This is the first chance I've had to post since we got back from Montreal. Our interview was Aug 1st and it went relatively smoothly. It was so nice having all the inside info from this forum. Going through security was relatively quick because I only brought our documents and some change for the vending machines. We were one of the first ones in and on the elevator when they came to get everyone from the waiting area. My daughter and I were out the back of the elevator and at window 14 before everyone else figured out which direction to go lol. We got C1 and sat down and waited about half an hour to see the fellow who took all our paperwork. After that was taken care of we went back to the waiting area and sat for another 30 minutes or so. The woman who conducted the interview looked like she'd rather be any where else and didn't crack a smile at all. She asked for the new affidavit of support (ours had expired)and my husband's 2005 tax return and the travel document for my daughter signed by her father. She didn't ask me how we met or to see any evidence of our relationship. She also asked my daughter who's 10, to leave the room and stand in the hall. Why they make us spend the money for her to come is beyond me. The woman said she never asks the kids questions because they usually don't know whats going on anyway. She was about to give me a hard time about the travel document for Jenna. I told her because it was a common law relationship there was no custody agreement and that I made sure that I only needed a notarized document for my daughter's relocation before coming to the interview. Then she told me because the police certificate only had my married name on it I'd have to get another one done and bring it back They had run a check on all previous names but only put one. So off I went to the RCMP station in the blazing heat and humidity with my daughter and sat for over 2 and a half hours to have a new one done. Then we went back to the embassy, showed our orange slip to re-enter the consulate and I asked the lady who took it if we need another slip to get in the next day to pick up our visas. She said that they were most likely already done and came back a few moments later with our passports containing our IR-1 and IR-2 visas!!!! As soon as we got back to the hotel I called my hubby to tell him the good news. We spent the following day with friends in Old Montreal until we came back to their car to find it had been broken into. Their laptop was gone and so was my backpack with all our documentation and original certificates that we still need for our son's consular report at the end of this month. Thank God I had put the passports and the sealed envelopes for the border in my tote bag that I had on me. I think I would of had a breakdown had that been taken after all we went through to get it. I'm glad that part of it is finally done. Now we're hopefully no more than a month and a bit away from moving once we get our son's papers for his citizenship. Thank you to everyone who posted their experiences and support, I can't thank you enough. And good luck to those who are still waiting.

Congrats to you!

Sorry to hear about your friend's car, but thank you for posting your experience.

Congratulations, Kaitie!

Sorry to hear about your friend's car being broken into, and you losing some documents.

Congratulations on getting to the final stage of your journey! You persevered and got the visas!

Unfortunately, you're the second person I've heard who had a car burgled in Montreal. We might warn everyone to leave valuables (and even the car) at the hotel.

Congratulations on the visas Kaitie!

Congrats!!!

Word to the wise about Montreal --- It is probably better to find a good hotel with secure parking and just take the metro !

Yes congrats from red

its the pity
of life that petty crime is everywhere,
we are downtown sioux falls sd today at Holiday Inn
made sure nothing in my car borrowed from jules dad.

Seems Montreal has a big problem with out of town/rental cars being targetted.

Moral is take all valuables with you

but glad your approved at consulate

laters red d

back to Toronto tomorrow morning
then it gets really busy

cheers

Congratulations on getting things done. As if the stress of going to the Embassy isn't enough, getting car broken into is just so maddening.

Is it possible to think that the "bad guys" know now that people who are going inside can't bring in electronics, and it's a great place for them to look for stuff in cars? I dunno, I don't know anything about crime rate in that area.

Happy for your success, and sorry for the stolen laptop, etc.

Congrats! Sucks that your friend's ride was broken into! But glad you had your docs on ya