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| Montreal, Canada |  Review on January 11, 2021: |
jelky
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
My appointment was on December 11 2020 at 9:30 AM. I got to the consulate at 9:25 and was let in by a security guard at 9:30. A couple of other people were waiting outside as well but the guard said she'd only be letting in people scheduled for 9:30.
When I went inside she asked to see my passport to confirm my name on a checklist and asked me some covid-related questions. She let me into the lobby where there were a few border agent-esque officers who told me to put my things (coat/gloves/scarf, phone which was turned off, and folder of paperwork) in a bin to be x-rayed. I walked through a metal detector and was scanned with a handheld metal detector by one of the officers as well. They took my phone to put in a locker and gave me a key to hold onto. They directed me to take the elevator, which brought me to a big waiting room with probably 12 other people waiting, sitting socially distanced, and I think 11 numbered service windows/counters.
I wasn't totally sure where to go (I think an officer downstairs told me but I misheard), but a security guard sitting at a desk told me to wait for one of the windows to free up. I think you're initially only supposed to go to window 7, 8, or 9, which I did when the guard told me to. The consulate officer asked for my passport and then told me to sit down again. This part was the longest time I had to wait. There was an analog clock on the wall which said 2:50 even though it was probably actually 9:45 at the latest when I noticed it. Not sure what that's about! I probably waited for at least a half hour before I was called up to a different window (they will use a PA system to announce your name). There are hooks at every window where you can hang up your coat.
The consulate officer was friendly which definitely helped set my mind at ease because I was really worried that I'd be missing some paperwork. She first verified my phone number and address and my husband's phone number and address. I had my husband's new address on an updated i864 so I gave her that. She then asked for my original birth certificate (I gave long-form), marriage certificate, police clearance, and photocopy of my passport's bio page. She also scanned my fingerprints. She then asked for my husband's 2019 tax return, but he still hadn't received it which I explained and offered his 1040 and W2 instead. That was what I was most worried about so I had also brought his 2016, 2017, and 2018 tax transcripts and his last paystub, but she was fine with just the 1040 and W2. I imagine it would be better to come even more prepared if your spouse is retired, self-employed, or switched jobs. She asked for one passport-style photo and returned it to me after scanning it. She gave me a pamphlet on domestic violence and asked me to sit down again. I waited probably less than 10 minutes before being called to a different window.
This consulate officer was also friendly and mostly just asked me questions, such as: How did you meet your spouse? When did you meet? When did you get married? What does your spouse do for a living? Where does your spouse live? Have you ever travelled to the US? What's the longest time you've stayed in the US? The consulate officer asked me about my medical exam, which was done on November 24 and sent on December 3, but apparently there had been a delay for a lot of people. I got verbal confirmation of approval and received a "Welcome to the USA" letter. I got a tracking number for my passport on December 23 and was able to pick it up on December 29. That was pretty much it! Now to actually get to the US :P
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #28988