Irene Ireny

My K1 interview is approaching. My fiancee will come to the interview
with me. WIll they allow him to be there? Will they also ask him
questions? Someone told me they might ask us to go to different rooms
and ask the same questions to see if our answers match. I have looked
up some of the old posted messasges from various people and I never
found anything like that.

I will have my interview in Montreal and I am looking forward for an
interview date. I am still waiting since June. Sure, it takes a long
time. I am wondering when the visa will be issued after the interview.
Some poeple do get it a few hours after the interview. I would like
to know because I hope to arrange a moving company during the week
after the interview so that I can leave with my fiancee together after
the move. He can't take too many days off from work.

Thanks for the replies.

Salinator

My K1 interview was in Montreal as well and I do believe that you have
the option to have your fiance attend with you if you so desire. What I
experienced in Montreal was very similar to what you would expect when
you get your canadian passport. You line up to get a ticket, once
obtained you sit down and wait for them to call your ticket number.
Once you are called (wait time can range anywhere from 15 minutes to 2
hours), you them walk up to the window to which you are called and the
interview is completed through a glass window with a small hole in it
(not great if you are hard of hearing).

That is the initial interview. If they feel there are any
inconsistencies in your paperwork, they would have the option to
conduct a more formal interview in a closed room. I would believe these
are more the exception, than the rule. So do not count on them
splitting you and your fiance apart.

My interview lasted 10-15 minutes, and I was approved at that point
(Whoo Hoo).

Now, with respect to when the visa is actually pasted in your passport
- this was an overnight action - so count on staying over a night, and
then picking up the passport the next business day. You also have the
option of having the US Consulate mailing the package to you via Canada
Post Express Post (to a canadian address). If you are approved, it
would be mailed and you would have it in your hands within a week.

Good Luck.

Noorah101

Hi Irene,

I don't have any advice specific to Montreal, but I can tell you this. Don't make any arrangements that you can't change, until you have your visa in hand.

Best Wishes for a successful interview,
Rene

Irene Ireny

Hi, Thanks for your detailed reply. If I understand right from your
message, so they will let me know right away right the interview
whether the visa is approved or not? If thats the case, they will
either issue the visa on the same day or the next day? Unless I
request for them to mail, which will take noramlly 1 week, otherwise, I
will pick up in person. Is that all correct??

    :-)
Thanks again!


Salinator wrote:
    > My K1 interview was in Montreal as well and I do believe that you have
    > the option to have your fiance attend with you if you so desire. What I
    > experienced in Montreal was very similar to what you would expect when
    > you get your canadian passport. You line up to get a ticket, once
    > obtained you sit down and wait for them to call your ticket number.
    > Once you are called (wait time can range anywhere from 15 minutes to 2
    > hours), you them walk up to the window to which you are called and the
    > interview is completed through a glass window with a small hole in it
    > (not great if you are hard of hearing).
    > That is the initial interview. If they feel there are any
    > inconsistencies in your paperwork, they would have the option to
    > conduct a more formal interview in a closed room. I would believe these
    > are more the exception, than the rule. So do not count on them
    > splitting you and your fiance apart.
    > My interview lasted 10-15 minutes, and I was approved at that point
    > (Whoo Hoo).
    > Now, with respect to when the visa is actually pasted in your passport
    > - this was an overnight action - so count on staying over a night, and
    > then picking up the passport the next business day. You also have the
    > option of having the US Consulate mailing the package to you via Canada
    > Post Express Post (to a canadian address). If you are approved, it
    > would be mailed and you would have it in your hands within a week.
    >
    > Good Luck.

Salinator

Yes ... i am pretty sure you will know immediately if you are not
approved. One thing that I neglected to mention was that they took my
x-ray at the initial interview, thanked me for providing all the
documentation and told me to take a seat and wait. There was a second,
what I term a 'mini interview', where they returned the X-ray to me,
told me that my application was approved and that I had to come back
the next day to pick up the visa. It was basically non-formal, and they
did not ask any more questions at that time - just mentionned that I
should come back the next day.

