iampatricias

Tim/Mav - it looks like the OP is the USC. The beneficiary (from Britain) is not required to submit proof of income, assets, or financial liability for a K1 petition.

Yes, I think you should bring them signed...? Did you submit these forms originally for the Packet 3/4 requirements?

I went to my local police station and got a Canada-wide clearance certificate. Like previous posters mentioned, unless you have a criminal history, you don't need the fingerprint version. Over in the Canada regional forum there are, however, several threads that suggest wait times vary hugely depending on where you request the background check. Some say go with the RCMP, while in some areas, that's not even an option.

My police check took 6 weeks, the date on it was the first week in November (I needed it for work), and it was accepted at my interview in April. If you get it now, at least it's one less thing you have to worry about.

Well, when you call to book the medical, they'll ask if you've been given permission to book your interview, so I'd say, yes, you're in the clear.

I think the last page of the papers you got will tell you which Packet # you got - under your name and case number?

Unfortunately there's no way to get into Vancouver instead, unless you move out there (which may be nearly worth it ). On occasion,I the DoS can be pretty useless, and it seems unlikely they'd have any idea what was going on with Montreal's website. Once, someone at the DoS told me an interview would be booked for me in "just a few days" when my package had just arrived at NVC - well, even I knew that was not correct... I don't know what other advice to give about the interview dates... maybe try changing your travel details between "Permanently Immigrate (k1/k2)" to "Permanently Immigrate (Ready to Schedule)" to see if that makes a difference?

Hmm, I was under the impression there are no live operators on the phone at all for Montreal - they are notoriously one of the most difficult consulates to communicate with. I've only ever been in touch with the DoS (202-663-1225)... what kind of visa are you applying for? I'd keep trying the online site since folks are able to book interviews currently though it's taking some time and effort...

Hi everyone, i got a few questions for you guys and i would apreciate it very much if you could help me out.

Lets start with will they accept a PO BOX as a delivery address for all the correspondances because i have problems with my mail arriving plus i need to keep this from certain people until he gets here.

second, has anyone gotten their petition rejected for any reason? and if so, had they repetitioned for a second time?

third, once petitioned, how long does it take from the first mailing of forms to actual visa to be granted? does it or has it ever taken more than lets say six months? and does he need to provide any proof of income from homeland or anything like that?

forth, we've know eachother since childhood but only been involved in a relationship for about six months now, do they care how long the relationship has been going on? and at the present time i dont really have much evidince picture wise, i have pics that include both of us from only one occasion, but we do talk every single day. im thinking bout going back in june for couple weeks, so maybe i could take some more pics and what not, who knows we'll have a engagement ceremony maybe, but just incase i cant go, you think these will be proof enough..and we dont chat much online, there are only emails we exchanged on fb, which are in a diff language anyways, but like i said, we talk on thephone every day so no need for chat. but i tried to save as many text messages as i could just because i liked his texts..will those help also?

fifth, who needs to submit the intent to marry letter, me or him?

i reaaaaallllllyyyy need your help pleaseeee:(( thanks!

First - I don't know for sure

Second - people do get rejected more often than we'd like to think for a variety of predictable reasons (the beneficiary has a criminal record at home, the petitioner has no way of supporting the beneficiary, complicated family issues with children, previous marriage, previous immigration issues, etc) and petitioning again is often a good choice.

Third - Processing times usually exceed 6 months. Right now, the initial petitioning takes about 5-6 months. Then the paperwork goes to the beneficiary's home for the actual visa application and consular stage and depending on where he is, that could take 6 weeks or 16 weeks - where is he?

Fourth - Initially, there's no requirement for you to prove your relationship is legitimate or loving - you MUST have evidence of having met in person in the last 2 years. This evidence is primarily required in the form of passport stamps/boarding passes showing you are in each other's country together or in a third country together. Pictures are not enough, flight itineraries do not suffice, FB, texts, or phone records are not official enough and do not demonstrate that you have met in person int he last 2 years.

Fifth - you both need to write a letter of intent to marry with the I129f. Only you need to submit an updated letter for when he goes for his interview.

Good luck!

Right - you'd need to collect the medical results the day before the interview (though it seems like maybe results are couriered from the Montreal medical - there was some chatting about this at my interview, though I'd check with the doctor's office when you book).

I had my medical on a Tuesday, was told results would be ready for pickup after noon on Thursday.

