Approval times in Montreal after the interview

[intuitionsys 0]

I was curious if anyone was either in our situation or has already gotten through it. Two documents at our interview were deemed unacceptable at our interview so we had to gather acceptable ones and mail them to the consulate which we have already done, and according to the tracking number, they have arrived and were "successfully delivered" whatever that means. Montreal has yet to contact us to let us know they have actually received the documents let alone whether or not they are reviewing them. They haven't responded to any e-mails that is also no big surprise but also extremely frustrating.

Does anyone know on average how long they take to review documents that are sent in after the interview? They told us it might take an extra four weeks but never specified an extra four weeks from what exactly. Should we consider contacting our Congressman once we reach the four week point?

Without any communication whatsoever this living in limbo leaves us wondering if there is any other choice. Some people say no, you'll just annoy them further and give them more cause to give you grief, while others seem to have had some success going this route when all else fails. We're not to that point yet but it would be nice to hear from anyone who might have had some results, negative or positive, involving their Congressman or Senator. My Congressman actually has an office in the building I work in so it's a tempting option assuming it's not also a futile one.

[jonesg111 0]

I was curious if anyone was either in our situation or has already gotten through it. Two documents at our interview were deemed unacceptable at our interview so we had to gather acceptable ones and mail them to the consulate which we have already done, and according to the tracking number, they have arrived and were "successfully delivered" whatever that means. Montreal has yet to contact us to let us know they have actually received the documents let alone whether or not they are reviewing them. They haven't responded to any e-mails that is also no big surprise but also extremely frustrating.

Does anyone know on average how long they take to review documents that are sent in after the interview? They told us it might take an extra four weeks but never specified an extra four weeks from what exactly. Should we consider contacting our Congressman once we reach the four week point?

Without any communication whatsoever this living in limbo leaves us wondering if there is any other choice. Some people say no, you'll just annoy them further and give them more cause to give you grief, while others seem to have had some success going this route when all else fails. We're not to that point yet but it would be nice to hear from anyone who might have had some results, negative or positive, involving their Congressman or Senator. My Congressman actually has an office in the building I work in so it's a tempting option assuming it's not also a futile one.

My two cents worth would go on the side of contacting your congressman. We have been "dealing" with Montreal over additional proof of domicile documents since last June. Now we've not had good success by any means on anything but the times we have got some response and information is when we've got the senator's office to call the consulate.

[trailmix 77]

My two cents worth would go on the side of contacting your congressman. We have been "dealing" with Montreal over additional proof of domicile documents since last June. Now we've not had good success by any means on anything but the times we have got some response and information is when we've got the senator's office to call the consulate.

Wow jones, it's been since June, I didn't realize it had been that long. A few have managed to prove domicile lately, which you have probably seen, so I guess that's some kind of weak progress on that front.

What is amazing is that you have now probably supplied more information than any of them have and yet you still don't have your visa.

[intuitionsys 0]

My two cents worth would go on the side of contacting your congressman. We have been "dealing" with Montreal over additional proof of domicile documents since last June. Now we've not had good success by any means on anything but the times we have got some response and information is when we've got the senator's office to call the consulate.

Since last June!?! That's crazy! Have they given you any indication what is taking so long?

That's what worries me. Are they just going to go on doing nothing until we force the issue by contacting our Congressman or a Senator.

[marisp 0]

I was curious if anyone was either in our situation or has already gotten through it. Two documents at our interview were deemed unacceptable at our interview so we had to gather acceptable ones and mail them to the consulate which we have already done, and according to the tracking number, they have arrived and were "successfully delivered" whatever that means. Montreal has yet to contact us to let us know they have actually received the documents let alone whether or not they are reviewing them. They haven't responded to any e-mails that is also no big surprise but also extremely frustrating.

Does anyone know on average how long they take to review documents that are sent in after the interview? They told us it might take an extra four weeks but never specified an extra four weeks from what exactly. Should we consider contacting our Congressman once we reach the four week point?

Without any communication whatsoever this living in limbo leaves us wondering if there is any other choice. Some people say no, you'll just annoy them further and give them more cause to give you grief, while others seem to have had some success going this route when all else fails. We're not to that point yet but it would be nice to hear from anyone who might have had some results, negative or positive, involving their Congressman or Senator. My Congressman actually has an office in the building I work in so it's a tempting option assuming it's not also a futile one.

I am in the same boat. I had my interview at the beginning of January, and sent in additional documents and passport a month ago. I did email them a question as well at the beginning of February, and am yet to hear back.

How long have you been waiting?

