Sending Packet 3 to MTL via Xpresspost

[Tom & Stacy 3]

Hello my fellow helpers! Another question for the individuals who have recently sent their Packet 3 forms to Montreal...

I suspect I'll be submitting my packet 3 in the next few days. My plan of attack is NOT to use the free DHL service to send the packet to Montreal. I'm wanting to use Xpresspost so that I can track when it shows up at the Consulate and besides, DHL is slower in my area. I have two questions:

1. Does Montreal still accept packet 3's that are not sent via DHL?

2. What do I put down for the courier reference ID number on the bottom of the interview checklist if I do not use DHL?

Thanks everyone.

Edited June 26, 2012 by Tom & Stacy

[Smiley-one 13]

When I sent in my pkg 3 I was told that the US Consulate would only accept packages VIA DHL. I too was going to send my information VIA another courier service as DHL computers were down for several days and I was unable to schedule a pick up of my documents. But was told that the Consulate would not accept my documents unless they were sent VIA DHL or Loomis since Loomis bought out DHL.

[Tom & Stacy 3]

When I sent in my pkg 3 I was told that the US Consulate would only accept packages VIA DHL. I too was going to send my information VIA another courier service as DHL computers were down for several days and I was unable to schedule a pick up of my documents. But was told that the Consulate would not accept my documents unless they were sent VIA DHL or Loomis since Loomis bought out DHL.

Good to know. I'm still pretty confused though. After reading 100 posts about DHL, I don't understand why they want you to register for DHL so early. I thought they only needed a registration # to send your visa/passport back to you after the interview. If I register for DHL to send them packet 3, won't I have a different # for the visa return? Or is it the same #?

Have some people left this line blank on the interview checklist when sending it to the interview notifying them that you are ready for your interview?

This DHL process is confusing!

[toocool 0]

submitting packets via expresspost is still acceptable....on the form log your MTL #....and all your return address particulars.

you need to reference your MTL # on all correspondence.

i packet 3 i included a letter outlining the contents of package which had my MTL #, both my name and my fiance name, my email address and other contact info and I also included the NVC log number on it too....just to be sure.

I did not have a problem and this was in may 2012

dhl is out of town for me so it was easier to pay and use expresspost.

[Tom & Stacy 3]

submitting packets via expresspost is still acceptable....on the form log your MTL #....and all your return address particulars.

you need to reference your MTL # on all correspondence.

i packet 3 i included a letter outlining the contents of package which had my MTL #, both my name and my fiance name, my email address and other contact info and I also included the NVC log number on it too....just to be sure.

I did not have a problem and this was in may 2012

dhl is out of town for me so it was easier to pay and use expresspost.

Hi toocool! Thanks for your response.

On your interview checklist, did you write anything in the 'Courier Service Reference ID #' section? I'm wondering what they are looking for here. A DHL register #, a Canada Post Xpresspost reference ID?

[pocheros 101]

You do not HAVE to send packet 3 visa DHL- it's just free if you do IIRC. I sent my packet 3 visa expresspost.

[Tom & Stacy 3]

You do not HAVE to send packet 3 visa DHL- it's just free if you do IIRC. I sent my packet 3 visa expresspost.

Definitely good news! Thank you.

Since you didn't register for DHL to send your packet 3, did you leave this section blank on the interview checklist?

It asks for a 'courier reference ID' and I'm afraid to leave it blank!

[pocheros 101]

Definitely good news! Thank you.

Since you didn't register for DHL to send your packet 3, did you leave this section blank on the interview checklist?

It asks for a 'courier reference ID' and I'm afraid to leave it blank!

I am confused about where you are seeing that a courier reference ID is required. I'm assuming you mean the packet 3 checklist but I can't find a link to a PDF of it on the official Montreal consulate site which has undergone some changes recently. Could you provide a link? It's been a year since I mailed off packet 3 but when I did it did not ask for a reference ID and there was a PDF of it on the site.

You will have to register with DHL before your interview because that's how they return your visa to you, but that's not required of you now. Are you sure it's not a space meant for someone at the consulate to fill in?

