Feb 22/08 CR1 interview in Montreal

[karenkaye 1]

Arrived in Montreal Thursday afternoon, checked in to hotel (Le Square Phillips just around the corner, very overpriced but only a 3 minute walk) Took a walk over to make sure we knew the location of entrance to the consulate (could picture us wandering aimlessly Friday morning searching in vain for the doorway). After very little sleep we arrived at said doorway at 7am - already one other couple waiting. We huddled there until 7:30 when they opened the door - several other people arriving in the meantime. Guard checked letters before allowing entrance. Put everything in the basket, even hubby's belt - guard asked if his pants would fall down without it, hubby stated he hoped not! On through the metal detector, I beeped it so had to be checked front and back with the wand thingy. First couple were given tag with "a", we were given "b". Told to go downstairs and have a seat someone would be along within 10 mins or so to escort us up in the elevator to 19th floor. Guards were very firm but nice - one actually smiled. After a short wait the lucky holders of tags "a through d" were escorted into the elevator and in total silence we ascended to the next level. Couple one were told to go to window 9 and give the lady their tag. We were to wait as next in line......very shortly went to window 9 and she took our tag and appointment letter and told us to sit in the waiting room and we would be called back. After about 10 minutes we were called back to window 9 again this time by a friendly fellow who asked for my medical results and prepaid envelope (he did not want the xrays) He told us they were processing both our K-3 and CR1 applications at the same time and inquired why we didn't do the fiance thing and wait for K1 approval before getting married. We had been advised by an immigration officer at the local border crossing that we should just go ahead and get married then file, which we told him. He asked hubby a couple of questions about his income and did he have his w2's with him for 2007, which he did not. Hubby got confused and stated that income of a certain amount as showing on the affidavit of support was for a certain year when it was actually for another year. After getting me to sign part 2 of the DS230 and provide updated mailing address we were instructed to have a seat again, he had to work on the file a bit and would call us back up to take my fingerprints. Sat in waiting room again, my stomach in knots now. Called back again to window #9 and he took my fingerprints and told us to have a seat and they would call us one more time. Back to the waiting room. During this wait the couple who were first in line were called to room 8 and came back very shortly with smiles, I asked and was told they had been approved. After about 15 minutes total wait we were called to the interview room and a very friendly man asked us a few more questions, including where we met, what I intended to do for work in the U.S; talked to my husband about his work and then said that the medical was fine and that the financials were fine also and that we were approved. If there hadn't been glass between us that poor man who have been grabbed and hugged. He did not ask for any proof of our relationship. Told us that the visa would be completed either that day or Monday and could take up to 2 weeks to arrive. I found everyone to be very helpful - no one was rude or unfriendly. We were all done and out the door by 9am!

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

woo hoo! You must be so very happy!

Congratulations to you both!

[Schmelle 0]

woo hoo! You must be so very happy!

Congratulations to you both!

Congrats to you both!!! I believe I was right after you at the consulate on Friday. It looked like you left with smiles so congrats. I'm sad to hear that the guy said it could take TWO WEEKS to get you visa. He told me it would be sent out on that day or by today for sure!!! No movement from the Canada Post tracking yet but I understand that it is not always reliable. Anyway, best of luck to the both of you....and once again congrats!!!

Schmelle

[Flames9_RN 358]

congrats

[Carlawarla 1]

Congratulations!

[amberlynn 0]

Congratulations!

[trailmix 77]

Congratulations!! Glad to hear it all went well and hopefully you will have your visa before the 2 weeks, did you have the guy with the movie phone voice? (Someone wrote that he always tells people 2 weeks).