Vancouver/Montreal

[Elleiras 0]

I'm a little confused. Our paperwork was sent from the NVC to Montreal (we think), but my Canadian fiance was contacted by Vancouver and asked to fax his completed checklist to Vancouver. Now he is attempting to book his interview online and seems to have a choice between completing the interview in Montreal or Vancouver. Does it matter which one he chooses? Vancouver is booking 11 days out and is a lot closer to him geographically, versus Montreal which seems to be booking 122 days out. Obviously, we would prefer Vancouver, but we're worried that'll be sent away if it turns out that Montreal has our packet.

We tried calling the consulate but weren't able to get a clear answer.

[YuAndDan 153]

Canada topic, will be moved there.

Yes K-Visas tend to go to one of two consulates in Canada depending on where beneficiary lives, either Vancouver or Montreal, so if contacted by Vancouver, then do the interview there, it is MUCH quicker.

[Elleiras 0]

That makes sense since he is in Alberta.

Thanks so much!

[Flames9_RN 358]

ask 100 VJ Canadians on which consulate they would want and 99 would say Vancouver, as it is usually much faster!!

[iampatricias 17]

Definitely! Though Montreal did surprise me this month!

Since it's nearly impossible to contact anyone at Montreal, I would send an email/phone call/fax to Vancouver and let them know that initial paperwork suggested your petition was forwarded to Montreal, and you were offered both consulates for an interview so could they please confirm they have everything from the NVC in Vancouver (and also, that you live in AB!). Like you said, you don't want to end up at the interview without your petition, but it seems likely your stuff was moved to Vancouver when Montreal realized you weren't in their jurisdiction.

[Shorah 2]

You should be able to tell by the case number I would think.

Mine is MTL123456789, so Montreal it is

[HeatDeath 430]

If Vancouver have asked for his Packet 3 checklist then Vancouver have his petition at the moment, and he should schedule the interview for Vancouver. They would not have asked for the checklist if they didn't have it.

Once he has a letter or email from Vancouver showing his Vancouver interview date he will be able to book the medical at the clinic in Vancouver.

Try to book the Vancouver interview for a Thursday, or alternatively a Wednesday afternoon if necessary. The reason being that the Vancouver medical clinic only does medicals on Wednesday morning. If the interview is Wednesday afternoon or Thursday, that lets you do everything in the minimal period of time. If the interview is also Wednesday, it's very doable but a bit tight. If the interview is Thursday, it's a nice easy schedule.

FYI, a good hotel for the Vancouver trip is the Burrard Inn: http://www.burrardinn.com. They're a little on the budget side, quality-wise, but very inexpensive for downtown Vancouver, and they're literally next door to the medical clinic, on the same block on the same side of the street, which is awesome when you have to arrive to the medical at 5:45 AM.

[Elleiras 0]

Thank you for the advice! It is very much appreciated.

He actually made a separate trip a couple of weeks ago for his medical exam, since the letter he received from the consulate in Vancouver said that he needed to complete the medical before he could book the interview. We were under the impression at the time that the petition and interview would be in Montreal (our case number starts with MTL), so he scheduled the medical for Vancouver since it is closer and therefore a much cheaper flight. I wish I had discovered this forum sooner -- I could have saved him two separate trips! I will pass along the hotel recommendation though; thank you!

He booked his interview for April 19th in Vancouver.

[HeatDeath 430]

Because he has already had his medical, a significant part, though not all, of the advantage of Burrard Inn is no longer relevant. Burrard Inn's greatest advantage is being next door to the medical clinic. It is a 20 minute walk from the consulate.

Whether or not Burrard Inn is a compelling choice for you depends mostly on how much you're willing to spend on hotels, versus walking distance. Burrard Inn remains one of the cheaper hotels in that end of downtown Vancouver, but there may be other hotels, somewhat more expensive but somewhat closer to the consulate, that represent a better tradeoff of cost versus walking distance for you.

But I stand by the initial advice for anyone who has to do a medical while they are in Vancouver - the Burrard Inn is by far the most convenient and inexpensive hotel for having to get to an early morning medical exam at the Woking Medical Clinic, bar none.