MTL Timeline to Interview

[Alan & Sharon 0]

The Government basically has to wait to hire new employees after the new fiscal year, which is October 1st. I don't know if the State Department used up all their money on Condoleeza Rice's trips to all those countries to reassure everyone that the US was doing so well in Iraq and at home, but something sure is strange. Her assistant actually took the blame for not hiring enough staff to handle the huge mess with Passports (That's where most of the help has gone is my opinion) and the Consulates got the short end of the stick. So they won't have any additional staff to handle this mess until after the October 1st new Fiscal Year. (This is what MY Senator's aide told me)

Sux. I just hope everyone gets through as fast as possible!

Alan & Sharon

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I'm curious how any of us will know about our interview date - especially with the mail system being incredibly slow - as evidenced by some folks who never did get a letter even though they've been for the interview or got th letter after the interview date?

We phoned last Thurs - expecting that they might be able to tell us since we know of some other VJ'ers who are relatively close timewise who have a date...but no luck. How the heck are we going to know?

Very frustrated

[mwinburn 0]

I'm curious how any of us will know about our interview date - especially with the mail system being incredibly slow - as evidenced by some folks who never did get a letter even though they've been for the interview or got th letter after the interview date?

We phoned last Thurs - expecting that they might be able to tell us since we know of some other VJ'ers who are relatively close timewise who have a date...but no luck. How the heck are we going to know?

Very frustrated

It's sad just how horrible this process has become. CSC slowed down about the time I started. Now Montreal has gotten even worse. What should have taken me 6 months in 2006 is going to take me at least 12 now. I'm really regretting following the law.

I needed to call Montreal today to warn them my fiance had moved and to tell them where to mail packet 3. But due to their inability to even answer phones, there's no telling what'll happen. Ideally they'll mail it in the next day or two so it arrives Before we lose access to the old mailbox, but maybe that's giving Montreal too much credit. I wouldn't be so worried if Canadian Post wasn't so unreliable.

*screams*

[Misty1979 0]

I'm curious how any of us will know about our interview date - especially with the mail system being incredibly slow - as evidenced by some folks who never did get a letter even though they've been for the interview or got th letter after the interview date?

We phoned last Thurs - expecting that they might be able to tell us since we know of some other VJ'ers who are relatively close timewise who have a date...but no luck. How the heck are we going to know?

Very frustrated

I sincerely hope that Montreal does catch up on their backlog ASAP so that you guys aren't sitting in the dark worrying you may have missed your interview date.

Hopefully if Alan/Sharon was correct, they will be hiring more people in October and making some progress on these interviews. Well they better start making progress...I think I can speak for us all when I say our sanity depends on it.

In the mean time, you can always spam them with emails. I don't think we should let them off so easy, they can turn off their phones, but they can't escape our e-harrassing!!

[Alan & Sharon 0]

My best advice, Call AND Email them. I did both, called first, was told her new address was in the system, and then due to my paranoia, emailed later. My email reply basically stated that they changed it after having received my email that day. Take NOTHING for granted, especially when they are as understaffed as they are now. You are probably not going to get through on the phones any more, so email will become the method of last resort, but at least you will have a copy of the correspondence to verify that you have done YOUR part in the even that some beaurocrat lets you know that everything is your fault. Yeah, I've grown pessemistic with the system, but sometimes it pays to be that way

[Melyssa 0]

My best advice, Call AND Email them. I did both, called first, was told her new address was in the system, and then due to my paranoia, emailed later. My email reply basically stated that they changed it after having received my email that day. Take NOTHING for granted, especially when they are as understaffed as they are now. You are probably not going to get through on the phones any more, so email will become the method of last resort, but at least you will have a copy of the correspondence to verify that you have done YOUR part in the even that some beaurocrat lets you know that everything is your fault. Yeah, I've grown pessemistic with the system, but sometimes it pays to be that way

Not sure if you saw my posts but it looks like phoning is no longer even possible. I tried calling yesterday and right away when I pressed 4, I got an automated message stating that they can no longer accept phone calls about immigrant visas due to staff shortages. That's why Misty was saying that about emailing...

Edited August 22, 2007 by Melyssa

[Ron/Sharon 0]

I will have more time to write later but I just quickly tried and they said they can no longer take calls for immigrant visas due to staff shortage...

Ron thanks so much for offering! I do actually have free long distance, but from home...

I wouldn't mind meeting you sometime though!

Hi Melyssa, The offer is to anyone in the Ottawa area that needs free long distance, I should have offered it to Sharon also when she was at the YM/YWCA but it never came to mind then.