I'd say the key is to have all the paperwork requested! If they ask for form DS156, for example, they won't process you without this form, no matter how polite you are. If they're looking for 3 passport pictures, bring 3 correct passport pictures.

You may choose either Permanently immigrate/ready to schedule or Permanently immigrate/ K1/K2 - if you do the K1 route, you have the option to pay the $350 online with your credit card or paypal. If you choose 'ready to schedule' you are not given the option to pay online so you end up having to bring US$350 cash to the interview.

The other thing you can ask your family doctor for is a "titer test"... what I'd do is bring in the required vaccines for the medical/immigration as a print-out (this page, here) and see if your doctor can test you for immunity for those key illnesses. For some, a verbal declaration is enough (have you had chicken pox? Yes? done.) Others, you should be getting boosters of anyway (like DPT - that's only good for like 10 or 15 years, but most adults don't get boosters because they're not so dangerous when you're an adult, though they can be very serious if you get them when you're little).

If you print the page in the link out, you'll see that for many of the immunizations they accept either record of immunization or a titer test. It's good you're looking into this now because getting results back can take a little while. I'd get it taken care of as soon as possible.

I also paid online but then when I got my Packet 3 (or 4?) in the mail, the instructions said they only accepted cash in person at the interview. Immediately underneath, in bold, the page reminded readers that payments could be made in cash or with a credit card... I guess it's about time they updated their paperwork.

Definitely read the interview reviews for YOUR consulate!

I could tell you that last week in Montreal, I started waiting to be let into the consulate at 7:15am and was out on the street, approved by 9:45am but every consulate is different and every case at the consulates vary!

What you've got there sounds good. You might want to consider organizing it in such a way so that all the passports, tickets and photos of one visit go together... So it is very clear to your adjudicator that on this particular visit (demonstrated by these passport stamps/flight information) you visited these places, and used your credit card at this ATM etc etc...

As I guess you've gathered from page 1, the key is the passport stamps, boarding passes, and receipts that place you in each other's countries. If pictures support that key evidence, include them, but they're not looking at the pictures to make sure your relationship is loving enough - they just need to establish that you have met in person in the last 2 years so focus on that.

I visited my fiance 3 times after submitting the I129f petition. I brought lots of proof every time and wasn't asked any unusual questions on any of the trips. I drove across the border to use an American airport (closer for me, and also cheaper)...

Nice! Thanks so much for letting us know how it all happened for you!

Wooow! That's awesome! I was just a day after you!

Question: Did you look for a waybill number on the CSC site? I'm wondering if it's any use checking it 20 times a day...

If you are really wanting to attempt a border crossing, and it has been six months, you could try the letter from your MP and your other evidence and take a friend shopping at the Walden Galleria or the Outlet Malls on the American side in Niagara Falls (if you're living in Toronto anyway). Driving across may be easier, having a friend along may ease suspicion, and a shopping trip is short term...

It might allow you a chance to chat with a border guard too, ask some questions about your previous 'denial'.

But I do think the safer bet is to wait until July, bring proof of the conference expecting you and your intentions to return to Canada right away and leave the border alone as much as possible.

It could take 2 or 3 weeks for Packet 4 to get sent to you but Montreal won't tell you that - the Department of State will! Call them and do it every day if you can! 202 663 1225.

About the appointment scheduling, who knows, but keep trying! Maybe try during off-peak hours, like late, late at night or early in the morning...?

Sounds like a good solution! Glad it'll be an easy fix for you!

Aahh, you got a ticket number in the high teens, yes? At Notre Dame, I said to my friend "that girl was at the interview too... ... I think..." Well, hello! And congratulations!!

Usually, it goes back to the same person though the order it'll be worked on can vary depending on the adjudicator. Apparently some adjudicators like to tackle all the RFE replies on one particular day, or before they start regular petitions or whatever - but if it's a matter of a 'simple' RFE with a straightforward reply, it really shouldn't take 60 days...unless your particular adjudicator went on a two week holiday the day your stuff was received, for example...

There is no way to find out until you get the hardcopy. Did you send in a copy of your birth certificate instead of your passport? What other proof of having met did you submit?

Yikes...

Usually, the "real", "original" birth certificate is only kept at the hospital or civil records in the town you were born - they're never given out. Instead, certified copies are available by request. If what you have has a raised seal it's likely a certified copy. It may be possible to request a long version and a short version (in Canada, anyway), and it's the longer version you'd want for this purpose.

But like Gary and Alla said, copies of your passport count just as well for the I129f.