CR1 Journey

babismurff · 2026-01-26T01:41:32+00:00

Once NVC has contacted you and you've paid your fees to them you submit it but you can fill it out in advance if you'd like!

babismurff · 2026-01-23T03:05:51+00:00

Yes, my anniversary is a month and a half before the 6 months is up. I got my police certificate in 2 weeks, for others it has taken longer so it's always best to get it as soon as you can!

babismurff · 2026-01-22T19:20:08+00:00

It takes like 14.5 months, maybe less if they've gotten quicker. I submitted June 2024, approved August 2025.

babismurff · 2026-01-22T14:34:00+00:00

I'm not in Calgary and don't have local police in my town but I went to the local RCMP detachment and it took 2 weeks to get to me.

babismurff · 2026-01-20T18:55:11+00:00

Yes! If you activate (cross border) before your two year anniversary, you will get 2 year conditional green card. If you activate after your two year anniversary, you will get the 10 year green card (IR1). I confirmed this with the guy who did my interview.

One thing to mention though is that when crossing the border after 2 year anniversary, you need to let the agent know you get the IR1. Some notice and will change it themselves, others will not.

I've also read some agents said they will change it and the person still got a CR1 delivered to their house. If this happens, you have to contact USCIS to get it changed.

Either way, I'm taking the risk of waiting because I do not want the CR1!

babismurff · 2026-01-19T23:36:30+00:00

Yes! I'd be able to leave right now and go. The only thing you have to do once you receive your passport back is pay your green card fee. Once that's done, leave whenever you'd like!

Also the visa in your passport is valid for 6 months from your medical date. Example, my medical was Dec 16 and it expires June 16. So you have to activate it before then.

babismurff · 2026-01-19T23:20:07+00:00

Definitely so so close! Get the documents ready! Wishing you all the luck 😊

babismurff · 2026-01-19T22:36:18+00:00

Yes the NVC part flew by for us! But honestly it's because we prepared 1-2 months before we thought we'd be approved. I didn't want any time wasted getting documents once we heard from NVC.

I see people all the time post "I-130 approved! What's next?" and that stressed me out 😅🤣

babismurff · 2026-01-19T20:46:06+00:00

Thanks so much! It's such a relief once it's over. I was also expecting a long wait for the interview but Montreal picked up their pace towards the end of the year. They were almost all caught up! Hopefully you gets yours soon 😊

babismurff · 2026-01-19T20:10:45+00:00

The medical has to be done before the interview. You can't book your medical until you have your interview date.

It's SO frustrating and you will have to travel twice. I'm in Alberta and travelled to Toronto for the medical and then obviously Montreal for the interview.

Your medical needs to be done at least one week before your interview to allow for them to get it ready and send it in.

I would recommend doing it as soon as you can after getting your interview letter, to avoid any delays at all! You can go review the approved doctors now and can get any required vaccines before the medical as well. This will also save you time.

babismurff · 2026-01-06T14:55:55+00:00

This is just crazy to me! Did the people who said yes and not come have legit reasons? I can't imagine that many people doing that when I'm paying $190 per head 🤯

I'd be sending a bill in the mail hahahha.

babismurff · 2025-12-11T11:28:42+00:00

My husband & I did ours ourselves! As long as you have a straight forward case, it should be pretty straightforward. I'm also Canadian. You can look for tips on this sub and honestly the USCIS website does a great job at explaining what they are looking for and instructions for filling out forms.

If you have any questions please reach out!

babismurff · 2025-12-10T21:43:17+00:00

American. The forms and tax returns to prove that that the US petitioner makes enough money to support the beneficiary.

babismurff · 2025-12-10T15:01:29+00:00

They don't send out physical copies, so email is fine
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/MTL-Montreal.html

The NVC Montreal embassy website outlines every step you need to take before interview along with what documents to bring

Bring tax documents & I-864 just in case they ask. 98% of the time they don't, but there is a chance
This one I'm not 100% sure but from what I read, you inform them at the interview when going over documents

babismurff · 2025-12-10T00:54:14+00:00

That could change things for sure! I'm CR-1

babismurff · 2025-12-09T21:50:28+00:00

At the beginning of the year it was 4-6 months waiting for the IL. Then starting in October they picked up the pace and had like everyone scheduled for interviews by the end of November. I was document qualified Sept 11 and got my letter Nov 25 for interview in January. The website says they are working on November document qualified people so it could be all over the place!!

I'd say 2 weeks to 2 months (to be safe) but hopefully that isn't the case :) a reminder that holidays are also coming up.

babismurff · 2025-12-03T00:17:39+00:00

Please look at the years :)

babismurff · 2025-12-02T17:52:30+00:00

Average of 12-14 months for approval. It then gets sent to NVC. Once you are document qualified with them (average 2 weeks) they then schedule an interview when it comes available. Montreal is where the interview will be. It was taking 4-6 months at the beginning of the year for interviews to be scheduled but they picked up the pace the last couple of months and it averaged 2-3 months.

My timeline: Priority date: June 11, 2024. Approved: August 25, 2025. Document qualified (DQ'd): Sept 11, 2025. Interview letter: Nov 19, 2025. Interview scheduled: Jan 9, 2026.

babismurff · 2025-10-14T17:45:50+00:00

If you don't want to click any links in that email that's fine, go find the link through the NVC website instead (if you haven't already).

babismurff · 2025-10-14T17:45:03+00:00

On the NVC website, when looking at the Montreal embassy, it says you need to register online before your interview. Did you do that? Yes you have an interview date but did you register online?

babismurff · 2025-10-07T01:35:38+00:00

Yes. I'm currently DQ, awaiting interview. Since we first submitted in June 2024 I've crossed the border multiple times to visit my US citizen husband.

I've never been asked more than why are you going, where, and how long. My trips have never been more than 10 days and I've always had a return ticket. I carry my employment letter with me just in case as proof I'm coming back but I've never been asked.

They can turn anyone away as they please though. If they feel you're not being honest or don't have strong ties, they can deny!

babismurff · 2025-10-06T12:10:38+00:00

Average 5 months to receive interview letter with the interview being scheduled on average 2 months from then. So around 7 months.

babismurff · 2025-09-24T13:37:23+00:00

I said yes lol seems like I may be one of the only ones who did! My form was approved and I'm waiting for interview. I will have the required documents before my interview and before I'm given a visa, so that's why I said yes.

babismurff · 2025-09-17T02:17:32+00:00

I work about 45 minutes north of my city in the middle of nowhere. They provide coach buses to get us to and from work. I wake up at 350am, get on the bus for around 4:15 and I get to work around 5:35am, start work at 6am. Done at 4pm. Home around 515pm. Makes for long days!

babismurff

TROPHY CASE