K1 Montreal visa interview experience - long
Jun 15th 2003, 8:30 am
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
K1 Montreal visa interview experience - long
Well, we made it! Here's the story .. kinda long but I know sometimes the
details are helpful.
Arrived in Montreal on Tuesday afternoon, bought a ticket at the airport and
took the Aerobus to the Bonaventure Aerobus Station. You can also buy the
tickets on the bus or at the end of the trip.
I then took a shuttle from Bonaventure to the hotel, La Tour Centreville.
The hotel is on the same block as the consulate, just across the street and
down a bit.
Woke up early on Wednesday morning (June 11th) (like 4 a.m. early .. lol)
and walked the two blocks down the street to the 24 hour Tim Horton's. Then
I did a brief detour to the St. Patrick's Basilica (an awesome church on the
side street by the hotel). I'm not religious or Catholic, but I felt a lot
calmer after that and went back to the hotel to get ready.
Arrived at the consulate at 8:25 (the door is on Alexander), was checked by
security and asked for my interview appointment letter and my passport.
(NOTE: you can't take your suitcase there, they
turned away one fellow because of that, but the hotel will store your
suitcase even if you are checking out.)
Security sent me through the doors and down the stairs to the elevator.
There is a photo booth right next to the elevator for those who need photos.
Took the very quiet, very quick elevator to the 19th floor (there isn't much
choice, only 3 buttons to choose from) and took my letter to window #25.
They gave me two slips with number C14 (C is the immigrant visa section) and
asked me to wait in that section. There is a display board that dings each
time they call a number, either A, B or C numbers. At 10 a.m. they called my
number to go to window #2 (down the hall by the ladies washroom and left
into a smaller area) - windows 1-4 look after collecting the paperwork from
you. My appointment was at 8:30, so my advice is, arrive earlier if you want
to get in and out earlier. There were a lot of people there, but I was way
too nervous to talk to anyone. Some had their fiances with them, some were
on their own.
At window 2 I found a very business like and cranky woman who kept demanding
papers faster than I could produce them. This is what she asked for in order
(as best as I can remember). It'll help if you
have them in order - I had mine in an original pile and a copy pile so had
to keep going back & forth
- my little paper number that they gave to me when I arrived (C14)
- my passport
- two SIGNED copies of the DS156 (sign your regular signature) - she didn't
ask for them by form number, just asked for the forms that they sent me to
complete.
- one UNSIGNED copy of the DS156K - I made the mistake of signing mine but
luckily I had a second copy - you sign the DS156K during the formal
interview.
- my 2" x 2" photos (Montreal requests 1.5" x 1.5" full face (not ADIT)
photos but Vancouver had asked for 2" x 2" - nothing was said about the
size).
- the original signed DS230 form that I had faxed to Vancouver (the original
consulate assigned to my case) - the fax copy was a poor one.
- letter from my fiance stating his intent to marry me - I handed it to her
in an envelope, she wouldn't touch it, asked me to take it out of the
envelope)
- medical envelope (but not the xray envelope)
- my original birth certificate (long copy) and one photocopy
- my original divorce certificate and one photocopy
- affidavit of support provided by my fiance (notarized)
- copies of fiance's income tax (we had 3 years because he is self employed,
two year's tax transcripts from the IRS plus this year's return)
- letter from bank showing date account was opened and current balance plus
photocopies of bank statements. I provided copies since my fiance needed his
originals back - they said only the affadavit needs to be original, the
supporting evidence can be copies.
She was very abrupt and kept asking for things, even though she could see I
was busy getting them. The woman next to me was having the same problems
with the person at window #1. So have your paperwork as organized as
possible.
Then she sent me to pay the $100 US at window 25, and told me to return to
window #2 with the receipt and just leave it there even if no one was there
to collect it and return to wait to be called again.
