K1 Approved at Interview - CEAC says Issued

[CDNme 11]

I hope I'm not celebrating too early. But I can't keep it in anymore

NOA1 of 03/07/13

NOA2 of 08/13/13

Interview 11/07/13

So much worrying, stressing, waiting and unrelenting feelings of frustration. And now... its moving & wedding time.

You can find my review of Dr. Zatzman in Vaughan, ON here --> http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/461597-medical-complete-review-of-dr-zatsman/

And my review of my interview at Montreal:

- Arriving -

(11/06/13)

I flew Porter from Windsor - Toronto (Billy Bishop City), Toronto - Montreal. Great experience (for the first time flying within Canada) with Porter. Lots of freebies and overall just very comfortable. Just a piece of advice. My roundtrip flight was priced on the Porter website at $530 (leaving Wed, return Thurs). I booked my hotel & flight through Porter Escapes and paid $488 for my flight AND hotel (Hyatt Regency, 5 minute walk to Consulate.) Once in Montreal, I hopped on the 747 shuttle to downtown. It was $9 and another great experience. It was about a 20-25mins drive to the center of downtown.

- Hotel -

I'd highly recommend the Hyatt Regency as long as price isn't your main concern. Its a super easy and short walk to the Consulate, there is a Starbucks right across the street and is located inside the Desjardins building which has a large underground mall & many, many dining options. The rooms were great, clean, quiet and despite having to pay $10 for a day's worth of wifi, I was very happy overall. The night before my interview I enjoyed a really nice, relaxing dinner at Baton Rouge - nice atmosphere and friendly staff.

- Interview Day -

(11/07/13)

Slept surprisingly well. Set 3 alarms + wake-up call for 530am. Had all of my clothes, documents and an OJ and cookie (thanks, Porter!) all out and ready to go. At 6:33am, I left the hotel and after an issue with the elevator (busy time, apparently), I ended up at the Consulate doors at 6:40pm. I was the first one there. All I had with me was a folder with all my documents, a plastic bag to cover it, my driver's licence, $20 and my hotel key card (which I kept in my coat pocket). At 6:50 a woman showed up, read the times on the door and left. The lights inside the security area went on shortly after and I could see the guards walking around. Then at 7am, people started showing up every 5 mins or so until 7:30am when they opened the doors. At that time there were about 10 people in line. No one was really talkative (boo!) at this stage, but I'm sure everyone was focused on other things.

When the guard opened the door, I was let in and a woman just inside the doors (left side) asked for my passport & my Loomis confirmation & registration number. She placed a white sticker on the back of my passport, wrote my registration number on it and then checked me off her list. Then through a second set of dorrs to security. Easily described as airport security. Everything in the bin, walk through the metal detector while your belongings go through a scanner. I was then instructed to go down the stairs and wait by the elevator. The room filled up and people started relaxing and talking to one another. The guard came down at 8am and opened the elevator. He told us that the elevator opened on the opposite side. So, I felt a little wah-wah already having that 'secret' knowledge as now everyone knew

Once upstairs, out of the elevator, make a left and walk towards the sign (hanging from the ceiling) that says "Window 14a/b" There was also a floor-stand with an arrow pointing toward the window that said "wait here". We all formed up a line and yes, I was handed the coveted C1. Over to the seating area for more waiting. I think it was about 815am when they finally called C1 (me!) over to the first window. Nice lady there, with a heavy French accent, started asking for papers. She needed my documents all out of order from any list I had read. She seemed to be flipping back and forth, but assertively. Kind of like she had her own way of doing it. Passport, birth certificate (original + copy), police certificate (orig + copy), letter of intent, divorce decree (orig + copy), I-134 + supporting documents (I only had last year's W2 & 2 recent paystubs), medical, things are a little fuzzy now... but there was A LOT on the list that she didn't ask for. Like all the forms - which I assume they didn't need because I had already sent them with Packet 3. I was never asked for more passport pictures, a copy of the bio page of my passport, any evidence of relationship, etc. I took notice to many people having large, heavy bags and files upon files. I was concerned I had not brought enough, but 50% of what I brought (which is exactly what was asked in Packet3/4) was not used. I guess a piece of advice - you don't have to bring the kitchen sink. If it makes you feel more comfortable/confident, go ahead! But I had a small stack and it was more than enough. After fingerprints, I was told to take a seat and wait to be called again. This whole process took about 15 minutes.

After about 5 minutes of waiting and chatting with another K1er (who had never heard of VJ - they had a lawyer), at 8:35am I was called to room #8. A nice man sat there and had me read the oath. He asked the following questions: "How did you meet", "did you start dating right away", "how often do you see each other", "who usually travels for visits", "what are your plans for the wedding" & "are your parents coming to the wedding?" He was very easy to talk to and besides a few moments of silence when he was typing into the computer, the interaction was pleasant and not intimidating. He had me sign a form and said "I'm approving this Visa" and handed me the Welcome to the United States of America paper. HUGE SMILE. I almost clapped, but resisted! He advised that my Visa/Passport should arrive in a week or two, to not open the sealed packet and to follow the instructions to pay some $135 fee after I receive the Visa.

I then asked if in the event I did receive my Visa/Passport back in time for Thanksgiving if I could visit the USA without activating my K1 just yet. He advised that the Border Patrol Agents had the final say. Technically you can, but whether they let you is up in the air. The interviewer was helpful and gave me some suggestions about contacting the Border beforehand obtaining approval from a superior. Again, the interviewer was so nice. I didn't catch his name, but he was from LA!

I walked out of the Consulate at 8:50am and was back in the hotel room, and on the phone with my fiance just before 9am. After making a couple other phone calls letting family know how it went, I celebrated by treating myself with breakfast at Eggspectations (in the Desjardins building, ground level next to the Hyatt). I packed up, grabbed some Starbucks and hopped on the 747 again (was able to use the same ticket as the fare is good for 24hrs) and made it back to the airport for my 235pm departure back home.

My recommendations? Keep it simple. Stay close-by, give yourself time, don't bring the kitchen sink. If you have everything in order, it should be a breeze regardless of what order they ask for things. Try to remain confident and concise. Of the last 8.5 months - this was truly the easiest 24hrs. I actually felt like for once in this process, I was somewhat in control of what was happening!

Thanks for reading & best of luck!

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Great review and congratulations!

[Xenob 2]

Congratulations!!!! We just got our NOA2 so starting to look into whats coming down the pike, That 135 fee you mention I am pretty sure that does not apply to k1 visas, but might want to double check that.

[CDNme 11]

Congratulations!!!! We just got our NOA2 so starting to look into whats coming down the pike, That 135 fee you mention I am pretty sure that does not apply to k1 visas, but might want to double check that.

Congrats on NOA2. Things have been moving a lot quicker for USCIS... but the MTL Consulate is a little backed up since there are so many approvals lately (longer wait for Packet 3/4 & interview).

The interviewer pointed out a sign on the wall with regards to the $135 and that its 'new' ( I believe I remember reading it was in effect in 2011 or 2012) and that instructions would be in my packet on how to remit the payment. I never questioned whether or not it applied to me - I think the interviewer knew I was there for a K1 (although he could have made a mistake). Either way, he told me to expect it, I should be getting my packet soon and I'll be sure to update. Let's pray that it doesn't apply! I'm all fee'd out at this point.

Edited November 14, 2013 by CDNme

[CDNme 11]

Got the e-mail stating my passport has been picked up with my waybill number!! Unfortunately my closest Loomis is 2hrs away so I will contact them to have it couriered to my work which will likely mean a Monday/Tuesday arrival.

But still... YAY =)