thedawghouse86

While there is always a possibility, the chances are slim.

There was a Canadian who was denied entry with their immigrant visa because the consulate mistakenly issued them a visa when it shouldn't have. But again this instance is certianly not the norm.

I'm sure you will be fine, espeically since you were honest and disclosed everything at the intervew

Good luck.

I'm going to be crossing over next week, and then I had to go and read this! lol

What exactly was the situation with that guy?

It's a VERY Canadian thing to be apprehensive about become a U.S. citizen. After all, we're literally raised to think of the United States as "them." My entire family is English, so I've heard it more than most.

The key difference is with how both countries obtained their full sovereignty. The U.S. gained it on the blood of revolutionaries; as a result, Britain was a bit more careful when it came to Canada. The distrust of foreign entities is in the most core aspects of American governance which is why the oath has you disavow loyalties to any other entity but the U.S.

Canada only obtained full de jure sovereignty in 1982. Canada itself was brought into being in 1867 in an attempt by the British to both protect what can only be described as weakly-defined provinces and to mold Canada into a country that, with what became the Constitution of the U.S. through the compromises of the Founding Fathers, avoided some of pitfalls of certain parts of the U.S. Constitution (i.e. de facto restriction of the President but no set way to outline explicitly the role of the President, the gradual power-gain of an initially weak judicial branch, the concept of dual citizenship between U.S. and state citizenship which restricts the federal government in terms of providing laws applicable in all 50 states (which I agree with), and some poorly defined minor details like those that don't provide a way to get around the Supreme Court due to its interpretative nature unless there is an explicit, well-worded law passed through Congress (executive orders aren't technically good enough)).

That, and Canada just HATES the U.S. beating them at hockey.

I think I'll pass my citizenship test when the time comes

For those Canadians moving to the Southeastern US, switching to Royal Bank has been the best move I have made in this whole fiasco. I have accounts with RBC in Canada and the U.S. They were able to issue me with a U.S. credit card with a large limit on it virtually by me just asking them since my Canadian credit is very good. It takes about 1 second to transfer money between Canada and the U.S. through my bank account.

Western Union is the cheapest bet to transfer money to Canada/U.S. if you're not with RBC.

Yes it was incredibly awesome to be er, "reunited" last night. * coughs *

Atta girl! hahaha

I got my visa today!!! After they requested more information from us, we were going to send it to them today and then we had a wonderful surprise in the mail.

Good luck to everyone on the path of visahood. The feeling you get when you get that mailer back is beyond belief. It's like the rush you get surfing man.

Still waiting for my CR-1 to be settled. I hand-delivered information to them about three weeks ago, so hopefully I'll be finding out soon whether or not they need more information. I've got a feeling that it'll be another denial, regardless of the fact we've shown almost half a million worth of assets that my co-sponsor has. Our case isn't the most usual of ones, but because of some IRS rule, they weren't required to send in a tax return for this past year; I had to argue with them over that one.

Hey just out of curiosity, how long does it take the buggers at the consulate to review documentation? I hand-delivered the stuff they asked for in Montreal two weeks ago, and not even a peep! It says something like four weeks or less on the paperwork, but I'm not as naive as I was when I started this process

Who knows? Weeks and weeks? There doesn't seem to be any kind of guideline. When jones received his second denial (after submitting more info) it took them 4 weeks.

On the surface, they asked you for more financial documents, you hand deliver them the same day, you would think they would take 15 minutes to review them and issue your visa.

15 minutes? No, let's make the dirty aliens wait in limbo for a month

I cannot imagine them asking for more information based on what I gave them. My co-sponsor wasn't required to file '08 taxes based on how things are set up; that's the only thing I could think of they could screw us over with, but I even produced a letter stating this from their accountant. I think he was more concerned about assets anyways.

