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| Montreal, Canada |  Review on September 1, 2011: |
Kammo
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
My husband and I had some difficulty locating the consulate at first. The door is on the a side street and quite inconspicuous. We finally arrived at 7:15am with only one woman waiting ahead of us. At 7:30, a guard unlocked the door. The woman ahead of us was denied entry because she had a large bag of documents. Advice: Don't bring a bag, hand carry everything! Passing through security, we hung a left and went down the stairs into a waiting room. As we waited, people slowly started to pour in.
At 8:00, myself and the woman who had been ahead of me (who had ditched her bag somewhere) were led into an elevator. We were welcomed by the receptionist and asked to get in line to pick our number. I got my number (C2) and sat down in the middle of the room (the immigrant visa section). To the left of me many people were being seated (the work visa section). There was only myself and the woman ahead of me for the Spousal Visa. At 8:15 the lady ahead of me was called. After she emerged (around 8:45), my number was called.
At the window an immigration officer was waiting. He asked me for my interview letter, medical records and passport. Next came pictures, birth certificate, I-864 packet, marriage certificate and my divorce records. After he had the required documents, he asked if I had a DS-230 already filled out. I said I did so he took that as well. He asked me where my husband and I met as he took notes and typed information into his computer. He also asked what year my husband got divorced. I wasn't positive but attempted my best guess, finding out later I was correct! After he completed his paper work, he tried to get my finger prints but with no luck (the electronic scanner was problematic). He looked over my DS-230 and was amazed at how many places I had lived since 16 and that I remembered every visit to the US (I had about 30 trips). I wasn't sure why he was so surprised as this was required information! Anyway, that part went okay overall. He wasn't a kind person, but he wasn't mean either. He was just doing his job. When he was satisfied that he had everything he required, we were sent back out to the waiting room where I sat for 30 minutes.
The next time I was called we found a woman behind the glass. She attempted to take my finger prints again; successfully this time. As she was reviewing everything she asked me how my husband proposed to me, where he worked, and where the company was located. When I told her how my husband proposed to me, she asked me where. My daughter began getting quite fussy behind me so I turned to ask my husband to take her out to the waiting room so I could hear the woman's questions and she said "Oh, we are all finished here. You are approved." she handed me the notorious "Welcome to the United States" letter but she didn't say "Welcome to America" which I was anticipating! My husband and I had an emotional moment and then we were on our way! Everything was complete by 10:00.
Although I was ecstatic that our petition was approved I would say the overall experience with the consulate was okay but not great. I wish the officers would have been friendlier (at least at the end). It would have made the end result much more memorable but in the end, all that matters is that our journey is complete!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #8229