Receipt Notices from Montreal / Vermont....

[constance_13]

WOOT!!! I received an email from my attorney that they received receipt notices for my two waivers from Montreal / Vermont!!!!! I am so happy we got them as now it feels like things are progressing. The status on both is "Pending" but now I can check them when I want.....maybe it’s not a good thing as I might obsess....LOL.

Does anyone have any experience / knowledge on the timeline once you have received the receipt notices to getting an approval notice OR is it still completely random? I guess I am grasping at straws for some hope that we may be near the end of this and that there is indeed light at the end of the tunnel.

[kenaly]

Get ready to start obsessing....LOL!!

Seriously, it is a random thing about when you get the notice about your waiver. It is a good sign (usually) if you seen the date being updated on your case status. I musy have checked 10 times a day..it is so addictive!

[adeildo]

Very nice.

[jolantarenee]

Hey, girl! Glad to see you got some news and the things are moving on!

[mtlvscpending]

Does anyone have any experience / knowledge on the timeline once you have received the receipt notices to getting an approval notice OR is it still completely random? I guess I am grasping at straws for some hope that we may be near the end of this and that there is indeed light at the end of the tunnel.

I am certainly no expert, but can share with you my experiences.

Given that my case is still pending I hesitate to be specifically critical of the system or of anyone working within it, but it's been a LONG process. There have been errors made by all parties and delays caused by these. Here are our rough dates and such:

I-601 "officially received" VSC Early Feb. 2007
VSC - RFE Notice Sent Late Oct. 2007
RFE package rec'd VSC early Dec. 2007
Application granted letter rec'd dated about 10 days ago.

The USCIS website does not yet have this latest development updated. Further, we discovered through our lawyer that I was actually approved in mid -February and and it took just shy of 7 weeks to get the (form) letter drafted and put into the mail. This really only happened (my opinion/belief) because our lawyer initiated an official AILA inquiry into my case because we were significantly over the 60 day notification window they promised upon receipt of the RFE documents.

I've also just been told by my lawyer that the Montreal Consulate is currently working with a 5-7 month lead time to get an appointment there. I do not know if I will actually need an appointment there as we were told at the time of my denial at my initial interview that once the 601 was approved they would simply mail out my acceptance package. Still trying to get to the bottom of this. If an interview is needed and we take a 6 month lead date from even the date on the acceptance letter, it will be 20 months from the initial rec'd notice at VSC to my appointment. I do not know if this is the new normal, but my experience has been to take whatever timeline they give you and almost double the earlier of the 2 ranges. I.E. - 12 - 14 months actually means closer to 24 than 14 by the time your case is actually due to be reviewed. Our lawyers have been instrumental in the process. We've not been able to get any real information on our own and the activity on our case has come as a direct result of, or immediately following, an official legal inquiry. I do not know where you are in the country or if you've engaged legal council but if you message me privately I'd be happy to introduce you to the firm we've used.

Sign up for the email updates. Try not to obsess too heavily on checking the website. Honestly, receiving the letter without prior notice was exciting. That excitement has been tempered in the last couple of days with finding out that there's more waiting to be done. I hope that your timeline will be significantly shorter than mine.

[constance_13]

Thanks for all the well wishes.

I know this is a CRAZY hard and EXTREAMLY long process. I have not been home in 2 years and I am so READY for this all to be behind us. We do have a lawyer working with us and have since the beginning. I truly commend those that do it on their own but it was so far over our heads we needed the help.

My husband has been in contact with his senator since just before my first interview and they have chosen to help us and have been truly GREAT at keeping in touch with us and where things are with our waivers. They have requested that they get expedited but of course there are no guarantees. We are all just hoping and praying it will be what is needed to help and bring an end to this night mare situation.

I was told at my first interview that I would not need a second one and that we could do the next step (putting the visa in my passport) via courier....Man I would DIE having the approval and still having to wait that long. I was just advised that you need to make sure your police check and medical check are still valid….if not you need to have them re-done and send them in with your passport.

[emt103c]

mtlvscpending--

I'm corresponding with others in the same boat as you. . .getting the idea that after waiver approval it is taking 2-4 months to complete the process. . .and you still have to stay on top of things with the consulate.

You already know that you need a new police cert and medical right?

I spoke with an ACTUAL PERSON at the consulate--my 212 just got approved. He told me that it usually takes about three weeks from when you get the notice for them to register it. I was asked to send an email to the consulate AS SOON AS I got the notice to let them know that I received it. He then told me to go ahead and submit the new RCMP police cert and medical exam (both were more than a year old.)

He said that then once they got wiaver approval registered through USCIS/State dept and received the new police cert/medical, they would let me know to submit the passport.

I have also heard of them asking for a new visa app (DS-230 with fee, which is now $400) and sometimes new fingerprints. . .depending on circumstances I guess.

It could all be done in as little as 2 months, but seems to take 3 months instead. With Montreal you REALLY have to stay on top of things.

[mtlvscpending]

mtlvscpending--

I'm corresponding with others in the same boat as you. . .getting the idea that after waiver approval it is taking 2-4 months to complete the process. . .and you still have to stay on top of things with the consulate.

You already know that you need a new police cert and medical right?

I spoke with an ACTUAL PERSON at the consulate--my 212 just got approved. He told me that it usually takes about three weeks from when you get the notice for them to register it. I was asked to send an email to the consulate AS SOON AS I got the notice to let them know that I received it. He then told me to go ahead and submit the new RCMP police cert and medical exam (both were more than a year old.)

He said that then once they got wiaver approval registered through USCIS/State dept and received the new police cert/medical, they would let me know to submit the passport.

I have also heard of them asking for a new visa app (DS-230 with fee, which is now $400) and sometimes new fingerprints. . .depending on circumstances I guess.

It could all be done in as little as 2 months, but seems to take 3 months instead. With Montreal you REALLY have to stay on top of things.

I got an updated RCMP cert last fall because they're running at 6 months or so delay. I'm trying to get my medical done this week, but do not have anything from Mtl yet for the doc's to reference. I'm hoping that I can just use my original MTL# and/or EAC#. To get this done I'll gladly pay the extra $400 and get fingerprinted! Just want it done ASAP.

[emt103c]

You're right. All the medical needs is your original MTL case number. Hubby and I got his done last week without a new notice, just the CO's word of mouth to go get it done.

The nurse just wanted the old case number, just make sure they copy it right :-) LOL.