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| Montreal, Canada |  Review on November 30, 2016: |
Klee
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
My appointment was scheduled for today, November 30th at 8:15. My fiance and I stayed at an airbnb about ten minutes away from the consulate and left the apartment shortly after 7:00. When we got to the consulate at about 7:20 there were a few people ahead of us. I was worried about being too early for my appointment, but at 7:30 the security guard came out and put up signs and rope to form a queue and then instructed everyone to take out passports and ds-160 confirmation pages. They then let people into the building about 2 at a time. When we got in they looked at my ds-160, put a sticker on the back of my passport and gave me a laminated sheet with the number 4 on it that listed the order you should put your documents in and another sheet for their purposes where they mark the time you enter the building. They also asked for my fiance's ID before he could enter. After that we were told to queue for the metal detector. Again they took people in 2 at a time and we gave our phones to the security who gave us a ticket to retrieve them on the way out. In all the reviews I had read before, I imagined this all occurring in a larger room, but actually the first lobby is quite cramped and there are only 2 metal detectors in the next room.
When we were all clear they sent us down the stairs to a waiting room. It reminded me of a community centre or church basement and all the chairs were pressed against the wall. There was a random photo booth in the corner which I guess is handy if you forgot to bring your pictures with you. Once the seats had filled up a security guard emerged and had us form a line to get on the elevator. Ya if you sit closer you'll get on quicker, but it really doesn't matter since you already got your number when you entered the building. The guard ushered us all in like cattle and we ascended silently to the 19th floor.
The upstairs has a dingy typical office feel to it. There were 3 seating areas with k1 visas sitting in the middle seats. There is a snack machine, drink machine etc. And a TV playing footage of American parks and cities and happy American folks. Which was funny cause they were trying to convince a room of people who were already getting visas to come to America. I chuckled at it.
About 10 or 15 minutes of waiting and they called me up to window #1. The woman there would ask for a document and then spend about 5 minutes stapling things and shuffling my papers around. Remember to bring the proof of your visa payment with you. This wasn't listed on my packet 4 letter, but I had seen users mention it in various threads so I brought it. It's funny because it IS listed on the laminated sheet they give you. For each document she asked for she also made notes on a little checklist in my file. One thing that worried me was when she asked for my financial evidence. My fiance's mother is co-sponsoring,so I handed over all the tax transcripts for her etc. And then she asked for a copy of her passport or drivers licence...which I didn't have. Up until that point my little checklist had all blue pen in it, but at that point she brought out the red pen and wrote something on my file. She took my prints and then handed me a flyer on domestic abuse and sent me back to sit.
After maybe 5 minutes I was called up to window 7. Window 7 through 12 still have glass, but they are like private little cubbies. The man interviewing me was a younger dude and he was very enthusiastic and easy going. He first had me take an oath swearing that all my documentation was true and correct. Then he asked questions about my fiance. How did we meet? Who visited who first? What does he do? He barely even looked at my financials. But I saw him write over the red ink "ok" which made me feel better. Then he handed me a slip that said "welcome to America" and I was free to leave. When we had gathered our phones and exited the building it was 8:50.
I think the takeaways from my review should be a) to go early since appointment time doesn't seem to matter too much (but certainly dont be late!) I was in and out so fast b) make sure to remember your proof of payment and c) if you have a cosponsor, bring some proof that they are a US citizen, like a copy of their passport or drivers licence.
The interview is a breeze as long as you have all your paperwork!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #20971