I’ve been a long-time lurker but felt compelled by AA-H’s snide remarks and the virtual little finger-waving he was doing as though he was talking to a toddler. I only shared my experience. You don’t have to believe it – that doesn't mean it’s not true. I am also certain that I entered the comment in the right cell, and someone must have modified the spreadsheet to jumble the data. Nevertheless, I have benefitted immensely from this forum and thought it’s only appropriate to give back if it’s going to help some other people.
I went to the consulate with my family on the 9th of September and had my interview ~10:30AM (those with the same appointment time band would recognize us) and we were approved on the spot. Like others have commented, the interview was uneventful and was more of a document review. The next day, we got a refusal letter – specifically: (see the inset below)
I reckon not everyone got this letter. I believe I must have been sent this letter because I have been working onsite in the US for some time now and there was no way I could stay for up to 4 weeks after the interview without jeopardizing my job. So, I sent an email to the consulate that I would like to have our passports back. I didn’t get a response to my email, but I went to the consulate anyway. I told the security that I had an interview the previous day and was told to contact them if I wanted our passports back. The security personnel reached out to the officials upstairs and a few minutes later, the security team brought down our passports.
I emailed the consulate again at the end of September that I would be bringing my passport on September 30. I didn’t get a response from them either. I also did not know there was a public holiday in Canada. I went back the next day (Oct. 1st) and the security personnel was hesitant with accepting our passports. I figured if I was refused, I could simply send it in using a courier but wanted the benefit of knowing that I hand-delivered my passports myself. After some explanation, the security team was magnanimous enough to call the officials upstairs for some clarification. Surprisingly, I was told I could come in and was told which window to go. The agent that attended to me told me they would get back to me the next day. I was surprised and not sure what he meant, and asked if our passports were going to be ready but was told they would keep me posted. I was asked to write down my phone number again.
The wait started and was not sure what to expect. I got a call late in the afternoon – around 2:30 PM on October 2nd, that our passports are ready and asking if I could be at the consulate at 3:00PM. I pleaded I could only be there at 3:15PM. We stayed at an hotel in Laval, and Montreal’s traffic can be so unpredictable. I rushed and got to the consulate at around 3:22PM and told the security team that I got a call to come in. I got upstairs and showed them my ID and our passports were handed back to us. From the conversations I had with the security team, I guess what happened with me wasn’t standard practice, I guess I was lucky and I’m thankful for that.
We crossed the border today and the border officials endorsed our passports. I am very grateful to the various contributions on this forum.
The interview itself was as described. The only things I was unsure of was if I could bring a 15-month-old that was not part of our application with us. We did and was allowed to bring the baby in. I also thought we couldn’t bring snacks for our little ones, but saw some other families that did.
I'd be happy to answer any question and fill in any gaps.
