|
|
| Montreal, Canada |  Review on April 21, 2023: |
CedarCreek20
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
Had my interview on April 4th, 2023, and it went smoothly. We have benefited so much from the posts on VJ and decided to share our experience in as much detail as possible, hoping it can help people who are anxiously preparing for their upcoming interviews.^ ^
1. Location of the Montreal US Consulate:
No obvious sign from the outside. Only a small glass door. Best way to locate it - across the street from the Second Cup Cafe, and right next to the RBC bank.
We arrived in Montreal one day before the interview and walked to the Consulate from our hotel to familiarize ourselves about the route.
2. Arrival Time:
There’s absolutely no need to arrive more than 5 mins earlier than the scheduled time (as many posts suggested in this forum). People line up according to their appt time. Our appointment was at 10:15 am and by the time we arrived, the security was calling people whose appt time was 9:30 am. We waited about 15-20 mins before getting in.
3. Process:
After getting in the building, the security will guide you to the left for an airport-style security check. Backpacks are not allowed. Most people took nothing but only the binders. But I did see someone took a cloth shopping bag with no issues.
You will be asked to use the hand sanitizer before handing your passport to the check-in lady. She will put a sticker on the back of your passport and print two tickets with the same number on them. I was asked to turn off my cell phone and put it in a locker. The locker was quite small. You can probably put in a phone, car keys, a wallet, and that’s about it.
After the security check, I took the escalator to floor 1 (the ground floor was marked “RCâ€). Getting out of the escalator, you would see windows 1-5 to your left, and windows 6-12 in front of you. In our case, window 6, 10, and 11 were the ones that collected the original materials (step 1) and windows 1-5 were for the interviews (step 2). There were 20+ people sitting in the lobby waiting for their numbers to be called. After getting out of the escalator, you would find a TV screen to your right that displays the numbers and windows. Try NOT to take the seats right under it as the it will be difficult to see the screen. Each time a number is called, there is only a beep sound and you will have to look up to the TV to see which number was called and which window to go to. There were two restrooms and a water fountain.
Waited for over an hour before my number was called for the first time.
*Step 1 - Original Docs Collection*
A friendly officer greeted me with a big smile. He asked who my petitioner was and confirmed the addresses and phone numbers of myself and my petitioner.
Took the following original materials: passport, marriage certificate, birth certificate, police record, one photo for scan, the petitioner’s birth certificate/naturalization paper. He was probably comparing my documents with the electronics ones in CEAC as I can see him scrolling the mouse and comparing page by page. If there are any changes or updated to the files on CEAC, I would recommend uploading the new ones before your interview as it would save them time checking/scanning and speed up the process for you.
He confirmed that my medical exam results were received and looked good. Handed me a pamphlet about domestic violence to read.
Lastly, he took my fingerprints (left four fingers, right four fingers, and both thumbs).
After another 15-20 mins, I was called for the second step.
*Step 2 - Interview*
The officer asked me to take an oath and collected my fingerprints.
The questions asked:
- How long have you been married?
- Where do you plan to live when come to the US?
- What countries have you travelled to during the past five years?
- What is your longest stay in the US?
- What is your highest education degree and in which field?
- Do you have any questions about the domestic violence pamphlet?
I have to mention that he was very friendly. It was more of an equal conversation rather than a grilling interrogation. During our conversation, he was rapidly typing down my answers and was nodding along as I spoke. He said “excellent†and “good†multiple times, which really made me feel relaxed.
Lastly, he asked whether I held a temporary visitor visa to the US. After getting my confirmation, he told me that they would have to cancel my current visa and then issue an immigrant visa in two weeks. That’s about it. 
Best luck everyone! ^ ^
| |
|
Consulate / USCIS Member Review #32011