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| Montreal, Canada |  Review on October 1, 2011: |
The Getty
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
Arrived at my interview on September 28th around 6:45 AM at the Consulate in Montreal where there were already 2 people ahead of me. About 7:30 we were let in one person at a time and went through security (NOTE: You WILL be required to remove your belt and empty your pockets and put your jacket through the x-ray machine). I was 3rd in and 2nd through security (one lady had 2 kids with her). We were directed downstairs by the elevator. A security guard then told all immigrant visa applicants to stand up and enter the elevator. HINT: When you enter the elevator move to the very back near the "other" door as this "other" door is where you will exit (I was 9th or 10th on, but first off because I did this). The floor number where the elevator stopped was floor 19.
We were greeted by a lady when we got off who directed us to line up and then asked for our appointment letters. I was first in line and received ticket C-1 at window 14A/B. I sat down for about 5-10 minutes and was called to window 10. I showed my appointment letter, gave my 2 photos and my passport, then had my fingerprints scanned on the electronic scanner. Another piece of info: even though I completed form DS-260 (the online version) they weren't able to retrieve it from the computer so I had to complete form DS-230 (even though the state dept web site said NOT to complete a DS 230 if you did form DS260).
I then went back out to the waiting room to complete the DS-230 and before I could get it completed I was called to Window 11 (about 3 minutes after going to window 10). Because I had not completed my DS-230, I had to go back and complete it then sit down to be called again. I waited about 20-30 minutes then was called to window 11 again. I then provided my birth certificate, my marriage certificate, my wife's divorce decree from her first marriage, the I-864 (my wife could do the EZ form as I was the only person she was petitioning and all the requirements for this form applied) and my police check form. The only things that the lady kept were my passport, the AOS form and the police certificate; I got everything else back at the window (probably because I had done the visa process online and they had scanned forms of all documents).
I then went back and sat down until I was called to Window 8 which is in a little room (about 30-40 minutes if that). I then had to raise my right hand and swear that all answers/info I provided was true. She then asked me how I met my wife, where we met, what she did. And, in a very anticlimactic way, said my visa was approved and welcome to the US. She then handed me a sheet of paper that gave info on when to expect my visa by courier, how long I had to enter the country, etc. I then left the Consulate a little after 9:00 AM.
Overall, the actual interview took about an hour and a half from the time I was let in by the security guard until I left the building. It would have been less had I had a completed DS-230 with me (which, as mentioned above, I believed I did not need).
I am now in Kitchener, ON at my sister's awaiting my visa packet (which, I found out was sent yesterday September 30th and is in transit to the DHL location in Kitchener/Waterloo.) I should have it by October 5th at the absolute latest.
My advice to others: Arrive around 6:30 - 6:45 AM. Bring next to nothing with you- ie. if you don't need it for the interview or to get into your car/house/hotel room, DON'T bring it (if your car key has a remote starter/unlock on it, BE SURE TO REMOVE IT. You will NOT be allowed to bring it into the consulate). Give honest, concise, quick answers. Be polite at all times. The staff at the consulate were polite to me even if they were serious/monotonous.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #8433