About 30 minutes later my number was called to the interview rooms. There
are two interview rooms, 12 & 13 I think). The door was closed but I knocked
and opened it. Thankfully there was a different woman behind the glass. Very
friendly and young. She confirmed who I was and welcomed me. She got me to
sign the DS156K and swear to tell the truth so help me God. Then she asked
me how Mel and I had met .. I said the internet. She smiled and said "how
did we ever meet people before the internet". I replied that they must see a
lot of internet couples, and she said yes. Then she asked when we met in
person for the first time ... I replied September 2000. She commented that
we had known each other for a long time then, and I said yes. She asked what
Mel did for a living .. I told her he was self employed in public relations.
She then asked me what I did for a living .. I told her I worked for a
telephone company as an executive assistant.
Then she asked when we were planning to get married. I told her I didn't
have an exact date and asked if I could ask a question. She said of course
... I explained that my dad is undergoing treatment
for cancer and that we were uncertain when I would be entering the US. I
said that it was my understanding that once the visa was issued that I had
six months to enter the US and then I asked if they granted extensions to
the visa under extenuating circumstances. I explained I was concerned, since
once I enter the US I would not be able to leave again without advance
parole, and we were concerned about me leaving before knowing what Dad's
prognosis is. She excused herself for a moment and then returned.
She said that my all of paperwork was in order and they would issue the visa
today if we wished, but that they could also postpone issuing the visa until
we were ready to proceed without any difficulty .. with some conditions:
a) the medical papers are only good for one year from date of medical.
b) the RCMP certificate was only good for one year from date of
issue.
c) the affidavit of support could not be more than six months old.
If any of those things expire, we would need to provide more current ones. I
asked if I would need to come back to Montreal for another interview, and
she said no, not unless it was more than a year. I
would just mail my passport to them (and any renewed documentation if
required).
So we chose to postpone issuing the visa. She made notes on my file that my
father was ill and I would send my passport to Montreal to have the visa
issued when we were ready to go ahead. She also gave
me a letter to include with my passport when I courier it to the consulate
(I have to include a postage paid Canada Expresspost envelope for its
return). The letter also says to that all that is required is to provide the
passport and they will return it to me with my visa inserted.
I also asked if I could enter the US for a visit either before or after my
visa was inserted into my passport. She said that as long as I provide
proof of intent to Canada (ie. letter from employer saying when you are
expected back at work), I shouldn't have any problems. She also said that
even after the K1 visa is inserted into your passport, you don't have to use
it. You can explain to customs & immigration that you are not ready to use
the visa, and are just going to the US to visit.
So I'm approved! I didn't need to come back later in the day to get the visa
(which is what happens next after you're approved). Mel joined me at the
hotel when I got back, we celebrated with a nice
italian dinner, a bottle of wine and as much gelato as we could eat (amazing
flavours :-). On Thursday morning we toured Montreal, including Mont Royal
Park (awesome view of Montreal).
It's not difficult at all .. just nerve wracking!! Good luck!!
Sharon & Mel
Winnipeg & Boston
... one small step for the consulate .. one giant leap for us!!
details are helpful.
Arrived in Montreal on Tuesday afternoon, bought a ticket at the airport and
took the Aerobus to the Bonaventure Aerobus Station. You can also buy the
tickets on the bus or at the end of the trip.
I then took a shuttle from Bonaventure to the hotel, La Tour Centreville.
The hotel is on the same block as the consulate, just across the street and
down a bit.
Woke up early on Wednesday morning (June 11th) (like 4 a.m. early .. lol)
and walked the two blocks down the street to the 24 hour Tim Horton's. Then
I did a brief detour to the St. Patrick's Basilica (an awesome church on the
side street by the hotel). I'm not religious or Catholic, but I felt a lot
calmer after that and went back to the hotel to get ready.
Arrived at the consulate at 8:25 (the door is on Alexander), was checked by
security and asked for my interview appointment letter and my passport.
(NOTE: you can't take your suitcase there, they
turned away one fellow because of that, but the hotel will store your
suitcase even if you are checking out.)
Security sent me through the doors and down the stairs to the elevator.
There is a photo booth right next to the elevator for those who need photos.
Took the very quiet, very quick elevator to the 19th floor (there isn't much
choice, only 3 buttons to choose from) and took my letter to window #25.
