Rabid Squirrel

Finally received my Visa. 
 
Purolator dropped it off today. 
My interview was on Oct 12.
Spousal Visa
 
A few thoughts for you…
 
We didn’t use a lawyer as our case was pretty straightforward. We can be quite detail oriented. It can be done without legal counsel, nonetheless, choose what fits your unique situation best.  
The time between when the consulate gets your file and when you are notified that your appointment is booked is excruciating. Mentally, that limbo takes more than you’d expect.   
I decided to add a joint sponsor. My primary sponsors income was slightly less than ideal, however we had plenty of cash (in a US bank account) to easily be within the guidelines. Even still, I wanted an airtight case. Problem was that when I went to upload the joint sponsor CEAC no longer provided that option. A slight panic set in. Really, there is no hope in contacting the consulate as CEAC tells you to when you are in that situation. Believe me, I tried relentlessly. Yet, there was no need for alarm. I brought the original completed Form I-864, Tax Form 1040 and joints proof of citizenship (passport photocopy) to the interview. This worked without a problem.   
Follow the Pre-Interview checklist… For real. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/MTL-Montreal.html  There was a man in front of me who was incredibly frustrated at the wicket. He didn’t bring his original marriage certificate. Can you imagine waiting 2.5 years only to drop the ball at the end?   
You will be at the consulate waiting for hours. I planned for 1/2 a day. Bring a paperback book or a sudoku (I wish I did). One guy only paid for 1hr of parking. He said he would just have to pay whatever parking fine he incurred.   
The building security is not playing around. They stick to their guns. No, you can’t bring in your laptop bag, even without a laptop. No you can’t bring in your massive diaper bag. No you cannot bring in any electronic devices. No they will not let you enter the building 1/2hr early. In my short time I watched people try all of this.   
Aside from administrative questions (identity and addresses etc…) here is what I was asked. Where and when did you meet your spouse?  Do you have children? What are their DOBs?  Where have I traveled outside the US and Canada in the past 5 years? What has been my longest stay in the US?   
Purolator isn’t great. I was surprised to see that my envelope was picked up from the embassy the next day. The expected delivery was the day after that (to western Canada) Wow!  But the expected delivery date didn’t mean much. The package sat in Montreal for 3 days, stalled. Hey, we are a group of people who have some experience waiting. Right?   
Hang in there folks! 
 
When the immigration officer said….
“I’m approving your visa. Tell your kids that you are coming home. You will receive your documents within 2 weeks.”
 It was an amazing feeling. 
 
Hope this post helps someone ease their mind. 
 

Finally received my Visa. 
 
Purolator dropped it off today. 
My interview was on Oct 12.
Spousal Visa
 
A few thoughts for you…
 
We didn’t use a lawyer as our case was pretty straightforward. We can be quite detail oriented. It can be done without legal counsel, nonetheless, choose what fits your unique situation best.  
The time between when the consulate gets your file and when you are notified that your appointment is booked is excruciating. Mentally, that limbo takes more than you’d expect.   
I decided to add a joint sponsor. My primary sponsors income was slightly less than ideal, however we had plenty of cash (in a US bank account) to easily be within the guidelines. Even still, I wanted an airtight case. Problem was that when I went to upload the joint sponsor CEAC no longer provided that option. A slight panic set in. Really, there is no hope in contacting the consulate as CEAC tells you to when you are in that situation. Believe me, I tried relentlessly. Yet, there was no need for alarm. I brought the original completed Form I-864, Tax Form 1040 and joints proof of citizenship (passport photocopy) to the interview. This worked without a problem.   
Follow the Pre-Interview checklist… For real. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/MTL-Montreal.html  There was a man in front of me who was incredibly frustrated at the wicket. He didn’t bring his original marriage certificate. Can you imagine waiting 2.5 years only to drop the ball at the end?   
You will be at the consulate waiting for hours. I planned for 1/2 a day. Bring a paperback book or a sudoku (I wish I did). One guy only paid for 1hr of parking. He said he would just have to pay whatever parking fine he incurred.   
The building security is not playing around. They stick to their guns. No, you can’t bring in your laptop bag, even without a laptop. No you can’t bring in your massive diaper bag. No you cannot bring in any electronic devices. No they will not let you enter the building 1/2hr early. In my short time I watched people try all of this.   
Aside from administrative questions (identity and addresses etc…) here is what I was asked. Where and when did you meet your spouse?  Do you have children? What are their DOBs?  Where have I traveled outside the US and Canada in the past 5 years? What has been my longest stay in the US?   
Purolator isn’t great. I was surprised to see that my envelope was picked up from the embassy the next day. The expected delivery was the day after that (to western Canada) Wow!  But the expected delivery date didn’t mean much. The package sat in Montreal for 3 days, stalled. Hey, we are a group of people who have some experience waiting. Right?   
Hang in there folks! 
 
