Passports and interviews

[jonesg111 0]

I thought I remembered reading somewhere that at the interview in Montreal they take your passport and then it gets express mailed back to you.

Am I remembering right?

[JillA 2]

You are indeed. They keep your passport in order to affix your visa inside, then they mail it back to you (you must provide the Xpresspost envelope requested)

[MrsCat 6]

You are indeed. They keep your passport in order to affix your visa inside, then they mail it back to you (you must provide the Xpresspost envelope requested)

If you're flying to MTL or VAN, make sure that you bring an alternate piece of ID to board the plane. Make sure you show up to the Consulate with the Xpresspost envelope, otherwise you'll be sent away to buy one and come back.

Also, I believe your passport needs to be valid at least 6 months beyond the date of your interview.

[jonesg111 0]

You are indeed. They keep your passport in order to affix your visa inside, then they mail it back to you (you must provide the Xpresspost envelope requested)

If you're flying to MTL or VAN, make sure that you bring an alternate piece of ID to board the plane. Make sure you show up to the Consulate with the Xpresspost envelope, otherwise you'll be sent away to buy one and come back.

Also, I believe your passport needs to be valid at least 6 months beyond the date of your interview.

Ugh that stinks! We were planning on going to Vermont on that same trip to visit my in-laws! My guess is that the interview will be in June sometime since I'm mailing that last bit of paperwork tomorrow. Isnt it in June when everyone is required to have a passport even for land border crossings?

[Kathryn41 3,205]

You are indeed. They keep your passport in order to affix your visa inside, then they mail it back to you (you must provide the Xpresspost envelope requested)

If you're flying to MTL or VAN, make sure that you bring an alternate piece of ID to board the plane. Make sure you show up to the Consulate with the Xpresspost envelope, otherwise you'll be sent away to buy one and come back.

Also, I believe your passport needs to be valid at least 6 months beyond the date of your interview.

Ugh that stinks! We were planning on going to Vermont on that same trip to visit my in-laws! My guess is that the interview will be in June sometime since I'm mailing that last bit of paperwork tomorrow. Isnt it in June when everyone is required to have a passport even for land border crossings?

Yes, June 1st is the final implementation date for WHTI where everyone entering the US will require a passport or other approved document (ie enhanced DL or passport card, etc.)

Edited March 3, 2009 by Kathryn41

[k34 0]

Yes, luckily I realized this. I knew it all along, but momentarily forgot when I considered traveling to my interview via Chicago because I could bus there and fly from there cheaper than traveling directly from Windsor (especially considering the last train is in the morning so I will need to stay the night after the interview and leave the next morning). Once I realized why the return trip to Chicago wouldn't work out, I decided to fly there from Chicago and take the train home after the interview.

Whew... So many little details to work out for all aspects of this big change!

I can't think of any way that your Vermont visit will work out the way you were hoping unless it's before the passport requirement for land crossing takes effect (not sure whether it's still June or if they have extended it further).

Ah... Kathryn was quicker than me. What about a Nexus card? Or that probably doesn't help at the border crossing you would need. Sorry to not be more help.

Edited March 3, 2009 by k34