redmen99

I found that EP was very easy, but noticed that things took longer at the interview. They had to input quite a bit of information and check documents against their information. So in that way, it slows you down a bit, but a few minutes is nothing compared to a possible few weeks in the whole process.

Great news! Congrats! Good luck on your POE!

2010/03/03 12:02 MONTRÉAL Item accepted at the Post Office

!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mine too!!! :dance: Now all I need is his letter from Mazda to be emailed and we can move! Keeps fingers crossed!!!

Congrats!!!

My review is in the Review section but I'll post it here:

We arrived at the Consulate around 6:45ish and we were 4th in line. As it got closer to 7 - 7:15 more and more people lined up. The guard started to let us in around 7:30. At the security check we had to empty our pockets, take off any belts, coats, etc. Any electronic devices had to be checked in. The guard made a comment about hubby's car.. Mazda 3...good car... LOL We were given letter D.

We got through security and waited downstairs for the elevator. A few minutes later a security guard came and took us to the 19th floor. The elevator feels like it doesn't move at all and then you end up on the 19th floor. We were told to wait in the area to the right. After a few minutes more people came up, but they were for the other side and whatever they do over there. That side was extremely busy and they used the same people that you have to go to for your CR-1 Visa.

We were the only ones that electronically filed out of the group of 5 cases that was there for the day. We were the last ones called back for the document review at about 9:00 or so. They asked us for the original and copies of: birth certificate (long form)and I gave them the translation we had since his birth cert is in French, his divorce certificate, our marriage certificate, the DS-230, the financial documentation, the police report, the medical results, and the pictures. They reviewed the DS-230 with him and made sure all the info was correct. They changed what was needed like his age since his birthday was last week and little stuff here and there. They fingerprinted him and that was it. It felt like it took forever because I was so nervous that I couldn't find anything that she asked us for even though it was all in good order. My hubby just kept saying relax, breathe, you have the info in there, just take your time and find it. We didn't have the expresspost envelope (long story - but something to note the pharmacy that has a Canada Post in it does not open until 8am.) but it was not a problem. I told the woman that was taking our info that we didn't have the envelope, she said no problem, you can get it after the interview and bring it back.

We made it back to the waiting room and by 10:00 am everyone was interviewed and approved except for us. We kept an eye on interview room 7 as that was where everyone was called for their interview. It seemed like they did a CR-1 visa, then next in line was whatever they were doing on the other side and down the line. We waited about an hour before we were called back for our interview.

We walked into Room 7 and the woman asked if my hubby was ok with this pretty lady with him and he said of course. She swore us in and asked us:

When we met.

How we met.

When we got engaged.

If I had insurance in the States.

She asked for updated financials, so I gave her my info for 2009.

And that was about it. She said she needed to go copy my updated financials, but before she went she said she was satisfied with the info we gave them and gave us the Welcome to the US letter.

She then gave me back my originals that I a few seconds later forgot she gave us so when I asked her for them she said I gave them to you a little forcefully, but I deserved it for saying no you didn't. Whoops! She then gave me a sheet of paper with the info on what window to go back to and where to go for the envelope, she also gave me a card to get back into the consulate. She said to read it in the waiting area, and I said but it doesn't say where I need to go, she said yes it does, read it! Yep, I deserved that snippyness too.

The guy behind the Canadian Post counter was a great help, he must see this all the time. He made sure you kept a sticker of the tracking info and made sure you filled it out properly. SO, back to the consulate we go. He went to the car to grab our cell phones and things and I ran back up to the 19th floor. I had a wait a bit before someone saw me at the window, they asked me to sit down then someone finally came to take the envelope.

By the time we got out of there for the day it was close to 11:45. I'm guessing because we were Electronic Processing that it took longer then mailing everything in and because the other side was busy we had to wait our place in line. All in all a good experience and we were approved so now we just wait for the big move!

***all times approximate as I didn't have a watch***

Why can't I post a review for the embassy? It tells me I need to register??

Congrats! I do believe hubs met you - at least he told me he did.

Thanks everyone!

Yes, we did meet the hubbs. I was calling him Mr. Mal. He was approved when we were back giving over our originals and the hubbs was getting fingerprinted so I didn't even get a chance to say congrats to him or anything.

Congrats to all the recent approvals!!!

At this point I'm just worried about taxes, like if they'll want 2009...I know it's silly because they're not due until April 15th. Blahh. Hard to do things when my husband is freaking deployed. :s

They asked for my updated financials during the final interview. I gave them my form from my employer, they made a copy and were happy with that.

Anyone heard from Redmen99?

Sorry for the wait everyone! After our approval yesterday that took forever the hubby and I went for lunch and a bit of shopping and then celebrated with his family that night, so no time to get on the computer.

I'll write up a full review in a bit, but we didn't get out of there (after having to go back with the Expresspost Envelope) until almost noon, so it really took forever.

Wyatt, thanks for fillin everyone in. I appreciate it!

There is one really close by the embassy! They even give directions to that shop on the embassy door.

And that is the only reason I`m not going to kill him.. Well that and I think he`s really cute!

Red, what time are you planning on lining up?

Mal, sometime between 6:30 and 7. My husband has been in Montreal for a few days and do you think he got the Xpresspost envelope yet? NO.... So now we need to find the place by the consulate to grab the envelope first thing in the morning. Nothing like doing things at the extreme last minute! GRRRRRRRRRRRR

I am so excited! I never in my life ever looked forward to being awake at 5 am unless I was still up from the night before! I`m hoping I can sleep tonight...

Good luck to everyone with interviews this week! I`ll post my review as soon as I possibly can.

x2!

X3

OMG, is it Monday yet?