We gave them basically every piece of evidence we have when it comes to assets -- copies of county tax records, county deeds, and even beneficiary information on something our lawyer said the interviewer should not have asked for. I have no idea what to do if they say it's not enough because that is literally everything. Do I have to float on a door across Lake Erie to get in? How are these illegals allowed to stay through breaking the law but people in our situation are held hostage by bureaucracy?

Hopefully good news is coming.

Hey just out of curiosity, how long does it take the buggers at the consulate to review documentation? I hand-delivered the stuff they asked for in Montreal two weeks ago, and not even a peep! It says something like four weeks or less on the paperwork, but I'm not as naive as I was when I started this process

Boo consular waiting, yay turkey! Yeah I'm one of those who likes the canned cranberry jelly stuff and not the actual berries. I was hoping I would be eating on that, but nooooo they requested more info haha I still can't understand why considering the NVC gets everything together for them.

Hey, I should send em a big ol' turkey at the consulate with a note saying thank you and have our case number listed in it haha and if they won't go faster, how bout we give them the pecan pie with a computerized burqa covering it that we only give the password to obtain its pumpkin-like goodness if they approve our visas or the pie will disintegrate into 700 pieces (symbolizing how many people are waiting!) and then vanish never to be seen again.

Mal, you are right. With DCF, you have to be a PR for over six months I think, so why bother offering that if you are going to hold it against someone? I think it is perfectly acceptable for a couple to stay together through the process and move at the same time.

Then why are most of the CR-1 filers (on VJ at least) separated right now? If it was acceptable to stay together through the process, why am I not down in D.C. with my wife while things are moving forward? Again, please don't take any of this the wrong way. I'm just trying to get into the mentality of why you were denied.

Wyatt, as a USC, I can apply for immigration benefits for my husband anytime I want, so what is the benefit of having status with no intention? If I wasn't in a legitimate relationship, maybe that would make sense, but my marriage is valid and immigration had no problems with our proof of the relationship.

Sure you're entitled to apply for immigration benefits...but when the CO considers the fact that your husband is a Canadian and is wealthy enough to support you IN Canada...and that you own a house that you don't live in IN the U.S., and that you have permanent resident status IN Canada...the CO is going to wonder why it's important for you to move back to the U.S. There seems (to him) to be no reason for you to move back down there. IF, on the other hand, you were working down there and living in your house, and you wanted your husband to join you...then there's incentive for the CO to say, "okay, this move is purely from a marriage standpoint". When the CO tallies up all the other factors (wealthy husband, wife with Canadian PR, assets in the States, husband and wife legally living together in Canada), there seems to be less NEED for a visa to be issued, doesn't it? When contrasted with all of the other CR-1s out there who are spending several months WITHOUT their spouses, it's just going to look to the CO that getting your husband U.S. status is more of a convenience thing than a legitimate need for him to become an American PR. That's probably why he wants to see you either get work or give up your Canadian PR -- it would indicate a move on your part that would show some sort of NEED for them to issue the visa.

I really hope I'm not coming across the wrong way here. I'm just thinking that from their standpoint, there's not a lot of incentive for them to issue a visa when you guys are already living together in Canada as Canadian residents and are financially comfortable.

I see what you're saying, but I disagree. Visas aren't issued by need, but rather by qualification. If you qualify for a visa through the guidelines the U.S. government sets out, and prove to the CO that you qualify, then they are obligated to provide the USC, and in turn the beneficiary, with this benefit. The CO doesn't approve or deny your admission to the U.S.; they simply approve or deny the visa -- the CBP are the ones that can approve or deny your petition to enter the country based on the visa. An immigrant visa is technically only permission to travel to the border and petition a CBP officer to allow you to immigrate.

There is ample parking off Place Phillips (one block from the consulate) in the lot next to Le Square Phillips hotel. You can walk directly to the consulate from the lot (at least you could from what I saw). Rue Ste-Alexandre is one way going from Ste-Catherines towards Rene-Levesque. but Place Phillips is two-way.

