carl24

Yay! Congrats!! I have mine in a few weeks...any advice about the Vancouver interview/medical??

hmmm...for the medical. If its raining take an umbrella. You stand outside. I showed up at about 5:50 and there were 6 people ahead of me. The earlier you show up the sooner you get to leave. We stayed at the Sheraton Wall Centre and it was just 1 block from the medical building. Woking Medical is not actually labelled until you get in the building so make sure you have the address. The younger dark haired girl was moody at first but she warmend up. There is a blood test, x-ray, eye exam, and a quick external check up.

For the interview i would take nothing but money for a cab and your documents. They don't allow electronics or over sized bags. Try not to walk in the building because a lady will come outside and ask for your name. She will give you instructions after that. Hopefully you get the blonde guy, freckles, and glasses because he was the nicest one! Big guy, dimple skin, and chubby....he was not so nice! The actual address is 1075 West Pender as listed in your confirmation email. Its not the 1095 West Pender address they have listed on the website and phone book. Mom and I got into an arguement over that! Good thing i listened to the email and not my mom and the US General website.

I think that's all i can think of to tell you. It was pretty straight forward.

Hey Guys, We were approved on Friday!!! Got my Visa in Hand 2 business days later! Got the moving truck all booked and am getting ready to moved next weekend, August 5th!!! WOOOOOHOOOOO its finally here!!

Congratulations to everyone that got their recent approvals. We're just finalizing the last parts of the wedding so almost done. We got the lease this week, and grabbed all the utilities - which brings me to a few questions:

We're supposed to let USCIS know when we change address. Is this only during active petitions or during until we get our greencard? The address that I wrote that I would be moving to was her parents since we didn't have our place yet; however, since we just got this place, it has a different address (of course). I was thinking about not bugging them about it and just saying I moved from the original address to this one when we got married, using the new address for the AOS paperwork. However, if we have to let them know anyways, I may as well file it now.

Question about the I-864. She doesn't make enough so we're just a cosponsor, who is her Father. Her Father easily earns enough by himself to cover the poverty limits for us; however, he files his taxes jointly with the Mother. Do I need to also do a I-864 for her because of this? Or is this only done when they jointly make over the poverty limit but not by themself.

Last question and of course, the most boring: When I finally do my POE, I was going to do it on August 19th. I was thinking about taking my Bestman with me in the car and he'll train back. He has no issue going through secondary inspection but will they make a big fuss about it? I don't want to do it if we're supposed to go alone.

Steve

I was going to take my Maid of Honor with me in my car when we took my trailer load up too. I really don't think you'll have an issue if your friend goes up with you as long as your friend has a return ticket. Under the circumstances i think its expected to have a friend with you to help you move. Just have your friend get a letter from his employer stating he has a job in Canada and the date he is expected at work. I was talking to a lady who took her sons trailer load of stuff and they had no problems bringing him his stuff. THe guys at the border are alot more relaxed than we think and it wont be an issue for your friend to go with you.

Have been living in the US ten days now. Just back here to look up some AOS details. We're planning to get our marriage license in the next couple days.

The first little while has been, for us, both very challenging and totally delightful. Plan to go really, really easy on each other for the first little while, especially if you haven't lived together before. I had some tears about leaving home when I first got here, and felt too overwhelmed, the rest of the day, to make any decisions about anything (where to eat, what to do next).

It's a big deal. We are reading to each other a lot and watching movies and he has been making me delicious meals. One of the best things about being here for keeps is that we don't have to spend every minute together, if that makes sense. We can take time out for ourselves without feeling like we're wasting part of a precious visit, and we both feel a lot better and more balanced for it. It's exciting figuring out how we want to do things, what our routines will be, hashing things out -- not always smooth, but exciting. And touching, all day -- amazing!

That's so exciting! Glad to hear things are going smoothly. I'll soon be in your shoes when i move August 6th.

I just wanted to ask how your Interview went cause I was surprised to see on your timeline in your signature that you already had it, so I checked your timeline and saw it's not until next week We're almost Interview buddies, I have mine the day before

haha ooopps i need to change that! Good eye!

Could you please post the phone number for the NVC? We should have our new case number soon and I'd like to let the Vancouver Consulate know my address change before they mail out the package... although I did put in a change of address with Canada Post I'm thinking it would be better to avoid delays.

Also, how long did you have to fax back the DS-230 form and checklist?

Thx

They didn't have a time limit on the packet 3 as to how long i had to fax packet 3 and form DS-230 back. I did however have to fax form DS-230 WITH packet 3.

