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| Montreal, Canada |  Review on December 11, 2021: |
Maizie
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
I had my interview on Dec 10th at 8:30 AM
I showed up to the consulate 10 minutes early and stood outside, I was waved in to the lobby almost immediately by a Security officer. He asked me what time my appointment was for, if I have been complying with all covid protocols and to show a piece of photo ID. I showed him my drivers license and he said that my name was on the list and let me into the building. (8:20 am)
The only things I brought with me were a winter jacket and my folder containing all of my documents. I left my phone and all other belongings with my husband, he stayed at the second cup across from the consulate during the duration of the interview. Our check out time for our airbnb was for 12:00 pm and we weren’t sure how long the interview would take. We took all of our luggage with us because we had flights later that day. If you are flying the same day I would definitely recommend either having someone to stay with your luggage or make sure you can get a late checkout. There were a few people who had to go downstairs to use their phones to call their hotel and ask for late check outs. I had also overheard that some people tried to bring their luggage in with them to the interview and had to get their luggage sent somewhere via taxi (a hotel I think?) and they had to pick it up after the interview.
Once inside you go through airport like security screening, they put my jacket and my document folder through a scanning machine and then I was told to take the elevator up to floor 1, window 6. The lady at the counter took my passport and 2 passport photos (they were given back to me after they had been scanned digitally). Make sure your photos are recent, there was a lady who’s photos were 1 year old and she had to leave the consulate to take new ones and return later. I was given a number and waited in the DMV style waiting room. (8:29 am)
The clock in the waiting room was working, I think I waited about a half an hour and then my number was called to a window to give my civil documents. We took my fingerprints on both hands and she confirmed my address, my husbands address and both of our phone numbers. She asked for my husbands financial documents (I gave her the first 2 pages of his 2020 1040 and recent paystubs from his job) she asked me for a proof of employment letter from his job but I did not have one, I told her that I also had his 2020 W2 form and she took it. She needed my original birth certificate, original marriage certificate and police background check. On the website it says that the police check cannot be more than 1 year old, mine had expired only a couple weeks prior but I got a new one done just to be safe. She only took the old one and told me they accept them for 2 years not 1. I was given a pamphlet on rights of foreign spouses in situations of domestic violence. I was at this window for less than 10 minutes.
Using the same number they gave me when I arrived, I waited for my interview and read my pamphlet. I waited 2 hours. During this time I noticed the security officer kept getting up to look out the window and people who had just arrived to the waiting room conversing with each other. The room was completely full and there was even some people standing, this meant that people with later interview times had to stand in line outside in the cold for hours at a time. (Some people with interviews at 9 am were not let inside until 10:30-11) I am just mentioning this to make sure you are dressed appropriately for the weather incase there is a long wait outside! I got lucky.
When my number was called again I went to a different window to have my interview. She asked me if I read the pamphlet and If I understand my rights. You have to swear to tell the truth, have your fingerprints on your right hand taken and then she asked me 5 questions.
1. Who is your petitioner?
2. How did you meet?
3. How long have you been married?
4. What does he do for work?
5. What do you do for work?
She also asked for the original I864 form because the one they had on file for me was a bit hard to read. In total the whole thing took about 5 minutes. She gave back my original civil documents, and handed me a piece of paper that shows how to track my passport and told me she intends on approving my visa! Total time in the consulate was about 2 and a half hours. All of the officers were very friendly and I am grateful to have had a good experience! Good luck everyone (:
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #30497