ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
CanadaGot my INTERVIEW!!
Wow, congrats! And such a reminder to all of us to ALWAYS MAKE COPIES!
canannerFemaleCanada2011-05-09 23:44:00
Canadahappy to be a spring filer!

Hello! I am March filer too and hopefully we will get to have our NOA2 earlier than 4 months :D it'll be a great time to fly to the US by summer. :dance: :dance: :dance:


I'm not letting myself hope for anything less than 5 months since I don't want to be disappointed! :P But if it happens to you then that's awesome!
canannerFemaleCanada2011-05-10 10:58:00
Canadahappy to be a spring filer!

Congratulations on your engagement and welcome to VJ!

Keep in mind that the K-1 is about a year long process. Your case will spend 5-6 months at USCIS, 2-3 weeks transfer through NVC and then it's 2-3 months before your appointment with Montreal's consulate.

It's easier said than done but be active and try to keep your mind of it :)


Thanks! I've done a lot of research (thank you VJ for existing) and am prepared for a long wait. I'm not letting myself hope for anything less than 5 months when it comes to USCIS. I'm just glad that a good chunk of that time will be during a more pleasant part of the year.
canannerFemaleCanada2011-05-10 10:55:00
Canadahappy to be a spring filer!
Sent off the K1 petition at the beginning of March, and I'm really glad most of the NOA2 waiting will be during the summer. We Canadians (well...maybe not you west coasters :P) know how brutal and depressing winter can be, so I'm thankful to be waiting when the weather is nice and I can pass the time with my family & friends. Of course I'll miss my boyfriend, but having a beer on a terrasse sure can help take your mind off things!
canannerFemaleCanada2011-05-09 23:40:00
Canadatax returns
Was anyone who did their interview in Montreal asked for more than the most recent year of tax returns? My fiance is not self-employed, makes above the limit, and got the letters from his job and the bank. He will have his most recent tax returns soon, but does not have access to the 2009 one. Would I be okay at the interview with all of those things, or will they ask me for 3 years of taxes as other countries seem to?
canannerFemaleCanada2011-06-11 23:12:00
Canadaafter case number, before packet 3

From now on you call DOS now for any question regarding your visa and the process. They have access to the consulates databases and Montreal doesn't answer calls and rarely do they reply to emails. It takes 2-3 weeks for your case to be sent to Montreal and they are notoriously slow. Montreal often takes a while to update the database so often, DOS won't be able to tell you anything until they do.

You need to register with DHL before your appointment with the consulate. The consulate uses DHL to mail your passport back to you but you can choose to send them your Packet3 by any means you want. I had no problem using Xpresspost (Canada Post). You will save yourself a lot of anxiety if you choose a courier service which confirms the delivery.

The instructions to register on the CSC are in your Packet 3 and you can also obtain them here : http://montreal.usco...ment=visa_pkt3.
You can register when you get your MTL000000000 case number.


Thank you for all the info!
canannerFemaleCanada2011-06-21 11:17:00
Canadaafter case number, before packet 3

If you want to find out when P3 is sent you call DOS.

I registered on CSC website right after we got approved but didn't register for DHL or try to book interview. You don't book for DHL so you can send P3 to MTL. You book for DHL so your passport can be sent back to you after your interview. I booked DHL location when I sent my P3. Didn't schedule an interview until P4 was sent to me! Hope this helps! :)


Thanks so much!
canannerFemaleCanada2011-06-21 11:13:00
Canadaafter case number, before packet 3
My fiance received a letter from the NVC dated June 15th with our case number, saying our case would be sent to Montreal within a week. I've been printing out forms like the DS-230 and 156 in prep, but there are a few things I'm wondering about. When do I make an account on the CSC Visa Information Service site? When do I register with DHL?(since I'll need it to mail packet 3 back, right?)

Also, if I want to find out if Packet 3 has been sent out, I would call the Department of State (1-202-663-1225) rather than the NVC or the embassy, correct?