NVC # is Tel: (603) 334-0700

website is http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3177.html

If you want to email the K department go to this website for either Vancouver or MOntreals email http://canada.usembassy.gov/consulates/vancouver.html

Hey guys, i have a quick question about the DS-160 form

We are finally sending our packet 3 in Montreal. We havent recieved the actual packet yet b/c of the postal strike.

What address did you use to send the packet to montreal?

Did you print out the actual DS-160 (online form) for the packet 3, or was the online confirmation of DS 160 form ok?

I was unable to upload a picture (even though i scanned my previous passport picture) is it possible to upload it again on line for the DS 160 form? I was planning on including an extra picture in my packet 3.

Pls let us know. Also, our NOA 2 will expire in early september. I hope the embassy books the interview sometime in mid august. have you heard of the NOA2 expiring b/c of interview scheduling delays?

You don't need to fill out DS-160 unless Montreal requires it. I've never even heard of that form being required to be filled out or a photo needing to be uploaded for the K Visa process.

My visa was approved today!!

My interview was at 10 am this morning, at the consulate in Vancouver. There were four K1 people that day, total, and we got to chat most of the morning which was nice. One had applied in October, and the other two in December, I believe. All of use are moving to small towns/the country, which I thought was interesting.

I only brought what I was instructed to bring in the email from the consulate, nothing more, and I just brought it in a file folder, which was good because they take it all apart as soon as you get there. The interview happened at the counter, not in a private room. They didn't ask to see any of the "evidence of ongoing relationship" that I brought. Very friendly staff. They agreed to let me pick up my passport mid-week rather than have it sent by courier.

I got there around 9:40 and was out by noon. Much less gruelling than the medical!

Good luck and godspeed!

Sweet! Congrats!

Anyone in Canada - applying from the Montreal Embassy? We are still waiting for our packet 3 to be mailed to us..its been almost a month! and the candian postal strike is still on :(

I have asked my fiance to call the embassy and ask about the delay..does montreal embassy use DHL fedEX as well?

Does montreal also email packet 3 if we request it to be emailed to the beneficiary?

pls help...

I emailed the K department at the Vancouver Consulate and they emailed me Packet 3 and 4! Call the NVC and get your new Case # so you can email the K department requesting the same, if you haven't already. I'm a lil behind in this forum.

Does anyone know how long it takes for the Actual Visa to arrive on the courier once you've had your interview and you've been accepted. I finally got my interview for the 22nd and we are really hoping to leave on the 30th. Do you think that my Visa will be in hand by the 29th?

I'm having one heck of a time getting my interview. I've paid for it through paypal but I can't get it scheduled. My pin wont work on the website as it keeps saying its invalid. I've tried every number that I got after i paid. You call the consulate and of course no one knows anything and you can tell the answers they give you are just guesses. "well ma'am your pin should be 8 digits....or maybe its 9", "ummm give it 1 more hour and then try again" So frustrated! I've emailed but have not yet heard back from support.

Has anyone booking with Vancouver had issues on there website? First i had problems with the method of payment. Kept saying my credit card was invalid but my bank said my card is fine. I called Vancouver and the office said they were having issues and Scotia bank was the only option. Went to print the receipt for Scotia and i saw i could use paypal. Instructions said to use the Transaction ID for the MRV receipt #, doesn't work. Now its been 2 days! Am i missing a step or something?

Great! You can request an emailed version of packet 4 and they'll send it after they reivew packet 3. You might even just get it electronically later today or tomorrow. I emailed the K dept after faxing packet 3 and asked if they'd received it and requested that packet 4 be emailed as well. Then, you'll have instructions how to book the interview and you'll click on a calendar....really simple.

I put a request on the fax cover page requesting i be emailed packet 4. Then I sent an email indicating i've faxed the packet and also requested i have packet 4 be emailed. haha I covered all my bases. I have not yet heard back but it hasn't even been 24hrs since i faxed my packet 3. I got confirmation that i can have my medical on July 20th. Thing sure do speed up now.

So 30 minutes after sending my email requesting packet 3 be emailed, they sent it to me. I've already faxed the forms back to them and requested packet 4 be emailed too. How long does it usually take for the interview letter after sending packet 3 back? I booked my medical for July 20th as well so i'm really hoping i can get my interview for the day after. eeeek!

Our application left NVC on June 9th, and our post office has officially gone one strike nation wide. So i've emailed the K Visa Department asking if they will email me packet 3 once they receive my application in Vancouver.

You can call NVC and ask for your new case # starting with a V. Then you can email the K visa dept (on the consulate website). When they have your documents (takes a week or 2) they can email you packet 3 and then you will fax the checklist and documents to them. They will also send Packet 4/interview instructions through email if you ask. They were great and always quick to respond. Hope this helps and good luck!

