Montreal embassy EB-2 interview wait time-Part 2

[Aaron_ 24]

2 hours ago, Froozion said:

Visa type -EB2-NIW

Priority date aug 8th 2022

DQ date - march 30th 2023

Interview letter - Aug 7th

Interview date - sept 9th 

Status - Aproved (awaiting passports to be returned)

 

We received our interview letter on aug 7th. We were currently living 5 hours north of winnipeg in manitoba, so there was going to be lots of travel.

 

We booked our medical in toronto with dr lynden mascarenas on Aug 26th.  Before the medical we had to fill out a vaccine questionare which needed to be signed off by our family doctor to ensure all the vaccines were complete before going.

We actually arrived at the mecical about an hour early. And they were able to see us earlier than our appointment. The actual appointment was less than 10 minutes, where he only took our blood pressure. He then sent us to the basement to get x-rays and across the street to get the blood test (there was about a 20 minute wait). Overall very quick and easy. 

 

You then have to book the courier service for where they will return your passport to. This was pretty straight forward. 

 

The final thing to do was to have all your documents in order and ensure you have a photocopy of each document. 

 

We got to montreal a couple days before the interview and stayed at the best western europe. It was 1 block away and very easy access. There is a lot of hotels, shops and restaurants very near the embassy so there will be no issues. 

 

The actual embassy is not very obvious from the outside and there is a lot of road works on the street. There is a bank right next to it and embassy door is to the left. Our appointment was ay 9.45 and i had read not to arrive much earlier as you will just have to wait outside no matter the weather. So we arrived just after 9.40 and got straight in, whereas people who had arrived for 10am appointments had to wait in the street. 

 

The security guard then checked our passports and we went through the scanner (very much like an airport). The only thing you are allowed to take with you is your document folder. You are not allowed food, drinks, back packs, phone, smart watches, wallets. There is a small locker to put a phone and wallet. But it is tiny and would not fit anything more. So leave all your extra items at the hotel. You then go in an elevator to the first floor where you are given a number and have to wait until its called. There are bathrooms and a water fountain. 

 

Our appointment was at 9.45, we were called to the first desk at 10.45 and the second at 12.00pm. Its a long wait. So bring a book or magazine (no electronics). 

 

At the first window you just get asked for your documents and fingerprints. For us we were asked for the originals and photocopies of: 

 

Passport

2x passport photo

Birth certificate 

Marriage certificate (2 copies one for each person)

Police reports

 

We then sat and awaited the call for the second window for the interview, we got called up together. We were asked to say an oath and sign it. We then gave our fingerprints again. Then we were asked the following questions 

 

What does the petitioner do for work?

Have you ever lived anywhere other than canada and US? 

How many times have you traveled to the US together (petitoner and spouse) 

Were there any issues crossing the border?

Asked which previous visa we were on? (student)

Asked if we had over stayed previous student visa?

Have either of you had any criminal arrests?

Asked where we intended to move?

Asked what the spouse does for work? 

He asked if we had been married before?

He asked if we had children?

 

We were then told we were approved and that our passports would be mailed within 2 weeks. He then returned our original documents and we were on our way. They did keep our police reports, however we have no other reason for them, but you may want to have a copy for your own record. 

 

Overall very easy! Happy to answer any questions! 

Congratulations, Froozion! I am really happy for you and your family. You are one of the most contributing members of this forum, and I appreciate you sharing your experience. My question is a bit speculative: Do you think the interview is just a formality and that the decision has already been made? Did you get that feeling?

[Froozion 168]

13 minutes ago, Aaron_ said:

Congratulations, Froozion! I am really happy for you and your family. You are one of the most contributing members of this forum, and I appreciate you sharing your experience. My question is a bit speculative: Do you think the interview is just a formality and that the decision has already been made? Did you get that feeling?

We went into it feeling it was more of a document check than an actual interview.... the answers to all the questions had already been given either in the initial application or the ds260. 

 

I think its more to catch out any lies....so it felt like a formality for us for sure. 

[Coco_2023 14]

4 minutes ago, Aaron_ said:

Congratulations, Froozion! I am really happy for you and your family. You are one of the most contributing members of this forum, and I appreciate you sharing your experience. My question is a bit speculative: Do you think the interview is just a formality and that the decision has already been made? Did you get that feeling?

