IR-1/CR-1 Montreal DQ'd private message group goes public CONTINUED

[betzzymathew 20]

49 minutes ago, ToSeattle said:

Hello, I'm not in this visa category (I'm an EB who's been in AP for a very long time) but wanted to see if I can get some help from this forum as this seems to be the most active post. I'm in the process of collecting new medical and police records to send to the Montreal Consulate Office, since the ones on file have expired. I see from their website that their mailing address is different from the address that I sent my documents last time (which was before the Covid). I'm wondering if anyone has sent any documents to the Montreal Consulate Office recently and can confirm that the below mailing address is correct? I want to make sure that my documents get to the correct place, as I'll be sending my passport as well.

Mailing address:
U.S. Consulate General
955, 1re Avenue #USA
Sainte-Catherine, Québec
J5C 1C5

 

I tried asking this question in the Canada community forum but didn't get any response, and sending an email to the consulate office will result in more delay as their response time is really slow these days, so I'd greatly appreciate any insights/help on this. Thanks so much in advance!

Do you have an account  with https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca/iv , for visa scheduling ? 

There should be an option "Send requested documents" , which  should auto generate a CPC courier details with the correct mailing address. 

 

[betzzymathew 20]

10 minutes ago, Mel and Deb said:

 

Have people been hearing back from Dr Cheema with an appointment time? Emailed 9:30 Friday morning and nothing yet. Thanks!

In Jan, I emailed and didnt get a response for 3 days. Called them and they took down my details and they responded to my email immediately. Suggest to do the same. 

[mizzem 144]

1 hour ago, darth vader said:

I'm a bit amazed at this. Since when has Montreal stopped allowing spouses in? After COVID? They used to let U.S.C. spouses in for the interview before. Is there any such announcement on the Montreal consulate website or is this only observational based on folks' experience?

Sorry but why are you always so doubtful when many people here have already had interviews since the consulate reopened?  As @Hawk Riders mentioned 'read the FAQS'. I've noticed you are the same way in other forums asking the same thing over again and doubting people. Not trying to be rude but it's very obvious and you can get so many correct answers to your questions on this site by searching them..

[mam521 2,062]

1 hour ago, ToSeattle said:

Hello, I'm not in this visa category (I'm an EB who's been in AP for a very long time) but wanted to see if I can get some help from this forum as this seems to be the most active post. I'm in the process of collecting new medical and police records to send to the Montreal Consulate Office, since the ones on file have expired. I see from their website that their mailing address is different from the address that I sent my documents last time (which was before the Covid). I'm wondering if anyone has sent any documents to the Montreal Consulate Office recently and can confirm that the below mailing address is correct? I want to make sure that my documents get to the correct place, as I'll be sending my passport as well.

 

Has the Consulate requested any documentation?  Do you have your login for the CEAC website to check messages and upload documents, as mentioned by @betzzymathew?  It seems rather strange to mail anything these days, especially without explicit requests from the Consulate with instructions.  

 

Also, even though this is a IR/CR forum, can you please fill out your VJ timeline?  It's helpful on many fronts.  

 

1 hour ago, darth vader said:

You can disagree all day long but this is something that depends on Consulate preferences. Some consulates love to have U.S.C. at the interview since it proves relationship is strong enough for U.S.C. to take the trouble to visit for the interview, and lets them conduct stokes style interviews.

Montreal has not allowed spouses for nearly 2 years.  Argue if you like, but those that have interviewed know this is how it is.  They barely allow the interviewees into the door!  

Edited March 16, 2021 by mam521
Edit to add info

[showag 52]

36 minutes ago, ToSeattle said:

Thanks for your response. Yes, I recognize that as their physical address but their mailing address was different from the physical address even before the Covid.. I see that you recently received your passport via ExpressPost (Congrats!!). Would you mind checking the 'From' address on the envelope if you still have it? I've been in AP for so long I want to make sure that I don't have any misstep to delay the process any further. Thanks again!

I just checked the envelope and it has the same address you initially stated, i.e. 955 1re one

[Meghan.brooke 60]

1 hour ago, Hawk Riders said:

Correct.

 

I disagree. A CO wants to hear responses from the applicant, not have both parties present with the petitioner coaching or responding for the applicant.

Not to interview together, but at least wait in the waiting room with them..

