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| Montreal, Canada |  Review on September 13, 2014: |
rubix
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
We arrived at 10 a.m. for a 10:30 a.m. interview. We went through the security at the entrance, where there was no one else in line. We took ourselves up on the elevator to the 19th floor with one other very nice man who was also there for an immigrant visa. When we stepped off the elevator, we were greeted by the receptionist who gave us a number and asked us to take a seat. There were only four people seated on the immigrant visa side. Our number was called after about seven minutes of waiting. We handed over the original civil documents and my spouse gave her fingerprints. Then we sat for another 12 minutes before being called to the interview.
The interview was the longest part of the whole experience because we asked a question. Even then, it took only about 10 minutes. Our question was whether or not our legal civil union from 2003 would have any bearing on being issued a conditional vs. immigrant visa. The civil union is the only form of marriage available to same-sex couples in Germany, which is where we lived when we got married in 2003. The consulate representative was an incredibly kind and helpful woman, and she gladly stepped away from the interview to get an answer for us. Sadly, the answer was that our first legal document has no value in determining conditions. The certificate from our 2013 Canadian marriage would be the only document that the U.S. would consider. After more than a decade in a legally binding relationship, we both find it frustrating and, at the same time, funny that we need to prove once again in two years that our relationship is real. We're not quite sure what else we can do to convince people that we really mean it. ;-) If you find yourself in a similar situation, you can save the time asking and hoping. You, too, will get a CR-1 visa unless the government changes its policy.
In the end, the whole experience took 45 minutes from the time we walked from the hotel to the consulate to the moment we walked out the consulate doors with welcome letter in hand. We're genuinely puzzled why so many people race to the door at 6:30 a.m., regardless of when they have their appointment times. It seems that following the scheduled time is just as quick and painless.
In case the Consulate staff ever stops by to see these reviews, here's a message for you: Thank you for an incredibly smooth, respectful and friendly experience. Each and every person we encountered that day was excellent.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #15184