Waiting for Packet 4

[cloudy 6]

I emailed my Packet 3 to Montreal exactly one week ago. Looking at other people's recent timelines, everyone seems to have received their Packet 4 within 3 or 4 days, but mine still hasn't come yet. Can I call the consulate directly? Should I email them again? I know it's only a week so maybe I'm getting ahead of myself by complaining, but I'm getting impatient and I'm worried they never got it. Any advice? I just want to go ahead and book the appointment, but I'm afraid if I do, it will be cancelled.

[dburnt 59]

You could, but when I emailed them for another purpose, the automatic reply basically said it could take up to 2 weeks to reply.

"Due to the unusually high volume of messages we are receiving every day, inquirers can usually expect a response within 14 days. We apologize for any inconvenience, and we will respond to all inquiries in the order that we receive them."

I do not believe you book the interview without the confirmation, but not sure what would happen if you try.

Now, that said, I had tremendous luck calling them...the lady on the phone was able to answer my general questions pretty quickly.

[cloudy 6]

New question, same topic.

Did everyone receive a Packet 4 email that was addressed to them, personally authorizing you to schedule your interview? It's been 2 weeks, and I haven't received anything other than this automated message immediately after sending Packet 3:

Thank you for your message to the
Immigrant Visa (IV) unit


Please note that we will accept inquiries sent through the online public inquiry form available on the U.S. Embassy website<http://canada.usembassy.gov/index.html>. For a prompt response to your question, please click here<http://canada.usembassy.gov/contact/public-inquiry-form.html> to complete the public inquiry form.

You may check the status of your visa application online at<https://ceac.state.gov/ceac/> https://ceac.state.gov/ceac/
We are not able to provide information on the status of the visa application, other than the information provided through the online Visa Application Status Check<https://ceac.state.gov/ceac/> system.

Due to the unusually high volume of messages we are receiving every day, inquirers can usually expect a response within 3 days. We apologize for any inconvenience, and we will respond to all inquiries in the order that we receive them.

For questions about temporary stay in the United States, please contact the Non-Immigrant Visa unit directly by clicking here<http://canada.usembassy.gov/contact/public-inquiry-form.html> to complete the online public inquiry form.

For questions related to American Citizen Services, please contact the ACS unit directly at Montreal-ACS@state.gov<mailto:Montreal-ACS@state.gov>

For questions about the courier service or scheduling / rescheduling an appointment, please access the CSC Visa Information Services<http://canada.usvisa-info.com/> website<http://usvisa-info.com/en-CA/selfservice/ss_country_welcome>. You can also send an e-mail to contactus_en_CA@usvisa-info.com<mailto:contactus_en_CA@usvisa-info.com> or call the CSC Visa Information Services<http://canada.usvisa-info.com/> using the contact details listed here<http://usvisa-info.com/en-CA/selfservice/us_service_options>.

For questions about permanent residence in the United States, we are pleased to acknowledge receipt of your email. The IV Unit is not able to accept communication by facsimile machine or telephone, but we will review and reply to all e-mails in order they are received.

Meanwhile, please visit the U.S. Consulate General Montreal’s website<http://montreal.usconsulate.gov/visas/visas.html> for additional information or click on the following subject of your choice:

Immigrant Visa Forms<http://montreal.usconsulate.gov/visas/visas/immigrant-visas/forms.html>

Fiancé Visa Forms<http://montreal.usconsulate.gov/visas/visas/fianc-k-1-visas.html>

In that message was a link to packet 4. Is that all I'm waiting for? Or will there be something more specific to me? I was thinking I was waiting for an email addressed to me, but maybe thats not the case?

Any advice? This is driving me crazy.

[jfgk1987 303]

The Packet 4 email looks like this (this is what we got - with some editing):

Date: 05 August 2014

(your name and address go here)

Dear (name):

This office has completed the review of the below-referenced immigrant visa case. You are now ready for an interview at the U.S. Consulate General in Montreal, where all interviews for immigration to the US from Canada are processed. This letter provides information on the next steps you must take to continue with your immigrant visa case.

Schedule your visa interview appointment

Please visit http://canada.usvisa-info.com/ to obtain information online or via telephone concerning scheduling an interview appointment for you and those family members included in the petition. If you have not previously registered your information and selected a Loomis/DHL courier location on this website, please do so now.

You must have the Passport Number, Date of Birth, Nationality, MTL case number, and visa category for each applicant (principal applicant and all family members, including children) ready in order to access the website. When prompted to select “Trip Purpose”, you must choose ‘Permanently Immigrate to the US.’ After entering your information, you will be prompted to select an appointment time for you and your family.

Fees

If you have previously paid all fees due to the National Visa Center, there will be no additional fees to pay on the day of the interview. If you have not paid fees at the National Visa Center, please be prepared to pay the following fees on the day of your interview.

I-130 immigrant petitions filed in Canada: $230.00 US for each applicant

For each family member (spouse/children) added to a petition: $230.00 US for family based applications and $405.00 US for Employment based.

SIV cases: $220.00 US.

