|
|
| Montreal, Canada |  Review on January 29, 2015: |
tdotca
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
Interview : Montreal at 740am Fri Jan 23.
Took Via train from Toronto to Montreal Jan22. All in all , train ride was pleasant enough.
Walked from Central Station and found the US Consulate ( 5mins walk. Located on Ste Alexandre and Rene Levesque West) then continued to the Holiday Inn Express on Rene Levesque East( another 15 to 20mins walk). Again, pleasant enough experience at this hotel, especially when they upgraded me to a suite(because I was a member of theirs?). Unfortunately did not spend enough time to enjoy the suite but it was like a nice sized one bedroom apartment.
Day of interview.. left room after 6am to the Consulate and of course no one was crazy enough to be there that early. Went across the street to Starbucks for warmth and breakfast. Headed over to the Consulate around 7am. It was not until 715 or so, more people came. You can tell who was for K1 by what they were holding ( big folders versus nothing. HA). I met 2 couples ( Beneficiary from Ottawa and his fiancee from Maine; Beneficiary from Nova Scotia?? and her fiance from Missouri).
>730a or so doors opened. Was 1st in the door and was checked off against a list then threw everything including coat (emptied pockets et al) through scanner. Because of other posters saying to carry small bills/change, I had sooo much loonies and twonies that they wanted to rescan my wallet!! Went downstairs and sat close to the elevator doors. Waited awhile before they allowed us upstairs( yup, went straight to the back of the elevator).
> I guess only K1 applicants were handed tickets and I got #1. I was told to head to window #1. Ottawa/Maine couple headed to window #2 and my window was not manned.Waited and waited for someone to show up then started to panic. Guy finally showed up and told me to sit as he will call me. What??!! All this time Ottawa/Maine couple was being processed. Just in case , I went to join the line that was filling up with non K1 applicants . Soon after, I was called back to window #1.
>The Guy was quite nice & friendly. Not necessarily in order but
> asked for passport & copy of it
> asked for birth certificate and copy
> asked for the DS160 confirmation page/appointment letter
> asked for closed medical envelope. He in turn gave me a cd (to be kept for new US family doc) as well as a copy of the medical 'report' (with passport pic)that was in the closed envelope.
> asked for police report
> asked if I was ever married before
> asked for my fiance's 2013 tax return
> asked for my fiance's new letter of intent to marry letter
> gave me document on Legal Rights of immigrants of Marriage based visas
He told me to sit and wait to be called. I sat and chatted with the Ottawa/Maine couple who was also waiting. After some minutes , #1 was called.
The interview 'room' (#8 opposite the ladies' washroom) was , as others said, basically a closet without a door. Interviewer was behind a plexi glass. Again,not necessarily in order
> asked how long we met and how?
> asked when was 1st time we met in person?
> asked if I was ever arrested or denied entry at border?
> asked how often we meet? who does most of the travelling?
** he then handed me a form letter that said 'welcome to the United States'
on 1 side and on other, information about courier. Found it strange
that this approval document was not 'personalised' - you know at least
have my name or case number or current date or his signature
** He said that in a week's time I should get my passport/visa back .
** He said that I have until Jun 19,2015 to use the visa and then of
course, once I enter the States, I have 90days to get married.
** I said 'really? wow thanks!' and how now I have to quit job, pack,
arrange moving etc. He smiled and said that yes, the big stressful part
is over however now comes another.
** I did ask him if I can travel, in the meantime, as a tourist ?
He said no.Unfortunately, I have alot of things to arrange . I would
love to do like others and move as soon as I have visa in hand, but I
can't.
All in all, the waiting around was longer than the interview. I was back in my hotel room around 9am or so. Called my fiance and made him sweat abit. :-) .
My return trip was scheduled for 4pm as I padded in a lot of time for unforeseen circumstances. Found an earlier trip leaving Montreal and paid a bit more than I wanted to get home 6hrs earlier but it was all worth it.
The persons I interacted with in Montreal outside the consulate were very friendly and helpful. I had no issues with communication ( I tried my high school French ; they spoke in English as well).
Thanks to all who replied to my posts as well as from whose earlier posts I gleaned information .
Now, time to look at what to pack & find a good moving/shipping company ( wish I can drive like most VJers) and soon quit my job. I am sure I will be bugging you guys later.
| |
|
Consulate / USCIS Member Review #16050