Had to mail in passport to MTL

[CDN2US 10]

On Dec 2, at his interview, my husband's case was put into AP. The lady gave him the option to keep his passport so he could travel over the holidays, and she wrote on his 221g that they would request his passport when AP was complete.

On Feb 7, we received an email requesting the passport. Due to extenuating circumstances, my husband chose not to mail it back right away.

On Apr 9, he utilized Loomis as directed to mail it back, and...

On Apr 10, we received an email from Loomis stating it was delivered.

On Apr 12, I called DOS and received the party line that his case was still processing. They can't give us any additional details.

We're having an emergency here at home that would not in any way qualify us for expediting, but it's stressful nonetheless. Having him home ASAP is very important.

I mean, I know that if they'd had his passport, it very well would've been mailed within a few days of Feb 7, but I'm wondering about the turnaround for having to mail it first, you know? Did anyone else have this experience of having to mail their passport in for the visa (at least that's what we hope is being "processed")?

Thanks folks.

ETA: I'm aware of the poll thread regarding waiting on MTL for passport, but I was wondering about this specific kind of situation.

Edited April 13, 2012 by Tercerero

[SF2007 48]

About 2-3 weeks. Anything that goes through their mail room sits there for a little while. I had to courier them my passport last year (my medical was not ready the day of my interview in Montreal and they offered for me to keep my passport and mail it along with the results) and it took a little over 2 weeks before they mailed my passport back with my visa.

[CDN2US 10]

Damn, that stinks. That's exactly how long they've given our dog to live. Ugh...

[SapphireDreams 71]

Hae you tried emailing?

If you haven't, I'd suggest emailing the consulate asap and explaining your situation and see if there is anything they can do.

[CDN2US 10]

No, no email yet. Considering the level of need required to request speediness, it seemed silly to ask. Idk. Do you think it would be worth it?

[SF2007 48]

No, no email yet. Considering the level of need required to request speediness, it seemed silly to ask. Idk. Do you think it would be worth it?

Worst case they will tell you you should have returned the passport sooner. What is there for you to loose but a couple minutes to write an email?

[SapphireDreams 71]

Never hurts to ask! They are only human, you never know.

[jazzly 3]

I have mailed my passport (after a month of AP after collecting the required info) on April 5th and have seen no activity. April 6th was holiday. So I will wait for 10 business days and call DOS to find out.

I heard that for immigration visa, MTL don't deal in emails or phone. You have to check with DOS/USCIS to find out if the Visa is approved. The mailing and tracking is separate affair with DHL/Loomis and DOS/USICS would not know. You will need to use the consulate website for waybill number, or email from them once its ready for pickup.

[CDN2US 10]

Well, the holiday wouldn't matter to us, and we were not required to submit any additional information, so there is nothing additional for them to review or handle, like medical results as stated above or whatever jazzly had to send in. That's why I was hoping for something quicker. I just wish we didn't have this additional emotional situation to add angst to the waiting...

[CDN2US 10]

I called DOS today and the status was different.

She said they received my husband's passport, the file was under review, and that a visa had not yet been issued.

This is very different than the "the case is currently processing" BS I got while he was under AP.

I hope that means something is going to happen soon.

Edited April 17, 2012 by Tercerero

[jazzly 3]

I called DOS and got the same response. The person even named the supporting docs that I submitted. So they are reviewing it.

[CDN2US 10]

Any movement on your end, jazzly?

[jazzly 3]

Calling everyday, getting the same under AP. In other thread, a VJ'r got reply on his email saying that time to review the docs is 4 weeks as they have backlog or something. That person submitted his PP on March 23, still no activity.

[CDN2US 10]

Ugh, what a nightmare. A never ending nightmare. Every friggin' time you think you're done, something gets messed up. I'm at my wit's end over here. I've seen that guy posting about his March passport and it makes my heart sink. Same with you, jazzly.

I hope this week brings some resolution for us. I hate this.

[CDN2US 10]

Ugh. I emailed on 04/17 and got this canned response today:

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

Consular Correspondent | Immigrant Visa Unit

NOPE! NOT HELPFUL AT ALL! Thanks