Average wait???

[JeannieL 44]

I will have my interview in Montreal on April 27th. I am looking to book my flight for POE. I am just wondering how long people who have had recent interviews in Montreal are waiting to have their passports back from DHL after the interview. Would booking the flight for 2 1/2 weeks after the interview be safe? Thanks for any input!

[amykathleen2005 441]

Don't book until it is in your hand.

[JeannieL 44]

Thanks for the response but it will cost about 3 times as much if I wait. I can book and pay a fee to change the date. But I am looking to see how long people that have had recent interviews in Montreal are waiting to receive theirs back.

[Saylin 1,605]

Thanks for the response but it will cost about 3 times as much if I wait. I can book and pay a fee to change the date. But I am looking to see how long people that have had recent interviews in Montreal are waiting to receive theirs back.

I've seen it take just a few days to up to 2 weeks. This was for IR-1/CR-1 visas, but I would suspect it's the same time frame for K1 visas. I think 2 and a half weeks should be fine. Once you're approved at the interview, you can call up DOS to see if they've printed your visa yet and you can judge from that how long it'll take to get to you.

If you want, look at timelines of those that recently had an interview. There's a line for when the visa was received, or you can find it in their signatures if they have one and if they put it. You can judge from there recent times to receive the visa.

Edited March 16, 2011 by Saylin

[CBM 14]

Hey jeannie, for what it's worth, I had my interview a week ago, and my waybill number isn't showing up online yet. I can let you know when I receive mine, if you want.

I might call DOS in the next few days to see if it's been printed.

I realize what you're saying about the price going way up, but did you know when you change flights, you pay the $75 penalty for changing PLUS the cost of the current ticket? So, you could end up paying the way higher price plus an extra $75. Just a thought!

[JeannieL 44]

Hey jeannie, for what it's worth, I had my interview a week ago, and my waybill number isn't showing up online yet. I can let you know when I receive mine, if you want.

I might call DOS in the next few days to see if it's been printed.

I realize what you're saying about the price going way up, but did you know when you change flights, you pay the $75 penalty for changing PLUS the cost of the current ticket? So, you could end up paying the way higher price plus an extra $75. Just a thought!

Yes please let me know when you get yours. Are you still in NS? When I was talking to my travel agent she said that the cost of changing the ticket would just be $150. for the penalty I think I will double check with her tomorrow. Peg told me that she called the consulate in Halifax to find out if her visa had been issued. If you check my profile page on here it is one of the comments in the bottom part. The number and info is there in the post from her.

[CBM 14]

Yes please let me know when you get yours. Are you still in NS? When I was talking to my travel agent she said that the cost of changing the ticket would just be $150. for the penalty I think I will double check with her tomorrow. Peg told me that she called the consulate in Halifax to find out if her visa had been issued. If you check my profile page on here it is one of the comments in the bottom part. The number and info is there in the post from her.

I'm actually doing my teaching degree (B.Ed) in Ontario until April 29th, so I don't deal with Halifax... I've just been waiting to get my waybill number online and change my address to my Ontario address so I don't have to drive 2 hours to pick up my passport in London.

I'll let you know by PM or a comment on your profile when I get my passport... and I can let you know when it's been sent by MTL, too.

[CBM 14]

also, yes, check to make sure you just pay the $150 penalty... usually you have to pay the current price! I would hate to see you end up owing way more than necessary.

Also, you might save a bunch if you just book on your own, rather than with a travel agent. I always just book with Air Canada or whoever has the best seat sale on, and I've never had any problems, other than typical delays

[JeannieL 44]

Yes....Thanks, let me know for sure. I thought you were still away.

I normally book through the travel agent. Just because of convenience. Selloffvacations.com if you see a price online that is what the will charge if you go in person as you would pay online. Typically they are even cheaper than the airline sites. I will do some research in the next few days though. Thanks!

I look forward to hearing from you.

Congrats on your approval!

[CindyGlenn 0]

I had my interview on Feb 22 for my IR-1, and DHL called on Feb 25th to let me know I could pick it up.

[matalie 1]

Mine took 14 business days, not counting weekends! I thought they had lost it! Then I had to pick it up at the nearest DHL which was a few hours drive away! Curse them for getting rid of Xpresspost!!

[dvkk16 0]

I had my interview on the 8th also CBM. Still waiting also. Nothing shows on dhl's web site for me either. I was told at the consulate that I would receive my passport in four business days which would have been Monday. I'm growing very impatient right now.

[Saylin 1,605]

I had my interview on the 8th also CBM. Still waiting also. Nothing shows on dhl's web site for me either. I was told at the consulate that I would receive my passport in four business days which would have been Monday. I'm growing very impatient right now.

Have you tried calling DOS yet to see if they've printed your visa?

[Moosker 7]

I got mine within days!

Sometimes you can pay more for a flight that you are able to "change" (we do this with Southwest).