Interview, Immigration Visa Issue and Entry to USA
Summary:
I returned to the US Aug 12 midnight. An endorsement stamp (customary DHS stamp) was placed into my passport along side the I-551 (laminated by the consulate Aug 11).
They handed me 2 envelopes (1 for my wife, not 3 like others) with my passport and asked that I present at the border (Windsor/Detroit Bridge).
In Montreal: I stayed at the Best Western ... okay hotel, but there are hotel closer.. like Holiday Inn.
If you are staying far and planning to drive make sure you are there before 6:45 for getting parking next to the Consulate
At the consulate:
- Arrived at consulate at 7:00am (8:30am appointment) – I was 1st in line
- 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 8:30am
- 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 ( # 25 was the old #, but now they have re-numbered). No one will be there - We waited for 30 mins. They will hand you a number. Sit down with your number
- You will be called the first time to hand over the following: medical (did not ask for X-Ray, but they did ask few other people, so make sure to carry them), 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. He also asked my W2 for 2004
- You will then be asked to pay a $45USD consular surcharge (Window 14 again) -- 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
- If you are missing something they will call you again other wise you will be asked to go to (Small Room) #7 or # 8. --- This is the "interview"
- Interview is literally a formality. Officer congratulated my wife for our new born baby (5 weeks, at the time). He did ask me about my company (Only because we are only 2 employees, My Boss and I).
- He returned our original documents that we had mailed to NVC.
- Took our finger prints (Electronic - No ink, just Index finger)
- Asked to us to raise our right hand and take Oath, All the information states is correct
- Other than that.. just general talk. He did say that they do not issue the visa's the same day since they do not get back the finger prints back till late evening. He said he understands that we have a small kid waiting for us at home (in Detroit) (If your interview is on Friday they try to do it the same day).
- I was given a yellow card for pickup of my passport (2:30 following day)
- Interview process completed by ~9:45am.
- Next day went to pick up my immigrant visa. Arrived, the consulate at 1:00 pm. (Do not go this early waste of time) They said everyone is on lunch and come back at 2:15. We bought lunch and just waited outside the consulate. There were a lot of people so they told us that they are binging the passport downstairs. We were called in at 2:30 at the entrance (security desk) and we were given the passport. People who came at 2:30 got their passport 10 mins later because of the line up. I know that there is too much anxiety but not really worth it to go that early
Drove form Consulate to Ambassador Bridge, Detroit
Pulled up my car at the border. Showed my immigration Visa, he asked if I had the envelops of document and I said yes. The agent put a yellow sticker on the car windshield and asked us to go to the office. We went in. Since it was a little bit close to midnight on Aug 12, I was asked by the staff to wait till the next shift takes over. Waited for 15 mins. The officer verified address for future correspondence, took our right index ink fingerprints, and signature for the actual cards, stamped our visa and told us sometimes the card does not show up in the mail. If it does not come in 4 to 6 months contact the local office in Detroit.
Now a permanent resident... Waiting for physical card now...
Questions? - Just send me a message --- I'll reply as promptly as possible. Good luck to all.
Thanks for all your info available on this thread.