I feel like contacting a congressman won't help much. May just prolong things by annoying them, is my thought. I think just waiting it out is the best option...will let you know how I do. I'm hoping everyday with fingers crossed to get some type of response, hopefully a positive one!

[kballtex 0]

The gal yesterday at the window told us the mail backlog right now at MTL is 8 weeks. I'd take that into account for anything you mail in.

[jonesg111 0]

Trailmix: Yea, it was last June when we were in for the interview so it has been dragging out thats for sure!

As for forcing things by contacting congressmen or senators, I dont think they can really force anything other than calling up and just asking what is happening. Sometimes I think its just a matter of there being this huge pile of papers and forcing someone to go and find yours to make sure its not lost.

marisp, I can see what you're saying about annoying them, but what kind of people are working there if they get annoyed when someone checks up on them. I guess thats one of the perks of a government job, little to no accountability to your "employer" the people.

[tHund3r 0]

The gal yesterday at the window told us the mail backlog right now at MTL is 8 weeks. I'd take that into account for anything you mail in.

Kbaltex, the guy you're reffering to is one of the MTL Consulate officers/workers? This is so frustrating to know...I sent my additional docs last week..SIGH!

[trailmix 77]

Trailmix: Yea, it was last June when we were in for the interview so it has been dragging out thats for sure!

As for forcing things by contacting congressmen or senators, I dont think they can really force anything other than calling up and just asking what is happening. Sometimes I think its just a matter of there being this huge pile of papers and forcing someone to go and find yours to make sure its not lost.

marisp, I can see what you're saying about annoying them, but what kind of people are working there if they get annoyed when someone checks up on them. I guess thats one of the perks of a government job, little to no accountability to your "employer" the people.

I agree, are people really fearful of annoying the people that work at the consulate? This is the U.S. government, I can't see any reason why someone wouldn't contact a senator or congressperson if they had been waiting an extended time. The Montreal consulate is not a law unto itself - the U.S. citizen in all cases should be making inquiries, these departments are to work FOR the American people, not against.

I suspect they got all hands on board to rush though interviews, if you did not have every piece of paper they want - it will just sit in a pile until they get around to looking at it - low priority. So the wait has just shifted from one group to another.

[brocku00 1]

Hi there! I had my interview last August and was denied and needed to send in additional doc's. I sent the first one back in August and got it back 4 weeks later and was denied again....needed more doc's. I sent the second package the first of September and hadn't heard from them in 8 weeks...so husband contacted Congressman (seemed to work since we got answer within a week of that) and was denied again....need more info. Then we changed everything up....whole life!! LOL.....and sent in package #3 on January 14 of this year. After 4 weeks of waiting...I was inspired by trailmix and her comment about how you shouldn't wait to contact Congressman..yada yada yada...and so husband contacted again! 2 weeks later I finally had my Visa!! That last package was sent January 14 and got it back on March 3. I honestly believe the Congressman email had something to do with it....only in the sense that it made the consolute look at my file. I too believed that contacted the Congressman would annoy the Montreal Officers....they had/have total control over a lot of people's lives! It's easy to say....you shouldn't worry about them being annoyed since it's their job and they work for the people.....but when you are the person waiting for the approval and knowing that you can't be a family until it comes....then it's a total different story. I would recommend calling your congress person when you are comfortable with it and after the original '4 week' waiting period has past. The 4 weeks that I am referring to are the 4 weeks that it 'usually' takes to get a response. On my final package...I waited until the 5th week knowing that by the time the consolute received email from Congressperson, it would be in week 6. Hope this helps.

[trailmix 77]

I agree with you brock, it is easy for me to sit here and say that people shouldn't worry about Montreal being annoyed. I can really only say what I would do.

From where I sit though, if people don't work to change this - when will it change?

Mostly, we are a bunch of Canadians here. Let's put the shoe on the other foot. Let's say it was your Husband immigrating to Canada and they were giving you the run around, would you hesitate to contact your MP?

You submitted more info twice, you were given an incredible run around, until your Husband contacted his congressman, your application just sat. The question is, if you had sat quietly and waited, would you still just be sitting there waiting to hear from them, or would you perhaps even have received another denial?

