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| Montreal, Canada |  Review on September 16, 2014: |
Exocet
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
My husband and I met up at airport (I flew in from Toronto, and he came up from Florida) and took a cab to the hotel. The cab was $40. We stayed at the Comfort Suites Downtown on Crescent St. I booked the room well in advance so we got a king bed suite for $99/night (which was cheap compared to the other hotels in the area). This hotel is located in party central--so if you don't like noise, don't stay there!
We were both extremely tired and I was on the verge of becoming sick, so we decided to sleep in a little the day of our interview. I know most VJ members recommend being there first thing in the morning, but we just couldn't do it that day. We had breakfast in the hotel at 7:45, and then were at the consulate by 8:15. We took a cab from the hotel (it was raining) and it was $7.85. The guard talked to us briefly at the doors, and said my husband didn't even need to go up with me. We said he was there for moral support, and the guard just told him to not talk and don't answer any questions. I showed my interview letter, passport, and Loomis confirmation and I was checked off on a list. We went through security, then through the doors and down the stairs, and then right up the elevator. There was no one else waiting. A lady greeted me once the elevator doors opened. She directed me to Window 1.
At Window 1, I handed over my medical results, passport, and waited while the gentleman shuffled through my file. He handed back the CD of my xrays. He asked for the originals of my police check and birth certificate, and I told him that he had the originals but I could provide him with copies. He declined the copies. He then fingerprinted me on that weird little machine. He then asked me to take a seat, and they would call me by my number to a window when they were ready for me.
I sat towards the back in the waiting area. There were lots of people there, all squished into the front two rows. After a few minutes, it became obvious that they were all the non-immigrant visa seekers. There were a few others in the room who were there for immigrant visas. I waited probably 40-45 minutes before I was called to window 8.
The lady was very friendly, and it was very relaxed. We exchanged pleasantries, and then she asked me the following questions:
- how did me and my husband meet?
- how do we stay in communication with each other?
- when do we see each other?
- when I've crossed the border to go visit him, have I ever been denied entry?
- since I'm a college instructor in Canada, which school do I plan on working at in Florida once I move there?
She then asked to see my original marriage certificate. Oh yes, and then she asked if I had already been interviewed for my visa. I said no, and she said "oh, this approved stamp must be from NVC then". Which seemed weird to me, but whatever. And that was about it. There may have been one or two other general questions, but that's all I can remember. She handed me back my originals, and then said that she was approving my Visa. She then slid the infamous "Welcome to the United States" letter under the window, and then explained how she was keeping my passport and it would be returned to me shortly via Loomis.
The whole interview was 4 minutes. My husband timed it on the clock there. I came out with a huge smile on my face, and hugged and kissed my husband. I think I said something stupid like "Now we can be a real married couple!" and the people still waiting were smiling and laughing. It was great! We then left and walked back to the hotel in the pouring rain.
My interview was on Thursday, and on Monday my package was already at the Loomis location! I couldn't believe it!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #15208