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From reading everyone else's story on here, it looks like we were very, very fortunate that I got into the country at all. I just got back from visiting my husband in the US for 6 months, and although I got pulled in for 2ndry screening, the agent wasn't a jerk about it at all. (I flew from Edmonton and went thru US customs there.) He was actually only intensely interested in whether we really had filed an I-130 or not, and confirmed it in the system by looking up the case# from the correspondence I brought along. I don't remember exactly the questions I was asked, as it was back in May, but they seemed fair, and I tried to answer them as accurately as I could. Seeing other people's story here, makes me wonder that my visit wasn't drastically shortened, let alone approved.

You're application for immigrant visa should be the DS230 that you sent to NVC. There also should be a letter beside that indicates the status of that document (either an A, F, O, P, T, U,X Y, I, S) - there is a legend on the last page to decode that. Check to see if that document is needed by the consulate.

Good luck.

it has a Y next to it, but I'm not sure if that is the DS230, because there's a line for "immigrant visa application", and then the next line is DS230-II, and that has an F next to it.

It took forever to get past the busy signal and another 10 minutes or so on hold but I finally got through and was told pretty much the same thing, than Montreal isn't done scheduling yet. She told me with our completion date of Sep 24 there is a possibility (but no promises) we could get a January date this month. One thing I found odd is I was told (again) they don't do their scheduling until the second week but how can that be if people here on VJ have already gotten a date several days ago?

After going thru the wait for our interview, my educated guess would be that your chances of getting a Jan interview are likely slim. When our case was done in Sept, I called every month until Dec when we were scheduled. I called the second week of the month like they told me to. Each time, we had not been booked for anything. When we did finally get booked, they emailed me right at the beginning of the month - I didn't have to wait to contact them. They may truly be still booking a few interviews, but I doubt it. I agree with Wyatt's Torch, it's probably just a general guideline - that by then the consulates *have* to be done, but most are done much sooner. My guess is you getting one in late February. Hang in there. It's a nerve-wracking ride, but there won't be much more for you to do after this for awhile.

I got a question on those prepaid envelopes. My wife's interview appointment letter doesn't say anything about it. Also there is no mention of it under consulate-specific instructions on travel.state.gov.

Have they changed their procedure in Montreal?

Also, my 13 month old daughter has her interview at the same time. We are going to have to bring some food for her as the wait might be long. Is it going to cause an issue with the security there?

Yes, a very huge issue. See this link

http://travel.state.gov/pdf/supplements/MT...L-0005-0907.pdf

my thoughts to you is to feed her before you go, line up as early as you can, and get out of there.

I'm really confused by my interview letter - on the document list of docs to bring, it includes a line for "IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION". Can anyone tell me which document that specifically refers to?

Too happy for words!! January 19th marks the day!!! I got the email in my inbox today. Any other Canucks got one?

Our case was designated "complete" by the NVC on Sept 3 09. I have yet to be booked for an interview in Montreal. Trying to be strong but it looks like we won't be together for Christmas or our 1st wedding anniversary on Jan 2.