Hi Dalene,

Sorry to hear about your experience at the interview! Sounds to me like you got the same fellow a few people have had for the interview and I do not believe that he actually understands the 'reestablishing domicile' clause in their own guidelines. Which is not to say that he doesn't know what evidence he is looking for - but he seems to be hasty in telling the U.S. citizen they must move back to the U.S. rather than just submit more proof.

First off, I would not be too hasty in relinquishing your Canadian PR card - that sounds completely out of line.

I know you are probably still reeling from getting denied but as some others have mentioned, other people have been told that they have to move back to the U.S. (probably by the same guy) and that turned out to not be the case and they submitted extra evidence and were approved.

So back to the practical matters at hand. From what I understand from your post, you submitted proof of:

- Owning a house in the U.S. (is this vacant, are you moving to live in that house?)

- U.S. driver's license

- Cars registered there with U.S. insurance

- Several bank accounts

What other proof did you submit that you were 'reestablishing domicile'?

I agree with not giving your Canadian PR card back. There is absolutely no law that states you have to give up any benefit from a foreign government in order to obtain a benefit from the U.S. government. It's none of their business if you're a Canadian PR or not; the only thing that matters is that you are the USC.

I would recommend getting an immigration lawyer to help. My lawyer told me that in my case the consulate may have made an error in not issuing my visa that day. I gave them the information they requested, but I was told that the guy would look at it within a couple days even though the letter states to allow up to four weeks. The interviewers don't seem to look through the case at all before interviewing you -- my interviewer even said at one point that we didn't have any proof of my wife being a USC (points to U.S. birth certificate in front of him).

And these people wonder why there are illegal immigrants?

Hey dawg

does the co-sponser need to show asset if he/she is making well above the 125% poverty guide line?

I thought their income was enough to sponser, can you elaborate more on this.

thanks

See, this is where the disconnect comes from the NVC and the consulate. We had everything there and approved at the NVC level, but it wasn't quite good enough for the consulate. Even with the birth of my daughter, we were over the 125% poverty line without having to do anything extra. I think there must have been a misunderstanding somewhere -- I still took as much information to the consulate afterwards as I could get my lawyer to scan and email. The information I gave was requested by the guy who interviewed me who basically told me that as long as I can get that information back to him, he'll go ahead and issue the visa.

I waited almost a year and a half to get to that little room, there was no way I was going to delay getting him the papers he requested! I'm just playing the waiting game yet again, but at least I know it's a matter of WHEN and not IF.

Oh before I forget, I did some wicked fast organizing and I was able to give them the information they requested and a bit more butter for their bread. If anyone gets into the same situation, and you are located near the consulate when you stay here, you can just hand it in to the guards and they'll take it up for you.

I should hope proof of my sponsor having almost half a million in assets is enough! Good grief lol

Regardless of how they schedule interviews, I wish people were given more information about the interview day itself. Im talking about what I've heard about other cases where ppl were asked for documents that were not even listed in the interview invite. It must be so frustrating to wait 4 - 5 months to get an interview only to find out you had to bring in something that wasn't mentioned anywhere. If I wasn't on VJ, I wouldnt have known to bring that darn envelope. It doesn't say anywhere in the stuff that was sent to me with the interview date. If I had not been on VJ and not taken the envelope, I wonder what would have happened??

Anyways, LGG I feel ya. The only reason I didn't feel like it was forever to my interview date b/c I was finishing up school (just graduated in July) and I visited quite often...every time I had reading week, Christmas holidays, etc. But now when I look back and see it took 5 months...yes FIVE months to get an interview from case completion, it's ridiculous. Hang in there...you've made it through the bulk of it...now it's gonna happen any day. Easier said then done, but that's all we can say

100% agree. Thank God for VJ! If you need the XpressPost envelope, it does tell you on the door of the consulate where you can get one. The Pharmaprix at the end of the street sells them, so at least you're not having to go a number of blocks. What I don't understand is that if the NVC approved and accepted everything as meeting requirements, how come I have to provide more information? I think that the NVC really is just a document collection agency lol I did have to change the number of dependents because of my new daughter, but nothing else really changed. I think that might have been what it was -- no matter; we have everything they asked for.

