|
|
| Montreal, Canada |  Review on March 3, 2010: |
redmen99
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
We arrived at the Consulate around 6:45ish and we were 4th in line. As it got closer to 7 - 7:15 more and more people lined up. The guard started to let us in around 7:30. At the security check we had to empty our pockets, take off any belts, coats, etc. Any electronic devices had to be checked in. The guard made a comment about hubby's car.. Mazda 3...good car... LOL We were given letter D.
We got through security and waited downstairs for the elevator. A few minutes later a security guard came and took us to the 19th floor. The elevator feels like it doesn't move at all and then you end up on the 19th floor. We were told to wait in the area to the right. After a few minutes more people came up, but they were for the other side and whatever they do over there. That side was extremely busy and they used the same people that you have to go to for your CR-1 Visa.
We were the only ones that electronically filed out of the group of 5 cases that was there for the day. We were the last ones called back for the document review at about 9:00 or so. They asked us for the original and copies of: birth certificate (long form)and I gave them the translation we had since his birth cert is in French, his divorce certificate, our marriage certificate, the DS-230, the financial documentation, the police report, the medical results, and the pictures. They reviewed the DS-230 with him and made sure all the info was correct. They changed what was needed like his age since his birthday was last week and little stuff here and there. They fingerprinted him and that was it. It felt like it took forever because I was so nervous that I couldn't find anything that she asked us for even though it was all in good order. My hubby just kept saying relax, breathe, you have the info in there, just take your time and find it. We didn't have the expresspost envelope (long story - but something to note the pharmacy that has a Canada Post in it does not open until 8am.) but it was not a problem. I told the woman that was taking our info that we didn't have the envelope, she said no problem, you can get it after the interview and bring it back.
We made it back to the waiting room and by 10:00 am everyone was interviewed and approved except for us. We kept an eye on interview room 7 as that was where everyone was called for their interview. It seemed like they did a CR-1 visa, then next in line was whatever they were doing on the other side and down the line. We waited about an hour before we were called back for our interview.
We walked into Room 7 and the woman asked if my hubby was ok with this pretty lady with him and he said of course. She swore us in and asked us:
When we met.
How we met.
When we got engaged.
If I had insurance in the States.
She asked for updated financials, so I gave her my info for 2009.
And that was about it. She said she needed to go copy my updated financials, but before she went she said she was satisfied with the info we gave them and gave us the Welcome to the US letter.
She then gave me back my originals that I a few seconds later forgot she gave us so when I asked her for them she said I gave them to you a little forcefully, but I deserved it for saying no you didn't. Whoops! She then gave me a sheet of paper with the info on what window to go back to and where to go for the envelope, she also gave me a card to get back into the consulate. She said to read it in the waiting area, and I said but it doesn't say where I need to go, she said yes it does, read it! Yep, I deserved that snippyness too.
The guy behind the Canadian Post counter was a great help, he must see this all the time. He made sure you kept a sticker of the tracking info and made sure you filled it out properly. SO, back to the consulate we go. He went to the car to grab our cell phones and things and I ran back up to the 19th floor. I had a wait a bit before someone saw me at the window, they asked me to sit down then someone finally came to take the envelope.
By the time we got out of there for the day it was close to 11:45. I'm guessing because we were Electronic Processing that it took longer then mailing everything in and because the other side was busy we had to wait our place in line. All in all a good experience and we were approved so now we just wait for the big move! 
***all times approximate as I didn't have a watch***
| |
|
Consulate / USCIS Member Review #5754