Sorry about all the questions. I do a lot of research and VJ searches, but some things are still a bit fuzzy for some reason :blush:
canannerFemaleCanada2011-06-21 01:21:00
CanadaPostal strike

I have yet to receive packet 3 or 4 in the mail; my fiance, however received both in the US. Packet 3 was received about 2 weeks after they said it was mailed (altho I mailed my packet 3 back before receiving the physical copy), and packet 4 took about 5 days to get to him, all during the rotating strike. I mailed packet 3 to the address Ralyse mentioned via DHL (for free) and it was received the following day, altho it took about 8 business days to be logged.



oh weird, i didn't know my fiance would be receiving anything after this. i'm glad i know that i can mail packet 3 without actually physically receiving it.
canannerFemaleCanada2011-06-23 21:46:00
CanadaPostal strike

Well I could be doing it wrong too, but for you I used reference "EXP 15 JUN 2011A" and I see a package received and signed destined for Montreal on Friday, June 17, 2011 at 15:40 with waybill # 8816029460. I would call the DoS and give them your MTL case # to find out if it was received by the consulate and if they sent pkt 3. If so then you are good to go to send out the forms. The DoS phone # is 202-663-1225. Enter 1 then 0 to get an operator.

-Paul and Jennifer


wow, thank you so much!!! i was typing EXP 14 JUN, that's probably why i wasn't seeing anything.
canannerFemaleCanada2011-06-23 20:46:00
CanadaPostal strike

Hello,

I checked our k-1 visa status with the NVC and our approved petition was sent to Montreal on 6/20. Doing a DHL search it appears that the package was received and signed on 6/22 although calling the DOS they claim it has not yet been received. At any rate soon Montreal will be sending my fiancee the pkt 3. We are concerned that the postal strike will delay receiving the packet.

Questions:
1) Does Montreal send pkt 3 via Canadian post that is currently on strike?
2) Is there an email notification when the packet is sent?
3) Can we just send the forms to the consulate once we find out that pkt 3 was sent?
4) How are others sending the forms to the consulate to get around this postal strike? DHL?

Thank you,
-Paul and Jennifer


oh man, DOES montreal use canada post? for some reason i just assumed they used DHL or whatever to send packet 3. so far i've been worrying about the strike affecting when i receive my police record, which i applied for last week, but now i'm going to be worrying about packet 3 as well! though from what i've read on VJ, you can send in your packet 3 stuff without ever actually receiving it. you just need to know that it was officially sent out to you. apparently, strike or no strike, some people never actually receive packet 3 for whatever reason, so they just send off the required forms anyway (using this http://montreal.usco...ument=visa_pkt3)

another thing...you say that your case was sent from NVC and received by montreal within 2 days. how did you find that out? i called NVC yesterday and they told me my case was sent to montreal on june 14th, and i've been trying to use the DHL site (track by shipper's reference) to see if it's been received, but it looks like it hasn't. maybe i'm doing it wrong? it just seems like if yours got to montreal so fast, mine should already be there too! if you can give me any DHL website tips, i'd really appreciate it!
canannerFemaleCanada2011-06-23 16:22:00
CanadaFINALLY!!!

You don't need anything, all of your information should already be on the website and it will just tell you there is a date and you pick it on a calendar. When I called them two days ago they told me all appointments until the 29th of September were booked and they didn't know when Montreal was going to open October/November/December. Maybe they will open some afternoon appointments for us, that would be nice. :blink:


Oct/Nov/Dec holy #######...i'm mailing packet 3 on monday, by the time they get back to me who knows when i'll be able to snag an interview! :(
canannerFemaleCanada2011-06-25 23:31:00
CanadaAugust Interview dates Montreal

I'm getting ready to send off my packet 3 tomorrow and I was just wondering if anyone knows what the earliest dates for interviews in Montreal are?? I'm hoping there are still dates available in August.. Anyone know?? Can I check for myself??


i'm sending packet 3 tomorrow too! also nervous about interview dates. i'm scared it's gonna be like...november. :blink:
canannerFemaleCanada2011-06-26 22:28:00
Canadafiance flying back to the US w/my stuff