When the immigration officer said….
“I’m approving your visa. Tell your kids that you are coming home. You will receive your documents within 2 weeks.”
 It was an amazing feeling. 
 
Hope this post helps someone ease their mind. 
 

Finally received my Visa. 
 
Purolator dropped it off today. 
My interview was on Oct 12.
Spousal Visa
 
A few thoughts for you…
 
We didn’t use a lawyer as our case was pretty straightforward. We can be quite detail oriented. It can be done without legal counsel, nonetheless, choose what fits your unique situation best.  
The time between when the consulate gets your file and when you are notified that your appointment is booked is excruciating. Mentally, that limbo takes more than you’d expect.   
I decided to add a joint sponsor. My primary sponsors income was slightly less than ideal, however we had plenty of cash (in a US bank account) to easily be within the guidelines. Even still, I wanted an airtight case. Problem was that when I went to upload the joint sponsor CEAC no longer provided that option. A slight panic set in. Really, there is no hope in contacting the consulate as CEAC tells you to when you are in that situation. Believe me, I tried relentlessly. Yet, there was no need for alarm. I brought the original completed Form I-864, Tax Form 1040 and joints proof of citizenship (passport photocopy) to the interview. This worked without a problem.   
Follow the Pre-Interview checklist… For real. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/MTL-Montreal.html  There was a man in front of me who was incredibly frustrated at the wicket. He didn’t bring his original marriage certificate. Can you imagine waiting 2.5 years only to drop the ball at the end?   
You will be at the consulate waiting for hours. I planned for 1/2 a day. Bring a paperback book or a sudoku (I wish I did). One guy only paid for 1hr of parking. He said he would just have to pay whatever parking fine he incurred.   
The building security is not playing around. They stick to their guns. No, you can’t bring in your laptop bag, even without a laptop. No you can’t bring in your massive diaper bag. No you cannot bring in any electronic devices. No they will not let you enter the building 1/2hr early. In my short time I watched people try all of this.   
Aside from administrative questions (identity and addresses etc…) here is what I was asked. Where and when did you meet your spouse?  Do you have children? What are their DOBs?  Where have I traveled outside the US and Canada in the past 5 years? What has been my longest stay in the US?   
Purolator isn’t great. I was surprised to see that my envelope was picked up from the embassy the next day. The expected delivery was the day after that (to western Canada) Wow!  But the expected delivery date didn’t mean much. The package sat in Montreal for 3 days, stalled. Hey, we are a group of people who have some experience waiting. Right?   
Hang in there folks! 
 
When the immigration officer said….
“I’m approving your visa. Tell your kids that you are coming home. You will receive your documents within 2 weeks.”
 It was an amazing feeling. 
 
Hope this post helps someone ease their mind. 
 

Finally received my Visa. 
 
