My Montreal Consulate Review

[SapphireDreams 71]

I had a pretty typical experience, but I figure the more reviews the better for people upcoming for their interview.

We took the train from Toronto-Montreal the day before and it was a very smooth, relaxing ride. We brought a laptop and watched Top Chef almost the whole time. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency, which we purchased through HotWire for $58 US/night. It's an older hotel, a bit tired looking for a 4*, but overall it was a very nice, clean room with a comfortable bed and nice bedding. It had a pool and is right next to Rue Ste. Catherine, which is a plus. The concierge and front desk were also very friendly and helpful.

On the morning of the interview, we walked over to the Consulate at about 6:45 a.m. - it's about a 5 minute walk and so we arrived at 6:50ish and there was another couple in line. Shortly after, a few more people joined the line. The guards opened the doors at around 7:35 a.m. and we went in. They told us to empty our pockets - we both had empty pockets and the guards asked us twice, like we weren't really telling the truth. He was also a bit perplexed that we didn't have any cell phones... I said, "we came prepared" but he didn't really say anything.. just looked at me with a blank face, LOL. We were given letter A - even though we entered second and went down the stairs to the waiting area with the note listing the documents we had to provide in order. Shortly after, the guard came back and took us upstairs. We got there and just waited to be called over the intercom. Within about 10 minutes or so (it didn't feel that long), we were called to booth #12.

The lady at the window was very friendly and asked for all of the forms required one at a time. She asked for the DS 156K, 2 copies of the DS 156, 1 copy of the DS 160 confirmation page and application print out, my medical, my photos, support information, birth certificate and a copy, my police certificate and I think that was it.... then she asked me to go over to the cashier to pay the $131 and come back. When I got back she just asked me to sit outside the window and wait.... so we sat there and waited for about 30 minutes. Finally she came back and took my finger prints. She also asked me if I wanted my photos that I had sent in with my petiition back and gave them back to me. I thought that was nice. Then I went back to the main waiting area to sit and wait for the interview.

I was shocked to see the waiting room pretty much full. At that point i was so relieved to have known the 'secret' of coming early. It seemed as though people followed a different order as they arrived. They would go to the cashier and take a number and sit and wait... Anyways, we waited about 45 minutes before we were called for the interview. The couple who was in front of us in line went in right before us and their interview lasted about 15 minutes it seemed and then I was called next. By this time it was about 9:40 a.m. They called my name and we entered through door #7.

I was honestly expecting the room to be a lot smaller from the descriptions on here, but it was pretty roomy. The consular officer was a really nice lady who made us very comfortable. I don't know why but I was expecting a uniformed officer, but she was dressed business casual, LOL. She took my finger print, I said an oath and she asked me to sign the DS 156K in front of her. She also gave me back my birth certificate and when she reached for it in the folder, I noticed that the form undeneath had a big APPROVED stamp on it, before she had started the interview, LOL.

She asked us about how we met (online) and commented that it was a long time ago! Asked us what year we met online, what year we met in person, how often we talked, how often we visit each other, what I do for a living and if I plan to work in the same profession, she asked what R does. She also asked if we had health insurance. Then she went over the conditions of the visa and what I need to do after we get married. She gave me a sheet that outlines everything, which is very helpful. I was nodding as she was explaining and she was like, seems like you already know what you have to do next.... I commented that we had already started to research the next steps. We had a pretty straight forward case with no past divorces, children involved and plenty of varied evidence, so I wasn't really worried or nervous.

Then she said, she said that everything is in order and that I should be receiving my visa in the mail shortly and that they'd take good care of my passport.

And that was it! We said thank you very much and went on our way at 9:45 a.m. I wondered how long it would take for the people who arrived after us... seemed like a long wait.

Basically, if you go prepared and take the time to be organized, it's very painless and easy peasy.

I'm going to continue working at my job until June, take about 5 days to pack my stuff and FINALLY move to NYC in the middle of June just in time to celebrate our SIXTH anniversary!!

[JillA 2]

Congrats! Great review! I wish they offered to give me my plethora of pictures back LOL

[Sprailenes 47]

I stayed at the Hyatt too when I went for my interview.

Congratulations on getting your visa. I feel like we've watched you grow up from beginning to end in this process.

[Arabella 4]

The lady at the window was very friendly and asked for all of the forms required one at a time. She asked for the DS 156K, 2 copies of the DS 156, 1 copy of the DS 160 confirmation page and application print out, my medical, my photos, support information, birth certificate and a copy, my police certificate and I think that was it.... then she asked me to go over to the cashier to pay the $131 and come back.

Another fee I didn't know about! What is the $131 for?

[Tankgurl38 0]

$131 is the fee the US Embassy asks for at your interview.

Just another place where they want more money.

And Congratulations on your Visa approval!!!

Edited March 20, 2009 by Tankgurl38

[Arabella 4]

$131 is the fee the US Embassy asks for at your interview.

Just another place where they want more money.

And Congratulations on your Visa approval!!!

That's USD, right?

[Sprailenes 47]

$131 is the fee the US Embassy asks for at your interview.

Just another place where they want more money.

And Congratulations on your Visa approval!!!

That's USD, right?

Yup.

[SapphireDreams 71]

I stayed at the Hyatt too when I went for my interview.

Congratulations on getting your visa. I feel like we've watched you grow up from beginning to end in this process.

Haha, so true. I do feel like I have grown up in the last 8 months or so on here.

Jill - Did you give them a lot of pics? We gave them 24 and laughed when she gave them back because a) it was a lot of pics and B) one of the pics was a group shot of us drinking with R's random drunk friends and I had a bottle of booze in my hand... luckily we figured we were 21, but imagine if we weren't?? Haha we didn't even notice. I don't know what we were thinking including that photo... LOL.

[MrsCat 6]

Wooooo Hooooooooooo Congrats Sapphire!

[Danu 19]

Many congrats to you! I'm glad everything went smoothly. How long till you go down?

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Awesome! Congrats Sapphire! Your posts have been very helpful to me over the last few months.

Question: I thought we only had bring the filled in DS 156k, the I-134 and the DS 160 receipt... you need to fill out the DS 156 too? I don't remember reading anything about that one!

[JillA 2]

I stayed at the Hyatt too when I went for my interview.

Congratulations on getting your visa. I feel like we've watched you grow up from beginning to end in this process.

Haha, so true. I do feel like I have grown up in the last 8 months or so on here.

Jill - Did you give them a lot of pics? We gave them 24 and laughed when she gave them back because a) it was a lot of pics and B) one of the pics was a group shot of us drinking with R's random drunk friends and I had a bottle of booze in my hand... luckily we figured we were 21, but imagine if we weren't?? Haha we didn't even notice. I don't know what we were thinking including that photo... LOL.

I think there were about 10 in total... one was one of those HUGE ones you can buy at Canada's Wonderland LOL and it cost like $20 but I figured it looked real so I sent it in. That's OK, if it helped me get approved it was worth it

[Wis-Can 0]

Congratuations and great review!