They were impressed I had everything all ready for them. One guy even said that I was the one making things go faster today lol

But you really don't appreciate just how simple the interview step is until you actually do it. I spent months worrying about it, but then I get there and I'm 100% fine. Just follow directions, and you're golden. I only wish things were a little more laid out for people without having to resort to coming onto these types of sites to find out.

There are differences between what they do at the consulate and what it actually states in the law book from what it looks like. If they give you some hassle over some things, just don't argue, and give them what they want. They're the ones who say yea or nay.

SO, does this mean visa approved???

What did they need more financial evidence for? From your wife? The USC?

If you don't mind... please explain, dawg, cuz we wanna know how it went for you and those of us waiting will find this information valuable!

Congrats on getting it done finally!

Were they busy? Did they say there were going to more interviews ever??? Oh... never mind... you have to be focused on yoru own stuff.

Sorry, got all selfish there...

Woohoo! I have to send a couple more things of financial evidence, but they kept my passport and he said I'll get the visa once they have that evidence!

lol be selfish! It's the only way that we'll learn.

Basically, as long as I give them the extra documents they requested (my lawyer was surprised they would ask but that's another story), then they'll send my passport back with the visa. The interviewer kept my passport, and since the documents he requested aren't a problem to get (mainly for us just proving asset value, equity, and stuff like that), he said that he'll approved it as soon as he gets them.

My lawyer is saying that we technically don't need any of that information according to various laws on the subject. Worst comes to worst they'll just send them a memo directly where it actually says it in the law, but honestly, the stuff the guy asked for is more than enough evidence. Might as well not argue and just give them what they want lol

The consulate was surprisingly empty. We had no more than a handful of people in the room, with the vast majority waiting for non-immigrant visas. Honestly, it was only me and a handful of others in the immigrant section, and the U.S. citizen section had a couple people (including a fellow VJer). I lined up at 6:30 am but people didn't start coming until 7:15. Security was quick and painless, went downstairs and I waited about 2 minutes for the guard to come and look at our number tags (it's first come, first serve at the consulate from what I saw). Sat in the waiting room, got called back and forth a couple of times.

The place is in like an L shape with a number of the windows beyond the waiting room (and the guard told us about the famous view from the waiting room, and it's spectacular btw). They will call you on loudspeaker when they're ready for you. The actual interview rooms are pretty small; it almost felt like ordering a bus ticket with the glass window! The man was pretty friendly, and we got chatting about our county since Billy Graham lives not far from me. He didn't ask for anything really, not even pictures, phone bills, etc.

But yeah, he asked like 5 questions about what I did, what my wife does, etc. (the same stuff we've read here over and over). It was pretty quick and painless, he was very informative about what I needed to give them for my visa to be issued and I gave him my number in case he needed anything else. Basically, I'm approved as long as I give them the info they need.

There only seemed to be a few people actually working then (I only saw four or five people back in visa land). When I left just before 9, there wasn't any more of a line-up. The signs on the door says that they only take interviews from 8:30 until 11:30. Honestly, they have to go through everything with fine-toothed combs, so that's most likely why there's such a delay.

I don't know what it was about my interviewer, but I kept thinking he looked kinda like Conan O'Brien but without the awful hair lol

Woohoo! I have to send a couple more things of financial evidence, but they kept my passport and he said I'll get the visa once they have that evidence!

Thanks for the support guys and girls! It's really helped me get through this intolerable wait I've unfortunately been subjected to. But, what can we do? The consulate is severely understaffed. They can only go as fast as they are able to.

Just a quick question, is the entrance to the consulate facing Rene-Levesque or is it down the little side-street (Ste-Alexandre)?

I leave for Montreal in about 12 hours from now. Wish me luck!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh! My interview is in 5 days. The nervousness just hit me! I hope everyone gets extra nice Christmas presents from the NVC!

