Life has been busy (in a good way!) lately, but I wanted to post a little blurb about my POE.
Anyone familiar with the US Immigration process will know that POE is the abbreviation for “Port of Entry”. After getting approved at the interview in Montreal, the consulate shipped me my passport via DHL in a tempting little envelope that I wasn’t allowed to open (the visa is actually voided if you open it) until I next crossed the US border. This crossing is called the POE.
I was incredibly lucky in that I received my passport only two business days after my interview. Since I hadn’t planned on moving for another two weeks or so, I decided to have my POE early and take a short trip across the US border that weekend. Doing your POE before moving has a few benefits: your POE is what activates your greencard, so not only will you avoid the hassle during your move (which, if you’re flying, that hassle could mean missing your plane) but your name will be put in the system so that you will receive your SSN card sooner.
My parents had some shopping to do that day in Calais (Maine), so I trekked along with them. As we pulled up to the booth, my step-father was so nervous he looked about as guilty as a terrorist. With all his humming, and whistling, and bobbing, and teetering, I half expected the guard to pull us aside, open the trunk, and find a crate full of explosives. We did get pulled aside, but that was after the guard kindly asked us what we were crossing for that day and I told him I was activating my visa. I was told beforehand the POE process could take an hour or longer, and it’s normal to be taken in to fill out forms and have your fingerprints taken. My parents could have continued on without me, but they wanted to wait to make sure everything went smoothly.
As expected, I signed some forms, gave them my fingerprints, and received a welcome booklet. The woman who I had been handed over to smiled and said “Welcome to the US, now you can start paying Uncle Sam!”, and that was that. Nice, easy, and quick. Definitely my favourite part of the process so far!
Congratulations on your Visa approval Pixelulu!
Would anyone be able to give me advice on what to do with my current situation concerning my attempt to get my U.S. visa?
Back on January 25, 2010 when I went for my interview in Montreal I was denied my visa under section 221g due to missing financial info. I was told that I had 1 year to send them the necessary info along with my passport which I did on January 17, 2011. I sent this out by Xpresspost and to the address that they had outlined which was:
U.S. Consulate General
Attn: IV Unit
PO Box 65, Station Desjardins
Montreal, QC H5B 1G1.
When I checked to see the status of my mail on Jan. 18, I saw the message “item redirected to recipient’s new address” Then on Jan. 19, I saw the message that the “item was successfully delivered” and signed by an “ME Dugal” Of course when I tried to confirm with the consulate via email if they had received my mail, I got no response.
I even checked with Canada Post to find out where my mail was sent to and they said that they don’t have that info but that it was sent to the right place. To make me even more nervous, I received a letter from the US consulate in Mtl dated January 25, 2011 that they had not received my response and that my application for visa has been cancelled. The letter states that I can get my application reinstated if within one year “you can establish that your failure to pursue your immigrant visa application was due to circumstances beyond your control.”
My question is, if they do not respond to any form of communication with me then how should I try to get through to them?
Does anyone have any such experience? What about faxing or mailing them with the proof of delivery? Or better yet if I go there in person with my wife who is an American citizen do you think this would work? I just want to know that my mail has been received and that my visa has not been denied.
The worse thing is that I do not have a passport anymore and no one seems to knows where it is.
Thank You
Owen
Hmm, your situation is certainly out of the ordinary, and unfortunately I’ve never come across anything similar. Going to the Consulate in person would most likely be pointless – they don’t even let you in the building without a letter stating that you have an interview. At this point, the only thing I can suggest is calling the Consulate, calling the NVC, or trying the forums on visajourney.com (specifically, the Canadian section). I personally have used the expertise of the forum members and it has always paid off.
Thank you PixelUlu,
I will check into this. I am just so frustrated not knowing where my file is and if it is in the right hands. Iwish I can get some sort of acknowledgement.
Owen
BTW, would you have another phone no. for the consulate? I have 514-398-9695. However on their message they state that they are no longer taking calls concerning visa applications. Maybe I can have my wife call the emergency line since she is a U.S. citizen. In the mean time I’ll try the forum that you mentioned.
Thanks again
Owen
Sorry Owen, but I’ve never had to call so I have no idea what another number would be. I do know that there IS one though, and that others have had success with it. Check out the forums! Wishing you the best