Consulate Review: Montreal, Canada
Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
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| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
October 22, 2014 |
| Embassy Review : |
As has been kind of typical of this whole process, each step has been fraught with worry and anxiety, and as each piece fell into place they weren't nearly as dramatic as expected.
The same was basically true of the interview at Montreal.
Firstly, I urge ALL folks going to Montreal for IR-1/CR-1 visa to review and study Saylin's WIKI and info around the consulate experience. It is completely invaluable, and was exactly as stated. Many of the posted consulate reviews were also very helpful.
I arrived in Montreal a day ahead of my interview, wanting to get my bearings and prepare myself emotionally. I stayed at the Days Inn (again based on reading other's reviews and info on VJ). I caught the 747 bus from the airport after buying a 3 day pass for $18. It dropped me right at the door of the hotel, and is the cheapest and most efficient way to get to downtown, assuming that's where you've chosen to stay. It stops right outside the arrivals section of the airport, and then stops near almost every hotel once in the downtown core. I can't recommend it highly enough - I landed at rush hour on a Monday, and I guarantee a cab ride would have been a hideous cost with the bumper to bumper traffic we encountered going in to town.
The Days Inn is reasonably priced, and literally a 7 minute walk to the Consulate. It was located near to many shopping malls and things to see, if you're spending any additional time in the city. My room was clean and comfortable, if a bit worn in spots. There was no continental breakfast, but there is an ok little restaurant called Lester's Deli Cafe right in the lobby. They serve breakfast from 630-1100 AM, fairly reasonably priced, ($8-$12)though I discovered at checkout that the front desk staff who checked me in did not give me my 'breakfast voucher' which would have covered my morning meal costs. The checkout staff did not seem inclined to reimburse me, and I was so exhausted I couldn't be bothered to make a fuss. So just a heads up about that.
My first day, I walked to the consulate so I see where it was. I asked the guard out front about timing, explaining I had a 930AM appt the next day. He would only say that the doors opened at 7:30AM and to not bring any purses/backpack or cell phones.
I spent most of the rest of the day just walking around and doing a bit of shopping. The weather was windy, cold and rainy so gave it up around 2PM.
I was awake way too early the morning of the interview. Got some tea and toast at the restaurant at 630 to settle my stomach, then left the hotel just after 7AM for the consulate.
I arrived, the lights were still off and no one was in line. You line up to the left of the main doors. By 715, a few people had started to gather, and a couple men stood in front of me. I explained in my most authoritative voice that the line would start behind me. They seemed shocked at my bossiness, then dutifully lined up as I told them to. LOL
Just before 730, the lights came on and the doors were opened by 2 very gruff looking guards, who then put out stanchions and guide ropes.
I was then beckoned in first!
As soon as I walked in the doors, there was a very friendly lady who asked to see my Loomis confirmation. She took note of the reference number, wished me luck and to have a nice day.
A small flight of steps led to a second set of doors, which opened immediately into security screening. I was asked to empty all my pockets, take off my jacket and scarf, and put these things and my plastic accordion folder with documents into a bin. This was then sent through Xray, just like at the airport, and I walked through the screening system also just like the airport. The Security person was also quite friendly, but stern. She thanked me for having only what I needed and no purse or cell phone.
I was then directed to the left to a set of stairs which led down into a large room where the elevator was located. I immediately took a seat right next to elevator, which was blocked off by a rope. It was about 740AM.
Many of the other people who had lined up behind me took another 10 minutes or so to appear - most of them had cell phones/purses and backpacks. I didn't ask any of them what happened to their stuff, but the 2 girls who had purses still had them.
I would recommend only bringing your documents and wallet - leave everything else behind in the hotel if you can.
Just before 8AM, another guard appeared, removed the rope from in front of the elevator and pressed the button to call it. He announced that we would be going to the 19th floor. A fellow who had just come in from security stood at the front of the elevator doors. I immediately stood up and moved to the left hand side of the doors, partly blocking him. I thought 'forget it buddy, I've studied this!' as he glared at me.
