Montreal Interview on Thursday! EEEEEK.

[simistar 2]

Hello Fellow VJers!

On one hand -- I'm super excited to finally be going to my interview...

On the other -- I'm kind of sh**ing bricks

(I'm going on my own...my husband, the USC, can't make it b/c of work...)

A few questions have come up that I'm hoping you guys can help me with...

1. I know I've read in a few threads about what time people get to the consulate in the morning, but of course, I can't seem to find any of those now! I've searched but the best I can find is people saying they got there "early"...

On the letter, it says 8am... but really, what time should I get there...? 6am? 6:30am? 7:30am?

Your advice/experiences appreciated:-)

2. I've also read a few threads about people having documents marked with a "y" and "O" and having a binder together...

Ummm...I don't have that...should I...?

We DCF'd in Vancouver for a CR1 visa and maybe this is why...?

We've been asked to bring copies and originals of certain things (birth certificates, marriage certificate, etc)...but they haven't sent US any documents...?

Also, I've got everything separated in different file folders (one for our co-sponsor, one for my husband, one for proof of domocile, etc)... is this okay, or are we supposed to have it all in a binder...?

3. Here's what we have for proof of domocile...

(Husband hasn't lived in US for about eight or nine years...)

- letter from parents saying we will be staying with them and paying X number in rent and X amount for utilities and attached are letters/mail that have come addressed to my husband over the years as well as a signed "lease agreement" between us and his parents.

- job offer letter for my husband (although the offer is for a job in a different state than where is parents live...)

- bank statement showing joint US dollar bank account here in Canada

- an MLS listing agreement between us and our real estate agent to list our place for sale

- a Upack moving quote

- husband's valid U.S. driver's licence and photocopies of it

THANKS in advance for any help/advice/suggestions!!!

I will most definitely let everyone know how things go :-)

Edited October 19, 2009 by simistar

[Holliday 4]

Good luck! I'm sure you'll be fine. I would recommend getting to the Consulate before 7:00 if you want to be among the first in line. That's what I did, and I ended up being the 2nd one (but strangely, I was the first one to interview). The line started getting pretty long between 7:15-7:20, if I remember correctly.

Keeping your documents etc. in a file folder is fine. You may want to pick up an accordian style folder to keep everything organized and easily accessible. I'm not sure what you need as far as documents are concerned for DCF, but I assume they're the same as CR-1/IR-1? The sheet with the Ys and Os was part of the interview letter I received from NVC, so that's probably why you don't have one. Hopefully someone can clarify that. I have no advice on the domicile stuff, sorry. Other people here will, I'm sure.

Let's see... what other advice... make sure you bring your expresspost envelope (and I'd recommend filling in your address in advance... less to worry about while you're there.) Make sure you don't bring a large bag, and don't bring any electronics with you (including a cell phone). I brought my purse (it's just a regular-sized purse) and a cloth shopping bag which had my folder in it.) Also, they do not allow any outside food or drinks (but they do have some vending machines in the waiting room upstairs.) Oh yeah, and make sure you have your interview letter and your passport handy, because you'll need them to get into the Consulate. Good luck!

[Holliday 4]

Oh yeah, and if you want to be really over-prepared about what to expect, I'd recommend checking out the Embassy/Consulate reviews for Montreal. I found them extremely helpful.

[simistar 2]

Holliday -- THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! Totally the kind of info/advice I was looking for...

Keep your fingers crossed for me, lol:-)

[trailmix 77]

Holliday -- THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! Totally the kind of info/advice I was looking for...

Keep your fingers crossed for me, lol:-)

I think your domicile info looks great, i'm really interested to see if the consulate thinks so too

As for forms, I can't remember off the top of my head, with DCF, when you submit everything - as long as you have a DS-230 and a I-864 you are good. Oh and the whole Y and O list thing, that's an NVC thing, so you won't have that.

The consulate doors open at 7:30.

[simistar 2]

I think your domicile info looks great, i'm really interested to see if the consulate thinks so too

Believe me, I'm curious too!

I'll most definitely report back on what they say...

As for forms, I can't remember off the top of my head, with DCF, when you submit everything - as long as you have a DS-230 and a I-864 you are good. Oh and the whole Y and O list thing, that's an NVC thing, so you won't have that.

The consulate doors open at 7:30.

Whew...thanks:-) Was worried I was missing some forms...

I'll plan to be there before 7am for sure... which will be before 4am my time (uugh:-))... not like I'll be able to sleep anyway though:-)

Edited October 20, 2009 by simistar