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| Montreal, Canada |  Review on March 13, 2020: |
mam521
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
We arrived about 10 minutes early and the security guard allowed us in (others reportedly have had to wait until 5 minutes before their scheduled time). There is airport style security screening now. While our jackets were being scanned, a girl took our passports and put stickers on them. We were handed 2 number tags which were our call numbers once in the Consulate. Many people had wallets and purses, so maybe they are less strict about it with the security scan? We didn’t bring anything with as per previous instruction, so it wasn’t an issue.
We took the elevator to the 1st floor as instructed. We waited about 20 minutes until we got called to the first window. The children were able to go sit while I provided documents to the clerk. She did mine first, followed by the children. She scanned our passport photos and gave them back. She gave me back my CD of my chest X-ray. I was asked for hubby’s W2 (we didn’t have our 2019 return back yet). I was NOT asked for the 5440 at all. I was handed the abuse pamphlet to review and went to sit.
After that, I was called for fingerprints and for whatever reason, 2 out of the 3 photo scans didn’t save correctly to our files so the clerk rescanned them.
About an hour and 45 minutes in from our original arrival, we got called for our interview. I raised my right hand for the oath. The interviewer asked the following:
- have you visited China or Iran recently?
- have you been married before?
- has your husband been married before?
- what does he do for a living?
- have you ever stayed in the US for longer than 90 days?
- have you lived anywhere beside the US and Canada?
- where do you intend to live in the US?
I was then asked if I had a permission letter from my children’s father allowing me to immigrate with them, which I did (lawyer notarized). She took a copy and noted to scan it into everyone’s file. She then asked if I was fine with one welcome letter and told us she was approving our visas. She talked about checking the status online and tracking our passports. She also explained that the packet is electronic and it will take more time at the point of entry and to make sure and pay the $220 Green card fee online.
So, all told, 2 hours.
The new consulate location has washrooms and water fountains. You will still need to bring a book and/or activities to keep your children occupied if they are attending the interview with you.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #28184