Waiting for our passports from Montreal

[Trenz 52]

I was hoping it wouldn't come to this, but by 5pm today I either have to sign another year lease on my apartment or put in my 60 days notice. Everything in my timeline has worked out up to this point. My interview was smooth and I was approved. The million dollar question is, will I see my passport back by August 31st? I was guaranteed by the CO that I would receive it within 2 weeks of the issuing crisis being resolved, which has happened. I want to trust in fate that it will be issued within the next 2 months, but the few who have waited longer on these message boards gives me pause. I really don't know what to do... *sigh*

That is an extremely tough spot to be in. Just when you think you have it bad, someone else comes along and puts it in perspective for you.

The optimistic side of me wants to jump up and say, "Sure. Go ahead and give your 60 days notice." Lord knows a 2 month wait at one time seemed to be an extreme unlikelihood, but I cannot say that with surety now.

The way I look at it is, the odds of waiting a year from today are slim, even by these lousy standards Montreal has. If you sign that lease you are on the hook for one year from tomorrow for the rent of that apartment. Of course it is possible to find someone to take over the lease, but there is a chance you may not. Do you have the finances to pay the remainder of a year long lease and/or a lease breaking fee? If the answer is no, then perhaps the 60 days notice route is the way to go.

Do you have family or friends that could loan you a place to stay after August 31st if the visa does not come through by then? If so, try and call in some favours to make it happen if it comes to that.

That is what I would do in this situation but I know everyone else has a different threshold for risk. Go with what you think is right.

[Trenz 52]

Ok! so we got an update just now

All I can say is congrats

My heart even skipped a beat for you when I saw that "Issued". I had absolutely no idea you were waiting that long, but I can safely say I bet you're just absolutely relieved now. Go and celebrate and enjoy the next step!

Edited June 30, 2015 by Trenz

[JJ Day 22]

That is an extremely tough spot to be in. Just when you think you have it bad, someone else comes along and puts it in perspective for you.

The optimistic side of me wants to jump up and say, "Sure. Go ahead and give your 60 days notice." Lord knows a 2 month wait at one time seemed to be an extreme unlikelihood, but I cannot say that with surety now.

The way I look at it is, the odds of waiting a year from today are slim, even by these lousy standards Montreal has. If you sign that lease you are on the hook for one year from tomorrow for the rent of that apartment. Of course it is possible to find someone to take over the lease, but there is a chance you may not. Do you have the finances to pay the remainder of a year long lease and/or a lease breaking fee? If the answer is no, then perhaps the 60 days notice route is the way to go.

Do you have family or friends that could loan you a place to stay after August 31st if the visa does not come through by then? If so, try and call in some favours to make it happen if it comes to that.

That is what I would do in this situation but I know everyone else has a different threshold for risk. Go with what you think is right.

Thank you for your reply, optimism, encouragement! I definitely cannot pay the penalty to break the lease (which is the equivalent of 6 months rent), so I think I'm going to do as you say and submit my 60 days notice. Then all I can do is hope for the best. I'm a smart person who has made intelligent choices my entire life, so I hope I don't live to regret it in the event I end up homeless come September. I'm sure I could call upon a friend to let me stay with them, but the idea of not having a place to call home is definitely scary. I keep saying to myself, "it can't possibly take more than 2 months to receive my passport," bur nothing about this process has been reliable. I do know that I was too eager to get my medical on the very day my interview was scheduled, which means my visa will expire in mid-October. I wish I had gotten it done right before my interview to give me some more wiggle room, but I didn't think it was possible to take so long. Now I see that it definitely is possible. Although after seeing so many people move to "issued" today, it gives me hope that I will see that word myself very soon. I hope you do as well. I really do!

Edited June 30, 2015 by JJ Day

[caliboy15 1]

All I can say is congrats

My heart even skipped a beat for you when I saw that "Issued". I had absolutely no idea you were waiting that long, but I can safely say I bet you're just absolutely relieved now. Go and celebrate and enjoy the next step!

Thank you!!!

the reason why it took that long is because of that god damn AOS! I had to send it 3x so that's 6 months and a police certificate another 2 months a total of 8 months wasted time

[slinson 0]

I had interview on 6/15 in Montreal and CEAC status updated to "issued 6/25", a bit delay due to the visa system glitch as we all knew

Till today, I still have not got any email from loomis about picking up.

Has anyone actually got the the picking up email from loomis, especially lately? do you mind sharing your timeline?

thx guys good luck to you all~~

[Danielle and Jake 24]

Movement on your case is a good thing! Looks like you are nearing the finish line and should see "issued" by the end of the week! Fingers crossed for you!

I'm hoping so. I was honestly kind of surprised that my case has been worked on so much since last Thursday considering what some of the others on this thread are experiencing, so I should be thankful for that. I'm really crossing my fingers that July 2nd (since it's closed Canada day) is my lucky "issued" day

That's another thing that I can't help but be annoyed with...being closed both national holidays. The United States has like double the national holidays Canada has but to add Canada's holidays as well...doesn't seem fair. Choose one or the other lol

[JJ Day 22]

Well, I tried to negotiate a flexible lease with my landlord after explaining my situation, but no dice. So I put in my 60 days notice. Now the time clock begins. Tick tock, tick tock. Come on, Montreal. Don't let me down!

