CR1 Interview - March 25th

[Frequent_Flyer 0]

Hi All,

I thought I'd share my interview experience with everyone in case it may help somebody out there.

I stayed at the Hyatt around the corner from the US Consulate on Jeanne-Mance. I arrived at the consulate at 7AM for my 830AM appointment. There was no organized lineup and a few people cut in front of others who were there before them. At 730AM, the guards opened the doors and began letting people in. Two lines were formed, one for immigrant visas and the other for other issues. People were then ushered through security where we took off our coats and emptied our pockets. Once through the security check, I was told to go through a door and down the stairs to a waiting room where a guard would come to get me and take me up to the 19th floor where I was to look for window 14B.

I was the first to sit in the room to wait to be taken up but was later joined by everyone who was waiting outside so I don't quite understand the point of us being split into to two lines immigrant vs. non immigrant. The guard later arrived in the elevator and then he told us ALL to get into the elevator and to take a deep breath and squeeze together so we can do it in one trip.

When we arrived at the 19th floor, I quickly found window 14B and was third in line after fellow VJer Bluenoser77 who I met there. She was interviewing for her K1. We each got our turn at 14B where we were asked for our appointment letter and were given a purple sheet of paper outlining the procedure for the day as well as a number that would be called when it was our turn. I was C3 and Bluenoser77 was C2.

We then took a seat and waited our turn. It was great to have a fellow VJer to chat and make the time go by since it does seem like an eternity. When I was called, I went to window 10 and spoke with the visa assistant who was very nice. She pulled up my file and collected my documents (birth and marriage certs, police check, ds230, photos and financial evidence). The visa assistant reassured me that I had nothing to worry about since I was well organized and had everything I needed. She then took my fingerprints and told me to have a seat and wait to be called by the CO.

I got that call and went to room 8 where the consular officer was waiting. I hung up my coat and the consular officer was very nice. He began with taking the oath to tell the truth and then asked the typical questions of how I met my wife and whether I had any troubles crossing the border. He reviewed all the documents, asked me about where I lived, what I did for work, what my wife did, where I was moving to and where/when we got married. There were a couple of other questions but nothing out of the ordinary.

After returning some of the original docs to me he mentioned that based on what I provided, he was going to issue me the visa. Woohoo! He explained the procedure of receiving the visa by mail and gave me the information on point of entry.

All in all the interview itself lasted about 10 minutes but I didn't get out of there until after 11AM that morning. It seemed that the appointment time didn't matter at all but what did matter is the order in which you got to the line up for window 14B so just keep that in mind.

Hope that helps! Now to make the big move!!!

Thanks,

FF

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

Congrats again!

Wow...sounds like the beginning of the process was completely different from what others have gone through up to this point. Very odd with the two lines thing, and the window 14B thing etc. The important thing is that you got in and out and were approved! Nice job!

[Flames9_RN 358]

When I got my cr-1 back in 2004, you didnt get ur # until u got to the 19th floor! So even if u were first inline outside it did't matter--it mattered when u got up to the 19th floor, THUS why it was important to know the elevator opened from the REAR,lol congrats

[Revenesque 2]

When I got my cr-1 back in 2004, you didnt get ur # until u got to the 19th floor! So even if u were first inline outside it did't matter--it mattered when u got up to the 19th floor, THUS why it was important to know the elevator opened from the REAR,lol congrats

These interviews are flying today! Congrats!

[Sunny4567 0]

Thanks so much for your review.

What would be really helpful is if you could include a list

of the documents you were asked to show the Domicile of your wife (is she the the US citizen?)

My Canadian citizen husband and I had our interview in Montreal and were denied the Visa because

of Domicile. If you don't mind posting a list of the documents you showed to prove her Domicile.

Congratulations and many thanks,

Sunny

Hi All,

I thought I'd share my interview experience with everyone in case it may help somebody out there.

