Montreal embassy EB-2 interview wait time-Part 2

[rchak 17]

6 minutes ago, Froozion said:

We were issued yesterday. Had an updated status today too. But no tracking information. We are getting it sent via canada post. So not sure if we get one. 

 

We did email the consulate on the first with the email address that Texasbound had recommended. Not sure if that spead things up for us. 

What did you ask in the email in particular ? 

[TanSen 0]

13 hours ago, AA-H said:

As far as I understand, in our situation, it’s not possible to collect the passport in person after the interview. Whoever made wrote that should explain their reasoning. The Google Sheet serves as an important source of information for us and future users, so please ensure its accuracy and refrain from modifying it or changing others' information.

You're right about this. This creates confusion for everyone.

[JesusisLord24 4]

2 hours ago, Panda_ said:

Hello Everyone,

 

I'm looking for information/help if someone transfer their case from other consulate to Montreal. What is right process and how much time will it take to complete the process?  Last week I received the NVC welcome letter and found that Foreign State of Changeability is my country of Birth instead of country of residence (Canada). I contacted NVC and they told your case was transferred to embassy. So I have to contact to the embassy to move the case to Montreal. Please advice if someone have information.

Thanks

@panda the bbacklog in Montreal is at least a year long after NVC approves your documents. What is your country of birth? You might want to make enquiries about how long the wait time is there, before you transfer your case to Montreal.  

[Froozion 168]

3 hours ago, rchak said:

What did you ask in the email in particular ? 

We never got told anything about October 1st and that they ran out of visas. 

 

So it essentially said. We were approved on the spot on the 9th and told we would have our passports back in 2 weeks. Can we please have an update about our application. 

 

We haven't received an email back other than the automatic one. 

[rchak 17]

11 hours ago, Froozion said:

We never got told anything about October 1st and that they ran out of visas. 

 

So it essentially said. We were approved on the spot on the 9th and told we would have our passports back in 2 weeks. Can we please have an update about our application. 

 

We haven't received an email back other than the automatic one. 

Thank you !!

[LiteV 2]

On 10/4/2024 at 8:30 AM, AA-H said:

 

As far as I understand, in our situation, it’s not possible to collect the passport in person after the interview. Whoever made wrote that should explain their reasoning. The Google Sheet serves as an important source of information for us and future users, so please ensure its accuracy and refrain from modifying it or changing others' information.

I’ve been a long-time lurker but felt compelled by AA-H’s snide remarks and the virtual little finger-waving he was doing as though he was talking to a toddler. I only shared my experience. You don’t have to believe it – that doesn't mean it’s not true. I am also certain that I entered the comment in the right cell, and someone must have modified the spreadsheet to jumble the data. Nevertheless, I have benefitted immensely from this forum and thought it’s only appropriate to give back if it’s going to help some other people.

I went to the consulate with my family on the 9th of September and had my interview ~10:30AM (those with the same appointment time band would recognize us) and we were approved on the spot. Like others have commented, the interview was uneventful and was more of a document review. The next day, we got a refusal letter – specifically: (see the inset below)

 

I reckon not everyone got this letter. I believe I must have been sent this letter because I have been working onsite in the US for some time now and there was no way I could stay for up to 4 weeks after the interview without jeopardizing my job. So, I sent an email to the consulate that I would like to have our passports back. I didn’t get a response to my email, but I went to the consulate anyway. I told the security that I had an interview the previous day and was told to contact them if I wanted our passports back. The security personnel reached out to the officials upstairs and a few minutes later, the security team brought down our passports.

I emailed the consulate again at the end of September that I would be bringing my passport on September 30. I didn’t get a response from them either. I also did not know there was a public holiday in Canada. I went back the next day (Oct. 1st) and the security personnel was hesitant with accepting our passports. I figured if I was refused, I could simply send it in using a courier but wanted the benefit of knowing that I hand-delivered my passports myself. After some explanation, the security team was magnanimous enough to call the officials upstairs for some clarification. Surprisingly, I was told I could come in and was told which window to go. The agent that attended to me told me they would get back to me the next day. I was surprised and not sure what he meant, and asked if our passports were going to be ready but was told they would keep me posted. I was asked to write down my phone number again.