[Danielle and Jake 24]

Well, I tried to negotiate a flexible lease with my landlord after explaining my situation, but no dice. So I put in my 60 days notice. Now the time clock begins. Tick tock, tick tock. Come on, Montreal. Don't let me down!

Yeah, I would rather pay for a month of me not living there than another full year! I'm really hoping I see the "Issued" sign soon or else I'll be in your situation if I'm not out by the 18th of July at the absolute latest...(weird date, huh?)

[canuckmoran 7]

Hey everyone.

Just came back from my 24 hour trip to Montreal with an approval from the consulate.

I was told I would get my passport/visa in a week. I tried to pry about the backlog or any other delays, I got "I cannot comment on that, check our website".

At least this part is done.

[Trenz 52]

Well, I tried to negotiate a flexible lease with my landlord after explaining my situation, but no dice. So I put in my 60 days notice. Now the time clock begins. Tick tock, tick tock. Come on, Montreal. Don't let me down!

Sorry to hear your landlord wouldn't play ball on the lease. It was worth a shot! Now that the clock has started I would say start building up a contingency plan in case Montreal lives up to their reputation of the slowness akin to molasses travelling uphill in the middle of a Canadian winter.

Yeah, I would rather pay for a month of me not living there than another full year! I'm really hoping I see the "Issued" sign soon or else I'll be in your situation if I'm not out by the 18th of July at the absolute latest...(weird date, huh?)

I agree with you! One month instead of 12 in cost is whole lot more manageable. I had no idea your lease was also up on the 18th of July. That is some serious stuff. Do you have friends or family you can stay with in the event that it doesn't come through by then? I surely hope you do!

Hey everyone.

Just came back from my 24 hour trip to Montreal with an approval from the consulate.

I was told I would get my passport/visa in a week. I tried to pry about the backlog or any other delays, I got "I cannot comment on that, check our website".

At least this part is done.

Wonderful. So even following the good questions YVRDualCouple suggests, Montreal refuses to give out answers. I really would love to give the swear word filter a workout on here right now...it's almost as though the interviewers know there is going to be a delay and are not willing to look like idiots by saying "I don't know" or "Expect a long wait". A special one finger salute goes out to those interviewers who are more than likely giving out BS answers on the wait time.

Edited June 30, 2015 by Trenz

[Danielle and Jake 24]

Hey everyone.

Just came back from my 24 hour trip to Montreal with an approval from the consulate.

I was told I would get my passport/visa in a week. I tried to pry about the backlog or any other delays, I got "I cannot comment on that, check our website".

At least this part is done.

Well, congratulations on your approval. When I had my interview last Thursday the person I had who interviewed me was a little more willing to talk.

I guess I can outline my conversation a little. I basically acknowledged that he would probably be answering the same question a million times, but i had made travel plans for July 12th...and will this backlog require me to change my travel plans.

He had answered that in my position, he wouldn't. That everybody was working overtime, and the backlog wasn't nearly the size everybody on the outside was thinking it was. That considering my location, couriering the passport wouldn't be too long, and that two weeks should be enough time. He said that of every emotion you could feel, it's important to remain optimistic and said "stay off the internet. Though the communities are a great tool, you can't read about other people's case and assume yours is going to be that way. There is always a reason the way people's case goes the way it goes."

I have to say he did sound genuine, but I've learned to even take what the government has to say with a grain of salt.

[jayjayhas 1]

I had interview on 6/15 in Montreal and CEAC status updated to "issued 6/25", a bit delay due to the visa system glitch as we all knew

Till today, I still have not got any email from loomis about picking up.

Has anyone actually got the the picking up email from loomis, especially lately? do you mind sharing your timeline?

thx guys good luck to you all~~

I'll be curious to know about this to.

My interview was June 16th, I was approved and as of June 26th my update is ISSUED. I also haven't gotten a email with Loomis pickup either. Im wondering if because they have tomorrow (Wed) and Friday off this week if I wont hear back until next week now...

[JustaTT 4]

2 out of 3 of our cases have moved to AP today (my 2 kids are coming with me), I'm praying this is a good sign.

[JJ Day 22]

I'll be curious to know about this to.

My interview was June 16th, I was approved and as of June 26th my update is ISSUED. I also haven't gotten a email with Loomis pickup either. Im wondering if because they have tomorrow (Wed) and Friday off this week if I wont hear back until next week now...

The consulate has Wednesday and Friday off. However, Loomis will be working Friday, so if your passport goes out on Thursday, it's possible you could get it Friday.

Edited July 1, 2015 by JJ Day

[boardercrosser 8]

ugh case updated July 1 but still in ready mode. cmon guys get me done please.....