How to Get Some Answers (Help, Please!)

[JoyLaurine 0]

My name is Joy, and I'm American. I married Quatchi (not his real name...thankfully!), who's Canadian, almost three years ago. I lived in Canada on a post-graduation work permit, but that's due to expire soon, and we decided we wanted to live in the US permanently. Thus began our visa journey.

In September, we began the process of Direct Consular Filing so that he can become a U.S. permanent resident. We filed our petition with the U.S. Embassy in Halifax on September 22nd. We submitted all the necessary forms and documents for the I-130, and paid the filing fee. At that meeting, we received a document saying that we would receive further instructions and a case number within two to three weeks. My husband and I are concerned, because it has been almost four months since our initial meeting, and we have still not received a letter from Montreal.

I called Washington, D.C. about a month ago and was told that this letter (with our case number and further directions) had been sent a couple weeks after we filed in Halifax. However, we never received it. The woman I spoke with said that it was not her responsibility to send it to us, and told me to email the US Consulate in Montreal about it ( Montreal-IV-DV@state.gov ). I did that over month ago, and have not heard back from them. The woman I spoke with in Washington, D.C. was able to give me our case number, which is great. However, I feel like we need to receive this information packet from Montreal so we can move forward. I re-read their automatic email response today, and saw this:

"Please note: IV Unit will NOT reply to inquiries about DHL courier services, scheduling / rescheduling an appointment, status of documents sent to/from the Consulate. These inquires should be addressed to CSC Visa Information Services < http://canada.usvisa-info.com/ > using the contact details listed here http://montreal.usconsulate.gov/content/content.asp?section=visas&document=visa_generalinquiries ."

That makes me think that we'll never receive a response from them. I emailed the address listed on that webpage ( contactus_en_CA@usvisa-info.com ), and got yet another automatic response. This automatic response said the following:

"Please note: The Contact Desk is for technical issues only. Inquiries concerning visa questions or assistance in confirming, canceling, or rescheduling your visa appointment will not be answered through this service. Please return to the home page of our website for all visa and appointment information and to review our FAQs for answers to the most common issues."

I feel like people are referring me to other departments, which turn into a dead end. Does anyone know any phone numbers or email addresses I can contact to talk with real people who can give me answers? What should we expect next in this process? What can we do so we can move forward in getting my husband his visa?

Also, we moved since filing for the I-130, and our mail is being forwarded to us. However, I'd like to officially give the government my husband's new address. How can we change our contact address?

Shortly after filing our petition, I moved to the United States to secure a job and establish a domicile. My husband remained in Nova Scotia, Canada. I was wondering how it would work for my husband to visit me in the United States while his visa is being processed. I understand that in order to visit me, he needs to have proof of ties. However, he does not have some of these necessary ties, including apartment rent, bills, a car, a job, or school. Would any other proof of ties would be sufficient to enable him to visit me?

Thank you for your time. I would appreciate a quick response, as we've been waiting a long time and feel like we're getting nowhere. I hope that other people who are going through the same thing can help us.

[Norah 0]

first off, I can feel you frustration as I have been down this road too (still working on it) but if he enter's his information into this website then goes to the Montreal consulate website and looks up the info on Pkt 3 then you can get going. You don't really need the letter as all the information is on these websites, but it is a pain to figure out all of the stuff because there is never a place that says, step 1,2,3. You just have to figure it out. It is a very confusing process. I have sent of a couple emails to the Montreal consulate and as of yet, have never received a reply.

[JoyLaurine 0]

Thank you so much for your quick response, Norah. I really appreciate that. It definitely is a frustrating situation and a confusing process. It's nice knowing that other people are going through the same thing.

I looked at the website link you gave me. Where do we go on that website to register for CSC courier services?

It's wonderful to know that Packet 3 can be found online, and that we don't really need the letter that we never received. That is very encouraging! I found a link for the forms and documents required in the instruction letter. I'm posting the link here in case it helps anyone else who needs it: Packet 3.

Also, this link from Visa Journey was pretty helpful for me: Montreal Consulate Information.

I received a response to my first email to the Montreal consulate around the end of September. I never received a response to my second email that I sent in January, though. It's frustrating not getting clear answers from them.

Edited February 15, 2011 by JoyLaurine

[JoyLaurine 0]

Thank you so much for your quick response, Norah. I really appreciate that. It definitely is a frustrating situation and a confusing process. It's nice knowing that other people are going through the same thing.

I looked at the website link you gave me. Where do we go on that website to register for CSC courier services?

It's wonderful to know that Packet 3 can be found online, and that we don't really need the letter that we never received. That is very encouraging! I found a link for the forms and documents required in the instruction letter. I'm posting the link here in case it helps anyone else who needs it: Packet 3.

Also, this link from Visa Journey was pretty helpful for me: Montreal Consulate Information.

I received a response to my first email to the Montreal consulate around the end of September. I never received a response to my second email that I sent in January, though. It's frustrating not getting clear answers from them.

I just talked with my husband about Packet 3 and this new information I received. I have an additional question. Do we need to send the forms and documents required per Instruction Letter (Pkt3) to the Consulate now? Or do we just gather these documents and keep them to submit when he has his interview?

Edited February 16, 2011 by JoyLaurine