Purolator dropped it off today. 
My interview was on Oct 12.
Spousal Visa
 
A few thoughts for you…
 
We didn’t use a lawyer as our case was pretty straightforward. We can be quite detail oriented. It can be done without legal counsel, nonetheless, choose what fits your unique situation best.  
The time between when the consulate gets your file and when you are notified that your appointment is booked is excruciating. Mentally, that limbo takes more than you’d expect.   
I decided to add a joint sponsor. My primary sponsors income was slightly less than ideal, however we had plenty of cash (in a US bank account) to easily be within the guidelines. Even still, I wanted an airtight case. Problem was that when I went to upload the joint sponsor CEAC no longer provided that option. A slight panic set in. Really, there is no hope in contacting the consulate as CEAC tells you to when you are in that situation. Believe me, I tried relentlessly. Yet, there was no need for alarm. I brought the original completed Form I-864, Tax Form 1040 and joints proof of citizenship (passport photocopy) to the interview. This worked without a problem.   
Follow the Pre-Interview checklist… For real. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/MTL-Montreal.html  There was a man in front of me who was incredibly frustrated at the wicket. He didn’t bring his original marriage certificate. Can you imagine waiting 2.5 years only to drop the ball at the end?   
You will be at the consulate waiting for hours. I planned for 1/2 a day. Bring a paperback book or a sudoku (I wish I did). One guy only paid for 1hr of parking. He said he would just have to pay whatever parking fine he incurred.   
The building security is not playing around. They stick to their guns. No, you can’t bring in your laptop bag, even without a laptop. No you can’t bring in your massive diaper bag. No you cannot bring in any electronic devices. No they will not let you enter the building 1/2hr early. In my short time I watched people try all of this.   
Aside from administrative questions (identity and addresses etc…) here is what I was asked. Where and when did you meet your spouse?  Do you have children? What are their DOBs?  Where have I traveled outside the US and Canada in the past 5 years? What has been my longest stay in the US?   
Purolator isn’t great. I was surprised to see that my envelope was picked up from the embassy the next day. The expected delivery was the day after that (to western Canada) Wow!  But the expected delivery date didn’t mean much. The package sat in Montreal for 3 days, stalled. Hey, we are a group of people who have some experience waiting. Right?   
Hang in there folks! 
 
When the immigration officer said….
“I’m approving your visa. Tell your kids that you are coming home. You will receive your documents within 2 weeks.”
 It was an amazing feeling. 
 
Hope this post helps someone ease their mind. 
 

Finally received my Visa. 
 
Purolator dropped it off today. 
My interview was on Oct 12.
Spousal Visa
 
A few thoughts for you…
 
We didn’t use a lawyer as our case was pretty straightforward. We can be quite detail oriented. It can be done without legal counsel, nonetheless, choose what fits your unique situation best.  
The time between when the consulate gets your file and when you are notified that your appointment is booked is excruciating. Mentally, that limbo takes more than you’d expect.   
I decided to add a joint sponsor. My primary sponsors income was slightly less than ideal, however we had plenty of cash (in a US bank account) to easily be within the guidelines. Even still, I wanted an airtight case. Problem was that when I went to upload the joint sponsor CEAC no longer provided that option. A slight panic set in. Really, there is no hope in contacting the consulate as CEAC tells you to when you are in that situation. Believe me, I tried relentlessly. Yet, there was no need for alarm. I brought the original completed Form I-864, Tax Form 1040 and joints proof of citizenship (passport photocopy) to the interview. This worked without a problem.   
Follow the Pre-Interview checklist… For real. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/MTL-Montreal.html  There was a man in front of me who was incredibly frustrated at the wicket. He didn’t bring his original marriage certificate. Can you imagine waiting 2.5 years only to drop the ball at the end?   
You will be at the consulate waiting for hours. I planned for 1/2 a day. Bring a paperback book or a sudoku (I wish I did). One guy only paid for 1hr of parking. He said he would just have to pay whatever parking fine he incurred.   
The building security is not playing around. They stick to their guns. No, you can’t bring in your laptop bag, even without a laptop. No you can’t bring in your massive diaper bag. No you cannot bring in any electronic devices. No they will not let you enter the building 1/2hr early. In my short time I watched people try all of this.   
Aside from administrative questions (identity and addresses etc…) here is what I was asked. Where and when did you meet your spouse?  Do you have children? What are their DOBs?  Where have I traveled outside the US and Canada in the past 5 years? What has been my longest stay in the US?   
Purolator isn’t great. I was surprised to see that my envelope was picked up from the embassy the next day. The expected delivery was the day after that (to western Canada) Wow!  But the expected delivery date didn’t mean much. The package sat in Montreal for 3 days, stalled. Hey, we are a group of people who have some experience waiting. Right?   
Hang in there folks! 
 
When the immigration officer said….
“I’m approving your visa. Tell your kids that you are coming home. You will receive your documents within 2 weeks.”
 It was an amazing feeling. 
 
Hope this post helps someone ease their mind. 
 

