Montreal Interview - 05/18/11

[VA-Bound 0]

Hello! I have a predictment and need some advice. Me and my husband (US Citizen) have a Montreal interview on 05/18 and have a religious wedding on 05/21. What are the options to leave the country for a honeymoon with a valid passport by 05/22? We dont want to take a chance on a passport that might take a week and ruin our trip. All assuming they do take my passport at the interview. Thank You in advance for any input. Niki

[Krikit 1,165]

Hello, and welcome to VJ.

Montreal keeps the passport to stamp it with the visa. The way I see it is you can either reschedule your interview or explain the circumstances at the interview. I can't imagine them processing the visa on the same day but you could ask. The other option is to request a delay of issuance of the visa, then send them the passport when you get back. That will create a whole new set of delays, though, because it will take some time for your passport to meet up with your file.

[Veronik 19]

Hi Va-Bound! Welcome!

I'm in VA too, so if you have any questions VA -specific, feel free to ask!

As to your question, well, this is just my opinion and feel free to disregard it! Since you seem new on the site, let me tell you one thing us canadian dealing with the consulate in Montreal have learned the hard way: the consulate is VERY slow handling pretty much anything... If this was me, I would try to reschedule the wedding before rescheduling the interview, because you might have to wait a couple months (if not more) before getting another interview date. I don't know if much has changed since last year with Montreal, but most of us had a wonderful 4-6 months wait before their interview...

Do what you think is right, but expect delays if you decide to reschedule your interview... Good luck either way!

[Kimbear 53]

welcome to VJ!!!

If you hand around here long enough you will see all the woes about the Montreal consulate. They are extremely slow on just about every aspect of the journey. I'm sorry but don't expect your visa back in 3 days from Montreal, I'm pretty sure that is unheard of.

As Krikit stated, they hold onto your passport, and they give it to a different department to have the visa printed and placed in the passport, then that goes to the mailing department where the passport is setup with the new DHL system. You should get a paper at the interview with the way bill number if all is good. then the waiting game begins. it could be a week or 2 before you get the call telling you to go pick it up. It takes usually about 3 days or so for the waybill number to work on the tracking site as well usually.

Definitely reschedule the wedding...changing your interview date could set you back at least another 6 months.

Edited March 31, 2011 by Kimbear

[VA-Bound 0]

Hi Va-Bound! Welcome!

I'm in VA too, so if you have any questions VA -specific, feel free to ask!

As to your question, well, this is just my opinion and feel free to disregard it! Since you seem new on the site, let me tell you one thing us canadian dealing with the consulate in Montreal have learned the hard way: the consulate is VERY slow handling pretty much anything... If this was me, I would try to reschedule the wedding before rescheduling the interview, because you might have to wait a couple months (if not more) before getting another interview date. I don't know if much has changed since last year with Montreal, but most of us had a wonderful 4-6 months wait before their interview...

Do what you think is right, but expect delays if you decide to reschedule your interview... Good luck either way!

There are two certainties about our situation. The wedding and interview date must go on as scheduled. I have some advice for people as well. If you are a Canadian marrying an American. You both should GET NEXUS! We both travelled freely without ANY issues and we did it multiple times each month. Just tell them the truth. The whole immigration process went very smoothly and FASSSSSTT because of it. I bet the passport will be fast as well. Just can't take a chance. :-)

[SF2007 48]

Hello! I have a predictment and need some advice. Me and my husband (US Citizen) have a Montreal interview on 05/18 and have a religious wedding on 05/21. What are the options to leave the country for a honeymoon with a valid passport by 05/22? We dont want to take a chance on a passport that might take a week and ruin our trip. All assuming they do take my passport at the interview. Thank You in advance for any input. Niki

Sorry Niki but I think the odds are not in your favour

Your status doesn't say which visa you're applying for so I will assume it's a K-1 since you're not married.

If you are applying for a K-1 and you are referring to your own wedding, don't you have to marry in the States? If you were planning to marry in Canada, I am doubtful they would let a married woman enter on a fiancee visa... besides, getting your passport and visa back will take between 3 business days and 3 weeks. I will agree with all the advice you've had so far and there is no chance you can be in the US 3 days after your interview.

Secondly, if you have your honeymoon outside the US and have not had you AP yet (which can take months), you will not be able to go back to the States after your honeymoon. You will have to honeymoon in the US or wait for your AP.

[VA-Bound 0]

Sorry Niki but I think the odds are not in your favour

Your status doesn't say which visa you're applying for so I will assume it's a K-1 since you're not married.

If you are applying for a K-1 and you are referring to your own wedding, don't you have to marry in the States? If you were planning to marry in Canada, I am doubtful they would let a married woman enter on a fiancee visa... besides, getting your passport and visa back will take between 3 business days and 3 weeks. I will agree with all the advice you've had so far and there is no chance you can be in the US 3 days after your interview.

Secondly, if you have your honeymoon outside the US and have not had you AP yet (which can take months), you will not be able to go back to the States after your honeymoon. You will have to honeymoon in the US or wait for your AP.

Oppsy. Forgot to mention we were married politically in Montreal last August. We worked on the I-130, aff of support and DS-230. The impending wedding is a religious. I have been living in Montreal from the beginning. Should be moving in July. btw, We have been reading VJ and following steps from the beginning. lol

Edited March 31, 2011 by VA-Bound

[Canadiandggal 49]

Hi Va,

I understand not wanting to change your wedding date and your interview date but it is very unlikely that they will allow you to pick up your visa or that dhl will have it back to you in time. However I would like to point out it is NOT unheard of, I got my passport back in 2 days along with all the other people from my interview date. BUT lately it does look like it is taking a week or more so I would not get my hopes up. Could you hold off on the honeymoon?

[VA-Bound 0]

Hi Va,

I understand not wanting to change your wedding date and your interview date but it is very unlikely that they will allow you to pick up your visa or that dhl will have it back to you in time. However I would like to point out it is NOT unheard of, I got my passport back in 2 days along with all the other people from my interview date. BUT lately it does look like it is taking a week or more so I would not get my hopes up. Could you hold off on the honeymoon?

We were planning on June 6th now. Hopefully not more then 2 weeks

[Veronik 19]

There are two certainties about our situation. The wedding and interview date must go on as scheduled. I have some advice for people as well. If you are a Canadian marrying an American. You both should GET NEXUS! We both travelled freely without ANY issues and we did it multiple times each month. Just tell them the truth. The whole immigration process went very smoothly and FASSSSSTT because of it. I bet the passport will be fast as well. Just can't take a chance. :-)

Well you sound like you have it under control, good luck with everything!