Montreal Review

[FormelyCA 0]

Approved YAY!!

But, hate to say it, it wasn't the easiest part of the process for me. I'd rather fill out papers than go through it again!

First, arrived about 6:50 am, was about 4th in "line" (I didn't stand in the line because I didn't really see it, and later found out Wis-Can was secretly cursing me in her head haha "uummm..hey lady, the line is over here!"). I was just so nervous and was not aware of much around me Chatted with Wiscan while in line, and actually the whole time we chatted! Helped shift focus.

They give you a letter once you get in and go through security (which, have to say, the security guards were SOOO nice, nothing like the airport!!).

Get through security, go downstairs and wait by the elevator. They give you a paper at this time to help you organize all your papers. It really doesn't matter though because you will inevitably fidget and be nervous no matter how organized you think you are

Get out of the elevator and sit and wait now to be called. Not so bad yet. So, name called and you go to the designated wicket. The guy I had was super nice and cool and joking with me, but when I get nervous I can't tell when people are joking and I take everything serious. But he is pretty nice. Got scared because the FIRST thing he asked me if I was single or married, and stated that they said I was applying for a K3 visa. WHAT!!????! Que the tears So I am thinking "what does this mean?????" Not off to a great start. So i assured him I am not married and have only ever applied for a K1 (I don't get how on earth it would state ANYWHERE a K3....however...). Then proceeded to ask me if I have ever lived in the Philippines. HUH???? SO, now I am like WTH is going on??????? So that just made me MORE nervous about everything. Not off to a great start. Especially when Wiscan was in the next wicket and hearing him later telling me "my woman didn't ask me for half the stuff he asked you" Great.

Ok, go back, then call back to do fingerprints.

Then, the others were being called into their interviews. They all came out and said they were soooo nice. Yes, poprocks was crying But I assumed it was tears of joy and a STRESS RELEASE because her fiance came out smiling. And I SO understand her tears. I cry when i am frustrated and emotional also.....REGARDLESS of the emotion.

So, my turn. I seem to have the same experience as Travis and Kim. My lady was all business with me. She asked me a LOT of questions. About my relationship, when did I leave Asia, when did he leave, had we been together the whole time. Where does he live, what does he do. HOw do I support myself since I am unemployed. Ummm, can't remember the rest. I was SOO nervous everything was a blur!!! She asked me if I had problems crossing the border. To me, problems is subjective, so I let out a hesitant "...nnnooo???" So I suppose I understood why she asked me again but it was very nerve wrecking, "Ok, I am goign to ask you one more time, have you ever had any problems crossing the border because I am going to search your name now" This is when I was going to cry WHAT IS CONSIDERED A PROBLEM!??? So, I said I had been questioned, and taken into secondary before but I had never been denied. If those are problems, then I suppose yes, I have had problems. But, I am not entirely sure what is considered a problem.

So, she is reading her computer for what seems like 30 mins, but was probably only 15 seconds. Silence. Then she starts writing on my folder. Silence. I try to read but it is upside down and cursive. Then I see an OK and a circle. Still silence. So I THINK I asked her "is everything good?" But, I don't 100% remember, I do remember her saying "OK, I am going to go ahead and process this and it will be sent out Monday" PHEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And she handed me a paper for the next step to read but I stuffed it in my envelope and forgot about it until I was in Union Station in Toronto. I just didn't want to deal with it anymore!!!!

I left the room and Wiscan waited for me (awww thanks!!!!) and was able to breath a sigh of RELIEF.

So, I don't know, for me it was stressful and NOT the easiest process. Hand me a DS160 form any day over the stress of that

TGIO!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS Wiscan is was great chatting with you!! You are very sweet and helped calm me down when needed Poprocks sorry we couldn't chat more but just wanna say that you and your fiance seem like you are a great match and very happy together

Thanks to everyone who listened to all my questions and answered them!! Now onto the AOS

[minnew 4]

Congratulations! You made it!

[Reeena 0]

Congrats!

Oh I feel like a wreck... I just want this to be over with.

[JillA 2]

Congrats! Your interview does sound a bit scary, sure wasn't a friendly interviewer now was it! Well, at least you were approved and this step is over

[Flames9_RN 358]

Doesnt sound that bad,lol one has to expect they will ask some questions,lol congrats, its over

[FormelyCA 0]

Thanks!! haha, I know, I mean they had to ask questions. It's just I was sooo nervous and I think people can read that so she asked more.

I mean she was very nice, just business. She did make some jokes, but I don't know. Everyone else was like "they didnt ask me anything!!!" soooooo I was expecting that.

Everyone in Montreal IS very nice.

So, dont be nervous all and you will do just fine

[Travis & Kim 0]

congrats!!!!

[MapleLeafBaby 1]

Awwww...you're so cute! I would have stressed too!!!! I started to get worried when they interviewed Wis-Can and the other couple before us... I said to my fiance.... we were the first here,,,, this is not a good sign... I pictured someone in the back running our file through the computer and something was wrong! I felt very uneasy until it was all over too!!!! I don't remember half the stuff I talked about with the lady... for me, i'm thankful my fiance was there (and thanks for the compliment ) He carried the whole interview for me!!!!

I'm so happy you got it!!!!!! CONGRATS girl!!!!

And yes, Wis-Can was a sweetheart... she was like moral support at the Embassy lol!

[Emancipation 2]

Yeah! Enjoy the victory!

[OBX 51]

Congratulations Thanks for sharing your experience! I expect to be just as nervous so it's nice to hear that all turned out well despite the nerves. Best of luck in the future.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Aww, I'm sorry you had such a stressful time. Congratulations, though - it is over and you can now join your husband here in the US!

[Rhiannercakes 14]

Congratulations~

That whole "Have you had problems at the border" question freaks me out, cause I'm going to have to say yes.

I hope if I'm asked that question it'll be painless, since I'm doing it the right way now, hah.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Congrats on keeping your cool and not having a nervous breakdown!! But even more congrats on being approved! I'm so glad all the interviews this month have turned out so positive. Its making me feel a little better. Afterall, I'm rather used to dealing with rude and intimidating people... The fact I'm short, innocent looking and have a mean pout really plays into my favor

I'm wondering though... how did you all recognize each other? If i ran into you guys i'm not sure I'd know who you were!

[beans 7]

Congratulations!! I wonder why they thought you were a K3 or whatever they were trying to establish..

[Marilyn. 340]

Congratulations~

That whole "Have you had problems at the border" question freaks me out, cause I'm going to have to say yes.

I hope if I'm asked that question it'll be painless, since I'm doing it the right way now, hah.

not sure how far exactly you are in the process but on one of the forms I filled out, I think the DS-230, it asks this questions and if yes, it asks you to write out what happened...

I too was denied entry once and actually banned for a year, I wrote down what happened on the form....

when I was waiting for the interview I was so nervous about what I was going to be asked about the denied entry thing etc but at the interview the only thing the guy asked about that was, "so did you have any other trouble at the border besides that one time?" and I said, "no" and he said, "ok" and moved on... I guess the info I had given on the form was enough for them...

Edited April 21, 2009 by *Marilyn*