Our Visa Journey

By far the most frustrating part of meeting on the internet and marrying someone in a different country is obtaining the Visa. However, when I look back on it really it has become quite simplified and didn't take that long compared to the horror stories I have heard. I have decided to outline our experiences in hopes that they may help someone else as I read things that were inaccurate and was also given some inaccurate information.

Step 1 - The initial paper work, I filled out all the forms on the computer and printed them out and mailed them to Josh for him to sign. We included pictures, phone bills, and emails with this portion. Whether or not that is actually required I am unsure but I kind of think that's why I didn't have to prove our relationship any later in the process. We initially filed around the end of May, it was received on June 9. The wait to hear something was long and excrutiating. I often checked the website to see where they were with processing. It was well updated and quite accurate. We finally heard that this part was approved on October 11th (I know as it was the day before my last official day at work).

Step 2 - Although we heard on Oct 11th we didn't receive the package till the end of November or beginning of December. I booked my medical appointment in London, ON and am thankful I did as I had no wait time and my appointment was actually my appointment time. Keep in mind this is NOT a physical like the army does, they are not checking to see if you are physically fit though you can not have high blood pressure from what I gathered. They are mostly checking that you do not have infectious diseases such as HIV, Other Sexually Transmitted Diseases, TB... etc. They do require to look over your entire body. As many know I am a large girl, my weight was not a factor at all as to whether or not I'd be approved. During this time we also were required to gather evidence that Josh could financially support me. While it said someone who is self-employed (which pastors in the USA technically are) they did not require my 1 year of tax returns or bank statements at the interview, however, I would definitely bring them! Both Josh & I are squeaky clean so the police check was not an issue. You do need your "long" birth certificate which includes your parents names on it.. I ordered mine and it only took a week to arrive. Just follow the list and you'll do absolutely fine! We sent this package from the USA while I was visiting Josh for Christmas on the day I returned, so that was January 3rd.

Step 3 - I received my letter with the interview time scheduled on February 2nd (again I know the date as it was the day after I moved to Brantford). My interview was scheduled in Montreal on March 12th. There is not anything that really needs to be done in the mean time though I did print out some more pictures, emails and phone bills just incase. Josh had to send me a letter stating that he still intended to marry me and his circumstances had not changed.

The Interview - I had feared this part sooo much and was quite nervous. However, a lady at the office told me that as long as you are not being fraudulent or have criminal records you are pretty much set provided you have all the necessary paper work. First you get a number and wait. They call you up (took about 2 hours for me) and collect documents from you. Affidavit of Support, Criminal Record, Birth Certificate (a photo copy but show the real), Passport, Letter from Finacee, and probably something else I'm not quite remembering. At this time I paid the 131 American and then they took my fingerprints. You then go back and wait. This took about another hour. They then call you in for the "interview". The only questions I was asked was why I wanted to go to the states and when I planned to be married. Then she approved it. She gave me a little yellow card to pick up my visa the next day.

That's all she wrote!

It really did go smoothly and I was quite impressed.

Sonya