They gave me two slips with number C14 (C is the immigrant visa section) and
asked me to wait in that section. There is a display board that dings each
time they call a number, either A, B or C numbers. At 10 a.m. they called my
number to go to window #2 (down the hall by the ladies washroom and left
into a smaller area) - windows 1-4 look after collecting the paperwork from
you. My appointment was at 8:30, so my advice is, arrive earlier if you want
to get in and out earlier. There were a lot of people there, but I was way
too nervous to talk to anyone. Some had their fiances with them, some were
on their own.
At window 2 I found a very business like and cranky woman who kept demanding
papers faster than I could produce them. This is what she asked for in order
(as best as I can remember). It'll help if you
have them in order - I had mine in an original pile and a copy pile so had
to keep going back & forth
- my little paper number that they gave to me when I arrived (C14)
- my passport
- two SIGNED copies of the DS156 (sign your regular signature) - she didn't
ask for them by form number, just asked for the forms that they sent me to
complete.
- one UNSIGNED copy of the DS156K - I made the mistake of signing mine but
luckily I had a second copy - you sign the DS156K during the formal
interview.
- my 2" x 2" photos (Montreal requests 1.5" x 1.5" full face (not ADIT)
photos but Vancouver had asked for 2" x 2" - nothing was said about the
size).
- the original signed DS230 form that I had faxed to Vancouver (the original
consulate assigned to my case) - the fax copy was a poor one.
- letter from my fiance stating his intent to marry me - I handed it to her
in an envelope, she wouldn't touch it, asked me to take it out of the
envelope)
- medical envelope (but not the xray envelope)
- my original birth certificate (long copy) and one photocopy
- my original divorce certificate and one photocopy
- affidavit of support provided by my fiance (notarized)
- copies of fiance's income tax (we had 3 years because he is self employed,
two year's tax transcripts from the IRS plus this year's return)
- letter from bank showing date account was opened and current balance plus
photocopies of bank statements. I provided copies since my fiance needed his
originals back - they said only the affadavit needs to be original, the
supporting evidence can be copies.
She was very abrupt and kept asking for things, even though she could see I
was busy getting them. The woman next to me was having the same problems
with the person at window #1. So have your paperwork as organized as
possible.
Then she sent me to pay the $100 US at window 25, and told me to return to
window #2 with the receipt and just leave it there even if no one was there
to collect it and return to wait to be called again.
About 30 minutes later my number was called to the interview rooms. There
are two interview rooms, 12 & 13 I think). The door was closed but I knocked
and opened it. Thankfully there was a different woman behind the glass. Very
friendly and young. She confirmed who I was and welcomed me. She got me to
sign the DS156K and swear to tell the truth so help me God. Then she asked
me how Mel and I had met .. I said the internet. She smiled and said "how
did we ever meet people before the internet". I replied that they must see a
lot of internet couples, and she said yes. Then she asked when we met in
person for the first time ... I replied September 2000. She commented that
we had known each other for a long time then, and I said yes. She asked what
Mel did for a living .. I told her he was self employed in public relations.
She then asked me what I did for a living .. I told her I worked for a
telephone company as an executive assistant.
Then she asked when we were planning to get married. I told her I didn't
have an exact date and asked if I could ask a question. She said of course
... I explained that my dad is undergoing treatment
for cancer and that we were uncertain when I would be entering the US. I
said that it was my understanding that once the visa was issued that I had
six months to enter the US and then I asked if they granted extensions to
the visa under extenuating circumstances. I explained I was concerned, since
once I enter the US I would not be able to leave again without advance
parole, and we were concerned about me leaving before knowing what Dad's
prognosis is. She excused herself for a moment and then returned.
She said that my all of paperwork was in order and they would issue the visa
today if we wished, but that they could also postpone issuing the visa until
we were ready to proceed without any difficulty .. with some conditions:
a) the medical papers are only good for one year from date of medical.
b) the RCMP certificate was only good for one year from date of
issue.
c) the affidavit of support could not be more than six months old.
