our IR1 interview experience

[karina 0]

Hi, my husband and I wrote up our experience in Montreal last Thursday...

INTERVIEW:

We were the first in line at 7:10am. The guards opened the doors at 7:30am, checked our appointment letter, and guided us through the security check. Remember, no electronic devices including cell phones, cameras, laptops, or large bags. A guard gave us a ticket indicating order (A 9). We were placed in a waiting area in the basement before ushered into an elevator that took us to the 19th floor. After approx. 15 minutes, a lady behind a window booth called our ticket number and asked us numerous questions. I think her job is to make sure our paper work and documentation are in order. She asked us for the Xpresspost envelope (remember to write down your tracking #), medical results (no xray), and 2 photos. We noticed that this pre-interview seeks to point out one or two 'potential problems' in the application. Perhaps they are observing your reaction to this stress. She asked about my correction of birthplace and seemed to be extremely concerned about it. We were then told to wait. After about 30 minutes she called for us and scanned my fingerprints (try to hold still). We waited for another 30 minutes before she summoned us again and asked us to pay extra for previous fingerprints performed $85 USD (be ready to pay for unexpected fees.. they take credit or cash). Then we waited for what seemed like eternity... probably about 45 minutes before we were called to enter a private room (room 7) with a similar window booth. This is the actual interview. A gentleman asked us about the birthplace issue, asked both of us about our line of work, questions about how we met, asked to see some documentation to prove that I did not overstay, and finally said "well, you're approved" (YAY!!). The final interview took no more than 10 minutes. He actually gave my passport back to me but my SMART wife caught it and we were able to return it to him. Remember to LEAVE your passport for them to stamp the visa and mail to you (after approval)! After walking out of the building I let out a loud scream!

In our situation, we were not asked to give any proof of relationship, nor did they need any updated financial documents (bank statement, cheque stubs). We met a two other couples interviewing for IR1 and CRI. One couple waited for 3 years (cosponsorship issue), and another waited for 1.5 years. Although all of us were nervous, it was a supportive environment. We told them about visajourney.

ENVIRONMENT:

We stayed in La Tour Centre-Ville, which is literally across from the Embassy. It's really convenient.

There appeared to have a lot of parking spaces around the Embassy too.

There's a Tim Horton's a block from the Embassy.

RESTAURANTS/FOOD:

After the interview, we celebrated at The Queue de Cheval and it was really yummy! Chinatown is 2 blocks walk from the Embassy, so there are a lot of places to eat around the area.

At the end of the day, we are just so thankful that this part of the journey is over! It was a long 18 months of being apart, and we look forward to starting our lives together again!

[L_n_O 3]

congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! great review

[Misty1979 0]

Hi, my husband and I wrote up our experience in Montreal last Thursday...

INTERVIEW:

We were the first in line at 7:10am. The guards opened the doors at 7:30am, checked our appointment letter, and guided us through the security check. Remember, no electronic devices including cell phones, cameras, laptops, or large bags. A guard gave us a ticket indicating order (A 9). We were placed in a waiting area in the basement before ushered into an elevator that took us to the 19th floor. After approx. 15 minutes, a lady behind a window booth called our ticket number and asked us numerous questions. I think her job is to make sure our paper work and documentation are in order. She asked us for the Xpresspost envelope (remember to write down your tracking #), medical results (no xray), and 2 photos. We noticed that this pre-interview seeks to point out one or two 'potential problems' in the application. Perhaps they are observing your reaction to this stress. She asked about my correction of birthplace and seemed to be extremely concerned about it. We were then told to wait. After about 30 minutes she called for us and scanned my fingerprints (try to hold still). We waited for another 30 minutes before she summoned us again and asked us to pay extra for previous fingerprints performed $85 USD (be ready to pay for unexpected fees.. they take credit or cash). Then we waited for what seemed like eternity... probably about 45 minutes before we were called to enter a private room (room 7) with a similar window booth. This is the actual interview. A gentleman asked us about the birthplace issue, asked both of us about our line of work, questions about how we met, asked to see some documentation to prove that I did not overstay, and finally said "well, you're approved" (YAY!!). The final interview took no more than 10 minutes. He actually gave my passport back to me but my SMART wife caught it and we were able to return it to him. Remember to LEAVE your passport for them to stamp the visa and mail to you (after approval)! After walking out of the building I let out a loud scream!

In our situation, we were not asked to give any proof of relationship, nor did they need any updated financial documents (bank statement, cheque stubs). We met a two other couples interviewing for IR1 and CRI. One couple waited for 3 years (cosponsorship issue), and another waited for 1.5 years. Although all of us were nervous, it was a supportive environment. We told them about visajourney.

ENVIRONMENT:

We stayed in La Tour Centre-Ville, which is literally across from the Embassy. It's really convenient.

There appeared to have a lot of parking spaces around the Embassy too.

There's a Tim Horton's a block from the Embassy.

RESTAURANTS/FOOD:

After the interview, we celebrated at The Queue de Cheval and it was really yummy! Chinatown is 2 blocks walk from the Embassy, so there are a lot of places to eat around the area.

At the end of the day, we are just so thankful that this part of the journey is over! It was a long 18 months of being apart, and we look forward to starting our lives together again!

Congrats on the successful interview! If you don't mind a question though, I am confused about the "documentation to prove that you didn't overstay" part. I've never heard of any CO just randomly asking for that. Was there some kind of issue beforehand where they suspected you of overstaying, and what did you show to prove that you didn't overstay? (Just asking incase I need to come up with some sort of documentation as well incase they ask for this regularly now.)

[Sprailenes 47]

Hey I was in Montreal last thursday too! How weird is that?

I probably saw you.

[Sprailenes 47]

Oops sorry my bad, I was there on friday, this long weekend things got me all screwed up.

Sorry about that.

[misa 2]

Congrats Karina!

[karina 0]

Hi Misty,

My hubby had to w/draw his application aka. denied entry at a POE 18 months ago. The consular officer asked us about that, and therefore we had to present travel dates to show him that my husband has never overstayed in the US. Don't worry about it, as your case appears to be more straightforward that ours!

Take care!

[CutienPurg 0]

congrats karina

[karina 0]

thanks you all you guys are all so kind, and i am so grateful for the support of vj

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Excellent review!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

I did not know they charged you for fingerprinting.... I know they take Canadian cash right? or only USD? do they take debit?

Best, L.

[neiks 19]

Congrats!

[karina 0]

Len,

I don't think they charge everyone a fingerprinting fee. We were confused too, but perhaps they charged us the $85 for previous fingerprinting (my husband was denied entry at a POE b4, and i think they fingerprinted him)?!?! anyway, they defin take USD and Canadian, and if i remember correctly, i think they take creditcard too. But for sure, USD and CAD.

Take care!

[bszoom42 0]

Congratulations!

[JA Tam 7]

Congratulations