IR1 visa

[Northern Light 0]

Could you guys share your experience on 221(g) processing due to missing document. How long does Montreal take for processing 221(g)? it has already been more than six weeks since I mailed my passport and document. DOS says they still do not find any record. Does Montreal provide any other status information before the final approval for example pacakge is received etc.?

Please share your experience.

Thanks all.

[Matt n Shannon 3]

Unfortunately hate to be the bearer of bad news. But it can take months. But there are many threads if you do a search that can help you to cut down that time, and over come the back log.

[Canadiandggal 49]

Could you guys share your experience on 221(g) processing due to missing document. How long does Montreal take for processing 221(g)? it has already been more than six weeks since I mailed my passport and document. DOS says they still do not find any record. Does Montreal provide any other status information before the final approval for example pacakge is received etc.?

Please share your experience.

Thanks all.

Unfortunately it could take a few months for them to just open your package let alone issue the visa. I know that the wait is usually in between 6-16 weeks. Im sorry but I suggest you keep calling dos and try your best to be patient. I know it sucks but really there is no way to speed up how long it takes for Montreal to open the mail in the mail room... WHy? who knows lol

[Northern Light 0]

Thanks guys for your responses.

Does the US consulate inform only if the visa is received? Do they give any acknowledgement on if the package is received. As they can take indefinite period of time (which is not a surprise), someone will not even not know in case the passport is lost but he/she will keep waiting with a hope!!!!.

BTW can I travel to US and return back to Canada without passport during this waiting period? 16 weeks is long being separated from family.

Unfortunately it could take a few months for them to just open your package let alone issue the visa. I know that the wait is usually in between 6-16 weeks. Im sorry but I suggest you keep calling dos and try your best to be patient. I know it sucks but really there is no way to speed up how long it takes for Montreal to open the mail in the mail room... WHy? who knows lol

[OBX 51]

Thanks guys for your responses.

Does the US consulate inform only if the visa is received? they give any acknowledgement on if the package is received. As they can take indefinite period of time (which is not a surprise), someone will not even not know in case the passport is lost but he/she will keep waiting with a hope!!!!.

BTW can I travel to US and return back to Canada without passport during this waiting period? 16 weeks is long being separated from family.

Have a look through this thread. I think in Advice #4 the poster listed some numbers you could try. Montreal Contact Help

As far as travelling to the US I believe a passport, Nexus card or enhanced drivers licence is a requirement.

Good luck!

[Inky 1,110]

Thanks guys for your responses.

Does the US consulate inform only if the visa is received? Do they give any acknowledgement on if the package is received. As they can take indefinite period of time (which is not a surprise), someone will not even not know in case the passport is lost but he/she will keep waiting with a hope!!!!.

BTW can I travel to US and return back to Canada without passport during this waiting period? 16 weeks is long being separated from family.

No they don't inform you of anything.

Its up to you to call DOS and ask them if they got your passport yet, if they have issued the visa yet, if they have mailed it out via DHL yet.

Its not recommended to travel without a passport.

[Northern Light 0]

I has been already more than eight weeks, nothing happened. I also followed advice 4 . I am thinking to request them to give my passport back for a trip. Any idea, how long they take to return the passport?

Thanks guys for your responses.

Does the US consulate inform only if the visa is received? Do they give any acknowledgement on if the package is received. As they can take indefinite period of time (which is not a surprise), someone will not even not know in case the passport is lost but he/she will keep waiting with a hope!!!!.

BTW can I travel to US and return back to Canada without passport during this waiting period? 16 weeks is long being separated from family.

[Canadiandggal 49]

I has been already more than eight weeks, nothing happened. I also followed advice 4 . I am thinking to request them to give my passport back for a trip. Any idea, how long they take to return the passport?

if they have received your package and can confirm they have opened it then you are better off waiting because your visa should be printed soon.

[Northern Light 0]

Thanks for your hope, how can I guess that they have received and opened my package. I called DOS. They can not tell whether my package is received or not. Last week they said my file is going through administrative processing. Does this mean that they received my package?

[Northern Light 0]

Finally got it! Thanks canadianggal, inky and OBX for your kind advice. I heard POE for marriage based immigration is sometimes tough. Do I need to prepare any documents for the POE interview. Any advice?

Thanks again

Thanks for your hope, how can I guess that they have received and opened my package. I called DOS. They can not tell whether my package is received or not. Last week they said my file is going through administrative processing. Does this mean that they received my package?

[Inky 1,110]

Finally got it! Thanks canadianggal, inky and OBX for your kind advice. I heard POE for marriage based immigration is sometimes tough. Do I need to prepare any documents for the POE interview. Any advice?

Thanks again

You shouldn't need any documents. There is no POE interview. They just ask you some minor chit chat type questions.

[OBX 51]

Finally got it! Thanks canadianggal, inky and OBX for your kind advice. I heard POE for marriage based immigration is sometimes tough. Do I need to prepare any documents for the POE interview. Any advice?

Thanks again

My POE experience was pain-free. It took about 1 1/2 hours and the majority of the time was spent waiting for the officer to process my papers while I sat. The only question I was asked was to confirm my address in the US. The office was was very professional yet easy going and friendly.

[Northern Light 0]

I completed my POE by bus going from Toronto to NY. I had mixed experience. I asked at the ticket counter to make sure if I could do it by bus. The ticket counter said if I miss bus I can take the next bus or a taxi to go to the Buffalo station. I bought the ticket but the bus driver was rude and did not want to take me. Anyway I went to the counter again to change the ticket and planned to go to the nearest station before border and from there I could go by cab. The ticket counter said I did not need to explain details to the bus driver and advised to take the next bus. Anyway I took the chance and reached to the border. The officer was nice and took some time for processing. I missed the bus but the officer requested the driver of another bus to give me a ride from their office to the buffalo station. I was thankful to that officer. Now I am waiting for the green card.

My POE experience was pain-free. It took about 1 1/2 hours and the majority of the time was spent waiting for the officer to process my papers while I sat. The only question I was asked was to confirm my address in the US. The office was was very professional yet easy going and friendly.