I would say that make sure he is helping you pack it as if he gets pulled by customs, they will ask the following;

is this your case?

he will be expected to know whats in it if its genuinely his!

equally, some ticket agents have pre screening for security questions; again make sure he knows whats in it as he will be asked did you pack this case yourself

be careful as it will vary from place to place!


thanks for the tip!
out of curiosity, do you know when/how this would be likely to happen? when you have checked luggage, you part with it right away and it goes through its own security scan before getting loaded onto the plane. would they actually look beyond the obvious 'dangerous items' check and wonder why a 'Mr' had women's clothing in his bag?
canannerFemaleCanada2011-06-29 16:27:00
Canadafiance flying back to the US w/my stuff
i'm pretty sure the answer is "go ahead, no problem", but i just wanted to double check here.

my fiance is coming to visit me soon for a week. he's flying with just a carry-on to vermont and getting a lift to montreal, and at the end of the visit he'll be flying home directly out of montreal. my question is, will he have any problems if i send him home with a suitcase of my stuff? i know that if it were by car, he'd have problems at the border trying to cross with a bunch of stuff that isn't his. but when you're flying, they don't care about your checked luggage or who the stuff in it belongs to as long as it matches the weight limit and gets paid for, right?
canannerFemaleCanada2011-06-29 14:57:00
CanadaMontreal Interviews
Hehe, at least they opened SOMEthing! My packet 3 got to Montreal July 28th, so today I start calling to see about packet 4. Hopefully by the time they tell me they've sent it, all the Oct/Nov interviews aren't already snatched up! (I try to say that lightheartedly but I'm actually freaking out)
canannerFemaleCanada2011-07-05 08:50:00
CanadaPkt 3 delivered to Montreal, can I book an interview now?

Ugh, called the DOS again today, but pkt 4 is still not logged. Lost 14 days of potential interview dates in the last 2 days. :o

-Paul and Jennifer


It really, really sucks. I hate calling the DoS because it's always bad news, yet I NEED to keep phoning because I don't want to miss even one day of potential interview dates. I can't believe other countries get all the post-NOA2 stuff done within a few weeks :(
canannerFemaleCanada2011-07-07 11:59:00
CanadaPkt 3 delivered to Montreal, can I book an interview now?
My packet 4 hasn't been sent yet, but since Montreal received my packet 3 last week, I'm just going to call the dept of state every day til I find out packet 4 is on its way. It's too bad the CSC site makes it look like you can go ahead and book, since it's a real temptation! But you aren't allowed so just gotta wait. :blush:
canannerFemaleCanada2011-07-06 12:47:00
CanadaRFE for packet 3

This is off topic and I apologize, but how did you send packet 3? Did you DHL it using the form with your reference ID, or just send it canada post? Also is that ALL you included? with the post strike and everything, we just never got the packet 3 letter from MTL. They emailed the link above to us instead when we asked. We have collected everything and are ready to send it out tomorrow... just want to make sure nothing else should be included!


I used DHL since there's an office 15 minutes from my house. It's free to send with them since they have a deal with the embassy. Now that the strike is over Canada Post is probably just as good. I assume the stuff on the website is sufficient, though based on my question I might not be the best person to ask if "nothing else should be included".
canannerFemaleCanada2011-07-10 21:32:00
CanadaRFE for packet 3
I'd been calling the Dept of State every day to see if packet 3 had been logged, and on Friday the woman said they logged it, but that they're sending me a letter asking for certain things. She said something about "the 156", "written by hand", and "photo page of my passport". When I asked her to repeat what the letter was telling me to correct, she said I was cutting out and kept not wanting to say more (understandable, I was calling from my laptop).

In my packet 3, I sent: cover letter, the DS-230 parts 1 and 2 (plus supplement for question 35), the checklist, 2 copies of the 156, the 156k, and the 160 confirmation receipt. I admit I filled in all the forms by hand, since I didn't know you HAD to type. I wrote very neatly and in capitals, but I guess it wasn't satisfactory.
Based on what other people dealing with Montreal had said on these forums, I didn't include 2 photos of myself since apparently you can bring those to the interview. I also didn't include a photocopy of my passport bio page since other people didn't say they included that. Oops...

