In-depth Montreal Visa Interview - Pass/Approved

[Humsafar 15]

Background

I am Canadian. My husband is American. My interview appointment was on Dec 18, 2018 at 8am. Before arriving, I made a binder with plastic sleeves and tabs of what is included in the pre-interview checklist. This was not as necessary for the officer as much it just helped me stay organized. My husband took me to Montreal and we drove up and made a trip out of it. I recommend driving up to the embassy the day before the interview to see where to park the day of and where to stand.

 

The Appointment Day

My appointment was at 8 am. We arrived at 7:04 am. We parked in parked in lot across building for $15/day early bird price. After 8am it is $18 for the whole day. It was hard to find parking if you have an appointment before 9:30 am because the streets need to be cleared from 8am-9:30am for city cleaning.

One family arrived right when we did.  Stood in line till 7:45 am. VJ bloggers said to stand on the side with the yellow columns but that didn't matter because the building security guard asked us to line up across the right side of the building.

 

Once we were allowed in we were asked to go to the back of the line since we didn't have a 7:30am appmt and they wanted to prioritize the early ones. So we told everyone in line, if you have a 7:30am appmt move up. And then everyone was kind enough to let us stand in front of the 8am group since we were there early.

When we went in, there was a lady who greeted us and asked us for our appointment time and our passports. She handed us a laminated document that indicated our call number and what we need to have ready for the officer.  She asked out of the two who was the beneficiary and the petitioner. Then we went to security.

The security guy asked us to place our items in the bin like at the airport. Did not have to take shoes off. You hand in ur phone and keys to the officer and get a ballot to pick it up when you leave the building. We went downstairs and waited like everyone else. Then an officer came and told us we r going up to floor 19 and when we arrive we will sit and wait for our number to be called. Our waiting began, it was 8am.

 

When my number was called the lady just asked for all my documents to verify them and passport photos. Confirmed my Canadian address, phone number and then asked me the petitioners phone number and address. She took my finger prints. And then told me I am good to go and to sit and wait again and the officer will call my number for the interview.

 

The lady officer called my number and I went up. She made me take an oath of honesty on the finger print scanner.  She said you were born in Pakistan I said yes. Questions she asked me:

1. How did you two meet?
2. Who is the petitioner?
3. What does your husband /petitioner do for work?
4. Where does he live?
5. How often do you get to see each other?
6. What is your highest level of education?
7. Have you ever been convicted of a crime?
8. Does your husband cook or do you cook? (meant to be a trick question)
9. Have you ever been denied entry to the US?
10. How long have you ever stayed in the US?
11. Have you ever stayed in the US longer than 6 months?

 

Then all of a sudden she pulled out two sheets and said welcome to the US and that our immigration packet is now electronic so we don't take anything to the border. If you have travel plans and are worried about getting your passport back in time, do mention it to the officer. By 8:50 am, we were done.

 

Side Notes:

- Items I brought but;

They did not even ask for the photocopies of the the original documents. 

They did not ask for a printed interview appointment letter.

They did not ask for CEAC print outs.

They did not ask to see petitioners photocopy.

They DID ask to photocopy his W-2.

They did not ask to see relationship evidence.

[Ontarkie 14,234]

~~Moved to the Canada forum, from IR1/CR1 Progress Reports - As the topic is country specific and reviews are often discussed here.~~

[Beekay 1]

Thanks for sharing your experience! Very helpful.

 

Just a question, is it okay to bring copies of petitioner's documents as opposed to originals? Because on the checklist it does say petitioner's original birth certificate, for an example.

 

Thank you!

[NikLR 13,227]

18 minutes ago, Beekay said:

Thanks for sharing your experience! Very helpful.

 

Just a question, is it okay to bring copies of petitioner's documents as opposed to originals? Because on the checklist it does say petitioner's original birth certificate, for an example.

 

Thank you!

That's visa specific.  Only applicable for parental visas etc...  not spousal.  However for a k1 you normally need original divorce decrees from both petitioner and beneficiary. 

[Humsafar 15]

2 hours ago, Beekay said:

Thanks for sharing your experience! Very helpful.

 

Just a question, is it okay to bring copies of petitioner's documents as opposed to originals? Because on the checklist it does say petitioner's original birth certificate, for an example.

 

Thank you!

If you submitted petitioner documents online, they did not ask for the originals. Yes I brought photocopies of his originals and they did take one document.

 

Im glad you found it helpful!

[Loois 21]

Have you gotten your passport back yet?

[raptora 48]

On 12/19/2018 at 12:00 PM, Humsafar said:

 

1. Does your husband cook or do you cook? (meant to be a trick question)

When you say it was a trick question, were they seriously trying to trip you up? What if you had answered the "wrong" way? 😕 

[Humsafar 15]

On 12/26/2018 at 2:39 PM, raptora said:

When you say it was a trick question, were they seriously trying to trip you up? What if you had answered the "wrong" way? 😕 

I wouldn't know for certain if it was a trick question or not, but it was very unrelated and random, so I'd assume it was meant to be a question to kinda throw you off. 

[Humsafar 15]

On 12/21/2018 at 4:23 PM, Loois said:

Have you gotten your passport back yet?

Not yet, a lot of holidays in between (Christmas eve, Christmas day, boxing day, new years & the weekends) adding to the waiting time.  Will update once I receive it. 

[Humsafar 15]

On 12/21/2018 at 4:23 PM, Loois said:

Have you gotten your passport back yet?

I got my passport today.  To read about my Canada Post Experience, check out my most recent post.