shell711

To answer your question Nita...no, I was not required to be at the interview...only those applying for the Visa are required to be there. I just went for moral support.

Well, it's been a long road, but my husband finally got his immigrant Visa!! Yea!! For those of you that will be going through the Montreal consulate, I'll give an overview of what to expect:

Our interview time was 8:30am on Wednesday February 20th. We arrived at the consulate at 7:45am

As you walk up to the consulate doors, an immigration officer will be standing outside and he will ask for your appointment letter, so it's a good idea to have it handy. You'll be let inside the doors and stand in the line for immigrant visas. One couple or family at a time you will step inside and go through security. Note: ladies, do not bring your purse if you can help it, this will save alot of time and the consular officers seem to appreciate the less hassle of having to go through it. Besides, you are not permitted to bring any type of large handbag anyways. Make sure that you already have everything (keys, change etc) out of your pants pockets and coat pockets. The officer will hand you a ticket with a window letter (A-E) and this will be the order you will be called to the window (we were D) After you are cleared through security they will instruct you to go downstairs to the waiting room. We only waited for about 15 minutes and the officer came down and took all of us (about 12) into the elevator up to the 19th floor. We were instructed to have a seat in a small waiting area next to about 5 windows and we will be called by the letter we recieved. This only took about 5 minutes until we were called to the window. The woman asked for the appointment letter and my husband's passport. She went through all of the paperwork we sent into the NVC, checking for accuracy, and then told us to have a seat in the big waiting room and wait until our name was called over the loud speaker. We sat in the waiting are for about 15 minutes and we were called to the same window. At this time, we were asked simple questions such as "where will you be staying when you get to the US" (specific address) "what type of work do you do" (what your skills are). She asked if we had an Xpresspost prepaid envelope for the paperwork to be sent back to us...we didn't but we purchased one right there for approx $8.50 (you must have a credit card to purchase one, they do not accept cash) It was very fast and easy. She told us to go back to the waiting area and the next time our name was called, it would be for our interview. We sat in the waiting area for about a half hour and then we were called to room 7. We went into the room (which was very small) and there was a gentleman behind the glass. He was very very pleasant. He asked us both to raise our right hand and swear that all information was true and correct and then proceeded with the interview questions. He asked how we met (we met over the internet)and what my husband plans to do for work once he arrives in the US...and that was it!! He said that our Visa was approved and that we could expect it in the mail within a week! It really was very quick and easy! We recieved his passport with Visa stamped inside and a sealed envelope 4 business days later. We left for the US the next day. We drove through the Fort Erie, Buffalo NY border. AT the border, we were asked to park in a specified parking area and instructed to go inside door #1. Inside, the officer was very nice and basically took my husband's passport, opened it up to where the Visa was stamped and he stamped a seal and wrote in an expiration date for 1 year from that day. He said that this was just as good as the green card and can be used until the green card comes in the mail (within 90 days). He gave us a welcome to the US pamphlet and said welcome have a great day! That was it!

I hope that this information helps all of you that will be going through the process. We were very nervous, but there is nothing to be nervous about. Good luck on your journey!!!

I am very happy for you!!! Thank you so much for sharing your experience.

Well, it's been a long road, but my husband finally got his immigrant Visa!! Yea!! For those of you that will be going through the Montreal consulate, I'll give an overview of what to expect:

Our interview time was 8:30am on Wednesday February 20th. We arrived at the consulate at 7:45am

