Waiting for our passports from Montreal

[Candexan 2]

Is 202-663-1225 the only number to call to check on a visa? Montreal has had my passport since March 22nd and when I call all they tell me is that it is processing. I emailed them a week ago also but of course have not gotten a reply yet. This last bit of waiting is terrible...so close but yet so far!

[Saylin 1,605]

Is 202-663-1225 the only number to call to check on a visa? Montreal has had my passport since March 22nd and when I call all they tell me is that it is processing. I emailed them a week ago also but of course have not gotten a reply yet. This last bit of waiting is terrible...so close but yet so far!

Since Montreal doesn't have a public phone number, yes, the DOS number is the only number you can call about your case.

[Candexan 2]

Thank you Saylin....that's what I figured, just thought I would check. I just hope I didn't mess up the routine when I sent in my passport. I didn't know about the US Visa Service website and sent it through Loomis and paid for a return envelope in there as well. I have since signed up for the DHL return service but no waybill on there yet. Of course the return tracking number I have that I paid for doesn't show anything either. Just hoping for a phone call or email soon.

[Saylin 1,605]

Thank you Saylin....that's what I figured, just thought I would check. I just hope I didn't mess up the routine when I sent in my passport. I didn't know about the US Visa Service website and sent it through Loomis and paid for a return envelope in there as well. I have since signed up for the DHL return service but no waybill on there yet. Of course the return tracking number I have that I paid for doesn't show anything either. Just hoping for a phone call or email soon.

I don't know the procedures on sending in a passport after the interview, so I'm not sure if you did it correctly or not. Hopefully someone else who went through it can tell you.

[Candexan 2]

I believe I have done all I can do. I've sent 3 emails to the Montreal Consulate, our attorney sent one email there as well. I emailed the Congressman Lamar Smith in Texas asking for him to check into why my visa is taking so long to be returned to me. I call DOS DAILY to see if anything has changed. Nothing has not. Yes, they received my passport on March 22nd and yes they are processing it.

I am at my ropes end, honestly. I will not have a roof over my end by the end of this month, I am out of a job and I HAVE to get back to Texas asap! The last two years have been the worst years of my life! I don't think I can take much more of this. We thought we were done and the passport would be in my hands within 2 weeks of the consulate receiving it....but nooooooooo they have to mess up my life just a little bit more! Can you tell I'm pissed? Well I'm sorry but I had to get it out or I'm gonna blow! The end.

Edited April 18, 2012 by Candexan

[CDN2US 10]

I've got no advice and no answers, just wanted to offer straight up sympathy and condolences. I really feel for you.

[jazzly 3]

If we have a family emergency in States, is there any way to get passport back within 3 days?

This delay is making me nervous. I have to see my family next week and also have job interview lined up.

[CDN2US 10]

You can request your passport back without the visa in it:

"If you have sent your passport to the IV unit and need it returned without a visa being issued, please send a separate message to Montreal-IV-DV@state.gov with the subject line "Passport return." In the text of your message, please list your full name, your IV case number, the date on which you mailed your passport, and the DHL location to which you would like your passport mailed back. Please visit http://canada.usvisa-info.com/ to register for a DHL courier location to pick-up your passport."

[jazzly 3]

Do you know, how fast they can send the passport back without visa.

From the response here, it looks like it could take 4 to 8 weeks for them to print the visa.

[Candexan 2]

I finally got a reply to an email I sent to Montreal on April 11th. Here it is:

Good day,

We are pleased to acknowledge receipt of the documents. Please note that all mail addressed to the U.S. Consulate General in Montreal undergoes thorough security clearance procedures at an offsite facility. This creates additional delays for the mail to actually reach our office. The date you claim the mail was delivered is not the actual date our office has received your mail. You may expect your case to be reviewed within 4 weeks from the date that the mail was sent.

I hope that this information may be useful.

Sincerely,

OP8

So according to this letter it should be "reviewed" by April 30th if I only count work days and don't count Good Friday/Easter Monday. I really, really appreciate finally hearing from them but it would be nice to have a send out date rather than a reviewed date...lol.

Here's to hoping for visa in hand by the end of the month!

[jazzly 3]

When did you submit the docs? I sent on April 5th, before good Friday.

[Candexan 2]

I couriered them on March 21st and they received them March 23rd.

[jazzly 3]

You may expect your case to be reviewed within 4 weeks from the date that the mail was sent.

Are they talking about the mail you sent or the email they sent to you?

[Candexan 2]

You may expect your case to be reviewed within 4 weeks from the date that the mail was sent.

Are they talking about the mail you sent or the email they sent to you?

I am thinking it's my passport I couriered that they are talking about. I don't understand how it would take 4 weeks to review an email. Then again I have been 2nd guessing myself throughout this whole dang process. Nothing would suprise me anymore. It makes me feel better to think they are talking about when I sent my passport.

[jazzly 3]

I was thinking, they meant, its going to take 4 weeks to review your docs. That 4 weeks start from the day you sent your docs, or when they replied to you with this email. I hope its the former.