 

The wait started and was not sure what to expect. I got a call late in the afternoon – around 2:30 PM on October 2nd, that our passports are ready and asking if I could be at the consulate at 3:00PM. I pleaded I could only be there at 3:15PM. We stayed at an hotel in Laval, and Montreal’s traffic can be so unpredictable. I rushed and got to the consulate at around 3:22PM and told the security team that I got a call to come in. I got upstairs and showed them my ID and our passports were handed back to us. From the conversations I had with the security team, I guess what happened with me wasn’t standard practice, I guess I was lucky and I’m thankful for that.

 

We crossed the border today and the border officials endorsed our passports. I am very grateful to the various contributions on this forum.

The interview itself was as described. The only things I was unsure of was if I could bring a 15-month-old that was not part of our application with us. We did and was allowed to bring the baby in. I also thought we couldn’t bring snacks for our little ones, but saw some other families that did. 

 

I'd be happy to answer any question and fill in any gaps.

[monk_yatso 16]

1 hour ago, LiteV said:

I’ve been a long-time lurker but felt compelled by AA-H’s snide remarks and the virtual little finger-waving he was doing as though he was talking to a toddler. I only shared my experience. You don’t have to believe it – that doesn't mean it’s not true. I am also certain that I entered the comment in the right cell, and someone must have modified the spreadsheet to jumble the data. Nevertheless, I have benefitted immensely from this forum and thought it’s only appropriate to give back if it’s going to help some other people.

I went to the consulate with my family on the 9th of September and had my interview ~10:30AM (those with the same appointment time band would recognize us) and we were approved on the spot. Like others have commented, the interview was uneventful and was more of a document review. The next day, we got a refusal letter – specifically: (see the inset below)

 

I reckon not everyone got this letter. I believe I must have been sent this letter because I have been working onsite in the US for some time now and there was no way I could stay for up to 4 weeks after the interview without jeopardizing my job. So, I sent an email to the consulate that I would like to have our passports back. I didn’t get a response to my email, but I went to the consulate anyway. I told the security that I had an interview the previous day and was told to contact them if I wanted our passports back. The security personnel reached out to the officials upstairs and a few minutes later, the security team brought down our passports.

I emailed the consulate again at the end of September that I would be bringing my passport on September 30. I didn’t get a response from them either. I also did not know there was a public holiday in Canada. I went back the next day (Oct. 1st) and the security personnel was hesitant with accepting our passports. I figured if I was refused, I could simply send it in using a courier but wanted the benefit of knowing that I hand-delivered my passports myself. After some explanation, the security team was magnanimous enough to call the officials upstairs for some clarification. Surprisingly, I was told I could come in and was told which window to go. The agent that attended to me told me they would get back to me the next day. I was surprised and not sure what he meant, and asked if our passports were going to be ready but was told they would keep me posted. I was asked to write down my phone number again.

 

The wait started and was not sure what to expect. I got a call late in the afternoon – around 2:30 PM on October 2nd, that our passports are ready and asking if I could be at the consulate at 3:00PM. I pleaded I could only be there at 3:15PM. We stayed at an hotel in Laval, and Montreal’s traffic can be so unpredictable. I rushed and got to the consulate at around 3:22PM and told the security team that I got a call to come in. I got upstairs and showed them my ID and our passports were handed back to us. From the conversations I had with the security team, I guess what happened with me wasn’t standard practice, I guess I was lucky and I’m thankful for that.

 

We crossed the border today and the border officials endorsed our passports. I am very grateful to the various contributions on this forum.