As you walk up to the consulate doors, an immigration officer will be standing outside and he will ask for your appointment letter, so it's a good idea to have it handy. You'll be let inside the doors and stand in the line for immigrant visas. One couple or family at a time you will step inside and go through security. Note: ladies, do not bring your purse if you can help it, this will save alot of time and the consular officers seem to appreciate the less hassle of having to go through it. Besides, you are not permitted to bring any type of large handbag anyways. Make sure that you already have everything (keys, change etc) out of your pants pockets and coat pockets. The officer will hand you a ticket with a window letter (A-E) and this will be the order you will be called to the window (we were D) After you are cleared through security they will instruct you to go downstairs to the waiting room. We only waited for about 15 minutes and the officer came down and took all of us (about 12) into the elevator up to the 19th floor. We were instructed to have a seat in a small waiting area next to about 5 windows and we will be called by the letter we recieved. This only took about 5 minutes until we were called to the window. The woman asked for the appointment letter and my husband's passport. She went through all of the paperwork we sent into the NVC, checking for accuracy, and then told us to have a seat in the big waiting room and wait until our name was called over the loud speaker. We sat in the waiting are for about 15 minutes and we were called to the same window. At this time, we were asked simple questions such as "where will you be staying when you get to the US" (specific address) "what type of work do you do" (what your skills are). She asked if we had an Xpresspost prepaid envelope for the paperwork to be sent back to us...we didn't but we purchased one right there for approx $8.50 (you must have a credit card to purchase one, they do not accept cash) It was very fast and easy. She told us to go back to the waiting area and the next time our name was called, it would be for our interview. We sat in the waiting area for about a half hour and then we were called to room 7. We went into the room (which was very small) and there was a gentleman behind the glass. He was very very pleasant. He asked us both to raise our right hand and swear that all information was true and correct and then proceeded with the interview questions. He asked how we met (we met over the internet)and what my husband plans to do for work once he arrives in the US...and that was it!! He said that our Visa was approved and that we could expect it in the mail within a week! It really was very quick and easy! We recieved his passport with Visa stamped inside and a sealed envelope 4 business days later. We left for the US the next day. We drove through the Fort Erie, Buffalo NY border. AT the border, we were asked to park in a specified parking area and instructed to go inside door #1. Inside, the officer was very nice and basically took my husband's passport, opened it up to where the Visa was stamped and he stamped a seal and wrote in an expiration date for 1 year from that day. He said that this was just as good as the green card and can be used until the green card comes in the mail (within 90 days). He gave us a welcome to the US pamphlet and said welcome have a great day! That was it!

I hope that this information helps all of you that will be going through the process. We were very nervous, but there is nothing to be nervous about. Good luck on your journey!!!

Hi everyone! Just wondering if anyone else is scheduled for their Visa interview in Montreal for February 20th?

Hello everyone! My husband's immigrant visa interview at the Montreal consulate is scheduled for February 20th and we are getting everything prepared. Just wondering who has been through the interview process at this consulate and if you can provide any advice or useful information? Thanks in advance!!

My husband's interview is on February 20th in Montreal, so we are also getting everything together.

The OF 230 I and II is the same as DS 230 I and II, and the NVC will have already sent this along with you rother paperwork. We just filled out (typed) the part II to bring with us since this is the one you sign at the consulate. Make sure you DON'T sign it though...make sure you wait until the interview. Also, you will not have to get original copies of anything again (police certificate, birth certificate etc.) The NVC has already sent these forms to the consulate. I am certain of these answers because I got the information straight from the consulate. In regards to the financial evidence, make sure you bring copies of tax returns for the past 3 years for everyone that is a sponsor. And if you and your spouse share a bank account, bring a recent statement. Other than that, you should be all set. Good luck at your interview....wish us luck as well....13 days and counting!!

hi guys!

we're really excited today because we received a date for our interview! march 18th and we're reading through all the preparation guidelines and have a couple of questions. in the list of documents that it says we need to bring it mentions the OF-230-I and the OF-230-II - we're not sure what these are! are these forms that we already filled out for the NVC? we don't recognize the codes. everything else seems to be straight forward - looks like we should apply for a new original copy of my police certificate and long-form birth certificate because we never got the originals sent back from the NVC... how strict are they on having all original documents present? we're very keen to make sure everything runs smoothly. anyway, any advice/info about the interview would be awesome. thanks so much!

emma+arsenio

Hello, I just wanted to see if there was anyone out there schedule for their Visa interview at the Montreal Consulate for February 20th? My husband and I will be there on that day, thought it would be nice to meet others going through this whole Visa thing.

