I am frustrated with the U.S. Consulate in Montreal

[Owie111 0]

Hi Everyone,

Good news! I finally received my Immigrant Visa (about 3 weeks ago). However, instead of receiving the standard 6 month validity period prior to expiration, my Visa expires on Sept. 25, which means a period of about 5 months before expiry. I think this may be because my Canadian passport has to be renewed by Sept. 26.

I had a couple of follow up questions.

1) I was planning on going to the U.S. on vacation in June of this year. Can I choose not to have my US Visa stamped at this time? I do not wish to enter the U.S. as a permanent resident just yet.

2) I read, once my Visa is stamped, I would probably receive my green card in about 2 months. Would anyone know if this is accurate?

3) Once I receive my green card do I have 6 months to actually move to the U.S.? Can anyone answer me on this? There are a few things holding me back from moving to the U.S. right away, such as my daughter's schooling, since she has 1 more year left to finish her CEGEP (college) program. It would be a shame to up root her at this stage, although she will be 18 in July and could live on her own if necessary. We prefer not to do this however. I also need some time to list and sell my house.

If I could have the option of stretching out my date that I have to move to the U.S. to next May, that would be very helpful.

Thank you all!

[Sweetcheeksss 91]

I'm almost sure that you have to cross (thus activating your visa) within six months and as far as I'm aware, there's no way to extend that.

Good luck with everything

[Owie111 0]

I know I have 6 months (5 in my case) to cross over with my Visa. However, can I physically move into the US within 6 months of actually receiving my green card? I think it takes 2 months for the green card to come once the Visa is stamped, thus potentially giving me 8 months to move into the US after my Visa is stamped. I may need the extra time to move for the reasons I described in my previous post.

I also want to know, if I go on vacation to the US in June, can I decide not to have my US Visa stamped at that time?

Thanks

[ralyse 31]

I know I have 6 months (5 in my case) to cross over with my Visa. However, can I physically move into the US within 6 months of actually receiving my green card? I think it takes 2 months for the green card to come once the Visa is stamped, thus potentially giving me 8 months to move into the US after my Visa is stamped. I may need the extra time to move for the reasons I described in my previous post.

I also want to know, if I go on vacation to the US in June, can I decide not to have my US Visa stamped at that time?

Thanks

To my understanding, as soon as you have the visa you don't have a choice in activating it. The first time you cross the border after it's issued, you're using it.

[Canadiandggal 49]

I know I have 6 months (5 in my case) to cross over with my Visa. However, can I physically move into the US within 6 months of actually receiving my green card? I think it takes 2 months for the green card to come once the Visa is stamped, thus potentially giving me 8 months to move into the US after my Visa is stamped. I may need the extra time to move for the reasons I described in my previous post.

I also want to know, if I go on vacation to the US in June, can I decide not to have my US Visa stamped at that time?

Thanks

You can try to avoid activating it by telling the POE officer of what you are doing however It is up to them. SOmetimes it will work, other times they will think you are crazy lol

You will 5 months to activate it then it will be 4-12 weeks to receive your greencard. You can travel back and forth between the states and Canada If you need to and I believe you have up to one year to move all your things. Just remember that anytime spent out of the states you will not be able to count when going for citizenship ie you will not be able to apply till 6 months later then you could have. If you are outside of the states for longer than 6 months(might be a year) then you will need a reentry permit?

[Flames9_RN 358]

To my understanding, as soon as you have the visa you don't have a choice in activating it. The first time you cross the border after it's issued, you're using it.

not true--up to the POE officer. Many have crossed without "activating" it, but it all depends on the POE officer!!

[ralyse 31]

not true--up to the POE officer. Many have crossed without "activating" it, but it all depends on the POE officer!!

Allright, noted! I definitely thought it was the other way

[M&Dj 3]

Montreal is of course taking forever in sending P3 which is annoying.

Every time I call DOS I seem to get a different answer as to where our case is which is also annoying.

I just want to have an interview date so I can have an idea on things even though I may be annoyed to have to wait 2 months for an interview.

I was a much calmer person when our case was at Vermont....who would have thought....

Edited May 18, 2011 by M&Dj

[Moyo 0]

Montreal is of course taking forever in sending P3 which is annoying.

Every time I call DOS I seem to get a different answer as to where our case is which is also annoying.

I just want to have an interview date so I can have an idea on things even though I may be annoyed to have to wait 2 months for an interview.

