Interview on a Friday

[JOHNNYBOY3115 0]

Hello,

Just found out our interview date!!! Nov 6th!!

However, the interview is on a Friday. In our packet, it says that they need to keep your passport overnight and they will give it back to you the next day. If this is the case, does that mean that we will get the passport back on a Monday considering they are not open on the weekend? Has anyone encountered a similar situation? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks VJ!!

[AbbynSheryl 0]

i wish u best of luck in interview.

abby n sheryl

[canadian_wife 1,829]

Where are you interviewing? Not sure about Vancouver but Montreal will mail your passport back to you visa an Expresspost envelope you bring with you to the interview

Good luck.

[TimandJoyce 1]

Can't answer about Montreal, but usually if the visa is approved, then you pick it up the next day. Being the interview is Friday, then yes, I'd guess in the afternoon on Monday. Or they will tell you to bring a Xpress envelope with you, ( addressed to you) and they will mail it out. I had mine mailed and received it no problem in good condition with my visa in my passport

[Darnell 8,479]

Does it matter on WHEN it is returned to you?

I'm hoping that you think 'having a visa stamp in the passport' is more important than 'when you receive it'.

[JOHNNYBOY3115 0]

We are interviewing in Montreal. So we bring an expressmial envelop. You interview and then they mail the passport back. Typically, how long does it take to get your passport back through express mail?

Also, does the visa and passport come back together in the expressmail or do they give you the visa that day?

[JOHNNYBOY3115 0]

Thanks for much for all the help so far.

The only reason I ask is because I need to know if we should book a hotel room for the weekend or just two days. Plus, our wedding on the 14th of Nov, one week after the interview!!! Funny how this wound up being perfect timing. However, we would like her to fly back here ASAP so we can work on the wedding. We set our wedding date over 8 months ago, and the interview winds up being one week before. HOW LUCKY!!!

Plus, we need to know the date to get her a flight back to the US

[trailmix 77]

A few things play in to how long it will take for you to receive the visa (btw the visa is in the passport, not separate).

- Where are you having the envelope sent to in Canada - transit time.

- The speed of the CO in producing your visa and getting it mailed out.

In some cases Montreal will let you pick it up the next day. This is 100% up to the CO who is doing the interview, it can't hurt to ask, just don't rely on getting it the next day.

As for timing, I have seen some get them in a few days, some in 2 weeks, it varies.

[JOHNNYBOY3115 0]

She needs to fly home to the US around 5 days from the interview for our wedding. Is there anyway she can cross the border without her passport and just have the passport mailed back to us in the US? Or does she need to wait in Canada to get her passport back?

If she has to wait in Canada for her passport there are two options: 1) stay in Montreal until the passport is processed or 2) go back to her mothers house in Port Colborn and have it express mailed there.

It seems that staying in Montreal would be the best option. I wouldnt trust the mail. What do you think?

[canadian_wife 1,829]

Oh boy, you're cutting it close. We asked in Montreal and they said they ONLY mail them back. It took us about 9 days to get the passport back. The visa is inside the passport. But please ask, they may take pity on you since your wedding is so soon after the interview.

I dont' think she can cross and get married without her passport, because the K-1 would be longer available for her since it is for fiance's and not married people, this is if you can get across the boarder patrol who require passports now.

Good luck

[trailmix 77]

Well the mail is pretty reliable (in that it does get there, just sometimes slowly ) - the hold up is more about when it is mailed out.

Since you are on such a tight schedule I would definately bring it up at the interview and hopefully the CO will agree that you can pick it up.

She can't cross the border without a passport - unless she already has a nexus card or an enhanced driver's license. Plus it's a whole other can of worms.

[Stephen + Elisha 92]

She needs to fly home to the US around 5 days from the interview for our wedding. Is there anyway she can cross the border without her passport and just have the passport mailed back to us in the US? Or does she need to wait in Canada to get her passport back?

Not an option for two reasons:

1. All air travelers must present a passport for entry to the US: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html
2. If she enters the US without the passport (with visa affixed inside), her status of stay will not be "K1 - Fiancee." If you guys then go ahead and get married, she will become ineligible for the K-1 and you'll have to start over from square 1 with an I-130 filing for a CR-1 spousal visa.

If she has to wait in Canada for her passport there are two options: 1) stay in Montreal until the passport is processed or 2) go back to her mothers house in Port Colborn and have it express mailed there.

It seems that staying in Montreal would be the best option. I wouldnt trust the mail. What do you think?

I agree with you and with subsequent posters: advise the consular officer at the interview of your timetable issues and ask to pick up the passport and visa in person.

(consulate issue - moving to US Embassy and Consulate Discussion)

Edited October 28, 2009 by Stephen + Elisha

[trailmix 77]

[*]If she enters the US without the passport (with visa affixed inside), her status of stay will not be "K1 - Fiancee." If you guys then go ahead and get married, she will become ineligible for the K-1 and you'll have to start over from square 1 with an I-130 filing for a CR-1 spousal visa.

Very good point. If you intended to cross the border, get married then come back and get her visa - as Stephen+Elisha mentioned - that can't be done.

[UnIqUe 4]

What type of air ticket I need to buy? One way or round ticket for K-1?

Thanks

[Stephen + Elisha 92]

What type of air ticket I need to buy? One way or round ticket for K-1?

Thanks

Whichever is cheapest. The CBP agent won't care what type of ticket it is.

Please refrain from hijacking someone else's thread with an unrelated question—start a new topic instead. Thanks!