I just wanted to see if there are any others scheduled for their Visa interview at the Montreal Consulate on February 20th?

My husband is going for his interview in Montreal next month and we have everything ready. However, there is 1 thing that sits in my head and worries me a little. I am a fulltime student and do not work, when my husband gets his Visa, we are going to stay at my parents house for a few months until we both have jobs and get an apartment. Now my parents have both filled out financial affidavit's for my husband and make plenty of money. Will this look bad at the interview though? Could they deny his Visa just because I don't currently work? We have somewhere to live until we get our own place and he will be able to apply for work shortly after he gets here. Does anyone have any information regarding this matter? Thanks!

Well, after waiting almost 2 weeks, the Montreal consulate finally called me to tell me that my husband's interview date (which he couldn't make) has been canceled and rescheduled for February 20th. What a relief! Many thanks to all who tried to help out.

**For the person who was having the same problem(sorry...don't recall your username) when you fax Montreal, leave a contact phone number for them to call you---this is how they reached me..gl**

I truely wish there was some way he could keep the appoint....but it just isn't possible.

You realize it takes a really long time to get interviews at Montreal, right?

And that if you reschedule, it's probably gonna be a while before the next date?

Given that information, is there any way he can keep the appointment?

I have tried and tried to contact the Montreal Consulate in regards to my husband's Visa appointment for January 22. I have sent numerous emails and faxes because my husband cannot make the appointment and we need to reschedule. Now the appointment is in 1 week and we still have not heard anything. So what happens now? He will obviously NOT be at the appointment...so is that considered a no-show? And if so, what happens when someone is a no-show for a Visa appointment? Is your case thrown out or does the consulate contact you about rescheduling? Does anyone know? I am so frustrated with this situation, I just don't know what to do. Any information would help a great deal. Thanks.

Thank you, but I have already contacted these places by phone and they both redirected me to the Montreal Consulate to reschedule the interview. This is where the problem lies....I cannot reach Montreal no matter how many different ways to times I try. I just don't know what to do!

CALL DOS VISA SERVICES.

http://travel.state.gov/about/info/info_308.html#visa

I'm really starting to panic....my husband's interview is scheduled for January 22nd and we can't make it! I have tried several times to contact Montreal consulate but cannot get a response. We have emailed 3 times and faxed them but cannot seem to get any time of response from them. I don't know what to do at this point. We certainly do not want to be a "no show"....does anyone know what happens if you are a no show for an interview appt? Is there anyone out there who knows of any way to reschedule?? I really need help asap!!!

When sending my emails I did put the case number and my husband's name in the subject line. I sent the first email this past Sunday the 6th, I also sent another email on Wednesday. They are usually very quick to respond to my emails, but nothing so far. I'm getting nervous because the appt date is creeping up. I'm hoping to hear from them tomorrow since it's Friday...I don't know what to do if we don't hear from them by then!!! Reason being is my husband's medical is scheduled for this coming Wednesday (we haven't canceled it as of yet) and his interview is the following Tuesday...we're just running out of time.....we don't want to be a no show, but our hands are tied and we just can't seem to get through to the consulate. I'm very worried.

My husband (Canadian) is scheduled for his Visa interview in Montreal on Jan 22......but we desperately need to reschedule! I have tried calling the Montreal Consulate, but they no longer have a "live" person to talk to regarding Visas. I have also sent emails and faxes but so far have had no response. Does anyone know how to reschedule an interview? What is the correct procedure and how long does it take to get a response from the consulate? Any information would greatly help!

You are using the correct procedure. The only way to contact Montreal is via email. Sometimes they respond immediately, sometimes they take a few days.

I emailed them two questions in the last week. I got a response to the first question within 1/2 an hour, my second question was answered the next day.

