APPROVED!!!!

[kcmetzy 0]

OH ..forgot to mention the guy who was looking through our documents was NOT happy that my husband had his medical so early. He said the the Dr. should not have examined him without the interview letter. I almost thought we were going to be denied until my hubby got a new medical. It will expire in August..so it's 8 months old. Anyway, people might want to keep that in mind..he might not be so nice next time.

Also, they wanted our ORIGINAL marriage certificate..not a certified copy (the one I provided). They also wanted another photocopy of his birth certificate. I'm not sure why..but I'm glad I was prepared. They wanted my 2007 W-2 and tax return...but not a new affidavit of support. I'm not sure when that will be required, but I'd have it to be on the safe side.

Anyway..that's all!

It was kind of cute..when I returned with my I.D. I said, "I'm sorry I forgot my license" and he responded, "I'm sorry I made you go get your license." He was NOT that friendly to other people though. At one point, I thought he was going to beat this guy with his rather large nightstick for not emptying out his pockets as instructed...kinda creeped me out!

[Krikit 1,163]

paintings. God is freakin' ripped! The COs usually ask straightforward questions (even though my parents were asked how they met ) and rarely will they try to trick you, that requires a great deal of effort and study and they're not going to do it for one case. All the questions about hockey were part of the feeling out process but since your other half is a hockey player and most people in Montreal have at least a modicum of knowledge about hockey, the CO wasn't too suspicious. If DH had been a neurosurgeon, then it might have been a bit different, since most folks know little about neurosurgery and people get suspicious when they're ignorant of a topic. Bet you're glad that hubby went to the interview in a speedo.

The CO at my interview talked the entire time to my husband about his job. He wasn't asking as part of the interview. He was just really curious. Which I was fine with because it certainly took the pressure off me. lol

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

We arrived in Montreal Saturday evening around 6:00 pm. We were really happy to see each other, but everything went south in a hurry after trying to rent a car..find a parcade..get into our hotel. We ended up staying at the La Tour Centreville and it was okay. Cheap enough and great location..but the smell of the Yu Hang restaurant makes me want to throw up thinking about it. hehe Our room reeked of Japanese food. blah! I think the La Tour is great for one night, but we stayed 4 nights and that was a little much.

We hated Montreal for about 4 hours..it was such a culture shock. My husband signed up for waaaay more than he needed for the rental car (in fact every optional thing he could sign up for..he did) because he didn't really understand. We couldn't find a place to park..maybe the UFC had something to do with it. We found a spot at Desjardins Centre and it was great but were sooooo turned around, confused, tired, hungry..

We made it to the hotel about 9:00 pm and went to bed right away in kind of a grumpy mood. The days to follow were MUCH MUCH MUCH better. I don't know what we would have done without the Tom Tom! We had a blast going to St. Catherines street..we spent most of our time eating at pubs/restaurants and enjoying the FANTASTIC shopping. We really enjoyed the old churches, driving down the St. Lawrence, going to Mt. Royal, etc..

Honestly though, we spent most of our time walking. It almost would have been better to get a taxi and just walk around, but that's my personal opinion.

The weather was PERFECT and WARM every day that we were there!

Our mood changed quite a bit Monday night as we were preparing for the interview. We contemplated lying about a few issues that we were worried about, but after much prayer we decided to be honest about EVERYTHING even if it meant getting denied. I prayed that God would not allow the C.O. to ask any questions that would require us to lie. You know what? God is good and we were not put in a position to lie at any point in the interview.

We both grew incredibly nervous and it didn't help that there was a RIOT from the Canadiens game that lasted for hours. My husband wanted to go to that game sooo bad but we couldn't get tickets. Anyway, we woke up about 5:00 because neither one of us were really sleeping at this point. We arrived at about 7:00 and they opened the doors at 7:20. Of course, right off the bat I forget my I.D., so I had to run in my heels back to the hotel. We were like GREAT..this is not a good start to the day.

I met my husband downstaris, we were first in line.. went through all of the paperwork with the guy, he was fingerprinted, and then we patiently waited for the interview.

I felt that we had about a 40% chance of an approval, 40% chance of an advisory opinion, and 20% chance of a denial. We were first in line, but about 4th to get called into the interview (which was scary..what is taking so long).

Our interviewer was AWESOME. He said our case was the second complicated case of the day and that we made him research the law before calling us into the interview room. He said our lawyer did a good write-up..talked to my husband about his record (which he was completely honest).. talked to us about the riot..talked to my husband a lot about playing hockey.. talked to us about the 2 denials at the border..talked to me about my job..before saying the best words a person could say, "You're Approved!!" and there is no reason not to issue the visa! We were in shock and soOOooOOoOo HAPPY! I'm still in shock I think. I can't wait to forget about immigration..but I will never forget about you all. Thank you so much for the warm wishes and prayers. It worked!! We can be together at last!

Great review and, of course, congratulations!!!!! Honesty is indeed the best policy and remember God likes people with smokin' hot bodies, just look at His physique in all those paintings. God is freakin' ripped! The COs usually ask straightforward questions (even though my parents were asked how they met ) and rarely will they try to trick you, that requires a great deal of effort and study and they're not going to do it for one case. All the questions about hockey were part of the feeling out process but since your other half is a hockey player and most people in Montreal have at least a modicum of knowledge about hockey, the CO wasn't too suspicious. If DH had been a neurosurgeon, then it might have been a bit different, since most folks know little about neurosurgery and people get suspicious when they're ignorant of a topic. Bet you're glad that hubby went to the interview in a speedo.

BTW was the interviewer about 6'3" with a resonant voice and brownish hair, aka Movie Voice Guy (MVG)?

LOL you crack me up. I knew that smokin' hot body served a good purpose..(besides for my pleasure hehehe). The CO was very straightforward..and almost gave us the answer to his own question .. all we would have to do was nod and say yes. That might not have made sense, but it did in my head. hehe

The CO interviewer was NOTHING like the border patrol agents the two times my husband was denied entry. It's like he wanted us to succeed at the interview. At the border, however, it's like they wanted to find a reason to deny him. Just my observation..I'm sure other people feel different.

I'm not sure if it was Movie Voice Guy...our guy was SUPER nice and had facial hair..and was middle aged..

He did have a great voice..I'm thinking it might be the guy!

I don't know if I told you this already..but I'm so happy pop is out of AP!!! Is your family in the states now?

MVG is in his 30s and is/was clean-shaven. Might have been someone else. Some border guards are really nice and some are exceptionally unfriendly (read azzholes). COs are usually fairly nice and it's not like you're some monster trying to sneak over the border to commit dastardly deeds.

Thank you for your kind sentiments about Pop. Right now my parents are working on the liquidation of assets but we are trying to work around bro's schedule to figure out how we will patriate them. Bro' wants to drive up from AZ in his new supercharged truck but we think that we should just put them on the plane. At $140 per tank I don't think it is economical but there's nothing like a 2500 mile trip to break in a vehicle and see what 450hp feels like on the highway. Bro' will probably fly up and take them on the flight back with him. He'll check-in Pop and put Mom in the overhead compartment as a carry-on.

[erintoronto 0]

congratulations!

excellent review, too.

i sure hope i get MVG when it's my turn!

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

Congratulations!!!

[Mina76 0]

Congratulations to you both!!!