IR1 / CR1 - Montreal Timeline to Interview

[MarieCookie 0]

Do they schedule interviews for December? Or it goes from November to January?

[kaya541 1]

Do they schedule interviews for December? Or it goes from November to January?

Good question - I sure hope they schedule interviews in December. Checked the current spreadsheet but it only goes back to January. And I remember someone saying earlier today that if they had to reschedule, the next available date was in January. Am nervous we haven't gotten our interview scheduled for November yet with a June case complete - there's a couple of us still waiting to hear this week...

[kaya541 1]

Also just checked the older spreadsheet by Trailmix and saw that July 2009 case completes had interview dates in January-February, nothing in December. Anybody know of any prior December IR1/CR1 interview dates in Montreal?

[Jadenjewel 9]

Ask Trailmix she might know but I don't remember seeing any. January yes, but I don't remember any in December. You could phone Montreal and ask if they are scheduling for Dec. They'll schedule till the end of this week, i wouldn't give up hope for November yet!

Here's hoping they finish off all June people! They are so far behind!!!

[Canadiandggal 49]

They have to schedule some interviews during december and I think it will be through NVC, not the new schedule your own system.

[Jeremy&Kathy 4]

When I entered our DHL location using the new scheduling site for Canada, I came across this other general information that was very informative. It answers some questions that were asked here a few weeks ago, and clears up some of the confusion about how we're supposed to use this new system when our interviews were already scheduled by the NVC.

---------------------------------------

General Visa Information

The information provided here is only for applicants that have already begun the Immigrant Visa Process and have been scheduled by the National Visa Center for an appointment. Please click on the Immigrant Visas option from the left hand menu for general information regarding how to begin the Immigrant Visa Process.

You have indicated that the applicant has received an Appointment Letter from the National Visa Center (NVC), providing the applicant with an appointment date and time. Do not schedule an appointment using this site unless the applicant cannot attend the appointment at the date and time indicated in the letter. Please do follow the steps to select your DHL location and register your information in the system. However, when you reach the calendar page with the option to select an appointment date you may sign out.

A new appointment may be scheduled if the applicant cannot attend the appointment that was provided.

If action is not taken on the application within one year, it will be assumed that it was abandoned and will be terminated.

If the applicant has lost the letter, and is not sure how to proceed, please use the Contact Us option at the top of this Web page to submit an inquiry. The inquiry must include a valid email address and phone number, along with the case number and the applicant's full name. If there are multiple members of the family, you must include the case number for each applicant.

As each case varies, please follow the instructions in the letter exactly, including the preparation of the required documents, as well as any details regarding medical examinations.

Specific Visa Application Procedures for Canada

Please arrive on time, but not earlier than 20 minutes before the scheduled appointment time. Present the appointment confirmation and documentation to the U.S. Consular Section upon arrival. If the applicant needs a Canadian visa to enter Canada to apply for a visa, it is the applicant's responsibility to obtain one.

The following items are not permitted in the U.S. Consular Sections: cameras, tape recorders, pagers, cell phones, video cameras, radios, calculators, food and drink, computers, electronic car keys or actual and potential weapons including sharp or pointed items. Guards are required to search all bags, purses, backpacks and similar belongings prior to entry into the Consular Section.

Any visitor who declines to be screened by U.S. Consular Section security personnel will be prohibited from entering the Consular Section.

Appearing for an interview does not guarantee a visa will be issued. In most cases, if the visa is issued, it will be available for pick-up at the DHL location of the applicant's choice within the following three business days. However, in some cases, visa applications may require special processing that can take several weeks or months for approval. Because processing times vary, the applicant should request a visa interview well in advance of the planned departure for the United States and should not make non-refundable travel arrangements until the visa has been received.

Personal Appearance

In general, all applicants must appear in person for the visa interview at which time, in addition to an interview, the consular officer will digitally capture the fingerprints of applicants ages between 14 and 79. Under very limited circumstances the personal appearance requirement may be waived (medical emergencies), but the applicant must still be physically present in the district where the application is submitted.

In the case of applicants under 14 years, a parent or guardian must appear in person to accompany them.

