ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
CanadaApproved November Filers - The Wait for Interview

Jeremy, the number is 202.663.1225 Press 1, then 0 to get right to an operator who can then check on your MTLblahblah case's status. :)


Thanks. I will check out that other thread too as we are getting an IR1 visa, not a K visa.

Cheers,
Jeremy
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-05-10 23:57:00
CanadaApproved November Filers - The Wait for Interview
Hello,

I'm nearing NVC approval and I've started reading this thread because I'm wondering what to expect once our case goes to Montreal. From what people are saying, it sounds like it takes them some unpredictable amount of time to issue the interview date. What phone number do you call to check up on this? I'm familiar with the automated voice system for the NVC but is there a different one for the Montreal consulate?

It sounds from the ongoing discussion that they issue interview dates in "batches". How often does a batch get issued? How do you know when the batch has come out?

Thanks,
Jeremy
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-05-10 18:09:00
CanadaHow to Conquer the Montreal Consulate Backlog
Cross posting this topic, which I posted yesterday in another forum.

I have shared details of how we were able to contact a supervisor at the Montreal Consulate and get our cased processed faster than it might have been otherwise.

http://www.visajourn...nsulate-backlog
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-12-03 18:46:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview
Kathy and our son Adam now have their visas, and we are now together in the US!

I just wanted to warn people however about how slow it can be at POE. Kathy flew out of Toronto Pearson Intl, terminal 1. Her flight was booked for Saturday Dec. 11 at 9:15am. She arrived at the airport with our 2yr old son Adam at 6:15am and was face to face with a U.S. customs officer by 7:00am. He instructed her to wait in a secondary area for her visa to be stamped. She waited there for OVER 2 HOURS AND MISSED HER FLIGHT!!! The Air Canada representative in the Customs waiting area could not do anything to help, and told her that this was an unusually slow day. Once she got called up it took only 30 seconds for them to take her papers and stamp her passport. Since her bags had not yet been checked, however, she couldn't board her flight because they need at least 30 minutes to process the baggage.

Kathy and Adam stayed at a hotel and took the same flight the following day. With their visas already processed, they didn't need to wait in the secondary area this time. However, they did notice that on Sunday it was WAY less busy.

I wish someone had told us that this could happen. We thought that arriving at the airport 3 hours early would be plenty of time, but on a bad day apparently not. Be warned!

Edited by Jeremy&Kathy, 13 December 2010 - 11:22 AM.

Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-12-13 11:22:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview

wHO SHOULD REGISTER ON THAT WEB SITE THE US CITIZEN AND THE ADD FAMILY MEMBER OR THE CANADIAN???


The applicant (Canadian who will be immigrating to the US) must register. You will choose a DHL courier location where your passports and visas will be mailed to you when they are issued. You will get a "reference ID" that you can use at dhl.ca for tracking purposes.
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-12-11 02:27:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview

A friend of mine got her interview for Jan 12th. Can someone explain the whole DHL thing to us?

Thanks


Your friend's interview letter explains that she must log in to this site using her passport number and birth date:

http://www.usvisa-in...lfservice/login

Here is a post where I explain the process in detail:

http://www.visajourn...ost__p__4238348

There's a ton of good information if you read through the posts for this topic. I highly recommend it.

Jeremy
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-12-08 19:23:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview

I just created a new topic that tells a summarized version of the story with advice for people in my situation.

http://www.visajourn...sulate-backlog/


As of this morning, dhl.ca shows that our visas have been shipped! Hooray!! Thank you Mr. Scott the IV Unit Supervisor!!!
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-12-04 09:56:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview

That's great news! Keep us updated.

If you have the time, I think it would be very helpful for others if your experience was available to read in a dedicated post.


I just created a new topic that tells a summarized version of the story with advice for people in my situation.

http://www.visajourn...sulate-backlog/
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-12-02 20:34:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview

Wow, crazy update to our story. I would add this to my review but I can't find a way to edit it...


Another update!

It's been about 2 weeks since the IV Unit Supervisor Scott Foswell (sp) called me in response to my "plea for help" fax. This morning I faxed the consulate again begging and pleading to have our very simple case processed in time for the holidays, and preferably by next week when we had booked flights.

