KristinL
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Posts posted by KristinL
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I hope so! did you see that I posted someone got GC within 6 weeks? HELLO!?!
Now that is crazy! Maybe they hired more staff over at UCSIS, or there are less applications!? Who knows.
From what the news says, its probably less applications!
We are filling in all the forms and hope to have it in the mail on Friday- looks like now is the time!
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One should find out for sure if u have to drop ur cdn citizenship and how they expect you to do that! It may be as simple as not having a Cdn passport!! belive me not all govt agencies are that bright,lol
Govt's & Military especially are prone to having waivers for just about every requirement - Talk to supervisors etc to see what possibilities there are for your specific situation. -- talk to someone who knows & forget the barracks lawyers
In your post it sounded like you weren't completely sure that would be required of you.I think you should get all the information you can and make an informed decision - but I agree with the sentiment of following your heart.
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Whirlwind!
in Canada
This is not going to be an epic tale, I am exhausted!
TOguy's POE was smooth on the 15th, we arrived around 115 and were done by 145-2 ish. The people were friendly, knowledgeable and even cracked jokes with TG! They didn't ask what he had with him or anything. But they did question my address change back in January. having proof would have been marginally helpful, but wasn't necessary. We entered at Peace Bridge. Someday one of us may do a review
Driving on....
We arrived back in Asheville, NC the following day. The total miles driven have now approached 2400 miles. Tired - yes! TG unloaded and started unpacking - its great to see all his stuff - even though he was here for 6 weeks, it didn't feel like he lived here - now it does. (sigh of relief!)
Today was our courthouse wedding! We are now officially Mr. & Mrs.! I had to pick TG's friend up last night at 11 PM, and then my brother at 830 AM. then we rushed to the courthouse at 1230 and had to go back at 330, and then we were married. I'd relax, but now I'm looking at the AOS requirements, forms, etc and groaning... when will this end? When does "life" begin?
Regardless, I'm so happy that we are married now. What an amazing journey!
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have my interview tomorrow at the Montreal Consulate. Can anyone tell me if I should bring my son with me?? He will be coming to the US with me
If you don't HAVE to, don't. I can't imagine anything more stressful than trying to entertain a 5 year old while in a waiting room full of people.
I brought my 4 year old to my fiance's interview... other than her biting me during the interview, it was fine.
Its okay for kids to be there, but its boring for them. She loved the view. -
I had my interview yesterday and the visa was approved!! I really don’t have anything to add about the interview itself as my experience was similar to everyone else’s. It was very simple, they didn’t ask many questions at all: how did we meet? what does my fiancé do for a living? have I ever been arrested? and I was asked about the time I was denied entry at the border (lack of ties to Canada); and they didn’t want any of my evidence of an ongoing relationship (other then my updated letter of intent from my fiancé). All of the people I dealt with were friendly, and the view of Montreal from up there was fantastic.
I do have some bus info for anybody who is flying into Montreal. The airport shuttle bus to downtown costs $16, but you can take the regular city bus for $2.75 (have exact change). The bus stop is right outside the terminal near where you get the tickets for the shuttle bus. Take bus #204 which will stop at a bus terminal not far away, then switch to bus #211. This one will stop right outside the XX metro station where you can then use the same ticket from the bus (it’s valid for 2 hours for connections) to get on the metro to your final destination. It’s not a lot of money to save, but if you’re taking the shuttle/metro anyhow it might be worth while.
It’s such a relief to finally be finished. Good luck to those still waiting, like other people have commented, this really was the easiest part of the process so far.
CONGRATS!!!!
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Hi all, I know this has been talked about before but I don't want to go back and search through this very long thread. Which street is the door to the consulate on? I'd like to get there early and get in line and I want to make sure I go to the right place. Are there any identifying signs or markers near the door?
Hi! The door is on St. Alexandre - the building is a tall dark grey granite building on the corner of St. Alexandre and Rene Levesque - turn uphill on St. Alexandre and the door is an unassuming side-entrance, but there is a US Consulate emblem above the door. :-) Good luck!
Awesome, thanks Kristin!
not a problem! -
Hi all, I know this has been talked about before but I don't want to go back and search through this very long thread. Which street is the door to the consulate on? I'd like to get there early and get in line and I want to make sure I go to the right place. Are there any identifying signs or markers near the door?