If any of those things expire, we would need to provide more current ones. I
asked if I would need to come back to Montreal for another interview, and
she said no, not unless it was more than a year. I
would just mail my passport to them (and any renewed documentation if
required).
So we chose to postpone issuing the visa. She made notes on my file that my
father was ill and I would send my passport to Montreal to have the visa
issued when we were ready to go ahead. She also gave
me a letter to include with my passport when I courier it to the consulate
(I have to include a postage paid Canada Expresspost envelope for its
return). The letter also says to that all that is required is to provide the
passport and they will return it to me with my visa inserted.
I also asked if I could enter the US for a visit either before or after my
visa was inserted into my passport. She said that as long as I provide
proof of intent to Canada (ie. letter from employer saying when you are
expected back at work), I shouldn't have any problems. She also said that
even after the K1 visa is inserted into your passport, you don't have to use
it. You can explain to customs & immigration that you are not ready to use
the visa, and are just going to the US to visit.
So I'm approved! I didn't need to come back later in the day to get the visa
(which is what happens next after you're approved). Mel joined me at the
hotel when I got back, we celebrated with a nice
italian dinner, a bottle of wine and as much gelato as we could eat (amazing
flavours :-). On Thursday morning we toured Montreal, including Mont Royal
Park (awesome view of Montreal).
It's not difficult at all .. just nerve wracking!! Good luck!!
Sharon & Mel
Winnipeg & Boston
... one small step for the consulate .. one giant leap for us!!
Jun 15th 2003, 9:55 am
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: K1 Montreal visa interview experience - long
Congrats!! I'm glad it all went well, despite the cranky woman at Window
#2.
- shani
P.S. - 31 days to go for my Canadian fiance and I!!
"Sharon S." wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Well, we made it! Here's the story .. kinda long but I know sometimes the
> details are helpful.
> Arrived in Montreal on Tuesday afternoon, bought a ticket at the airport
and
> took the Aerobus to the Bonaventure Aerobus Station. You can also buy the
> tickets on the bus or at the end of the trip.
> I then took a shuttle from Bonaventure to the hotel, La Tour Centreville.
> The hotel is on the same block as the consulate, just across the street
and
> down a bit.
> Woke up early on Wednesday morning (June 11th) (like 4 a.m. early .. lol)
> and walked the two blocks down the street to the 24 hour Tim Horton's.
Then
> I did a brief detour to the St. Patrick's Basilica (an awesome church on
the
> side street by the hotel). I'm not religious or Catholic, but I felt a lot
> calmer after that and went back to the hotel to get ready.
> Arrived at the consulate at 8:25 (the door is on Alexander), was checked
by
> security and asked for my interview appointment letter and my passport.
> (NOTE: you can't take your suitcase there, they
> turned away one fellow because of that, but the hotel will store your
> suitcase even if you are checking out.)
> Security sent me through the doors and down the stairs to the elevator.
> There is a photo booth right next to the elevator for those who need
photos.
> Took the very quiet, very quick elevator to the 19th floor (there isn't
much
> choice, only 3 buttons to choose from) and took my letter to window #25.
> They gave me two slips with number C14 (C is the immigrant visa section)
and
> asked me to wait in that section. There is a display board that dings each
> time they call a number, either A, B or C numbers. At 10 a.m. they called
my
> number to go to window #2 (down the hall by the ladies washroom and left
> into a smaller area) - windows 1-4 look after collecting the paperwork
from
> you. My appointment was at 8:30, so my advice is, arrive earlier if you
want
> to get in and out earlier. There were a lot of people there, but I was way
> too nervous to talk to anyone. Some had their fiances with them, some were
> on their own.
> At window 2 I found a very business like and cranky woman who kept
demanding
> papers faster than I could produce them. This is what she asked for in
order
> (as best as I can remember). It'll help if you
> have them in order - I had mine in an original pile and a copy pile so had
> to keep going back & forth
> - my little paper number that they gave to me when I arrived (C14)
> - my passport
> - two SIGNED copies of the DS156 (sign your regular signature) - she
didn't
> ask for them by form number, just asked for the forms that they sent me to
> complete.
