[amberlynnloves]

I guess I need reassurance. I am so scared for this interview. I will be going with my fiance. I have read so many horror stories about people being denied.

Is it rare to be denied in Montreal?

We have everything ready. Affidavit of Support. Supporting documents. Police Cert. Birth Cert. Everything.

I just need to be told it'll be ok. And that its rare for people to be denied in Montreal. PLEASE? But don't lie. If its really not that rare, be honest lol I need to know all that too.

Just going crazy trying to make sure we have EVERYTHING and more than what we need.

[dukeandduchess]

As long as the relationship is real, and you make enough money... Everything should be fine. Just relax. It's almost over.

[amberlynnloves]

Oh trust me, after 11 years, its real. Haha I am just stressing too much I guess. I want it to be done like yesterday. This process definitely is a test of relationship though. I am thankful we've gone through it and are coming out of it even stronger than when we went into it.

[codygrace]

Don't you worry. I did the same thing you did. I was happy to connect with some VJ members in the line up early in the morning. Freaked out about a little more, but felt comfortable talking with the others.

I'm sure you've read the reviews, but here is exactly what happened for me:

We waited there from around 6:30, the consulate opened their doors just after 7:30. You will be asked for the appointment confirmation, so have that ready, and your passport. You'll be ushered in the door and you'll present the confirmation and both your passports and they'll stick some of that information on the back of his passport. You'll go through security where you'll have to take off your jackets and that and then you'll turn to the left and go down some stairs. Like you've read, wait by the elevator, and you'll head up to the 19th floor I believe. Most awkward elevator ride of my life! That was so stressful being in there with all those people. You'll head to your left and around the corner on your left is the docket where you get your ticket number!

You walk past some kids toys and that's where you'll sit because the dockets are all the way to that end of the building (which would be straight if you were coming out of the elevator). It won't be long if you're early, and they will ask him for his 2 photos, the copies of his passport, birth certificates, the medical, the police certificate, your passport/confirmation letter again, and then they'll get busy sorting and typing stuff away. They take prints eventually, and ask for the affidavit of support. They basically fill out the same checklist that they send you. Checking them off as they go through it. Forget about an order though, because she asked kind of randomly. Then you sit down and wait a moment longer. The interview is just as easy, you answer some questions and just be genuine. I had a really nice man who made me laugh when I wanted to cry lol.

You'll will be JUST fine! You've prepared for this more than most people have. When I was there, tonnes of people showed up with haphazard folders and they had no idea what some of the forms even were!! Now, I don't know if they got approved or not, but from what I could see they were willing to work with people. Save yourself the stress that I wish I had! It's actually a painless process. If you have everything on your list, you're good to go! GOOD LUCK!!!! You'll be just fine.

[cillyx5]

codygrace, thanks for the walkthrough. We'll be going for our interview in December, so this was good info.
I'm going to look up some more reviews on the Montreal consulate, just so I'm extra ready!

[amberlynnloves]

Don't you worry. I did the same thing you did. I was happy to connect with some VJ members in the line up early in the morning. Freaked out about a little more, but felt comfortable talking with the others.

I'm sure you've read the reviews, but here is exactly what happened for me:

We waited there from around 6:30, the consulate opened their doors just after 7:30. You will be asked for the appointment confirmation, so have that ready, and your passport. You'll be ushered in the door and you'll present the confirmation and both your passports and they'll stick some of that information on the back of his passport. You'll go through security where you'll have to take off your jackets and that and then you'll turn to the left and go down some stairs. Like you've read, wait by the elevator, and you'll head up to the 19th floor I believe. Most awkward elevator ride of my life! That was so stressful being in there with all those people. You'll head to your left and around the corner on your left is the docket where you get your ticket number!

You walk past some kids toys and that's where you'll sit because the dockets are all the way to that end of the building (which would be straight if you were coming out of the elevator). It won't be long if you're early, and they will ask him for his 2 photos, the copies of his passport, birth certificates, the medical, the police certificate, your passport/confirmation letter again, and then they'll get busy sorting and typing stuff away. They take prints eventually, and ask for the affidavit of support. They basically fill out the same checklist that they send you. Checking them off as they go through it. Forget about an order though, because she asked kind of randomly. Then you sit down and wait a moment longer. The interview is just as easy, you answer some questions and just be genuine. I had a really nice man who made me laugh when I wanted to cry lol.

You'll will be JUST fine! You've prepared for this more than most people have. When I was there, tonnes of people showed up with haphazard folders and they had no idea what some of the forms even were!! Now, I don't know if they got approved or not, but from what I could see they were willing to work with people. Save yourself the stress that I wish I had! It's actually a painless process. If you have everything on your list, you're good to go! GOOD LUCK!!!! You'll be just fine.

Thanks for the info! Million dollar question....I don't have an actual passport. Because he's only 7 hours away, I drive so I just have a passport card that is like my driver's license but it allows me to go to Canada and back. Is that going to work or do I need to get a passport book thing to be able to go to the embassy?

[VeeNDee]

From what I've read about the Vancouver consulate, you need a passport to get inside. My fiance applied for his passport for that very reason - up until a week or two ago he had been visiting me on an enhanced driver's license.

Maybe Montreal is different?
Maybe you could apply for an expedited passport?

Sorry,... I know that's not what you wanted to hear :/

[CanLee]

Thanks for the info! Million dollar question....I don't have an actual passport. Because he's only 7 hours away, I drive so I just have a passport card that is like my driver's license but it allows me to go to Canada and back. Is that going to work or do I need to get a passport book thing to be able to go to the embassy?

Good question! My wife may only have her enhanced DL as well so I would be interested to see what you discover. I suspect it should be sufficient.

[amberlynnloves]

You'd like it would be sufficent as you can cross the border with it. And it shows you are an American citizen. And any American citizen is allowed into the US Embassy as long as they pass security checks. I don't know. I might call them. Thats interesting...

[CanLee]

Better safe than sorry but I can't imagine it would be an issue for the same reasons you describe. Just checked with my wife and she'll have her passport back well in time so it's a non-issue for us.

Congrats on your journey and I'm sure your interview will be a breeze!

[Marilyn.]

You'd like it would be sufficent as you can cross the border with it. And it shows you are an American citizen. And any American citizen is allowed into the US Embassy as long as they pass security checks. I don't know. I might call them. Thats interesting...

I am not sure if it makes a difference or not but I was wondering if you have the Passport Card or the Enhanced Drivers License?

[amberlynnloves]

I have an Enhanced Drivers License.

[cillyx5]

I'm confused... Is it the Petitioner with the EDL, or the beneficiary?

[amberlynnloves]

Petitioner has Enhanced Driver's License. Bene has regular passport book.

When we BOTH go to the Embassy for my fiance's interview, am I (as the petitioner) required to have a passport book or is the enchanced drivers license ok to enter the embassy.

[cillyx5]

The response I had from the Montreal consulate regarding my petitioner coming with me to the interview was that they must have a "U.S. passport" to enter the building.

Does the Montreal Consulate have a direct phone number you can call (like the NVC did)? It might be worth confirming this. Your interview date is still over a month away, so you'd have time to get a passport before then if necessary.