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i have seen alot of interesting topics on here since i started looking around and i have received some interesting questions via PM, so i am posting different senarios to get ideas about others' experiences...playing a little devil's advocate! I have a pretty basic case myself, one arrest that was never tried or convicted when i was a teenager...so i am trying to get some insite into what other people have experienced! i have a friend and a relative who are about to embark on the same journey i have, so i might be doing a little snooping on their behalf as well Their cases are a little more complicated!

I find there are two strands of people on here: one who recommend the truth only when you can't get away with a lie, and the other who gives their vote to 100% truth....

What % of people consulted lawyers in filing their application? Was it helpful?

I guess I will try my luck with the truth and if I get a ban, then so be it. My fiance can come to the great white north....

I spoke to your comment about drug use in the other thead. Note that at your medical tests they are only testing for veneral and other communicable diseases. I don't remember having a urine test, but if so, again, it's not for drug use. The issues comes up when you're asked questions at the medical by the doctor. You're asked about a history of or use of any drugs. Period. What you say is going to be totally up to you. Your admittance of drug use in the past, whether a year ago, or 20 years ago, is going to mean your visa will be denied, and you will be given a ban. In order to get past this ban, you will need to show you are "rehabilitated". I believe that if you talked to your own medical doctor, he/she might suggest drug testing on a random basis, and perhaps some drug information classes. You will then obtain a letter from the personnel to show that you are "rehabilitated", or "not at risk for repeat", whatever that means. I believe the ban as far as Canada/US is, is 3 years.

We on VJ do NOT advocate, nor give guidance that you lie.

The ultimate decision is yours.

There are so many conflicting things on here about this topic. You say here that if you admit to any more than two times using in the past 3 years, it results in a 3 year ban, but others have said any use in your lifetime results in the same ban. Does anyone know what the actual law or requirement is? And are they counting solely on your honesty? If so, why don't people just not tell the truth, or does it come up somehow in your testing? If someone tried drugs 5 years ago, does the 3 year ban apply to them as well?

Now again let me be honest here...it certainly wasn't years ago. It was last year. But again, neither of us could care less whether we touched another joint, or beer even, for that matter. It's just something that was done in social situations, and in controlled environments. The point here is that they make her out to be some strung out druggie who's going to come to the US and become a burden on the system all while corrupting other upstanding Americans to do the same. The law is completely black and white. Admit to more than twice in the past 3 years, 3 year ban. No tolerance. They have marijuana lumped in with crack, meth, and heroin, which is just completely insane (makes me think of Dave Chappelle and Bob Saget in Half Baked). Bill Maher also has a great bit on our country's hypocritical stance on drugs. Well worth checking out.

But no matter how upset I might get over these hypocrisies, it's not going to bring me any closer to the woman I love. I had a friend give me some great advice...somehow find a way to be grateful for what has happened. It was hard to imagine at first, but I am slowly seeing how having that attitude opens me up the the bigger picture, rather than this segment I am so intent on focusing on. Because the truth of the matter is...We are going to be together, no mater what. This is all only temporary. Being grateful for what has happened opens my heart up to the possibilities that exist now, a whole new adventure to be embraced. Some see catastrophe, others see opportunity. I'm looking for the latter.

In the other posts that I have read through, the denial is given when the drug use has been more recent. Those who have been denied have been made to wait three years before re-applying, and in many cases that I read, habitual users were granted visas once a certain time had passed since they had last used drugs (3 years seems to be the magic number). My usage consists of about 5 times in my lifetime...I am a horrible liar, and would hate to get caught in a lie about something that they are able to discover somehow...They really can't expect all applicants to have perfect pasts, can they?

Perhaps a recent phone bill would be good to show that you are still together.

Reference drug use, as you will see from other posts an addmission of using drugs in the past = a denial. As Panterchen said the drugs will not show in your system if you have not used for years, it is entirely upto you if you tell them the truth.

Good luck.

This forum has been so helpful...I have so many questions!

I am having my medical exam in Vancouver in about 3 weeks and after reading some other posts am getting worried. I have tried a couple of different drugs in my past. I have only done them a handful of times, and haven't done any in at least 4 years, maybe more. Will this cause a denial of visa? I have tried marijuana, ecstacy and mushrooms, but havent even had a drink of alcohol since i got pregnant with my first child 2.5 years ago. The most recently I did E was about 4 or 4.5 years ago...will this be an issue?