The interview itself was as described. The only things I was unsure of was if I could bring a 15-month-old that was not part of our application with us. We did and was allowed to bring the baby in. I also thought we couldn’t bring snacks for our little ones, but saw some other families that did. 

 

I'd be happy to answer any question and fill in any gaps.

Congrats and thanks for sharing the final journey  

[AA-H 33]

2 hours ago, LiteV said:

I’ve been a long-time lurker but felt compelled by AA-H’s snide remarks and the virtual little finger-waving he was doing as though he was talking to a toddler. I only shared my experience. You don’t have to believe it – that doesn't mean it’s not true. I am also certain that I entered the comment in the right cell, and someone must have modified the spreadsheet to jumble the data. Nevertheless, I have benefitted immensely from this forum and thought it’s only appropriate to give back if it’s going to help some other people.

I went to the consulate with my family on the 9th of September and had my interview ~10:30AM (those with the same appointment time band would recognize us) and we were approved on the spot. Like others have commented, the interview was uneventful and was more of a document review. The next day, we got a refusal letter – specifically: (see the inset below)

 

I reckon not everyone got this letter. I believe I must have been sent this letter because I have been working onsite in the US for some time now and there was no way I could stay for up to 4 weeks after the interview without jeopardizing my job. So, I sent an email to the consulate that I would like to have our passports back. I didn’t get a response to my email, but I went to the consulate anyway. I told the security that I had an interview the previous day and was told to contact them if I wanted our passports back. The security personnel reached out to the officials upstairs and a few minutes later, the security team brought down our passports.

I emailed the consulate again at the end of September that I would be bringing my passport on September 30. I didn’t get a response from them either. I also did not know there was a public holiday in Canada. I went back the next day (Oct. 1st) and the security personnel was hesitant with accepting our passports. I figured if I was refused, I could simply send it in using a courier but wanted the benefit of knowing that I hand-delivered my passports myself. After some explanation, the security team was magnanimous enough to call the officials upstairs for some clarification. Surprisingly, I was told I could come in and was told which window to go. The agent that attended to me told me they would get back to me the next day. I was surprised and not sure what he meant, and asked if our passports were going to be ready but was told they would keep me posted. I was asked to write down my phone number again.

 

The wait started and was not sure what to expect. I got a call late in the afternoon – around 2:30 PM on October 2nd, that our passports are ready and asking if I could be at the consulate at 3:00PM. I pleaded I could only be there at 3:15PM. We stayed at an hotel in Laval, and Montreal’s traffic can be so unpredictable. I rushed and got to the consulate at around 3:22PM and told the security team that I got a call to come in. I got upstairs and showed them my ID and our passports were handed back to us. From the conversations I had with the security team, I guess what happened with me wasn’t standard practice, I guess I was lucky and I’m thankful for that.

 

We crossed the border today and the border officials endorsed our passports. I am very grateful to the various contributions on this forum.

The interview itself was as described. The only things I was unsure of was if I could bring a 15-month-old that was not part of our application with us. We did and was allowed to bring the baby in. I also thought we couldn’t bring snacks for our little ones, but saw some other families that did. 

 

I'd be happy to answer any question and fill in any gaps.

 

Congratulations, LiteV, and I want to apologize for my previous comments. Your story will undoubtedly assist others. Had I been aware of this possibility or received the refusal email earlier, I would have taken similar actions, as I've been working in the U.S. for the past six years and my daughter is in university there. The nearly month-long wait for our passports has already affected her school year, requiring her to drop several classes. Thankfully, I managed to arrange to work from home and still have a house in Toronto to stay in.

 

Thank you

[TanSen 0]

8 hours ago, LiteV said:

I’ve been a long-time lurker but felt compelled by AA-H’s snide remarks and the virtual little finger-waving he was doing as though he was talking to a toddler. I only shared my experience. You don’t have to believe it – that doesn't mean it’s not true. I am also certain that I entered the comment in the right cell, and someone must have modified the spreadsheet to jumble the data. Nevertheless, I have benefitted immensely from this forum and thought it’s only appropriate to give back if it’s going to help some other people.

