Consulate Review: Montreal, Canada
Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
|
| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
January 29, 2019 |
| Embassy Review : |
My interview was January 25/2019 at 9:00 a.m. We stayed at the Marriott hotel which was about a 5 to 10 min walk to the US Consulate, there was a mixture of slush and slippery ice on some of the sidewalks from the recent snowfalls in Montreal, so I think it would normally be quicker walk. I left the hotel at about 8:05 and even though I knew where to go, just to be sure, I asked a hotel employee standing near the door to the hotel for directions to the Consulate. We walked onto the street and he pointed to the building and described where I needed to go.
I arrived about 8:15, there was no one waiting outside and a nice Security guard opened the door and I said I had an appointment at 9:00 a.m. I am early so I can wait. He closed the door and then spoke to a lady inside with him and opened the door again and said it’s ok to come in because it’s cold outside. (I don’t remember what the temperature was but it was below zero and cold but still not bad for Montreal) The lady asked for my passport only, so I asked you don’t need my Appointment letter and she said no. (Just in case I would still bring it, a different person might ask for it) she then put a sticker on the back of the passport and then gave the passport back. She then gave me a laminated sheet with No 16 on it and explained my documents have to be in the same order that’s what’s listed on the laminate sheet. She also explained where I needed to go after going through Security.
After security I walked down a flight of stairs and through a big waiting area with a lot of chairs (there was no one in the room when I walked through-it was completely empty which felt kind of weird, I thought everyone must be upstairs and they were) I then pressed the button for the elevator and 2 other persons came as well in the elevator, we all went to the 19th floor. The 2 other persons were applying for passports and they said they came too early and were told to come back. They were surprised when I told them my appointment was at 9:00 and was let in right away at 8:15.
When we arrived at the 19th floor the guard asked if I was there for an Immigrant Visa I said yes and he said I can put my documents in order at a sit down or stand up counter which he pointed to. He also said when I was done to sit in the waiting area under the sign marked immigrant visas, which he also pointed to. I was finished in about 10 mins, sorting my documents and sat in the waiting area. By that time it was about 8:40. The waiting room was about 3/4 full and they weren’t yet calling numbers yet. Shortly before 9:00 they started calling numbers. Not sure why they were late calling numbers or if that was just normally how it works.
My number was called about 10:00 or shortly after. You really have listen for you number especially when the waiting area is full, there are children playing and with the vending machines making running sounds it’s hard to hear when they are calling for the numbers. I was helping an older gentleman that was there for an Immigrant Visa as well, he said he had a hearing problem in his left ear and it was hard to hear the numbers when they were called. They were calling numbers for the Immigrant Visas from the left windows 1 to 3 and also calling numbers and names from the right for persons there for passports and other reasons. The gentleman’s number was “8†so every time he heard “8†he thought they were calling him. I clarified for him that when it wasn't his No. they were calling. Also the Security guard helped him as well. Otherwise he was very pleasant to talk to. He was eventually approved and everything went fine for him.
When I was called at 10:00 I went to window number 2 and the man first asked for:
1. Laminate sheet with the number and list of documents
2. Then my original passport
He then stopped taking documents and asked to take my finger prints, left hand then right and then 2 thumbs together.
3. Then the 2 passport photo’s
4. Next the Medical exam envelope
He then stopped again and opened the Medical envelope put the passport photo’s in a bag and stapled them to the medical report
He said he would be a few minutes while he put together my file. He took the documents I gave him so far to a counter behind him. About 5 mins later he came back to the window and didn’t say anything. So I asked do you need my other documents and he said yes. So I then gave him: (I waited for him to ask first)
5. Original Birth Certificate
6. Original Marriage Certificate
7. Original Police Certificate
8. Original AOS Form (Affidavit of Support) with Original Spouses signature
9. He asked for latest (2017) Tax Return. I said I do not have the 2017 Tax Return but I have the 2017 Tax Transcript. He said that he could take that. I asked the Officer if he needed any Tax Slips and he asked for W2’s. I said I don’t have those but have the Canadian T4 employment slips and a 1099 slip for other US income received and he said he did not need those.
For all of the above documents I had photocopies but the officer did not ask for any photocopies. For the passport photo’s I had the 2 passport photos that were uploaded to NVC with an Oct/2018 date and also 2 Passport Photo’s that I did not use for the Medical Exam when I went, that was taken with a Dec/2018 date. I asked him which of the 2 he wanted and he said the Dec/2018 date.
The list asked for the Original Divorce Certificate for yourself if applicable. It wasn’t applicable for me but was for my spouse so I gave my spouse’s Original Divorce Certificate and he said he did not need it but still looked at it and confirmed that this was my first Marriage.
When he asked for the Original Police Certificate, I said I had 3 Police Certificates obtained on different dates because of the Requirement Changes Effective Sept 10/2018, I obtain all three just in case. He asked have you lived in any other Country other than Canada and I said No. One RCMP Police Certificate was just a name and birthdate search Police Certificate (with a Aug/2018 issue date) the 2nd was with the new Privacy Rules Certificate with a Sept 10/2018 date and the 3rd was with my Picture and finger prints on it with a Oct/2018 date, taken at a Commissionaire’s office. The Officer said he wanted the Privacy Act Police Certificate with a issue date of Sept 10/2018. The last thing they confirmed was my present address where I currently live in Canada and the intending address in the US. I also explained the address given on the DS260 application was not where I was going to live but still a good address to use and was for a very close friend who lives there. I said we have a signed Rental Lease with a different address and he said we can change it at the Border when we cross into the US. He then confirmed that the Original US address given was for a house.
The Officer didn’t seem to personable but he wasn’t rude either. He seemed more to the point and wanted to do everything in order. It took about 15 to 20 mins in total, the 1st time I was called. I don’t remember exactly when I finished, it was just before 10:30. I then sat down and waited to be called for my Interview.
