Interview at Montreal embassy.

[Rlewis 73]

23 minutes ago, Rose__ said:

May I ask what the process was like? Was it the usual 5min "who's sponsoring you, how did you meet, what do they do" routine? I'm still waiting for my reschedule from April but, after all the ups and downs, I'm getting very anxious about interviewing.

I second this, would like to know how it went, but also what were their covid measures like? Masks required? Screens? Separate rooms?

 

big congrats to you!!

[Madison99 13]

4 minutes ago, Hadarah said:

I didn't mention this here, but  I got a miracle yesterday! My original interview date was April 6th and I got my interview letter. I'm now scheduled for September 23, 2020. I got the email from Montreal-IV-DV@state.gov at 11:38am California time. It came in right after they replied to the email inquiry I sent about my medical expiring soon due to the embassy being shutdown for 5months. Booked a flight back to Canada this weekend so I have enough time to quarantine and hopefully redo my police clearance too as that expired just a few days ago. Blessings to everyone who is still waiting. May your Interview Letter come soon!! Let's endure till the end!!

Which email did you contact them through??

[Rlewis 73]

7 minutes ago, Hadarah said:

I didn't mention this here, but  I got a miracle yesterday! My original interview date was April 6th and I got my interview letter. I'm now scheduled for September 23, 2020. I got the email from Montreal-IV-DV@state.gov at 11:38am California time. It came in right after they replied to the email inquiry I sent about my medical expiring soon due to the embassy being shutdown for 5months. Booked a flight back to Canada this weekend so I have enough time to quarantine and hopefully redo my police clearance too as that expired just a few days ago. Blessings to everyone who is still waiting. May your Interview Letter come soon!! Let's endure till the end!!

Wonderful, keep us updated!

[Hadarah 172]

3 minutes ago, Madison99 said:

Which email did you contact them through??

The same email as normal  Montreal-IV-DV@state.gov 

[Devint 47]

2 minutes ago, Rlewis said:

I second this, would like to know how it went, but also what were their covid measures like? Masks required? Screens? Separate rooms?

 

big congrats to you!!

I wasn't really interviewed,  as I had already done that last June 2019. At that interview it is like you said - "where did you meet" , "how long have you known each other" , "What will you do for work"

"Where will you live?"

 

The interview is a very nervy event, but if all your paperwork is in order and there are no red flags, you'll be fine.

 

That interview was in the old consulate. This one is brand new and the take every precaution you can expect for Covid. Masks are mandatory - they make you sanitize on the way in. They even have little lockers for your cell phone and car keys. The guard checks your letter and tells you to go upstairs to a window and wait. The officers upstairs are all behind glass and everyone on "our" side is separated. Its safe. Just don't go too early as I showed up an hour early all eager and they sent me away. There's a second cup coffee shop across the street to wait and count down the minutes. I went back with 10 to spare and they let me in.

[Devint 47]

16 minutes ago, Hadarah said:

I didn't mention this here, but  I got a miracle yesterday! My original interview date was April 6th and I got my interview letter. I'm now scheduled for September 23, 2020. I got the email from Montreal-IV-DV@state.gov at 11:38am California time. It came in right after they replied to the email inquiry I sent about my medical expiring soon due to the embassy being shutdown for 5months. Booked a flight back to Canada this weekend so I have enough time to quarantine and hopefully redo my police clearance too as that expired just a few days ago. Blessings to everyone who is still waiting. May your Interview Letter come soon!! Let's endure till the end!!

that is awesome! Almost there!

[Devint 47]

10 minutes ago, Hadarah said:

The same email as normal  Montreal-IV-DV@state.gov 

Same here. I asked about the medical and they got back to me immediately telling me to come in. That might be the key.

[Hadarah 172]

6 minutes ago, Devint said:

Same here. I asked about the medical and they got back to me immediately telling me to come in. That might be the key.

Mine expires October 13th (with the 1 month extension) so I'll have 3 weeks of validity past my interview date. I hope that will be okay. I read in the invite email that it has to be valid for one month past the interview date. But I think they will be flexible cause of covid. Were they a stickler with yours? If you don't mind sharing, how much longer is your medical still valid for?