DV cases: $330.00 US for each applicant.

K (fiancé/e) visas: $240.00 US, paid in cash only.

All fees may be paid in US dollars or the Canadian dollar equivalent. We accept cash and credit cards only. Please note if a person is found ineligible to receive a visa, the application fee cannot be refunded.

Medical exam

Each intending immigrant, regardless of age, is required to have a medical examination, and submit the results on the day of the interview. To schedule a medical examination, please visit http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3739.html and select Montreal as your case processing post at step 2.

IMPORTANT: ***please bring this letter and the appointment confirmation sheet you will receive from http://canada.usvisa-info.com/ to the panel physician medical appointment. ***

The day of your interview

Please bring to your interview the original and one photocopy of each of the following documents (as applicable), for each applicant:

¾ The appointment letter showing the date and time of your interview

¾ Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you plan to enter the United States

¾ Birth certificate

¾ Adoptions decree (s)

¾ Marriage certificate (s)

¾ Death and/or divorce certificate(s)

¾ Police certificates from each country in which the applicant has resided for one year or longer. The certificate(s) must be issued within one year of the date of the visa appointment. NOTE: An applicant must present a police certificate from his/her country of current residence and country of nationality, if residence in such country exceeds 6 months

¾ Court records

¾ Military records

¾ Evidence of domicile in the United States

¾ Job offer letter (for employment-based visas)

¾ Affidavit of support (I-134) (for fiancé, employment and DV visas)

¾ Evidence of support (I-864, Federal individual income tax return for the most recent tax year)

¾ Medical examination

¾ Two photographs (in color)

¾ For K visa applicants, a letter of intent to marry signed by the petitioner within 30 days of interview date

Please ensure you bring all the requested documents. Missing documents will delay processing of your visa application If you have questions regarding the documentation needed or are unable to obtain a required document before the date of your interview, please contact us at Montreal-IV-DV@state.gov or http://canada.usvisa-info.com/.

The U.S. Consulate General is located in downtown Montréal, at 1155 Rue St-Alexandre between Boulevard René Lévesque and Rue Ste-Catherine. Please note that all visitors to the U.S. Consulate General in Montréal are screened by U.S. Consulate security prior to entry. Screening includes inspections via a walk-through metal detector, a hand-held metal detector and an x-ray machine for personal items.

The following items are prohibited inside the U.S. Consulate:

Food and beverages;

¾ Weapons or tools;

¾ Briefcases, backpacks, luggage, or large purses;

¾ Electronic or recording equipment of any kind, including, but not limited to: laptop computers, cell phones, PDAs, audio and video players, and pagers;

¾ Oversized strollers;

¾ Nail files and nail polish.

The following persons may accompany a visa applicant during his or her visit to the Consulate:

¾ Interpreter: If you are not fluent in either English or French, a friend or family member may serve as translator.

¾ Special Needs Visitors: If you are elderly, disabled, or if the applicant is a minor child applying for a visa one person may accompany you.

¾ Attorney: Attorneys are not permitted to accompany applicants inside the Consulate.

¾ U.S. Citizens: A U.S. Citizen may accompany you.

After the interview

If your visa application is approved, we will put your visa in your passport and send the completed visa packet and passport to you by Loomis/DHL courier at no extra charge.

You must travel to the United States and apply for admission as a permanent resident within the visa’s validity period. If you currently reside in the U.S, on a non-immigrant visa, you may be able to pick up your passport with visa and visa packet in the afternoon of the next business day after your interview. Unless you need your passport for travel, you may return to your address in Canada on the day of your interview.

Do not make any travel arrangements to move to the United States, dispose of property or give up your job until a visa has been issued to you. A consular officer can make a decision regarding your visa application only after your formal application and all documents have been reviewed, and you have been personally interviewed by a consular officer.

Thank you for your cooperation. We look forward to seeing you at your appointment.

Sincerely,

Immigrant Visa Unit

U.S. Consulate General Montréal

Case Number: MTLXXXXXXXXXX

Name (P) : (name)

Preference Category: K1 - KOR

Traveling Applicants:

(P) (name) (date of birth)

Appointment letter: (Packet 4)

[cloudy 6]

Thanks so much!! This is very helpful.

...and now the worrying begins as to why it's taking so long to review my case.

[jfgk1987 303]

I actually sent them an inquiry 3 days after I submitted Packet 3 because I too noticed people getting Packet 4 relatively quickly, and also because I'm impatient. They responded to my email like 5 days later and sent Packet 4 soon after in an email. You should try to email them, it couldn't hurt!

From: Montreal, IV <Montreal-IV-DV@state.gov> To: (email) Date: Tue, Aug 5, 2014 at 3:19 PM Subject: RE: Other MTLXXXXXXXXXX

Hello,

Thank you for completing the packet 3 instructions.

We have confirmed receipt of the documents. Packet 4 will be sent shortly.