OMG I feel ya!!! Mine is on Monday. Hopefully we all hear good things

Good luck

You too CanAm! It's going to be a lonnnngggggg day there and back though. I'm taking the GO Train into Union Station which takes an hour and some and then it's 5-6 hours to Montreal on VIA Rail. Might as well take a look at the consulate around the block after I check in.

I've got my pictures, cell bills, Skype calling records, you name it.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh! My interview is in 5 days. The nervousness just hit me! I hope everyone gets extra nice Christmas presents from the NVC!

You would think that they would send more people up the road from where USCIS is in Vermont (I think they're an hour an a half from Montreal).

My medical went nice and fast; everyone there was pretty friendly. I was definitely prepared after looking through stuff on VJ, and I was in and out in about an hour and a half. I was a bit surprised to see I was the only white guy there! Then again, I live in an area where being a minority means you're a Habs fan haha.

They actually sent my medical results to the wrong city because they didn't get the right postal code (how they mistook an obvious C for an L is beyond me), but I got it a couple of days ago. I didn't realize just how huge those x-rays are!

I cannot believe my interview is in exactly one week from now. I've gotten so used to waiting around I almost don't know what to do when I get that visa! My lawyer said our case it probably one of the most straightforward they have dealt with, so I'm not expecting too much of a surprise. I'm just not getting my hopes up in case they delay me at the consulate and ask for more info (even though the letter and my lawyer said they really shouldn't).

This thread might help:

Montreal Hotel Reviews

The hotel on Place Phillips down the block from the consulate is reputed to be pretty good. There's always the Queen Elizabeth Hotel right next to Gare Centrale if you don't mind spending a bit more for a room.

I'm pretty familiar with downtown Montreal, so throw some questions at me and I hopefully should be able to answer them.

Who actually schedules the interview at the consulate? Is it NVC or the consulate?

I mean when the case is completed at NVC do they send the documents to the consulate immediately and then the consulate gets back to them with a date or does NVC drive it?

My wife's case was completed on August 4th and no interview date yet. When I call NVC they give me the handbook reply about scheduling on the second week of each month for the following month.

We are still waiting for an interview date as well and we were completed June 26. I thinkI could work for the NVC since I have their script memorized at this point!

That's too bad...you must have just missed the cutoff for the November interviews, but who really knows how they do things?

I had to wait over three months to find out when my interview was, and my interview is almost exactly five months after my case was completed. It sucks because I haven't seen my wife in person since January, and I've never seen my little girl in person since she was born in May. Thank God for Skype.

That's terrible thedawghouse!!

That is terrible! I'm glad you finally have an interview date and will be able to see them soon.

It does suck. It was a choice we both made because I wanted to save up as much money as I could for the move, and spending money on plane tickets every couple of months doesn't allow me to do that!

I'm just hoping that everything goes nice and smoothly. I hope to be there for Turkey Day.

Who actually schedules the interview at the consulate? Is it NVC or the consulate?

I mean when the case is completed at NVC do they send the documents to the consulate immediately and then the consulate gets back to them with a date or does NVC drive it?

My wife's case was completed on August 4th and no interview date yet. When I call NVC they give me the handbook reply about scheduling on the second week of each month for the following month.

The NVC does the consulate's scheduling if you're not directly filing through the consulate.

Unless you have a specific problem or have questions about any returned information from the NVC, the NVC call center is useless at giving you any sort of idea of when your interview will be. They must be trained to say call back on the second week of the month. This, as I'm sure everyone has found out by now, means absolutely nothing. I received notification of my interview right at the end of September.

Just give them your email address; they will email you your interview letter the day they schedule an interview for you.

I had to wait over three months to find out when my interview was, and my interview is almost exactly five months after my case was completed. It sucks because I haven't seen my wife in person since January, and I've never seen my little girl in person since she was born in May. Thank God for Skype.