chikarakobu

Ugh, sorry to hear that you are going through this, too. I also checked off the box to have my SSN mailed to me. It's been about 5 weeks. I received my green card after about 3-4 weeks but still no SSN. I called the number on one of the welcome notices that tells you to call if you haven't received the SSN within 3 weeks but no one there can help you unless you already have an SSN#. It took a good 15 minutes for the representative to understand what I was actually calling about.

Looks like I'll have to go to the office on Tuesday (Monday is a holiday here) to see if I'm in SAVE. Good luck!

On Monday, August 16th, I was officially welcomed to the USA! The interview went great except for a few minor hiccups.

Hiccup 1: My husband brought his cell phone (even though I had told him he couldn't) because he thought it would be OK as long as it was turned off. Luckily, it was still 6:50 or so at this point, so he was able to go back to our rental apartment to drop it off.

Hiccup 2: As soon as my husband left the apartment to come back to the consulate, the thunderstorm started. He arrived to the embassy soaked! Those of us at the front of the line all huddled under the very small covered area. The people in front and behind us were very nice (possibly K-1 VJers?)

Other than that, here's how it went down:

We got there just before 6:45 and there were already 2 groups of people in front of us. The couple at the very front got letter A, I don't know what happened to the people second in line because we (third in line) got letter B. We waited in the waiting area of the first floor, and then a few of us (maybe A-D?) were called into the elevator. There, we sat for about 15 minutes.

About 3 K-1ers got called up before I did. I think the person at my counter (a very nice young lady) was new because there was a guy looking over her shoulder at everything she was doing the whole time. She seemed to know what she was doing, and was very nice even though I kept screwing up the finger prints. This is what I was asked for:

2 pictures (the 2 previous ones I submitted with the I-130 were returned to me)

medical results in sealed envelope

my husband's (usc petitioner) 2009 tax return information.

Original marriage certificate

Original birth certificate

At one point, the lady asked, "is there anything else you'd like to submit" and I had no idea what to offer, since she already had the original DS-230 and affidavit of support.

After that, we sat and waited for the actual interview for about 20 minutes. A nice gentleman called us to one of the interview rooms and asked us questions like:

What do you do?

Have you lived anywhere other than Canada and Japan for more than 6 months?

(Can’t remember the exact wording, but something along the lines of) Have you ever been charged with a crime?

Have you ever been refused entry to the US?

Do you have a job lined up in the US?

He asked my husband:

How long have you lived in the US (he just became a naturalized citizen in September)

What do you do for work?

After that, he asked me to put my right thumb on a red scanner thing, and handed me the “welcome to the USA” letter. I think I got a little teary!

As we were walking out, the 2 K1ers congratulated us, another couple we hadn’t even seen asked us how it went, and even when we got outside, a man we recognized from the waiting room who must’ve gone out to buy an Expresspost envelope, asked us how it went and congratulated us! I guess we all can relate to each other…

We are staying at a rental apartment ($85/night) about 20 minutes from the Consulate, on the border of the Plateau area. It’s called Studios Montreal. They have several locations around town, some of which as closer to the consulate. They also have a B&B if you don’t need a kitchen. http://www.studiosmontreal.com/

Good luck to all those whose interviews are coming up, and a big thank you to those who posted their reviews and gave such helpful advice. Sorry if this review isn’t very detailed… I still can’t believe I’ve been approved!!

Thanks for sharing your feelings and current situation. Couldn't have been easy to do. I haven't even left Canada yet (interview is in 2 weeks) and have already starting having feelings similar to yours. I went though some very dark times and still have a lot of ups and downs. I was (still am) very worried that I will blame everything I am unhappy about in the US on my husband, and that our marriage will fall apart because of that. Even now, I feel like I'm failing him as a wife because I'm so down at times. But I know I have to give this a chance.

I've met quite a few of his friends, and while they are nice people, I really don't think we relate to one another.

My situation is a bit different and it will turn into a novel if I write it all here but basically, I had to wait 3 years before we could even apply for the IR-1. During the 3 years, we naively thought I could try and find a work sponsor so we could at least be together. Obviously that didn't work. My work in Canada has this anonymous counselling thing and to be honest, it didn't really do much for me when I went there. That might've just been the counsellor I saw, though.

I don't know what else to say other than you are definitely not alone, and that I hope things will turn better for you. I do hope you get your "turn" to fulfill your academic/career goals in the future.

Hi there,

I used Commissionaires on Burrard street. They sent me my results in something like 2-3 days. If you don't require fingerprinting, and need the results quick, then I'd suggest going there.

Good luck!

There have been some very helpful reviews of Woking Medical Clinic already but thought I'd add my bit.

I got to the clinic at 5:30 and was the first in line. There were some people who were unsure of where to park because the ticket machine apparently doesn't work that early or something? I took the bus so this wasn't an issue for me, but I heard a woman say that she parked at St. Paul's hospital nearby so I think those people went and parked there. By 6:00 there was already a line of about 8 or 9 people behind me.

As a pp said, there is no sign that says "Woking". The "front door" is kind of like a concrete ramp leading to some black iron (?) gates.