Accompanying Persons

The following persons may accompany a visa applicant during his or her visit to the Consular Section:

* Interpreters: An applicant may bring one interpreter if he does not speak English (or French if applying in Montreal or Quebec City) well enough to participate unassisted in the visa interview.

* Special Needs Assistants: An applicant may bring one person to assist him if he is elderly, disabled, or a minor child.

The following persons may not be allowed into the U.S. Consular Section premises:

* Attorneys: An applicant may not be accompanied by his or her attorney(s).

* Drivers, friends, extra relatives, and others not specifically named above cannot be permitted to enter and will be asked to return to meet the applicant after the interview is complete.

* Due to the limited size of the Consular Section waiting rooms, the high volume of visa applicants, and the time required to screen consular clients, other accompanying persons cannot and will not be admitted to the Consular Section.

Specific Application Documents for Canada

Examples of proof of income/ties:

* A current letter of employment (or that of the family member or person providing the applicant financial support) showing date hired, salary and position

* Pay slips and tax documents

* School letter with proof of tuition payment and a copy of official transcript

* Property deeds

* Canada Immigration Documents showing the applicant's current legal status in Canada (permanent resident card, student/work permit and/or visa, and/or temporary resident permit)

* Monthly bank statements

* Proof of sufficient funds to cover all expenses while in US

* Evidence which shows purpose of trip

If an applicant is self-employed or owns a business, the applicant should bring:

* The most recent tax returns

* Most recent tax returns for the business and/or business' financial statement

* Certificate of incorporation

* Proof that the business is currently operating and generating income

If an applicant is studying in Canada, the applicant should bring:

* School attendance records (school transcripts showing grades, registration letter, records of tuition payments, letters of acceptance)

* If working part-time, letter from employer and pay slips

* Financial documents such as recent bank statements or statements from investment accounts in Canada

Proof of prior visits to the United States

* Expired passports with old visas.

* I-20 forms and transcripts if the applicant was a student

* I-797 forms

* I-94 cards

* Employment Authorization cards

Police and Court Records

* If the applicant has ever been arrested or convicted of a crime anywhere in the world, bring in associated court documents.

Proof of Family Relationships

* If the applicant's spouse and/or children will be applying for derivative visa status (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate, adoption papers, etc.).

The following documents are generally not useful:

* Credit or debit cards

* Documents from countries outside Canada

* Letters of support from third parties

* Airline tickets

* Student ID cards

[Canadiandggal 49]

Ok so now we are not suppose to show up till 20 mins to our appointment time? and not at like 630-7am? everyone that has just done the interview?

[choles 0]

Ok so now we are not suppose to show up till 20 mins to our appointment time? and not at like 630-7am? everyone that has just done the interview?

Hubby and I were literally just 5 secs ago wondering this...would love to hear some feedback on this!

[pony1076 0]

When I entered our DHL location using the new scheduling site for Canada, I came across this other general information that was very informative. It answers some questions that were asked here a few weeks ago, and clears up some of the confusion about how we're supposed to use this new system when our interviews were already scheduled by the NVC.

---------------------------------------

General Visa Information

The information provided here is only for applicants that have already begun the Immigrant Visa Process and have been scheduled by the National Visa Center for an appointment. Please click on the Immigrant Visas option from the left hand menu for general information regarding how to begin the Immigrant Visa Process.

You have indicated that the applicant has received an Appointment Letter from the National Visa Center (NVC), providing the applicant with an appointment date and time. Do not schedule an appointment using this site unless the applicant cannot attend the appointment at the date and time indicated in the letter. Please do follow the steps to select your DHL location and register your information in the system. However, when you reach the calendar page with the option to select an appointment date you may sign out.

A new appointment may be scheduled if the applicant cannot attend the appointment that was provided.

If action is not taken on the application within one year, it will be assumed that it was abandoned and will be terminated.

If the applicant has lost the letter, and is not sure how to proceed, please use the Contact Us option at the top of this Web page to submit an inquiry. The inquiry must include a valid email address and phone number, along with the case number and the applicant's full name. If there are multiple members of the family, you must include the case number for each applicant.

As each case varies, please follow the instructions in the letter exactly, including the preparation of the required documents, as well as any details regarding medical examinations.