I'll let @Froozion to answer but according to my own research I have been conducting, if you're born and raised in Canada and haven't stayed in 'hot zone' countries more than 6 months, especially if you've studied in the US then the interview probably would be just a formality otherwise or if a red flag pops up on the officer's system then you're AP'd no matter what.

 

For instance as far as I know there has only been 1 case in the past 2 years where a couple were born in Iran and they didn't get AP'd and that's because they both studies in the States...each case is different though... 

[mgsctravels 24]

40 minutes ago, Aaron_ said:

Congratulations, Froozion! I am really happy for you and your family. You are one of the most contributing members of this forum, and I appreciate you sharing your experience. My question is a bit speculative: Do you think the interview is just a formality and that the decision has already been made? Did you get that feeling?

 

I echo this. I have so incredibly valued your contributions and so many others on this forum would agree, so thanks and congratulations, @Froozion!

[Coco_2023 14]

27 minutes ago, Coco_2023 said:

I'll let @Froozion to answer but according to my own research I have been conducting, if you're born and raised in Canada and haven't stayed in 'hot zone' countries more than 6 months, especially if you've studied in the US then the interview probably would be just a formality otherwise or if a red flag pops up on the officer's system then you're AP'd no matter what.

 

For instance as far as I know there has only been 1 case in the past 2 years where a couple were born in Iran and they didn't get AP'd and that's because they both studies in the States...each case is different though... 

Oh I missed one more criterion which is if you've studied or worked in any of the fields that are included in the following Technology Alert List (TAL) then your odds of getting AP'd are probably higher than 90% since the officer is obligated to send your case to the security advisory department called the Mantis:

 

https://www.greencardlawyers.com/answers_for/VisaProcessing/TALFieldsList.html

 

[Froozion 168]

11 minutes ago, Coco_2023 said:

Oh I missed one more criterion which is if you've studied or worked in any of the fields that are included in the following Technology Alert List (TAL) then your odds of getting AP'd are probably higher than 90% since the officer is obligated to send your case to the security advisory department called the Mantis:

 

https://www.greencardlawyers.com/answers_for/VisaProcessing/TALFieldsList.html

 

If it makes you feel any better, myself and my husband both have phds in Biochemistry/ genetic engineering and did not receive AP. So it's not a definite! 

[Coco_2023 14]

2 hours ago, Froozion said:

If it makes you feel any better, myself and my husband both have phds in Biochemistry/ genetic engineering and did not receive AP. So it's not a definite! 

Thank you @Froozion That's a relief!

 

Perhaps you guys got your phd from the US?

 

A friend of mine, who I did my phd in AI with—he's originally from the UK but we studied together in Canada— ended up getting AP. The officer actually told him that having a PhD in AI was considered a red flag!

 

So I suspect we are considered a "security threat!!" if didn't study in the US🤣

Edited September 10 by Coco_2023

[Froozion 168]

6 hours ago, Coco_2023 said:

Thank you @Froozion That's a relief!

 

Perhaps you guys got your phd from the US?

 

A friend of mine, who I did my phd in AI with—he's originally from the UK but we studied together in Canada— ended up getting AP. The officer actually told him that having a PhD in AI was considered a red flag!

 

So I suspect we are considered a "security threat!!" if didn't study in the US🤣

The petitioner did his undergrad and phd in US then post doc in canada. I did my undergrad in Scotland and phd in canada. 

It probably was easier as my husband's degrees were from US, so no threat. 

[mam521 2,062]

On 9/9/2024 at 8:57 AM, canadian85 said:

My spouse has been travelling to US for work every week on L1 visa while we wait for the interview.  I have a few questions

 

1. What additional documentation may be required for my spouse during the time of interview

 

2. Do we need to get the FBI clearance for my spouse as it has been close to 1 year travelling weekly to US.  Do we need the PCC as this was not submitted with the civil documents. Travel started after DQ. 

 

3. Would frequent travel pose any issue in getting an approval? 

As long as your spouse's L1 is valid and their I-94 doesn't have any errors, should be fine.  

 

The interview is with USCIS and they have access to FBI records, hence why you never need to get an American PRC.  

