Questions for Montreal IR-1 Interview Next week

[brooksn 0]

This is my first post but I'm an avid reader of these forums.

I emailed the consulate in Montreal with some questions but I'm worried they won't write back in time.

1) Is my spouse recommended to come to my interview? The letter only has my name on it and the security procedures imply she can't come. Is it better for her not to come?

2) If she comes will she be staying in the waiting room or coming in for the interview? (security procedures say people stay in the waiting room)

3) Is it beneficial for us to come right when they open or should we arrive at our specified appointment time?

4) Do they break for lunch or is there a cafeteria in the building? (I understand that we may be there for 3 or 4 hours and I'm concerned as my wife takes medications and it says to bring no food or water.)

5) Since its freezing cold in January (like -20C), do people come in their winter clothes and big snow boots or do they dress nicely and freeze?

Thanks everyone...these boards have been invaluable during this journey!!

[Saylin 1,605]

This is my first post but I'm an avid reader of these forums.

I emailed the consulate in Montreal with some questions but I'm worried they won't write back in time.

1) Is my spouse recommended to come to my interview? The letter only has my name on it and the security procedures imply she can't come. Is it better for her not to come?

2) If she comes will she be staying in the waiting room or coming in for the interview? (security procedures say people stay in the waiting room)

3) Is it beneficial for us to come right when they open or should we arrive at our specified appointment time?

4) Do they break for lunch or is there a cafeteria in the building? (I understand that we may be there for 3 or 4 hours and I'm concerned as my wife takes medications and it says to bring no food or water.)

5) Since its freezing cold in January (like -20C), do people come in their winter clothes and big snow boots or do they dress nicely and freeze?

Thanks everyone...these boards have been invaluable during this journey!!

1. For Canada, the spouse isn't needed. The interview is a very easy process. Typically, the interview itself takes less than 5 minutes and you're only asked a question or two.

2. For Montreal, spouses are allowed everywhere the beneficiary is. On the day of my interview, there was a fellow VJ member (the petitioner), and she went everywhere her husband did, including the interview room. If the petitioner does go to the interview, all they need is their passport.

3. Most definitely come early if you want to get out within an hour. If you arrive late, expect to be in there for a few hours, at least. I got there at 6:15, was the first one through the doors, and I was out by 9am. Would have been about 20 minutes earlier, but I needed to get my fingerprints done.

4. Nope, no break room or anything. There is a water fountain though if she needs water. And I can't remember, but there may be a vending machine for food.

5. I can't say since my interview was the first week of May. I just had a sweater on. But I wore jeans and a shirt. There's no real dress code. Just don't come in with tattered clothes and you'll have no issues.

[Saylin 1,605]

Moved topic from US embassy/consulate forum to the regional Canada forum as OP's questions are all consulate-specific.

[Flames9_RN 358]

What Saylin stated!! Most of your time at the Consulate will be spent waiting! And I'm sure your aware that you need a DHl account and have that info available at the consulate, as they use DHL to mail out the Visa and paperwork...then you can wait some more until it arrives. Ensure you have everything that is required as you don't want to have to mail stuff back to Mtl--as they are sloowwwwww. Best of luck

[Ms Hogan 295]

You need to have your reference number for courier service.

Sign up here http://usvisa-info.com/en-CA/selfservice/us_courier_information if you haven' t already.

Someone else was denied entry to the consulate I believe because they didn't have their reference number.