Some random questions about Vancouver interview for K-1

[awkwardsoul 20]

Hey all,

Right now I've got my medical scheduled and just waiting on my fiance to do his evidence of support paperwork before I fax off Packet 3. So the interview for me is coming up soonish.

My random questions:

1. on http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/Canada it says to bring an Expressport mailer - what is that about? I mostly hear peeps going on about DHL shipping.

2. Is there a fee I need to bring payment for to the interview (similar to the medical)? I tried looking through the consulate site but got confused.

3. Not being able to bring electronics - I'm one of those spazzy people that need something to do. So no cellphones, ipods, ebook readers, correct? Do I even need to bring something like a book or knitting? what kind of waiting times is there for the interview?

4. I can keep my electronics at my worksite, which is not far from the consulate - but I have one of those key fob things you scan to enter an electronic door for work - are those okay to take on me to the interview?

Edited February 19, 2012 by awkwardsoul

[cherylc522 0]

Hey all,

Right now I've got my medical scheduled and just waiting on my fiance to do his evidence of support paperwork before I fax off Packet 3. So the interview for me is coming up soonish.

My random questions:

1. on http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/Canada it says to bring an Expressport mailer - what is that about? I mostly hear peeps going on about DHL shipping.

2. Is there a fee I need to bring payment for to the interview (similar to the medical)? I tried looking through the consulate site but got confused.

3. Not being able to bring electronics - I'm one of those spazzy people that need something to do. So no cellphones, ipods, ebook readers, correct? Do I even need to bring something like a book or knitting? what kind of waiting times is there for the interview?

4. I can keep my electronics at my worksite, which is not far from the consulate - but I have one of those key fob things you scan to enter an electronic door for work - are those okay to take on me to the interview?

the Expressport Mailer is you go to the post office and you purchase an envelope with the shipping paid on it, they use that to mail you everything when your approved so you take that with your address and everything filled out on it already. really up to you if you wanna use DHL instead, does canada have DHL?

I don't remember there being a fee at the interview , and your packet that you get telling you what to bring to the interview will tell you for sure.

You cannot take any electronics with you, the wait was not very long because I showed up before they opened, there were about 10 of us waiting when they unlocked the doors, a key to a door is not considered an electronic, they mean cell phones and computers and things of that nature, if you choose to take a book thats fine but you shouldn't be waiting long if you plan it right

[pocheros 101]

Hey all,

Right now I've got my medical scheduled and just waiting on my fiance to do his evidence of support paperwork before I fax off Packet 3. So the interview for me is coming up soonish.

My random questions:

1. on http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/Canada it says to bring an Expressport mailer - what is that about? I mostly hear peeps going on about DHL shipping.

That link has outdated information. You do not being an expresspost mailer anymore- Vancouver will use DHL to mail it back to you. You have to register for DHL service on the usvisa website before your interview so they mail it back to the right place.

2. Is there a fee I need to bring payment for to the interview (similar to the medical)? I tried looking through the consulate site but got confused.

There is a $350 dollar fee for the interview. You either pay the fee online on the usvisa website when you schedule your interview. The Vancouver consulate also probably has an option to pay for in in person, in which case it must be in USD cash. http://usvisa-info.com/en-CA/selfservice/us_fee_payment_options

3. Not being able to bring electronics - I'm one of those spazzy people that need something to do. So no cellphones, ipods, ebook readers, correct? Do I even need to bring something like a book or knitting? what kind of waiting times is there for the interview?

No cell phones, kindles, ebooks, none of that- they will turn you away. If you have a morning appointment and you get there on time you probably will not have that much time to fiddle with something to entertain yourself anyways. I wouldn't bring knitting because the knitting needles might look dangerous (think airport security.) But a small paperback book should be fine if you must have something.

4. I can keep my electronics at my worksite, which is not far from the consulate - but I have one of those key fob things you scan to enter an electronic door for work - are those okay to take on me to the interview?

My experience is with the Montreal consulate but there's mixed reactions to it. Sometime security will hold on to the keys for you and then you collect them after the interview, sometimes they don't care.