Hi! The door is on St. Alexandre - the building is a tall dark grey granite building on the corner of St. Alexandre and Rene Levesque - turn uphill on St. Alexandre and the door is an unassuming side-entrance, but there is a US Consulate emblem above the door. :-) Good luck!
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My Fiance got his visa today YEAH!!! The move for next week is a go, I can't wait!!
Wow...that's awesome!!! hope the POE goes smoothly!
My Fiance got his visa today YEAH!!! The move for next week is a go, I can't wait!!So fast! Guess it's good to live right across the "bridge"
.Can't track my package yet.
we checked it around 1030 AM and it was in Toronto, out for delivery! SWEEET! (we weren't back here in time to get it, so we will have it tomorrow or Monday, whenever TG gets to the Postoffice !!! YAY!1!!
Great news! So I guess your travel plans will work out perfectly...that's great!
Great News!! We picked up the visa at the post office today!
OMG!!! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY! It was really cool for me to experience receiving the visa with TorontoGuy - Fiona was there too. POE countdown! 4 days! 
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My Fiance got his visa today YEAH!!! The move for next week is a go, I can't wait!!
So fast! Guess it's good to live right across the "bridge"
.Can't track my package yet.
we checked it around 1030 AM and it was in Toronto, out for delivery! SWEEET! (we weren't back here in time to get it, so we will have it tomorrow or Monday, whenever TG gets to the Postoffice !!! YAY!1!!
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I haven't been able to track mine either, but my interviewer said they were mailing them that day or today at the latest.
I think we all had the same interviewer... he said that to us too.
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Congrats Kristin! That's wonderful news! Small world it is. I was suprised too to see the interviewer in regular clothes, but like Krikit said, it is just a normal office! Then once you get through the POE, you won't be able to relax until TOGUY gets his Green Card
Thanks Jill! Maybe I'll relax when the conditions are removed... or he becomes a citizen... guess it will be a loooong 12 years...
I guess it is just a normal office... but it sure is an imposing building down there in downtown Montreal.
12 years?! Wow, you guys must move slow!
Congrats on the approval!! Doesn't it feel great? Where are you guys crossing? We used the Peace Bridge and everything went great!
Thanks!!
However long the process takes to citizenship... Isn't it 10 years after removal of conditions? 
We are crossing at Peace Bridge as well. I have no idea what time we are leaving Toronto...
I'll write my review when I get back to Ontario, OMG I have a lot to say about the mean lady that prolly was gone for an hour eating babies.. since she ALREADY had a coffee. My interviewer was in a suit and tie, so maybe they just have a really lax dress code. I spent a lot of the afternoon trecking around with my dad and I also went to see the Under the Sea IMAX movie, it was in French but still worth it! But srsly I feel pity to everyone else who had the document check lady that I had. She was most positively the meanest person I encountered along the process. My favourite was when she told me to come back with my reciept, sit down facing her. look straight ahead , don't talk to anyone and don't approach the window until she calls me back to the window! Anyways the interviewer that I had was super nice and almost made up for the nasty lady, he even laughed at my slippery ####### story. And he told me that they will most likely mail everything tonite, or tmrwm
Did you have the lady in the middle? That does sound NASTY! Congrats on your approval, sorry I was so nervous about the interview, I could barely talk + Fiona was keeping me busy
Have a safe trip back to ON! -
Congrats Kristin! That's wonderful news! Small world it is. I was suprised too to see the interviewer in regular clothes, but like Krikit said, it is just a normal office! Then once you get through the POE, you won't be able to relax until TOGUY gets his Green Card
Thanks Jill! Maybe I'll relax when the conditions are removed... or he becomes a citizen... guess it will be a loooong 12 years...
I guess it is just a normal office... but it sure is an imposing building down there in downtown Montreal.
12 years?! Wow, you guys must move slow!
Congrats on the approval!! Doesn't it feel great? Where are you guys crossing? We used the Peace Bridge and everything went great!
Thanks!!
However long the process takes to citizenship... Isn't it 10 years after removal of conditions? We are crossing at Peace Bridge as well. I have no idea what time we are leaving Toronto...
