leonsgal70

I'm looking forward to having lots of sun since we don't have enough in Toronto,but lots in California : )

Hi,what should be the format of the letter that explains why for example, there are no tax returns of the petitioner on the I-864?(from 2004 to present)Any ideas?
Thank you...

dont get me started on teh blood chick..lol

Hi everyone,
I just returned from my medical at Dr. Seiden and Associates in Toronto. Here are some notes about my experience.
Arrived at 6:50. The doors open at 6:30 so there were a few people waiting in the waiting room. I believe I was the 4th person to get there. The BEST thing you can do regarding the medical is get there early. Ideally, at least 15 minutes before the clinic opens (between 6:30 and 6:45 would be good). When I sat down in the waiting room at 7, there were four people. Ten minutes later, it was full. You'll save yourself lots of time by getting there early.
The receptionist takes your appointment letter from Montreal (or packet 3 letter) and you wait in the waiting room. Then, you see an administrator who takes your photos, money, immunization records, and photo ID. I did the X Ray first, followed by the exam, and then the blood work. The total time spent with the various medical staff was about 20 minutes (5 for the X Ray, 2 for the blood, and about 10-15 for the exam). The exam consisted of medical questions like "what prescription drugs do you take? do you have a history of heart problems?" etc. It was basic questions, nothing out of the ordinary. The only strange question was "have you ever tried to kill yourself?". I was a bit surprised by this one, but I guess they're looking to weed out people with serious mental/emotional health issues. They also took my blood pressure and checked out my ears, throat, and did a quick breast exam. It was straight-forward and simple. The staff were all courteous and friendly.
The majority of the time spent in the clinic is waiting. Since there are three parts to the exam, you end up waiting to complete each one. I can't stress the importance of getting there early enough. I was one of the first people to arrive and was out by 9 a.m.... but there were a LOT of people in the waiting room when I left, so I can only imagine how long it took all of them to complete the three parts of the visit.
Other tips: the closest Tim Hortons is on Front Street, just west of Jarvis. There is also a McDonald's on Front and Jarvis, but I'm not sure when it opens.
Good restaurants in the area for breakfast after your appointment: Petit Dejeuner, moderately priced, delicious brunch food (King, just East of Jarvis), Patrician Grill, basic greasy-spoon (King and Sherbourne), St. Lawrence Market vendors are also great (Peameal bacon sandwiches, especially) and it's right by the office.
Closest hotel: Holiday Inn Express on King Street (it's also quite affordable)
Good luck with your medical, fellow VJers!!

Hello!! Could you guys take a look at my cover letter for the evidence to prove that I have reestablished Domicile in the US and let me know what you think?
Thanks...anything you think I should add??
Attachment 1
I-864 for Petitioner Marina XXXXXXXX and Beneficiary Wendel XXXXX
Case Number: RDJXXXXXXXXXXXX
Cover Letter of Evidence Re-establishing Domicile in the
United States of America
To Whom it May Concern:
I, Marina XXXX, have lived outside of the United States since January 2009. Throughout this time I have kept a permanent address in Georgia at my parents home. I never intended to live permanently outside of the United States. I have always intended to return to the USA to finish my Bachelors of the Arts and live permanently. Please find below evidence of steps that I have taken to re-establish my domicile in the United States.
*Current Rental Agreement: for my husband and I to rent an apartment in Nowhere, GA starting on July 1, 2010
*Three bank statements from Any Bank (March 2006, October 2009, January 2010) showing that: I hold a bank account in the USA; I have kept a permanent address in Nowhere, Georgia; I have continued to pay bills in the USA
*Letter of Registration from Some College: showing that I have pre-registered for classes at Some College which begin on July 6, 2010 in Anothertown GA
*Print out of pre-registration: to show details of classes enrolled in and dates
*Copy of current GA drivers license: showing that I hold a permanent address in Nowhere, GA and that I have a current license. Original can be provided on request.
*Two Western Union Receipts (October 2009, March 2010) from my husband (acting on my behalf) to my mother in the USA for her to make deposits into my American bank account -one deposit can be seen on the Any statement from October 2009.
*Bill of Sale for my 1993 Laser Plymouth: this bill of sale is from 2007; however, I still own the car and it has been stored for me by my parents in the USA. Please see proof of upkeep for said car, below.
** Letter from GA department of Revenue Vehicle Registration Renewal Notice for November 18, 2009. This letter also shows a permanent address in the USA.
**Copy of Progressive Insurance Card valid from September 2009 until March 2010, under my name and with the make of the car seen above in the bill of sale (I think before the interview my mom will scan me my new card which would be valid from March 2010 until some distant date)
**Print out of payments made to Progressive for my car insurance each month
**Letter from the Georgia Department of Revenue from October 2009 showing that I paid US taxes and also showing my permanent address kept in the US
Please accept this evidence as proof that I intend to permanently move back to the USA upon the approval of my husbands CR-1 visa. Also that I have taken many steps to reestablish my domicile to the USA and that I have never completely given up my American domicile, as can be seen by my evidence.

