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| Montreal, Canada |  Review on September 27, 2015: |
saddlepatch
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
I'll try my best to remember everything including times and I'll make this as simple as I can and try to give enough useful information as possible 
I live near London Ontario Canada, so I rented a car from our local Enterprise to drive to Montreal, QC.
For those not familiar with Quebec at all, the traffic is terrible and the drivers are rude and DANGEROUS. If you can, AVOID driving in this area and make use of public transit and taxi services instead. They do have metro, bus and train services throughout the city. This will make things less stressful. Also do try to practice a few basic french words. It's very hard if you get lost to find English speaking Canadians. The signs are the same color and shape but we aware and alert. Duel English/French signs are VERY rare. It's like going to a different Country.
I picked up my wife at YUL (Montreal International Airport) on the 24th of September. We stayed at the Days Inn and Suites Hotel and Conference Centre by the airport. It was $80 dollars CND a night. It wasn't the Ritz, but it's in a safe area and right near the highway (if you are driving. If you're not, try to stay closer to the city)
We got up at 5am to head to the Consulate for our 8AM appointment. It took us about 25 mins with traffic to get there not including our pit stop to Tim Hortons along the way. Parking is pricey. There is a lot right across the street from the Consulate. We paid $17 for the day because we weren't sure how long we would be. It looks like somedays it might be only $10. Pricey like I said, but worth it for being right there and off the road.
We waited outside the consulate for about a half hour before they started letting people inside. They asked us to take out our "DS260 or 160" I took mine out and the security officer originally said "That's not what I want" so a man behind me told me to take out my Interview letter instead and then we no longer had issues. I had a bit of a heart attack at that moment thinking we forgot something.
Anyways, when I got to the door, my wife was told she could not come in with me due to how many people were lining up, so I guess they are cracking down on having your spouse join you. This is good however, because when I was inside, those with their family members (children mainly) had much longer interviewing times then the individuals.
Pretty much went the way everyone on here has described.I was given a number and then you go inside and go through security (they were pretty rude). I did as suggested, left my bags and phone in the car, made it easier, although you can check your phone in for pick up later. I headed down into the basement and sat in the waiting room to wait to go on the elevator. I know everyone on here says get as close as you can but it really makes no difference. Your number is not called in order.
Only waited about 8 minutes before they ushered us into the elevator and we went up to the 19th floor. Again everything went the way as described on here, you go and sit in the middle row of chairs and wait for your number to be called.
About another 10 minutes passed and I was called to Window 12 to present my originals. She just wanted my:
-Marriage Certificate
-Birth Certificate
-Medical
-Police Background Check
-Passport Photos
She was super nice and joked with me. Really down to earth bunch. You could just hear giggles and happy voices throughout the floor. She asked me a few clarifying questions like my wife's address, which I screwed up under pressure (just the number at the beginning haha. My wife had JUST moved so it wasn't an issue) and then if I ever committed a crime, just basic knowledge stuff anyone would know right off the bat.
She took my finger prints, wished me good luck and I went back and sat down to be called.
I read the domestic violence thing they gave me while I waited. They called out numbers in order at this point. I was number 6. I waited about an hour before I was called to Window 8.
The guy was no older than myself and the moment he greeted me, all my nerves were gone. He was like the first girl, really friendly, big smile, joked with me and I openly joked with him. I wouldn't recommend you do, but when I'm comfortable with someone, it just happens naturally. Luckily it didn't hurt me at all haha.
Here are the questions he asked me:
Have you ever been denied entry into the US?
Yes, in 2009. He looked up the information and apparently it's called "Withdrawing your Application." Which confused me, I thought I may have told him I got denied a visa in the past. He said he gets that a lot. We found my file and he confirmed I just withdrew my application to enter the US and asked me if I was ever referred to as "Prince" before as whoever refused me entry wrote me up as Prince Kelsey Jackson. We had a good chuckle at this.
What does your wife do in the US?
She works at Publix as a full time cake decorator
What do you do here in Canada?
Was honest, told him I was unemployed and offered information as to why. He felt bad that working at home didn't work out for me and that he didn't blame me for quitting.
Do you plan to work in the US and what do you want to do?
I said yes and told him honestly I'd like to go back to Marriott and work the front desk or do something in the hospitality and Tourism Industry. He said I was going to the right place for that and laughed. (Florida)
Do you read Immigration Forums?
At first I wasn't sure what he meant and he said "Like Visa Journey?" and I laughed and said "Yes!" and he told me he noticed how organized I looked and figured I did.
He then gave me a big smile, handed me a welcome letter and said "Congratulations Mrs. Jackson, welcome to the United States. You never have to do this nonsense ever again!" Confirming that we got the IR-1 not the CR-1.
Over all, it was great! Easy, about an hour and a half total. (With the Interview itself being the quickest part)
My advice is just to remain calm, be friendly, and talk to the other applicants around you. They really help you keep your cool if you're a super nervous person like me.
It also will be helpful to know that it's a very clean and well kept building. It's not cold or looks like a DMV. Very welcoming, has a play area, bathrooms and a TV you can watch which just plays scenic and top destinations in the US and why coming to America is great.
The Cons? The elevator is slow...VERY VERY VERY SLOW....but that's about it other the security and having to wait outside in the cold in a crowded street (depending when you go of course).
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #17873