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Congrats Kristin! That's wonderful news! Small world it is. I was suprised too to see the interviewer in regular clothes, but like Krikit said, it is just a normal office! Then once you get through the POE, you won't be able to relax until TOGUY gets his Green Card
Thanks Jill! Maybe I'll relax when the conditions are removed... or he becomes a citizen... guess it will be a loooong 12 years...
I guess it is just a normal office... but it sure is an imposing building down there in downtown Montreal.
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Heres a review! APPPPROOOOOOVVVVEEDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (TorontoGuy was approved, I'm the USC
)We were first to the consulate, at 645 AM - someone (that'd be me) thought it was 7 that they opened the doors. We stood there for a few minutes before Happy Cloud & her fiance arrived - we all smiled, knowing who the other was
Fiona was tired, and was curled up in the corner. A couple more people arrived - I think it must have been MuffinTop & AmberL, but am not sure. We were let in the door, checked through screening - everyone was so polite and friendly! They gave TorontoGuy the letter A & a checklist of things to prepare. We went down the stairs to the elevator, and waited. The next few people came in behind us, and eventually the elevator came. We all got in - and faced the right way As the elevator went up, the guard checked everyone's paper. We got to the 19th floor, got out and sat down in the waiting area. Soon we were called back to window 11, where a nice older woman went through all the forms and documents they needed, and sent TG to go pay. By this time, there was already a line at the cashier. He paid, and went back to window 11, where she took the receipt and sent us back to the lobby. We waited and waited. By this time it was after 8. The woman at window 11 called us back a final time to double check everything (I'm not sure why, I was trying to keep Fiona from melting down by this point - a 4 y/o who had to get up extra early and walk 1/2 a mile, now having to "behave" in a gov't building… she did pretty good all things considered . The woman told us then to have a seat, and that he would be called to booth 7 or 8 for the interviewer. I was so nervous, I was a wreck! I've been the calm one this whole time!! A few more minutes went by - seemed like a lifetime, and by now it was 915, and they finally called TG back to booth 7. The interviewer was sooooooo nice! They don't even wear uniforms! All this time, I imagined people looking the CBP folks - police-style uniforms, batons, guns, badges… definitely wasn't expecting a nice guy in a suit! Not only was he nice - but, synchronicity would have it that he was from a town very close to where I live, and where we will be living - we knew some of the same people! What the hell?? What are the chances?!? At that point, we both relaxed. We talked about the area a bit, and he asked where in Asheville I live, etc. Then he asked TG a few questions - when did you meet and how did your relationship progress? (answered satisfactorily). Have you ever had any difficulty crossing the boarder or with immigration? (no, just the standard stuff). Have you ever been arrested anywhere in the world for any reason (nope). Okay, everything looks great, I'm approving this. We'll send the visa out today or tomorrow. He wrote OK or approved on the folder. And then I said, well, perhaps we'll see you around home (soo weird! Really, the interviewer is from Asheville, NC?). We thanked him and left. We gave the thumbs up to the VJ-ers in the lobby, and left. A giant kiss on the steps of the consulate, when we left. We are so happy and grateful… I don't think I will fully relax until visa in hand.. Of course then, I will say that I won't relax until POE!
We are leaving Montreal on Friday, and may get to Toronto to find a visa waiting for us! and then, Wed we pack it up and leave Toronto…. The saga (journey) continues…We had a nice lunch with Happycloud & her fiance.
- I'm sorry the other two couldn't join us though!THANK YOU VJ for all your advice, input, and good wishes. This forum has helped us so much!
Cheers :-)
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GL--Elevator opens from the REAR!!!
Thanks for the reminder!
Thanks everyone for good wishes!
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K-1s I know of: AmberL, HappyCloud, Muffintop & their respective fiance/ees, and TorontoGuy & I.... Wish us luck! See you all in front of the consulate bright and early!!!
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Hello to the July-8th-interviewees! LOLOL
I just wanted to suggest a great little place for lunch. It's called "Café L'Étranger" (don't worry, they speak English there!) It's a little walk from the consulate...about 3 blocks or so on Ste. Catherine Street. It's at the corner of University in front of the Archambault store. It's in the basement so you have to look for the sign.
They have amaizing food and very affordable. If you don't feel for that, just walk west on Ste Catherine and you'll find plenty!. If you walk East, you''l be able to enjoy the Jazz fest. Enjoy Montreal!! and hope all your interviews go smoothly!
