in the interview (she said we had plenty of time to think it over).

-The new un-notarized versions of the I-134 are accepted.

-There's really no reason to get nervous or anxious in the waiting room. The interview itself takes only a fraction of the time that you'll be there. just be prepared for a lot of waiting.

Sorry for the double post. I had Chris email the consulate and he just informed me that they will accept the new I-134 in our case! Thank goodness. So I have another question too. I keep seeing people post about tax transcripts. I didn't notice anything in the I-134 instructions that said I needed these. I just mailed a copy of my last income tax return (even though the instructions only said to do so if you're self employed). Our co-sponsor is retired so I sent copies of his last three income tax returns. Will this be alright or do they require tax transcripts?

Hey, check out this thread: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=144966

The first and 2nd posts explain everything that you need to know.

The train ride from Toronto to Montreal was flawless... even arrived 15 minutes early.

This hotel is swank too. It is bigger than any apartment I've ever had in Toronto. Free high-speed internet, kitchenette, living room, 2 HDTVs, and a king size bed. If anyone is just staying for one night like me, you can't really go wrong with Le Square Phillips. Complimentary breakfast at 630am and then walk over to the consulate (which is around the corner). Oh, and the hotel is only a 5 min walk from the train station. Everything is going swell so far! Tomorrow... interview and then smoked meat sammiches.

They seriously told you that? I e-mailed Montreal a couple weeks ago and I was told that I am to use the OLD I-134 that needs to be notarized...

I sent the following message to Montreal on Feb 20, 2009:

Can you confirm whether my sponsor can use the I-134 Affidavit of Support Form (Edition Date 10/30/2008) on the USCIS website? This is the new edition that does not require notarization.

I found the form here:

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/men...00048f3d6a1RCRD

and they responded:

It is ok, no problem.

Thank you

IV UNIT

I've already completed the newest version of the I-134. Do I need to submit an old one that's notarized or is the new version that doesn't require notarization okay? The DS-156K is also expired. Can he just use the most current version?

You can use the new I-134 that does not require notarization. I've confirmed this with Montreal.

I am going to use the expired DS-156K. Bear in mind that this particular form must be signed in front of someone at the time of your interview.

When he goes for his interview, do we need to have an official copy of my birth certificate, too (as the USC)???

I don't think it's necessary to have the petitioner's birth certificate at the interview. The petitioner includes a copy of the birth certificate in the I-129F at the very beginning. Correct me if I am wrong about this...

And after spending about an hour re-organizing my folder, re-doing the little tabs, packing my tiny purse with passport $131USD etc, I believe I am 100% ready! Well 99%... still have to go get the express post envelope, but I know where to get it and was just waiting on the post office in the pharmaprix to open at noon.

In retrospect I should have bought the XpressPost envelope when I got there too... the envelope is just so huge, flimsy, and rather ungainly. Unfortunately my train arrives at 9:45pm this Wednesday and my interview is the next day, so there would probably be no way to get one in time.

ps-good luck!

I'd just like to clarify something for TD Canada Trust customers (cause I'm one of them and went through the same thing):

I recently opened a Borderless Plan, which is a US Dollar Account. All monthly fees are waived if you keep a monthly balance over $3,000 USD. The reason I did this was to provide a stopgap measure before I can open a bank account in the US. You get a slightly better rate on money conversion, which makes a big difference when exchanging several thousand dollars at a time. I was with a financial rep at the time and she advised me NOT to open a US Dollar Visa card, because it won't help build any credit in the US. So all I have is access to my money in American dollars. It's easy to convert money from my CDN chequing/savings accounts via EasyWeb.

Some people in this thread have said that the money is hard to access, but that is dependent on your final destination. Right on their Branch Locator page, there is this note:

Please Note: TD Canada Trust customers have FEE FREE access to more than 2,500 TD Canada Trust ABMs, and PLUS Network FEE FREE access at 750 TD Banknorth ABMs, 750 Commerce ABMs and 975 Presto! ABMs located at Publix Super Markets.

So it is certainly possible to get fee-free access to your accounts from those locations (e.g., New England, New York, and most of the northeast). Assuming you withdraw money from a Borderless Plan, there won't be any fees at all because you get unlimited no-fee withdrawals.

I can't speak for Vancouver, but the Montreal packet 3 checklist states that they only put you in the interview waiting list after they have received both the DS-230 part 1 and document checklist.

Yes, you can advise the IO at the POE of the new US address. I know Laura did it, and when I activated my K-1 the IO asked me to confirm the US address. So it will be all good

Thanks!

Does anyone know when/how to update your destination address in the US? My fiancee will be moving to a new apartment sometime between my interview (next week) and my intended moving date of May 1st.

A long time ago (when I was filling out the I-129F) I recall reading that you can update your destination address at the POE... has anyone done that when they activated the K-1?

Bauser and I will be wrestling for that first spot in line ... hahahaha actually i dont care what place in line i am i have all day

Who shall prevail? Tune in next week for the stunning conclusion... dun dun dun

My packet 3 was delivered this morning in Montreal!! At 713am, I guess they work early! I will email them some time to confirm delivery. When should I do that? Some time next week?

