Got the Visa, Back in the U.S.

[evergreen 0]

We had our "interview" appointment in Montreal on Friday.

Our appointment was scheduled for 9:30am, but we arrived a little before 7am. When we arrived, an older couple and their daughter were already waiting. They'd been there since 5am.

A small line formed behind us of maybe 4-6 additional people before they let us in the building at about 8am. They would only let the mother in of the couple and daughter before us.

We went through security, then up the elevator to the 19th floor.

Our window, #14, did not open until 8:30. That was the window where they give you your number, and that number determines your order in line. Because of this, being the earliest to arrive outside the building doesn't mean much - because when the window finally opens everyone rushes up to the window, regardless of what order they actually arrived in.

We were able, along with the other first three people in line outside, were able to get to the front of the line when the window opened, but only with some effort. A man who had arrived much later was extremely upset that he wasn't at the front of the line.

Anyway, we got our number (C2) and sat down to wait to be called to another window. When we got to that window, she sent us to Window 14 to pay.

When we tried to pay, my credit card did not work! I had to leave the consulate and go to a cash machine and come back to pay! That put us behind.

While I was down getting money, a woman at Window 12 asked my husband for forms. The woman at Window 12 asked my husband several questions (while I was gone). She insisted that we must have all three years of tax returns, even though the directions on the I134 and I864 say that only the current year's tax return is required. Once I was able to come back through security, pay, and make it back to the window, I underlined this in their forms and gave her my 2005 tax return and W2 as well as a letter from my employer. She did not want my paystubs.

We then sat down to wait for our interview. We were really nervous because we were worried that we would be there until 2pm or 3pm due to the credit card fiasco (and our dog was at the hotel).

However, they did call us to an interview room (rooms 7 & 8) not long after that. There was no real interview (as in questioning) and they did not ask for any additional documents. They made my husband swear an oath (which I apparently accidentally joined in on) and then asked us to sit down.

It was about 20 minutes when my husband had his Visa (same day) and we were out of the consulate.

Instead of staying in Montreal to eat, we picked up our dog, checked out of the hotel, and drove straight to the border (on I89 between Quebec and Vermont). The I-194 issue was no problem after my husband showed his extension application, and they took his paperwork, stamped his passport, and we were off.

Now we're in the U.S. - thank god that's all over with!

[YuAndDan 153]

Great!

Can you copy this to the embassy reviews? http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/

[Flames9_RN 358]

Great news. How did you manage to get the visa issued the same day? Congrats

[Cygnet 0]

They made my husband swear an oath (which I apparently accidentally joined in on) and then asked us to sit down.

This made me laugh!

Congratulations!

[Cassie 8]

Congratulations!

[mozplay 29]

Congrats!! Now you can enjoy the rest!

I do have the same question as flames though .. how did you get the visa the same day?

Mo

[jen&darcy 0]

Congratulations!

[snz1802 0]

Congratulations, wonderful news, I am wishing you the very best and a happy life together as husband and wife.

HAPPY DANCE

HAPPY HAPPY DANCE

[Buttons 0]

Congrats !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[evergreen 0]

We're here in the U.S. moving into our new house already! Got to the U.S. Friday evening.

We got the Visa the same day as it had already been arranged by our Congressman's office and a supervisor in Montreal - our application had been expedited and they did not want us to have to have our appointment on Friday and come all the way back to Montreal on Monday. There were not guarantees that it would happen, but it must have been 45 minutes from "interview" to visa in hand.

I tried to move this or copy it to the Montreal interview/consulate "review" site, but couldn't figure out how.

Overall, the interview was NOTHING compared with the rest of the process. Anticlimatic, is how my husband termed it.

Edited October 1, 2006 by evergreen

[Jersey Girl 2]

Thanks for the report ... especially the part about them asking for 3 years of tax returns. Enjoy your new life together!

[knowledge 0]

We had our "interview" appointment in Montreal on Friday.

Our appointment was scheduled for 9:30am, but we arrived a little before 7am. When we arrived, an older couple and their daughter were already waiting. They'd been there since 5am.

