Got it today!!

lynnmatic · May 29, 2007

:thumbs: my Canadian wife got Her US visa thru the DCF process in Montreal today!

We stayed at the La Tour Centre Hotel, as many have on here, and found it to be just right for being right across the street from the US consulate, as well as close to shopping, bars, restaurants etc.

We got to the consulate at 7:30 am, just as the staff person came out and checked our letters of appointment (ours was for 8:30 am) and also to see if we were packing the forbidden cell phones, big bags, and the like. We passed that hurdle and went on in the search and x-ray machine area, much like at the airport, and got thru that area with no problems. I could not believe the people in the lineup that showed up with electronic devices, and big handbags and briefcases, only to be sent away to get rid of them. Thanks to this forum group for tipping us off in advance.

We were escorted by guards to the basement of the SNC Lavalin building where the Consulate is located, to board the elevator that whisked us to an upper floor where the offices are located. We waited a few moments in the waiting area, then were called by speakers to the windows (we were not told to watch the electronic board showing our letter & number asssigned earlier) and the lady behind the window was rather taciturn, but efficient in making sure we had brought the correct documents,(and copies of all originals) as outlined in the packet we were sent with our appointment notice.

We were asked to update our address since we had moved in the year since our initial filing of our petition in Vancouver. We were also asked to go pay our fee at the cashier window. They accepted major credit cards, and good old cash.

Then we went back to the window lady and showed we had paid, and gave Her the updated addresses. She asked us to wait again in the wait area until we were called back for THE INTERVIEW.

At about 9:30, we were called in to a small office, and a very nice guy named Matt asked about our situation, where I worked, and what my wife would be doing once She arrived in the US. He asked that I update my personal financial data since I had used an old form, and since it had been almost a year. He kindly printed the newer form off for us and asked us to return it to Him when He finished the next interview. We did so, and He had my wife swear Her oath that all the documents were truthful. Then He took fingerprints of Her index fingers, and that was it!

He said the visa would be mailed in the Express Post mailer we provided them, in less than a week.

All we have to do after that is have the visa stamped at the border, or the airport where we enter the US from, and apply for Her Social Security card at the nearest office in the US. They will have already informed the SS office of Her status.

A great day, and now we are off to celebrate the big day!!

Thanks,

Lynn & Judy

P.S. my wife says to remember to smile...the crankier you are during this, the nastier they get at the Consulate.

Mini Timeline: Filed for DCF petition Vancouver Approx. June 6, 2006

Received letter for interview: Approx. April 4, 2007

Interview in Montreal May 29, 2007