Can't wait to read your experiences!
That sounds lovely.. I am sitting not too far from there right now, at the Second Cup on St. Catherine Street. What an amazing city! (now, if I could find Toronto Guy & Fiona..
)The drive was long (2 days) but we made it to Montreal in time for Rush Hour today! (yay - at least we got a nice slow view of the city!
) the border crossing was pretty easy, the border guard was not too sure about my child-custody court order for Fiona (because my county courthouse doesn't believe in seals) anyway, here we are! We will probably scope the consulate tomorrow. For now, I need to catch up on work! I totally want to live here. Perhaps its a little too late for that
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Hello to the July-8th-interviewees! LOLOL
I just wanted to suggest a great little place for lunch. It's called "Café L'Étranger" (don't worry, they speak English there!) It's a little walk from the consulate...about 3 blocks or so on Ste. Catherine Street. It's at the corner of University in front of the Archambault store. It's in the basement so you have to look for the sign.
They have amaizing food and very affordable. If you don't feel for that, just walk west on Ste Catherine and you'll find plenty!. If you walk East, you''l be able to enjoy the Jazz fest. Enjoy Montreal!! and hope all your interviews go smoothly!
Can't wait to read your experiences!
That sounds lovely.. I am sitting not too far from there right now, at the Second Cup on St. Catherine Street. What an amazing city! (now, if I could find Toronto Guy & Fiona..
)The drive was long (2 days) but we made it to Montreal in time for Rush Hour today! (yay - at least we got a nice slow view of the city!
) the border crossing was pretty easy, the border guard was not too sure about my child-custody court order for Fiona (because my county courthouse doesn't believe in seals) anyway, here we are! We will probably scope the consulate tomorrow. For now, I need to catch up on work! -
Hi everyone
I have returned from my absenteeism on VJ! I really needed to take a break from all the obsessing on the interview and enjoy the time I had to bond more with my future family in Asheville as well as getting used to the massive culture shock of pick-up truck hillbillies and organic hippies living together in peacefull harmony (for real!)
It's been one hell of a long rough ride. Here it is July already and we filed back in October '08 - it seems like a lifetime ago. So much has evolved and changed since October and now we're about 4 days off from the end-mark. I told Kristin, she has every right to jump and down and say " I told you so!!" because I've been so dang paranoid about the interview. Truth is - this visa will used for 2 days (after waiting 8 months for it) as we will get married emmediatly after crosisng the border to begin the AOS process. My poor frail mom is alone living in Toronto and I can't dilly-dally on the Adanved Parole.
I'm excited to meet the people from this forum on July 8th! b]Anyone up for a pleasant celebratory group lunch on the 8th?[/b] It's the "Canadian" thing to do afterall, eh!?
My fiance and I are deffinetly game for having lunch after our interviews!! Would be so great to celebrate with other people who have been going through the same process!! Can't wait to see everyone in just 5 days
We are close to Quebec, in a little hotel in upstate NY. Fiona is the most amazing 4-year old car tripper in the world
Amber- youch! 20 cents a page!
HappyCloud - great for lunch! Hopefully there is a place nearby.
Anyone else??
Excited??!! -
Hello all you VJers!
Toronto Guy & I have been enjoying our long visit together, and have been busy dealing with all types of real life. Its funny, now that we don't have an internet-based relationship, I am not on the computer as much in the evening ;-)
Last night we were up til 1230 booking hotels and planning out route... I'm the only driver and it looks like a long road. He has promised to entertain me and Fiona (my 4 y/o)... we're looking at a trip to Atlanta (from Asheville, NC) to get my dad's truck, and then back to Asheville to sleep, and then from Asheville to Montreal - via the Adirondacks ;-) I'm glad that the truck has satellite radio!!
We are arriving in Montreal Monday afternoon/evening/night and will be staying right downtown ($48 a night, found through Kayak.com). Tuesday will be working/touring/finding the consulate and mapping our route, including potty breaks and 4 y/o 6 AM meltdown preparations
Wednesday is the big day (guess the 4 couples will be racing to see who gets there first? :lol) and then we are staying til checkout on Friday - then on to Toronto, where we are staying in N. York at a really nice hotel ($34USD/night THANK YOU Hotwire). Hopefully we'll have the visa by the next week and will be on our way.Papers are almost together, just need to finish assembling/copying my I-134. We're starting to pack and sweat ;-) Assembling some evidence, just in case my presence is not convincing enough
We can't believe our interview is next week!!!!! But we are so glad to have spent so much time together while waiting, it's been truly amazing and rewarding.