Finally received my Visa. 
 
Purolator dropped it off today. 
My interview was on Oct 12.
Spousal Visa
 
A few thoughts for you…
 
We didn’t use a lawyer as our case was pretty straightforward. We can be quite detail oriented. It can be done without legal counsel, nonetheless, choose what fits your unique situation best.  
The time between when the consulate gets your file and when you are notified that your appointment is booked is excruciating. Mentally, that limbo takes more than you’d expect.   
I decided to add a joint sponsor. My primary sponsors income was slightly less than ideal, however we had plenty of cash (in a US bank account) to easily be within the guidelines. Even still, I wanted an airtight case. Problem was that when I went to upload the joint sponsor CEAC no longer provided that option. A slight panic set in. Really, there is no hope in contacting the consulate as CEAC tells you to when you are in that situation. Believe me, I tried relentlessly. Yet, there was no need for alarm. I brought the original completed Form I-864, Tax Form 1040 and joints proof of citizenship (passport photocopy) to the interview. This worked without a problem.   
Follow the Pre-Interview checklist… For real. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/MTL-Montreal.html  There was a man in front of me who was incredibly frustrated at the wicket. He didn’t bring his original marriage certificate. Can you imagine waiting 2.5 years only to drop the ball at the end?   
You will be at the consulate waiting for hours. I planned for 1/2 a day. Bring a paperback book or a sudoku (I wish I did). One guy only paid for 1hr of parking. He said he would just have to pay whatever parking fine he incurred.   
The building security is not playing around. They stick to their guns. No, you can’t bring in your laptop bag, even without a laptop. No you can’t bring in your massive diaper bag. No you cannot bring in any electronic devices. No they will not let you enter the building 1/2hr early. In my short time I watched people try all of this.   
Aside from administrative questions (identity and addresses etc…) here is what I was asked. Where and when did you meet your spouse?  Do you have children? What are their DOBs?  Where have I traveled outside the US and Canada in the past 5 years? What has been my longest stay in the US?   
Purolator isn’t great. I was surprised to see that my envelope was picked up from the embassy the next day. The expected delivery was the day after that (to western Canada) Wow!  But the expected delivery date didn’t mean much. The package sat in Montreal for 3 days, stalled. Hey, we are a group of people who have some experience waiting. Right?   
Hang in there folks! 
 
When the immigration officer said….
“I’m approving your visa. Tell your kids that you are coming home. You will receive your documents within 2 weeks.”
 It was an amazing feeling. 
 
Hope this post helps someone ease their mind. 
 

Finally received my Visa. 
 
Purolator dropped it off today. 
My interview was on Oct 12.
Spousal Visa
 
A few thoughts for you…
 
We didn’t use a lawyer as our case was pretty straightforward. We can be quite detail oriented. It can be done without legal counsel, nonetheless, choose what fits your unique situation best.  
The time between when the consulate gets your file and when you are notified that your appointment is booked is excruciating. Mentally, that limbo takes more than you’d expect.   
I decided to add a joint sponsor. My primary sponsors income was slightly less than ideal, however we had plenty of cash (in a US bank account) to easily be within the guidelines. Even still, I wanted an airtight case. Problem was that when I went to upload the joint sponsor CEAC no longer provided that option. A slight panic set in. Really, there is no hope in contacting the consulate as CEAC tells you to when you are in that situation. Believe me, I tried relentlessly. Yet, there was no need for alarm. I brought the original completed Form I-864, Tax Form 1040 and joints proof of citizenship (passport photocopy) to the interview. This worked without a problem.   
Follow the Pre-Interview checklist… For real. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/MTL-Montreal.html  There was a man in front of me who was incredibly frustrated at the wicket. He didn’t bring his original marriage certificate. Can you imagine waiting 2.5 years only to drop the ball at the end?   
You will be at the consulate waiting for hours. I planned for 1/2 a day. Bring a paperback book or a sudoku (I wish I did). One guy only paid for 1hr of parking. He said he would just have to pay whatever parking fine he incurred.   
The building security is not playing around. They stick to their guns. No, you can’t bring in your laptop bag, even without a laptop. No you can’t bring in your massive diaper bag. No you cannot bring in any electronic devices. No they will not let you enter the building 1/2hr early. In my short time I watched people try all of this.   
Aside from administrative questions (identity and addresses etc…) here is what I was asked. Where and when did you meet your spouse?  Do you have children? What are their DOBs?  Where have I traveled outside the US and Canada in the past 5 years? What has been my longest stay in the US?   
Purolator isn’t great. I was surprised to see that my envelope was picked up from the embassy the next day. The expected delivery was the day after that (to western Canada) Wow!  But the expected delivery date didn’t mean much. The package sat in Montreal for 3 days, stalled. Hey, we are a group of people who have some experience waiting. Right?   
Hang in there folks! 
 