Wait 2 weeks because it takes them roughly that long to process it into their system.

I found a picture of the entrance off google image search--It's a double-door with the address number overhead (1155) and the US Consular seal (bald eagle).

Does anyone think going before 7am is worth it? I am staying on the same block as the consulate so I can go as early as necessary.

Can anyone who has already been to the interview clarify something for me:

How does the line actually form outside the consulate building?

From my understanding the entrance is on the south side off Rue-St.Alexandre (not Blvd Renee Levesque) and there should be some clear signage indicating the consulate. But is there a clear place to start a line? I assume that I'll be among the first people there between 6:30-6:45, so I won't have the benefit of joining a line unless someone even more hardcore is waiting there first.

One more week to go!

It only cost $144.90 to book a return trip from Toronto Union Station to Montreal Central Station. It's a reasonable amount and the express train is roughly the same speed as driving (and you just sit back and relax).

I also booked a hotel that is on the same block as the consulate -- Le Square Phillips. http://www.squarephillips.com/montreal-hotel

I've stayed there before and it is really nice. It is a bit pricey at $145 a night but you can walk to the consulate in a minute.

If you received your NOA1 recently, it's likely that you have a ways to go before your NOA2. That being said, there are a few things you can do now and a few things that are best left till you actually receive the NOA2/packet 3.

Passport - make sure your Canadian passport is valid for 1 year beyond your projected date of immigration. Use the K-1 timelines to estimate based on your milestones. I had to renew my passport in a hurry because mine was going to expire later this year. If your passport is fine, then just photocopy the page with your picture and signature in it and you're set.

Photos - you should wait on the photos until closer to your interview date so that they are more recent when you go for your medical. Either way this only takes a day max.

Medical - you can't do this until you've received packet 3 from Montreal.

Birth certificate - if you do not have your long form birth certificate, now is a good time to order it. If you were born in Ontario this is the link: https://www.orgforms.gov.on.ca/eForms/start.do ... once you have the longform birth certificate, photocopy it.

Police certificate - You can apply for this when your fiance gets the NOA2. By the time packet 3 arrives, you should receive your police certificate (mine took about 5 business days, if you are in Toronto you can go to Police Headquarters at Bay+College).

Evidence of support - this is something you should wait on, but it would help to explain to your fiance - i.e., the kinds of evidence he will have to acquire when the time comes (tax slips, employer letter, statement from bank officer).

There are a few other things like Court & Prison Records, Military Record, Divorce/Death Certificiates, Documents for Accompanying Children - I don't have any experience with these since I didn't have to get them.

While this isn't a photocopy of the checklist, it is a breakdown of all items that appear on it. Hope this helps.

Montreal's K-1 packet 3 states the following:

Please send the requested forms to this address:

U.S. Consulate General

Attention: IV Issuance

P.O. Box 65, Station Desjardins

Montreal, QC

H5B 1G1

They don't say anything about faxing the forms to them. However, they do provide a fax number later in the letter, in this context:

When communicating with this office, please provide your name and case number exactly as shown at the bottom of this letter. If the name in the passport does not match the name listed below, please contact us by email: Montreal-IV-DV@state.gov. You may also reach us by fax at 514-398-9748...

Regarding the DS-230:

Step One. Plase complete and return immediately to this office the enclosed Form DS-230 Part I...

Regarding poprock's DS-160... If the printouts you managed to get have the barcode they still might be able to retrieve the DS-160. Otherwise you are better off filling it out again. Also, you can send the document checklist and DS-230 part I via XpressPost and that way you have a tracking number. 2 weeks after the package is delivered to the PO box, you can contact Montreal via email to confirm that they have received your documents.

Hey poprocks,

Regarding the packets and interview timing:

I submitted my packet 3 (DS-230 part 1 and document checklist, contents may vary since I'm applying for K-1) in mid-December and have my interview on March 19th. That is a 3 month turn-around, with the actual notice of appointment (called packet 4) arriving around the 2-month mark. Packet 4 has the interview appointment letter along with instruction sheets about security screening and XpressPost prepaid mailers (again, contents may vary but they'll all have the interview appointment). If you sent the checklist (and any other required documents) by the end of this week, you should probably get your interview in late May or early June.

Regarding the medical results:

Did you go to Toronto or Montreal? In Toronto the results are ready in 2 days for pickup. If you chose the mailing option, they'll courier the results to your home. I'd image that would tack on at least a few extra days. So if the doctor is waiting for an immunization result in 2 weeks, you should have the results in 2 weeks + 4-5 days...

Today's tidbit of information:

I asked Montreal if my sponsor can use the new I-134 Affidavit of Support form (found here) and they said it is accepted.

So just a heads up to anyone who has an interview coming up and/or working on their I-134's... go download the new one and you won't have to get it notarized.

Today's tidbit of information: I was wondering how the heck I'd carry the chest x-ray to Montreal (it ain't exactly a convenient form factor) so I emailed the consulate to find out if it was necessary.

Here is their response:

Unless there are any TB issues which the doctor discussed with you, you do not have to bring the X-ray, when your visa is issued then you should bring them to the US and give them to your personal doctor.

Thanks again. I'll get the proper statements so I can stop worrying about it! 1 month to go...