I stayed at the Hyatt around the corner from the US Consulate on Jeanne-Mance. I arrived at the consulate at 7AM for my 830AM appointment. There was no organized lineup and a few people cut in front of others who were there before them. At 730AM, the guards opened the doors and began letting people in. Two lines were formed, one for immigrant visas and the other for other issues. People were then ushered through security where we took off our coats and emptied our pockets. Once through the security check, I was told to go through a door and down the stairs to a waiting room where a guard would come to get me and take me up to the 19th floor where I was to look for window 14B.

I was the first to sit in the room to wait to be taken up but was later joined by everyone who was waiting outside so I don't quite understand the point of us being split into to two lines immigrant vs. non immigrant. The guard later arrived in the elevator and then he told us ALL to get into the elevator and to take a deep breath and squeeze together so we can do it in one trip.

When we arrived at the 19th floor, I quickly found window 14B and was third in line after fellow VJer Bluenoser77 who I met there. She was interviewing for her K1. We each got our turn at 14B where we were asked for our appointment letter and were given a purple sheet of paper outlining the procedure for the day as well as a number that would be called when it was our turn. I was C3 and Bluenoser77 was C2.

We then took a seat and waited our turn. It was great to have a fellow VJer to chat and make the time go by since it does seem like an eternity. When I was called, I went to window 10 and spoke with the visa assistant who was very nice. She pulled up my file and collected my documents (birth and marriage certs, police check, ds230, photos and financial evidence). The visa assistant reassured me that I had nothing to worry about since I was well organized and had everything I needed. She then took my fingerprints and told me to have a seat and wait to be called by the CO.

I got that call and went to room 8 where the consular officer was waiting. I hung up my coat and the consular officer was very nice. He began with taking the oath to tell the truth and then asked the typical questions of how I met my wife and whether I had any troubles crossing the border. He reviewed all the documents, asked me about where I lived, what I did for work, what my wife did, where I was moving to and where/when we got married. There were a couple of other questions but nothing out of the ordinary.

After returning some of the original docs to me he mentioned that based on what I provided, he was going to issue me the visa. Woohoo! He explained the procedure of receiving the visa by mail and gave me the information on point of entry.

All in all the interview itself lasted about 10 minutes but I didn't get out of there until after 11AM that morning. It seemed that the appointment time didn't matter at all but what did matter is the order in which you got to the line up for window 14B so just keep that in mind.

Hope that helps! Now to make the big move!!!

Thanks,

FF

[antda 13]

Hi Frequent_flyer,

Congrats on your approval and thanks for sharing about that here on VJ!

Good luck with the rest of your journey and with your upcoming POE!

Welcome to America!

Ant

Hi All,

I thought I'd share my interview experience with everyone in case it may help somebody out there.

I stayed at the Hyatt around the corner from the US Consulate on Jeanne-Mance. I arrived at the consulate at 7AM for my 830AM appointment. There was no organized lineup and a few people cut in front of others who were there before them. At 730AM, the guards opened the doors and began letting people in. Two lines were formed, one for immigrant visas and the other for other issues. People were then ushered through security where we took off our coats and emptied our pockets. Once through the security check, I was told to go through a door and down the stairs to a waiting room where a guard would come to get me and take me up to the 19th floor where I was to look for window 14B.

I was the first to sit in the room to wait to be taken up but was later joined by everyone who was waiting outside so I don't quite understand the point of us being split into to two lines immigrant vs. non immigrant. The guard later arrived in the elevator and then he told us ALL to get into the elevator and to take a deep breath and squeeze together so we can do it in one trip.

When we arrived at the 19th floor, I quickly found window 14B and was third in line after fellow VJer Bluenoser77 who I met there. She was interviewing for her K1. We each got our turn at 14B where we were asked for our appointment letter and were given a purple sheet of paper outlining the procedure for the day as well as a number that would be called when it was our turn. I was C3 and Bluenoser77 was C2.

We then took a seat and waited our turn. It was great to have a fellow VJer to chat and make the time go by since it does seem like an eternity. When I was called, I went to window 10 and spoke with the visa assistant who was very nice. She pulled up my file and collected my documents (birth and marriage certs, police check, ds230, photos and financial evidence). The visa assistant reassured me that I had nothing to worry about since I was well organized and had everything I needed. She then took my fingerprints and told me to have a seat and wait to be called by the CO.

