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| Montreal, Canada |  Review on June 17, 2011: |
Blacksquirrel
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
The evening before my appointment at the consulate in Montreal, I read a bunch of reviews on VJ, and that turned out to be really helpful. Here's a bit of advice if you have an interview coming up there.
First, bring as little as possible. Seriously, no bags, backpacks, electronic equipment of any kind. I had to leave my wallet chain and clip watch at security, and people in front of me with bags were turned away. They'll probably ask you to leave any cellphones at security too (you get this stuff back when you leave, but you can't leave anything large like bags at security).
Second, you will have to fill in a DS-230 form, even if you've filed electronically (at this time anyway). You can print it out at home and bring it in so that you don't have to do it in a rush at the consulate; also some details might be hard to remember (employers over past 10 years, dates of previous trips to US, etc.). You'll gain some time.
Parents, there is a play area for kids!
I followed the advice of some reviewers to be at the front of the line (when you get through security, take the closest seat to the elevator; when let into the elevator, go to the back and the left; when the elevator door opens, go left, follow the yellow arrows on the ground till you get to the waiting line). I got first in line, but I don't think that makes a huge difference over the first elevator-worth of folks. Just try to make the first elevator if you want to be out quickly. I got to the embassy at 7:15, doors open at 7:30, sent up the elevator 8:00, out by 9:00.
The "interview" itself was ridiculously easy. I was really only asked where my spouse lives, and the rest was casual jokes about accents and whatnot. It was far more stressful handing over the original documents and waiting for them to say whether or not it was all there (this was done first, by someone different -and less courteous- than the "interview").
They kept my passport and will send it by DHL, even though I tried to say that it's my only photo ID and I need it to fly home to Vancouver (I didn't mention I'm a dual citizen and therefore have another passport). They were very firm about it, there's no way I can get my visa sooner than through the DHL courier. I heard of other people on VJ successfully plead and get their passport the next day, but this wasn't happening. So I went home and signed up for DHL online. Now I'm waiting again!
Bottom line: the level of stress I felt before hand was not justified by how easy and smooth the process actually was. So chill out.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #7784