:dance: So, refresh the memory - who all has an interview on the 8th?
Best of luck to everyone who has an interview next week!!!
:dance: -
Well, he has been here for just over 24 hours now, and is asleep in the bedroom. I'm, wide awake and cleaning... so I thought I'd take a break, because I just realized that, other than a text message to PopRocks, I hadn't posted information about our POE crossing experience!
I think there is one little thing that went wrong, but I don't think we're going to "exploit" their mistake (they wrote MULTIPLE instead of SINGLE next to entries for his I-94 in my fiance's VISA).
Everyone was so nice! The were polite, kind, funnny, professional, and most of all, plain friendly.
We drove in a caravan over the Blue Water Bridge (3 vehicles) and the CBP guy at the booth was in a great mood. He was joking around how the trainee had JUST left his booth, and she was going to miss out on seeing a K1 VISA get processed. I was able to joke back and say that she was "going to miss all of the fun!"
Anyway, all three of our cars were asked to pull off to the side (away from the inspection cars) and we went inside. We stood in line for about 20 minutes and were called to the next officer. He was really nice, was familiar with K1s, but wsn't too sure of the process. So, he asked a superior officer to come over and assist with the processing. (In the meantime, my dad, who is retired Air Force, had his military ID out along with his passprt, just in case he thought we might need some help. He always uses that with his passport when crossing the border and never gets stopped and/or asked questions. lol) Anyway, between the original officer and the other officer, we got through in about 45 minutes. The superior officer, Officer Allen, was hysterical!!! She was awesome... very knowledgeable, great personality. So much so, I think I'm going to write a letter to the Port Huron Border office to let them know how nice it was to work with her and the other officer, Officer Delano.
He got his car imported and all went well!
after crossing, we stopped at McDonald's for a restroom break and something to drink. At the time, I asked to see his passport, b/c I was curious as to what they put in his passport. I was excited to see everything, but then I noticed, at the bottom of the I-94, MULTIPLE was printed instead of SINGLE. I'm assuming that means multiple/single entries into the USA. Considering he is here on a K1, the I-94 should have said SINGLE. Oh, well. Doesn't matter to us, because we're not going to take any chances! He's not leaving the US until the AP comes after applying for AoS.
Good news is, he is here (albeit cranky and not very happy that he doesn't have space for HIS stuff... but that's another thread/topic). For which, I am very, very happy.
PS
I'm going to post this same bit in another thread.
Congrats to you both on a smooth entry & the start of life together
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Have fun!
How Exciting July Bride!! GOOD LUCK! I hope the experience is wonderful!!
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Yay for all of US getting a July interview!!!! That's right i said it US Just called DOS after seeing all these May people with interview and mine is July 31st!!! YAY!!!!
It's gonna be a busy day for me as I'm leaving for Toronto for carnival on that day, but hey! I'm still happy!!!!
YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Just called the DOS and got an interview for July 29th 8:30 am. YaY-slowly and surely to the goal.
One question, is it possible to change this date?
Thank you all
NO!! Don't even try to change the date. Of course, it's possible but it will be regretted as you'll be put to the bottom of the pile, and wait another few months to be re-scheduled.... so don't, unless it's a matter of life and death, try and change the date!
Hey I go off forum for a couple of days and people start getting interviews in July! YAY!! Congrats for everyone who has gotten their interviews. I hope everyone gets theirs soon!
AOS'rs...
in Canada
Posted
Thanks! Happy Cloud- congrats on your wedding - everyone, congrats on your everything
Life has been really hectic on top of the AOS some wild n crazy things with baby-daddy among other issues, so I haven't been active on VJ. I'm sorry if I missed a congratulations here and there, I wish everyone well always :f:
We are filing on Tuesday now, waiting for co-sponsor's papers
Hoping that we all have speedy GC experiences, though I agree with Saphire, pay no attention to it and its likely to happen fast!
Cheers everyone
PS - was it me or was the 131 realllllly confusing?