Sending Packet 3 to MTL via Xpresspost

[Tom & Stacy 3]

When you receive packet 3 (if you do), would you mind sharing the checklist? Just interested to see if the checklist they send you is the same as the appointment checklist on the website.

[pocheros 101]

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?

Keep in mind the checklist addresses more than just K1 visas. K1s prepare the I-134 and CR1/IR1s prepare the 864. When a K1 adjusts their status after they enter the US and get married they prepare the 864. A K1 DOES NOT need to bring the 864 to the interview.

Bolded just because this question comes up a lot.

Edited June 27, 2012 by pocheros

[Tom & Stacy 3]

Keep in mind the checklist addresses more than just K1 visas. K1s prepare the I-134 and CR1/IR1s prepare the 864. When a K1 adjusts their status after they enter the US and get married they prepare the 864. A K1 DOES NOT need to bring the 864 to the interview.

Bolded just because this question comes up a lot.

While this is what I always thought too, I'm still baffled why the new appointment checklist for a fiancé visa (as seen on the Montreal Consulate website) states we need to fill out the I-184 for the K-1 interview...

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

Unless there's more than one type of fiancé visa? Haha

[pocheros 101]

While this is what I always thought too, I'm still baffled why the new appointment checklist for a fiancé visa (as seen on the Montreal Consulate website) states we need to fill out the I-184 for the K-1 interview...

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

Unless there's more than one type of fiancé visa? Haha

Did you notice that checklist also asks for marriage certificates? It says it's a fiance checklist but that's the same one they've been using for ages for both fiances AND spouses. That is why the 864 is on there, it's for spouses.

Check out the K1 guide pinned at the top of the forum, a VJer emailed Montreal recently and Montreal reassured them that you bring the I-134. Recent K1 interviewees brought the I-134 to their interviews. Hardcopies of packet 3 and packet 4 from Montreal tell K1s to bring the I-134. The I-134 for whatever reason is omitted in that link but everywhere else Montreal says to bring it. The consulate website has been somewhat unreliable with information in the past with errors and typos.

The 864 is required for adjustment of status, it doesn't make any sense to bring those to Montreal. The I-134 is pretty much universally required from K1s.

I would suggest e-mailing Montreal if you need peace of mind. Montreal can certainly request whatever documents they want from someone, including an 864 from a K1. It's possible they're phasing out one document in favour of the other but personal experiences from other VJers who interview recently seem to show that the I-134 is still the preferred document for K1s.

Edited June 28, 2012 by pocheros

[pocheros 101]

Okay, here is proof that Montreal wants the I-134 for K1s. This is the official packet 4 checklist, last updated May 4th 2012: http://photos.state.gov/libraries/canada/303578/montreal/packet4-montreal.pdf

Scroll to page 6. This is a checklist for K1s and it lists the I-134. Note on page 5 there is a checklist for immigrant visas that lists the 864; TECHNICALLY the K1 is NOT an immigrant visa- that's why all spousal visas have to go Montreal (because only Montreal does immigrant visas) whereas Vancouver also processes K1s. Immigrant visas address other relatives of US petitioners such as mothers, fathers, spouses, etc., all of which require the 864. The K1 is not included among these visas.

Edited June 28, 2012 by pocheros

[Tom & Stacy 3]

This is a great response. Thank you. That reply alone set my mind at ease. Will be only bringing the I-134.

Do you think I'm ok to send in packet 3 before actually getting it in the mail? Just thinking now that since they are so unreliable, do I chance getting a different checklist in the mail than what's on the site?

[pocheros 101]

You're welcome!

As soon as Department of State tells you that packet 3 has been logged (which basically means your case got the green-light and Pkt3 will arrive sooner or later) you can mail it out to Montreal. You do not need to wait until Packet 3 is physically in your hands- in fact, some VJers report never receiving Packet 3 or 4 or receiving them extremely late. It would be unwise to wait until it's arrived in the mail because it might takes ages. However, don't mail Pkt 3 when it hasn't been logged yet- there's always a chance for an RFE at any stage in the process.

Since your case just left NVC on the 14th it shouldn't be too long until it's been logged. Have you called DoS recently?

I doubt the hardcopy is much different than what's on the site. Also, the first post of this thread has tips for assembling packet 3: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/327503-canada-immigration-k1-guide-for-montreal/

Hope this helps!

Edited June 28, 2012 by pocheros

[Tom & Stacy 3]

You're welcome!

As soon as Department of State tells you that packet 3 has been logged (which basically means your case got the green-light and Pkt3 will arrive sooner or later) you can mail it out to Montreal. You do not need to wait until Packet 3 is physically in your hands- in fact, some VJers report never receiving Packet 3 or 4 or receiving them extremely late. It would be unwise to wait until it's arrived in the mail because it might takes ages. However, don't mail Pkt 3 when it hasn't been logged yet- there's always a chance for an RFE at any stage in the process.

Since your case just left NVC on the 14th it shouldn't be too long until it's been logged. Have you called DoS recently?

