Thought I would let you all know that it went as smoothly as possible, and yes, they were very nice. My only error was not bringing a photocopy of my birth certificate as well as the original. They took a copy and gave me back my original so that was excellent. Now for some stream of consciousness thoughts
Downsides? Well, the parking is pricey by the embassy, $2.00 per hour, max 2 hours. We could have walked but had to move the car from free street parking anyway so we did it like that. Also, the security guys don't always give the clearest directions, so its wicket 14 you go to, to show them your letter and get your number when you first get in, left from the elevator. Bring change, there are pop, coffee and snack machines there. Bring a book. I brought my fiance, he was forced to entertain me while we waited.
I did see some people try and bring others in besides the people you are allowed to.. like translators and what not.. and looked like the same group was going to try and park in the loading zone at the front. Um, no. We arrived just as this confusion was taking place, and ended up some how jumping the security line I think because we had no purses, no baby strollers, or anything like that. They did however hold my fiance's car keys at the front. Afraid of potential eye gouging??? They have a photo booth in the basement if you forget or lose a photo.
During the "interview", myself and my fiance went in, and Jeff (my fiance) says can I come in? So we had some back chat how he was allowed to come in as he was holding my coffee.. anyway the guy says well you have all the papers here so now all I need to know is that you have a relationship, which you obviously do. Under the guise of chit chat, he asked how we met, when we met, where we going to live, how often we had seen each other. He took some notes about when we first had contact but it was very casual.I had some worries because not only has my fiance got a new job starting after we get married, we also have a new address. Jeff mentioned that he had signed a lease on a new place and I think he mentioned the new job as well (and all our stuff has old job and old address on it, since thats the way it is right now and will be for a few weeks) Interviewer didn't seem to care. I also am self employed (music teacher) and he didn't ask me about working or anything like that.
We talked a little about border crossing, and wondered if I had any trouble (I brought it up). He said if you get denied during the application process, they don't hold it against you. It happens, he shrugged.
So we went in 8:45 am and were out by 10:45 am and were enjoying old Montreal by 11:15. Painless.
Anyone who is going next weekend June 23 -25 its Formula 1 Grad Prix car racing weekend so be aware of that. It will no doubt affect where you drive and where you stay.
We stayed at a pension/B&B called La Maison du Patriote. It's run by the same people who run Le Sous bois. Its right on Rue St Paul E. and we loved it. We were on the top floor, facing the street and the only time the noise bothered us was last nite, because there were fireworks, and people were out til all hours. Very nice good size room with double bed, window on the street and a big fan for air. Could have a had a room facing the courtyard but it didn't work out that way. It has a set of private rooms and a very interesting dorm set up. It has a full kitchen, and we made lunch and snacks, they provide a light breakfast, and we saved our money for dinners and what not as its pretty pricey in tourist town down there. THey also have a security lock on the door with a code, so you have a pretty good feeling of security as long as someone pulls the door shut!!! Oh and they have free internet. Parking is free on the street down there after 9 pm and almost impossible to get on Fri and sat nite. We parked at the Quai parking where the science center is, lots of parking and its $20 for 24 hours, which was better than playing around with hoping you can get a spot. All parking is free in that area and around there on Sunday as in the meters don't charge.
Well, that's a lot of hot air. I just got home and though I would spill before I forgot anything. Ask any questions you like!
Full Version: K1 Interview in Montreal - completed!
QUOTE(Shauna @ Jun 19 2006, 12:27 AM) 
Thought I would let you all know that it went as smoothly as possible, and yes, they were very nice. My only error was not bringing a photocopy of my birth certificate as well as the original. They took a copy and gave me back my original so that was excellent. Now for some stream of consciousness thoughts
Downsides? Well, the parking is pricey by the embassy, $2.00 per hour, max 2 hours. We could have walked but had to move the car from free street parking anyway so we did it like that. Also, the security guys don't always give the clearest directions, so its wicket 14 you go to, to show them your letter and get your number when you first get in, left from the elevator. Bring change, there are pop, coffee and snack machines there. Bring a book. I brought my fiance, he was forced to entertain me while we waited.
I did see some people try and bring others in besides the people you are allowed to.. like translators and what not.. and looked like the same group was going to try and park in the loading zone at the front. Um, no. We arrived just as this confusion was taking place, and ended up some how jumping the security line I think because we had no purses, no baby strollers, or anything like that. They did however hold my fiance's car keys at the front. Afraid of potential eye gouging??? They have a photo booth in the basement if you forget or lose a photo.
During the "interview", myself and my fiance went in, and Jeff (my fiance) says can I come in? So we had some back chat how he was allowed to come in as he was holding my coffee.. anyway the guy says well you have all the papers here so now all I need to know is that you have a relationship, which you obviously do. Under the guise of chit chat, he asked how we met, when we met, where we going to live, how often we had seen each other. He took some notes about when we first had contact but it was very casual.I had some worries because not only has my fiance got a new job starting after we get married, we also have a new address. Jeff mentioned that he had signed a lease on a new place and I think he mentioned the new job as well (and all our stuff has old job and old address on it, since thats the way it is right now and will be for a few weeks) Interviewer didn't seem to care. I also am self employed (music teacher) and he didn't ask me about working or anything like that.