[Devint 47]

1 minute ago, Hadarah said:

Mine expires October 13th (with the 1 month extension) so I'll have 3 weeks of validity past my interview date. I hope that will be okay. I read in the invite email that it has to be valid for one month past the interview date. But I think they will be flexible cause of covid. Were they a stickler with yours? If you don't mind sharing, how much longer is your medical still valid for?

It expired August 24th, they extended it to September 24th. She said as long as I enter before then, It will be accepted. I actually believe they are trying to work with everyone during this extraordinary time. 

 

Another thing I should share. She specifically asked if I was planning on flying or driving across. I planned on driving through Sarnia , Ontario but may just fly this first time. She said they are getting reports that people with valid visas are being turned away at some points of entry on the land border. (She singled out Niagara falls). Just some additional food for thought.

[Rlewis 73]

42 minutes ago, Devint said:

It expired August 24th, they extended it to September 24th. She said as long as I enter before then, It will be accepted. I actually believe they are trying to work with everyone during this extraordinary time. 

 

Another thing I should share. She specifically asked if I was planning on flying or driving across. I planned on driving through Sarnia , Ontario but may just fly this first time. She said they are getting reports that people with valid visas are being turned away at some points of entry on the land border. (She singled out Niagara falls). Just some additional food for thought.

That's interesting, because that is not the first I've heard of the land POE turning valid visas holder being turned away. I wonder why? Are they fully sticking to the essentials only rule?

Funny, what Canadians would want to go into USA willingly during the height of covid, unless to be with our loved ones! 

[JacobP 185]

11 minutes ago, Rlewis said:

That's interesting, because that is not the first I've heard of the land POE turning valid visas holder being turned away. I wonder why? Are they fully sticking to the essentials only rule?

Funny, what Canadians would want to go into USA willingly during the height of covid, unless to be with our loved ones! 

Someone with a valid K-1 was turned away a few months ago, forget which POE. Then other K-1 holders after them got through fine. Never heard of someone with a CR/IR visa get turned away though. It sounds like CBP got almost no real guidance or anything on what to do for actual immigrants at the land border, so sometimes they end up using discretion in really stupid and inconsistent ways.

 

@Devint Out of curiosity, did you notice anyone else having an appointment today? Or was it just you since yours was kind of a special case?

[Devint 47]

20 hours ago, JacobP said:

Someone with a valid K-1 was turned away a few months ago, forget which POE. Then other K-1 holders after them got through fine. Never heard of someone with a CR/IR visa get turned away though. It sounds like CBP got almost no real guidance or anything on what to do for actual immigrants at the land border, so sometimes they end up using discretion in really stupid and inconsistent ways.

 

@Devint Out of curiosity, did you notice anyone else having an appointment today? Or was it just you since yours was kind of a special case?

My appointment was at 1 pm. I was the only person there. The interviews are usually first thing in the morning so I couldn't say how many they did. 

[Rose__ 303]

23 hours ago, Devint said:

My appointment was at 1 pm. I was the only person there. The interviews are usually first thing in the morning so I couldn't say how many they did. 

Do you have any recommendation as to what to wear? I figured since you've been through the process you might have some advice for us  Were people very dressed up or would smart casual (jeans, a nice blouse...) work?

[Lemonslice 4,830]

14 minutes ago, Rose__ said:

Do you have any recommendation as to what to wear? I figured since you've been through the process you might have some advice for us  Were people very dressed up or would smart casual (jeans, a nice blouse...) work?

Hi,  I dressed business casual, and so did my husband.  Others wore jeans and a nice blouse.  The outfit is not really important, as long as it is appropriate.  Make yourself comfortable (for me, being comfortable matched what the employees would be wearing, but others will have to be comfortable for travel, or what they usually wear).   Best of luck!

[Rose__ 303]

1 minute ago, Lemonslice said:

Hi,  I dressed business casual, and so did my husband.  Others wore jeans and a nice blouse.  The outfit is not really important, as long as it is appropriate.  Make yourself comfortable (for me, being comfortable matched what the employees would be wearing, but others will have to be comfortable for travel, or what they usually wear).   Best of luck!

Great, thank you so much