[tHund3r 0]

Hi there! I had my interview last August and was denied and needed to send in additional doc's. I sent the first one back in August and got it back 4 weeks later and was denied again....needed more doc's. I sent the second package the first of September and hadn't heard from them in 8 weeks...so husband contacted Congressman (seemed to work since we got answer within a week of that) and was denied again....need more info. Then we changed everything up....whole life!! LOL.....and sent in package #3 on January 14 of this year. After 4 weeks of waiting...I was inspired by trailmix and her comment about how you shouldn't wait to contact Congressman..yada yada yada...and so husband contacted again! 2 weeks later I finally had my Visa!! That last package was sent January 14 and got it back on March 3. I honestly believe the Congressman email had something to do with it....only in the sense that it made the consolute look at my file. I too believed that contacted the Congressman would annoy the Montreal Officers....they had/have total control over a lot of people's lives! It's easy to say....you shouldn't worry about them being annoyed since it's their job and they work for the people.....but when you are the person waiting for the approval and knowing that you can't be a family until it comes....then it's a total different story. I would recommend calling your congress person when you are comfortable with it and after the original '4 week' waiting period has past. The 4 weeks that I am referring to are the 4 weeks that it 'usually' takes to get a response. On my final package...I waited until the 5th week knowing that by the time the consolute received email from Congressperson, it would be in week 6. Hope this helps.

My goodness, I really have to wait for that "4th week" ...hubby and I talked about this...a week before we reach our "4th week", we will contact his congressman or a senator whom he knows to help us with this.

[brocku00 1]

I agree with you brock, it is easy for me to sit here and say that people shouldn't worry about Montreal being annoyed. I can really only say what I would do.

From where I sit though, if people don't work to change this - when will it change?

Mostly, we are a bunch of Canadians here. Let's put the shoe on the other foot. Let's say it was your Husband immigrating to Canada and they were giving you the run around, would you hesitate to contact your MP?

You submitted more info twice, you were given an incredible run around, until your Husband contacted his congressman, your application just sat. The question is, if you had sat quietly and waited, would you still just be sitting there waiting to hear from them, or would you perhaps even have received another denial?

I'm not too sure if it would still be sitting there or not....but on the other hand....my husband applied to immigrate to Canada and we did get the run-a-round. After contacting my local MP (very nice lady)...we got more of a run-a-round. But this is just my story...it doesn't mean that it will happen to everyone though. I think the Canadian immigration and contact with MP was the reason why I was so intimidated by the American consolute/immigration dept.

[intuitionsys 0]

I am in the same boat. I had my interview at the beginning of January, and sent in additional documents and passport a month ago. I did email them a question as well at the beginning of February, and am yet to hear back.

How long have you been waiting?

I feel like contacting a congressman won't help much. May just prolong things by annoying them, is my thought. I think just waiting it out is the best option...will let you know how I do. I'm hoping everyday with fingers crossed to get some type of response, hopefully a positive one!

Our interview was in early Feb and we got the docs they required sent and showing as successfully delivered by CanadaPost on Feb 23. Our wait hasn't been as severe as a lot of others here (yet) but what drives a person crazy is the complete lack of communication, not knowing if it will be four weeks or four months.

Brock, it's good to hear you had favorable results from contacting your Congressman. We were told four weeks, so if we have no e-mails or anything by then, I think I will go that route soon afterwards, if for no other reason than the peace of mind of knowing what the heck is going on. If the current backlog is eight weeks that's what they should have told us, not the canned response stated on the form, especially knowing full well that we may not ever hear from them if they decide our e-mail doesn't merit a response.

Trailmix, your comment is eerily similar to the discussion I had with my wife videoconferencing last night. She's worried about annoying them and delaying things further too. Knowing the backlog is 8 weeks puts me a bit at ease knowing at least there is at least a dim light at the end of this long dark tunnel but the fact remains they work for us and we were told to contact them if we do not receive any communication within four weeks. Well, after four weeks, we will honestly try, and expect to get no response, just like the last two e-mails, so I think contacting our Congressman is more than warranted when the time comes.

[marisp 0]

Trailmix: Yea, it was last June when we were in for the interview so it has been dragging out thats for sure!

As for forcing things by contacting congressmen or senators, I dont think they can really force anything other than calling up and just asking what is happening. Sometimes I think its just a matter of there being this huge pile of papers and forcing someone to go and find yours to make sure its not lost.

marisp, I can see what you're saying about annoying them, but what kind of people are working there if they get annoyed when someone checks up on them. I guess thats one of the perks of a government job, little to no accountability to your "employer" the people.

Agreed. Guess its just my gut instinct to not to stir the pot, or get impatient, at least initially....not to say that I wouldn't contact a congressman though...! I want my visa just as fast as the next person. I'm at about 4 weeks now, figure I have a few more to wait. I also guess I feel a little at their mercy since they hold my passport right now.

Our interview was in early Feb and we got the docs they required sent and showing as successfully delivered by CanadaPost on Feb 23. Our wait hasn't been as severe as a lot of others here (yet) but what drives a person crazy is the complete lack of communication, not knowing if it will be four weeks or four months.

We're about 5 days ahead of you...(not sure how many folders up that is in the big 'ol pile)