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| Montreal, Canada |  Review on August 9, 2022: |
Garrett_L
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
I had an interesting experience, but rewarding. My interview was at 8:30am, arrived at the consulate at 8:15. The kind security guard asked the handful of us what our interview times were and or if we were there for passport renewals. At the 8:30 mark the same guard asked for the 8:30 appointments to make their way in. Placed cell phone in lock box (free), received a ticket with a number and proceeded to the elevator and went one floor up.
On the second floor you will find a cashier booth, and rows of booths. (Think of prison movies where you see inmates speaking with their loved ones). There are about 5 on one wall in the main room (where you are first called to give your documents) and on the other part of the room, down a hallway (L shaped) there are 5 more (these are where the interviews are conducted).
The numbers you are given pop up on the tv screen with a corresponding window/booth. When you are called up, you present your documents to the officer.
Then you return to your seat and wait to be called to the interview.
In my case, three numbers before me and the proceeding 8 numbers after me were called. I was worried that I was being flagged for something, and or I was skipped over accidentally. The time frame between first entering the room and when the persons I entered into the room with for interviews being called to the first window was about twenty minutes, so it wasn’t too long for them. In my case, it just so happened that it was an error and I was accidentally overlooked (my number being skipped). I twice approached the security, who informed me that it was just the process and to be patient. I remained calm - though I needed to be at the airport in a few hours. Regardless when I was called to the window and informed of the error I was met with a sincerely apologetic consulate employee. He was very sorry for my waiting (an excess of 1 and a 1/2 hours) and then promptly ensured I would have my documents immediately reviewed and then me interviewed. I took it all in stride because I really didn’t know what the issue was. I understand that mistakes happen, and in my entire Visa Journey has been riddled with mishaps. To give an accurate time line, the person whose number was before mine was entered at 8:30 and left around 9:45am. I left closer to 10:50am.
The first agent I gave my documents to was polite and asked me for my sponsor/petitioners full name. Asked where she lived and confirmed her address. He then asked me for my birth certificate, marriage certificate, 1 photo, my passport and potentially something else (something from the list of documents that were already approved prior to getting the interview notification). He then handed me a pamphlet on domestic abuse and told me to head directly back to the other officer at window 1. (Normally you would be seated and wait to be called to the interviewer. The wait time between both windows appeared to be no more than 20 minutes from what I witnessed).
The interviewer was polite, and friendly. He again apologized for the mishap though I assured him the 2 and a half year wait for the interview made this wait bearable. The questions he asked were how I met my wife and how long we were married. We spoke about my children and when we planned on moving to the United States and where were we planning on moving to. Very conversational and not probing at all, seemed sincere and genuinely wished the best for me and my family and told me I was approved and to anticipate my passport with information to be received within 3-4 weeks at the address provided. I thanked him for his time and then wiped a tear from my eye, as this chapter of my journey has finally come to an end.
All in all,
Consulate was very clean,’and people were friendly. The experience was really good. I can provide details more specific if anyone requires.
My DQ date was May 3
My notice of Interview was June 15
My interview was Aug 8
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #31336