I waited for my interview for about another hour and noticed about 11:00 some of the persons waiting for an Immigrant Visa that came after me (I think it was all the numbers after 20) were called up 1 by 1 by name to the left windows and were advised they had to come back at 1:00 or in the afternoon. I guess they were running out of time for everyone in the morning. I was praying please don’t call me, I just wanted to get this over with. Up until that time there was only 1 female Officer calling numbers for the Interviews. Then a male voice also started, so then there was 2 Officers and it went more quickly. Also while I was waiting there were 2 groups of families that were ahead of me that took much longer when they were both called for they’re documents and for they’re interviews.
I was finally called the 2nd time for my Interview about 11:35 and asked to go to window No 8. In the Interview (very similar to other reviews) the lady confirmed who I was, then again scanned my finger prints in the same order (left, right and both thumbs) and while my left hand was on the scanner and holding up my right hand, I took the Oath, swearing an Oath of truth.
My Interview questions were:
1. What is the Petitioners name ?
2. When did you first meet your spouse ?
3. How or where did you meet your spouse ?
4. Where does your spouse live now ?
5. What does your spouse do for work ?
6. Your spouse currently works in Canada ?
7. Do either you or your spouse plan to work when you arrive in the US ?
8. Tell me about the plans you have made or what you have done to prepare to move to the US.
9. Have you ever stayed in the US for more than 6 months ?
10. Have you ever had any problems crossing the US border in the past ?
Between each question she was looking at her computer and acknowledging my answer with a nod then asked the next question. She didn’t ask me any questions about any of the documents I gave at the 1st window but she did quickly look at them all. Also she didn’t ask for any more supplementary documents. She was very quick and I was anticipating her asking for more proof of Domicile in the US.
With question No 7 - I answered that when I am able to, after I receive my Visa and Social Security No, I will be looking for work and my spouse (US Citizen) has applied for 2 jobs already and heard back from 1 employer to re-apply directly on they’re website and the other Job applied for we haven’t heard back yet. (I had email copies of communications to and from the Employers and spouses resume to show if necessary) Explained that my spouse also will continue looking for a Job upon arrival in the US. I also said we recently signed a Rental Lease for an Apartment in the US. (I also had the Original and a copy of the lease with me)
I also brought the original documents and copies to support Domicile that were originally uploaded to NVC and other documents that were not given to NVC, like the Voters card and Voters record for my spouse, and 1 extra moving estimate, an updated banking summary record showing current balance totals and spouse pay stubs for 4 months. There was possibly more but the Officer did not ask for anything. I wanted to be prepared just in case because in some other interview reviews they were asked for.
I think because we uploaded so much at the NVC including the letter Re- “Steps taken in good faith to Re-establish Domicile in the US no later than the date of the intending immigrants admissionâ€, really helped. In the letter we stated what we were including and what we would have at the Interview. We uploaded to NVC, along with the letter Re-Domicile, a moving estimate, a letter from American Honda to support importing our car, bank statements from 2 Investment accounts in the US, US Bank statement showing opened in Dec/2017 and 2nd US Bank statement opened approx Aug/2018, all with Canadian address on them. The letter also explained we could provide at interview: notification to end current tenancy in Canada, also intention to end employment in Canada. Also that we would secure a residence in the US and provide a Rental Agreement at time of Interview. As stated above, the Officer did not ask for any, either Original or copy of any other document. I was surprised but relieved at the same time. But the Key was if she did, I had the document to give. So better to be prepared and not need something than not have the document and have your Visa delayed.
After explaining we recently secured a Rental Lease in the US ( the last question ) she gave back all the Original documents taken but kept the Original AOS, 2017 Tax Transcript with the Medical report and Passport pictures. I was never asked for the Vaccination Record during the 1st or 2nd time I was called.
She then said Congratulations you are approved and gave me 1 paper that said Welcome to the USA and a 2nd paper with information how to get your passport back and also how to track it. She said when you cross the Border into the US all you have to show is your Passport since all your information is in electronic form. I clarified with the Officer, so you do not need anything else like confirmation that how I registered for my passport to be returned or anything else and she said No we already know and have everything need. I think I said Thank you 2 or 3 times and gathered everything up and left Interviewing window area. The whole interview took at the most 15 mins. I was out of there about 11:50.
On my way out while waiting for the elevator to leave, I met the lady ahead of me that had No. 15. She was also approved. Her appointment was also at 9:00 a.m. She said she arrived about 8:00 a.m. and there was about 11 people ahead of her waiting to get in. She said she wished she got there earlier because they were just letting everyone in the order they arrived. I just missed this group of people before I arrived. From other reviews this was not the case, you were let in according to your appointment time not more than 1/2 hour before. I guess it’s hit or miss on what happens on the day of your appointment.
The worst part was the waiting, it was a long morning. Total time I was at the Consulate was about 3 & 1/2 hours. I haven’t yet checked what the status of where my passport is but will either later tonight or tomorrow. We don’t have to leave to go to the US for another few months, so we are fortunate in that respect. So we have more time for preparing to move and everything that comes along with it. I will also give an update when I receive my passport back.
Good luck to everyone else in they’re interview, when your date comes and if there is any more questions, I will try and answer them. Hope all information in this review helps someone and then in return you can also help the next person by also giving your own review when your time comes as well. For me when I started this whole process (Nov/2017) I was looking for any and all information that would help. I have spent many, many hours preparing and reading. Looking back now, it was all worth it and it sure helped at the interview. There was also many VJ members that helped with my questions. Thank you to everyone and all the best to everyone and they’re future in the USA.
|
| Rating : |
Good |
|
ver 5.0