K1: How long until MTL case number before I can send Packet 3?

[Mad & J 25]

Hi folks!

It seems that the embassy process varies wildly from country to country, so I figured the Canada forum would be the best place to ask this question.

Our case has been sent to NVC and I hope we will receive our MTL case number very soon. Once I have that, I understand that I can track our case on the CEAC website. I've also read that it's pointless to wait for Packet 3 because it may never be sent to me. How soon should I complete the DS-160, pay the fee, and send them packet 3? As soon as our case says "Ready" on the case tracker? Or should I wait a few more days?

I realize that there is a K1 guide for Montreal pinned in this forum, but a lot of the info seems outdated.

Seconday question for other recent Montreal K1s: how far ahead are they booking interviews these days? Can I expect a November interview at this point, or is that too optimistic?

Thanks!

[Gillian+Mike 6]

Once you receive your info from NVC and it has left, you can start emailing Montreal-IV-DV@state.gov about a week after to ask if they've received your case. They will email you packet 3 (which I'm sure you already have from online) but once they email you that and the instructions- they'll ask for your ds-160 number and conformation, as well as the checklist for packet 3 filled out, and a copy of your passport. If you have everything ready this early you can email it back ASAP! I had my ds-160 done at the NVC stage but didn't send it off.

Edited September 10, 2015 by Gillian+Mike

[Gillian+Mike 6]

I'm not sure if anyone has sent packet 3 info without them prompting anything, but I don't see why it would be a bad thing. I just preferred to wait on them to make sure they had my case also when I emailed packet 3 I asked if they could email packet 4 as well so I didn't have to wait for the mail or anything! If you have any questions feel free to pm me, I just had my interview in Montreal on August 28th

And November seems reasonable! I think someone booked their appointment the other day and got one in November. Maybe check the timelines on here. Mine I booked in July and it was a month in advance. Sorry for multiple replies, I'm on my phone and it doesn't let me read and reply on the same screen lol.

[Toronto Roots Fla 1]

I waited until the second status update was done on the CEAC website. The first status update was Aug 26 and the second one was Sept. 8. I figured the second one was when Montreal recorded it in their system. I didn't e-mail them, I just sent in Packet 3 that night (Sept.8) and received Packet 4 from them the next day (Sept. 9). I booked my interview yesterday and the earliest available was November 5. There were many spots left in November though.

[Mad & J 25]

Once you receive your info from NVC and it has left, you can start emailing Montreal-IV-DV@state.gov about a week after to ask if they've received your case. They will email you packet 3 (which I'm sure you already have from online) but once they email you that and the instructions- they'll ask for your ds-160 number and conformation, as well as the checklist for packet 3 filled out, and a copy of your passport. If you have everything ready this early you can email it back ASAP! I had my ds-160 done at the NVC stage but didn't send it off.

Thanks for the info! I didn't realize I could email them, the guide just tell you to call the DOS which didn't seem accurate anymore. I don't want to send Packet 3 too early, but I also don't want to lose any time... I already spent so much time waiting in line at TSC. I'd like to be able to book my interview ASAP cause Montreal is not exactly next door and will require some planning. I have my DS-160 all filled out, I just need to get some passport pictures taken for the last step.

Congrats on the approval!!

[Mad & J 25]

I waited until the second status update was done on the CEAC website. The first status update was Aug 26 and the second one was Sept. 8. I figured the second one was when Montreal recorded it in their system. I didn't e-mail them, I just sent in Packet 3 that night (Sept.8) and received Packet 4 from them the next day (Sept. 9). I booked my interview yesterday and the earliest available was November 5. There were many spots left in November though.

Awesome, that gives me a good idea of when to proceed. Thanks! It's good to know that they send Packet 4 very quickly after you submit Packet 3. Fingers crossed that there will still be some spots open in November by the time I can book my interview.

Good luck with yours! I see we are moving to the same area: I'll be just a bit to the north, in Jacksonville.

[Ash.1101 1,756]

We never contacted them. My fiance sent a packet 3 after it showed the case was ready, and the email was ignored (because Montreal had the case, it just wasn't in their system yet). He sent it again a week or so later after the case status date updated to a more recent date and we received packet 4 within 7 hours.

We ended up getting packet 3 in the mail about a week and a half after completing packet 3, and scheduling the interview with packet 4 lol.

Either way, you can wait til the SECOND case status update after it's initially marked as READY, or you can just shoot them an email about a week after it's marked as READY to confirm if they have it.

NVC put a case number on it on June 25th, mailed it to Montreal on June 30th and Montreal received it July 7th, but it wasn't logged into the system until July 16th.

[Gillian+Mike 6]

Awesome! Good luck to you! I wish I would've known I didn't have to contact them, I would've just sent my packet 3 stuff asap lol!! Oh well

[Kyoungmin 1]

My NOA2 got approved at July,22 and I got packet3 September.1