I got another call from Scott this afternoon after he received my fax. He explained to me that it takes 4 days for their mail to get from the ground floor up to the consulate because all of their mail goes through a security screening process (they screen for anthrax and other bad stuff). So although DHL tracking said the consulate received our mail on Nov 19, it didn't reach the supervisor's desk until Nov 23. Just a little fact for others to be aware of!

He said that he had located our file and would process it himself today. It would then be submitted for FBI name/fingerprint screening and if all goes well our visas should be printed TOMORROW!!

I was astonished to actually get this level of response and attention directly from the Consulate, after the other stories I have heard. For what it's worth, the "secret technique" that seemed to do the trick was to fax the Montreal Consulate and address it to "IV Unit Supervisor". They have two fax numbers and I sent it to both:

514.398.0973
514.398.9748

I'm thinking I will probably start a new topic to tell this whole story again. I have posted it here because I wasn't sure where else to put it... but now that I think of it I could just start another topic and post links elsewhere that reference it.
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-12-02 19:20:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview

probably I still suggust giving dos a call to check in


Good idea. They are closed for the day so I'll try tomorrow.
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-11-30 18:17:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview

did you put it in the reference track box?


Yes. The middle column where I entered it under "Reference Number:". I'm guessing this is probably normal and as soon as it's been shipped it will display some tracking information.
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-11-30 18:14:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview

From The dhl.ca site using the reference ID
...


Hey Canadiandggal, thanks for the info. Very glad I asked!

I just went to dhl.ca, clicked on "Track" and then entered our reference ID. It just says "No record found for this reference number.". Is that normal and should I assume it just means that Montreal hasn't yet sent it? Or should I worry that something is wrong?

Jeremy
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-11-30 18:02:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview
I have a question for those who recently received their visas. We mailed in Kathy's medical exam results late and we are now waiting for Montreal to issue the visa. According to this web page, we should be able to check status online:

http://csc.public.s3...ructions_en.pdf

I have been logging in every day and compulsively refreshing the "My Account" page, hoping to see "Applicant Status: Ready for Pickup". Was anyone else successful at getting accurate and timely information about their visa return status from this new online system? Does it tell you anything as soon as it has been shipped? Or does it only display status information once it is ready for pick-up at your DHL location?

It feels rather futile, when day after day there is nothing posted there. I would like to hear from others whether or not this new system actually works!

Jeremy
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-11-30 17:36:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview
I hope you're right, OBX! CaliforniaGuy you might be right... although it would seem very strange for an anti-English french guy to work for the U.S. consulate! He was a U.S. citizen himself, he mentioned during the call. I have worked with French Canadians over the years and they do tend to be a bit arrogant, but I always thought that was just cultural and not discriminatory. :)

Jeremy
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-11-20 14:29:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview
Wow, crazy update to our story. I would add this to my review but I can't find a way to edit it. Anyone know if there's a way?

Yesterday Kathy got her medical results and immediately shipped them DHL to the Montreal Consulate. Today we saw through the DHL tracking that it was delivered in the morning.

During the interview last Friday, the staff member who collected our papers told us that when we mail in the medical results, it could take weeks for them to process the backlog of mail and get to it. We pleaded and begged him to tell us how we could possible speed this up. He eventually told us that we could address our correspondence to "IV Unit Supervisor" and it would increase our chances of getting processed more quickly.

So, not only did we address the DHL package directly to the IV Unit Supervisor, we also emailed the consulate at montreal-iv-dv@state.gov and faxed them as well at two different fax numbers we tracked down: 514-398-0973 and 514-398-9748. The fax/email was a single page with large bold letters "PLEASE PRIORITIZE: URGENT: TRAVEL PENDING" addressed to the IV Unit Supervior. I briefly explained our situation that we are now separated and my wife is stuck in Toronto staying with friends, and we have paid our son's school fees and he is missing classes. I creatively begged and pleaded in various ways and asked them to do their best to prioritize our case, which was missing only the medical results and was otherwise approved.

2 hours later, after sending the faxes and email, I get a call from a 514 number. It's the IV Unit Supervisor named Scott with a french Canadian accent. He is very irate with me and asking why he has this letter on his desk with the huge bold font. I suppose I went a bit overboard... due to the volume of their mail I figured it was the only way to get their attention... and it worked! But man... I was shaking at the end of this 10 minute phone call.

