So, finally awake anough to do this, I think, after all the driving we did. We left Thursday about 10:45 from Sarnia, ran into pretty heavy snow between London and Toronto, and got to Montreal at about 7:00. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Midtown Montreal, which is under a little bit of construction, but it doesn't really affect anything. Valet parking was something like $18.80/day with in and out privliges.

We ate dinner at the Ace Bar & Grill inside the Holiday Inn, and then went for a walk and found the consulate (even though I left the map in the car). In the morning, we got ready, ate breakfast at the hotel, and walked to the consulate at about 8:15, and got there by 8:30. We lined up for a while between the two sets of doors. However, the guard was putting us in the order that he wanted. It seems like he was letting IV people with young children/strollers, ahead of us. However,t here was one woman that was stuck at the end of the four family line with two kids, and I was wondering what was going on with her, but shortly before we were let in, her husband came panting, as they had forgotten something and he ran back to their hotel or car to get it. Once we got into the security checkpoint, it was real easy when she asked us to empty our pockets and we didn't have anything to empty. I didn't wear a belt, made sure I didn't have change, etc. All we had was the paperwork and my wallet. She liked that and commented on it (it was the one with the butch haircut).

So, we went down the stairs, and then went right to the elevator, as we were told by the guard to go to the 19th floor window 14. So, at the cashier's window (window 14) we got our slip (C9) after Kristy said we have an appointment for a K-1 visa (Also, i believe it was Debbie that was working the cashier window that day, streaky blonde hair, right?). She also asked if we had an Xpresspost envelope already and we stated that we did. We first sat down in the non-immigrant visa area, but shortly later realized we were in the wrong area, after Kristy went to the restroom, I believe. So, on the light board, C4 is what's up when we first sit down, and it stayed there for quite a while, and then C5-C8 go through pretty quick, and then it went BACK to C7! It's going on more than an hour, and I finally ask the customer service rep who is wandering around the waiting are what's going on. It's been over an hour and all we've gotten so far is our number. I don't think she went anywhere or told anyone anything, but under five minutes later, we finally get called to Window 9.

The man behind the glass was very friendly, and commented on how organized we were. One of the first questions he asked is whether Kristy's daughter was coming, and Kristy said "No." I immediately caught it, and knew what he was asking and stated "yes, she's coming to the States, she's just not here with us now." He ended up asking if Kristy's ex was still in the picture at all, and we stated yes, but Kristy has sole custody and we have a letter from him saying that he approves of the move. By the time he asks for the court order, though, he didn't ask for the letter so I didn't give it to him. After he got all the documentation from us, I realized he didn't ask for my divorce papers, so I asked him if he needed them, and he stated that he did not. That may be because he already had them with the original I-129F petition.

So, we head back over to the cashier to pay like he instructed us. Debbie commented on how long it took for us to get called and told us that she usually works over on that side and it doesn't usually take that long, but not that she's saying she's necessarily faster or anything, though. About twenty minutes later he calls us back up to window 9 to have Kristy's fingerprints taken and asks us if he have the letter from Kristy's ex, since even though Kristy has custody he does have visitation. I gave it to him, he looked it over, and had us go sit back down, and that we'll be called back up shortly.

We're stressing a little bit at this time, because checkout at the hotel is noon, and it's probably about twenty after eleven, now. The interviewing officer has a gentleman in his ealry fifties probably, with dusty gray hair. He had us raise our hands and state that we'll tell the truth. Then, he has Kristy place her finger for a print match, and it says "no match." I thought he was joking, but then asked for a different finger. Still no match. He said one more and he'll have to call for another Kristy. he also stated that he can see them on the screen and that they look like a match to him. Well, the third time was a charm and the computer decided that it was a match. He asked us about how we met (blind date set up by my brother) and commented about where I live. Apparently when he worked in the private sector he worked a a paper plant in the town that I live. He said that everything looks to be in order and that he should be able to the visas out in the mail on Tuesday or Wednesday (since Monday is a holiday, which I totally forgot about).

So, we head back to the hotel about quarter to noon, just in time to check out. we eat lunch at the hotel, and then head off back home!

Now, I'm getting glared at because I'm writing too much and not helping with the packing. I'll check back in later.

Thank you everyone for making this a much easier process than it would be without VJ.

Congrats.

YAY!

Good for you!

Congrats!! Sometimes it seems like we're more in order with everything than Montreal is lol. Glad it's finally over with.

Mary

congrats!!

Congrats. It's so good to see the approvals happening and couples heading towards their ultimate goal.

Great review! and best of luck with the move!!

Congrats!!

Congratulations to you both!

Congratulations Jeremy and Kristy. I'm sorry that I missed you

I got there early, maybe 7:15, and there was on other couple already waiting outside the consulate. I said "Are you Jeremy and Kristy??!"... they both looked at me a little funny and then told me "no" hahaha. I just assumed that you guys would have been there as early as me. I think I left the consulate by 9:30. I was the one with the very unstylish, bright blue puffy jacket haha. I thought it was going to be very cold in Montreal, so I brought the warmest thing I had.

Anyways, I'm glad that everything went well.

I also had the same interviewer as you. He was really nice, except he told me that I should have my visa in 2-3 weeks!! What's up with that?? I even had to drag it out of him that I was approved. His original comment to me was "I don't see any reason right now why we shouldn't continue with the issuance of the visa". I said "Um, does that mean I'm approved?". He said "Yes" and the quickly added "unless something comes up while we process your paperwork. Like we find out you really have been married before, or have a criminal record". What the??

Keep us posted, and let us all know how the move goes

Congratulations, and get to packing already!!

Congrats you guys!!

Congrats!

Congratulations guys and LMAO about the glaring
Tee hee!
Best of luck!

Congratulations!!!

Congrats

Congratulations, you two! Now go get packin'!

Congrats!!!

congrats and good luck in your future

Congrats now is the fun part getting settled !!!!!