Possible Policy Change in Montreal

[Lola_ 0]

I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but better we find out sooner rather than later, right? Since no one would warn us otherwise!

note to self: FIND A CHEAP HOTEL!

[Emancipation 2]

Well.. in the light of Yesterday's revelations about the termination of next days visas, i've had to book a flight to Montreal for my interview on the 16th - $400 + my fiance's costs to come up from CT. We were hoping for him to come collect me for the move, swing by Montreal for the interview, and then do POE. But because of the 2 week wait for the visa, we're both going to have to go to Montreal and then 2 weeks later have him come back to the East Coast to collect me. What a pain in the butt. It's annoying, but also it's going to cost more all around for those of us that don't live within driving distance of Montreal. It's frustrating, but at the same time... there is nothing we can do about it. So I'm just dealing with forking out another $400.00 YEAH!!

[Jersey Girl 2]

Trouble is, we have to take the "10-14 days" thing with a grain of salt. And the trouble with that is, we can't make a decent, affordable plan! Yes, Montreal is a great city for 3 nights, but not for a 2-week unscheduled vacation I can't afford!

Today, I'm thinking about joining my husband in Montreal for the interview, because it's vital it goes well, and I'm the form filler-outter. Then, we both go back to our respective homes and wait for the visa. He'll have to activate his K-3 by himself at Pearson in Toronto.

Yes, it's more time, expense, angst, and the never-ending journey-from-hell. But years from now, I'll wager that absolutely no couples on this site will have gotten divorced! We worked too hard to be together!

[Marilyn. 340]

Well.. in the light of Yesterday's revelations about the termination of next days visas, i've had to book a flight to Montreal for my interview on the 16th - $400 + my fiance's costs to come up from CT. We were hoping for him to come collect me for the move, swing by Montreal for the interview, and then do POE. But because of the 2 week wait for the visa, we're both going to have to go to Montreal and then 2 weeks later have him come back to the East Coast to collect me. What a pain in the butt. It's annoying, but also it's going to cost more all around for those of us that don't live within driving distance of Montreal. It's frustrating, but at the same time... there is nothing we can do about it. So I'm just dealing with forking out another $400.00 YEAH!!

you do know that you spouse or fiancee does not have to be at the interview right? He can be there if he wants to but is not required to be there...

[Flames9_RN 358]

al sucks, plain and simple, but maybe it wil speed things up for others. I see no reason why a spouse has to accompany the other for the interview, its nice for support, but not really required. I dont recall filling out nay more paperwork either. My wife filled out al our forms for the most part, I had photo copies so I knew what was on them. Only thing I recall filling out was part II on the ds 230, and that was just a signature. Frustrating, but best of luck, hopefully they wil get things inthe mail asap. They say up to 14 days, but i bet it will be faster, sort of like when you call NVC and they say the wait is 180 days. cheers

[Emancipation 2]

Well.. in the light of Yesterday's revelations about the termination of next days visas, i've had to book a flight to Montreal for my interview on the 16th - $400 + my fiance's costs to come up from CT. We were hoping for him to come collect me for the move, swing by Montreal for the interview, and then do POE. But because of the 2 week wait for the visa, we're both going to have to go to Montreal and then 2 weeks later have him come back to the East Coast to collect me. What a pain in the butt. It's annoying, but also it's going to cost more all around for those of us that don't live within driving distance of Montreal. It's frustrating, but at the same time... there is nothing we can do about it. So I'm just dealing with forking out another $400.00 YEAH!!

you do know that you spouse or fiancee does not have to be at the interview right? He can be there if he wants to but is not required to be there...

Yep we know that.. All along we've been working under the assumption that we'd be coming from PEI, driving to Montreal and then through to CT... so we know it's not manditory, but he wants to be there with me. Totally know that. But honestly who would WANT to go to the interview alone? Doesn't change the 400$ flight I had to book this morning either.

[Marilyn. 340]

Well.. in the light of Yesterday's revelations about the termination of next days visas, i've had to book a flight to Montreal for my interview on the 16th - $400 + my fiance's costs to come up from CT. We were hoping for him to come collect me for the move, swing by Montreal for the interview, and then do POE. But because of the 2 week wait for the visa, we're both going to have to go to Montreal and then 2 weeks later have him come back to the East Coast to collect me. What a pain in the butt. It's annoying, but also it's going to cost more all around for those of us that don't live within driving distance of Montreal. It's frustrating, but at the same time... there is nothing we can do about it. So I'm just dealing with forking out another $400.00 YEAH!!

you do know that you spouse or fiancee does not have to be at the interview right? He can be there if he wants to but is not required to be there...