Specific Visa Application Procedures for Canada

Please arrive on time, but not earlier than 20 minutes before the scheduled appointment time. Present the appointment confirmation and documentation to the U.S. Consular Section upon arrival. If the applicant needs a Canadian visa to enter Canada to apply for a visa, it is the applicant's responsibility to obtain one.

The following items are not permitted in the U.S. Consular Sections: cameras, tape recorders, pagers, cell phones, video cameras, radios, calculators, food and drink, computers, electronic car keys or actual and potential weapons including sharp or pointed items. Guards are required to search all bags, purses, backpacks and similar belongings prior to entry into the Consular Section.

Any visitor who declines to be screened by U.S. Consular Section security personnel will be prohibited from entering the Consular Section.

Appearing for an interview does not guarantee a visa will be issued. In most cases, if the visa is issued, it will be available for pick-up at the DHL location of the applicant's choice within the following three business days. However, in some cases, visa applications may require special processing that can take several weeks or months for approval. Because processing times vary, the applicant should request a visa interview well in advance of the planned departure for the United States and should not make non-refundable travel arrangements until the visa has been received.

Personal Appearance

In general, all applicants must appear in person for the visa interview at which time, in addition to an interview, the consular officer will digitally capture the fingerprints of applicants ages between 14 and 79. Under very limited circumstances the personal appearance requirement may be waived (medical emergencies), but the applicant must still be physically present in the district where the application is submitted.

In the case of applicants under 14 years, a parent or guardian must appear in person to accompany them.

Accompanying Persons

The following persons may accompany a visa applicant during his or her visit to the Consular Section:

* Interpreters: An applicant may bring one interpreter if he does not speak English (or French if applying in Montreal or Quebec City) well enough to participate unassisted in the visa interview.

* Special Needs Assistants: An applicant may bring one person to assist him if he is elderly, disabled, or a minor child.

The following persons may not be allowed into the U.S. Consular Section premises:

* Attorneys: An applicant may not be accompanied by his or her attorney(s).

* Drivers, friends, extra relatives, and others not specifically named above cannot be permitted to enter and will be asked to return to meet the applicant after the interview is complete.

* Due to the limited size of the Consular Section waiting rooms, the high volume of visa applicants, and the time required to screen consular clients, other accompanying persons cannot and will not be admitted to the Consular Section.

Specific Application Documents for Canada

Examples of proof of income/ties:

* A current letter of employment (or that of the family member or person providing the applicant financial support) showing date hired, salary and position

* Pay slips and tax documents

* School letter with proof of tuition payment and a copy of official transcript

* Property deeds

* Canada Immigration Documents showing the applicant's current legal status in Canada (permanent resident card, student/work permit and/or visa, and/or temporary resident permit)

* Monthly bank statements

* Proof of sufficient funds to cover all expenses while in US

* Evidence which shows purpose of trip

If an applicant is self-employed or owns a business, the applicant should bring:

* The most recent tax returns

* Most recent tax returns for the business and/or business' financial statement

* Certificate of incorporation

* Proof that the business is currently operating and generating income

If an applicant is studying in Canada, the applicant should bring:

* School attendance records (school transcripts showing grades, registration letter, records of tuition payments, letters of acceptance)

* If working part-time, letter from employer and pay slips

* Financial documents such as recent bank statements or statements from investment accounts in Canada

Proof of prior visits to the United States

* Expired passports with old visas.

* I-20 forms and transcripts if the applicant was a student

* I-797 forms

* I-94 cards

* Employment Authorization cards

Police and Court Records

* If the applicant has ever been arrested or convicted of a crime anywhere in the world, bring in associated court documents.

Proof of Family Relationships

* If the applicant's spouse and/or children will be applying for derivative visa status (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate, adoption papers, etc.).

The following documents are generally not useful:

* Credit or debit cards

* Documents from countries outside Canada

* Letters of support from third parties

* Airline tickets

* Student ID cards

Would it be possible to post the link to this website ?

[Jadenjewel 9]

I agree more info, this does not allow your husband or wife in to your interview with this terminology as I read it. ????

[Jeremy&Kathy 4]

Would it be possible to post the link to this website ?