A woman (the ever-famous Laura) came a bit after 6:00 and instructed us to keep our line order, unlocked the gate, unlocked the front door, and we all took the elevator up to the 2nd floor. Once we were there, we took our numbers and sat in the waiting area. If you need to use the bathroom, there is time between this and when they start handing out the forms. There are bathroom keys hanging on the front counter area.

Another woman started explaining to us how to fill out the forms. You get a consent form (you have to sign it, even though there is a line for a witness to sign), and 3 medical forms with a paper clip to attach your 3 pictures to. You only need to fill out the top portion of the first sheet. Ladies, if you are not pregnant, you don't need to fill in the bit about your last period, just tick off "no".

After you fill out the forms, you put the forms, your interview letter, your vaccination record, and any other required medical records between the biometrics page of your passport, and take it up to the counter. At the counter, the woman will have you sign something in her presence, and then you are sent off to do your bloodwork (you need the photocopy of your passport here).

In the bloodwork lab, a technician came out and called numbers 1-5. We were seated in chairs separated by partitions, and a technician came and took our blood. Then we were sent back to the main waiting area for our X-ray.

The X-ray staff member came out and called numbers 1-7. We were handed a thin cloth gown. There was a man among us wearing a t-shirt that did NOT have any buttons, zippers, or writing/logos, so he didn't have to change into a gown.

We were then led into little individual changing rooms and told to take everything above the waist off (including bras) and lineup by the x-ray room. This was my first time getting an x-ray so I had no idea what to expect. The technician will explain what to do. It was over quickly.

Then it was back to the waiting room again. After a few minutes, I was called up to see the doctor. I was led to a small office/room, told to strip down to my underwear (bra comes off too), sit on the bench thingy, and cover yourself up with a paper sheet. I was also told the doctor was a female.

The Dr. came in shortly and took my blood pressure, looked at my ears, eyes, inside my mouth, looked at my arms, listened to my heartbeat, made me take a deep breath, etc. Then I had to lie down for a breast and abdomen exam, nothing more (for me at least), so it's OK if you're menstruating. After that, she left the office, I got dressed and went to the front counter to have my height, weight, and vision checked.

After that, I paid by money order, and was instructed to come back at 1:30 to pick up the results. I was out of there shortly after 8:00. I work in Vancouver, so I went to work for a few hours. At 1:30 I went to go get my results. You get your x-ray with your sealed results stapled to it, and an open envelope of your results for you to keep. The x-ray is pretty big in size, so if you are taking the bus, be sure to bring a big shopping bag or something with you. I took the rest of the afternoon off and went to Winners!

Wanna blow some of that dust my way too??

<<<<****blowing immigration fairy dust to kimberly21****

Sorry, the whistling guy was the only emoticon that resembled blowing fairy dust!

I am really hoping to see chikarakobu and birdnerd get their visa interview dates any day now. If they don't, then there ain't much hope for the rest of us waiting and hoping for August interviews!

I think you just blew some major immigration fairy dust my way because I just got the interview e-mail today!! August 16th!! So thank you, Jeremy&Kathy!! I hope birdnerd has some good news, too?

Hang in there early May people! I really hope you all get August dates soon!

Congratulations, and thank you for a very detailed and helpful review!

My husband called NVC and our file is still there... so that means no interview in July for us. I was really hoping ours would be 3 months after our case closed date (4/29) but looks like it won't be until late August, maybe? Ugh!

Flames9_RN, that's good to know that you didn't have any problems.

Birdnerd, wouldn't you know it, but I am flying out on the 8th as well! I actually recognize your name from Trailmix's interview tracking list. I think your case was complete a day before mine (mine was the 4/29). Hope you get to CA with no problems.

I don't know what they "see" on their screens when they swipe our passports but when they ask, "why are you going to the US?", my response will be "to attend a wedding", rather than my usual "to visit my husband" so maybe they won't put up as much of a stink... Fingers crossed we both make it to the weddings!!

My sister-in-law is getting married next month in the US (I'm the Canadian beneficiary, living in Canada). I'm planning on booking a flight with the knowledge that I could get turned away at customs. My case was complete in late April. No interview date yet, but I think I might have one by the time I fly (mid July).

I have read of cases on here where people have not been able to enter the US, and one instance where the beneficiary was turned away because her file came up as "Approved" or something like that (even though she hadn't even had her interview yet). Has anyone purchased a trip cancellation/interruption insurace plan that will cover you if you are turned away?

The policies I've been seeing so far, are the ones that expire on the day of your trip, or else it has be a medical emergency that happened during your trip, etc.

I'll have a letter from work but that's about it... I don't own a car or have a lease... The letter alone has been enough to visit my husband (by land crossing) so far but, I will be flying this time, and I haven't gone through YVR customs while we've been going through the IR1 process.

I'd like to hear any experience you've had with travel insurance, or travelling really close to your interview date.

Thanks!

How do I add myself to this? Do I just let you know my dates? My case was completed on April 29th, 2010 and so I'm just waiting for an interview date. If there's more I need to do, please let me know

My case complete was April 22nd and we just received the interview date today for July 27! 97 days..crazy. But at least we know now when it will be. Good luck!

bwoo, wow! Your case complete date was just a week before mine! I guess that means mine will be for early August. Fingers crossed for everyone!

