Visa Appointment Question

[JoyLaurine 0]

I am SO happy right now!!! I just got a letter from the US Consulate General in Montreal saying that my husband is ready for an interview. I can't believe this! We're both very shocked. It's so real and wonderful now.

I do have a few questions about Packet 4 and the visa process.

Packet 4 says, "If your visa application is approved, we will put your visa in your passport and send the completed visa packet and passport to you by DHL courier at no extra charge. You must travel to the United States and apply for admission as a permanent resident within the visa's validity period. If you currently reside in the U.S, on a non-immigrant visa, you may be able to pick up your passport with visa and visa packet in the afternoon of the next business day after your interview. Unless you need your passport for travel, you may return to your address in Canada on the day of your interview. Do not make any travel arrangements to move to the United States, dispose of property, or give up your job until a visa has been issued to you."

My husband lives in Nova Scotia. Originally we planned on him flying directly from Montreal to California after he has his interview and receives his visa. However, this seems to imply that he should go back to Nova Scotia after his interview, wait for his visa, and then fly from there. Does anyone have any experience with this? What would you suggest? I'd be cheaper for us if he could fly directly from Montreal, but we want to do things properly.

Also, how long did it take from the date you had your interview until you had your passport and visa in hand?

I just thought of an additional question. The letter says, "If you have not previously registered your information and selected a DHL courier location on this website, please do so now." He registered for that website before, but cannot remember if he selected a courier location. If he did, he would have selected Halifax. Should we keep it as Halifax (the nearest courier to where he lives)? Or should we change it to Montreal so he can pick his visa up there and fly directly from Montreal to California?

Thanks for your time and help!

Edited March 11, 2011 by JoyLaurine

[Inky 1,111]

Montreal generally will not give The visa and package back after the interview anymore unless its dire straights and you have proof your family member is dying and you both have to be there RIGHT away.

Unfortunately you will have to wait for DHL to have the package and visa ready for you to pick up. You might be able to change it tho by going back on the site and checking. If you can change the pick up location and can afford a hotel in Montreal for a week or longer then change it. If not I would keep it as Halifax location and go back to NS and wait for it because DHL can be unreliable.

[JoyLaurine 0]

Thank you very much for your quick response! I have one additional question about DHL. Will DHL deliver the visa directly to my husband at his home address, or does he pick it up from the DHL location he selected?

[Inky 1,111]

Thank you very much for your quick response! I have one additional question about DHL. Will DHL deliver the visa directly to my husband at his home address, or does he pick it up from the DHL location he selected?

He picks it up at the location they do not deliver it to the home.

[JoyLaurine 0]

Thank you so much. That's what I figured, but I wanted to make sure.

How many days did it take after your interview until you had your visa in hand?

We just scheduled his interview. It's July 5th. This is awesome! My husband will be able to live with me in the US in just four months. I'm very happy and excited. It's all so surreal.

[JeannieL 44]

DHL will deliver to your home now for an extra fee. It is on http://montreal.usconsulate.gov/content/content.asp?section=visas&document=immigrant_visa if you click on the courier information I believe that is where I saw it. I'm in Nova Scotia too.

[chrswbrwn 0]

Joylaurine, what are you applying for, an IR1?

I was just informed that my case is complete at the NVC (IR1) and am waiting for an interview date now. Kind of disappointed that they're scheduling for July...that's pretty far away.