> - one UNSIGNED copy of the DS156K - I made the mistake of signing mine but
> luckily I had a second copy - you sign the DS156K during the formal
> interview.
> - my 2" x 2" photos (Montreal requests 1.5" x 1.5" full face (not ADIT)
> photos but Vancouver had asked for 2" x 2" - nothing was said about the
> size).
> - the original signed DS230 form that I had faxed to Vancouver (the
original
> consulate assigned to my case) - the fax copy was a poor one.
> - letter from my fiance stating his intent to marry me - I handed it to
her
> in an envelope, she wouldn't touch it, asked me to take it out of the
> envelope)
> - medical envelope (but not the xray envelope)
> - my original birth certificate (long copy) and one photocopy
> - my original divorce certificate and one photocopy
> - affidavit of support provided by my fiance (notarized)
> - copies of fiance's income tax (we had 3 years because he is self
employed,
> two year's tax transcripts from the IRS plus this year's return)
> - letter from bank showing date account was opened and current balance
plus
> photocopies of bank statements. I provided copies since my fiance needed
his
> originals back - they said only the affadavit needs to be original, the
> supporting evidence can be copies.
> She was very abrupt and kept asking for things, even though she could see
I
> was busy getting them. The woman next to me was having the same problems
> with the person at window #1. So have your paperwork as organized as
> possible.
> Then she sent me to pay the $100 US at window 25, and told me to return to
> window #2 with the receipt and just leave it there even if no one was
there
> to collect it and return to wait to be called again.
> About 30 minutes later my number was called to the interview rooms. There
> are two interview rooms, 12 & 13 I think). The door was closed but I
knocked
> and opened it. Thankfully there was a different woman behind the glass.
Very
> friendly and young. She confirmed who I was and welcomed me. She got me to
> sign the DS156K and swear to tell the truth so help me God. Then she asked
> me how Mel and I had met .. I said the internet. She smiled and said "how
> did we ever meet people before the internet". I replied that they must see
a
> lot of internet couples, and she said yes. Then she asked when we met in
> person for the first time ... I replied September 2000. She commented that
> we had known each other for a long time then, and I said yes. She asked
what
> Mel did for a living .. I told her he was self employed in public
relations.
> She then asked me what I did for a living .. I told her I worked for a
> telephone company as an executive assistant.
> Then she asked when we were planning to get married. I told her I didn't
> have an exact date and asked if I could ask a question. She said of course
> ... I explained that my dad is undergoing treatment
> for cancer and that we were uncertain when I would be entering the US. I
> said that it was my understanding that once the visa was issued that I had
> six months to enter the US and then I asked if they granted extensions to
> the visa under extenuating circumstances. I explained I was concerned,
since
> once I enter the US I would not be able to leave again without advance
> parole, and we were concerned about me leaving before knowing what Dad's
> prognosis is. She excused herself for a moment and then returned.
> She said that my all of paperwork was in order and they would issue the
visa
> today if we wished, but that they could also postpone issuing the visa
until
> we were ready to proceed without any difficulty .. with some conditions:
> a) the medical papers are only good for one year from date of medical.
> b) the RCMP certificate was only good for one year from date of
> issue.
> c) the affidavit of support could not be more than six months old.
> If any of those things expire, we would need to provide more current ones.
I
> asked if I would need to come back to Montreal for another interview, and
> she said no, not unless it was more than a year. I
> would just mail my passport to them (and any renewed documentation if
> required).
> So we chose to postpone issuing the visa. She made notes on my file that
my
> father was ill and I would send my passport to Montreal to have the visa
> issued when we were ready to go ahead. She also gave
> me a letter to include with my passport when I courier it to the consulate
> (I have to include a postage paid Canada Expresspost envelope for its
> return). The letter also says to that all that is required is to provide
the
> passport and they will return it to me with my visa inserted.