The automated voice message on NVC says our case was completed on 4/29/2010!! I'm super excited but am starting to get a little discouraged as it'll almost be a month with still no word from Montreal. I know they say 6-8 weeks but...

If your case was closed around the same date as mine, I'd love to know so I can keep an eye on your timeline

My sister-in-law is getting married in early July in the US, and a friend of ours later in July also in the US. It's very unlikely for my visa to be issued before then but I can dream, right?

I've been able to visit my husband (USC) without any problems (except last weekend) but I do worry what'll happen if I try to go to SIL and friend's wedding when the interview could be so close...

Anyway, best wishes to all the filers out there, and I hope we all get our interview dates soon!

So i'm canadian, married to an american citizen, haven't yet started the whole cr1 process. But I will be seeing an attorney for it in july to file the 1-30 gathering most the documents together now. I have been wondering about the medical stuff.

Required Vaccinations

1.Mumps;

2.Measles;

3.Rubella;

4.Polio;

5.Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids

6.Pertussis;

7.Influenza type B;

8.Hepatitis type B;

9.Varicella; and

10.Pneumoccocal.

I have been wondering do I really have to get all those shots? saw that list and i'm fairly certain that most the shots have given out as a child you would only need to get them done once. I'm sure I will have to get the hep b and the tetanus, but I find this whole process confusing as hell..

has anyone from canada who married an american got all of those done?

I had all of them done in the past for travelling and stuff, except the T-Dap (the one that includes Pertussis). I just got that done the other day at the travel clinic. For some reason there was no record of me ever having my Hep B (even though I know for sure I had it done in my teens) so I had to get a test to see if I had the antibodies, which I did.

Bottom line, yes. You do have to get all of these shots, or if you've already gotten them, you need to prove that you've had them and that they are still "valid". Yes, it's a huge pain but so is this whole process... Good luck!

When you say 'notarized' - you mean a photocopy that you then take to a notary and have them verify that it is a exact photocopy of an original? If so, then no, that is not going to be accepted.

Passport page, yes, they just want a photocopy.

Yes, that is what I meant. Thanks for responding!

I apologize in advance as I know this has been asked before but I just searched and couldn't find a clear answer.

For the DS-230, will NVC NOT accept a notarized copy of a birth certificate?

For everything else, I'm submitting originals (PCC) or have a certified copy (marriage cert).

Also, just to be clear, the passport page just has to be a photocopy (not a notarized or certified copy) of the photo page?

Again, sorry to ask something that has probably been answered before.

Hi Everyone,

I just got me DS-3032 today.

I'm filing from Vancouver, I am a Canadian citizen. I lived in Japan for 2.5 years and I got my PCC from the embassy here in Vancouver. The Japanese PCC envelope is sealed and endorsed, and becomes null if opened. Does this mean I'm can't opt in to file electronically? I'm guessing the sealed, endorsed PCC thing might be one of the reasons why Japan isn't one of the countries that's eligible for EP?

Just wondering if there is anyone else out there who lived in Japan for a bit, met an American, got married, and is now in the process of immigrating?

You can open it.

Thank you!

I went to get my criminal check done at Commisionaires in Vancouver last week and it arrived today (that was fast!). The envelope has a stamp across the seal. Am I allowed to open it, or does that make it null/void?

I asked the lady at the Commisionaires office if I could and she said yes but she seemed to be a trainee so I'm not sure if she really knew. I know for the Japanese criminal check, you are definitely not allowed to open the envelope, but they make that clear on the envelope. The Commisionaires one doesn't say anything.

I thought I read that some other VJers who went to Commisionaires made copies of their criminal check record once they received it (and thus opened the envelope).

Does anyone know?

Thanks for your help everyone Well, at least this part of the process is easier than I anticipated

We went to Commissionaires in downtown Van on Burrard to get ours done.

Very helpful! I just did a google search and couldn't find one on Burrard but this one on Howe looks like it would work, too.

Malrothien, did you just get the 1 copy or request an additional one, just in case?

Thanks again!

Just like to say if you live in canada, and you have NO criminal history, you do NOT need fingerprints!! Only a background check! and that 1 wil cover ALL of canada. As long as it has CPIC checked off. Im sure people in the vancouver region will pipe up

Wow, looks like I was way off! Thanks for letting me know.

Anyone here do their fingerprinting in Vancouver?

I'm going to go and get my fingerprints and stuff done in Vancouver and just wanted to double check that I know what I'm doing (or not). The part in italics is what I'm really not sure about.

1. Fill out the VPD Consent and Disclosure form

2. Take 2 pieces of pic ID and cash to VPD Office on Main St.

3. Get fingerprinted, give police a self addressed envelope for them to send the fingerprints to me.

4. Once I get the fingerprints by mail, send them to Ottawa to get a certificate on Non-conviction

Should I request more than 1 copy in case it gets lost on the way to Ottawa (if I even need to do this in the first place)

I'd love to hear any experiences you've had with this.

Thanks!