I really don't want this to prolong my wait for packet 4/interview booking too much. I'm afraid the letter will either take ages to get here, or it'll come while I'm away this week (Tuesday to Friday), thus wasting precious time. So I'm wondering if I should:
a) Type up all the forms, photocopy my passport page, and send it all out again tomorrow. This assumes that the RFE isn't going to ask me for anything that's not on this page > http://montreal.usco...ument=visa_pkt3 . I'll phone the DoS first to see if they can tell me what the letter's requesting, which would be great. If they refuse to tell me, I'll send what I assume they want based on what the woman said on Friday.

b) wait for the letter. I get that this is logical, but all the interview dates available now are being snatched up and who knows how much a week will set me back :( ...
canannerFemaleCanada2011-07-10 21:04:00
CanadaWhat is required to send in for pkt 3

The other page here has a couple additional requirements to provide 2 passport photos and the biographic passport data. We did not include that and when we received pkt 4 there was an additional letter asking for them.
http://montreal.usco...ument=visa_pkt3

fyi,


This is useful info for future packet 3-ers. After sending in my packet 3 I received a letter asking for 2 photos and my passport bio page. I couldn't schedule the interview yet because they were also asking for my DS-156 again (I'd filled it in by hand the first time, oops!). Based on what some people are saying, it also seems like a good idea to bring passport photos with you to the interview even if you sent some with packet 3, because you never know what they're going to ask you for even if you already sent it. Ahh, bureaucracy... :no:
canannerFemaleCanada2011-07-19 11:56:00
Canadamontreal logged packet 3, packet 4 not sent

There was a gap between them receiving P3 and logging it... that could be what's happening here. They've gotten your additional documents but they haven't logged anything officially yet... just keep trying DoS is my only advice. Hopefully you can book soon :(


Thanks! I'd imagined they logged packet 3 and sent packet 4 on the same day, but I guess it makes sense that things are done one at a time. Hopefully when I call on Monday there'll be good news.
canannerFemaleCanada2011-07-22 14:37:00
Canadamontreal logged packet 3, packet 4 not sent
Just wondering if anyone can give me an idea of what to expect here...

Montreal received my packet 3 at the end of June. On July 7th, they sent me a letter saying they needed my passport bio page, 2 passport photos, and DS-156 typed online (I'd handwritten it). I mailed that all back. Just spoke to someone at the Dept of State now, and she said that they received that additional stuff yesterday, but they haven't sent packet 4 yet. She said "it'll be a while before you can book an interview".
Is there usually a time gap between when packet 3 is logged/complete and packet 4 is sent? I'm hoping by next week I'll get to book my interview because I'm going nuts here...
canannerFemaleCanada2011-07-22 14:26:00
Canadaforms too old at interview?

The I-134 should be done closer to the interview date and same with the evidence, its likely there will be an RFE at the interview because of the distance of the dates on the forms and evidence.


Thanks for the tip. Out of curiosity, how does an RFE at the interview work? Does it get you a conditional approval where you bring/send them what they need asap, or do they make you schedule a whole new interview?

I had an I-134 signed and dated in January with an interview in May. I included paystubs from January - May and I had no problems. :)


Sounds good!

Congrats on the interview date! Hope you get to move that sooner, but it's a good day!


Thanks Thea! I thought I'd want to move it sooner too, but I think it might work out perfectly with when I want to enter the US and get married, so yay! :)
canannerFemaleCanada2011-07-31 13:09:00
Canadaforms too old at interview?
I just got an interview date for November 2. My fiance had been working on gathering the required documents this month to bring with him when he visited me (he's here now with the stuff). Will they no longer be valid by the time I have my interview? Since he'll be mailing me pay stubs closer to November, would they support what his July-dated employer letter says (that he's full time at such-and-such job, etc)? Should he be filling out a new I-134 closer to the date?
canannerFemaleCanada2011-07-27 09:49:00
Canadaaug 15 interview in montreal available
someone with a sept or oct date should grab it so i can take their date! i'm nov 2nd and i want sooner, but not THAT soon :P
canannerFemaleCanada2011-08-03 15:12:00
CanadaSo if we were to ship a couple of boxes from Canada after I POE...