> I also asked if I could enter the US for a visit either before or after my
> visa was inserted into my passport. She said that as long as I provide
> proof of intent to Canada (ie. letter from employer saying when you are
> expected back at work), I shouldn't have any problems. She also said that
> even after the K1 visa is inserted into your passport, you don't have to
use
> it. You can explain to customs & immigration that you are not ready to
use
> the visa, and are just going to the US to visit.
> So I'm approved! I didn't need to come back later in the day to get the
visa
> (which is what happens next after you're approved). Mel joined me at the
> hotel when I got back, we celebrated with a nice
> italian dinner, a bottle of wine and as much gelato as we could eat
(amazing
> flavours :-). On Thursday morning we toured Montreal, including Mont Royal
> Park (awesome view of Montreal).
> It's not difficult at all .. just nerve wracking!! Good luck!!
> Sharon & Mel
> Winnipeg & Boston
> ... one small step for the consulate .. one giant leap for us!!
#2.
- shani
P.S. - 31 days to go for my Canadian fiance and I!!
"Sharon S." wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Well, we made it! Here's the story .. kinda long but I know sometimes the
> details are helpful.
> Arrived in Montreal on Tuesday afternoon, bought a ticket at the airport
and
> took the Aerobus to the Bonaventure Aerobus Station. You can also buy the
> tickets on the bus or at the end of the trip.
> I then took a shuttle from Bonaventure to the hotel, La Tour Centreville.
> The hotel is on the same block as the consulate, just across the street
and
> down a bit.
> Woke up early on Wednesday morning (June 11th) (like 4 a.m. early .. lol)
> and walked the two blocks down the street to the 24 hour Tim Horton's.
Then
> I did a brief detour to the St. Patrick's Basilica (an awesome church on
the
> side street by the hotel). I'm not religious or Catholic, but I felt a lot
> calmer after that and went back to the hotel to get ready.
> Arrived at the consulate at 8:25 (the door is on Alexander), was checked
by
> security and asked for my interview appointment letter and my passport.
> (NOTE: you can't take your suitcase there, they
> turned away one fellow because of that, but the hotel will store your
> suitcase even if you are checking out.)
> Security sent me through the doors and down the stairs to the elevator.
> There is a photo booth right next to the elevator for those who need
photos.
> Took the very quiet, very quick elevator to the 19th floor (there isn't
much
> choice, only 3 buttons to choose from) and took my letter to window #25.
> They gave me two slips with number C14 (C is the immigrant visa section)
and
> asked me to wait in that section. There is a display board that dings each
> time they call a number, either A, B or C numbers. At 10 a.m. they called
my
> number to go to window #2 (down the hall by the ladies washroom and left
> into a smaller area) - windows 1-4 look after collecting the paperwork
from
> you. My appointment was at 8:30, so my advice is, arrive earlier if you
want
> to get in and out earlier. There were a lot of people there, but I was way
> too nervous to talk to anyone. Some had their fiances with them, some were
> on their own.
> At window 2 I found a very business like and cranky woman who kept
demanding
> papers faster than I could produce them. This is what she asked for in
order
> (as best as I can remember). It'll help if you
> have them in order - I had mine in an original pile and a copy pile so had
> to keep going back & forth
> - my little paper number that they gave to me when I arrived (C14)
> - my passport
> - two SIGNED copies of the DS156 (sign your regular signature) - she
didn't
> ask for them by form number, just asked for the forms that they sent me to
> complete.
> - one UNSIGNED copy of the DS156K - I made the mistake of signing mine but
> luckily I had a second copy - you sign the DS156K during the formal
> interview.
> - my 2" x 2" photos (Montreal requests 1.5" x 1.5" full face (not ADIT)
> photos but Vancouver had asked for 2" x 2" - nothing was said about the
> size).
> - the original signed DS230 form that I had faxed to Vancouver (the
original
> consulate assigned to my case) - the fax copy was a poor one.