Perhaps once everything calms down for Sharon and I, we could meet for a coffee somewhere, right now our lives are turned upside down and we are trying to adjust to everything being thrown at us.

[Lona.C. 16]

wow havent been here in few days and its like missing a full chapter of a book ,

Liz I hope your ok and stayd save on your trip

Melyssa glad to read you finally called ( damn no phone service omg that sux , hope they get that fixed soon )

to everyone who got theyr visa in hand CONGRATULATIONS

Ron and sharon hang in ( from the sound of it you doin great hanging in there ) I just hope things will move a bit quicker for you guys , and them people realize they should have given you the visa from the beginning ( just stay strong and keep positive )

on my side well had my big 40 b day sunday my babe came we went to romantic restaurant in MTL celebrated with my aliens ( growen kids )

Monday packed our things so I can go with him and visit him for few weeks ( am currently with my babe)

anyhow the lady at the border askd the usual questions when I aplied for the new visitor visa ,

( how long I"m going to stay , what I do in canada , blah blah )

she askd to see some reseant payed bills <she askd if we are aware of the fiance visa,

I showed the aproved NOA 2 and copy of MTL letter told her we are in K1 process she lookd at it said well by this document you should have the visa by oct since it will expire in oct ,

told her i did contact the office and they informd me another 4-6 month , the NOA 2 would be automaticly extended at the interview ,

she gave me a look like ( that cant be , told her if she like to call to confirm i would apriciate it )

she said no thats ok , just to make sure I keep track on the time spend in the states to dont stay longer then I stay in canada, told her I always do and thank you , have a great day

( now got another visitor visa waver wich is good for 3 month ) hope that was the last one I had to aply for ,its hard to keep track on the stay ,

I usualy stay 2-3 weeks with my babe then 1 month in canada again 2-3 weeks with my babe the circle continues , just bad at the states side they ask to see stamps in the passport to prove my return to canada ,

and when I ask for stamps at canada side on my return , they give me a blah blah about , you are permanent resident of canada you have the rights like a canadian citizen we cant give a stamp , when I ask so if my rights are the same , why do I have to aply for a visitor waver ever 3 month ? they answer cose your german citizen ,

( am like thinking in my head dhu tell me something I dont already know lol )

even when I explain that we are in process of K1 visa and the stamps are required at the U.S as prove for me not overstaying the visitor waver , most the times all the say sorry we dont give stamps to canadian LPR , ( once in a while we run into a officer who realy understand the process and gives me a stamp ) anyhow am just glad to be here again with my babe

[Chica Yeyé 41]

guys, don't panic. Even if MTL is not answering phones, you can still call the Department of State! they are quicker in responding.

[jenmac75 1]

guys, don't panic. Even if MTL is not answering phones, you can still call the Department of State! they are quicker in responding.

Will the Department of State give you info about K visa scheduling???

[Chica Yeyé 41]

guys, don't panic. Even if MTL is not answering phones, you can still call the Department of State! they are quicker in responding.

Will the Department of State give you info about K visa scheduling???

Good question. I would think so.... but then again you can't be sure unless you give them a ring. I don't know for sure, being DCF myself.

[piosenka 0]

I emailed MTL yesterday afternoon and got a response this morning!

We have our interview on October 24!!!!!!!!!!

I love having 2 months notice ahead of time. It's plenty of time to prepare. I would have taken 2 days, but hopefully this is a sign that they are trying to schedule things more reasonably.

[jenmac75 1]

I emailed MTL yesterday afternoon and got a response this morning!

We have our interview on October 24!!!!!!!!!!

I love having 2 months notice ahead of time. It's plenty of time to prepare. I would have taken 2 days, but hopefully this is a sign that they are trying to schedule things more reasonably.

Congrats!! I'm emailing them now - as fast as my little fingers can type!

[Chica Yeyé 41]

I emailed MTL yesterday afternoon and got a response this morning!

We have our interview on October 24!!!!!!!!!!

I love having 2 months notice ahead of time. It's plenty of time to prepare. I would have taken 2 days, but hopefully this is a sign that they are trying to schedule things more reasonably.

that's amazing!!! Having time to prepare also means... having more time to freak (lime little ol' me). I am happy for you!!!!!!

L.

[Ron/Sharon 0]

If everyone starts writing to Montreal they will have to get the phones back up and working, replying to e-mails is not the best time management practice they have. So everyone send Montreal a question per day over the next few days and see what the results will be. I have nine questions for them right now and knowng that they answer only one (My experience) question per e-mail I have 9 to send off, beleive me they will soon tire of hitting the reply button. Give their address to family and friends and have them ask questions or wish them a g'day.