Hi everyone,

I'm just asking to see what the consulate mails back to you in the Canada Post envelope that we provide to them during our interview at the consulate. Since I'm now approved and waiting for my visa, passport and whatever paperwork to come back....does this all come back in a sealed envelope that I can't open until I go to the border? Is my passport in that sealed envelope?

Thanks. I just want to know what to expect once I tear that Canada Post envelope open and look inside I'm so excited!

Hi gemilina,

Your passport is not in a sealed envelope - the stuff in the sealed portion is all your visa paperwork, medical etc.

You'll get your passport mailed back, along with the visa inside it and a piece of paper explaining how to active the visa. Also, there will be a brown sealed envelope that says "do not open". Don't open it. You will have to hand that envelope over to the immigration officer at the point of entry when you enter the US to activate your visa.

Mary

what embassy did you have your interview through.

also, please

In addition to what everyone else has already mentioned, you will also get a "Welcome to the United States, A Guide For New Immigrants," brochure and a letter from the Social Security Administration about Social Security Numbers For U.S. Permanent Residents. On top of the mysterious brown envelope will be two sheets stapled to it. The top one will be a half-sheet that has an image of the DOS seal and the following statements in large capital letters, "Important Notice."
Below the rubric of "IMPORTANT NOTICE," it it goes on to say, "This envelope is part of your visa and must not be opened for any reason by anyone other than an official of the United States Government. Please present your passport and this sealed envelope to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at a United States Port of Entry. Below this blurb in large text is, "THIS ENVELOPE MUST BE HAND-CARRIED." Below that on the same page in the same text box and type is the following, "DO NOT PACK IT." Below that is the further admonishion, "DO NOT OPEN IT." I wonder what they're trying to say. On the page below that top half-sheet is the "Immigrant Data Summary." On it is the information about the beneficiary and the sponsor, the A-number, the visa expiration date and a picture of you. There is also a space for an admission stamp and a barcode. this second sheet is full-size and is taped to the envelope. That's it.

So I guess I'm not supposed to open this brown envelope then? lol jk

Thanks so much for the replies everyone that was very sweet of you. As for the question asked, I had my interview at the Montreal consulate. My timeline is so long that I wouldn't dare put it in. Plus I've forgotten most of the dates since my case dates back to late summer of 2004.

Yeah, ours was in French I told dh I hope it wasn't anything we really needed to know I figured it was just a welcome brochure, as we could make out some of what it said.

No prob, they will probably give you another one at the border

For some reason the word merde kept appearing in the text.

ya, you wil get more of the Welcome to the USA letters!! Many seem to get at least two, some get more in the mail, usually just before the actual Greencard arrives,lol

I had to look that word up Had NO idea what it meant

That's your story and you're sticking to it.