Debriefing on Montreal Interview experience
All,
I thought I would take sometime to debrief you on my consular processing interview in Montreal. I will be brief here - but you can certainly ask me any questions you wish.
Summary:
I returned to the US yesterday (June 12). An endorsement stamp (customary DHS stamp) was placed into my passport along side the I-551 (laminated by the consulate June 7).
It seems that it is no longer stapled to the envelope but now is placed directly into your passport. They handed me 3 envelopes (not the usual 1 that I've heard about) with my passport and asked that I present it to DHS (in this case at Toronto airport). The officers were surprised by the number of envelopes I handed to them – but then they realized that I was an employment case and that envelopes contained supporting documents. My guess is that they don’t see many employment cases at Toronto Airport.
In Montreal: I recommend staying at LaTourCentreVille - hotel virtually across the street from the consulate ($129CDN/night) -
www.hotelcentreville.com.
At the consulate:
- arrived at consulate at 7:30am (8:30am appointment) – I was 7th in line…but second in line as an immigrant applicant
- every person who shows up first thing in the morning is placed in a waiting room and then escorted by security upstairs to the 19th floor at 8:25am
- when you get in the elevator-- head to the back...to the second door. This door will open. Make a left when you get out and head to cashier number 14 (may change - but security told immigrant applicants to head over to that booth). No one will be there - but just wait a min...someone to show up on the other side. They will hand you a number. Sit down with your number
- you will be called the first time to hand over the following: medical, employment letter, photos, and passport. they will also ask you to verify info (address, name etc) on the DS-230 part I and sign DS-230 part II
- you will then be asked to pay a $45USD consular surcharge -- administered to all immigrant visa applicants despite previous payment(s) to NVC
- after you pay and return to the window which you were originally called to, you will be asked to sit down and wait to me called by an consular officer
- when you are called a second time by the officer --- this is the "interview"
- interview is literally a formality. Officer did not ask me anything about my job, where I work etc. No questions whatsoever re: employment. No requests for tax forms, pay stubs etc. (I've read otherwise -but perhaps I wasnt given any problems bc I'm a canadian citizen)
- for those with previous PPD +, negative chest and previous INH treatment -dont sweat it...no problems or delays here!
- interview process completed by ~9:45am. Picked up my immigrant visa at 3:30pm (usually ready by noon the same day)
At Toronto airport (DHS and Customs pre-inspection):
- 40-60 min wait to be processed by DHS
- right index ink fingerprints and signatures taken for the green card
- address verified for future correspondence
Now a permanent resident...free at last!! Waiting for physicial card now...
Questions? - just send me a message --- I'll reply as promptly as possible. good luck to all.
and here are some questions!