[Emilini 10]

8 hours ago, YYZ&MIA said:

Hey @Emilini, you came to mind the other day as I remember you were the only one  on here in the situation where you questioned rescheduling your interview
Were you able to do so and if so could you share your experience

Hi, All.  I was able to reschedule - but because of Covid, it's a lot more complicated than the link that is provided in the FAQ's.  When I realized I wasn't able to make my March 1st appointment (after much anxiety and sleepless nights), I emailed Montreal (the email they recommend to use) and gave them my information - my passport #, my Case # and forwarded my interview email from the NVC.  I told them my reasons (too short notice, working in states, young children traumatized by last 8 mo separation from father, etc).  They cancelled my interview.   I went to sign in at the interview scheduling website - and they said I needed to schedule an appointment - and that there were none available at the time.  Weird, I was expecting to see a calendar, but whatever.  I kept checking.  At the end of February I received another date  - April 9.  Well, that's nice and all, but I'm here in the states under an r-class work visa (I'm a pastor) and April 9 is right after Easter...and I can't leave here during the most holy celebration/feast to quarantine and have all my appointments.  So, I emailed the consulate again and this time I was first given the following email: "The U.S. Consulate General in Montreal does not handle re-scheduling interviews. Any questions about scheduling/re-scheduling the appointment or any issues with the website of our appointment services contractor should be reported directly to the Official U.S. Department of State Visa Appointment Service using the contact details here https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-CA/iv/information/contact_us"  On the scheduling website it says their call centre can reschedule appointments.  So, I called them, however, the person I talked to at the call-centre said that, no, the Montreal consulate will reschedule the appointment only after I miss the April 9 appointment.  Ok, that's not what happened last time - but ok.

 

Yesterday I received another email from Montreal saying: Good morning, Thank you for the notification. Our Visa unit will contact you with appointment availability in late April and May 2021.

 

So, they have no idea what they're doing and they're just stringing me along - each email is from a different operator.  I'm just waiting to see what will happen next.  

 

Right now, my husband and I are also in talks with an immigration lawyer who thinks we have a good case for Adjustment of Status.  I'm a little nervous about that - because of stories I've heard about denials of greencards and I have been denied entry at the border 2ce in the last 15 years - (the last time was almost 2 years ago).  

 

So, we'll wait and see what happens re my rescheduled rescheduled appointment.  I wish I could choose the date, but it doesn't look like they're doing that anymore/right now.   I also hope that I will receive the vaccination soon - so that may help if vaccine passports will get me into Canada without all the silly border shenanigans.  

 

[Mel and Deb 46]

55 minutes ago, betzzymathew said:

In Jan, I emailed and didnt get a response for 3 days. Called them and they took down my details and they responded to my email immediately. Suggest to do the same. 

Thanks. Can't find a direct line. I emailed them again.

[ToSeattle 1]

1 hour ago, showag said:

I just checked the envelope and it has the same address you initially stated, i.e. 955 1re one

Thank you so much for checking and confirming the address! It's greatly appreciated!

 

1 hour ago, betzzymathew said:

Do you have an account  with https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca/iv , for visa scheduling ? 

There should be an option "Send requested documents" , which  should auto generate a CPC courier details with the correct mailing address. 

1 hour ago, mam521 said:

Has the Consulate requested any documentation?  Do you have your login for the CEAC website to check messages and upload documents, as mentioned by @betzzymathew?  It seems rather strange to mail anything these days, especially without explicit requests from the Consulate with instructions.  

 

Also, even though this is a IR/CR forum, can you please fill out your VJ timeline?  It's helpful on many fronts.  

Thanks for the responses. I'll also check that website to see if I can get any other info/help. My case is unique in that I've been in AP since July 2019 and I was requested to send in the updated medical and police right before the pandemic and then the presidential proclamation banning employment visas was put in place. The proclamation was lifted last month but it seems that Montreal is still not processing them. Since I haven't been able to return home for over 20 months now, I'm trying to do everything that I can to expedite the process. 

 

My husband is the main petitioner and I believe he has our timeline updated. I just created this my login to ask this question without having to use his account, but I'll still update it. Thanks all!

[mam521 2,062]

36 minutes ago, ToSeattle said:

Thank you so much for checking and confirming the address! It's greatly appreciated!

 

Thanks for the responses. I'll also check that website to see if I can get any other info/help. My case is unique in that I've been in AP since July 2019 and I was requested to send in the updated medical and police right before the pandemic and then the presidential proclamation banning employment visas was put in place. The proclamation was lifted last month but it seems that Montreal is still not processing them. Since I haven't been able to return home for over 20 months now, I'm trying to do everything that I can to expedite the process. 

 

My husband is the main petitioner and I believe he has our timeline updated. I just created this my login to ask this question without having to use his account, but I'll still update it. Thanks all!

