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| Montreal, Canada |  Review on February 25, 2011: |
CanadiaGirl
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
Overall this was a great experience with this consulate. We didn't have any issues what so ever. APPROVED!!!  Goodluck to all those with upcoming interviews.
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5 am- alarm came WAY too soon. I was a zombie when I got up getting ready but that part of the morning I don't entirely remember. Luckily I organized our documentation prior to going to sleep so brain function wasn't entirely needed.
*The consulate building doesn't allow electronics, big bags or brief cases. So my husband and I were armed with our organizational folder and my chest x rays and we left our cell phones in our room. (Bring a watch as we didn't have a way of telling time without our cells (outside at least).)There was no point in complicating things just take what we 'needed' to ensure we wouldn't be turned away to take unnecessary items back to our hotel room.
6:20- We got on the subway around 6:20 and arrived at our stop 5 mins later. We exited the metro and we managed to go the wrong way. Thank goodness my husband brought our map we received when we were driving down to Montreal. It was only a 10 min detour so no biggy.
6:40 - The entry process is a first come first serve basis. As many VJ'ers have stated. We walked up to the consulate doors and I'll admit it looked like side doors to a building over the consulate itself. A bit deceiving so my husband walked around the building to ensure we were indeed at the right doors. We lined up to the left side of the doors. We were the first ones there and patiently waited. Around 7am people started coming. Thank goodness it wasn't that cold out but my feet were starting to ache.
7:30 - Guard comes down and unchains the inside doors. Then takes his time to set things up. We were taken into the building after showing our appointment letter and passports. If you bring your US husband or wife they will also need to show their passports. We were instructed to take everything out of our pockets and put it in the basket. Then our coats were taken and scanned. We then went through the metal detector and were given our documents back.
At this time I expected to get a letter as many reviewers of the MTL consulate said they had received. But we didn't. We were asked to go downstairs and wait by the elevator.
At which time we were introduced to another VJ'er Deepa. We had a nice chat about the site and the general 'get to know' stuff. I truly think jus ttalking really helped ease my nervs! Deepa you both were such a pleasure to meet.
NOTE: I find out that 4 out of those 8 people in line were turned away because they had big bags, or brief cases. I felt bad because some of them were waiting a good 30 minutes. But it is clearly stated on many resources what to bring and what not to.
8:05 - Guard comes down and ushers everyone with an x ray into the elevator. If you are ushered in first fear not the doors open at the back. Once you're on the 19th floor you're lined up to then receive your letter. We received C2 and were second in line. From then everything to me was a blurr.
8:10 We sat down in chairs and no sooner was I called up (the board blinked C2 along with the window I had to go to)along side the nice couple we met. I had my finger prints taken electronically and gave them my 2 passport photos. I was then asked to go sit back down.
8:15- This time a person came over the PA and said my number and the window I was to report to. Please be sure to listen to the PA they were very soft and at times hard to tell if they were calling your name or not. Not that they wouldn't call it again but I thought I'd make mention that they do seem to be very soft.
I went to window 11 and signed one of the documents and handed them my medical. They didn't take my x-ray just the sealed envelope. This lady was extremely nice. I was asked to be seated once more.
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I concluded the next time would be our interview. I honestly didn't have enough time to get nervous.
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8:20- "Amanda B, please report to window 6". The very kind lady behind the window asked if I could hear her. She had to turn up the volume a smidgen. I'll admit I didn't realize it was the interview at that time, as I thought we'd be taken into some kind of a room. My husband and I stood there as she asked the following questions.
1. Where did you meet?
2. What do you do for work?
3. Have you ever been denied entry to the Us?
I expected a "You are approved." And perhaps she said it. Honestly I was in a haze as everything was going so fast. She said that everything looked great and handed me this letter that said 'Welcome to America'. As my husband and I left the window I found myself saying to him. "What do we do now? Are we done?" VJ'er Deepa soon after came out with her letter we gave each other a hug and I'm sure both gave a huge sigh of relief.
I thought I'd cry but again I think I was just so caught off guard that it was finished. After a year of this it was finally done! I seriously kept asking my husband "Are we really done? I feel like we've missed something. It can't be that easy."
8:36 - We walked out the doors as we squeezed past literally 20+ people getting into the building for the security scan. I still can't believe it was done.
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Every person we encountered at the consulate were completely nice including the guards. I mean within reason, they are guards after all but I didn't notice anything mean or 'intimidating' about them.
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Personal Notes:
1. Don't bring big bags, brief cases or purses. You will get turned away no matter how long you waited out in the cold for the doors to open.
2. Bring everything from the entire process. I had receipts, all of our submitted packages, photos, copies of original documents, and supporting documentation. I didn't have to use any of my documentation other than the interview letter. But I honestly feel it's best to be safe then sorry. From what I've read many have had to have some kind of supporting documents in one way or another.
3. LINE UP TO THE LEFT of the doors. I searched for this bit of advice on VJ as I knew there was a side to line up on, but is not marked when you get to the brown doors.
4. We stayed at Hotel Espresso and took the subway. I wouldn't suggest this hotel for the price you pay. We happened to get a deal on 'deal of the day' for this hotel.
If you have the opportunity to use the subway I would do so. The drop off is literally 4 min walk from the consulate. Not to mention we got a 24 hr (1 day) subway pass which also includes bus's and only paid 8$ per person. We used it the night before to go to dinner and enjoy a bit of Montreal. Even then if you only intend to use it once 6$ (there and back (3$ one way)) is a heck of a lot better then a $15 cab ride
5. Make sure everyone has their passports with them who will be entering the building with you.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #7201