I assume you put your case number in the subject line of the email and it doesn't hurt to put the beneficiaries name and date of birth in the body of the email as well. I also think it's a good idea to identify yourself as the petitioner.

If you are already doing all these things - I'm sorry but I don't really have any other suggestions to offer. How long has it been since you contacted them the first time?

My husband (Canadian) is scheduled for his Visa interview in Montreal on Jan 22......but we desperately need to reschedule! I have tried calling the Montreal Consulate, but they no longer have a "live" person to talk to regarding Visas. I have also sent emails and faxes but so far have had no response. Does anyone know how to reschedule an interview? What is the correct procedure and how long does it take to get a response from the consulate? Any information would greatly help!

I'm pretty sure that you won't be able to add your husband to your bank accounts without him being there to provide ID and a signature. However, there are plenty of other ways to show proof of relationship. You can use pictures, such as wedding photos, emails, travel itineraries from when you visited each other, phone records etc. Hope this helps.

Hello everyone. I thought it is a good idea to add my husband to my bank accounts here in U.S. for proof of relationship. He is a Bosnian citizen we are waiting on I-129 NOA2. I don't know if I can add him or if I can whether to use the W-8Ben or W-9 bank says W-8ben but I know they get confused.

HAS ANYONE DONE THIS COULD YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT THE PROCESS WAS OR IF IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN PROVING YOUR RELATIONSHIP AT THE INTERVIEW?

I don't think the I-129f will help you at all at this point. The reason for the initial long delay is because a Visa number has to be assigned and you have to wait until one is available. It sounds like you finally have a number, so you're best bet is to wait it out. From experience, I know that the wait times are over exaggerated. From the time my husband and I filed our I-130 to his actual Visa interview was a total of 6 months, so try not to get discouraged.

Thank you to everyone for your replies, it is really keeping me positive and hopeful in this process. We thankfully received our NOA1 just this week and are thrilled even though the check hasn't been cashed yet. An immigration officer told me our I-130 should be approved by March or April at the latest at the California Service Center. I've been looking around at timelines for the NVC and the consulate. If I am correct, we are looking at hopefully being approved for Jeff to enter the US as a permanent resident somewhere around September. We have not yet filed the I-129f but are considering it just as back up if it happened to get processed quicker. Would the I-129f and AOS result in US citizenship for my husband sooner than waiting for a complete I-130? I see we might not gain any time but consider filling it out as it's free to do so if you've already applied for the I-130. Will having both petitions at the USCIS center cause delay for either of them? It's exciting to get the NOA1 and yet depressing at the same time to know there will be another good 8 months till I see my husband again.

When I put together our I-130 packet, I did not use tabs, but I did have a "Table of Contents" which I put as the first page of the packet. Also, I binded my papers together (in the correct order according to my table of contents) with a 2 prong metal fastener to make it appear neater. This must have worked well with the NVC because we did not have to re-file or send anything further. We just received notice when fees were due and such. My husband (Canadian) is scheduled for his Visa interview in Montreal on the 22nd of this month. The whole process for us, from the initial filing of the I-130 packet to his interview took approximately 6 months. my thoughts to you is to be very thorough with the documents you send, if it says front and back...copy front and back...regardless. And if you are wondering if you should send something or not, send it anyway...it's better to have it rather than for the NVC to mail you a letter saying they need more information...that just wastes time. I found a website that was great at answering all of my questions....

www.***removed***

Best of luck to you both!!

Hello. My husband (Canadian citizen) is scheduled for his Immigrant Visa interview in Montreal on January 22, 2008. I (American citizen) want to accompany him to the interview, but it doesn't look like I will be able to make that date. Does anyone know the policies/procedures to reschedule the interview date? Do you know if we would fall to the bottom of the list if we were to reschedule? Are there any risks involved? Better yet....is there any live person that we could talk to about this? The Montreal consulate does not accept Visa inquiries via phone anymore...only through email, and we have already sent them an email....just waiting on a response. Time is running out.....PLEASE HELP!!