My montreal interview review

[k34 0]

So since I wasn't sleeping anyway, I walked to the consulate at 6:15 this morning, got there at about 20 to seven and was the first one. In retrospect, I wish I had dressed more warmly since it was a freaking cold wait until they let us in sometime around 7:30! A couple of others showed up shortly after me, including Rob and Mel (I am pretty sure, although we didn't ask each other if we were on this forum).

After taking their time opening the doors (they had to finish breakfast and stuff, apparently), I was led through the security process by a guy with a pretty unique accent... everything he said had to be repeated at least once or twice before I understood (had no idea what he meant when he asked me to put my "cut" in the tray). Everything I had with me (including a small purse) was ok with the exception of the metal keychain on the hotel keys. It's about 3" long, and was perceived to be a possible weapon somehow, I guess. I imagine you'd have to be a ninja or something to know how to hurt someone with that, but I suppose he didn't know that I was not one.

We were sent to a waiting area that included a novelty-type photo booth! I have no idea what that was all about, but was considering using it if only I had had enough change. They gave us a sheet that indicated the order in which our documents should be organized. It only included things such as passport, photos, medical, affidavit of support... found out later that they should probably revise this sheet to be more inclusive of the things they would eventually ask for.

The first three sets of us were taken up to the 19th floor a couple of minutes later, where the wait was pretty short before I was called to a window in another room. The woman there was super friendly (reminded me of the receptionist in Office Space - "corporate accounts payable, Nina speaking, JUST a moment") and asked for the various other forms and stuff, one item at a time. Asked for: the three (?) forms we were supposed to have completed, the police check, my divorce certificate, my birth certificate, a letter confirming my baby still wants to marry me, and all of the items on the sheet we were given downstairs. If these items had all been added to the preparation sheet I would have had them all ready. As it was, it took a couple of minutes to get everything out for her. It was all impeccably organized, but when there's so much stuff to deal with it still took a bit of time. She didn't seem to mind at all. Apparently they are not all this patient though... the guy at the next window was asked to "give me all of your forms and documents" with no other direction, and then she seemed annoyed that he was struggling to figure out what she wanted from him.

She gave me a slip to pay the cashier and told me to come back after that so she could take my fingerprints. She indicated that the cashier might not be there yet. I checked... he wasn't. So I went back in the other room to wait, thinking maybe she would be ready for the fingerprints before he was there. 10 minutes later I went back out to check for the cashier and found that the room that had 4 people previously now had probably 30... roughly half of whom were in line for the cashier. Ooops! I waited in line only to be informed by the cashier that his computer was not up yet, so give him 10 minutes or so. I asked if I had to wait in line again and was told that he would call me. Upon walking away from the window, I realized he didn't have my name, so how was he going to call me... by description or something?

I went back to the original window and told her that I wasn't able to pay so she took my fingerprints and put a sticky note on the file (dang... was hoping I was going to somehow slip through the cracks on the payment )

A short while later Rob (I assume) let me know that we were now able to pay so I did that, then took the receipt to the original window.

Then I sat and waited. I took a book with me but had to quit reading several times because it was close to making me cry, and I didn't want to go into the interview in that state

As an aside, the book is called The Art of Racing in the Rain... it's told from a dog's point of view and is excellent and very moving! Highly recommended!

I was called into room #7 probably around 9:30 or so. The woman behind the window in the room was a really friendly middle-aged woman... reminded of the type you might run into at an earth day event or something similar. She asked the following:

-where did we meet? (after I mentioned that we met because of being members of the same forum, she commented "so you met online"... I told her no, I didn't really consider that to be the case since I had only just joined the forum a couple of weeks before we met, and had not really interacted with him on there... it was meeting him in person at a group event that was when I considered us to have met. I have no idea why I felt I needed to explain this other than that I get rambly when I am nervous!)

-when did he propose (I was honest and said technically only a couple of weeks ago, but it was July 4th weekend when we basically finalized the idea of getting married... now that I think about it though, it was a couple of weeks before that, but at the time that's what came to me as an answer)

-what does he do for a living?

-what do I do for a living?

-tell me about your DUI - I was totally expecting that to come up (of course)... she seemed more than ok with my explanation and wasn't really concerned (it was over 4 years ago)

-have I ever been arrested any other time anywhere in the world?

-do I have any medical conditions?

-do I take any medication?

-she had me sign the one form on the condition that I still intend to marry Jamie... I said "Absolutely!" and signed!

She then told me that I was approved and went on to explain the terms and conditions. She asked me if I had any questions, and I told her no, I couldn't think of anything.

She wished me good luck planning the wedding... I told her it's already planned and explained that we are going to New Orleans on April 10th and will get married there. She said that she would make sure she gets my passport back to me right away, in that case!

I guess this is a pretty rambly review! If you're still reading, the things of note were that I wasn't asked for anything that wasn't listed on the packet 4 sheet. No divorce certificate for Jamie even, which we went to some last minute effort to get

I wasn't asked for the form that says that he is liable if I try to collect social assistance, which is something that they ask for in either packet 3 or 4.

Basically I think that if you are totally prepared and confident, they can probably tell and it will be a piece of cake!

Good luck to everyone else, and thanks again to everyone here that has answered all my questions and concerns!!!!

:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:

[Krikit 1,164]

After taking their time opening the doors (they had to finish breakfast and stuff, apparently), I was led through the security process by a guy with a pretty unique accent... everything he said had to be repeated at least once or twice before I understood (had no idea what he meant when he asked me to put my "cut" in the tray). Everything I had with me (including a small purse) was ok with the exception of the metal keychain on the hotel keys. It's about 3" long, and was perceived to be a possible weapon somehow, I guess. I imagine you'd have to be a ninja or something to know how to hurt someone with that, but I suppose he didn't know that I was not one.

Great review, K. Congratulations!

[francie 0]

congrats!

[SapphireDreams 71]

Congrat k34!! Glad it went well.

Did you bring your Xray?

[Flames9_RN 358]

congrats!!! One doesnt need the Xray!!, did I bring mine? sure,lol left it at hotel though!

[JillA 2]

Congrats! You definitely do not need your xray, the xray results are in the medical envelope.

[k34 0]

Congrat k34!! Glad it went well.

Did you bring your Xray?

I did and it was a big pain in the butt that was not needed! Although it was only slightly larger than the xpresspost envelope so the annoyance of that made the xray less noticeable.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Thanks for the detailed review! I'm glad things went so well for you.

Seems kinda strange they would ask so many medical questions considering you just went through a medical exam and answered the same questions then!

[Carlawarla 1]

Congratulations!! Very good and funny review...especially about the ninjas.

[July09Bride 1]

k34,

That review is SOOOO helpful! Makes me all happy inside to know that the more prepared someone is, the easier it will all go. I'm probably going to copy & paste your review into a Word document or something and save it in our "Visa" folder here on the computer... so whe we go for his interview, we'll be even more prepared!!!

You're so terrific for posting all of this. Thank you and congratulations, again!

[The_Dude 1,142]

Yes, that was us there yesterday!!!!

We didn't end up going to room 7, but had a really nice guy in room 8!!!

We passed as well!

Not sure how it went for the other guy that was there.... He was in the interview for a really long time.....

[trailmix 77]

Great review - congratulations to all of you

[Krikit 1,164]

Congratulations Rob and Mel!

I feel sorry for the people who had bitchy man-hater, though.

[Jenni and Bo 0]

Congrats everyone! Good to see the next group on their way down here

<3 Jen

[MrsCat 6]

Great review! Congrats on your visa.