Waiting for our passports from Montreal

[ray of sunshine 5]

Ray of sunshine, I'm backing away from the emails too... I've sent quite a few, and twice they've ignored me. So i think I'm doing more harm than good in terms of that.

I really can't see us waiting up to 8 weeks or even longer, that seems to fall into the category of exceptional circumstances, so lets keep our fingers crossed! The average amount of waiting time in November got my hopes up, but of course December is a busy month and it was bound to slow down. No doubt the recent terrorism issues don't help:( It sucks not knowing where our case stands at this point, what they're doing, etc. but just stay positive! You and I are going into our 4th week!!!

JennNMike they touched my file today on their own since receiving the additional documents on November 24th, without me emailing them. I will check again my status later the end of business day. Hopefully I will get out of that dreading status of Administrative processing. And hoping the same for you since we been waiting for 4 freaking weeks.Hang in there I will be back later:)

[JennNMike 6]

Ray of Sunshine, they updated our date to today as well... Well mine, but my daughters still says the 18th. Keeping our fingers crossed we both get an early Christmas present!!!

[oncefuturealien 45]

Is there any time advantage to using FedEx to overnight stuff back to the Consulate, versus using Canada Post?

I am wondering if faster is better or using their existing system (might not be overnight, I don't know) is better.

The CO said that I could get my passport FedExed back to me overnight by emailing an authorization (I hope the 221(g) form at home has some good info, because I was in a bit of a daze and I don't recall exactly the procedure).

I am going to try for a 10-business-day turnaround of my passport, so every smidge of speed will count.

[JennNMike 6]

Is there any time advantage to using FedEx to overnight stuff back to the Consulate, versus using Canada Post?

I am wondering if faster is better or using their existing system (might not be overnight, I don't know) is better.

The CO said that I could get my passport FedExed back to me overnight by emailing an authorization (I hope the 221(g) form at home has some good info, because I was in a bit of a daze and I don't recall exactly the procedure).

I am going to try for a 10-business-day turnaround of my passport, so every smidge of speed will count.

They switched to Canada Post right after I had to send my additional documents in.. so I used their old carrier Loomis and it arrived at their sorting facility the next morning and then in the hands of a CO the following day. So I am not sure how quick CP is, but I am assuming with holidays coming up this week it might not be at it's fastest. I would try to contact both Canada Post and Fed Ex and see which one GUARANTEE'S overnight delivery. If you chose to go with Fed Ex it would be at your expense, but really, who cares... we all just want our visa's as fast as possible!

Also, I'm not sure what the CO told you at the interview about how quickly your visa would be issued and the passport returned to you.. the CO at my interview said two weeks and it has been four. So just be prepared that it may take longer than anticipated.

Good luck!

[oncefuturealien 45]

They switched to Canada Post right after I had to send my additional documents in.. so I used their old carrier Loomis and it arrived at their sorting facility the next morning and then in the hands of a CO the following day. So I am not sure how quick CP is, but I am assuming with holidays coming up this week it might not be at it's fastest. I would try to contact both Canada Post and Fed Ex and see which one GUARANTEE'S overnight delivery. If you chose to go with Fed Ex it would be at your expense, but really, who cares... we all just want our visa's as fast as possible!

Also, I'm not sure what the CO told you at the interview about how quickly your visa would be issued and the passport returned to you.. the CO at my interview said two weeks and it has been four. So just be prepared that it may take longer than anticipated.

Good luck!

I was thinking using their system to send might be better for the security screening etc., so I don't think you can ask for better than two days!

He didn't make me any representations about turnaround for my case in January (I have to send back my passport and joint sponsor info when I get back from a holiday in Hawaii), but he did say that it would be faster to have an FedEx overnight return than using the regular system for that.

(Stupid Hawaii trip! talk about your mixed blessing!)

Anyway, thanks for the info! Plan for the worst, hope for the best is all you can do with this, huh. Good luck

[JennNMike 6]

I was thinking using their system to send might be better for the security screening etc., so I don't think you can ask for better than two days!

He didn't make me any representations about turnaround for my case in January (I have to send back my passport and joint sponsor info when I get back from a holiday in Hawaii), but he did say that it would be faster to have an FedEx overnight return than using the regular system for that.

(Stupid Hawaii trip! talk about your mixed blessing!)

Anyway, thanks for the info! Plan for the worst, hope for the best is all you can do with this, huh. Good luck

Hawaii is beautiful! I would much rather be heading to a warm beach then sitting in feeling sorry for myself lol!

I think by January things will be back to normal and the process will pick up again. Your best bet would probably be to send through Canada Post then. As for returning it, can you fed ex it right to your house? Because that would be ideal! I'm unable to change my location now, but I would have preferred that too!

[oncefuturealien 45]

I assume you get to choose your address for FedEx delivery if you're arranging the pickup etc., yeah. I'll post about that when the time comes

[PriyaB 13]

Five months since interview...no visa yet. Last time it was checked was December 10th. We had recieved a letter from our senators office a few days before saying our case was still in admin.

[Friend2ya 9]

Is there any time advantage to using FedEx to overnight stuff back to the Consulate, versus using Canada Post?

No Update for me...was touched by additional documents Dec 8-9 since then its still on Dec 11 because of exchanged email. Might get triggered after I sent a non-sense courier bar code.

I used Canada Post - less than $20 overnight...or you can use Consulate prepaid return label, I sent my courier registration last Friday and arrived today 14:40pm. Yes, Fedex is more expensive!!

[Friend2ya 9]

Five months since interview...no visa yet. Last time it was checked was December 10th. We had recieved a letter from our senators office a few days before saying our case was still in admin.

PriyaB, your application looks complicated. I am not an expert, but probably a background check is holding this up...My suggestion is to once more send an email and ask them why the case is taking so long, what clearing stage you are dealing with..it really passed the processing time and don't have an explanation. If you get the pretty much the same reply..then go ahead send the senator letter to the consulate RE: Case#XXXXXXXXXXX

[Nicole_1228 5]

Picked up my passport today. Arrived on dec 17th but i was on the island until yesterday. Took 3 days to receive from "issued" to Vancouver.

Prayers for everyone still waiting that they get their christmas wishes ♡

Ill let you all know how POE goes at 330 am Sunday... damn holiday flight prices was by far the cheapest option to take a 6am flight

[Ambitious_adee 8]

Can you keep us updated on where and when you are able to pick your visa up?

Issued yesterday morning....

CPC number afternoon

CPC intransit evening/overnight

in Brampton today. On my way as we speak to grab it.

[JennNMike 6]

Issued yesterday morning....

CPC number afternoon

CPC intransit evening/overnight

in Brampton today. On my way as we speak to grab it.

That was speedy! Very reassuring, thank you! Congrats again:)

[JennNMike 6]

Five months since interview...no visa yet. Last time it was checked was December 10th. We had recieved a letter from our senators office a few days before saying our case was still in admin.

I can't even imagine:( so sorry that you've been waiting this long. Hopefully you get some answers/good news soon.

[ray of sunshine 5]

Ray of Sunshine, they updated our date to today as well... Well mine, but my daughters still says the 18th. Keeping our fingers crossed we both get an early Christmas present!!!

JennNMike finally I'm out of the AP status into Ready thanks to God there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Hoping you will be next.