No worries!  We do like to be helpful, but we certainly don't want to steer you down the wrong path!  

 

Best of luck!  

[DGF 730]

1 hour ago, Emilini said:

So, we'll wait and see what happens re my rescheduled rescheduled appointment.  I wish I could choose the date, but it doesn't look like they're doing that anymore/right now.   I also hope that I will receive the vaccination soon - so that may help if vaccine passports will get me into Canada without all the silly border shenanigans.  

That is so frustrating! I hope you get a date that will work for you soon. Thank you for sharing your experience, it'll be invaluable to many others who are curious about post-COVID rescheduling  

[mizzem 144]

2 hours ago, Meghan.brooke said:

Not to interview together, but at least wait in the waiting room with them..

My husband and I went to Montreal together but I stayed back at the hotel and waited for him. With Covid going on I don’t think I would have wanted to be there amongst everyone, and Montreal was also in a lockdown when we went..They’re just playing it safe.

[mam521 2,062]

5 minutes ago, mizzem said:

My husband and I went to Montreal together but I stayed back at the hotel and waited for him. With Covid going on I don’t think I would have wanted to be there amongst everyone, and Montreal was also in a lockdown when we went..They’re just playing it safe.

Nope.  I had my interview just before COVID.  Like I said, they barely let the interviewees in the door.  Unless you have an interview or you're a derivative on the interview letter (ie: a child), you're not getting in.  Just like at the airport, your spouse will have to wait outside the secured area, which is typically the coffee shop across the street as it's come to be known. 

[Justintime2 6]

2 hours ago, Emilini said:

Hi, All.  I was able to reschedule - but because of Covid, it's a lot more complicated than the link that is provided in the FAQ's.  When I realized I wasn't able to make my March 1st appointment (after much anxiety and sleepless nights), I emailed Montreal (the email they recommend to use) and gave them my information - my passport #, my Case # and forwarded my interview email from the NVC.  I told them my reasons (too short notice, working in states, young children traumatized by last 8 mo separation from father, etc).  They cancelled my interview.   I went to sign in at the interview scheduling website - and they said I needed to schedule an appointment - and that there were none available at the time.  Weird, I was expecting to see a calendar, but whatever.  I kept checking.  At the end of February I received another date  - April 9.  Well, that's nice and all, but I'm here in the states under an r-class work visa (I'm a pastor) and April 9 is right after Easter...and I can't leave here during the most holy celebration/feast to quarantine and have all my appointments.  So, I emailed the consulate again and this time I was first given the following email: "The U.S. Consulate General in Montreal does not handle re-scheduling interviews. Any questions about scheduling/re-scheduling the appointment or any issues with the website of our appointment services contractor should be reported directly to the Official U.S. Department of State Visa Appointment Service using the contact details here https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-CA/iv/information/contact_us"  On the scheduling website it says their call centre can reschedule appointments.  So, I called them, however, the person I talked to at the call-centre said that, no, the Montreal consulate will reschedule the appointment only after I miss the April 9 appointment.  Ok, that's not what happened last time - but ok.

 

Yesterday I received another email from Montreal saying: Good morning, Thank you for the notification. Our Visa unit will contact you with appointment availability in late April and May 2021.

 

So, they have no idea what they're doing and they're just stringing me along - each email is from a different operator.  I'm just waiting to see what will happen next.  

 

Right now, my husband and I are also in talks with an immigration lawyer who thinks we have a good case for Adjustment of Status.  I'm a little nervous about that - because of stories I've heard about denials of greencards and I have been denied entry at the border 2ce in the last 15 years - (the last time was almost 2 years ago).  

 

So, we'll wait and see what happens re my rescheduled rescheduled appointment.  I wish I could choose the date, but it doesn't look like they're doing that anymore/right now.   I also hope that I will receive the vaccination soon - so that may help if vaccine passports will get me into Canada without all the silly border shenanigans.  

 

Sounds like you think the US should consider your green card process a higher priority than you yourself do. No offense but given what's happened the last year, what may yet come and how long the process is even without delays, getting the next available appointment regardless the conflict would seem a better plan...

[Leah123 40]

4 hours ago, Mel and Deb said:

 

Have people been hearing back from Dr Cheema with an appointment time? Emailed 9:30 Friday morning and nothing yet. Thanks!

I would email them again. I emailed yesterday and they responded in the afternoon with an appointment. 
 

This is the email I sent my appointment request to: panelphysicianUSA@drcheema.ca