Montreal IR/CR Interview Experience

[sirius 32]

Hi guys, I got my visa in hand yesterday from the Montreal consulate. I thought I'd share my experience with others here.

My IR1/CR Interview was last week in Montreal. I prepared well for the interview. We never hired a lawyer and used VJ for help. Friendly VJers here are too kind and their generosity is over whelming (Saylin, NLR, dwheels, Darrel, CanadianBacon - to name a few, were extremely helpful). Saylin's guides are all I followed from the beginning of our visa journey to the end - so I recommend anyone from Canada to follow that as well.

I stayed at the Sheraton Hotel just down road from the US Consulate (1KM). It was -8 C on the morning of my interview. I arrived early for my interview (around 6:30), even though the scheduled time on my P4 said 10AM. I found myself to be the only one freezing to death outside the doors. Being nervous and cold is not a great combination, so I walked to Timmies down the street on Rene Lavesque and had a hot cup of coffee. I waited there for a bit and then walked back to the consulate around 7:15. I was the third person in line when the doors opened 15 minutes later. There were no K1 people there that day (or at that time). A bunch of other people were there for non-immigrant visa. I didn't meet any IR1 people either.

Once the doors opened, I passed through security. A reminder here, you CAN bring your cellphone with you (although there are signs outside the consulate that tell you they are not allowed, the security guards will check your phone in and give you a ticket number, you can use it to get your cellphone back when you exit the consulate). I had left my cellphone at the hotel just to avoid any inconveniences. Again, I followed Saylin's map for the Montreal consulate and followed the instructions to the tee, Down the stairs - into the waiting room, sat next to the elevator - and positioned myself in top left corner of the elevator when instructed to enter - on the 19th floor when the doors opened I was the second person out, as I gave courtesy to the older gentleman standing next to me. I was the second person in line to receive my interview number.

I submitted my civil documents in the window. They did not ask me for any photo copies of the civil documents. Nor did they ask for any proof of domicile (even though my wife is currently outside of the US as a student). The lady dealing with me was friendly and took all the original civil documents, made copies herself and returned them to me. She also took the AOS package, made photo copies and gave the photocopies back to me while keeping the originals. She also gave me that 'domestic violence' paper. I was told to wait again for my interview with the CO.

After about 15-20 minutes of waiting, I was called for my interview. The CO was extremely nice. He asked a few questions about when my wife and I first met, how long we have known each other, where and when we first met, what Im going to do when I move to the States. I already gave ten medical residency interviews in the States so I had prepared a list for him with names of those places. He asked how soon we will move, I told him I am flying out next week to get my wife and we'll be moving next month. As proof of relationship, I had photographs, chat/call logs from Viber, and misc. receipts from various trips and gifts. CO never asked but I offered to show them, but the CO refused. I also realised I had forgot to hand in the documents for Proof of domicile at the window, and after the CO went over the Joint sponsors AOS, I told him I forgot to give those and whether he'd like to see it. He said "no, I have established that your wife is temporarily out of the US for school and maintains an address in the US, is that correct?", I simply said "yes that is correct" and we moved on. He went through Joint Sponsors/Father in laws tax returns. A word of advice, use removable sticky tabs! I used them in the petitioners AOS and labelled each supporting document, and again used a different coloured sticky tabs for Joint Sponsor, the CO was easily able to navigate through the package and find tax returns, letter of employment, pay stubs (he didnt even look at all those things but Im sure he saw the labelled tabs and knew they were there). He told me twice "this is a really good application! I like the tabs". I also think it's good to look presentable at all interviews. I wore a tie and a shirt under my wool coat. It is cold even up on the 19th floor so wear warm clothes in the winter.

The CO approved my case and said "you'll hear from us in a couple of weeks, I am approving you" & that was that.

