Best Interview Advice for Montreal

[trailmix 77]

Perspective. First of all you are going in to an unknown environment - so that's a tad stressful and understandably so.

But you must ask yourself - are they going to turn me down? Well if you have a legitimate relationship - how likely is that?

Second you have to say, ok what if they ask us for a paper we don't have, or more proof or whatever - well what would that mean - possibly a delay of up to 4 weeks say?

[YYZLAX 0]

I've read the reviews and the embassy information. It's just nice to hear different people's points of view when it comes to the interview. I'm just afraid I'll miss something here or there. Or perhaps forget something. Maybe even not do something we were supposed to do.

I'm just trying to get everything in order and seeing what "active" VJers think about the process and what those of us, who have not yet been, should expect.

Thanks for your thoughts. Bottom line...?? DOn't stress. Yeah, but didn't you stress before you went, too!!??

Since my interview is on the 15th, I don't mind meeting up with you after my interview so I can give you the details as it will be as fresh as possible! I'll be glad to share...unless they decide to fail me for the 7 weeks overstay that was advised OK by my ex-attorney...then maybe you don't want to meet up with me as I'll probably depress you and make you stress even more!

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Yeah - have timmies first - but you won't be able to bring any food into the Consulate so pick the timbits up later:-)

Everyone else has given good advice about the interview and the visa - here's some more about being in the Consulate (VBG)

Bring a book or magazine to read because you will probably be sitting and waiting for the various 'calls'. It will help to pass the time and stop you from worrying too much.

And - enjoy the view. Go look out the incredible wall of windows to view downtown Montreal - rather breathtaking and incredible and you probably won't have a chance to see anything like it again:-).

Good luck on your interview - you'll do fine.

[July09Bride 1]

I can't believe how many people here giving advice and they all managed to skip over the most important advice you can give. Bad Canadians, bad, bad.

The best advice is to go down the street and get some Timmies first and a bagel with cream cheese (or if your feeling nervous, some jelly filled timbits will do the trick)

Ooooh... I could do some mocha coffee... yummmmm & warmmmm for the morning wait. Great idea!!!

[July09Bride 1]

I've read the reviews and the embassy information. It's just nice to hear different people's points of view when it comes to the interview. I'm just afraid I'll miss something here or there. Or perhaps forget something. Maybe even not do something we were supposed to do.

I'm just trying to get everything in order and seeing what "active" VJers think about the process and what those of us, who have not yet been, should expect.

Thanks for your thoughts. Bottom line...?? DOn't stress. Yeah, but didn't you stress before you went, too!!??

Since my interview is on the 15th, I don't mind meeting up with you after my interview so I can give you the details as it will be as fresh as possible! I'll be glad to share...unless they decide to fail me for the 7 weeks overstay that was advised OK by my ex-attorney...then maybe you don't want to meet up with me as I'll probably depress you and make you stress even more!

LOL!!! Tell ya what, if you pass we'll meet up to share info! If not, we'll meet briefly at the local Tim Horton's, I'll buy you some jelly TimBits, and you can drown yourself in sugary-sorrow. KIDDING!!!!!!

Sounds good. My fiance' is the type that likes to keep to himself before something major and likes to just lay low. I think our train gets in around 5 or 6 in the evening on the 15th. We're staying near the Consulate, so hopefully it wouldn't be too far to possibly meet up!

[July09Bride 1]

Perspective. First of all you are going in to an unknown environment - so that's a tad stressful and understandably so.

But you must ask yourself - are they going to turn me down? Well if you have a legitimate relationship - how likely is that?

Second you have to say, ok what if they ask us for a paper we don't have, or more proof or whatever - well what would that mean - possibly a delay of up to 4 weeks say?

Once again, TrailMix ot the rescue! You are so right. Perspective can be everything!!! We have made it this far with no RFEs... have been "together" (well, as together as two can be in different countries -- with him in Canada and me in US -- as you all know) for 9+ years (as of March 17)... and have heaps of proof of our legitimate relationship.

If they ask us for something we don't have, hopefully we can get it to them before they close the doors that same day. Our train doesn't leave until 5, so we've left some extra time in there, just in case.

Before I was stressing that we didn't have an interview date... now I'm stressing about the interview! Next, it will be stressing about him moving over here (and into my place). After that, it will be stressing about the wedding. Then, it will be stressing about the AoS... LOL. Guess it doesn't end for a longggg while. Perhaps the stress just becomes a normal thing! When it's all over (near the end of 2009) for the near future, perhaps I'll be able to relax! Perhaps.