I explained to him that we were told by the staff member at our interview that we should address our correspondence to him, in order to increase our chance of getting our processing sped up. He demanded to know which staff member it was, and when I didn't know his name he grunted and complained about how his staff need to be taught what they are and aren't allowed to tell people. He went on to complain to me about how people are told they shouldn't make travel arrangements but they do it anyways. It was hard to get a word in edgewise... I got the feeling that my letter blew his top and he just started venting all his personal frustrations built up over the past year. It was kind of humorous to witness, actually!

He asked me why I paid for my son's school when there are no guarantees of when a visa will be issued. I told him that we had no choice because one of the pieces of evidence they specifically ask for is proof that children are registered for school. When I said this, his demeanor changed significantly. He said that he could understand that, and then paused and tripped on his words, trying to remain tough and strict, but understanding. He then repeated about 8 times in different words that he couldn't guarantee any specific date but he would do his best to give priority to our case.

He started complaining again... this time about seemingly random things, as though he wasn't quite finished venting. He talked about how so many people contact their congressmen because of the delays, and how difficult it is to deal with that on top of everything else. I couldn't help but feel for the guy. It must be a crappy job. Eventually I had to interrupt him and apologize for taking more of his time than I had originally intended. The conversation ended on a good note.

We have no guarantees but I think our efforts may have worked. Crossing our fingers now... anyhow, I hope this story is helpful to others who come after!!

Jeremy
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-11-19 22:50:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview
I just posted a review of our Nov. 12 interview in Montreal.

http://www.visajourn...le.php?id=71686

If you don't want to read the whole thing, here's a summary:

Dr. Sieden delayed my wife's medical results because of a chest x-ray abnormality, so we had to run around Toronto and get a CT scan. It turned out to be fine but without the results in time for the interview we are now stuck waiting for Montreal to process their huge backlog of mail before they can recieve the results, which could take weeks. DO YOUR MEDICAL EXAM EARLY! Better yet, get your own doctor to do a chest x-ray a year ahead, when you first apply. Then you can make sure this won't happen to you!

All else was straightforward. It was TOTALLY UNNECESSARY for us to go early at 6:30am as other people suggested. Maybe it was a slow day. We could have slept a bit more!

Jeremy
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-11-18 20:20:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview
I figure we should probably keep posting this link every week or so, since new people may not know that this spreadsheet goes together with this VJ topic:

https://spreadsheets...uthkey=CKnQx7gC

The permissions are set so that anyone with the link can view and edit the spreadsheet. It is volunteer maintained by all of us collectively. Please add yourself and update anything you see that needs updating!

Jeremy
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-11-08 20:27:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview
More people are asking me where I found all that information. Here are the detailed steps for how I found it.

I started out by visiting http://www.immigrantvisas.state.gov.

From there, click "prepare for your visa interview abroad" and it will take you here: http://travel.state..../info_3731.html

From there, click "Review the U.S. Embassy/Consulate General-specific Interview Guidelines." and it will take you here: http://travel.state..../info_3742.html

Choose MTL as the consulate and click the button to download a PDF file with specific details for Montreal interviews. That is the same PDF file I posted a link to before. Here it is again: http://travel.state....L-0008-1009.pdf

Inside that PDF file it says to visit the other NEW scheduling site to choose your DHL location: http://canada.usvisa-info.com/

You log in there by clicking the link in the bottom right corner of the main page to schedule an appointment online. It's confusing because you won't actually schedule an interview; it was already scheduled for you by the NVC. Clicking that link takes you here: http://www.usvisa-in...lfservice/login

Check the "I have read..." box and click confirm. Now you enter your passport number and personal info, enter the captcha phrase and log in. For your first visit, you may have to click "schedule an appointment" or "add applicant", I can't remember exactly. If you have already done this previously you will see applicant details displayed, and you can modify those details by clicking "schedule an appointment". Again, very misleading because it doesn't actually let you schedule an appointment until later on. This sequence of forms is for filling out your trip purpose and DHL location.

NOTE: From here on I cannot provide the URL links because they are specific to your passport number and you have to be logged in.