I told the CO that I am worried my passport won't be returned in time before I fly out next week, so he asked if I can come back to the consulate in one week (4th working day after my interview). I said absolutey. And so he wrote an appointment ticket for me for 3PM yesterday. While driving back to Toronto, I checked my CEAC status at 5PM and it said "issued" but underneath it said "undergoing necessary AP", the next day by evening my CEAC status changed to "Issued - in final stages of processing, will receive in 5 working days". I thought about not going to pick up the consulate but I didnt want to take a chance, so I arrived yesterday (found cheap via-rail return ticket from Toronto-Montreal for $75 tax included!) and once again I was at the consulate. I got there early at 2:30pm but they told me to come back exactly at 3PM. So I did, and went up and collected my passport with visa stamped in it.

Also, I just want to dispel any notion that being Muslim or having lived in Pakistan for 5 years had any impact on my application. I think people who get placed in AP for long periods of time have other red flags in their application, or are simply, unable to effectively communicate answers in a simple manner during the interview. I think clear, and concise answers are important. Good luck to everyone going through the process and use VJ as much as possible, it really is a wonderful place with people volunteering to help reunite families. If I can help anyone in need, please feel free to contact me.

P.S: As I wait for my train to Toronto at Montreal Central train station, Canada's womens hockey team made a spectacular come back to defeat the US in over time to win Gold. The whole station just erupted with cheers and claps - suddenly, I am sad that I'll be leaving Canada.

[jsumner86 403]

Well done! Congrats! Happy for you and that it all went well!

[Tina and Johan 206]

Well done, and congratulations, it must be a relief to know your life can now continue as normal again..

I would like to take you up on your offer, and as newbies to the site, would like to know what we/I actually need for the interview.. It is only early days for us, and we are not using a lawyer either, but it can't hurt to be prepared. Any input with regard to documents needed for the interview would be much appreciated.. Thank you in advance..

[sirius 32]

Well done! Congrats! Happy for you and that it all went well!

Thank you!

Well done, and congratulations, it must be a relief to know your life can now continue as normal again..

I would like to take you up on your offer, and as newbies to the site, would like to know what we/I actually need for the interview.. It is only early days for us, and we are not using a lawyer either, but it can't hurt to be prepared. Any input with regard to documents needed for the interview would be much appreciated.. Thank you in advance..

Hi, Welcome to the site. I highly recommend you join & follow this thread: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/478750-february-2014-filers/

You'll find people who filed K1 petition around the same time as you, and you can read their experiences and keep yourself up to date with the latest scoop.

As far as requirements for interview go, they vary from country to country. But the general requirements are the same. I would suggest you start keeping a call log (just to strengthen your application), my wife and I used viber more than skype and Viber automatically keeps a call log, but i know people keep skype logs too so whatever suits you. Also, hold onto copies of receipts from important gifts (engagement rings etc) and any tickets purchased to go see one another, last keep a nice collection of photos. Save all of those things as they'll be helpful near the end. From what i have seen, K1 folks are generally pressed hard with proof of relationship. Keep in mind, I was already married so I applied for IR1/CR1 which is slightly different from what you guys applied for. I guess IR/CR applicants arent pressed hard because the marriage certificate itself serves as solid proof. But again, I have seen that vary from place to place.

[Ana & Trey 0]

Dear Sirus,

Why did you have to take your AOS Packet to the interview if you had already submitted it to the NVC?

My interview is schedule for October and in the letter it says they have already sent it to the consulate.

I want to take everything that is needed, but now I am doubt about that.

I appreciate if you can reply to me.

Kind regards,

Ana

[NikLR 13,227]

Dear Sirus,

Why did you have to take your AOS Packet to the interview if you had already submitted it to the NVC?

My interview is schedule for October and in the letter it says they have already sent it to the consulate.

I want to take everything that is needed, but now I am doubt about that.

I appreciate if you can reply to me.

Kind regards,

Ana

Ana,

Canada is different than Brazil because we can email our documents and then take originals to interview. You had to mail all your originals to the NVC. Don't be worried!

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CONGRATS!!

[Ana & Trey 0]

Ana,

Canada is different than Brazil because we can email our documents and then take originals to interview. You had to mail all your originals to the NVC. Don't be worried!

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CONGRATS!!

Thank you so much!!!