I got that call and went to room 8 where the consular officer was waiting. I hung up my coat and the consular officer was very nice. He began with taking the oath to tell the truth and then asked the typical questions of how I met my wife and whether I had any troubles crossing the border. He reviewed all the documents, asked me about where I lived, what I did for work, what my wife did, where I was moving to and where/when we got married. There were a couple of other questions but nothing out of the ordinary.

After returning some of the original docs to me he mentioned that based on what I provided, he was going to issue me the visa. Woohoo! He explained the procedure of receiving the visa by mail and gave me the information on point of entry.

All in all the interview itself lasted about 10 minutes but I didn't get out of there until after 11AM that morning. It seemed that the appointment time didn't matter at all but what did matter is the order in which you got to the line up for window 14B so just keep that in mind.

Hope that helps! Now to make the big move!!!

Thanks,

FF

[FireRay 1]

Thanks for the review and congrats again!

Hope my wifes goes that smooth!

[zenaxe 22]

Hi All,

I thought I'd share my interview experience with everyone in case it may help somebody out there.

I stayed at the Hyatt around the corner from the US Consulate on Jeanne-Mance. I arrived at the consulate at 7AM for my 830AM appointment. There was no organized lineup and a few people cut in front of others who were there before them. At 730AM, the guards opened the doors and began letting people in. Two lines were formed, one for immigrant visas and the other for other issues. People were then ushered through security where we took off our coats and emptied our pockets. Once through the security check, I was told to go through a door and down the stairs to a waiting room where a guard would come to get me and take me up to the 19th floor where I was to look for window 14B.

I was the first to sit in the room to wait to be taken up but was later joined by everyone who was waiting outside so I don't quite understand the point of us being split into to two lines immigrant vs. non immigrant. The guard later arrived in the elevator and then he told us ALL to get into the elevator and to take a deep breath and squeeze together so we can do it in one trip.

When we arrived at the 19th floor, I quickly found window 14B and was third in line after fellow VJer Bluenoser77 who I met there. She was interviewing for her K1. We each got our turn at 14B where we were asked for our appointment letter and were given a purple sheet of paper outlining the procedure for the day as well as a number that would be called when it was our turn. I was C3 and Bluenoser77 was C2.

We then took a seat and waited our turn. It was great to have a fellow VJer to chat and make the time go by since it does seem like an eternity. When I was called, I went to window 10 and spoke with the visa assistant who was very nice. She pulled up my file and collected my documents (birth and marriage certs, police check, ds230, photos and financial evidence). The visa assistant reassured me that I had nothing to worry about since I was well organized and had everything I needed. She then took my fingerprints and told me to have a seat and wait to be called by the CO.

I got that call and went to room 8 where the consular officer was waiting. I hung up my coat and the consular officer was very nice. He began with taking the oath to tell the truth and then asked the typical questions of how I met my wife and whether I had any troubles crossing the border. He reviewed all the documents, asked me about where I lived, what I did for work, what my wife did, where I was moving to and where/when we got married. There were a couple of other questions but nothing out of the ordinary.

After returning some of the original docs to me he mentioned that based on what I provided, he was going to issue me the visa. Woohoo! He explained the procedure of receiving the visa by mail and gave me the information on point of entry.

All in all the interview itself lasted about 10 minutes but I didn't get out of there until after 11AM that morning. It seemed that the appointment time didn't matter at all but what did matter is the order in which you got to the line up for window 14B so just keep that in mind.

Hope that helps! Now to make the big move!!!

Thanks,

FF

Congrats to you guys !! can you comment on what you thought of the Hyatt and also give more information on this window 14B issue? Be so kind as to expand on that please....thanks.

[Frequent_Flyer 0]

Thanks so much for your review.

What would be really helpful is if you could include a list

of the documents you were asked to show the Domicile of your wife (is she the the US citizen?)

My Canadian citizen husband and I had our interview in Montreal and were denied the Visa because

of Domicile. If you don't mind posting a list of the documents you showed to prove her Domicile.