You will get to a point where it asks you for your "Trip Purpose" and you have about two dozen options to choose from. Select the 3rd option from the end of the list "Permanently Immigrate to the US (Scheduled by NVC)".

Next it asks you for the consulate and the only choice available should be Montreal.

Next it asks you for your DHL courier location where you want your visa mailed to. I used Google Maps to figure out which one was closest for us.

Next it displays an information page with three expandable topics giving information about how to prepare for the interview. That is the information that I posted yesterday in the forum.

Next, you have the chance to add more family members or log out. DO NOT proceed with scheduling an interview! Once all applicants have been added and the DHL location selected you are done.

Finally, I found more specific information about the Montreal Consulate on their web site: http://montreal.usconsulate.gov. There is a phone number for the consulate posted there. I haven't tried calling it but if you are unsure about anything you could try calling them: 514.398.9695

Jeremy

Edited by Jeremy&Kathy, 15 October 2010 - 11:01 AM.

Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-10-15 10:59:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview
chrylhltn added to the timeline.

https://spreadsheets...uthkey=CKnQx7gC

Note: anyone can edit this timeline spreadsheet! You do not need special permission.
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-10-14 22:46:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview

Would it be possible to post the link to this website ?


No, I would have if I could have. This information only appeared within the context of my logged in session. I can't post a link to it unfortunately. The best I can do is give the link to the main site where I began by logging in with our passport numbers and personal info:

http://canada.usvisa-info.com/

You are right that it seems to suggest the U.S. citizen spouse is not allowed to accompany you! I noticed that too. However, there is another PDF document with details about Montreal that said that a U.S. citizen may accompany you. Here is the link to that document:

http://travel.state....L-0008-1009.pdf

These overlapping immigration departments seem to be very disorganized, duplicating information inconsistently and even offering some of the same services without communicating with each other or making it clear to us how things work. I am very used to it now and have come to expect it after more than a year of wading through this madness!
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-10-14 22:33:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview
When I entered our DHL location using the new scheduling site for Canada, I came across this other general information that was very informative. It answers some questions that were asked here a few weeks ago, and clears up some of the confusion about how we're supposed to use this new system when our interviews were already scheduled by the NVC.

---------------------------------------

General Visa Information

The information provided here is only for applicants that have already begun the Immigrant Visa Process and have been scheduled by the National Visa Center for an appointment. Please click on the Immigrant Visas option from the left hand menu for general information regarding how to begin the Immigrant Visa Process.

You have indicated that the applicant has received an Appointment Letter from the National Visa Center (NVC), providing the applicant with an appointment date and time. Do not schedule an appointment using this site unless the applicant cannot attend the appointment at the date and time indicated in the letter. Please do follow the steps to select your DHL location and register your information in the system. However, when you reach the calendar page with the option to select an appointment date you may sign out.

A new appointment may be scheduled if the applicant cannot attend the appointment that was provided.

If action is not taken on the application within one year, it will be assumed that it was abandoned and will be terminated.

If the applicant has lost the letter, and is not sure how to proceed, please use the Contact Us option at the top of this Web page to submit an inquiry. The inquiry must include a valid email address and phone number, along with the case number and the applicant's full name. If there are multiple members of the family, you must include the case number for each applicant.


As each case varies, please follow the instructions in the letter exactly, including the preparation of the required documents, as well as any details regarding medical examinations.


Specific Visa Application Procedures for Canada

Please arrive on time, but not earlier than 20 minutes before the scheduled appointment time. Present the appointment confirmation and documentation to the U.S. Consular Section upon arrival. If the applicant needs a Canadian visa to enter Canada to apply for a visa, it is the applicant's responsibility to obtain one.

The following items are not permitted in the U.S. Consular Sections: cameras, tape recorders, pagers, cell phones, video cameras, radios, calculators, food and drink, computers, electronic car keys or actual and potential weapons including sharp or pointed items. Guards are required to search all bags, purses, backpacks and similar belongings prior to entry into the Consular Section.

Any visitor who declines to be screened by U.S. Consular Section security personnel will be prohibited from entering the Consular Section.

