Tweet from the Department of State - potential Montreal Embassy Reopening?

[pooj97 89]

Hi everyone, a couple days ago I saw these tweets from the Department of State. Hopefully this means the embassy in MTL can at least start giving us some more info about when they can reopen? What does everyone think? Fingers crossed!!

[AlexaC 28]

59 minutes ago, pooj97 said:

Hi everyone, a couple days ago I saw these tweets from the Department of State. Hopefully this means the embassy in MTL can at least start giving us some more info about when they can reopen? What does everyone think? Fingers crossed!!

I hope so! I tried emailing them again so hopefully that say something 

Edited July 13, 2020 by Alexag

[DGF 730]

Call me pessimistic but I think their use of the word "may" means we'll be hearing absolutely nothing. It'll be a nice surprise if we do. 

[Ptitchou 117]

1 hour ago, DGF said:

Call me pessimistic but I think their use of the word "may" means we'll be hearing absolutely nothing. It'll be a nice surprise if we do. 

I'm in the same boat as you. Montreal is notorious for their long delays and lack of communication. You can't reach them by phone, the website is never updated, and their social media account just posts fluff stories. Someone had said they did manage to talk to someone at Montreal (only because the consulate called them first) and they were told they're in Phase 1 of reopening, which means their staff are only processing emergency cases and staff has returned at only 40% of previous capacity. I want to be hopeful, but I'm tired (as we all are). 

Edited July 13, 2020 by Ptitchou

[DGF 730]

38 minutes ago, Ptitchou said:

I'm in the same boat as you. Montreal is notorious for their long delays and lack of communication. You can't reach them by phone, the website is never updated, and their social media account just posts fluff stories. Someone had said they did manage to talk to someone at Montreal (only because the consulate called them first) and they were told they're in Phase 1 of reopening, which means their staff are only processing emergency cases and staff has returned at only 40% of previous capacity. I want to be hopeful, but I'm tired (as we all are). 

Tired is the perfect word for it. I'm just so tired.

I think these tweets are because some of the embassies that were in phase 2 last month are now eligible to enter phase 3 which is when routine visa services can resume. Based on my interpretation of the DOS guidelines, Montreal will need to enter phase 2 in order to resume mission critical visa services, and phase 3 in order to resume routine visa services. We're getting there, but there's still a long way to go.

[AlexaC 28]

18 hours ago, DGF said:

Tired is the perfect word for it. I'm just so tired.

I think these tweets are because some of the embassies that were in phase 2 last month are now eligible to enter phase 3 which is when routine visa services can resume. Based on my interpretation of the DOS guidelines, Montreal will need to enter phase 2 in order to resume mission critical visa services, and phase 3 in order to resume routine visa services. We're getting there, but there's still a long way to go.

almost every other embassy is posting updates about them resuming routine visa services it’s so frustrating that there’s been radio silence from montreal since this all began. 

[pooj97 89]

It really is extremely frustrating. After hearing about this news, I tried to contact the Montreal embassy through their Instagram and they basically said they don’t have this new info provided by the DoS. It seems like there’s a lack of communication. Is there anything we can do at all???

[AlexaC 28]

15 minutes ago, pooj97 said:

It really is extremely frustrating. After hearing about this news, I tried to contact the Montreal embassy through their Instagram and they basically said they don’t have this new info provided by the DoS. It seems like there’s a lack of communication. Is there anything we can do at all???

the DOS said july 15 so i’m hoping they make an oficial announcement tomorrow and then all embassies will make a statement 

[travusb 69]

They didn't seem to give us any new information.

https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca/iv/information/announcements#582-the_united_states_embassy_and_consulates_in_canada_remain_unable_to_resume_routine_immigrant_and_nonimmigrant_visa_services_at_this_time_20200715203148

[AlexaC 28]

8 minutes ago, travusb said:

They didn't seem to give us any new information.

https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca/iv/information/announcements#582-the_united_states_embassy_and_consulates_in_canada_remain_unable_to_resume_routine_immigrant_and_nonimmigrant_visa_services_at_this_time_20200715203148

this makes no sense almost every canadian city is in phase 3 of reopening. 

[pooj97 89]

2 minutes ago, Alexag said:

this makes no sense almost every canadian city is in phase 3 of reopening. 

Exactly! I don't understand what the holdup is. At least tell us WHY they can't resume. At this point, any info would be much appreciated other than their generic responses.

[AlexaC 28]

Just now, pooj97 said:

Exactly! I don't understand what the holdup is. At least tell us WHY they can't resume. At this point, any info would be much appreciated other than their generic responses.

would the fact that the US Canada border is closed affect this? it shouldn’t be right?

[travusb 69]

Yeah I agree. I was hoping for a little more clarification but I guess we're not going to learn anything more than we already know.

[travusb 69]

1 minute ago, Alexag said:

would the fact that the US Canada border is closed affect this? it shouldn’t be right?

Possibly but I feel like returning to work at the embassy would be considered essential and at most would require anyone going from the US to Canada to quarantine for two weeks. 

The only other thing is they might not want to give visas if you can't cross the border.

[pooj97 89]

What I'm afraid of now is a potential second wave in Canada and the embassy shutting down again after reopening. I would be beyond frustrated. I feel like this is an essential business and there are endless ways they can do interviews while observing social distancing. I just don't understand