Wes ²°°²

My wife and I just got back from our short 'vacation' to Montreal and we
wanted to post the results and experiences.
Thursday November 14th was our Interview date in Montreal. I laugh at the
idea of an 'interview', more like 'show up and swear that all the
information is true' minute.
First off, our timeline:
05-January-02
Mailed off I-130 petition via Priority mail with sign. confirm.

09-January-02
USPS confirms delivery to INS box (online tracking number)

24-January-02
Received first NOA in the mail

22-May-2002
NSC automated message confirms that our petition is approved

07-June-2002
Received 2nd NOA in mail after coming back from Vacation

23-June-2002
Received 1st NOA from NVC including Choice of Agent form

25-June-2002
Wife received from NVC the I-864 / A package & checklist

29-June-2002
Mailed off DS-3032 priority mail with delivery confirmation

01-July-2002
NVC received DS-3032 (Choice of Agent) in the P.O. box

16-July-2002
Mailed off I-864 / A package priority mail with delivery confirm.

18-July-2002
NVC received I-864 package and $65.00 fee

23-July-2002
Received 2nd letter from NVC (DS-230 Package)

31-July-2002
Mailed off DS-230 Part 1 with fee ($335.00) (priority mail)

02-Aug-2002
NVC received DS-230 package

23-Aug-2002
Received RFE on I-864A (NVC made an error-called to confirm)

24-Aug-2002
Returned RFE with explanation (included supervisor name of individual I
spoke with who confirmed that it was their error)

30-Aug-2002
NVC receives the returned RFE (mailed from Canada)

15-Sep-2002
Received a new RFE on DS-230 Part 1(I messed up a date of where I was
living - I was ticked off on myself for this error)

16-Sep-2002
Sent Correct RFE and mailed DS-230 Part II as requested

24-Oct-2002
Received Visa Interview appointment at Montreal (Nov 14/02)