I doubt the hardcopy is much different than what's on the site. Also, the first post of this thread has tips for assembling packet 3: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/327503-canada-immigration-k1-guide-for-montreal/

Hope this helps!

Our case was received by Montreal just today actually! I'm hoping it's not too long before its logged. I figure I'll give them two days and then I'll start in harassing DOS once more! As for the checklist, I'll use the April updated Packet 3 that's on the website once they tell me it's logged. I'd feel better using the May checklist you provided above but it has a page # on the bottom and I'm afraid that might raise a few "Ah! They are trying to beat the system!" type of red flag...

Thanks again for your help. You are quite knowledgeable!

[girlwithquestions 2]

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.

Hey, Stacy/Tom...we are in it together...so Montreal consulate physically got my package yesterday, on the 27th. ( so i guess it means it has left the mailroom and sent to the officer's office?! ;-) ) Guess they will contact us in a week or two? So which city are you in, if you don't mind? So you have all your documents ready to go?

[Elisinha 1]

Hello,

I thought about sharing my experience with P3 since it gives her so much pain and increases impatience ehehehe..

I had my interview in Montreal beginning of May..

1 - I didnt send my P3 till DOS told me that my case was logged. Which didnt take too long after they received it.

2 - My checklist with my DHL number was this one: http://photos.state.gov/libraries/canada/303578/montreal/packet3-k1-mtl.pdf (scrool all the way to the bottom) I checked what i had and i wrote my DHL ID, but listen, I DID NOT send it by Courier, i sent my P3 by Express like Pocheros did.

3- The I-134 was freaking me out too, but i did not bring it to the interview, like it has been said before, this form is required for k1s not i-864. so have peace about this one.

I am already in the States and very happy with my husband to be ..

Hope that helps!!!

Goog luck!!

[Tom & Stacy 3]

Hey, Stacy/Tom...we are in it together...so Montreal consulate physically got my package yesterday, on the 27th. ( so i guess it means it has left the mailroom and sent to the officer's office?! ;-) ) Guess they will contact us in a week or two? So which city are you in, if you don't mind? So you have all your documents ready to go?

Hi Girlwithquestions. I'm in St. John's, NL.

I called Montreal today. They received my case yesterday and sent out packet 3 yesterday as well. I spent a good hour or two filling out all the forms this evening and will be sending it to Montreal via Xpresspost tomorrow. I went ahead and registered with DHL just to show I did sign up but will not be using DHL from Newfoundland. It's much too slow. I then wrote the reference ID on the packet 3 checklist found on the website.

I just have to complete the DS-160 form and then I'm good to go.

I am also submitting a cover letter to summarize what I included in the envelope.

Good luck!!

[Tom & Stacy 3]

Hello,

I thought about sharing my experience with P3 since it gives her so much pain and increases impatience ehehehe..

I had my interview in Montreal beginning of May..

1 - I didnt send my P3 till DOS told me that my case was logged. Which didnt take too long after they received it.

2 - My checklist with my DHL number was this one: http://photos.state.gov/libraries/canada/303578/montreal/packet3-k1-mtl.pdf (scrool all the way to the bottom) I checked what i had and i wrote my DHL ID, but listen, I DID NOT send it by Courier, i sent my P3 by Express like Pocheros did.

3- The I-134 was freaking me out too, but i did not bring it to the interview, like it has been said before, this form is required for k1s not i-864. so have peace about this one.

I am already in the States and very happy with my husband to be ..

Hope that helps!!!

Goog luck!!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!! This information is very helpful.

This whole process is giving me ulcers. I filled out all forms and I'm ready to send it in. Did you staple/glue your two photographs to the DS-156 forms?

Wish me luck!

[girlwithquestions 2]

Hi Girlwithquestions. I'm in St. John's, NL.

I called Montreal today. They received my case yesterday and sent out packet 3 yesterday as well. I spent a good hour or two filling out all the forms this evening and will be sending it to Montreal via Xpresspost tomorrow. I went ahead and registered with DHL just to show I did sign up but will not be using DHL from Newfoundland. It's much too slow. I then wrote the reference ID on the packet 3 checklist found on the website.

I just have to complete the DS-160 form and then I'm good to go.

I am also submitting a cover letter to summarize what I included in the envelope.

Good luck!!

Awww..You are a step faster than me now!!! they got my package but haven't sent out my package 3!!!:-( But the good thing is that I can follow you because you always know the right thing to do!!! cut me some slack ;-)

[girlwithquestions 2]

Awww..You are a step faster than me now!!! they got my package but haven't sent out my package 3!!!:-( But the good thing is that I can follow you because you always know the right thing to do!!! cut me some slack ;-)

Who knows when they will send out my package...here goes the Canada day........

[Elisinha 1]

Hi,

I did not staple my photos. I actually used a paper clips.

If is comforts you I never received my P3 physically as they say they sent ehehe. My P4 was sent by email which I used it for reference. Our communication was basically by email.

Good luck!