URGENT!! DHL opened DO NOT OPEN envelope with VISA information

[JnJ13 13]

It's exceptionally difficult to 'have a dialogue' with the IV Unit in Montreal.

I suggest something else - apply it at your own risk..

reprint the interview letter, bring interview letter, passport, visa packet, into the Montreal IV Unit - tell the Guard that you MUST get inside and have the packet resealed by a member of the Consular Officer staff.

Think of it as an 'emergency walk in' with no prior appointment.

I think this is one of your best bets. Also emailing Vancouver is a good idea, they were REALLY good and fast about responding to my emails. Also I see your Fiance is POEing in Port Huron, I just went through yesterday and they did thoroughly check the package to make sure it was not opened. It will all work out- but filing a complaint is a very good idea!

[amberlynnloves 125]

I tried to call Vancouver and they didn't help me much at all. They just told me to send an email. It is looking like we are going to be driving out there tomorrow night (7 hours) and getting there first thing Friday morning. I am going to try to call my congressman one more time. I called today and left a message but got no return phone call. So we shall see.

Edited November 22, 2012 by amberlynnloves

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Call State and see if they can route you through to someone at the consulate.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

I would be worried about that moron opening extremely sensitive and important documentation (to the point of watching your credit history like a hawk!). If you have the name I would call DHL and find out what office he's at, and who his supervisor is. I would speak to said supervisor about compensation for this entire trip into montreal to correct something that should NOT have needed fixing. Seriously, opening someone's mail is one thing if it's customs, you expect it, but an envelope stamped with "DO NOT OPEN" and a government seal (at least mine was).. holy #######.

It's fixable, don't worry about that. How long it will take, and how many trips to Montreal is another thing. Are they closed for Thanksgiving? I know we're closed here Thursday and Friday. Would a US Embassy observe such holidays?

Edited November 22, 2012 by Vanessa&Tony

[VeeNDee 44]

Ugh that sounds like a nightmare - so sorry it happened to you!! Echoing what someone else said, you might want to try to claim compensation from DHL for the costs you have incurred as a result. Also worried about Thanksgiving and the Montreal embassy like Vanessa & Tony said. What a position to be in - I feel for you since you were just so excited to be approved

We are rooting for you!!!!!!

[amberlynnloves 125]

We are driving to Montreal today. I am going to DHL this morning. I am going to be saving all receipts. POE told us to contact the police and file a police report because the custom's officer I spoke with said it is a federal crime for anyone to open that package that is NOT a border/customs officer. I also read on the Montreal website that the only day they are observing as a holiday is today. Tomorrow they should be open. This is a freaking nightmare and I am so angry. UGH!

[Flames9_RN 358]

We are driving to Montreal today. I am going to DHL this morning. I am going to be saving all receipts. POE told us to contact the police and file a police report because the custom's officer I spoke with said it is a federal crime for anyone to open that package that is NOT a border/customs officer. I also read on the Montreal website that the only day they are observing as a holiday is today. Tomorrow they should be open. This is a freaking nightmare and I am so angry. UGH!

Should be open friday---I know the USA Embassy here in Nica is open Friday!!

[The Mean Lady 604]

We are driving to Montreal today. I am going to DHL this morning. I am going to be saving all receipts. POE told us to contact the police and file a police report because the custom's officer I spoke with said it is a federal crime for anyone to open that package that is NOT a border/customs officer. I also read on the Montreal website that the only day they are observing as a holiday is today. Tomorrow they should be open. This is a freaking nightmare and I am so angry. UGH!

I know you don't want to seem vindictive in this whole situation, but this is a serious issue and it need to legally be handled.

You really should file a police report.

I know how you feel on the drive to montreal, we are also 7 hours away and that just is NOT fun to me.

Especially with gas prices up in Canada like they are (barf)

All that being said, just curious, did the guy that wrote the note say he did it by ACCIDENT or on purpose?

I mean, that sucks if he did it by accident, but DHL still has to cover the consequences, which, in my opinion, would also include refunding your gas money for having to drive out to montreal and fix the situation.