05-Nov-2002
Medical Physical for US Visa conducted in Windsor, Ontario

14-Nov-2002
US Consulate in Montreal Spousal Visa Interview a Success





My interview was for 10:30 am on the 14th Nov. in Montreal. I packed up the
family and drove the 900 some km (approx 560 miles). Quite a feat when I
had a 5 week old go up with us. We dropped off our oldest daughter and
grandma and grandpas house on the way. We stayed in downtown Montreal at
the Sheraton Four Points Hotel which is approximately a 5-10 minute walk.
It was a crisp cold morning. We left our hotel room at 9:45 am and arrived
shortly before 10:00 am outside the US Consulate door at the following
address:
1155 St. Alexandre Street
There was a lineup outside of approximately 40 people. The consulate only
does interviews by appointments for both immigrant and non-immigrant
appointments. I had the baby wrapped up and in my arms while we waited. At
10:35 we were allowed inside the front doors (the security staff was
allowing 5 people at a time in). We waited in the front lobby in order for
those in front of us to clear the security check point (take coats off,
check bags etc). Remember, absolutely nothing to drink or eat to be
brought.
After being directed to go through the secure door, we were instructed to
walk down a flight of stairs and take up an elevator to the 19th floor (the
elevator only had three buttons to press, RC for the floor that we were on,
19 or 22. In the lobby before we got on the elevator was a photobooth for
self pictures. We went up to the 19th floor at which points the back door
of the elevator opened up catching us off guard. We walked out into a large
room with many windows. This room would seat approx. 100-120 people. We
were instructed by the security staff upon entry to the consulate that we
needed to go to the cashier window (#25). I spoke to the cashier and
informed her that I was there for an immigrant visa at which time she handed
me an alpha numeric number to wait to be called for (my fee of $335 had been
paid for already through the National Visa Center).
I sat down at 10:50 am waiting for my number to be called. I noticed that
many of the windows I seen were for US citizen services and or non-immigrant
visa issuances. At 12 noon, my number was called. I reported to Window 3
down a short hallway. I presented my appointment letter, pictures,
passport. There were a number of questions asked about validity of
information that had been supplied through the whole process.
I was really worried about filling a new I-864 / A because of a new addition
to our family since we filed the original paperwork. They simply just added
my new daughter's name to the affidavit and that was it. It however made me
think. My wife worked part time and just made enough to qualify as a
sponsor using her income for a family of 3. Our family is now a family of
4. They took in consideration my income as filed using I-864A so my fears
were eased somewhat. I did not have to file an affidavit of support that my
father-in-law had drafted up.
By 12:10 PM, I finished with supplying and changed and confirming various
questions about the application. I was instructed to go back and sit down
until my number was 'called' again (a sign displays the number and room
number that applicants need to go when it was there turn). I sat down and
noticed that there were people from all walks of life in the room. We had
crying babies, families, single, marriage, seniors etc waiting for their
number to be called. It appeared to me that no one was coming into the
consulate after 12 noon. The room was slowly emptying one by one.
By 1:10, my number is called. I was directed to go to room 13. Both my
wife and I and baby went to this room. I pictured this room to be a desk
and an interviewer on the other end. When I walked into the room there was
one chair, a glass wall and the interviewer on the opposite side of the
glass. I was asked to swear by the information supplied in all the
documents to be true. I stood for the 'interview' which lasted all of 5
minutes. I had a big binder of information that I was ready to supply
supplemental information but was never asked for any such information. I
guess that having two children and being married for almost 4 years might
have had something to do with it. The consular official was very friendly
and joked with us frequently. She asked if I had a job lined up and I had
informed her no, that I was waiting for the Visa in order to look for a job.
I did get some confusing information from her though. She informed me to
activate the visa ASAP even though that I was not intending to cross over
right away (in about 2-3 months though). I was wondering though about
bringing all our possessions and car over at a later date if I had already
activated my visa at a POE. I figured I would ask at a POE to get their
answer since they are the ones that are going to let me in the US. I was
instructed by the interviewer to come back at 2:30 to pick up my actual
visa. By 1:20 we left the interview room and left the consulate to get some
lunch. It had been a long day for my wife and infant. By this time, there
were very few people left in the waiting room. After lunch I took a taxi
ride with my family back to the hotel so that my family could rest. I
walked back to the consulate right at 2:30 and presented a note given me by
the consular officials to allow me through security (obviously, after being
screened). There was no line-up outside at that time. I wished I had
arrived about 10 minutes earlier because by the time that I got up to the
19th floor at 2:33, there was only one person waiting for the elevator down.
She informed me that they were looking for all immigrant visa recipients and
that I was to go to Window 3 and pick up my Visa. Sure enough, a consular
official is standing behind a glass window at window 3. I told him my name
and he pulled out the famous brown envelope with the visa attached.
Note: For those who previously paid the $335 for the visa through the NVC,
bring proof that you did so. They asked for proof of the payment and
thankfully I was able to provide them with a stub from the Postal order that
I had sent them. I was instructed to not open up the brown envelope and to
not lose either the envelope or the visa that was attached. I reviewed the
information on the visa to make certain that the spelling and all
information on it was correct. I walked out of the consulate at 2:40 pm.
There was already a line forming up outside the consulate which I believe
was for non-immigrant visa pickups as I recognized some of the people
earlier in the day.
Note: You do not have to lug the big X-Ray picture up to Montreal as I have
come to find out. All you need to bring is the brown sealed envelope only.
It was such a hassle lugging that around. That information would have come
in handy if I had known that before I left on this trip.
We decided to cross over through a POE to first, ask the immigration
officers from INS as well as to visit the finger lake district of NY state.
We crossed over into the US using the Fishers Landing-Interstate 81. The
customs officers (two) were very friendly. I asked them if I could go and
ask the Immigration officers some questions about the use of this visa.
They were quite excited when I handed them over the Visa package and talked
amongst themselves about not seeing that for some time. One of the customs
officers said he would walk over the visa to the immigration section and
that I should park my car and come on inside. When I entered the doors, I
heard my name called and there stood two immigration officials smiling and
becoming me over. I asked them about the question I had after getting some
confusing information about activating my Visa. They simply put it this
way, there would be less hassle to me if I activated the visa only when I
was officially moving over. There would be complications on bringing my
possessions over at a later date, my car including, if I had already
activated my visa and was in essence, a 'greencard' holder.
Did anyone out there activate their visa before they officially moved all
their stuff across the border, especially driving their car across the
border a number of times before moving? Any experiences would be greatly
appreciated!

Anyhow, that was my experience and painless at that. Just wanted to share
my minute by minute experience in order to help ease those with concerns
about the process. My wife and I wish everyone the best of success as they
go through the immigration and citizenship process.

Sincerely
Wes and Melissa Newcombe