> - letter from my fiance stating his intent to marry me - I handed it to
her
> in an envelope, she wouldn't touch it, asked me to take it out of the
> envelope)
> - medical envelope (but not the xray envelope)
> - my original birth certificate (long copy) and one photocopy
> - my original divorce certificate and one photocopy
> - affidavit of support provided by my fiance (notarized)
> - copies of fiance's income tax (we had 3 years because he is self
employed,
> two year's tax transcripts from the IRS plus this year's return)
> - letter from bank showing date account was opened and current balance
plus
> photocopies of bank statements. I provided copies since my fiance needed
his
> originals back - they said only the affadavit needs to be original, the
> supporting evidence can be copies.
> She was very abrupt and kept asking for things, even though she could see
I
> was busy getting them. The woman next to me was having the same problems
> with the person at window #1. So have your paperwork as organized as
> possible.
> Then she sent me to pay the $100 US at window 25, and told me to return to
> window #2 with the receipt and just leave it there even if no one was
there
> to collect it and return to wait to be called again.
> About 30 minutes later my number was called to the interview rooms. There
> are two interview rooms, 12 & 13 I think). The door was closed but I
knocked
> and opened it. Thankfully there was a different woman behind the glass.
Very
> friendly and young. She confirmed who I was and welcomed me. She got me to
> sign the DS156K and swear to tell the truth so help me God. Then she asked
> me how Mel and I had met .. I said the internet. She smiled and said "how
> did we ever meet people before the internet". I replied that they must see
a
> lot of internet couples, and she said yes. Then she asked when we met in
> person for the first time ... I replied September 2000. She commented that
> we had known each other for a long time then, and I said yes. She asked
what
> Mel did for a living .. I told her he was self employed in public
relations.
> She then asked me what I did for a living .. I told her I worked for a
> telephone company as an executive assistant.
> Then she asked when we were planning to get married. I told her I didn't
> have an exact date and asked if I could ask a question. She said of course
> ... I explained that my dad is undergoing treatment
> for cancer and that we were uncertain when I would be entering the US. I
> said that it was my understanding that once the visa was issued that I had
> six months to enter the US and then I asked if they granted extensions to
> the visa under extenuating circumstances. I explained I was concerned,
since
> once I enter the US I would not be able to leave again without advance
> parole, and we were concerned about me leaving before knowing what Dad's
> prognosis is. She excused herself for a moment and then returned.
> She said that my all of paperwork was in order and they would issue the
visa
> today if we wished, but that they could also postpone issuing the visa
until
> we were ready to proceed without any difficulty .. with some conditions:
> a) the medical papers are only good for one year from date of medical.
> b) the RCMP certificate was only good for one year from date of
> issue.
> c) the affidavit of support could not be more than six months old.
> If any of those things expire, we would need to provide more current ones.
I
> asked if I would need to come back to Montreal for another interview, and
> she said no, not unless it was more than a year. I
> would just mail my passport to them (and any renewed documentation if
> required).
> So we chose to postpone issuing the visa. She made notes on my file that
my
> father was ill and I would send my passport to Montreal to have the visa
> issued when we were ready to go ahead. She also gave
> me a letter to include with my passport when I courier it to the consulate
> (I have to include a postage paid Canada Expresspost envelope for its
> return). The letter also says to that all that is required is to provide
the
> passport and they will return it to me with my visa inserted.
> I also asked if I could enter the US for a visit either before or after my
> visa was inserted into my passport. She said that as long as I provide
> proof of intent to Canada (ie. letter from employer saying when you are
> expected back at work), I shouldn't have any problems. She also said that
> even after the K1 visa is inserted into your passport, you don't have to
use
> it. You can explain to customs & immigration that you are not ready to
use
> the visa, and are just going to the US to visit.
> So I'm approved! I didn't need to come back later in the day to get the
visa
> (which is what happens next after you're approved). Mel joined me at the
> hotel when I got back, we celebrated with a nice
> italian dinner, a bottle of wine and as much gelato as we could eat
(amazing
> flavours :-). On Thursday morning we toured Montreal, including Mont Royal
> Park (awesome view of Montreal).
> It's not difficult at all .. just nerve wracking!! Good luck!!
> Sharon & Mel
> Winnipeg & Boston
> ... one small step for the consulate .. one giant leap for us!!
