Montreal August 2011 Interviews!

[Andy and Kayla 45]

Thanks guys!

Congrats on getting your visa ralyse! That was awfully fast. I hope your wedding is a blast!

You had the dreadlock lady at the interview, right? I got her as well, and I read somewhere that the person who interviews you at least partially affects how quickly your visa is printed. Dunno if that's true but if it is I got lucky since you got your visa so quickly! Hehe. Living in Ontario might have something to do with it too, though. *fingers crossed*

She did our interview, too.

[ralyse 31]

How great....I got the Loomis/DHL tracking number, clicked on the link,but says undeliverable as the last line item..not sure what to do now? any suggestions anyone? Is it safe just to show up on MOnday?

Yup! Undeliverable just means they're not taking it to your address and it's now okay to go in and pick it up! Make sure to call DHL and check the hours at your location before going in though, the Kitchener/Waterloo one is closed from 1230-230 every day.

And since we're all a big happy August interview family I figured I'd share my POE review here:

Bluewater Bridge - Sarnia/Port Huron

We arrived at the bridge at 9:15pm and it was really dead. When we pulled up to the first inspection, before we even said anything the officer grinned and said "You guys have to go inside!" We were confused for a minute but I realized the "do not open" packet was on the dashboard of the car, so he could clearly see it as we drove up. So he had my fiance put the hazards on, joked with him a bit about getting himself a wife and sent us over to secondary.

We got the standard reminder not to bring in anything but our paperwork and to leave purses in the car. The officer also reminded us to bring cash to pay the visa fee. We went in with the packet and my XRay (since the instructions say they might ask for it at POE) and were called right up since there was only one other group in there at the time.

The officer asked what my XRay was, I told him, he said he wouldn't need it and opened the packet. Right on top was a big yellow post-it with "You must have applicant sign page 2 of the DS-230" and I realized they'd never asked me to sign it at my interview, whoops! At least Montreal didn't delay me over that, just had me sign it at POE. So I did that and the agent started silently going through the packet. After a few minutes he asked when the wedding would be and how we met, then asked what was in the car.

He had us fill out customs declarations and started to question me on the process for AOS/EAD/AP. He said he was glad I knew the process, but told me I was allowed to come and go from Canada as much as I wanted *until* the wedding. I'd never heard that, but I didn't question it and have no plans on testing it out. He took my fingerprints and picture and issued the stamps/stapled the piece into my passport.

He handed us back the keys and wished us luck. We were about to go when I realized he's never had us pay the 6$ visa fee, so I asked him about it. He just shrugged and said not to worry about it this time.

We were out in about 20 minutes

[CourtneyRox 25]

Yup! Undeliverable just means they're not taking it to your address and it's now okay to go in and pick it up! Make sure to call DHL and check the hours at your location before going in though, the Kitchener/Waterloo one is closed from 1230-230 every day.

And since we're all a big happy August interview family I figured I'd share my POE review here:

Bluewater Bridge - Sarnia/Port Huron

We arrived at the bridge at 9:15pm and it was really dead. When we pulled up to the first inspection, before we even said anything the officer grinned and said "You guys have to go inside!" We were confused for a minute but I realized the "do not open" packet was on the dashboard of the car, so he could clearly see it as we drove up. So he had my fiance put the hazards on, joked with him a bit about getting himself a wife and sent us over to secondary.

We got the standard reminder not to bring in anything but our paperwork and to leave purses in the car. The officer also reminded us to bring cash to pay the visa fee. We went in with the packet and my XRay (since the instructions say they might ask for it at POE) and were called right up since there was only one other group in there at the time.

The officer asked what my XRay was, I told him, he said he wouldn't need it and opened the packet. Right on top was a big yellow post-it with "You must have applicant sign page 2 of the DS-230" and I realized they'd never asked me to sign it at my interview, whoops! At least Montreal didn't delay me over that, just had me sign it at POE. So I did that and the agent started silently going through the packet. After a few minutes he asked when the wedding would be and how we met, then asked what was in the car.

He had us fill out customs declarations and started to question me on the process for AOS/EAD/AP. He said he was glad I knew the process, but told me I was allowed to come and go from Canada as much as I wanted *until* the wedding. I'd never heard that, but I didn't question it and have no plans on testing it out. He took my fingerprints and picture and issued the stamps/stapled the piece into my passport.

He handed us back the keys and wished us luck. We were about to go when I realized he's never had us pay the 6$ visa fee, so I asked him about it. He just shrugged and said not to worry about it this time.

We were out in about 20 minutes

Awesome... I believe this is where my POE will be too

[NinoniAndBoosBoos 6]

Ours said the same thing, so my fiance called the DHL branch in the morning and they confirmed it was there ready for pick up. I'd do the same before you drive to get it, but it should be there! Congrats!

Congrats to you tooo.....I will pick it up monday thank you.

[NinoniAndBoosBoos 6]

Yup! Undeliverable just means they're not taking it to your address and it's now okay to go in and pick it up! Make sure to call DHL and check the hours at your location before going in though, the Kitchener/Waterloo one is closed from 1230-230 every day.

And since we're all a big happy August interview family I figured I'd share my POE review here:

Bluewater Bridge - Sarnia/Port Huron

We arrived at the bridge at 9:15pm and it was really dead. When we pulled up to the first inspection, before we even said anything the officer grinned and said "You guys have to go inside!" We were confused for a minute but I realized the "do not open" packet was on the dashboard of the car, so he could clearly see it as we drove up. So he had my fiance put the hazards on, joked with him a bit about getting himself a wife and sent us over to secondary.