Appearing for an interview does not guarantee a visa will be issued. In most cases, if the visa is issued, it will be available for pick-up at the DHL location of the applicant's choice within the following three business days. However, in some cases, visa applications may require special processing that can take several weeks or months for approval. Because processing times vary, the applicant should request a visa interview well in advance of the planned departure for the United States and should not make non-refundable travel arrangements until the visa has been received.

Personal Appearance
In general, all applicants must appear in person for the visa interview at which time, in addition to an interview, the consular officer will digitally capture the fingerprints of applicants ages between 14 and 79. Under very limited circumstances the personal appearance requirement may be waived (medical emergencies), but the applicant must still be physically present in the district where the application is submitted.

In the case of applicants under 14 years, a parent or guardian must appear in person to accompany them.

Accompanying Persons
The following persons may accompany a visa applicant during his or her visit to the Consular Section:


* Interpreters: An applicant may bring one interpreter if he does not speak English (or French if applying in Montreal or Quebec City) well enough to participate unassisted in the visa interview.
* Special Needs Assistants: An applicant may bring one person to assist him if he is elderly, disabled, or a minor child.
The following persons may not be allowed into the U.S. Consular Section premises:

* Attorneys: An applicant may not be accompanied by his or her attorney(s).
* Drivers, friends, extra relatives, and others not specifically named above cannot be permitted to enter and will be asked to return to meet the applicant after the interview is complete.
* Due to the limited size of the Consular Section waiting rooms, the high volume of visa applicants, and the time required to screen consular clients, other accompanying persons cannot and will not be admitted to the Consular Section.


Specific Application Documents for Canada

Examples of proof of income/ties:

* A current letter of employment (or that of the family member or person providing the applicant financial support) showing date hired, salary and position
* Pay slips and tax documents
* School letter with proof of tuition payment and a copy of official transcript
* Property deeds
* Canada Immigration Documents showing the applicant's current legal status in Canada (permanent resident card, student/work permit and/or visa, and/or temporary resident permit)
* Monthly bank statements
* Proof of sufficient funds to cover all expenses while in US
* Evidence which shows purpose of trip
If an applicant is self-employed or owns a business, the applicant should bring:

* The most recent tax returns
* Most recent tax returns for the business and/or business' financial statement
* Certificate of incorporation
* Proof that the business is currently operating and generating income
If an applicant is studying in Canada, the applicant should bring:


* School attendance records (school transcripts showing grades, registration letter, records of tuition payments, letters of acceptance)
* If working part-time, letter from employer and pay slips
* Financial documents such as recent bank statements or statements from investment accounts in Canada
Proof of prior visits to the United States


* Expired passports with old visas.
* I-20 forms and transcripts if the applicant was a student
* I-797 forms
* I-94 cards
* Employment Authorization cards
Police and Court Records


* If the applicant has ever been arrested or convicted of a crime anywhere in the world, bring in associated court documents.
Proof of Family Relationships


* If the applicant's spouse and/or children will be applying for derivative visa status (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate, adoption papers, etc.).
The following documents are generally not useful:

* Credit or debit cards
* Documents from countries outside Canada
* Letters of support from third parties
* Airline tickets
* Student ID cards
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-10-14 19:55:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview
Just got our email today too! Visa interview scheduled for NOVEMBER 12. Woohoo!!!

https://spreadsheets...uthkey=CKnQx7gC

Jeremy
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-10-12 17:09:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview

I had my interview Sept. 24th & still haven't received my visa. It was just issued on Oct. 8th. Should receive it some time this week.


From what you are saying, it sounds like there is a wait time between "approved at interview" and "visa issued". How do you know when it was issued? Do they email you to let you know that it's been issued and has been mailed?

I wonder why it took 2 weeks for it to be issued for you. Did they explain anything to you after the interview about this?

P.S. ...Still curious to hear from others as well! I want to know if this is common, and in general how consistent the timing is for those who are approved at their interviews.

Jeremy
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-10-11 13:29:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview
I suspect this has already been answered somewhere. When you get approved at your visa interview, how many days later can you expect to receive the visa in the mail? For those of you who have been through it already, I'd appreciate if you could share the exact timing of when you received the visa.

We are planning our flights and we want to assume the best case and book a flight to the USA that will get us there as soon as possible after we get the visa. We'd rather risk having to reschedule the flight if we are rejected than pay a much higher price for a ticket on short notice.

Is 2 weeks after the visa interview date too early to book our flight? Has anyone ever had it take longer than 2 weeks to get the visa in the mail?? Or could we go even shorter than that?

Jeremy
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-10-11 12:33:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview

I will appreciate if someone can please provide information on what this new appointment system/website is? I have filed for my wife's CR1 through a lawyer (yes.. they dont answer many questions :-)) NVC case complete was Sep 7th 2010. When can I use this appointment system? thx


Hi ski10,

I've added you to the timeline spreadsheet. This should give you an idea how long you can expect to wait after your NVC completion date to receive an interview date. As far as we know the new appointment system is not relevant until NVC has issued you a date. We're all still a bit confused if/how this new system is relevant to us.

Timeline spreadsheet:
https://spreadsheets...=CKnQx7gC#gid=0

You don't have your VJ timeline filled out yet so I don't know the rest of your dates. Feel free to update the spreadsheet yourself with your dates.
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-09-16 18:28:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview

Does anyone know who member "w3" is? This member is in our timeline spreadsheet but I cannot find this member on VisaJourney at all. Whoever it is is likely getting their interview date today as well.


I figured it out. CAN2US was missing. I think that someone accidentally typed "w3" and changed CAN2US's name. Fixed!
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-09-15 20:53:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview
Does anyone know who member "w3" is? This member is in our timeline spreadsheet but I cannot find this member on VisaJourney at all. Whoever it is is likely getting their interview date today as well.
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-09-15 19:34:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview

Interesting. When I called that new number the woman said that I must have a letter/email indicating that it is time for me to schedule our interview. She said that she could go ahead and schedule an interview for us but it wouldn't do us any good unless we have been instructed by NVC that this is the next step we should take.

It definitely seems there is some confusion with this new system. I am very curious to see what NVC says when you call them. I am waiting now to get an NVC operator and ask what is going on with this new system.

Jeremy


Ok, just got off the phone with an NVC operator. He said we still don't have an interview date and will be notified when one is scheduled. I asked him about this new system and new phone number for Canadians, and he had no idea what I was talking about. He said that nobody at the NVC has heard of appointments getting scheduled in any way other than through them, and that nothing has changed recently as far as he knows.

I'm tempted to try and do what AB2CO did and schedule one through that new system... but wary that it might not be meant for us at all. I presume that everyone else who got interviews today got them through calling the normal NVC phone number? Or did you get an email?

Jeremy
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-09-15 17:56:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview

OK . . . I think I just scheduled an interview??!!!

I had been trying to call NVC all day; tried about a dozen times and got a busy signal every time . . . so I thought I'd try Sweetcheeksss' suggestion and call the 514... number. The lady who answered didn't seem to be totally clear on what I was looking for . . . definitely seemed to be following some sort of flowchart . . . but eventually she asked do I want to "Permanently Immigrate to the US (Ready to Schedule)" and I said YES.
And she said the first slot I have is Oct 20 @ 9:00 AM . . . and I said "YES - I"LL TAKE IT!!!". Another thing that seems to be new is that it now seems your passport and visa is returned to your local branch; no ExpressPost envelope.

So I now have an "Appointment Confirmation Email". I think another email wilkl follow, as this email doesn't seem to have a lot of details about the medical or other stuff I would have expected . . . hence why I started by saying I THINK I just scheduled an interview.

I am going to try and get through to the NVC later and see if they now tell me I have an interview scheduled.


Interesting. When I called that new number the woman said that I must have a letter/email indicating that it is time for me to schedule our interview. She said that she could go ahead and schedule an interview for us but it wouldn't do us any good unless we have been instructed by NVC that this is the next step we should take.

It definitely seems there is some confusion with this new system. I am very curious to see what NVC says when you call them. I am waiting now to get an NVC operator and ask what is going on with this new system.

