|
|
| Montreal, Canada |  Review on October 26, 2015: |
falcngrl
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
My interview was on Thursday October 22nd - scheduled for 9am. I arrived to the line around 830 and was done everything and back in my hotel (a block away) by 1045am.
The line-up, what to bring, security etc. are all the same as people have said so not going to go into great detail. It was smooth, with waiting only outside. Once through security we were directed to take the elevator ourselves. Note on accessibility: there are several steps up and then a full flight of steps down after security and before the elevator. There may be a more accessible way but of note if you use a mobility device.
At the first window I was asked for passport, medical, I864 and back up documents, long form birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce certificates, police check and had fingerprints taken. She did not want copies (I had brought notarized copies) only the originals.
At the second interview window I was sworn in and then asked:
* My husband's name (the guy said the wrong last name - he was reading off the marriage certificate -- so I corrected that)
* was asked about previous marriages for each of us.
* What my husband did and how long he had done that for (I actually wasn't sure how long precisely).
* one question about dependents.
* if I had ever lived abroad
* if I had ever been refused entry (I had a "withdrawal of application" incident in 2011 and noted that I had entered many times since then with no problems).
* if I had received the document on spousal abuse
As we chatted he gave me back various documents. I noticed that the police check had a post-it on it and he set it aside. After giving me everything else back he said that there was a problem with the police check because it didn't use all my aliases as I noted on my application. I asked for clarification because except for my maiden name I didn't think I had written any aliases. The names he gave me were of my two previous spouses. I explained that with one spouse I never EVER used her last name, while with the other I had used it informally/socially but never changed any identification. He asked why I had written them on the form and I said I didn't but perhaps my lawyer had added them unknowingly (My lawyer is my BFF so I had no problems throwing her under the bus lol). Then he said that even my maiden name wasn't listed on the police certificate but I knew it was and pointed out the line to him that showed both married and maiden name. We made a couple jokes about getting a refund from my lawyer since she cost me 10 minutes instead of 8 in the interview booth!
When I got back to my hotel I reviewed everything I had submitted. At NO point did I ever claim the other two names as aliases. I am assuming this was an internal error along the way - someone misread the G325a perhaps as aliases and marriages are right on top of each other. Or it was a test from the interviewer to see what I would say.
In any case, he handed me my Welcome to the USA letter and said I should receive everything back within two weeks. He also said that Toronto (Markham pick up) is usually faster than that.
One funny aside: there were several of us chatting in the waiting room that morning and cheering each other on. When I came out to the waiting room they asked if I had gotten my letter and I waved it a little. I felt like one of those reality show contestants!!
| |
|
Consulate / USCIS Member Review #18158