Hello from Saskatchewan!

[Mythreechiclets 1]

I'm very excited as our case seems to be finally moving along! We are at the stage where the NVC has forwarded our case to the nearest consulate in Vancouver. I have a couple of questions that I'm hoping someone can answer

1) How long does the process "usually" take from here? 2) Does anyone here have recent experience with the Vancouver consulate, specifically having to book a medical and consulate appointment close together? I and my kids have to travel 2000 kms to get to BC and we need to have the timing work out well. Does anyone have any advice in how best to do this? I guess another question is am I given an appointment date or do I make one myself? I appreciate any help anyone can give us! Thanks in advance

[TBoneTX 44,679]

Welcome to VJ! Because you have several questions specific to Canada, I've moved your thread from the Introducing Our Members forum to the Canada regional forum. You'll begin receiving helpful replies.

[ricnally 258]

Once the consulate gets it, it could go really fast. If you have all your packet 3 stuff ready, it could be like they send you the packet 3 email, you send back the checklist and they send you packet 4 all in one day. Once you get packet 4, you go on to the website and book your interview from available dates. You'll probably want to get the first appt at the consulate that you can. Once you have it, you contact Dr. Cheema's office and they will schedule you 2 or 3 days before (it takes that long to get the results which you must have for the interview). Check my timeline for an example of the timing. I actually could have interviewed a week before I did (5 days after receiving pkt 4) but I was in California, and couldn't get back in time.

Edited June 2, 2014 by ricnally

[Flames9_RN 358]

Grew up in Prince Albert..........Count urself lucky going through Vancouver..as it is normally the faster consulate.

[pro_star 52]

What ricnally said. The assistants at dr cheemas office are pretty nice and easy to deal with - the contact is all through email to book but they're pretty good at getting back to you (usually next business day at the latest).

Transit is a breeze, from what I've heard, but if you time crunch it like I did (fly in morning of appointment, grab results next day, day after that was consulate interview and fly back) renting may be a good option...if you're going with kids and stuff too...rent a small little thing and away you go.

Dr cheemas office isn't that far from the airport - was a 20-30 minute drive iirc.

Warning about the consulate interview!!! Security is tight. Don't expect to be able to bring the iPhones to entertain the kids. (As my pal Susan found out, if you're a smoker, lighters are bad too). Bring some books...but yeah. Small purse. They have a form sized thing they gotta be able to smush it into.

All in all, best of luck!!! If you haven't already order the RCMP check now, make sure you and your kids are up to date on the shots (you'll have different vaccination requirements than your kids!), if you don't have vaccination records get your doc (or get a doc at a walk in) to requisition a blood test to check immunity.

[ricnally 258]

Beware of the horrible traffic in Vancouver. I was staying downtown and needed to go to Dr. Cheema's office 3 times. It took more than an hour and a half each time!

[Weston3220 4]

I think earleir date for when I looked was 2months which I thought was too far away, but really it gave me all the time to organize my paperwork and plan my move across the border right away

Dr Cheema yeah isnt DT you can take the Bus down to his place from the Scott Road train station

but if you have the money rent a car, as you will be going opposite direction of rush out traffic, and even across the street is a Krispy Cream to reward yourself with! ha, and Xray/Blood is down the road, car or bus again

Once Smanatha mails me last remaining sheets we forgot to have in order I will look for a closer interview date [currnelty June 25th]

[ricnally 258]

I think earleir date for when I looked was 2months which I thought was too far away, but really it gave me all the time to organize my paperwork and plan my move across the border right away

Dr Cheema yeah isnt DT you can take the Bus down to his place from the Scott Road train station

but if you have the money rent a car, as you will be going opposite direction of rush out traffic, and even across the street is a Krispy Cream to reward yourself with! ha, and Xray/Blood is down the road, car or bus again

Once Smanatha mails me last remaining sheets we forgot to have in order I will look for a closer interview date [currnelty June 25th]

Mine was June 25th last year! (My birthday).

[Mythreechiclets 1]

Thanks so much for the comments!! It's so good to have some help with all this!

[Mythreechiclets 1]

More questions I saw my dr yesterday about getting a letter from

Her regarding the medicine I take and my medical records. She told me that she needs an official letter asking for it? Do we get one of those? She also said I could print out the info from the uscis site and submit my signed letter requesting the information. Thanks!

[NikLR 13,227]

More questions I saw my dr yesterday about getting a letter from

Her regarding the medicine I take and my medical records. She told me that she needs an official letter asking for it? Do we get one of those? She also said I could print out the info from the uscis site and submit my signed letter requesting the information. Thanks!

I suggest the latter.

[Mythreechiclets 1]

Do we receive an official letter asking for them at some point? Packet 3 mentions the medical exam, does packet 4 have an official request?

[NikLR 13,227]

nope neither

[ricnally 258]

You don't need medical records other than your vaccination stuff. If you've had any surgeries you need to know what they were called and the outcomes, but nothing official from your doc.

[Mythreechiclets 1]

Oh, well the website says we need copies of our medical records?