I was a much calmer person when our case was at Vermont....who would have thought....

Are the wait times for Montreal interviews at about 2 months now?

[M&Dj 3]

Are the wait times for Montreal interviews at about 2 months now?

That's what it looks like!

[kidcash 0]

Well,

For those who sent their passport or any additional documentation to Montreal, I just want to share my timeline:

I sent my passport and medical exam on February 10th 2011.

On April 28th I got a call from Montreal. They apologize for the delay, said they are very busy, and that my visa was issued, and sent through express-post because I should use it ASAP (Medical Exam Expiring soon).

I got it yesterday,

Total waiting time since I sent my documents 11 Weeks.

Good Luck to people waiting for this.

My wife is in a similar position. Her passport was being made at the time of interview so we posted it the very next day after the interview. The lady at the window told us although the visa is approved she can not do anything until the passport has been received by the consulate and stamping the visa can take up to 8 weeks. Been 3 weeks so far. Hopefully it won't take 11 weeks just to stamp visa on the passport. I'm dreading this wait not knowing the status of the case. Our 221g stated only Canadian Passport as needed document

Edited July 2, 2011 by kidcash

[Owie111 0]

Can anyone help me? as I mentioned in an earlier post, I have received my immigrant visa. This is good till Sept. 25, 2011. I will be flying from Canada to the U.S. on July 20. What happens next? Does the POE officer stamp my passport, or do I have to go through another type of interview. I have a sealed package containing my medical tests, marriage certificate, financial records, etc. Are there any standard questions they ask? I have already passed my interview and everything else.

Thank you all.

[OBX 51]

Can anyone help me? as I mentioned in an earlier post, I have received my immigrant visa. This is good till Sept. 25, 2011. I will be flying from Canada to the U.S. on July 20. What happens next? Does the POE officer stamp my passport, or do I have to go through another type of interview. I have a sealed package containing my medical tests, marriage certificate, financial records, etc. Are there any standard questions they ask? I have already passed my interview and everything else.

Thank you all.

You will have your passport stamped on the visa page when you are processed at POE. This will act as a temporary green card allowing you to travel, until the actual green card is received. The sealed package is handed over to the office at this time s well.

At my POE I spent the majority of the time sitting and waiting while they processed my papers. I had my fingerprints taken and the only question I remember being asked was if my address in the US was still the same as that noted on my documents. I did my POE at the Peace Bridge; if you post which airport you are flying out of perhaps others with experience at that POE will have more specific information for you. Good luck.

[Owie111 0]

Thank you OBX

I will be flying thru the Dorval airport in Mtl.

[Deja92 0]

Hi everyone,

Would anyone be able to give me advice on what to do with my current situation concerning my attempt to get my U.S. visa?

Back in January 25, 2010 I went for my immigrant visa interview at the U.S. Consulate in Montreal and was denied my visa under section 221g due to missing financial info. I was told that I had 1 year to send them the necessary info along with my passport which I did on January 17, 2011. I sent this out by Xpresspost and to the address that they had outlined which was:

U.S. Consulate General

Attn: IV Unit

PO Box 65, Station Desjardins

Montreal, QC H5B 1G1.

When I checked to see the status of my mail on Jan. 18, I saw the message “item redirected to recipient’s new address” Then on Jan. 19, I saw the message that the “item was successfully delivered” and signed by an “ME Dugal” Of course when I tried to confirm with the consulate via email if they had received my mail, I got no response.

I even checked with Canada Post to find out where my mail was sent to and they said that they don’t have that info but that it was sent to the right place. To make me even more nervous, I received a letter from the US consulate in Mtl dated January 25, 2011 that they had not received my response and that my application for visa has been cancelled. The letter states that I can get my application reinstated if within one year “you can establish that your failure to pursue your immigrant visa application was due to circumstances beyond your control.”

My question is, if they do not respond to any form of communication with me then how should I try to get through to them?

Does anyone have any such experience? What about faxing or mailing them with the proof of delivery? Or better yet if I go there in person with my wife who is an American citizen do you think this would work? I just want to know that my mail has been received and that my visa has not been denied.

The worse thing is that I do not have a passport anymore and no one seems to knows where it is.

Thank You

Owen

you ever got this handled? im afraid im in the same boat as you. I also sent mines directly to the consulate someone by "I ARMOUR" signed. did you get this resolved?