Also, for what's it worth I didn't check off anything on the checklist, just signed and dated it. Not to suggest that you do the same, though.

Edited June 27, 2012 by pocheros

[Tom & Stacy 3]

I am confused about where you are seeing that a courier reference ID is required. I'm assuming you mean the packet 3 checklist but I can't find a link to a PDF of it on the official Montreal consulate site which has undergone some changes recently. Could you provide a link? It's been a year since I mailed off packet 3 but when I did it did not ask for a reference ID and there was a PDF of it on the site.

You will have to register with DHL before your interview because that's how they return your visa to you, but that's not required of you now. Are you sure it's not a space meant for someone at the consulate to fill in?

Also, for what's it worth I didn't check off anything on the checklist, just signed and dated it. Not to suggest that you do the same, though.

I'm using the .pdf that can be found on the right hand side of this page:

http://montreal.usconsulate.gov/visas/visas/fianc-k-1-visas.html

Packet 3: Fiancé(e) Applicants

Scroll to the bottom of the checklist and you'll see 'Courier Service Reference ID Number'.

Edited June 27, 2012 by Tom & Stacy

[pocheros 101]

I'm using the .pdf that can be found on the right hand side of this page:

http://montreal.usconsulate.gov/visas/visas/fianc-k-1-visas.html

Packet 3: Fiancé(e) Applicants

Scroll to the bottom of the checklist and you'll see 'Courier Service Reference ID Number'.

They changed packet 3 since I filled it out last year. Hmm, I'm not sure! I want to say you'll be safe without filling it out, but I don't really know.

[Tom & Stacy 3]

They changed packet 3 since I filled it out last year. Hmm, I'm not sure! I want to say you'll be safe without filling it out, but I don't really know.

Looks like what they have on the website is misleading. The packet 3 checklist in .pdf form is a little different than the new 'Appointment Checklist'.

I may just send in the new checklist and date and sign it even though it wasn't have anywhere to date and sign! Urgh! So frusterating.

[Tom & Stacy 3]

Looks like what they have on the website is misleading. The packet 3 checklist in .pdf form is a little different than the new 'Appointment Checklist'.

I may just send in the new checklist and date and sign it even though it wasn't have anywhere to date and sign! Urgh! So frusterating.

Can anyone else lend any valuable guidance for this?

I don't understand why the Packet 3 Checklist would be different than the Appointment checklist. I wanted to send in my Packet 3 before receiving it in the mail but at this point I'm thinking there's a new Packet 3!

Can anyone help??

[3-4D 7]

Looks like what they have on the website is misleading. The packet 3 checklist in .pdf form is a little different than the new 'Appointment Checklist'.

I may just send in the new checklist and date and sign it even though it wasn't have anywhere to date and sign! Urgh! So frusterating.

I just completed the packet three last night and is not send out yet. I take a lot of good advice here on VJ but also bare in mind some people did this about a year ago and things have change. I read through the checklist and mailing, the reference ID comes from registering with the Loomis. It can be register at anytime I believe. Once you register, you will get the reference ID, you have several options of what to do, you can choose the option to send documents to consulate or you can choose the option to book an appointment.

I agree with you that the site is confusing because on the appointment list, it has I-864 instead of I-134 and the packet 3 it has I-134.

[Tom & Stacy 3]

So, which form are you preparing? I'm considering preparing both so that at the interview I can just pull whatever one they request.

Did you wait for the actual packet to show up at your house or did you just call to see of it was sent out? Have any problems uploading your picture into the online DS-160 form?

[3-4D 7]

So, which form are you preparing? I'm considering preparing both so that at the interview I can just pull whatever one they request.

Did you wait for the actual packet to show up at your house or did you just call to see of it was sent out? Have any problems uploading your picture into the online DS-160 form?

I called DOS, and they advised me it was mailed out on June 18,2012. So i began to fill out the documents both online and the paper sheet. I scanned my passport photo and uploaded it on the DS-160 form online. They have a cropping tool that allows you to play around it. Didnt work for me the first try, but after the third time it did. With all the changes that are going on. I am going to wait another week to see if the documents come in my house then I will send it. I just want to be completely sure of what I am doing because things have changed.