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| Montreal, Canada |  Review on February 18, 2011: |
montreal girl
Rating:  | Review Topic: General Review
This is for ANYONE AND EVERYONE going to their interview at the Montreal Consulate. Please learn from my experience. This may be long but will be helpful!
My interview was today -February 18th at 8:30pm. I got to the consulate office around 7:00 am because I wanted to beat the line...which I didn't. There were about 10 people already there lined up, which isn't a big deal. Because I live in Montreal already, it was easy for me to just hop in my car and get there. But I suggest for everyone to arrive at LEAST an hour in advance.
From there, you are let in one by one. You must show the guard your appointment letter with you passport. Once let in, you go through a pat down like if you were in an airport. No cellphones, big bags, electronics allowed etc allowed. You are then to go downstairs to wait to be called up by letter (first come first serve basis). You are then escorted to the main area for your interview by elevator with a security guard - who was not very nice by the way. They try to intimidate you but dont be! You then are called by your given letter to a window to present all your original documents. They will ask you for your original birth certificate w/ copy, marriage w/ copy, police cert. w/ copy, 2 pictures, passport, medical exam, and affidavit of support.
** I freaked out because I thought I needed my husbands and father-in-laws ORIGINAL income tax forms, but a photocopy is good and accepted. Thank God. **
******IMPORTANT NOTE TO ALL THOSE WHO FILLED ONLINE THE DS-260********
- This is a new concept to the consulate that has been implemented. The man behind the counter admitted that they still are not used to this new online VISA immigration form. BRING THE CONFIRMATION PAGE AND ALL THE PAGES ALONG WITH YOU.
I did not have the confirmation number with me as I was told by the NVC that the consulate would have received it since it was submitted online. NOT TRUE. Bring the conf number!!! They made me and others fill out the DS-230 page by hand. I suggest you do this at home, so you can have it ready when they ask. This was reallllly stressful, because I had no cellphone to make a call to my husband to ask for him to find this confirmation number. I was allowed to make a payphone call thank God. Found the number and gave it to the man. It all worked out finally.
After he collects all your documents, you are asked to go back to the waiting room until your name is called. Once your name is called, you are asked a few questions, but first must raise your right hand and pledge allegience to the USA and attest that you will answer honestly. This whole process took literally 5 minutes. A few basic questions like, where my husband lives, what he does for work, if I have kids, what my father-in-law does for work, where I live now, and where I work now. That was pretty much it - but this will depend case by case.
You then take one more fingerprint. If the agent finds everything to be accurate then, he then says "based on the information provided, I can approve your visa, WELCOME TO THE UNITED STATES!!" He then gives your a welcome letter. Then you need to find out about your DHL pick up for your visa and passport.
The agent I had was SOOOOO nice and funny and made me feel really relaxed despite my intense nervousness and stress about the DS-260 ordeal.
All in all, it was a good experience. Make sure you have EVERYTHING you need and more. Copies of all originals, pictures etc. Have them organized to speed up the process so you arent fishing through piles of papers. I did this all the night before and it helped me.
Good luck yall - and thank you VJers for everyones support and help with this journey! I AM NOW AN AMERICAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #7178