The doors opened and I quickly moved to the back left, facing the doors on the other side. Most others looked confused and faced the way we had come in. As soon as the doors opened, I was first out and facing the Visa Receptionist. She looked at my Loomis confirmation letter again and my passport. Then she gave me a card that said "Applicant #1"!! This card tells you exactly which documents to have immediately ready.
I was told to turn to the left and sit in the left hand side of the large room. The left hand side is Immigrant Visas, the right hand is all Non Immigrant (tourist/work/temp workers, etc).
After just a few moments I was called up to Window number #1.
A very friendly woman took my passport, my medical envelope and my 2 passport photos. We joked briefly about how hideous passport photos were.
She then asked for my birth certificate, my marriage certificate and my divorce certificate, one at a time and in that order. She spent a lot of time checking each document. There was a minor typo on my middle name on my marriage license/certificate, which she asked me about. Lawyer had said not to worry about this, so I was surprised it was commented on, but goes to show you how thorough they are. She then asked for the affidavit of support (I-864) and hubby's tax return. Then she asked me his name, address and phone number, as well as my Canadian address and phone number.
Then she asked for my husband's birth certificate and divorce certificate. Thankfully I had both these. I also had his ex wife's death certificate, since she had passed away a couple years after their divorce, which cancelled any alimony payments. I was again surprised, as lawyer had said I didn't need these things either. I preferred to be over prepared, so had decided to take all this info along with my required stuff.
Then she asked to take my fingerprints, but the little scanner was not booting up, so she had to call someone over to reboot the system. We chatted a bit while waiting with her asking me questions about BC. Finally the fingerprint machine was operational, and she scanned left and right and thumbs.
She kept all the documents and put them in my file for the interviewer. She told me to have a seat back on the left side of the room to wait to be called. Time was about 830, things having taken longer because of the fingerprint machine.
At about 840, I was called to Window #7, down a central hallway between reception and the pre clearance windows. These windows are a kind of recessed room, allowing for more privacy.
Very friendly and casually dressed officer was behind the window. (I kept expecting them to be in uniform like Customs officers). She had me read the oath taped in the window, just to myself and not out loud. She then also took full fingerprint scans, as for some reason the ones Window #1 had done weren't the best. We chuckled about my fingers being difficult to print!
She then asked me the following questions:
How did we meet?
What does my husband do?
Where were we married?
Have I ever been arrested?
I offered some additional details, not least of which was making sure she knew we had been doing long distance for over 6 years, due to me staying in Canada while my son was finishing high school and then moving away to do post academics. She seemed impressed that we had committed to travelling back and forth for such a distance for so many years. She asked about husband's divorce and the subsequent death of his ex wife – these were unexpected questions, but I knew the answers so it was a very brief discussion.
Then all of a sudden she slid the "Welcome to the USA" paper and said "This visa is approved". I asked her to repeat as I hadn't heard her that clearly.
She smilingly said "you're approved" and I thanked her profusely. The time was about 845AM! She advised that I would receive my passport and sealed envelope in about 5 days for my point of entry.
She then said that she needed to have all my original documents scanned. She told me to take a seat again and that I would be called by name when they were done.
I bounced out of the room and sat down again, grinning from ear to ear and feeling quite heady.
I waited about 10 minutes and then my name was called to go to Window #8.
Another friendly staff member handed me back the documents and said I was done. It was just about 9AM.
So that's it. It was basically painless, efficient and other than the unexpected questions (all of which I was able to answer) there was really nothing to it.
Again I urge anyone reading this rather long winded story to review Saylin's WIKI, you can't go wrong if you do that.
I wish you all the very best of luck, health and happiness in your journey!!
A P.S. - I was approved on Wednesday morning the 22nd, got an email Thursday night from Loomis saying my passport had been picked up, and on Friday morning the 24th at 9:30 BC time I got a call to come pick it up. And I'm in the interior of B.C.!! Couldn't believe it. After all the waiting, that part was insanely fast!
(updated on October 31, 2014) |
| Rating : |
Very Good |
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ver 5.0