What should I expect from the medical exam? I am so nervous about all of this...

Also, in regards to evidence of relationship...how much is necessary? I have two children with my fiance, and he is on both of their birth certificates and they are both dual citizens, so he has been acknowledged as their father by the consulate...I also have cards, pictures, items with the same address from when we lived together in Chicago. Do I need to bother with things like phone bills? I know that may seem like a dumb question considering we have children, but I have no idea what to expect from my interview and don't want to cause any additional delays.

Hi

Thanks for your detailed report. I am also extemely nervous, I have been denied entry to the US before as well for the same reasons. If you are still interested in doing it, I am interested in knowing the details of the medical exam. What questiosn they asked, what they examined etc. Also, I only have my vaccination record from public health that has been marked off. I emailed the dr's office and they told me this would be enough, but I am worried about any unnecessary delays- we are planning on being married less than 2 weeks after my interview so I dont want to delay it!! Thanks for any insite to the medical exam.

Kristine

moving to consulate forum

Whoops. Thanks, payxibka!

I have called the police and the courts, and because I was a minor and the case was never actually in the court system, neither have records. I am currently trying to track down record of my community service being completed, as that seems to be the only place left that might have some record of it. According to the courts and police, the arrest doesn't exist...

I can actually give some advice on this one because when I petitioned for my x husband I-130, back in 2001- he was once arrested for domestic violence against his x gf. Well, the case was dismissed ... during the initial green card interview we were told that we needed additional information on this case. Therefore, we had to drive back to San Diego Court to obtain a record that this case was dismissed and that pc of paper was all that we needed.

I think you have to be completely honest and obtain valid records that this case is dismissed.

Did you consider getting a letter from the police that told you there was no record of the offense and take that with you instead of trying to do the interview without at least something to back your verbal version?

My background check shows that there is no record of the offense....it is coming up as clear, but I know that I was arrested. It was theft under 100...

Then the correct answer is "NO", you have never been CONVICTED of a crime. Your case was handled as a juvenile (sounds like) with no court involvement and hence, NO criminal record. That said, misdemeanor shoplifting would not disqualify a K-1 visa so if it is asked, just be honest. Lying WILL disqualify for you for a visa and wouldn't THAT be a bummer?

Thanks for the info. I think you are right, I called the RCMP and asked about it and he said (although he could find no record of me whatsoever) that it had been diverted instead of convicted. But, I have already sent that info in to them so I will just deal with it in the interview!! Thanks for the help

What is the process after my interview and i've been approved? I hired a lawyer, who after being paid has become MIA and I need to know the next steps...

I will have my interview on March 12, and if all goes well, plan to leave Canada March 23. We will be married in the courthouse on March 27th. What do I do from there? I know I have to get an adjustment of status, but am not sure what steps to take. Also, if I want to expedite the process so I can begin to work faster, how is that possible? Thanks for any info!!

Did you consider getting a letter from the police that told you there was no record of the offense and take that with you instead of trying to do the interview without at least something to back your verbal version?

My background check shows that there is no record of the offense....it is coming up as clear, but I know that I was arrested. It was theft under 100...

What did you answer to Part C, question 2 on the I-129F?

I am not sure what that question is...but if it was whether or not I had been arrested, I answered yes...

Did you consider getting a letter from the police that told you there was no record of the offense and take that with you instead of trying to do the interview without at least something to back your verbal version?

My background check shows that there is no record of the offense....it is coming up as clear, but I know that I was arrested. It was theft under 100...

I am a Canadian citizen and I am about to have my interview at the consulate in Vancouver. I have read some conflicting reports regarding criminal records and am looking for some information.

I was arrested for shoplifting when I was either just about to turn 16 or just turned 16 (I can't remember exactly). The offense is not on my criminal record, which is otherwise clear, and the police here have no record of it whatsoever, even to tell me the date. I never went to court and ended up doing community service in leiu of a conviction. What should I tell the interviewer? I answered "yes" to having been arrested, but am not sure of any other details because it was 10 years ago. I don't have any reports to take because I was so young and it never went to court. Could this impede my ability to get approved?