Consulate Review: Montreal, Canada
Review Topic: K1 Visa
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| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
August 28, 2015 |
| Embassy Review : |
My interview was at 7:40am on Friday, August 28th at the Montreal US Consulate! Sorry this might be long, I just want to make sure I get all of my details in!
Mike and I lined up outside the consulate doors at 6:40, we were third in line. By 7:20 the line was quite long and at 7:30 the security guards came out and put up the line barrier and we're ready let us in. A woman came out and asked who had 7:40 appointments, I raised my hand and showed her my passport and DS-160 confirmation and she handed me the #1 card. Woo! I asked if Mike could join me inside and she said yes.
We were allowed in, I was the second one and we walked through security. They let you keep jackets and shoes on, I took off my watch and out my documents in a bin. Side note, you are allowed to have phones and extra things but no bags. They will just keep your phone/electronics at the security area until you are done your interview and ready to exit. Security guards were very nice.
We went downstairs, which after you walk to security is to the left. There is a room with the elevator, a bunch of chairs and a photo booth if you forgot to take passport photos. We sat right beside the elevator. We were already given our number so there is no longer a need to make sure you're at the back of the elevator and no rush to any workers to get the first number, which is nice and makes things a little less stressful. I do recommend, if you have an earlier interview, sit close to the elevator so you can at least make the first trip up. At 8 o'clock a guard came and let us into the elevator. The elevator has no signage or anything to indicate what floor you're on, no music either lol. Awkward!
We got to the 19th floor and the women working don't have a desk or anything, they are just standing and tell immigrant visas to sit in the middle chairs (there are signs above the seating) and nonimmigrant visas on the outside chairs. 5 minutes later I was called to window 1 where a very nice blonde woman took my passport and copy, birth certificate copy, police record original, affidavits of support/financial evidence, medical, 2 passport style photos, letters of intent and I think that's it? It was such a blur! She commented on how organized I was, lol, and then took my fingerprints. She said it wouldn't be long and I'll be called for my interview.
8:25 and he called me, #1 to window 7, which is kind of in the hallway and secluded a little bit more than the other windows. He had all my info in front of him. I read the oath aloud and then used my right hand on the scanner. He was very nice, asked me how mike and I met, when we met, our wedding plans, etc. he asked if I'd every been arrested, if I'd ever been in the U.S. Illegally and if I'd ever had a visa prior to this. He asked if I was excited, I said yes very!! He said "ok, that's it!" And handed me the welcome letter while I yelled "yaaaaay!" Haha he probably thought I was crazy. He explained that loomis (the mail courier service) will email with tracking once my visa/passport is mailed out. That's it! "Have a great weekend" maybe 3-4 minutes. 5 minutes tops! He did not ask for any additional relationship evidence, I did slam my big fat folder down on the table so I'm guessing that was evidence right there, lol. I was over prepared definitely, but no regrets about that. We were out of the building at 8:30 am.
We walked out and that was it! He said 1-2 weeks but usually a week for the visa to come. Can't wait! It was such a blur but a very good experience. As long as you have the documents on the checklist, I think you would be fine. Of course I recommend bringing more with you since they do have the right to ask for anything. I can't believe all the stress for such a small interview.
Medical review: Dr. Marcel Pigeon at Medisys in downtown Montreal, Canada. Very good and quick experience. We stayed at the Courtyard Marriot and it was maybe a 10 min walk to Medisys. Large building and the doctors office is located on the 11th floor. Everyone I talked to spoke both French and English. I came in 10 minutes prior to my appointment at 1pm with my passport style photos, interview email and printout with my interview date, etc. as well as my passport. They kept everything I handed to them and made a copy of my passport biographic page. I asked if I could get a copy of my results once they were finished (for adjustment of status) but they said I need to ask the consulate as they are not able to. I waited for about 10 minutes and a nice nurse called my name. She took my blood pressure and pulse, height and weight, and checked my eyes with and without my glasses on. My pulse was very fast as I get nervous with blood tests, she was very understanding and laid me down to take my blood, extremely quick and painless. Best blood test I've had and I did faint, haha! She distracted me by asking about my fiancé and how we met, etc. and that was it for the first part! I signed a few papers and went back to the waiting room. Another nurse called me and I went to another room, disrobed and put on the open back gown for my chest X-ray, another very nice nurse took the X-ray and I was sent back to the waiting room after changing back into my clothes. I noticed they had spelled my name wrong so I went to the front desk but the woman assured me they had corrected it upon getting my passport. A few more minutes waiting and Dr. Pigeon called my name. He was very nice, went through my chart with me (I had no previous health concerns or medications). I changed into a gown again and he checked my ears and throat, and then my stomach and that was it. Everyone was very nice and wished me good luck in my process. If going to Montreal I would highly recommend Medisys. It took about an hour from start to finish, but seemed much quicker. The only thing that bothered me was I couldn't get a copy of the results from them and I have to ask the consulate at my interview on Friday. Oh well. I had my medical on Monday August 24th and picked up my results Thursday August 27th. My interview was Friday morning at 7:40am on August 28th. Very happy to be able to get my results the day before. They do also give you a copy of the vaccination record DS-2065 for yourself to keep.
Side note, If any of you need to travel to Montreal for your interview I highly recommend the Courtyard Marriott hotel, it's literally right across the street from the consulate and about 10 min walk to Medisys. Beautiful hotel and the staff speaks English which is wonderful. Also within walking distance of two shopping centers and many restaurants. |
| Rating : |
Very Good |
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ver 5.0