We got the standard reminder not to bring in anything but our paperwork and to leave purses in the car. The officer also reminded us to bring cash to pay the visa fee. We went in with the packet and my XRay (since the instructions say they might ask for it at POE) and were called right up since there was only one other group in there at the time.

The officer asked what my XRay was, I told him, he said he wouldn't need it and opened the packet. Right on top was a big yellow post-it with "You must have applicant sign page 2 of the DS-230" and I realized they'd never asked me to sign it at my interview, whoops! At least Montreal didn't delay me over that, just had me sign it at POE. So I did that and the agent started silently going through the packet. After a few minutes he asked when the wedding would be and how we met, then asked what was in the car.

He had us fill out customs declarations and started to question me on the process for AOS/EAD/AP. He said he was glad I knew the process, but told me I was allowed to come and go from Canada as much as I wanted *until* the wedding. I'd never heard that, but I didn't question it and have no plans on testing it out. He took my fingerprints and picture and issued the stamps/stapled the piece into my passport.

He handed us back the keys and wished us luck. We were about to go when I realized he's never had us pay the 6$ visa fee, so I asked him about it. He just shrugged and said not to worry about it this time.

We were out in about 20 minutes

What a great review!!! thanks, I am still unsure if I will POE out of Pearson or Buffalo. But it might be Pearson, seeing I can't use my Airmiles points in the US..boo hoo...so happy you arrived safely and everything went so smoothly. All the Best on your journey..but strange about travelling to come and go from Canada as much as your wanted until the wedding.. smart not to test it, so more fingerprints and another picture...SO HAPPY FOR YOU...you deserve all the happiness now after all this.

[NinoniAndBoosBoos 6]

" The officer also reminded us to bring cash to pay the visa fee."

lucky you he didnt' make you pay..good sign of things to come

but do you think it would've have been in US or CDN Funds?

Edited August 13, 2011 by NinoniAndBoosBoos

[ralyse 31]

" The officer also reminded us to bring cash to pay the visa fee."

lucky you he didnt' make you pay..good sign of things to come

but do you think it would've have been in US or CDN Funds?

I don't know about the airports, but at the bridge it's always US cash (possibly credit card? I know there's no Canadian cash or debit because I've been in there while they've had to send someone back for not having an acceptable method of payment.)

[pocheros 101]

I have a quick question! My waybill number will be displayed on the applicant summary page on the CSC website when my passport is ready, right? Right now the applicant summary page just lists my name, date of birth, reference ID and MRV receipt. It doesn't say "applicant status" or anything. Does it just look like this until it's ready? (I'm aware that seeing as my interview was on Thursday, it couldn't possibly be ready by now.)

[ralyse 31]

I have a quick question! My waybill number will be displayed on the applicant summary page on the CSC website when my passport is ready, right? Right now the applicant summary page just lists my name, date of birth, reference ID and MRV receipt. It doesn't say "applicant status" or anything. Does it just look like this until it's ready? (I'm aware that seeing as my interview was on Thursday, it couldn't possibly be ready by now.)

Mine still looks like that, the waybill never appeared on the website. I just got the email with it, never anything else. The DHL sheet they gave me at the interview has a picture of what it was supposed to look like, with the waybill in that section that has your DHL location, if you got that sheet?

[pocheros 101]

Derp, I totally forgot about that page! Yes you're right. I guess I should read over the "waiting for passports from MTL" thread before posting questions in here. I'm confused about how you're supposed to get a waybill number if it doesn't show up on the website (which happened in your case) or if you don't get an email (which happens in other people's cases.) :S Are you stuck if that's what happens?

[ralyse 31]

Derp, I totally forgot about that page! Yes you're right. I guess I should read over the "waiting for passports from MTL" thread before posting questions in here. I'm confused about how you're supposed to get a waybill number if it doesn't show up on the website (which happened in your case) or if you don't get an email (which happens in other people's cases.) :S Are you stuck if that's what happens?

I guess then you fall into the "show up at DHL and ask" category? That would suck... hopefully one or the other happens for everybody, at least!

[pocheros 101]

I guess then you fall into the "show up at DHL and ask" category? That would suck... hopefully one or the other happens for everybody, at least!

Ah I see... I read someone's experience with this in the other thread. I see you can call DoS though and they can tell you if it's been printed at least. Things are efficient as always! Thanks for the help. No sense in driving myself into anxiety when it hasn't even been 2 business days yet!

Edited August 13, 2011 by pocheros

[NinoniAndBoosBoos 6]

I don't know about the airports, but at the bridge it's always US cash (possibly credit card? I know there's no Canadian cash or debit because I've been in there while they've had to send someone back for not having an acceptable method of payment.)

Great to know!!! Arghhh Aeroplan Reward System Sucks!!! all this traveling for 7000 points? I know this has nothing to do with DHL and Visa pick-up, but trying to book my flight and POE.

Edited August 14, 2011 by NinoniAndBoosBoos

[NinoniAndBoosBoos 6]

Ah I see... I read someone's experience with this in the other thread. I see you can call DoS though and they can tell you if it's been printed at least. Things are efficient as always! Thanks for the help. No sense in driving myself into anxiety when it hasn't even been 2 business days yet!

Hope you get an email soon...keep positive

[Erin & Marc 0]

How long did it take you to schedule an interview from the time you got your interview letter? I keep trying and it says NO APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME