Montreal Consulate - Green Card processing times

[Jschuurman 0]

Everything is approved but my passport has been sitting at Montreal Consulate for 5 business days. Does processing take 10 days, 2 weeks ?

Anyone out there please advise

[L_n_O 3]

Usually a week or two

What kind of visa did you apply for

[Jschuurman 0]

I won the GC lottery, had the interview (it went fine) in Feb, however was missing a UK police certificate which I have since secured and mailed in with my passport a week ago

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Again, from 2 to 3 weeks, depending on how efficient they decide to be that week. there are no guarantees with those MTL folks!!

[rae_and_scott 1]

Where are you from? Just curious since Canadians aren't eligible for the GC lottery....

[Jschuurman 0]

Born in the Netherlands. Have both Dutch and Can passports.

2-3 weeks is diabolical. The consular officer advised 3-5 biz days at the interview. I guess, ultimatley, its a crapshoot

[LadyJane 1]

I'd say 2-3 weeks, conservatively. It took less than one week for my husband to receive his CR1 visa, but that was because he lived in Montreal and dropped off the information in person and Canada Post took only one day to ship.

If you've kept the tracking number for your envelope, you can see if/when it was shipped.

[Jschuurman 0]

Thanks to all for your insight. This is highly frustrating, particularly given what i was told at the consulate. Unfort i didn't note down tracking number of the return ExpressPost envelope.

I don't imagine getting a clearer picture if i telephone them etc

[Jschuurman 0]

Approaching 2 weeks and still no magic envelope from Montreal consulate.

Question: Is there another layer of post-interview screening/security checks that take place? I've been reading that some immigrant visa applicants qualify for so-called 'Administrative Processing' that adds to wait time.

But what exactly is Admin Processing ? FBI check ? Name check? Who gets flagged for AP ?

[Krikit 1,163]

Approaching 2 weeks and still no magic envelope from Montreal consulate.

Question: Is there another layer of post-interview screening/security checks that take place? I've been reading that some immigrant visa applicants qualify for so-called 'Administrative Processing' that adds to wait time.

But what exactly is Admin Processing ? FBI check ? Name check? Who gets flagged for AP ?

Admininstrative Processing would have happened before your approval. Since you have already been approved and they have retained your passport, it is highly unlikely you are now in AP. FBI namecheck is something that happens when you apply for adjustment of status (AOS) after you have entered the US. I have no idea whether greencard lottery winners are processed in the same way as family immigration visas. You might check to see if you can find a greencard lottery board to help you out with some of your questions. But definitely feel free to keep posting. I'm sure a lot/most of the process is the same so we'd be happy to assist you with whatever information we can.

[Jschuurman 0]

Thanks.

From what i've gathered on other immigration boards, "Administrative Processing" is directed at immigrants from a short list of high-risk nationalities, as well as those with perceived sensitive science & technology backgrounds. I think DV loterry winners from either of these sub-groups are flagged for AP etc.

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

Thanks.

From what i've gathered on other immigration boards, "Administrative Processing" is directed at immigrants from a short list of high-risk nationalities, as well as those with perceived sensitive science & technology backgrounds. I think DV loterry winners from either of these sub-groups are flagged for AP etc.

That's true. AP is a nebulous concept that no one really knows about but if, for reasons that no government official is willing to clearly enunciate, the computer can flag a name. The system plays no favourites but if you have an Arabic derived name or Latino name or if your name is phonetically similar to a criminal and if you are male, you can expect the dreaded AP. You are not in AP. Greencard lottery winners are processed the same as everyone else, I knew one person who went through it but he was from Africa so it might be different for Europeans although I doubt it. Pop was cleared of AP but then he was "still being processed" or so an e-mail from MTL said. A few days later the visa arrived, makes no sense whatsoever. It seems MTL almost never responds to e-mails once the visa is mailed. So send them an e-mail.

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

But definitely feel free to keep posting. I'm sure a lot/most of the process is the same so we'd be happy to assist you with whatever information we can.

Or fabricate something, either way.

[Jschuurman 0]

Update: After lengthy email from my lawyer to Immigration Visa unit, and repeated phone calls - MTL processed and shipped passport. For the record, it took 2 weeks which seems to be standard turnaround these days - although who knows how long it could have been without lawyers intervention.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Glad it all worked out. Probably a bit different since its not a relationship visa! Visa has probably been sitting on someone elses desk who plays soliatire most of the time,lol Relationship Visa staff play snood, but only for a few hrs!!