Yep we know that.. All along we've been working under the assumption that we'd be coming from PEI, driving to Montreal and then through to CT... so we know it's not manditory, but he wants to be there with me. Totally know that. But honestly who would WANT to go to the interview alone? Doesn't change the 400$ flight I had to book this morning either.

I went alone .... it would have been too expensive for my hubby to fly from Los Angeles to Montreal though....

[Flames9_RN 358]

The interview in Mtl is pretty easy for the most part!! I went alone, was not a big deal, brought a book and read. Original plans was for my wife to come as well, and make a holiday of it, but the date just didnt allow it. Majority of the time at the Consulate, ur just waiting and waiting. Personally I would prefer to go alone, but thats me. Woul dhave been nice if she was back at the hotel waiting, but oh well, not a biggy, have a lifetime together.

[Emancipation 2]

I hear you guys.. I'm just a big pansy. My fiance is the Paperwork guru. I just start crying when I see a form to complete. I am so thankful he knows his stuff. AND for this forum -I'd be lost without it!

[girl 37 7]

I'd say don't waste your time or money by having the USC at the interview if you're short on cash or time. I went to my interview in Vancouver alone, and when the consular officer asked if my husband was there (duh... Where would all 6' 5" of him be? Hiding beneath someone's legs??) I told him he was at home in TN... He'd used most of his vacation time visiting me. It wasn't a problem. At Montreal, he was with me but the officer didn't even ask him his name. He sat in a chair by the door while we chatted.

Jersey, can't your husband just review the documents and ask you to clarify the answers if something's unclear?

Edited December 20, 2006 by girl 37

[Jersey Girl 2]

Jersey, can't your husband just review the documents and ask you to clarify the answers if something's unclear?

My husband's first language is Portuguese, and he's not as comfortable with English as I am.

As of today, we know for sure I can fly up to Montreal, he can take a train from Toronto, and we can go to the interview together. This will ensure everything goes well. Then, we each go back home and wait for his visa to arrive by mail. That's when he can fly to Newark. We figure he should have no problems activating his K-3 at pre-clearance in Toronto's Pierson airport.

I wish we had more anecdotal evidence of how long it takes for them to send out visas by Expresspost, but that isn't going to happen given the newness of all this. Otherwise, I'd go to Toronto with him and wait for the visa. If I knew it took 3 or 4 days, that would be doable. But if it's going to take 2 weeks, it's not. Just not enough information to formulate a different plan!

[Flames9_RN 358]

Would be nice if they updated the Mtl consulate webpage thus people could be aware of this new change.

[Mephys 2]

I understand that people dont want to go to the interview alone....

But sincerely I dont get why the beneficiary would need the petitioner to be present at the interview....since all the forms are soley filled with the beneficiary's informations.....And more, all the other questions are things he should know, like how you met As for the I-134 you just hand it to them.

Well thats me, I jsut think a lot of you people could save your money and be together for the big move instead. Thats what we are planning to do cause I aint gonna make him drive Chicago-Montreal more than once and we would rather put the money for an additional plane ticket for all these months I wont be working instead. Dunno about you guys but money aint the easy part for us. I dont mind going to the interview alone anyways. Most of it is just waiting for your turn!

Mephys

[QC2CO 1]

Would be nice if they updated the Mtl consulate webpage thus people could be aware of this new change.

This is true, because, I received my packet 4 for CR1 on Saturday, and it says that next day pickup is available, which is the information I based myself on choosing the dates for my plane ticket.

And when i spoke to the embassy (because of what was said in this post), she said that nothing is guaranteed and I should have taken measures in case of this happening. How was I supposed to know that was going to happen?? i was able to pick it up next day when I did my K3 interview at the end of October. Then she had went on to ask me why I didnt chose to do an AOS after getting the K3. I told her that waiting 2 months was obviously the best choice then doing AOS since I only had to wait 2 months! Why do I have to justify myself to her?? hehe (just venting). Cabin fever perhaps. We are in the middle of a blizzard in Colorado.

Edited December 21, 2006 by QC2CO

[Flames9_RN 358]

I guss to be fair to Mtl there is no gaurentee that one would get the visa the next day, always the possibility of something not working, but otherwise there should not be a problem. Not much one can do but bite the bullet. I suppose one could go into the interview with a chip ontheir shoulder and complain, but what would that do? Most likely just slow things up!! Have a good xmas all. Could be worse, could be stuck in a 3rd world country starving. Guess I looked at things differently while going through the initial process. After being in the Cdn Forces for nearly 15 yrs and been throughout the world and seeing terrible living conditions, I knew I was pretty lucky to be waiting in Canada, but hey, thats me!! Cheers, all