A small line formed behind us of maybe 4-6 additional people before they let us in the building at about 8am. They would only let the mother in of the couple and daughter before us.

We went through security, then up the elevator to the 19th floor.

Our window, #14, did not open until 8:30. That was the window where they give you your number, and that number determines your order in line. Because of this, being the earliest to arrive outside the building doesn't mean much - because when the window finally opens everyone rushes up to the window, regardless of what order they actually arrived in.

We were able, along with the other first three people in line outside, were able to get to the front of the line when the window opened, but only with some effort. A man who had arrived much later was extremely upset that he wasn't at the front of the line.

Anyway, we got our number (C2) and sat down to wait to be called to another window. When we got to that window, she sent us to Window 14 to pay.

When we tried to pay, my credit card did not work! I had to leave the consulate and go to a cash machine and come back to pay! That put us behind.

While I was down getting money, a woman at Window 12 asked my husband for forms. The woman at Window 12 asked my husband several questions (while I was gone). She insisted that we must have all three years of tax returns, even though the directions on the I134 and I864 say that only the current year's tax return is required. Once I was able to come back through security, pay, and make it back to the window, I underlined this in their forms and gave her my 2005 tax return and W2 as well as a letter from my employer. She did not want my paystubs.

We then sat down to wait for our interview. We were really nervous because we were worried that we would be there until 2pm or 3pm due to the credit card fiasco (and our dog was at the hotel).

However, they did call us to an interview room (rooms 7 & 8) not long after that. There was no real interview (as in questioning) and they did not ask for any additional documents. They made my husband swear an oath (which I apparently accidentally joined in on) and then asked us to sit down.

It was about 20 minutes when my husband had his Visa (same day) and we were out of the consulate.

Instead of staying in Montreal to eat, we picked up our dog, checked out of the hotel, and drove straight to the border (on I89 between Quebec and Vermont). The I-194 issue was no problem after my husband showed his extension application, and they took his paperwork, stamped his passport, and we were off.

Now we're in the U.S. - thank god that's all over with!

Cogratulations! I was following your story a little bit!

[Karly-n-Bruce 0]

Congratulations!

However, they did call us to an interview room (rooms 7 & 8) not long after that. There was no real interview (as in questioning) and they did not ask for any additional documents. They made my husband swear an oath (which I apparently accidentally joined in on) and then asked us to sit down.

I started a thread today about bringing your fiance to the interview and was pointed toward your story. My fiance is planning on accompanying me to my interview and we were both wondering what we should expect. Were you both asked to attend the interview or did you both go voluntarily? I suppose I'm a little confused (and shocked I guess) that they would allow your fiance in on your interview. Maybe I'm just over-analyzing everything because I'm stressing out over the interview.

[Cassie 8]

Congratulations!

However, they did call us to an interview room (rooms 7 & 8) not long after that. There was no real interview (as in questioning) and they did not ask for any additional documents. They made my husband swear an oath (which I apparently accidentally joined in on) and then asked us to sit down.

I started a thread today about bringing your fiance to the interview and was pointed toward your story. My fiance is planning on accompanying me to my interview and we were both wondering what we should expect. Were you both asked to attend the interview or did you both go voluntarily? I suppose I'm a little confused (and shocked I guess) that they would allow your fiance in on your interview. Maybe I'm just over-analyzing everything because I'm stressing out over the interview.

If I am not mistaken, they are married, and the couple are both allowed into the interview at Montreal. On the day of my interview, there were quite a few nervous couples there. Fiances, I am not sure about that. I think they are allowed into the building, but into the interview itself, but I would call the consulate and ask them directly for confirmation. Keep asking!

[Karly-n-Bruce 0]

If I am not mistaken, they are married, and the couple are both allowed into the interview at Montreal. On the day of my interview, there were quite a few nervous couples there. Fiances, I am not sure about that. I think they are allowed into the building, but into the interview itself, but I would call the consulate and ask them directly for confirmation. Keep asking!

Thanks for the heads up!