I went to the consulate with my family on the 9th of September and had my interview ~10:30AM (those with the same appointment time band would recognize us) and we were approved on the spot. Like others have commented, the interview was uneventful and was more of a document review. The next day, we got a refusal letter – specifically: (see the inset below)

 

I reckon not everyone got this letter. I believe I must have been sent this letter because I have been working onsite in the US for some time now and there was no way I could stay for up to 4 weeks after the interview without jeopardizing my job. So, I sent an email to the consulate that I would like to have our passports back. I didn’t get a response to my email, but I went to the consulate anyway. I told the security that I had an interview the previous day and was told to contact them if I wanted our passports back. The security personnel reached out to the officials upstairs and a few minutes later, the security team brought down our passports.

I emailed the consulate again at the end of September that I would be bringing my passport on September 30. I didn’t get a response from them either. I also did not know there was a public holiday in Canada. I went back the next day (Oct. 1st) and the security personnel was hesitant with accepting our passports. I figured if I was refused, I could simply send it in using a courier but wanted the benefit of knowing that I hand-delivered my passports myself. After some explanation, the security team was magnanimous enough to call the officials upstairs for some clarification. Surprisingly, I was told I could come in and was told which window to go. The agent that attended to me told me they would get back to me the next day. I was surprised and not sure what he meant, and asked if our passports were going to be ready but was told they would keep me posted. I was asked to write down my phone number again.

 

The wait started and was not sure what to expect. I got a call late in the afternoon – around 2:30 PM on October 2nd, that our passports are ready and asking if I could be at the consulate at 3:00PM. I pleaded I could only be there at 3:15PM. We stayed at an hotel in Laval, and Montreal’s traffic can be so unpredictable. I rushed and got to the consulate at around 3:22PM and told the security team that I got a call to come in. I got upstairs and showed them my ID and our passports were handed back to us. From the conversations I had with the security team, I guess what happened with me wasn’t standard practice, I guess I was lucky and I’m thankful for that.

 

We crossed the border today and the border officials endorsed our passports. I am very grateful to the various contributions on this forum.

The interview itself was as described. The only things I was unsure of was if I could bring a 15-month-old that was not part of our application with us. We did and was allowed to bring the baby in. I also thought we couldn’t bring snacks for our little ones, but saw some other families that did. 

 

I'd be happy to answer any question and fill in any gaps.

I thought I missed some steps, but now it clears up all the confusion. Thanks for sharing your experience and wish you all the very best.

[Texasbound1 72]

My status still says refused but it was updated again this morning. Any ideas as to why the status might get updated but still stay in the same category? Maybe it’s automated or goes into a different part of the consulate’s process?

[rchak 17]

My Visa status is Issued now, I sent email today at 7 am and by 9am its showing issued. (not sure if that helped) Thank you all for your help !! 

[Froozion 168]

47 minutes ago, Texasbound1 said:

My status still says refused but it was updated again this morning. Any ideas as to why the status might get updated but still stay in the same category? Maybe it’s automated or goes into a different part of the consulate’s process?

I have no idea sadly. Have you tried emailing them? 

[sunnylank 6]

Hey....My status is updated to issued this morning (Interview Date: Sep 6th). I did not send any mail.

I am still awaiting the mailing details in the ais.usvisa-info site.

Edited October 7 by sunnylank

[AA-H 33]

6 minutes ago, sunnylank said:

Hey....My status is updated to issued this morning (Interview Date: Sep 6th). I did not send any mail.

I am still awaiting the mailing details in the ais.usvisa-info site.

Same here! The status changed to "issued" this morning. My daughter emailed them last night, explaining that it’s urgent for her to receive her passport so she can return to university. They called her this morning, but she missed the call. Does anyone know how long it might take to actually receive the passports?

[Texasbound1 72]

Same. Status now says issued! Congrats to all!