I realize that. The problem is that I, personally, am not shipping the items or bringing them with me when I POE. ...


From what I've read about this in other posts, your family/friends/whatever can ship your stuff to you using your visa number.
canannerFemaleCanada2011-08-04 11:47:00
CanadaWaiting for open appointments in Mtl

Anyone else out there still trying to get an appointment for Montreal? I'm just trying to get an idea of how long we'll have to wait.


Did you book your medical yet? I'd say get that done as soon as you can, that way after you get the results (a couple of days after the exam), you can grab pretty much any interview that opens up. For example, my medical is Aug 30th, and my interview is Oct 31st, but if I can nab a cancellation anytime in Sept or Oct on short notice, I totally will.

I think I recall seeing a thread somewhere on VJ that said what week of each month the new block of dates for the future opens up. Don't know if it's actually accurate, but might be worth a search.
canannerFemaleCanada2011-08-10 17:15:00
CanadaDHL Courier problems

I had the same issue a few months ago. If you have registered on CSC website and it still won't show up, they can fix your DHL registration problem if you email them at : contactus_en_CA@usvisa-info.com. You will receive a "don't call us we'll call you" generic answer but in a few days, they will actually reply saying they have registered your DHL location.

Here is the information you need to send so they can help you set it up :

Applicant ID # :
Case Number :
Passport number :
Date of birth :
Name in passport :
DHL Location :

Good luck!

Edit : typo.

oddly enough, when i tried this it didn't work. i got the generic answer, then they wrote saying that they can't help with visa stuff and that i should contact the embassy. what's funny is that they listed the few things they could help with, and DHL was one of them. i just sat there at my computer being all, "THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I ASKED YOU FOR!"

that said, when i got packet 4 and went ahead to book an interview, it let me select my DHL. so i wouldn't worry too much about not being able to do it before that.
canannerFemaleCanada2011-08-12 10:53:00
CanadaAOS: after wedding, before 90 days are up?
great, thanks!
canannerFemaleCanada2011-08-13 01:05:00
CanadaAOS: after wedding, before 90 days are up?
Reading up on the post-POE part of the K-1 process. From what I understand, you have to apply for Adjustment of Status after you've gotten married, but also before your 90 days are up. Is this true and/or very strict? I'm just worried because of the way I've planned things out; the best time for us to get married would be toward the end of the 90-day period, based on when I wanted to move.
canannerFemaleCanada2011-08-12 11:04:00
CanadaMontreal Review August 2011
Congratulations! Sucks about the appendix but at least that's over :(

Just a question- did they not ask you for any proof of ongoing relationship? Reading other Montreal reviews on here, it looks like they don't, but I just want to make sure.
canannerFemaleCanada2011-08-13 18:30:00
CanadaMy Montreal Interview experience...
"So I'm about my third dead Elk into the movie" = made my day
canannerFemaleCanada2011-08-04 11:26:00
Canadamedical results
I just phoned and the secretary said that it was up to me to call them. Then I asked "when do I have until?" and he said "anytime- we're open Monday to Friday, 7-5:30". So I'm going today, but at least I know I don't have to panic! Phew :P
canannerFemaleCanada2011-09-09 12:06:00
Canadamedical results

Call them, when I went to my medical they never called me. Was also told they don't retain the medical for very long after its ready to be picked up. Had to rush drive 2 hours to go pick it up from Montreal.