Congratulations and many thanks,

Sunny

In all honesty, I wasn't asked in depth domicile questions other than, where does your wife live and work. I had our lease from our apartment but was not asked for it. I also provided a letter of employment that stated the office location of her employment but that was submitted in evidence of the I-864. Maybe that served a dual purpose. I should also be clear that my wife has been living in the US for the past 2 years and not maintaining an address in Canada. With the pay stubs and W2 all reflecting a US address, I think this provided sufficient evidence.

Can you provide some further information on the exact reason they felt a lack of domicile?

Congrats to you guys !! can you comment on what you thought of the Hyatt and also give more information on this window 14B issue? Be so kind as to expand on that please....thanks.

With respect to the Hyatt, the service was fantastic and everyone was very helpful in terms directions, suggestions of restaurants and even a late checkout. I would say that this location is in need of some reno work in comparison to some of the Hyatts I've stayed at but it was absolutely well maintained and very very clean. Overall, I enjoyed my stay and would come back.

With the 14B issue, this window acts as reception basically. You won't be asked any questions other than to present your appointment letter. The lady reviewed my appointment letter and gave me the ticket number. What I'm curious about is whether or not the numbers are handed out on a first come first serve or did she assign the number according to the appointment time. My gut tells me that it was first come first serve. I certainly don't want this to cause a mad dash for the line. Rather, don't get so stressed out about where you are in the initial lineup outside or when you're going through security. My advice is once you go down the stairs, sit close to the elevator and keep in mind that the doors open at the rear (as Flames mentioned) when you get to the 19th floor. Then when you exit the elevator, turn to your left and you'll see the line for window 14B. There are yellow arrows on the floor showing you the way but it was very entertaining watching everyone exit the elevator and be in a daze trying to get their bearings. Once you have your ticket, the waiting game begins.

Edited March 27, 2010 by Frequent_Flyer

[Flames9_RN 358]

In all honesty, I wasn't asked in depth domicile questions other than, where does your wife live and work. I had our lease from our apartment but was not asked for it. I also provided a letter of employment that stated the office location of her employment but that was submitted in evidence of the I-864. Maybe that served a dual purpose. I should also be clear that my wife has been living in the US for the past 2 years and not maintaining an address in Canada. With the pay stubs and W2 all reflecting a US address, I think this provided sufficient evidence.

Can you provide some further information on the exact reason they felt a lack of domicile?

With respect to the Hyatt, the service was fantastic and everyone was very helpful in terms directions, suggestions of restaurants and even a late checkout. I would say that this location is in need of some reno work in comparison to some of the Hyatts I've stayed at but it was absolutely well maintained and very very clean. Overall, I enjoyed my stay and would come back.

With the 14B issue, this window acts as reception basically. You won't be asked any questions other than to present your appointment letter. The lady reviewed my appointment letter and gave me the ticket number. What I'm curious about is whether or not the numbers are handed out on a first come first serve or did she assign the number according to the appointment time. My gut tells me that it was first come first serve. I certainly don't want this to cause a mad dash for the line. Rather, don't get so stressed out about where you are in the initial lineup outside or when you're going through security. My advice is once you go down the stairs, sit close to the elevator and keep in mind that the doors open at the rear (as Flames mentioned) when you get to the 19th floor. Then when you exit the elevator, turn to your left and you'll see the line for window 14B. There are yellow arrows on the floor showing you the way but it was very entertaining watching everyone exit the elevator and be in a daze trying to get their bearings. Once you have your ticket, the waiting game begins.

Thats why I JOKINGLY give people a hassle when they miss the elevator opens from the REAR,lol At 1 time--and in ur case---it didn't matter if u were the very first person in line downstairs for the cr-1/ir-1 people, as u got the line Letter upstairs! In my case, back in 2004, I was the ONLY 1 that knew (ty to Cassie on VJ) that the elevator opened from the rear, THUS, they all huddled at the front, while I stuck to the rear,lol, BUT still had 1 rude person butt in front of me by the window!! lol

[sachinky 465]

Congratulations!