Thank You

Sincerely,

OP19

Correspondence Unit

U.S. Consulate General in Montreal

-----Original Message-----
From: do-not-reply@usembassy.gov [mailto:do-not-reply@usembassy.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2014 11:57 AM
To: Montreal, IV
Subject: Other MTLXXXXXXXXXX

Name: (name), on behalf of (beneficiary)
Email: (email)
Fullname: (beneficiary)
Date_of_Birth: (Birthday)
Date_of_Interview: N/A
Relationship_to_Applicant: Fiancee
Question: Hello, I would like to know if Montreal has received our case. We submitted Packet 3 and we would like to know if it has been logged and if Packet 4 will be sent. Thank you!

This email is UNCLASSIFIED.

Edited September 22, 2014 by jfgk1987

[cloudy 6]

I actually sent them an inquiry 3 days after I submitted Packet 3 because I too noticed people getting Packet 4 relatively quickly, and also because I'm impatient. They responded to my email like 5 days later and sent Packet 4 soon after in an email. You should try to email them, it couldn't hurt!

I sent them an inquiry late last week and JUST received a response to it like 2 minutes ago! Haha! It's like they heard me complaining over here.

All it said was, "the consular officer will review your packet 3 in order of receipt and will provide you with details concerning your application." But at least it's SOMETHING. Any response is better than total silence.

[jfgk1987 303]

I sent them an inquiry late last week and JUST received a response to it like 2 minutes ago! Haha! It's like they heard me complaining over here.

All it said was, "the consular officer will review your packet 3 in order of receipt and will provide you with details concerning your application." But at least it's SOMETHING. Any response is better than total silence.

That's better than them saying they didn't receive Packet 3! Who knows, it might show up in your inbox later.

[cloudy 6]

just got it!!!!!

interview Oct 21!

[gingernugget 1]

just got it!!!!!

interview Oct 21!

Ahhhh I have the exact same interview date!!! Mines super early in the morning at like 7:40 and I'm travelling from two hours away. I'm trying to decide if I should get a hotel the night before or something, I'm nervous/excited. What time is yours at?

[cloudy 6]

Ahhhh I have the exact same interview date!!! Mines super early in the morning at like 7:40 and I'm travelling from two hours away. I'm trying to decide if I should get a hotel the night before or something, I'm nervous/excited. What time is yours at?

Awesome! Mine is 7:40 too! I think they have everyone get there at the same time, then it's just a matter of who gets to the counter first as to who goes first. I am definitely nervous and excited. At least I live in Montreal, so I can just catch the metro downtown. Let me know if you need any hotel/general Montreal info.

And I guess I'll see you there! (i will be the quiet, nervous-looking girl who is stressing to the max, haha)

[jfgk1987 303]

It's first come, first serve! We got to the embassy at 7:15 and we were first in line, but once we all got to the elevators people became pushy and all hell broke loose (at least this happened with our group...). We ended up being second in line for the K-1s which was just fine.

[Melisandre 5]

It's first come, first serve! We got to the embassy at 7:15 and we were first in line, but once we all got to the elevators people became pushy and all hell broke loose (at least this happened with our group...). We ended up being second in line for the K-1s which was just fine.

My interview is on first week of December! And I'll be traveling from Ottawa! Got any any suggestions for me? It's at 7:40 am (what!) Should I get a hotel the night before? I'm extremely nervous and I'm terrible dealing with stress specially this early in the morning. SO SCARED! The instruction says can't bring friends or relatives with you and no cell phone! :\ Where did you guys leave your belongings? I guess I shouldn't ask my fiance to come over for the interview?

[bmc 7]

You might want a hotel so you don't have to be up extremely early. You could leave your belongings at the hotel or in your car if you drive.

My husband was allowed to come inside and sit in the waiting area, they only asked to see his passport.

You could make it a fun weekend with your fiancé and get a hotel and do some sight seeing afterwards. There's also a Starbucks a short block away if they don't allow your fiancé in with you.

[jfgk1987 303]

My interview is on first week of December! And I'll be traveling from Ottawa! Got any any suggestions for me? It's at 7:40 am (what!) Should I get a hotel the night before? I'm extremely nervous and I'm terrible dealing with stress specially this early in the morning. SO SCARED! The instruction says can't bring friends or relatives with you and no cell phone! :\ Where did you guys leave your belongings? I guess I shouldn't ask my fiance to come over for the interview?

Hiiii! You definitely want to get a hotel the night before, a hotel that comes with parking. Ask for a late checkout so you don't have to worry about rushing back from the consulate, if you get to the consulate first thing in the morning you'll be out of there with plenty of time to spare anyway. You definitely can't bring any friends or family but you can totally bring your fiance to the interview, I went with mine and I'm so glad I did (he got a 221G and it was nice to be there for him). We left our phones and car keys at the hotel (put the "Do Not Disturb" sign on your door so no one goes in), all be brought were our wallets, passports, and the big folder of evidence for the interview. You go through a security check where you have to empty your pockets and go through a metal detector and of course there were people who had phones, I could have sworn I saw officers take them to little cubicles with numbers and then they gave the people the corresponding numbered ticket. Make sure your fiance has his passport with him, he's the USC right? Everyone will ask for it!

Edited October 29, 2014 by jfgk1987