It's the Beef Gravy thing....

+1

I've never been a gravy fan, unless when you say gravy you mean the Italian gravy meaning red pasta sauce. Then I'd so be in for Poutine, but I'll settle for pizza fries, thanks!!

I much prefer Mighty Taco to Taco Bell, but you can only find Mighty Tacos in Buffalo and they don't have fries.

But closer to home we have Baja Fresh. Talk about eating a day's worth of fat and calories in one meal! My favorite there is the Chicken Baja Burrito Enchalado Style. 24 points on the Weight Watcher's books in that one meal! YIKES!!!

Good luck and safe travels for you and kitty!

hey redmen:did u also advise them that the compliance letter should indicate whether or not ur call has a recall...there is no check mark for that on the form...I own mazda too..will be sending the form shortly...

I didn't see anywhere that recall info is needed to Import your car. It is my understanding that it is only needed if you are Importing a car into Canada, not into the US although some manufacturers send both. So, no I didn't ask for it.

This is SO much more to think about than just running across the street to see my doctor. Sigh. My hubby is worth it, but JEEZ.

Aww, I didn't mean to frustrate you! It was meant as an aid to help save money in the end. My husband doesn't get it at all.... He's going to be a difficult one to explain all this ####### to.....

I REALLY miss Loblaws and No Frills, and especially the President's Choice brand. Nothing compares.

Trying to come on here and tell a bunch of Canadians that their food and grocery stores suck is kind of a dumb idea btw... just my 2 cents on that.

We have SuperFresh here that carries President's Choice brand. I'm pretty sure its the same as what you would find in Loblaws. Not sure if you have those in your neck of the woods though....

I find that things taste different in different parts of the US as well. I have super taste buds and can tell the smallest of differences. For example, a coca cola made here in PA taste different then one made in Western NY. Different water = different taste. There is a HUGE difference between Canadian Coca Cola and US Coca Cola. Canadian coke has more taste.. IMO.....

A quick rule of thumb for Health Insurance in the US. This may differ from plan to plan, but this is the basics... If you go to the doctors, you pay the co-pay and that is it, unless they do tests, (yearly pap, blood work, etc.) then there will be further co-pays later on for those tests. What you need to do is ask your doctor to send your tests to the lab that is covered under your insurance so that your co-pays are less. Some plans have an out of pocket deductible. If you use an "in-network" doctor your deductible will be less. If you use an "out of network" doctor, your deductible will be higher.

Your best bet is to read the ins and outs of your policy through your employer as every plan is different and learn how you can save money by using doctors and hospitals that offer a discount to you by using their network providers. Your company's HR department should be able to direct you on where to find the information you require.

You may also want to ask your HR department if they have a "Flex Spending Account" which takes money out of your paycheck pre-tax to use for co-pays, prescriptions, medical expenses, dentist co-pays and charges and even some over the counter medications. It gives you a tax savings and it helps cover the expenses.

Also, check with your prescription plan. If you take a maintenance drug, like birth control or high blood pressure medication, you may be able to order a 3 month supply for the cost of a month or 2 depending on if you use generic or name brand.

Just a few quick tips for my Canadian friends.....

Valerie - after the BODY of the OPTIN email -

I suggest you make a brief sentence about WHY yer not including that DS-3032.

I can't remember reading about someone doing NVC EP with an attorney (doesn't mean it didn't happen , but... )

Good Luck!

I'm a bit worried about this because you do have an attorney, technically anything that comes from or goes to the NVC should be to/from your attorney, unless you file a new DS-3032 with the US Citizen as the contact.

Are you using the attorney for this stage? If not, I'd file a new DS-3032 with the USC as the agent and send the Optin email to avoid any confusion and to possibly speed up the process. Attorneys are well known to let paperwork sit if they don't deem it top priority. I used to work for attorneys, (not immigration) but I'm sure they are mostly all the same in this respect.

so they don't do a 'full' physical exam then?

Nope. they may peek in her undies to make sure she really is a she, but no internal exam at all.

Glad to hear it went well. More nerve racking than it actually is.

Thanks! I was way more nervous then he was. Probably because its so close to our interview. I was fearing the worst!

I'm going by his text messages.

Hubby's medical was today at 1:30 at Medisys. He walked into the office at 1:15 and there was 10 people in line waiting to check in.

By 1:52, he was called back, undressed to his underwear and socks, had blood pressure reflexes and breathing checked, abs felt and done in like 3 minutes he said.

By 2:00 he was ready to strip back to his underwear because it was so hot in there. Yep, that's my honey!

Bloodwork was done by 2:21. He was a little nervous for that because he doesn't remember ever having to have a blood test before. But he said it was fine, just like getting his tetanus shot a while back.

2:30, x-ray done paid $213.22 - charged to visa.

Got his shot records back during the blood test. They said he was up to date even though he said he needs the chicken pox vaccine since he never had it. They said, everyone in Montreal had that shot so he said, OK, if you say so! Good thing he spent the first 13 years of his life in Montreal!

His only complaint about the whole thing besides how hot it was in there was parking. He parked in a lot where it was $3.50 every 20 minutes. OUCH!

He can pick up his results on Thursday afternoon. SWEET!!!!!

I wonder... Will I need a U.S. driver's license before I get insurance? I was thinking I'd do the inspections, get the insurance, then hit the DMV to get the title and registration along with my new DL.

How does the SSN issue play into this? Are there any of these points where I'll NEED my SSN? I suppose I could stick it out and wait for my SSN to arrive before I change everything over (technically I'll have one month to do it...), but I'd rather get everything done a.s.a.p. while I have the time.

Here in PA you can't get your license until you have a SSN. I'm not sure how it is in VA.