oh #######! hope i'm not too late...
canannerFemaleCanada2011-09-09 01:23:00
Canadamedical results
I did my medical on the 30th. They said to give 3 business days for the results. I thought that meant they would call me, but they haven't. Did I misunderstand and was supposed to call them? Do they only keep them for a certain amount of time?
canannerFemaleCanada2011-09-08 18:10:00
CanadaMedisys Montreal - Medical Review
I just wanted to mention that for the exam results, I was unclear on whether they would call me or if I had to call them, or just come back (they said "ready in 3 business days" but I couldn't remember if they'd mentioned phoning). 8 business days after my exam I called them asking whether my stuff was ready. I was a bit freaked out since I'd read on VJ that they don't keep your results long. I said "how long do I have to pick them up?" and their reply was basically whenever I could come, within their opening hours. So I don't actually know how long they keep them, but that receptionist made it sound pretty casual.
canannerFemaleCanada2011-09-12 01:59:00
CanadaMedisys Montreal - Medical Review

My medical went similar to your visit - except it took a couple of hours. I showed up around 9:40 for my 10am appt and didn't leave there until close to noon. The waiting room was very full and I was glad I had brought a book to read - although it was a nice surprise to have the 2 TVs in the waiting room.

When getting my height and weight measured I also had to do a very basic eye exam and then receive the shots that I was not able to get at my local walk-in clinic.

:)


Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the eye exam! I guess because it was so quick. Just your standard spoon-over-eye-and-read. :)

A previous reply on here was about shots, and whether you get them pre-appointment or at the appointment. No one mentioned shots to me while I was there, and with my results I got a vaccination chart outlining which I already have and which I don't, and for the shots I hadn't gotten it said that I might be eligible for a waiver since they aren't medically appropriate. So I guess if any of them were necessary, they would have told me at the appointment. Which shots did you need, if you don't mind me asking?
canannerFemaleCanada2011-09-12 01:53:00
CanadaMedisys Montreal - Medical Review

:wow: 3 months wait between your case is closed to your interview! Such a long wait! But yeah I know this is Montreal...
I was hoping to move in with my husband around February but I guess i'm too optimistic because I should get my NOA2 around the end of November, + 2 months at NVC it will be January + a few months wait before the interview at Montreal US consulate... Ok ok ... might be summer by then. Not February, lol. :dead:

Do you know if at Medisys they can update shots before the appointment? Or if i need updates they can do that during the appointment?

Well good luck for your interview! :D


Yeah, lots of waiting :( But you never know, when it comes time to wait for an interview you might grab someone's cancellation!

As for the shots, I'm not sure. I think you can get some at Medisys if need be, you'll just be paying more. But I've also heard that for shots (maybe all, maybe only certain ones, you'd really have to do a visajourney search for more info) you could even get the missing ones after you enter the US. Sorry to be so low on info! I got a sheet with my results called Vaccination Documentation Worksheet, and it says that I don't have all the shots I need, but that for the ones I'm missing, I may be eligible for a waiver since they are 'not age appropriate'. I'm not sure how that works, I guess the embassy will decide if I need them or not. I won't be running out to get them til I know what the deal is.

Thank you for your review. Good luck in your interview!


Thanks!!
canannerFemaleCanada2011-09-12 01:48:00
CanadaMedisys Montreal - Medical Review
Here's my recap, since a lot of people seem to share their experiences.

My appointment was for 10 am. I got there around 9:30 and the receptionist took my passport, 3 photos, vaccination booklet (optional), and packet 4 letter. I was sent to sit down with a form to fill out, but I'd only gotten halfway through when I was called over to do my x-rays. When they were done I finished the form and gave it back to the receptionist.

Waited a little longer and was then called in by the doctor for my checkup. It was very quick, just the usual blood pressure, flashlight in the ears/eyes/mouth, stethoscope, knee reflex, tummy/back check. Back to the waiting room, then into another room for the blood test (also where they take your height/weight).

Last wait, then called up to pay. Was told the results would be ready in 3 business days. Since they'd seen my vaccination booklet (which I'd thought wasn't completely up to date) and hadn't said anything about it, I asked the receptionist if that meant I didn't need any shots, or if I'd find out when I got the results. She said I didn't need any. Woohoo!

I think I got out at 10:40. So the whole thing was about an hour and ten minutes, which is amazing. Getting there early paid off because they started on me right away.

Have a great day everyone!
canannerFemaleCanada2011-08-30 12:37:00