What a nice post to read! How lovely that Tim is doing so well and you are moving to join him in such a nurturing and caring community. That is the way it should be but so seldom is. Thank you for the update - and the re-affirmation that there are still are some wonderful people who have their priorities straight here in the US.

I'm certainly not of the "experienced" that you requested, however, my two cents...
This process, as you are well aware, is trying on the best of us, and even in the best of situations is strenuous. Whether a 2-month or a 2-year wait, it all seems never-ending when you are separated from the person you've vowed to spend your life with.
But it isn't.
It is completely understandable that you both be at your wits' end in this. Whenever one or both spouses are stressed about something, as we all know, it affects everything we feel and do... and if not handled properly, it can tear us apart. But you don't have to let it! People change over time, but a couple makes the choice to try their best at changing together. Separation makes this hard, but not impossible. Do what you can in your time apart to strengthen your relationship. Don't let problems - like this process - hang in the balance between you two. Talk about it, rant about it. Write letters together to whoever you can, explaining the issues this lengthy wait has caused.
If you or your husband have changed - just as in any relationship - you have to decide if those changes are worth the long haul. But if immigration is the only thing weighing you down as a couple, remember why you undertook it and persevere. It'll be worth it.

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

Guys,
If, like me, you are overly excited and have pre-filled out most of the forms, please note that DS-230 HAS CHANGED! Although I cannot quickly identify what has changed it has a new version number at the bottom. The previous version which I downloaded and saved on my computer was 05-2009 and the new form is 02-2010. I have just wasted 30 mins filling out the wrong one but and am keen to stop others making the same mistake, and potentially those of you turning up to interview with an older version.
Although both versions say the are valid to 02/29/2012 it also clearly says at the bottom that all previous versions are obsolete. Better safe than sorry!
New version can be accessed here:
http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/81807.pdf

Dang!! I hope it doesnt cause any delay for us....the only difference I see is the part II does not have the shaded box because it takes what you type from up top to the bottom (boxes 36-38)...maybe to make sure there is no typos??? I'm waiting on the one that I sent to be received by my e-mail to see if it is any different.

At least for the Ottawa embassy (and I believe for others as well), they do not actually process your I-130 during your appointment. They accept your forms and initial/sign your photocopies to certify that they have seen your original documents, take your payment and that's it. Your I-130 application is forwarded to Montreal for processing. It should take roughly 2 weeks - not less - before you hear from Montreal. The attached form was given to us by the Ottawa embassy when we filed the I-130.

I don't think it's the case in Montreal that everything is sent in before the interview -- trailmix, you around to confirm this is still the case?
Some really useful posts by elsoar from about 8 months ago with all the packets (though of coures they might have changed by now) start here: Packet 3 Montreal

Apparently there is a 1MB attachment limit site wide per user (or at least me!) so I removed the original attachment and am posting here in reduced size, since I can't edit the original post.
Appointment_Letter_and_Requirements____.pdf

Ok, so the final step... After you mail back your Packet 3 checklist and DS-230 to Montreal, you are put in queue for the final interview in Montreal. As far as I can tell, we are all mixed in together with the non-DCF applicants so their "Done @ NVC" point on the IR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview, Tracking List will be roughly equivilant to your Packet 3 return date. It seems like it is approximately 3 months from your return of Packet 3 til your interview in Montreal - although this could very easily change - and that you are informed of your interview date about 6 weeks beforehand. Packet 4 will be sent to you at that point to advise you of your interview date and give instructions on the preparations you need to take, for instance having your medical done. Packet 4 for DCF in Canada is attached here.
DCF_Packet_4_Montreal_reduced2.pdf

[Due to the excessive attachment size restrictions, I have registered a second account in order to post this file!]
Anyway, once Montreal processes your I-130, and assuming it is approved, they will mail Packet 3 to your beneficiary (spouse). Packet 3 for DCF in Canada is attached here. To speed your processing, you should begin obtaining your police clearance certificates as soon as you file the I-130. You should also begin preparing your I-864 at this point, although it is not required until your interview in Montreal. The USC should begin taking steps to (re)establish or demonstrate US domicile.
Packet_3_DCF_Canada_reduced.pdf

Hi,
In Line 31a of the DS-230, it asks:
Person(s) named in line 14 and 29 who will accompany you to the United States now.
I, as the wife and USC, am named in line 14, but does my husband write my name here? I feel like this is referring to people who are immigrating to the US, not me as a USC. But I am TOTALLY guessing.
Anybody know?
Thanks.

As we discovered at the Consulate this morning, it needs to be 12X15 minimum. We had the wrong size - the post office in Fort Erie swore to me that they only had a smaller size, and I should have known better. There is a Pharmacy right down the street from the Consulate that we were able to go to and take back to the consulate.