 

@Froozion congrats!  Sounds like your interview was pretty much the same as our IR interviews were back when we did them.  More of a verification that the documents submitted were real and true and that your answers were in alignment with what was submitted.  Good luck with the logistics of your move!  Are you in The Pas? 

[Froozion 168]

53 minutes ago, mam521 said:

As long as your spouse's L1 is valid and their I-94 doesn't have any errors, should be fine.  

 

The interview is with USCIS and they have access to FBI records, hence why you never need to get an American PRC.  

 

@Froozion congrats!  Sounds like your interview was pretty much the same as our IR interviews were back when we did them.  More of a verification that the documents submitted were real and true and that your answers were in alignment with what was submitted.  Good luck with the logistics of your move!  Are you in The Pas? 

We have family in swan river, the pas and winnipeg. So have been bouncing around and visiting across manitoba for the summer

[Coco_2023 14]

EB2 has reached to its cap for this year!

 

Not sure if this applies to EB2-NIW too and if the pre-scheduled interviews for the reat of September, including mine, are getting canceled 😐

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/annual-limit-reached-in-the-EB-2-category.html

 

[canadian85 24]

21 hours ago, Froozion said:

Visa type -EB2-NIW

Priority date aug 8th 2022

DQ date - march 30th 2023

Interview letter - Aug 7th

Interview date - sept 9th 

Status - Aproved (awaiting passports to be returned)

 

We received our interview letter on aug 7th. We were currently living 5 hours north of winnipeg in manitoba, so there was going to be lots of travel.

 

We booked our medical in toronto with dr lynden mascarenas on Aug 26th.  Before the medical we had to fill out a vaccine questionare which needed to be signed off by our family doctor to ensure all the vaccines were complete before going.

We actually arrived at the mecical about an hour early. And they were able to see us earlier than our appointment. The actual appointment was less than 10 minutes, where he only took our blood pressure. He then sent us to the basement to get x-rays and across the street to get the blood test (there was about a 20 minute wait). Overall very quick and easy. 

 

You then have to book the courier service for where they will return your passport to. This was pretty straight forward. 

 

The final thing to do was to have all your documents in order and ensure you have a photocopy of each document. 

 

We got to montreal a couple days before the interview and stayed at the best western europe. It was 1 block away and very easy access. There is a lot of hotels, shops and restaurants very near the embassy so there will be no issues. 

 

The actual embassy is not very obvious from the outside and there is a lot of road works on the street. There is a bank right next to it and embassy door is to the left. Our appointment was ay 9.45 and i had read not to arrive much earlier as you will just have to wait outside no matter the weather. So we arrived just after 9.40 and got straight in, whereas people who had arrived for 10am appointments had to wait in the street. 

 

The security guard then checked our passports and we went through the scanner (very much like an airport). The only thing you are allowed to take with you is your document folder. You are not allowed food, drinks, back packs, phone, smart watches, wallets. There is a small locker to put a phone and wallet. But it is tiny and would not fit anything more. So leave all your extra items at the hotel. You then go in an elevator to the first floor where you are given a number and have to wait until its called. There are bathrooms and a water fountain. 

 

Our appointment was at 9.45, we were called to the first desk at 10.45 and the second at 12.00pm. Its a long wait. So bring a book or magazine (no electronics). 

 

At the first window you just get asked for your documents and fingerprints. For us we were asked for the originals and photocopies of: 

 

Passport

2x passport photo

Birth certificate 

Marriage certificate (2 copies one for each person)

Police reports

 

We then sat and awaited the call for the second window for the interview, we got called up together. We were asked to say an oath and sign it. We then gave our fingerprints again. Then we were asked the following questions 

 

What does the petitioner do for work?

Have you ever lived anywhere other than canada and US? 

How many times have you traveled to the US together (petitoner and spouse) 

Were there any issues crossing the border?

Asked which previous visa we were on? (student)

Asked if we had over stayed previous student visa?

Have either of you had any criminal arrests?

Asked where we intended to move?

Asked what the spouse does for work? 

He asked if we had been married before?

He asked if we had children?

 

We were then told we were approved and that our passports would be mailed within 2 weeks. He then returned our original documents and we were on our way. They did keep our police reports, however we have no other reason for them, but you may want to have a copy for your own record. 