Thanks! That does help. Its been 2 weeks now since our NOA2 so i'll give them a call.

So i'm really confused and need some help straightening this out. I read our hard copy of the NOA2 and it said our application has been forwarded to NVC and we will be receiving a letter with our unique # for the interview in 2-4 weeks. There was no note on there about packet 3. Does that mean we were skipped a step?

Good luck. I hope you get it soon! Just booked interview for Aug 18 and medical the 17th since I will travel from Alberta.

Is your interview in Vancouver? Was that the soonest they could get you in or is that just the date that worked best for you? I'm really hoping to have a July interview in Vancouver.

I hear ya! Let's hope it ends soon. The NoA 2 will go to your fiance and then packet 3 will take several weeks (I'm waiting and waiting as it's been 3 weeks since my NOA2) but I'm not sure if the consulate uses Canada Post or a courier service like Fed ex.

I'm sure hoping they are alot smarter by using a more reliable service such as FedEx. I have a feeling that if they don't use them they will during the strike at least.

So i have not yet received my hard copy of my NOA2 or packet 3 and our Postal Service (Canada Post) is apparently going on strike tomorrow! I'm so angry at Canada Post!

We got our email notification of our NOA2 last night!! PLUS, it was my birthday so that was a SWEET present! Wooooooohoooooooo

Thank you to each of you for your replies.

I try to talk to her but we never reach a conclusion.

I guess i am a lot more needy for a bit of attention and being away i can only get it in written messages, which Ashley hates doing and wont to over the top.

Ive tried suggesting moving as soon as i get my visa, but she wants to wait until shes ready and wont rush it, but i feel that that day wil never come.

My current idea is to see if shed be up for me going over for a couple months as of next week to trial everything on visa waiver and actually live as we would.

Otherwise i cant see us lasting till sep/oct in seperate countries.

I think youre right that i need to reassure her, but i also need to prove to her that shes not going to lose her indipendance. But i cannot prove that from another country. She needs to trust that shell still have her life and ill still have mine.

I know you get 3 months to marry after POE, but i feel that will be too late and that i wont even get to POE. I just need to show here she'll have her own life.

Thanks for listening VJ. Im sorry to ramble on.

Ben

How long have you guys been apart? Sometimes when we spend so much time away from our loved ones we tend to forget that chemistry that we have when we are together. We get so comfortable in the long distance relationship that we get use to being independant still, kind of feels like we are sort of single. To all of a sudden have someone around us all the time could be threatening to a woman in fear of losing that independance. However, what we need to know, for those of us leaving our countries, is that the person we are willing to uproot our lives for are willing to fight for our relationship no matter how tough things get. Being in seperate countries and having these relationships is already a test in itself and a test to whether or not we are willing to stick in there and fight through this. I would be so sad if Ashley chooses to not continue with this but if this is something she isn't sure of, and doesn't hang in there through the long distance, then now would be the time to find out as much as it would hurt you. Long distance is a true test as to whether or not we are willing to hang on, during these tough times, for the ones we love.

If you 2 have been apart for a few months a visit for a week or 2 would be a great idea before calling anything off. That's all she will need is 2 weeks together to figure out if she wants to be with you or not.

That's awesome so many of you are getting your NOA2's!! I'm starting to think they forgot about me and jason with all of these approvals :-(

We JUST got APPROVED!! My fiance just forwarded me the email today!! NOA2 in less than 4 months!

I have a quick question though...I am planning to visit my fiance in usa in 3 weeks for a few days.. Would this interfere me entering usa?? i really hope not! pls let us know

"On May 10, 2011, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E). Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service at 1-800-375-5283."

No, I don't think it will be an issue. They can't tell at what stage your application is in. Your NOA1 date is the day after ours. I sure hope this means ours is on its way! SO excited for you!!!

Just got my packet 3 letter from the consulate today. Things are moving fast!

Things I'm working on:

- Printing out packet 3 forms and getting them ready to fax back.

- Getting a criminal record check from Australia (spent a year there). They say it takes 30 days to process, plus mailing time. Am a little worried this is going to be the thing that slows everything else down. Have to get fingerprints done locally and then mail them to Oz.

- Getting a varicella immunity blood test, to see if I need the chickenpox vaccination or not. Takes about 5 days. Then:

- Getting the other immunization I need. Then:

- Scheduling my medical

- Getting passport photos taken

- Getting my local criminal record check done

- Hustling my fiance to get his affidavit of support and our co-sponsor's affidavit together and in the mail

Already ordered my long form birth certificate -- that only took a couple weeks.

Weee!

What vaccines do we need to have?? If you don't mind me asking.

That is so good to know about Vancouver!! Thanks Steve!!