|
|
| Montreal, Canada |  Review on April 9, 2022: |
na1234
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
I had my interview at the consulate in March 2022. I got there about 5 minutes before my appointment time and I was expecting a line there, but to my confusion and surprise, there was no line! I entered through the doors totally missing where the consulate doors were lol but as I waited outside it I was greeted by one of the guards and was told to wait there. It looks as though they only want 1 family/1 person going through the security process at a time. About 3 minutes later, I was told to come inside. I had a small cross-body bag with me and a binder with all my documents (I actually put this binder in a laptop sleeve as protection for nothing to fall out lol). There was a person before the security belt that asked for my passport, they checked my name off the list and printed out two receipts with the same number on them. I was told to shut off my phone. Then put my crossbody bag, document binder, my watch (I wore a generic strap watch as others stated the clock in the consulate was not working), phone, and winter coat in trays for it to be screened. Then walked through the metal detectors and I was good to go. I was told to place my phone in one of the lockers off to the side, they are really small lockers that only fit a phone (phones are getting even bigger these days, I wonder if there will be a time where a phone actually won't even fit in these lockers anymore!). I kept the key and went in the elevator to the designated floor. I sat down and waited for my number to be called (it shows on the screen as well). About an hour later, my number was called. I went to the window/counter, and the person at the window asked for original birth certificate, police report, marriage certificate, and 1 photo. Only gave back my photo and kept the other documents. Confirmed spouse's name, address, and phone number. Then confirmed my address in Canada and phone number. Took my fingerprints. I was then told to be seated for my number to be called again for the interview. About an hour after that, my number got called. I went to the window, took the oath, and these were the questions I got asked:
1. Who is the petitioner?
2. How did you two meet?
3. When did we get married?
4. What was my longest stay in the U.S.?
5. What other countries have I traveled to in the last 5 years?
The consular officer said everything looks good and that my visa is being approved. Gave me a letter stating how to track my visa and I should get it within 3 weeks, and gave back my documents. The whole interview process was less than 5 minutes.
I did apply for it to be couriered to my home and I was worried that it might take a while, but I received my passport with the visa in it exactly 2 days later.
I was in the consulate in total for 2 hours. The security guards were very nice and the people working in the consulate were also kind. Overall, it was a good experience but the waiting was a little stressful and visajourney threads scared me but are very good for preparation.
The hotel I stayed at was Holiday Inn & Suites Montreal Centre-Ville Ouest (8 minute walk from consulate, but probably a little longer because of the traffic lights), no breakfast, but there's a McDonald's and Tim Hortons within walking distance. The hotel also has underground parking (at an additional cost of course).
I stayed at this hotel because it was good walking distance from places I wanted to go, like The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.
There was this really good burger restaurant within walking distance called Hero Certified Burgers. All their burgers are halal and they also have gluten-free options/buns! I have never tasted such an amazing burger before.
| |
|
Consulate / USCIS Member Review #30944