When the immigration officer said….
“I’m approving your visa. Tell your kids that you are coming home. You will receive your documents within 2 weeks.”
 It was an amazing feeling. 
 
Hope this post helps someone ease their mind. 
 

Finally received my Visa. 
 
Purolator dropped it off today. 
My interview was on Oct 12.
Spousal Visa
 
A few thoughts for you…
 
We didn’t use a lawyer as our case was pretty straightforward. We can be quite detail oriented. It can be done without legal counsel, nonetheless, choose what fits your unique situation best.  
The time between when the consulate gets your file and when you are notified that your appointment is booked is excruciating. Mentally, that limbo takes more than you’d expect.   
I decided to add a joint sponsor. My primary sponsors income was slightly less than ideal, however we had plenty of cash (in a US bank account) to easily be within the guidelines. Even still, I wanted an airtight case. Problem was that when I went to upload the joint sponsor CEAC no longer provided that option. A slight panic set in. Really, there is no hope in contacting the consulate as CEAC tells you to when you are in that situation. Believe me, I tried relentlessly. Yet, there was no need for alarm. I brought the original completed Form I-864, Tax Form 1040 and joints proof of citizenship (passport photocopy) to the interview. This worked without a problem.   
Follow the Pre-Interview checklist… For real. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Supplements/Supplements_by_Post/MTL-Montreal.html  There was a man in front of me who was incredibly frustrated at the wicket. He didn’t bring his original marriage certificate. Can you imagine waiting 2.5 years only to drop the ball at the end?   
You will be at the consulate waiting for hours. I planned for 1/2 a day. Bring a paperback book or a sudoku (I wish I did). One guy only paid for 1hr of parking. He said he would just have to pay whatever parking fine he incurred.   
The building security is not playing around. They stick to their guns. No, you can’t bring in your laptop bag, even without a laptop. No you can’t bring in your massive diaper bag. No you cannot bring in any electronic devices. No they will not let you enter the building 1/2hr early. In my short time I watched people try all of this.   
Aside from administrative questions (identity and addresses etc…) here is what I was asked. Where and when did you meet your spouse?  Do you have children? What are their DOBs?  Where have I traveled outside the US and Canada in the past 5 years? What has been my longest stay in the US?   
Purolator isn’t great. I was surprised to see that my envelope was picked up from the embassy the next day. The expected delivery was the day after that (to western Canada) Wow!  But the expected delivery date didn’t mean much. The package sat in Montreal for 3 days, stalled. Hey, we are a group of people who have some experience waiting. Right?   
Hang in there folks! 
 
When the immigration officer said….
“I’m approving your visa. Tell your kids that you are coming home. You will receive your documents within 2 weeks.”
 It was an amazing feeling. 
 
Hope this post helps someone ease their mind. 
 

Thanks for the advice everyone. 
 
Received my letter (email) that my interview has been scheduled today (Aug 20).
 
DQ May 31, 2022 - Interview on Oct 12.
 
I know it is a long road, especially if you are separated from your family while you wait. 
Hang in there guys, it is coming. 

Thanks for the advice everyone. 
 
Received my letter (email) that my interview has been scheduled today (Aug 20).
 
DQ May 31, 2022 - Interview on Oct 12.
 
I know it is a long road, especially if you are separated from your family while you wait. 
Hang in there guys, it is coming. 

Thanks for the advice everyone. 
 
Received my letter (email) that my interview has been scheduled today (Aug 20).
 
DQ May 31, 2022 - Interview on Oct 12.
 
I know it is a long road, especially if you are separated from your family while you wait. 
Hang in there guys, it is coming.