Here is a list of security procedures: http://canada.usembassy.gov/visas/consulates/security-procedures.html

Here is a K1 guide for vancouver: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/347776-k1-guide-vancouver/

Edited February 19, 2012 by pocheros

[dukeandduchess 141]

1. on http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/Canada it says to bring an Expressport mailer - what is that about? I mostly hear peeps going on about DHL shipping.

You use DHL. Just make sure you put your e-mail down and they will e-mail you updates. You will also select the DHL location you want to pick your passport up when you book the interview.

2. Is there a fee I need to bring payment for to the interview (similar to the medical)? I tried looking through the consulate site but got confused.

I paid online when I booked my interview because I didn't see any way to book the interview without paying for it.

3. Not being able to bring electronics - I'm one of those spazzy people that need something to do. So no cellphones, ipods, ebook readers, correct? Do I even need to bring something like a book or knitting? what kind of waiting times is there for the interview?

Bring a book. I wouldn't bring knitting because they might not like the needles. Security is pretty thorough. You can store your purse/cellphone at the Purolator across from the embassy if you pay them $5.

4. I can keep my electronics at my worksite, which is not far from the consulate - but I have one of those key fob things you scan to enter an electronic door for work - are those okay to take on me to the interview?

Not sure about this. Like I said if you aren't fussy you can pay $5 and leave your things at the Purolator. Nothing of mine went missing - but I only had my keys/wallet/cellphone.

Good luck! FYI - I had my POE at Pacific Crossing (Blaine,WA) on the 18th. It went really smooth but it took a long time to process my Visa. We waited for almost an hour just for the guy to do all of my paperwork. So - if you go through YVR you might want to leave a lot of time to get processed! I thought it would be like 15 minutes lol

[awkwardsoul 20]

Good luck! FYI - I had my POE at Pacific Crossing (Blaine,WA) on the 18th. It went really smooth but it took a long time to process my Visa. We waited for almost an hour just for the guy to do all of my paperwork. So - if you go through YVR you might want to leave a lot of time to get processed! I thought it would be like 15 minutes lol

ewww yeah that would of been a question I was going to ask before I was POE'n.. how early I should show up for my flight. I'm happy it went smoothly though!

$350 for the interview? I thought it was $100 for some reason so I that's why I was confused when I was looking on the consulate page. Is there a way for my US fiance to book and pay for it? All these extra expenses keep adding up!

[pocheros 101]

ewww yeah that would of been a question I was going to ask before I was POE'n.. how early I should show up for my flight. I'm happy it went smoothly though!

$350 for the interview? I thought it was $100 for some reason so I that's why I was confused when I was looking on the consulate page. Is there a way for my US fiance to book and pay for it? All these extra expenses keep adding up!

When packet 4 has been logged (after you send back packet 3 you simply call DOS to find out) you register on this website http://usvisa-info.com/en-CA/selfservice/ss_country_welcome where you will book an appointment. You can give your fiance your login details if you want them to book the appointment for you. You also can pay the fee online with a credit card, so if your fiance has one you just need his credit card number and info.

And nope, it's $350. Immigration ain't cheap. Be prepared for another $200-$300 fee for the medical (it varies depending on where you go and I don't know much Working Medical in Vancouver is.) Then after you arrive in the states you have to adjust your status to get your green card and that's $1070. That's not including your moving and marriage costs. Try to save as much money as possible!

Edited February 20, 2012 by pocheros

[dukeandduchess 141]

ewww yeah that would of been a question I was going to ask before I was POE'n.. how early I should show up for my flight. I'm happy it went smoothly though!

$350 for the interview? I thought it was $100 for some reason so I that's why I was confused when I was looking on the consulate page. Is there a way for my US fiance to book and pay for it? All these extra expenses keep adding up!

You could book it and use his visa card to book it online. I used my own card but as long as you had all of the information (number, expiry date, security code). My fiance and I agreed I would pay for the visa/medical because I'm making him pay for AOS (bahaha).

Unfortunately, the medical at Woking is $350. It ain't cheap

Anywho - off we go. We're just leaving Medford, OR so hopefully we can get to California today!

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Yes in deedy the fees do add up. Figure in moving expenses, some type of wedding expenses and it get's pricey. Keep in mind the future steps and their associated fees as well. Once you've got the K1 sorted out, I encourage you to look ahead at the next steps to review those fees as well.

Edited February 20, 2012 by Udella&Wiz