 

Overall very easy! Happy to answer any questions! 

Congratulations.  So happy for you. You have been one of the most helpful and responsive people on the forum. Glad that you are almost through with your process.

[canadian85 24]

36 minutes ago, Coco_2023 said:

EB2 has reached to its cap for this year!

 

Not sure if this applies to EB2-NIW too and if the pre-scheduled interviews for the reat of September, including mine, are getting canceled 😐

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/annual-limit-reached-in-the-EB-2-category.html

 

I believe if you have been invited, that means they have a visa available for you. 

[mgsctravels 24]

8 minutes ago, canadian85 said:

I believe if you have been invited, that means they have a visa available for you. 

 

I suppose that in the grand scheme of things, running out of visas this fiscal isn't the end of the world since the annual resets on Oct. 1?

[rzchen 0]

22 hours ago, Froozion said:

Visa type -EB2-NIW

Priority date aug 8th 2022

DQ date - march 30th 2023

Interview letter - Aug 7th

Interview date - sept 9th 

Status - Aproved (awaiting passports to be returned)

 

We received our interview letter on aug 7th. We were currently living 5 hours north of winnipeg in manitoba, so there was going to be lots of travel.

 

We booked our medical in toronto with dr lynden mascarenas on Aug 26th.  Before the medical we had to fill out a vaccine questionare which needed to be signed off by our family doctor to ensure all the vaccines were complete before going.

We actually arrived at the mecical about an hour early. And they were able to see us earlier than our appointment. The actual appointment was less than 10 minutes, where he only took our blood pressure. He then sent us to the basement to get x-rays and across the street to get the blood test (there was about a 20 minute wait). Overall very quick and easy. 

 

You then have to book the courier service for where they will return your passport to. This was pretty straight forward. 

 

The final thing to do was to have all your documents in order and ensure you have a photocopy of each document. 

 

We got to montreal a couple days before the interview and stayed at the best western europe. It was 1 block away and very easy access. There is a lot of hotels, shops and restaurants very near the embassy so there will be no issues. 

 

The actual embassy is not very obvious from the outside and there is a lot of road works on the street. There is a bank right next to it and embassy door is to the left. Our appointment was ay 9.45 and i had read not to arrive much earlier as you will just have to wait outside no matter the weather. So we arrived just after 9.40 and got straight in, whereas people who had arrived for 10am appointments had to wait in the street. 

 

The security guard then checked our passports and we went through the scanner (very much like an airport). The only thing you are allowed to take with you is your document folder. You are not allowed food, drinks, back packs, phone, smart watches, wallets. There is a small locker to put a phone and wallet. But it is tiny and would not fit anything more. So leave all your extra items at the hotel. You then go in an elevator to the first floor where you are given a number and have to wait until its called. There are bathrooms and a water fountain. 

 

Our appointment was at 9.45, we were called to the first desk at 10.45 and the second at 12.00pm. Its a long wait. So bring a book or magazine (no electronics). 

 

At the first window you just get asked for your documents and fingerprints. For us we were asked for the originals and photocopies of: 

 

Passport

2x passport photo

Birth certificate 

Marriage certificate (2 copies one for each person)

Police reports

 

We then sat and awaited the call for the second window for the interview, we got called up together. We were asked to say an oath and sign it. We then gave our fingerprints again. Then we were asked the following questions 

 

What does the petitioner do for work?

Have you ever lived anywhere other than canada and US? 

How many times have you traveled to the US together (petitoner and spouse) 

Were there any issues crossing the border?

Asked which previous visa we were on? (student)

Asked if we had over stayed previous student visa?

Have either of you had any criminal arrests?

Asked where we intended to move?

Asked what the spouse does for work? 

He asked if we had been married before?

He asked if we had children?

 

We were then told we were approved and that our passports would be mailed within 2 weeks. He then returned our original documents and we were on our way. They did keep our police reports, however we have no other reason for them, but you may want to have a copy for your own record. 

 

Overall very easy! Happy to answer any questions! 

Congratulations!!  Do you prepare the photocopies for Birth/Marriage certificate, police report etc and take to the consulate? or the officer will photocopy them? Thanks