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| Montreal, Canada |  Review on October 27, 2015: |
Tracy123
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
We first submitted our application September of last year. My interview was last week, over a year later.
Interview was scheduled for 8 a.m, I arrived at the consulate at 7:30 am. A line had formed outside (those of you interviewing in colder weather should note this). Security allowed people to enter the building one at a time. Those with back packs and helmets were turned away and instructed to look for a public locker. One person got very huffy over this and claimed that those items were not listed. Do yourself a favour - read the instructions carefully and visit the websites they instruct you to visit. Forbidden items are listed and there is no reason to put yourself in a position where you will get turned away. I brought my documents in large envelopes and transported them in a plastic bag. I had a small purse with me for my keys, wallet, bus pass and phone. They asked to see my loomis confirmation. They will keep your phone for you and give you a number so you can retrieve it later. They also give you another number.
After screening (x-ray your belongings including coat), you go down a set of stairs to a waiting room. I suggest sitting in the chairs closest to the elevator especially if your number is 1-3. A security guard arrived shortly to shuttle people into the elevator to go to the 19th floor.
On the 19th floor, those applying for immigrant visas were instructed to sit in the middle set of chairs. Everyone else waited in line. There are a set of windows, very much like going to the bank and visiting a teller. Windows 1 & 2 were for those applying for immigrant visas. You wait for your number to be called. It was an hour before my number was called (6)
During this step, I gave the "teller" the following documents:
original birth certificate
original marriage certificate
AOS (signed by the petitioner in blue)
original police certificates (remember to get certificates with your middle name too!)
Passport
Passport pictures (I got two new ones earlier that week)
Medical (in sealed envelope)
My fingerprints were taken at this stage. The teller claimed my husband hadn't signed the AOS. I wanted to roll my eyes so hard. She was looking at the wrong page. She was unsmiling and there was no small talk. She confirmed Canadian and American addresses and asked what my parents names are.
Once this step is over, you're handed a sheet on domestic violence and wait to be called again.
It was not long before I was called to window 8. These are the questions I can remember:
Where did you meet?
When did you meet?
When did you get married?
Have you ever lived in another country (he asked this one twice)
Where were you born (he also asked this one twice)
I'm guessing my not being white but being Canadian and having lived only in Canada was my red flag.
Is there anything I should know?
Have you ever been denied entry to the USA?
I responded with yes/no. Did not elaborate at all. CO was not rude, but not especially friendly either. I did not feel any warm fuzzies after this experience.
He asked for my husbands last tax form and returned my birth and marriage certificate. Originals of my police certificates were kept. He didn't ask for any photocopies even though I had them with me.
And that was it. Got a poorly photocopied letter inviting me to the USA and was told I should receive my visa in 1-2 weeks.
My status on CEAC went from ready to issued (with a long note underneath suggesting administrative processing) in two business days. One business day later my status updated to issued with a short note underneath stating it was in final processing and that it would be ready in under 5 business days.
A few things that I think helped:
Read everything carefully and make sure you're prepared. Don't be lazy with your preparation.
My husband makes 6 figures - it will be a while before you get your green card and SSN so don't assume the amount you make matters. They only care about your spouse's income. If they are only slightly above the required amount, get a co-sponsor.
I had read on visajourney that a common mistake is not having a police check done for all your names. Make sure you have one done for all names you have used ever (first last name; first middle last name).
I was out of there less than 2 hours after I arrived.
(updated on October 27, 2015)
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #18177