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| Montreal, Canada |  Review on March 5, 2013: |
Amanda and Evan
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
We got to the consulate at about 6:55am, and it was unbearably cold. A few others showed up soon after, and we all huddled in the doorway. This caused some confusion when we were let in at 7:30, like people just trying to go in first. Everyone ended up lining up properly when the consulate worker made us back away from the door before he would open it.
The worker inside the front door checked her list and didn't find us on it. Luckily, we had our email confirmation. We went through security with no problem. There were people behind us who had backpacks, so I don't know how that turned out, but they came in much later than us.
We went downstairs to get a seat next to the elevator. At 8am (I guess) someone came in and let everyone into the elevator. We went right for the back, but people were pushing their way in front of my fiance. In hindsight, it didn't really make much of a difference.
We got out of the elevator and went to the left. Previous reviews made it sound like there would be someone waiting for us. There were a few confusing signs, but it seemed like we should stand at this one particular sign marked 14A/14B. A few minutes later, someone on the other side called out that C1 should go up to window 1. I assumed I was in the wrong spot, so we all started heading over there. When I told them we didn't have a ticket, they said someone would be at window 14 shortly, so we had to race across the room to get back in line. It was all very stupid. Maybe they do that for their own amusement, I don't know.
We were in line when some lady just cut in front of us all and went up first. I didn't argue with her because I didn't want to get thrown out. I'm sure Karma will get her soon enough. She was C1, we were C2.
We went to the other side of the room to wait. They called C1, C3, C4, then our C2. I had given up the fight at that point, so it was fine. I was jsut trying to relax because I was so nervous and excited at that point!
The lady at window 2 asked for a bunch of our paperwork. For the record, she wanted the I-134, not I-864! I can't remember exactly, but they wanted birth cert and copy, medical exam info, I-134, confirmation page, passport, and the letter I signed saying I wanted to marry him. She also specifically asked for supporting proof for the I-134 (gave 1040A and employment letter). She told us to have a seat.
After about 15 minutes, they called C1, C3, C4 and then our C2. There was a man that we interviewed with. He seemed to ask me most of the questions even though I am the American. My fiance had to do his fingerprints over because they didn't scan properly the first time. They asked me if I still wanted to get married, how we met. He commented that most people say they met online. I explained that we go around to different cities for Scrabble tournaments, so we actually met in person. He also asked where I lived and what I do for a living. He kind of asked me a few questions about my job. He asked fiance where he lived and if he ever had any trouble with border crossings or with the law. Then he said we were approved and gave us the welcome letter. javascript:emoticon(' ')
We went back out the way we came in, though nobody really explained where to go. It was the right way!
We got the desired result, but I wish we hadn't stressed so much about it. We tried very hard to get there early and were the first in line. But fighting with others to get position in the elevator, etc. made it more stressful than it needed to be. I think if we had shown up at 8am and waited our turn, it would have been fine. I don't know why so many reviews tell you you have to be first in line.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #11564