Realistic timeframe for approval after 221g docs delivered to Montreal

[Arxh 0]

On 11/5/2022 at 11:00 AM, CanadatoCali said:

Hello,

 

I had my K-1 visa interview in Montreal on August 9th, 2022 and left with a 221g. 
 

I finally got the docs required and send it in via courier and the tracking number shows it was delivered on Thursday Nov 3rd. CEAC still shows as “Refused” with no updates since August. 
 

I'm wondering what a realistic (and recent) idea on a timeframe would be for a decision to be made. Wondering if I’ll be able to be with my fiancé in the USA for Christmas or if we should make alternate plans. Our son’s 2nd birthday is earlier in Dec as well. I was so hoping we could all be together by then as well but that’s probably just wishful thinking. 
 

Any insight would be helpful! 

 

Hi

 

Did the embassy keep your passports after the interview or returned them to you?

Keep us updated as to how long they took to process your documents or you still haven’t heard back from them. 
 

Thank you

 

arxh

[Sana22 0]

Hey, if you gave in your passport then tell him to come down. If you have your passport then your totally free to visit him during the process. I went to usa multiple times while my case was processing and it was never an issue. Just tell the officer you are going for a bit to visit your husband and will be back in a week or so. It took me a year to be cleared after the 221g so your in for a journey. Be patient and positive.

[Tiabeanie 39]

14 hours ago, Arxh said:

Hi

 

Did the embassy keep your passports after the interview or returned them to you?

Keep us updated as to how long they took to process your documents or you still haven’t heard back from them. 
 

Thank you

 

arxh

I had my interview on October 31 and the embassy kept my passport the day of my interview. Initially I was issued a 221g and told no additional documents needed.

 

I emailed the embassy 2 weeks of my interview and inquired about my status(montreal-iv-dv@state.gov is their email btw). They responded to me 6 days later and informed me I had to submit a new police record. So I submitted my police record and it arrived to the embassy on Dec 5. My profile still shows as refused on CEAC but the last update to my case was on Dec 9th. 

Edited December 14, 2022 by Tiabeanie

[Sana22 0]

If they updated your case, keep checking your emails and also email them for a status update. You might be in luck. Maybe another week from here. If all they wanted was an updated record it's pretty much approved and they just need to check one more thing off their list.

[CanadatoCali 0]

On 12/13/2022 at 5:51 PM, Arxh said:

Hi

 

Did the embassy keep your passports after the interview or returned them to you?

Keep us updated as to how long they took to process your documents or you still haven’t heard back from them. 
 

Thank you

 

arxh

They did keep my passport. 
 

I finally got my CEAC approval on Dec 5th (so a little less than 6 weeks from them receiving my 221g required documents) and CEAC showed “issued” on Dec 7th and I received my visa and passport back the following day! 
 

My visa is only valid until Jan 13th, 2023as my medical was done on July 13th, 2022 (and the visa is only valid as long as the medical isn’t expired - 6 months) but we have our move date and tickets!!! 

[Paparazi 4]

On 12/14/2022 at 3:39 PM, Tiabeanie said:

I had my interview on October 31 and the embassy kept my passport the day of my interview. Initially I was issued a 221g and told no additional documents needed.

 

I emailed the embassy 2 weeks of my interview and inquired about my status(montreal-iv-dv@state.gov is their email btw). They responded to me 6 days later and informed me I had to submit a new police record. So I submitted my police record and it arrived to the embassy on Dec 5. My profile still shows as refused on CEAC but the last update to my case was on Dec 9th. 

I hope you got your approval? How long did it take?

[Tiabeanie 39]

On 3/31/2023 at 4:00 PM, Paparazi said:

I hope you got your approval? How long did it take?

Hi there,

 

I got approved as of February 28th and I got back my passport on March 2nd and crossed into the US the same day. So it took me 4 months.