If anyone has other experiences about the timeframe of getting
approved, please post. but from what I have read and experienced, you
will know immediately if you are approved or not.

One bit of advice I have for you. Get a good nights rest, grab some
breakfast that morning, and RELAX ... don't get too wound up over the
interview. If you have all your documentation and proof of **LOVE** in
place, you have nothing to worry about. If you have any questions on
documents you need to give them, post the questions here or talk to a
lawyer. Don't wait until you get there (montreal) to ask questions - it
will only add to your nervousness.

Just go in there cool and confident and without any questions !
A.

Irene Ireny

Your messages are very helpful. Thank you.

I do have reviewed some old posted messages here about the actual
interview. So when did you have your interview? Do you still remember
the questions they asked you?

Since you moved from Canada to U.S. How did you move your belongings?
Right now, I am planning for paying a moving company to move my
belongings. They did their first estimate for me yesterday. But when
I asked them for a binding quote, I think he thought that I didn't
trust him and I could sense that he was a little bit pissed and he left
quite quickly after knowing that. So just hope maybe you have the same
experience about that. He even told me that he had never heard of a
fiancee visa at all and suggested I should be sure what documents or
forms I should give them. That part I am confused. The U.S Consulate
in Montreal gave me a tel. no to call, but the information hotline only
available on Wednesdays. Do you know about the forms or documents I
need to give the moving company so that they can clear my stuff at the
U.S. custom?

Thanks again



Salinator wrote:
    > Yes ... i am pretty sure you will know immediately if you are not
    > approved. One thing that I neglected to mention was that they took my
    > x-ray at the initial interview, thanked me for providing all the
    > documentation and told me to take a seat and wait. There was a second,
    > what I term a 'mini interview', where they returned the X-ray to me,
    > told me that my application was approved and that I had to come back
    > the next day to pick up the visa. It was basically non-formal, and they
    > did not ask any more questions at that time - just mentionned that I
    > should come back the next day.
    > If anyone has other experiences about the timeframe of getting
    > approved, please post. but from what I have read and experienced, you
    > will know immediately if you are approved or not.
    > One bit of advice I have for you. Get a good nights rest, grab some
    > breakfast that morning, and RELAX ... THanklsdon't get too wound up over the
    > interview. If you have all your documentation and proof of **LOVE** in
    > place, you have nothing to worry about. If you have any questions on
    > documents you need to give them, post the questions here or talk to a
    > lawyer. Don't wait until you get there (montreal) to ask questions - it
    > will only add to your nervousness.
    > Just go in there cool and confident and without any questions !
    > A.

chtfj21

    > Since you moved from Canada to U.S. How did you move your belongings?

I've done a coulple of long distance moves.

As for furniture, I gave it away for free on craigslist to anyone who
was prepared to pick it up.
Upon arrival in the new city, I hired a van for a weekend and picked up
funiture from people who were giving it away for free (again, who I
found on craigslist). It is amazing what kind of furniture you can get
for free these days. The few bits that were missing I obtained from a
final trip to Ikea.

As for appliances such as TV, sound system, PC, washing machine, etc I
sold it all on ebay and ugraded to new appliances on arrival.

All the junk I that was just collecting dust in my flat (ie. most of my
stuff) went straight to the charity shop or recycling bin.

The remaining possessions were things that I was emotinally attached
to. They fit in two suitcases which came with me on the plane.


Unless you own antique or luxury items worth thousands of dollars a
piece, the above is probably the best way of doing it. Haulage is
prohibitively expensive and will probably cost you more than buying the
stuff new.

