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| Montreal, Canada |  Review on October 27, 2010: |
charlesandanna
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
While the bottom line is that everyone was very friendly and helpful, and the entire process did not take very long.
I took the train from London, ON and checked into La Tour. Like many people have said, it's not the greatest given the price ($100), but it was clean and safe and very worn out. I took it because it was the cheapest and most convenient. If you are staying as a couple, and don't mind a bit of a hike, I would recommend one of the boutique hotels on St. Denis. They are inexpensive, charming and give you a better sense of what Montreal is. It would still be possible to walk to the consulate, or there is always the metro and cabs. If you are going to be there for more than one night then this really is the way to go.
I got to the consulate a little late (7:50 or so) and it was already quite busy. The guard checking people in the lineup pulled me out when I showed him my interview confirmation and I was fast-tracked through security. Do not bring backpacks, electronics, bottles of liquid or anything else you are not supposed to. The list is clear. They won't let and through. You delay the process for everybody.
So, down the stairs, up the elevator (the doors open on the opposite side that you entered), left, left and line up with everybody else. This is mostly a clearing line and you are quickly vetted and given a number at the window (14A and 14B).
Wait for your number to be called and go to the window indicated. The (friendly) person at the window will take your checklist documents (make sure you have them all, and that they are easily located), take your fingerprints, and give you a chance to make any corrections on your forms. They did not ask for evidence of domicile, but bring it along with any additional evidence and copies of all the forms and anything else you can think of.
Then off to pay. You wait in the ropes that say window 14A and you will be called immediately. She said cash only which is what I had. You'll get a receipt. Return to the waiting area where the person took your checklist items and wait. Give them your receipt when they point at you.
Then it's back out to the main waiting area. Listen carefully! They will not re-display your number on the screen. They will call you by name over the not-very-loudspeaker. The interview will last from 5-10 minutes with the basic questions that are posted on here a zillion times and your fingerprints will be taken again. It wasn't a total cakewalk, but the woman was very friendly, efficient, and doing her job thoroughly. After she told me that I was approved, she was more than happy to answer any questions and volunteered to show me my medical report.
All in all pretty smooth and straightforward. I was out of there by about 10:15. Not bad. The first person was out of there by 8:50.
Whatever you do don't order a medium at Dunn's. If you go there, get a fat, but really you should hold off and go to Schwartz's. Dieu du Ciel does not open until 3:00pm, but L'amere a boire is also very good. Schedule your trip to Fairmount Bagels (or St. Viateur) accordingly. Avoid Les Trois Brasseurs, especially if you have just been to Dunn's--convenient but sub-par. The food looked pretty good though, and of course the Habs won. Man, I forgot how much I love Montreal and was left scratching my head as to why I left it so long ago and never returned.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #6780