Finally in the US

[Cygnet 0]

Hi, everyone!

Well, we got our visa and now I'm finally home with my husband. To the VJ family, thank you so much.

We had our interview last Friday, picked up the visa Monday and crossed the border later that day. We stayed in Vermont for two nights before flying out west (arriving only last night... have not even started unpacking yet).

THE INTERVIEW

The interview went smoothly. We were scheduled for 9:30 am but I told Rob we should be there earlier. We stayed at the Days Inn on Rene-Levesque, and were able to walk to the consulate (left the car in the indoor garage at Days Inn for safety). Our room at the hotel, by the way, was nicely-appointed and the staff were friendly and very helpful.

We arrived at the consulate at 7:57 AM. They asked to see the interview letter and my passport (and Rob's passport). Rob had to leave the key fob (car alarm) with the guard.

We had with us in a plastic bag the following:

1) Our 2 binders of evidence (mostly correspondence between us, and our family and friends)

2) A small photo album (made up of selected photos from the time we met to the most recent pictures of the two of us)

3) My medical.

I also carried an accordion-style portfolio with the originals and copies of paperwork (interview letter and the passport at the very front).

There were a bunch of other people standing in front of the elevator when we got down but they were mostly going for non-immigrant visas (no K's). We went to window 14 and they went to another section. Our number was C4.

At 8:30 they called C1, and shortly after called the next two numbers. Our number was called around 8:40 AM. We then went to a window where a lady took our interview letter and medical report which she opened and checked. She then proceeded to go through our file. She told us they had both our K-3 and CR-1 applications but will only be processing the CR-1. She had a checklist and started checking off stuff. Then she told us to sit again and wait. That was around 8:55.

At 9:05 they called C-3, and a few minutes she emerged with a smile (her visa was approved!). At 9:15 we were called in. We went into this small room with a window. A different lady was in there this time. She took a fingerprint of my index fingers (both right and left). She gave us back my original BC and our marrage certificte. She also asked if we wanted to have our visa mailed to us or if we were going to pick it up. Then she swore me in and asked me questions. Some of the questions were:

- Have you committed any crimes?

- Have you received pardon from the police?

- How did you meet the gentleman you married? (When I said through a friend, she asked who the friend was and so on).

- When did you first meet in person?

- When did you decide to get married?

- When did you marry?

- How many attended your wedding?

- Who attended your wedding? (I must have given her a funny look because she said, "I don't need the entire guest list.")

- Whenever you entered the US, did you go on a visitor's visa?

- Have you stayed for more than 6 months in the US?

- Have you ever been denied a visa?

- Where does your family live?

- Who are your relatives in the US?

She also had some follow-up questions but I don't remember them all. Well, those are the questions I remember. She didn't ask for Rob's 2005 income tax return nor did she ask for a more recent police clearance from the Philippines (the one I submitted with the DS-230 expired a few days ago on August 2, 2006). We had both of those things ready for submission, but since they didn't ask, we didn't bring them up. She then said something about approving our visa application, and handed me a slip so I can come back in on Monday. We thanked her and we left. We were out of there at 9:25 AM.

PICKING UP THE VISA

On Monday, Rob and I passed by the consulate at 1 PM from Grandes-Piles where we spent the weekend. The slip said we can enter the consulate at/until 2:30 PM. The guard told us to come back at 2:15 PM (I guess they close for lunch between 1 & 2. I asked them if I can come at 3:00 PM and the guard said yes but it's better to come before because of crowds.

Anyway, we came back at 2:15 and it took me less than 5 minutes to clear security downstairs, take the elevator and pick up the visa, and come right back down. Rob had gone to the tourist information a few blocks away to ask some questions and so I had to wait for over 30 minutes after, clutching my papers tightly. But the interesting thing is that around 2:45 PM, a line was starting to form outside the consulate. I was able to speak to one of the people and he said he's picking up his J-1 visa at 3:00 PM. The guards weren't letting any of them in at that point. So, I guess if you get there later than 2:45 PM, you may have to wait in line with all the other visa applicants.

