I-130 Montreal Immigrant Visa Interview

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Mike - 16 Oct 2006 07:34 GMT

I-130 Montreal Immigrant Visa Interview

Hi ..

I'm a couple of steps away from this interview but I would like to know what
is covered in this interview. I for example am a Canadian married to an
American, we have been married for over 25 years, live in Canada, and have
had a part time residence in the states for 15 years. Now that our kids are
just about out of high school we want to retire and start the fun part of
our lives. So were going to move permanently to the US home and become non
resident Canadians. We've been stalling the process a little bit since
applying in January of this year as our I-130 has been approved and the visa
center has requested the fee for the Support forms. We are at least 1 1/2
years away from making the move and we don't know the time line between
where we are now and the requirement to arrive at the POA. If anyone is or
has been through this process particularly in Canada I would appreciate any
information.

Thanks to all....Mike

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Noorah101 - 16 Oct 2006 12:58 GMT

> I-130 Montreal Immigrant Visa Interview
>
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
>
> Thanks to all....Mike

Hi Mike,

I can tell you that once you're issued the Immigrant Visa, it is only
good for 6 months. You must travel to the USA within 6 months of
getting the Immigrant Visa. So if you get it anytime soon, it will
expire before you want to use it 1.5 years from now.

As for the timeline from where you are now, I don't know the time
limitations you have for returning documents such as the Affidavit of
Support Fee. You might want to have a 1-time consultation with an
immigration attorney so he can give you a time frame to work in, so
that you don't get your visa too early, before you're ready to make the
move...or so that you don't wait too long to return something that has
a deadline.

Best Wishes,
Rene

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wnukem - 17 Oct 2006 20:19 GMT

Hello Mike!

I do not have a recent experience but my wife filed an I-130 for me in
January 2002. I interviewed in November 2002, some 10 months later.
This was also through Montreal. I 'activated' my visa some 4 months
later at the Ambassador Bridge (Windsor-Detroit) after calling customs
and immigration in Detroit. I however did not move with all our
posessions until 1 month later. I had no issue crossing with the goods.
I wanted to activate my visa so I could have a SSN issued to me before
I moved. I needed to work right away once crossing.

You may want to call the border where you plan to cross to see what
they say about activating your visa before you officially move.
However, waiting one year to move opens up tax issues for both
countries. Also, you would need to have a US returning resident permit
because you will have been out of the country as a US permanent
Resident.

I would check with an experienced Immigration Attorney for your
situation or would refile an I-130 when the timeline fits more into
your planned move. Good luck!

Wes

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Mike - 20 Oct 2006 07:25 GMT

Wes

Thanks for the reply and information on your experience. I have done some
further reading and I don't think I will have too much problem with the time
line. I may take up to 1 year to submit my required docs at each phase of
the process and with 6 months after receiving the visa I should be good to
go.

Was wondering what the Montreal interview entailed, what items should be
brought along, and what sort of questions do they ask.

thanks ...Mike

> Hello Mike!
>
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>
> Wes

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meauxna - 20 Oct 2006 16:02 GMT

> Wes
>
[quoted text clipped - 37 lines]
> > your planned move. Good luck!
> > Wes

Mike, if you've been married for 25 years, there won't be any 'hard'
questions. :) There will be questions repeated from some of the
paperwork you will have submitted, just confirming info that you'll know
in your head. Often, there are very few questions and people are
surprised that the 'interview' takes place through a security window at
a counter and lasts 5-15 minutes.

You will get instructions beforehand regarding what to bring.
Essentially, bring all the originals to things you've submitted.

Reply to this Message

Mike - 20 Oct 2006 18:43 GMT

"Mike, if you've been married for 25 years, there won't be any 'hard'
questions. :) There will be questions repeated from some of the
paperwork you will have submitted, just confirming info that you'll know
in your head. Often, there are very few questions and people are
surprised that the 'interview' takes place through a security window at
a counter and lasts 5-15 minutes."

Ah ...there in lays the problem.

After 25 years of marriage and another 11 living together before we had the
kids, I definitly don't know the answers to the things I have forgotten. :/}
I suppose the up side is the vacant glazed over look on my face, in response
to those particular questions, will be taken as truthful.

Mike

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wnukem - 23 Oct 2006 22:47 GMT

> Was wondering what the Montreal interview entailed, what items should be
> brought along, and what sort of questions do they ask.

Visit link for my experience as posted in 2002:
http://www.kamya.com/interview/130int.html#CAD

You should sail through the process.

Wes

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scramies - 29 Oct 2006 04:40 GMT

Thanks Wes

>> Was wondering what the Montreal interview entailed, what items should be
>> brought along, and what sort of questions do they ask.
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Wes

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Immigration Forum / USA Marriage Base / October 2006

I-130 Montreal Immigrant Visa Interview