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| Montreal, Canada |  Review on July 16, 2012: |
Kerry & Carl
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
Thanks to the great advice found here in the VJ forums, I was at the consulate at around 6:00 am this morning and met two other VJ couples there. We kept one another company during the wait and really did have a lot of laughs together.
I won't go into details on security and the waiting area, elevator, etc., because it's been stated many times here.
I will, however, reiterate that if you are not keeping copies of EVERYTHING you submit, you may regret it.
I got ticket C2, but was the first called to a window. I didn't even have a chance to take a seat. When I got to the window, the woman didn't have my file and said she had to go look for it. She told me to take a seat and she would call me up again. About 15 minutes later, my name was called and when I got to the window, she informed me that she could not locate my file, that they had a problem with electronically processed files not arriving (or something) and that she would need to put a file together for me OVER HER LUNCH and that I would have to come back at 3:00 pm! I immediately told that I could not do that as I had a flight to catch and that I had the originals and a copy of EVERYTHING needed in my accordion folder. She didn't seem happy with my refusal to just come back later in the day and when I told her that I had already been there for 3 hours as I'd been outside since 6:00 am, she snarked back at me that "We open at 8:00 am." I asked how long I would have to wait and she was not able to give me any indication.
I sat down, fuming and ready to cry, and all I could do was wait. During this time, my fellow VJ'ers had finished the paperwork and their interviews. Both couples were approved! HURRAY!! Anyway, at about 10:00 am, I was called back to the window and somehow a file had been miraculously put together for me! While I did apologize to her for getting so upset earlier, I explained that it was a shock that my file wasn't there and that I did not have the option to just "come back later".
Things went smoothly from this point on. My paperwork was handed over and fingerprints taken. I took a seat again and within 5 minutes had been called for my interview. The lady was nice enough. She typed a lot, asked a few questions, typed more and asked a few more questions. Then I heard the magic words, "Your Visa is approved." and she handed me the "Welcome to the United States" letter! Yaaaaaay!!!!
So, I will say again what we've all been told many, many times - MAKE COPIES OF EVERYTHING YOU SUBMIT TO USCIS AND NVC! BRING THESE COPIES WITH YOU TO THE INTERVIEW!!! Do NOT assume that they will have it, because you just might be very unpleasantly surprised.
Also, if your file has not been located/is missing or any other reason is given (fingerprints need to be re-done, etc.) and you are told that they will take care of it over lunch, that you have to come back later in the day, stand your ground! Be FIRM, but polite and insist they fix the situation NOW. At this point, you have done everything that has been asked of you and THEY scheduled the interview! If anything is missing from their end, it is up to them to fix it and not necessarily at their convenience.
(updated on July 16, 2012)
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #10008