CROSSING THE BORDER

We drove to Vermont after doing some last-minute packing and saying goodbye to my family. The border was not busy at all... in fact, there was only one other car there. We handed our brown envelope and passports to Agent/Officer Bailey. We parked our car and went in a fairly nice building where I was "processed". I had to sign a form and get finger-printed (right index only) for the green card which he said I will receive in the mail. Before that, he opened the brown envelope. Rob said something like, "We don't know what's in there." And he said, "Yes, you do. It's your application." Then he just pulled out all the paperwork we had submitted. After he stamped my passport and did the paperwork, he said we can go. The Vermont POE was very pleasant (and calm).

Well anyway, that's our visa journey so far. We stayed in Milton, Vermont for a couple of nights at the Sampler House B&B (quite a charming place, and the host was great). We thought we deserved some relaxing time after all this.

Thank you everyone for your support!

[Kaitie64 0]

Congrats on a sucessful interview and crossing! Best wishes for a very happy life together

[amarceau 0]

Congratulations ... you must feel like you are ontop of the world now. I know I would.

All the best to you and your SO

Edited August 17, 2006 by amarceau

[Married_my_love 0]

We had with us in a plastic bag the following:

1) Our 2 binders of evidence (mostly correspondence between us, and our family and friends)

2) A small photo album (made up of selected photos from the time we met to the most recent pictures of the two of us)

3) My medical.

I also carried an accordion-style portfolio with the originals and copies of paperwork (interview letter and the passport at the very front).

CONGRATS!! Must be a relief it is over.

I see you brought a photo album, but I thought photo albums weren't allowed in to Montreal (?)

was it just because it was small that it was ok?

I mean to post this on the board because I bought a nice scrapbook that I wanted to start putting together, but thought I read you can't bring in things like that.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Congrats! Enjoy unpacking

[Buttons 0]

Congrats and Thanks for your K3 spot ............... lol !!!!!!!

[Cygnet 0]

Thanks, everyone!

Yes, we're both very happy. I'm so glad we don't have to go through those 'goodbyes' at the airport.

CONGRATS!! Must be a relief it is over.

I see you brought a photo album, but I thought photo albums weren't allowed in to Montreal (?)

was it just because it was small that it was ok?

I mean to post this on the board because I bought a nice scrapbook that I wanted to start putting together, but thought I read you can't bring in things like that.

I must have missed that part about not bringing albums. Mine was really small. It only held about forty 4x6 photos. So it wasn't huge.

Actually they didn't even bother looking at our proofs of relationship. They didn't ask for photos, emails, telephone bills, plane tickets, wedding stuff or anything. I mean, we were really prepared and had every possible thing we could think of. And then nothing... they didn't ask for anything. Not even the 2005 tax return!

[Fuzzness 2]

Congrats and welcome to the US!

[tommysgirl 0]

Congratulations Cygnet and thank you for all your help and PM's. I wish you all the best. Glad it went so well.

[iceyspots 0]

congrats and welcome home!!

[Jersey Girl 2]

Wow, Cygnet, you made me feel so relaxed just reading about your interview and trip across the border. We need more stories like this. Congratulations on completing the journey and starting a new and happy chapter in your lives together.

[mozplay 29]

Congrats to you both!! Enjoy your time together now.

[Married_my_love 0]

Actually they didn't even bother looking at our proofs of relationship. They didn't ask for photos, emails, telephone bills, plane tickets, wedding stuff or anything. I mean, we were really prepared and had every possible thing we could think of. And then nothing... they didn't ask for anything. Not even the 2005 tax return!

That's weird. Y'know Murphy's Law though, if you didn't bring it they'd have asked for it.

[Mermaid 0]

Congrats Cygnet!

[billsgirl 0]

hi cygnet.....i am soo happy everything went well for the 2 of ya...congrats is in order!!!...i am from montreal, and bill is from vermont..(which yes is a very nice state, his kids live in milton. just want to ask a question,.....does the us petioner have to have a passport for the interview???...or can he just use his drivers license? if ya can let me know that would be great...thanks again...and good luck on the rest of your journey