Speak to whomever you can, try to be as calm as possible (lord knows i'm terrible at that part) and hopefully you'll at least get refunded for the trouble it's causing you and if that guy did it on purpose, then he really does deserve to be let go.

Edited November 22, 2012 by KDubovik

[VanessaTony 3,567]

We are driving to Montreal today. I am going to DHL this morning. I am going to be saving all receipts. POE told us to contact the police and file a police report because the custom's officer I spoke with said it is a federal crime for anyone to open that package that is NOT a border/customs officer. I also read on the Montreal website that the only day they are observing as a holiday is today. Tomorrow they should be open. This is a freaking nightmare and I am so angry. UGH!

It WILL be okay.

I agree with POE of course to make a police report. Do it before you leave for Montreal, or IN Montreal so that they can take photos, or take photos yourself of it. There is no reason that mail should have been opened. There are accidents, accidents happen. But you need to be compensated for the stress and for having to drive to Montreal to fix it.

I've opened mail at my work my accident. We often receive mail in others names so I don't think much of it and open it all with my letter opener, and then I turn it all around to process it. Of course, your DHL mailing was an envelope INSIDE an envelope. That person opened the DHL envelope, and then opened the one that clearly says "Do Not Open"... so it doesn't seem like this could have been an accident.

[jaycali 415]

The embassy in Stockholm is the same - No IV related questions by phone, and notoriously unreliable in responding to emails. I've found that writing "URGENT" in the subject line is very effective. I sent them an email last week, got no reply ever. Sent an identical email with "URGENT" in the subject line and had a reply within 12 minutes.

[The Mean Lady 604]

It WILL be okay.

I agree with POE of course to make a police report. Do it before you leave for Montreal, or IN Montreal so that they can take photos, or take photos yourself of it. There is no reason that mail should have been opened. There are accidents, accidents happen. But you need to be compensated for the stress and for having to drive to Montreal to fix it.

I've opened mail at my work my accident. We often receive mail in others names so I don't think much of it and open it all with my letter opener, and then I turn it all around to process it. Of course, your DHL mailing was an envelope INSIDE an envelope. That person opened the DHL envelope, and then opened the one that clearly says "Do Not Open"... so it doesn't seem like this could have been an accident.

This I didn't know. Since I haven't gotten that far, obviously.

Definitely sounds intentional then. Not necessarily malicious, but not a simple moving of items carelessly and it accidentally opened it up.

[JensJrny2Ray 367]

I'm hoping that everything turns out for you on Friday. I know it didn't happen to me, but I just want to shake whoever opened that package. I'm glad you're saving all receipts and by filing a police report they will surely get the message. What baffles me is that DHL is used to handling these things, it should never have happened.

Edited November 22, 2012 by JensJrny2Ray

[amberlynnloves 125]

Yes, we are leaving at midnight to go to Montreal to be there by 8AM when the embassy opens. I just can't believe this. I am heartbroken and upset and frustrated. I went back there to the DHL office today and the guy (George) was 85 years old and wouldn't give me the phone number for the guy that handles the visas in Toronto for DHL. George tried to send him an email, but he had no idea what he was doing. So I am going to be going back there at 3 when the manager of DHL is there. I will be sure to update everyone when we are done at the embassy tomorrow.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Yes, we are leaving at midnight to go to Montreal to be there by 8AM when the embassy opens. I just can't believe this. I am heartbroken and upset and frustrated. I went back there to the DHL office today and the guy (George) was 85 years old and wouldn't give me the phone number for the guy that handles the visas in Toronto for DHL. George tried to send him an email, but he had no idea what he was doing. So I am going to be going back there at 3 when the manager of DHL is there. I will be sure to update everyone when we are done at the embassy tomorrow.

Thinking positive thoughts for you!!

[jazzly 3]

On my visa envelope (do no open one) there is a paper attached to it on the top. This has the summary of my profile. It has got my Mother's last name as first name. Is that a big issue ? My father's first name is correct though.