visa issued!

[mtlgato 2]

Ok, so...I'm in a pretty good mood now, but my story is crazy and I think it's an important one to share with all you VJers.

As many of you know, I had what I thought was a successful interview in Montreal on January 19. I got the welcome letter and everything. But then...my passport and visa never showed up! I called DoS after 2 weeks had passed and was told that I was in "Administrative Processin" (AP)!!! What a nightmare.

Anyway, after writing 2 emails (that were ignored, as per usual) to Montreal asking for clarification, I finally thought to write a third with not just the case number in the subject line but also "Attn IV UNIT SUPERVISOR." I think I was inspired to address the supervisor after another VJ member told a story about having success circumventing the backlog at Montreal by doing just this--addressing the unit supervisor.

Within just hours of my "Attn IV UNIT SUPERVISOR" email going out, I got an email from the consular officer who interviewed me!!! She *apologized* (can you believe it?) and said that my case got caught in a weird computer glitch. The visa was supposed to be issued, but she had to work with the computer systems people somehow to get the case out of the glitch.

What I want everyone to note is: She said that certain cases just randomly get caught in this glitch! So this could happen to you.

A couple of hours after her first email, the consular officer wrote to me again to say that my case had cleared, the visa was issued, and the passport would be sent out the next day (i.e., today). I'm supposed to have the passport by Friday.

I wrote to her today to say thank you for her notes, and she responded with a re-iterated apology for the delay.

So, on the bright side: I'm not really in AP!!! And I can finally really plan my move. I even bought a plane ticket. It's for the 15th. Also, it's nice to see some sign of humanity from the folks in Montreal.

On the negative side: Fix your computers, Montreal! That "glitch" will continue to cause MAJOR stress for applicants who've already been through so much (we all have--think of the wait times, etc.). All in all, the inefficiency of the Montreal consulate still blows my mind.

C.

[O & C 3]

Congratulations!!!

[Ontarkie 14,143]

Congrats!!

[Utha 10]

Ok, so...I'm in a pretty good mood now, but my story is crazy and I think it's an important one to share with all you VJers.

As many of you know, I had what I thought was a successful interview in Montreal on January 19. I got the welcome letter and everything. But then...my passport and visa never showed up! I called DoS after 2 weeks had passed and was told that I was in "Administrative Processin" (AP)!!! What a nightmare.

Anyway, after writing 2 emails (that were ignored, as per usual) to Montreal asking for clarification, I finally thought to write a third with not just the case number in the subject line but also "Attn IV UNIT SUPERVISOR." I think I was inspired to address the supervisor after another VJ member told a story about having success circumventing the backlog at Montreal by doing just this--addressing the unit supervisor.

Within just hours of my "Attn IV UNIT SUPERVISOR" email going out, I got an email from the consular officer who interviewed me!!! She *apologized* (can you believe it?) and said that my case got caught in a weird computer glitch. The visa was supposed to be issued, but she had to work with the computer systems people somehow to get the case out of the glitch.

What I want everyone to note is: She said that certain cases just randomly get caught in this glitch! So this could happen to you.

A couple of hours after her first email, the consular officer wrote to me again to say that my case had cleared, the visa was issued, and the passport would be sent out the next day (i.e., today). I'm supposed to have the passport by Friday.

I wrote to her today to say thank you for her notes, and she responded with a re-iterated apology for the delay.

So, on the bright side: I'm not really in AP!!! And I can finally really plan my move. I even bought a plane ticket. It's for the 15th. Also, it's nice to see some sign of humanity from the folks in Montreal.

On the negative side: Fix your computers, Montreal! That "glitch" will continue to cause MAJOR stress for applicants who've already been through so much (we all have--think of the wait times, etc.). All in all, the inefficiency of the Montreal consulate still blows my mind.

C.

Thank you for sharing. The small "accident" like this could really happend in this whole process that holds my smile until i really get there with my fiance. Everything here is unpredictable.

[Shorah 2]

What a relief for you!

congrats

[CanadaLove 16]

Congrats, and thanks for the info! Sorry it happened to you, though!

[sdw 10]

Congrats

[NinoniAndBoosBoos 6]

Wow an apology????? how encouraging, faith has been renewed..CONGRATS to you, hmm aren't you going to miss Tim Hortons?

[Canadiandggal 49]

Grats MTL. It is nice to hear that they apologized a few times.

[Matt n Shannon 3]

Congrats will def keep an eye out for that with our interview coming up in a few weeks.

[ADMIRE 3]

Wow! That is really some story! Computer glitch? Am I also in some glitc

h? I wonder. Thanks for sharing this news. Have urself a good life pls.

Edited February 9, 2011 by ADMIRE

[SF2007 48]

Congrats

Thanks for sharing, you never know who's to be caught in that glitch next...

[mtlgato 2]

Congrats

Thanks for sharing, you never know who's to be caught in that glitch next...

Well, exactly! It didn't sound to me as if they were going to be able to fix the glitch any time soon. Ridiculous--especially considering all the other problems we have to deal with in connection with Montreal.

But: let's not lose sight of the good news here. If, after a seemingly successful interview, you don't get your passport back in a timely manner, FOLLOW UP. Address the IV UNIT SUPERVISOR. If you are caught in this computer glitch, they will (it would seem) resolve the problem for you fairly promptly.

That said, I don't have my passport back just yet...They said Friday. Let's hope!

I'm packing my things now.

Thanks to everyone who offered kind wishes and congratulations!

C/

[CanadianRedneck 8]

I'll make sure to mention that to the interviewing officer when I have my interview and they say I'm approved.. I'm gonna say, please make sure I dont get in that computer glitch you got going on, lol.