Montreal embassy EB-2 interview wait time

[vRace 5]

On 7/2/2019 at 7:45 PM, bkbk8 said:

Hi all, here's an update on my case:

 

As you may know, I was not able to attend my initial interview in April, was able to finally reschedule for July 2nd (

 

• - Interview scheduled for 7.30AM
• - Lined up at the embassy by 6.45 and was #2 in line
• - They started letting people in by 7.35AM
• - Front person checks your passports and immigrant visa interview confirmation
• - You are let in, through security check, similar to airport security check (my phone was stored and checked in with them until I left the consulate) - no bagpacks, no food, no drinks, etc. 
• - You are escorted down to the 'basement' where you are handed your number with instructions to organize your documents in a specific order (here's what I remember)
  • Passport
  • photos
  • Medical
  • Birth Certificate and translation
  • Marriage Certificate
  • Police certificate(s)
  • Income Tax Return (however they never asked for it)
• You wait until the room is filled with enough people, then take an elevator to the 19th floor to the interview area
• You are seated until your number is called, first window person asks for the original documents above and for me they asked for a recent Job Offer
• Once all documents are provided, fingerprints are taken, address is verified, and then you are seated again
• I waited another 15-20mins until we were called in for the actual interview 
• Interview lasted 10-15mins (my case was complicated so it took longer than usual) - started with an oath, signed letter that I'll be working for the employer once I land, etc.
• Questions asked for my EB2 case:
  • Who's your petitioner?
  • What is your role title (was not asked for role description)?
  • What is your salary?
  • Location of your work
  • Countries you visited in the past 5 years
  • Your highest education - and majors for both bachelors and masters
  • What university (both masters and bachelors)
  • Talk to me about the countries you lived in since 16 years old - and under what visa (i.e. student/F1 visa in US, etc.)
  • What was the last time you were in the States, date you left, etc.
• Wife was then interviewed, similar questions
• Both were given the green paper slip (approval) - passports were taken and they mentioned they'll be provided back to us in two weeks

 

Wish you all the best. Be patient, even though Montreal is slow in processing employment based applications, it will all be good! Once your I-140 is approved, your 'technically' only attending the consulate as a formality.

 

 

 

 

 

Please share your experience with crossing over the Border/POE with the sealed package the 1st time.

Thanks in advance.

 

 

[bkbk8 5]

17 minutes ago, vRace said:

 

 

Please share your experience with crossing over the Border/POE with the sealed package the 1st time.

Thanks in advance.

 

 

Haven't received my passports yet but plan on flying in. Will keep you posted when I do. 

[BurBur 5]

2 hours ago, bkbk8 said:

Haven't received my passports yet but plan on flying in. Will keep you posted when I do. 

Hi @bkbk8, was your interview on 7/2? Did it go well? Have the CEAC status changed? Any reason you can think of why you haven't received your passport yet? 

[puda 12]

Hey guys,

 

EB3 here. My lawyers told me the retrogression means that you can't get your visa before October 1st but then unsure about scheduling an interview. I got an RFE last month so working on it... Fingers crossed we can send back the docs (Ability to pay) next month and get approved soon...

[bkbk8 5]

18 hours ago, BurBur said:

Hi @bkbk8, was your interview on 7/2? Did it go well? Have the CEAC status changed? Any reason you can think of why you haven't received your passport yet? 

It went well, got the verbal approval and Green letter "Welcome to US", I detailed my experience in one of the recent posts.

 

Status remains under AP but I received an email yesterday "Form DS-5535, Supplemental Questions for Visa Applicants" so plan on replying back.

[BurBur 5]

2 hours ago, bkbk8 said:

It went well, got the verbal approval and Green letter "Welcome to US", I detailed my experience in one of the recent posts.

 

Status remains under AP but I received an email yesterday "Form DS-5535, Supplemental Questions for Visa Applicants" so plan on replying back.

I see. Hope it will work out for you quickly. I'm just curious do you know if they request this form because they want the social media information?

[bkbk8 5]

13 minutes ago, BurBur said:

I see. Hope it will work out for you quickly. I'm just curious do you know if they request this form because they want the social media information?

I believe so. But the form also requests details from the past 15 years vs what's on the DS260 (~5 years of details)

[BurBur 5]

36 minutes ago, bkbk8 said:

I believe so. But the form also requests details from the past 15 years vs what's on the DS260 (~5 years of details)

Ok, wish you all the best and please keep us posted

[Daniel2014 0]

44 minutes ago, bkbk8 said:

I believe so. But the form also requests details from the past 15 years vs what's on the DS260 (~5 years of details)

Does this form DS-5535 only for selected applicants or for everyone? Hope everything goes well...

[dnvnlee 2]

On 7/19/2019 at 11:55 AM, vRace said:

Once you get the interview letter, there is instructions to register for shipping.

Its $20 per person for expedite.

For those who live nearby any pick up location, it will be also Xpress service via Canada Post for the non-premium delivery.

I picked up my passport in the morning of 18th in Toronto. My interview was on 16th.

[bkbk8 5]

18 hours ago, Daniel2014 said:

Does this form DS-5535 only for selected applicants or for everyone? Hope everything goes well...

Some parts of the DS-5535 are now part of the DS260 form (i.e. Social Media details, etc.) however, I am not sure if its for selected candidates. So far, it appears that I've only been asked for such details even though I was handed the Welcome to the US green letter and the Officer mentioned it should not take more than 3 weeks.

[HannahSF 6]

Has anyone experienced visiting the US while waiting for their interview? Any issues? My lawyer said it should be ok, I just wondered if anyone had first hand experience 

[vRace 5]

On 7/17/2019 at 3:57 PM, vRace said:

Can anyone share the experience when they cross over the border/POE with the sealed package?

What to expect ?

Anyone?

[KartineeKartoons 434]

5 hours ago, HannahSF said:

Has anyone experienced visiting the US while waiting for their interview? Any issues? My lawyer said it should be ok, I just wondered if anyone had first hand experience 

I visited twice already. First was right after we got approved petition and second while waiting for interview. I just got back today. I didn’t have a problem on both trips. 🤗

[LoveCalifornia 3]

On 7/20/2019 at 11:08 AM, bkbk8 said:

It went well, got the verbal approval and Green letter "Welcome to US", I detailed my experience in one of the recent posts.

 

Status remains under AP but I received an email yesterday "Form DS-5535, Supplemental Questions for Visa Applicants" so plan on replying back.

Hey BkBk8...hopefully you will get your visa very soon. I have heard of this many times that you are told you are approved and then you receive DS5535 in email. I have also heard that in such cases they clear the applicant very quickly and issue the visa so hopefully you will hear the good news soon. I am just curious, are working in the U.S. ? if so, have you been waiting for the visa in Canada for like 20 days? that's a long time!

Edited July 22, 2019 by GottaLoveCalif