NVC Interview in less than a month!

[Mtplace]

Hello everyone.
First off I just want to wish everyone here the best of luck, wherever in the process they happen to be!!

My journey started Jan 2015, and is finally reaching it's conclusion....soon.
I have a scheduled medical on 11 April, and my NVC interview on 15 April, both in Montreal, QC.

I am so nervous. I've never done anything illegal, and my marriage is a genuine one (my spouse is actually here in Canada with me, while this whole process takes place).
But, I do know that we can be at the mercy of the ones giving the interview.
I do have a positive outlook, and it's a simple matter of waiting for my approval.

One bit of advice I'd like to ask however...
"when" my Visa is approved (fingers crossed!), and I am told my passport will be returned with my Visa in a couple of weeks....what happens next?

I'm going to be selling my house, packing up and moving to the US with my spouse.
Should I wait to do this, until I'm able to cross the US/Canada border?
My Immigration lawyer doesn't think I really need to do a test border crossing, but I do know the Agents who guard our border have some major attitude at times. I'm worried they'll deny me, for no good reason. (yes, their attitude can be THAT bad).

Advice anyone?

[Mtplace]

Medical appointment on Monday!

Well, here I go. My medical appointment is this coming Monday (11 April) and my interview is on Friday (15 April).
I'm terribly nervous, but can't think of any reason for them to turn me down.

Since nobody has answered my original post, I'm going to throw caution to the wind, when the time comes, and show up at the border with my U-Haul.
Of course, if anyone has any advice, I would certainly appreciate it!!

Love this forum. It's been very helpful!

-Mtplace

[dpatel126]

Well, here I go. My medical appointment is this coming Monday (11 April) and my interview is on Friday (15 April).
I'm terribly nervous, but can't think of any reason for them to turn me down.

Since nobody has answered my original post, I'm going to throw caution to the wind, when the time comes, and show up at the border with my U-Haul.
Of course, if anyone has any advice, I would certainly appreciate it!!

Love this forum. It's been very helpful!

-Mtplace

Hey congratulations!!1

so for your interview prep, take the material they asked you to take for the interview but also take like wedding pics with you. Email exchanges between you and your spouse, itinerary or pics of trips you have taken together. Good Luck.

[Mtplace]

Thanks!

Hey congratulations!!1

so for your interview prep, take the material they asked you to take for the interview but also take like wedding pics with you. Email exchanges between you and your spouse, itinerary or pics of trips you have taken together. Good Luck.

Thank you!!
I've sent a whole bunch of stuff to the USCIS (twice) and will take all the originals with me.
My spouse has been with me in Canada for the past year, and will be making the drive with me to the US, once approved. (she's American)

I'm super nervous, but I'm a law abiding, honest, citizen, so I can't think of any reason to be turned away.
That doesn't stop the mind from wandering though!

Some serious butterflies in my stomach right now!

[Trinity71]

NVC Interview in less than a month!

Thank you!!
I've sent a whole bunch of stuff to the USCIS (twice) and will take all the originals with me.
My spouse has been with me in Canada for the past year, and will be making the drive with me to the US, once approved. (she's American)

I'm super nervous, but I'm a law abiding, honest, citizen, so I can't think of any reason to be turned away.
That doesn't stop the mind from wandering though!

Some serious butterflies in my stomach right now!

The butterflies can't be helped sometimes even if you know all should go well, but no worries. Sounds like you have everything in order and your spouse being with you in Canada for the last year, even better. Also, you should not have any issues at the border so once approved, come on over, Uhaul and all!

Trinity 71

This is my opinion and not legal advice. Use of this information is strictly at your own risk.

[Mtplace]

The butterflies can't be helped sometimes even if you know all should go well, but no worries. Sounds like you have everything in order and your spouse being with you in Canada for the last year, even better. Also, you should not have any issues at the border so once approved, come on over, Uhaul and all!

Trinity 71

This is my opinion and not legal advice. Use of this information is strictly at your own risk.

Thanks!!!
I've got a little accordion folder of papers, copies and originals. So I'm hoping I'm well prepared!
Awesome news about (potentially) not having issues at the border. That's my biggest fear.

Medical in 3 days!! YIKES!
Interview in 7 days!! DOUBLE YIKES!

Oh....I read some places where they say not to bring my phone, but don't they have lockups for these things?

[skyland235]

how did you get on?hope all went well

[Mtplace]

Approved!

how did you get on?hope all went well

Thank you! It went really well!
The medical was a breeze!! I had all my immunizations done by my GP here, along with my TB test. I brought my immunization records, and letter of TB results, to Medisys. They did blood tests, blood pressure, X-Rays, eye chart, height/weight, basic medical (listen to lungs, heart, abdominal exam).

While my interview was scheduled for 10am, I didn't actually get interviewed until nearly 1:30.
The majority of time was spent sitting, and watching the Non-Immigrant Visa applicants get processed, with the occasional Immigrant Visa being called up.
How they called the numbers, I'll never know for sure. **** * 8 Ball? Paper bag filled with numbers, blindly drawn? There was no rhyme or reason to the number calling. 13, 21, 19, 28, 15, .... you get the idea.
The clerk who asked for my proof, was a little annoyed I didn't have the "original I-864" to provide. These were sent to USCIS, by my lawyer, as requested by them. I had photocopies, but it didn't seem she wanted to hear that. When I told her USCIS has the originals, I can only provide photocopies, she seemed to accept that, grudgingly. (I have 3 sponsors, so she asked this for each one)
After providing my proof, I was told to go sit down, which only lasted about 3 minutes.
I stood in front of Window 7, a nice young man had me swear what I was telling him the truth, and proceeded to ask me very general questions, which were very easy to answer.
Then he told me the only thing holding my approval back was the financial sponsorship. Telling me I had to meet the minimum threshold, blah blah blah. My heart dropped.
I (very respectfully) told him that I had three sponsors, and combined, they more than meet the threshold. He looked at my file again, looked at each sponsor, and changed me to "meets", initialling the paperwork and stamping it with the official stamp.

My advice to people still in the process: there is a bathroom (just be quick in case they call your number), there is a vending machine that takes Canadian $, bring a book (but pay attention to the numbers being called!), have all your proof in order!! Birth Certificates, Marriage, Divorce (if needed), I-864 (if you have originals....awesome!), passport(s), police checks (they keep the originals by the way!), your medical package.

No briefcases allowed! Bring a plastic bag of your items.
There you have it folks....my experience in a nut shell.


I do have another question, however:

Now that I've been approved, can I start applying for jobs in the US? My goal is to leave my job here, travel there, and start working almost immediately (with about a week to get settled).