Jeremy
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-09-15 17:44:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview
I just tried calling the new 1.877.341.2441 number for Canadians. They said that they can't book an appointment for me until we have a letter from the NVC indicating that it is time for us to do so. I guess we still need to keep waiting and calling the NVC before calling that other number for the new system.
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-09-15 17:34:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview
Wonderful news! It looks like people have been updating the spreadsheet which is great. I'm re-posting the link here for people who forgot it:

https://spreadsheets...uthkey=CKnQx7gC

Jeremy
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-09-15 17:25:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview
Just called NVC and the operator said they are in the process of scheduling October interviews this week. He said that the scheduling could continue into early next week. I have my fingers crossed for all the May folks. Not feeling hopeful for my wife and I as we completed at NVC on June 4th. But who knows, maybe they will get a good bunch of them scheduled.
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-09-13 15:48:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview
The train is moving again! Interview was scheduled for Shewolf today. I have updated the timeline spreadsheet:

https://spreadsheets...uthkey=CKnQx7gC

Angie 'n Mark were approved at their interview on the 25th and their review has some good tips:

http://www.visajourn...le.php?id=73450

Jeremy
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-09-01 18:50:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview
Ok, I have heard some of you were able to cross the border and visit your US citizen spouse while you were waiting for your interviews. My Canadian wife is now planning to do this as well. We are very nervous about how she might be questioned at the border, or worst case, she'll be denied entry and we'll have wasted the money on the plane ticket.

Those of you who did this successfully, I have some questions. When you approached the customs officer and presented your passport, what did you tell them? Were you up front about the fact that you had a pending immigration case, or did you just say "I'm going to visit my husband/wife in the US". What questions were you asked? Did they want proof that you were not going to stay there?

Anything at all you can share that could help us prepare for the day of her flight would be very much appreciated.

Jeremy
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-08-28 19:55:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview
Yeah, this is really starting to suck. We were seeing 70-90 DTI for awhile there, and then suddenly this huge backlog and barely a single interview scheduled for 2 months. I wonder if this is seasonal. If we had stats for multiple years to look at, maybe we would find out that this always happens every summer.

The worst part is that we've got people with NVC complete in June who are disappointed, but most of the May people are still waiting! Not to mention 2 people from late April are still waiting. The worrisome part: does this mean us June folks are gonna get bumped to November? I was optimistic on Monday and now I'm depressed too.
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-08-19 19:28:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview
Hey folks,

If some of you are getting permission errors trying to view the spreadsheet, please try this link instead:

https://spreadsheets...uthkey=CKnQx7gC

There is an "authkey" part at the end that is required for anonymous users to have permission, which I had previously left out.

Sorry!

Jeremy
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-08-18 10:44:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview
I did some digging through member lists and found a good dozen or so people to add to the Montreal timeline. Tons more data there now:

https://spreadsheets...Stv5jMJGDUZhMiQ

There are even more people on VJ waiting than what we had previously known... crazy when you look and there is only 1 green row left - Angie'nMark with their interview next week. What's going on Montreal?!?
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-08-17 21:44:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview

Ren&Amber added.


Added Ren&Amber to the new Google spreadsheet:
https://spreadsheets...uthkey=CKnQx7gC

NOTE: This spreadsheet is publicly editable by anyone with the link. You can update your information there directly.

Jeremy
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-08-17 20:15:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview
I just called NVC this morning to ask about interview scheduling. We haven't had ours scheduled yet, but the operator told me that they aren't yet finished scheduling for September interviews. She said that the September interview scheduling would be completed within the next few days, possibly even by tomorrow. She said I should check back again at end of week.

This sounds promising. I'm now feeling optimistic that a bunch of us (especially those with NVC case complete in May) should get their September interviews any day now. My case complete was June 4th so I'm not sure about our case, but for many of you there is hope!

Jeremy
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-08-16 08:48:00
CanadaIR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview

Good. I will too. It's so insulting to be told "you're in the cue, etc." We obviously KNOW that we're in the cue. The question is: Why isn't the cue MOVING, like, AT ALL? When I asked that question explicitly to the operator at DoS he said, "Well, we make no guarantees when it comes to processing times. Some people wait 10 years for a visa." VERY discouraging. Honestly: I'm starting to regret ever embarking on this process.

C.


I may do this soon too. If we all call our senators, perhaps immigration will pay more attention, and do something about the Montreal bottleneck.

Jeremy
Jeremy&KathyMaleCanada2010-08-14 21:51:00