We talked a little about border crossing, and wondered if I had any trouble (I brought it up). He said if you get denied during the application process, they don't hold it against you. It happens, he shrugged.
So we went in 8:45 am and were out by 10:45 am and were enjoying old Montreal by 11:15. Painless.
Anyone who is going next weekend June 23 -25 its Formula 1 Grad Prix car racing weekend so be aware of that. It will no doubt affect where you drive and where you stay.
We stayed at a pension/B&B called La Maison du Patriote. It's run by the same people who run Le Sous bois. Its right on Rue St Paul E. and we loved it. We were on the top floor, facing the street and the only time the noise bothered us was last nite, because there were fireworks, and people were out til all hours. Very nice good size room with double bed, window on the street and a big fan for air. Could have a had a room facing the courtyard but it didn't work out that way. It has a set of private rooms and a very interesting dorm set up. It has a full kitchen, and we made lunch and snacks, they provide a light breakfast, and we saved our money for dinners and what not as its pretty pricey in tourist town down there. THey also have a security lock on the door with a code, so you have a pretty good feeling of security as long as someone pulls the door shut!!! Oh and they have free internet. Parking is free on the street down there after 9 pm and almost impossible to get on Fri and sat nite. We parked at the Quai parking where the science center is, lots of parking and its $20 for 24 hours, which was better than playing around with hoping you can get a spot. All parking is free in that area and around there on Sunday as in the meters don't charge.
Well, that's a lot of hot air. I just got home and though I would spill before I forgot anything. Ask any questions you like!
Congrats!! I assume you were approved... Did you get your visa then?
Thanks much for sharing...we too will be going thru Montreal... as soon as they give us an interview date!!! geesh
Enjoy get packing and welcome
Congratulations on a quick and smooth journey! Will they mail the visa?
QUOTE(Jersey Girl @ Jun 19 2006, 09:24 AM)
Congratulations on a quick and smooth journey! Will they mail the visa?
Yup, I left them an Expresspost envelope. Should get it fairly soon. We have had a relatively quick and easy journey, though nothing ever goes perfectly smoothly!
Oh and one thing I forgot - they didn't want my xray, so the guy said save it for when you get a new doctor in the US. Now I see they may want medical for AOS so I think I will just hang on to that one!
Congrats , and best of luck with you S/O in the USA
Congrats!!!!
Congratulations! 
Congrats Shauna! 
Hehe I couldnt wait for mail, I drove home to Ottawa after my interview in Montreal then back up the next morning to get the visa.
Congratulations!
QUOTE(Tuneses @ Jun 19 2006, 01:54 PM)
Hehe I couldnt wait for mail, I drove home to Ottawa after my interview in Montreal then back up the next morning to get the visa.
Yes, a Friday interview made that a little impractical from Guelph. I would have had to drive back today, 3 days later, 7 hour drive one way? Uhh.. no.
Congrats!
QUOTE(Shauna @ Jun 19 2006, 11:56 PM)
QUOTE(Tuneses @ Jun 19 2006, 01:54 PM)
Hehe I couldnt wait for mail, I drove home to Ottawa after my interview in Montreal then back up the next morning to get the visa.
Yes, a Friday interview made that a little impractical from Guelph. I would have had to drive back today, 3 days later, 7 hour drive one way? Uhh.. no.
Wow sorry just relating what i did. But grats anyways.
Congrats 
Well Shauna it is great news congrats
QUOTE(Leafgal @ Jun 20 2006, 08:20 AM)
Well Shauna it is great news congrats
Thanks all - it makes me pretty happy that I chose to go the K1 route instead of K3 - I was just reading in another topic that the CO gave someone the gears because in the wedding pictures it looked there were only 8 people at the wedding. Uh... how is that relevant???? (says the person who only invited 17 to hers)
yaay! congrats!!!
QUOTE(Shauna @ Jun 20 2006, 12:18 PM)
QUOTE(Leafgal @ Jun 20 2006, 08:20 AM)
Well Shauna it is great news congrats
Thanks all - it makes me pretty happy that I chose to go the K1 route instead of K3 - I was just reading in another topic that the CO gave someone the gears because in the wedding pictures it looked there were only 8 people at the wedding. Uh... how is that relevant???? (says the person who only invited 17 to hers)
Congratulations ... although I have to say that I'm a little confused by the timeline in your signature .. I'm reading it that you had an interview at the consulate in 2006? and you're K1? .. oh dear I'm confused
Interview was june 2006. This topic was started in 2006
glad I'm not the only one that sat here and thought WTH?
Congrads to you guys!! They took our keys in Montreal as well, in our case it was because hubby had the automatic lock thing on his fob (to open the doors) they said that was an "electronic device".
They did however hold my fiance's car keys at the front. Afraid of potential eye gouging???
haha In Montreal, given the delays in people getting interviews, that MIGHT be a possibility!
Seriously, congratulations on your wonderful news!
Carla
haha In Montreal, given the delays in people getting interviews, that MIGHT be a possibility!
Seriously, congratulations on your wonderful news!
Carla
ok so old subject.....
so that would explain a lot why someone in it said they picked up their visa the next day!!! Cause they dont do that anymore
so that would explain a lot why someone in it said they picked up their visa the next day!!! Cause they dont do that anymore
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