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| Montreal, Canada | Review on January 7, 2013: | Jacqfass

Rating: | Review Topic: K1 Visa
My experience at the Montreal consulate was actually very good except for the outcome (I'll get to that shortly). I read at least 100 reviews the night before my appt and they really helped ease my mind and my stomach . I found this thread from VJer Saylin to be particularly helpful with regard to where to go, what happens etc: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/359761-montreal-consulate-picturesmaps/.
I stayed at the Quality Hotel Downtown(CN329)3440 av du Parc, Montreal, QC, CA, H2X 2H5 Phone: (514) 849-1413, room rates were on par with other hotels in the area and the room was ok, not fancy but clean and warm (-18 with the windchill today). It was a 10 min walk to the Consulate.
I arrived just before 07:00 and there were two people in line, we started chatting and before we knew it the door was open.
The first lady who takes/reviews paperwork asked only for the following from the packet 4 checklist:
Appointment letter
Passport
Medical Examination in sealed envelope (she gave me back xray disc and vaccination record for my records or to provide to new US Dr.)
Copy of Birth Certificate (I only own short form, if you have long form bring it!)
I-134 Proof of Financial Support and supporting docs
Original Police Certificate(s)
Myself and the two others in front of me (from outside) were in and out by 9 am - they were both APPROVED and received the Welcome to America letter - woo hoo!!
I on the other hand thought I was approved but actually wasn't. I say I thought I was approved because my CO (very friendly girl) said I am approving this however it'll need some Administrative Processing (AP), so you'll get an email if they need anything else or they will mail your passport via Loomis for pick up. She kept my passport, she said approved... why would I think otherwise right??!!
Anyway, I don't know what else needs to be sent or reviewed and there is very little on this site about other VJers AP experiences, so I'll update once I get more info. Needless to say, after the 5+ hour drive home, I cried buckets when I called my fiance and told him the semi-bad news?? 
Beside this giant wrench in our plan, the overall experience was just as all you wonderful VJers before us had said it would be - so big thanks to all who have posted re the consulate!
Congratulations to T.O Brian going to Kentucky, Dorcas from T.O. going to Kentucky, the cute young couple from Sarnia/Pennsylvanisa who's car landed in a ditch just outside of Quebec on your Visa approval. Also I hope Ms. May got her approval too! (I nicknamed her that cause she told us she only started her K1 process in late May and was already having her interview ~)
Thank you K1 Jan 7/2013 applicants for making this experience fun and enjoyable this morning despite my particular outcome!
UPDATE: Feb 5, 2013 received email from consulate advising "Your visa was issued on Feb 1, 2013 ..." 19 days from interview date. I rec'd an email from Loomins Feb 5 advising my passport/visa was en route and Loomis called on Feb 6 to say I can pick up my package! I'm so happy and relieved! There is no way of knowing what they were looking into while I was under AP, they don't provide that info.
(updated on February 7, 2013)
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