If you want information that will help you with the interview process, stop reading, because none of this could possibly happen again.
It was a gray, cold Montreal morning when we got to the Consulate at 7:45AM. Our interview was scheduled for 8:15. We were prepared to stand outside waiting, stamping our feet in the snow with other people but there was no one there. After the security check, the guard escorted us onto the elevator. We were the only ones there.
At the first window, a lady collected our documents and asked us to have a seat and wait to pay the fee. We were the only ones there. We paid, went back to the first window and submitted our receipt. A few folks trickled in. We waited five minutes and were called for the interview.
A very nice fellow asked a few questions, and wanted evidence for the I-134. He was satisfied with my employer letter and last paystub, which showed year-to-date earnings for 2006. The visa was approved but he couldn't say when it would arrive. "A few days, perhaps..."
We left less than an hour after we'd arrived. People were starting to line up at the front door.
The whole experience was surreal, as if all Consulate business was suspended while we entered the building privately and had our interview. I was in shock for hours afterwards, drank a whole bottle of wine and suddenly started speaking French.
We were at the Hyatt, which was very comfortable and a deal on hotwire.com. We spent the next two days shopping, eating poutine and smoked meat sandwiches, and enjoying ourselves. We imagine the visa will arrive in Toronto Monday or Tuesday and he'll be entering by next week-end.
I'm still in shock...
