Alberta Canadian Beneficiary - Is an interview in Montreal, Quebec normal?

[NikLR 13,227]

French isn't started until middle or high school unless its french immersion in my experience.

[Ryan H 3,812]

~Thread is starting to veer off track; please confine your responses to replying to the thread's OP and not to each other.~

[canada_to_n.carol 3]

I live on Vancouver Island and will have to fly all the way to Montreal and back, even though there is a consulate in Vancouver. Very annoying. At least I can do the medical in Surrey.

Cheers! My hubby is a Texan too!

[NikLR 13,227]

Off topic guys....

[blest.but.strest 50]

I am the petitioner from Texas and my husband of 4 years resides in Alberta, Canada.

I just received our NVC Welcome Letter (ACL) this week and it states that the case visa interview will be schedule in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. I find this odd, because I distinctly remember the I-130 making it clear that Quebec applicants use different forms, so I assumed they were separate from the rest of Canadian applicants.

Anyone have the same thing happen? I am just concerned that I am going somewhere french and we know zilch about the French language. Thanks all.

The interview in in Montreal. Don't worry, Montreal is one of the most fascinating and eclectic cities in North America, and most Montrealers are perfectly bilingual. You won't have any problems communicating in English. The USCIS officers at the interview are Americans and will speak English, so there is absolutely no stress.

And yes Montreal has a nightlife to die for, great restaurants, the best bagels and pastrami corned beef sandwiches called "smoke meat" at the Jewish Deli's.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Off topic guys....

**Two such posts have been removed.**

[Ms Hogan 295]

I am the petitioner from Texas and my husband of 4 years resides in Alberta, Canada.

I just received our NVC Welcome Letter (ACL) this week and it states that the case visa interview will be schedule in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. I find this odd, because I distinctly remember the I-130 making it clear that Quebec applicants use different forms, so I assumed they were separate from the rest of Canadian applicants.

Anyone have the same thing happen? I am just concerned that I am going somewhere french and we know zilch about the French language. Thanks all.

I do not like Montreal and I don't speak French well enough (although I attended public school and took French from 1st grade through 9th) to carry on a conversation. I have been many times because I love the architecture and sights but I won't go off-topic to complain about the treatment I have received in Montreal as someone who doesn't speak French.

Many people have posted to say that you should not worry because if you don't speak French the Quebecers will automatically speak English instead for you. This is not true. You may be left completely lost looking someone in the eyes who just stares back at you because they don't know what you are saying OR they are not willing to speak English to you. With that said, be prepared by bringing your own maps with directions for where you need to move around between the airport or train station, your hotel, the consulate etc. If you are not used to being in a big busy city AND not familiar with the language it can be overwhelming, especially in such an emotionally stressful situation such as waiting for your interview.

If you are just going for your interview and not trying to also do touristy site-seeing things just stick to the basics and keep it simple. That's the best advice I can give. I was there in miserable March and with two little kids so it was hard to walk around and find what we wanted and needed with the kids in tow. If I was there alone or just as a couple it would have been different so you may have a nice opportunity to make the most of it.

My best advice is always to not assume that they speak English but rather ask if they do. They probably will but if they choose French as their first language it is courteous of us to ASK and not assume they are willing to speak English. Be prepared on your own for your own peace of mind so you don't have to rely on others when you get there.

[NikLR 13,227]

In restaurants in the downtown core it is generally easy to assume they speak, or someone speaks english, but I agree not to expect everyone too. I looked up how to get everywhere before leaving my hotel everyday.

[Lemonslice 4,838]

My best advice is always to not assume that they speak English but rather ask if they do. They probably will but if they choose French as their first language it is courteous of us to ASK and not assume they are willing to speak English. Be prepared on your own for your own peace of mind so you don't have to rely on others when you get there.

You realize no one "chooses" their first language, right? And that for some, it's not a question of being "willing" to speak English, but simply not being able to?

Your best advice is totally the best advice - in Montreal, in Tokyo, in the countryside of Tuscany or on the beach at Cape Verde