Capt. Tuttle

[email protected] wrote:
    >>Since you moved from Canada to U.S. How did you move your belongings?
    >
    >
    > I've done a coulple of long distance moves.
    >
    > As for furniture, I gave it away for free on craigslist to anyone who
    > was prepared to pick it up.
    > Upon arrival in the new city, I hired a van for a weekend and picked up
    > funiture from people who were giving it away for free (again, who I
    > found on craigslist). It is amazing what kind of furniture you can get
    > for free these days. The few bits that were missing I obtained from a
    > final trip to Ikea.
    >
    > As for appliances such as TV, sound system, PC, washing machine, etc I
    > sold it all on ebay and ugraded to new appliances on arrival.
    >
    > All the junk I that was just collecting dust in my flat (ie. most of my
    > stuff) went straight to the charity shop or recycling bin.
    >
    > The remaining possessions were things that I was emotinally attached
    > to. They fit in two suitcases which came with me on the plane.
    >
    >
    > Unless you own antique or luxury items worth thousands of dollars a
    > piece, the above is probably the best way of doing it. Haulage is
    > prohibitively expensive and will probably cost you more than buying the
    > stuff new.
    >

Moving companies are a big risk. We had to use one, but if there is any
way possible I would go with the above advice. The trick the companies
use is that once the items arrive the weight goes up. They hold your
goods for ransom until you pay.
As for the paper work: We left Europe with no paperwork at all except
the list we received when they packed the goods. I can't remember what
we did about customs. I think the company mailed us some forms that we
signed and mailed back to them. We used a U.S. company just so we knew
we would have someone to contact in the U.S.
We also experienced what you did with the moving companies not knowing
their own rules and regulations. They would ship wine, they would not
ship wine, they would supply all customs forms, they didn't, they had
"an agent" in the U.S., the "agent" appeared to be someone working out
of their home, the estimate when up and down as we complained about the
price, etc.
If at all possible sell the stuff and buy what you need once you arrive.
Even if you have to stay in a hotel until you can find a place to stay
and buy a bed it will be less expensive in the long run.

Salinator

To be honest, I did not have a lot of stuff to bring, but what I had
filled a large UHAUL van. Thus, I was able to move myself with no
issues whatsoever.

UHAUL has some pretty crappy trucks, but they are the only company that
will allow you to take their trucks to the US on a one way move. So if
you do not have a full house of belongings, I would go for the UHAUL
option. My total UHAUL cost was about $500.

As well, I was not moving across the country ... just about only 7
hours away across the border, so that had a lot to do with me choosing
that option.

As far as the questions, I cannot remember them as it was about 20
months ago that I went for the interview, but I do recall that there
were no trick questions and I was suprised at how relatively easy it
was. Search "K1 Interview Questions" on this forum and you will find
some posts that have samples.

Irene Ireny

I have a problem of keeping things that has memory value. I am keeping
so much stuff. If I had to drive it will be a long way and it will
take 2days at least. Its a good thought to drive will my
husband-to-be. However, it will be a tiring trip also. I guess if I
move all my stuff, it will probably cost me over $2000. ummm..... I
can't buy anything from now on. That company also has a policy that if
they estimate lower than it actually is and my stuff weights a lot more
than it really is, there will be an extra 10 percent maximum. This
company seems very reliable. Yesterday, there was another moving
company getting pissed when I asked him about binding quote and he left
me unsatisfied.

I will look up the K1 intervew questions forum. Thanks for all the
posts!!!!
Salinator wrote:
    > To be honest, I did not have a lot of stuff to bring, but what I had
    > filled a large UHAUL van. Thus, I was able to move myself with no
    > issues whatsoever.
    > UHAUL has some pretty crappy trucks, but they are the only company that
    > will allow you to take their trucks to the US on a one way move. So if
    > you do not have a full house of belongings, I would go for the UHAUL
    > option. My total UHAUL cost was about $500.
    > As well, I was not moving across the country ... just about only 7
    > hours away across the border, so that had a lot to do with me choosing
    > that option.
    > As far as the questions, I cannot remember them as it was about 20
    > months ago that I went for the interview, but I do recall that there
    > were no trick questions and I was suprised at how relatively easy it
    > was. Search "K1 Interview Questions" on this forum and you will find
    > some posts that have samples.