[MapleLeafBaby 1]

If per chance, you are missing a document they require, and you can get it pretty fast...do they let you drop it back to Embassy? I figure that perhaps they give you a slip, and then your file sits on someone's desk till they match it...blah blah blah and that would take a few weeks? I wonder if the file stays with the same officer as a follow up?

I guess they don't let you bring it right back and still approve you?

I'm just hoping that my fiance's IRS transcripts come in time. We will have copies of his tax filings and a copy of his bank statement, but that's it for proof of income. And as he just filed 2008, I don't think IRS would even send a transcript for 2008?

That is the only thing worrying me... but as they say, it all has a way of working out. I think SaphireDreams even said she was surprised they didn't ask for what they had brought. Hope that's our case

[Krikit 1,163]

Before I was stressing that we didn't have an interview date... now I'm stressing about the interview! Next, it will be stressing about him moving over here (and into my place). After that, it will be stressing about the wedding. Then, it will be stressing about the AoS... LOL. Guess it doesn't end for a longggg while. Perhaps the stress just becomes a normal thing! When it's all over (near the end of 2009) for the near future, perhaps I'll be able to relax! Perhaps.

So true! You finally get a few months of stress-free time between receipt of the GC and then gearing up for removal of conditions. Enjoy it, because it doesn't last long. lol

[Hugglebuggles 60]

If per chance, you are missing a document they require, and you can get it pretty fast...do they let you drop it back to Embassy? I figure that perhaps they give you a slip, and then your file sits on someone's desk till they match it...blah blah blah and that would take a few weeks? I wonder if the file stays with the same officer as a follow up?

I guess they don't let you bring it right back and still approve you?

I'm just hoping that my fiance's IRS transcripts come in time. We will have copies of his tax filings and a copy of his bank statement, but that's it for proof of income. And as he just filed 2008, I don't think IRS would even send a transcript for 2008?

That is the only thing worrying me... but as they say, it all has a way of working out. I think SaphireDreams even said she was surprised they didn't ask for what they had brought. Hope that's our case

My fiance ordered his IRS transcripts on Tuesday and he got them in the mail today, so it shouldn't take to much longer for you! He filed his 2008 taxes like a month ago and they had the transcript available for him... So they might have the 2008 one, you never know.

I'm feeling good about the interview... at least right now. I'm not planning on moving to the US until June 13th, and my Montreal interview is April 29th. So, if we are missing anything that gives us plenty of time to find it, send it to them and have everything processed right? I think that's really the 1 and only reason we wouldn't be granted a visa on the spot.

I may be naive but, compared to this, AOS looks easy

[Married_my_love 0]

My lil piece of advice... once you get to the seated waiting room DO NOT walk around. I remember that a woman wanted to look out the window at the beautiful Montreal view, and got up and walked over to the window. A voice came down the loud speaker that sounded like God, and said "please return to your seat". A short time after, she decided to try another window and the voice got meaner. This is when we realized there were cameras and someone watching us from somewhere else. The 2nd time she went to the window she turned around after the voice of God came down and there was a security person to escort her.

[Reeena 0]

LOL! So maybe I should take my 18 month old with us and let him run around so they will speed up our interview just to get us out of there... but I guess they could speed it up with a big fat denial, haha

[Emancipation 2]

I may be naive but, compared to this, AOS looks easy

AOS was the most stressful of the 3.. K-1, AOS & Removal of Conditions... AOS came after the move, after the wedding, while hubby was at work and I was alone at home.. it just about drove me nuts!!

[Hugglebuggles 60]

I may be naive but, compared to this, AOS looks easy

AOS was the most stressful of the 3.. K-1, AOS & Removal of Conditions... AOS came after the move, after the wedding, while hubby was at work and I was alone at home.. it just about drove me nuts!!

Well that's not very encouraging! My thought is that after the wedding and the move i'll be bored out of my mind and have nothing to focus on but the AOS. Right now I'm doing the K1 while going to school full time, working part time, and planning a wedding and trying to pack up all my stuff and coordinate the move. That and my fiance is a very helpful man so I'll appreciate him being there to hold my hand and help me out... He always lurks around here but never posts so say hi everybody! And the best part is that there is no medical! And possibly (if I'm lucky) no interview! So I'm going to stay optimistic... although I haven't studied the process very well so there are probably difficult things i'm missing...

[Krikit 1,163]

Other than the wait I found it relatively painless.

[Emancipation 2]

Other than the wait I found it relatively painless.

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