No, I would have if I could have. This information only appeared within the context of my logged in session. I can't post a link to it unfortunately. The best I can do is give the link to the main site where I began by logging in with our passport numbers and personal info:

http://canada.usvisa-info.com/

You are right that it seems to suggest the U.S. citizen spouse is not allowed to accompany you! I noticed that too. However, there is another PDF document with details about Montreal that said that a U.S. citizen may accompany you. Here is the link to that document:

http://travel.state.gov/pdf/supplements/MTL-SUP-ENGL-0008-1009.pdf

These overlapping immigration departments seem to be very disorganized, duplicating information inconsistently and even offering some of the same services without communicating with each other or making it clear to us how things work. I am very used to it now and have come to expect it after more than a year of wading through this madness!

[Jeremy&Kathy 4]

chrylhltn added to the timeline.

https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AoHUzXDIb8k7dHkzeldWSHFTdHY1ak1KR0RVWmhNaVE&hl=en&authkey=CKnQx7gC

Note: anyone can edit this timeline spreadsheet! You do not need special permission.

[Jeremy&Kathy 4]

More people are asking me where I found all that information. Here are the detailed steps for how I found it.

I started out by visiting http://www.immigrantvisas.state.gov.

From there, click "prepare for your visa interview abroad" and it will take you here: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3731.html

From there, click "Review the U.S. Embassy/Consulate General-specific Interview Guidelines." and it will take you here: http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_3742.html

Choose MTL as the consulate and click the button to download a PDF file with specific details for Montreal interviews. That is the same PDF file I posted a link to before. Here it is again: http://travel.state.gov/pdf/supplements/MTL-SUP-ENGL-0008-1009.pdf

Inside that PDF file it says to visit the other NEW scheduling site to choose your DHL location: http://canada.usvisa-info.com/

You log in there by clicking the link in the bottom right corner of the main page to schedule an appointment online. It's confusing because you won't actually schedule an interview; it was already scheduled for you by the NVC. Clicking that link takes you here: http://www.usvisa-info.com/en-CA/selfservice/login

Check the "I have read..." box and click confirm. Now you enter your passport number and personal info, enter the captcha phrase and log in. For your first visit, you may have to click "schedule an appointment" or "add applicant", I can't remember exactly. If you have already done this previously you will see applicant details displayed, and you can modify those details by clicking "schedule an appointment". Again, very misleading because it doesn't actually let you schedule an appointment until later on. This sequence of forms is for filling out your trip purpose and DHL location.

NOTE: From here on I cannot provide the URL links because they are specific to your passport number and you have to be logged in.

You will get to a point where it asks you for your "Trip Purpose" and you have about two dozen options to choose from. Select the 3rd option from the end of the list "Permanently Immigrate to the US (Scheduled by NVC)".

Next it asks you for the consulate and the only choice available should be Montreal.

Next it asks you for your DHL courier location where you want your visa mailed to. I used Google Maps to figure out which one was closest for us.

Next it displays an information page with three expandable topics giving information about how to prepare for the interview. That is the information that I posted yesterday in the forum.

Next, you have the chance to add more family members or log out. DO NOT proceed with scheduling an interview! Once all applicants have been added and the DHL location selected you are done.

Finally, I found more specific information about the Montreal Consulate on their web site: http://montreal.usconsulate.gov. There is a phone number for the consulate posted there. I haven't tried calling it but if you are unsure about anything you could try calling them: 514.398.9695

Jeremy

Edited October 15, 2010 by Jeremy&Kathy

[Rugga 0]

Hi all - I have been watching this thread for several months now and finally registered. I'll try to add our official timeline later although we are already in the spreadsheet. We are a June 17 case complete and just called NVC. There was no interview scheduled on their file and we were told that they schedule the second week of the month (today being the last day).

Frankly, I am worried those of us still waiting with June case completes will need to wait until December. If anyone has any information on whether the interviews have been handed out, or whether there is still some hope they are handing out interviews, we are very eager to hear.

Many thanks,

Rugga

[Canadiandggal 49]

I called the toronto number once when i get my date and got a nice guy to reassure the way i signed up but I tried to call back today and they have changed the system there is no option to talk someone for general information. You choices are book an appointment, change an appointment,bakc to main menu. Thats ok I dont need to talk to them anyways , ill ask my question at the interview.