another Vancouver visa!

[hockeygal 0]

Got the visa - well, I have to go back later for it, but it was approved.

The officer asked me a couple of questions, expressed regrets that I had to leave my job to move, and then said congratulations. I clapped my hands and said "yay!" like the geek I am, and now I am back at work, and I really need to pee.

I will post something useful to others as soon as I get some work done!

I can't believe that after 7 months, it is finally over! Well, still 2 months to a move, but this part is easy. I am so happy! Now I need to track down snugglebunny.....

[Carlawarla 1]

Awesome! Congratulations! I'm so happy for us Canadians!

Carla

[Bhu 0]

CONGRATULATIONS! Betcha it'll be hard to get any work done

Edited November 20, 2006 by Bhu

[Our Mao 0]

congrats!!

[larrysgirl 0]

That is such great news!!! I'm so happy for you! Well, mine is the day after tomorrow and I thought I'd be cool as a cucumber but the closer I get to the date the more nervous I'm getting...anyway, good for you!

[Jimmy the American 0]

YIPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Flames9_RN 358]

super news!!!

[kitkat1 5]

YAY - Congratulations!!!

[Cristy 4]

Congrats!!!

[billsgirl 0]

congrats hockeygal...so happy for you..

[mercy 1]

yay!! Congrats!! That is wonderful news, I can't wait to hear the details!

[Leafgal 3]

Congrats Hockeygal, great news.

[hockeygal 0]

Thanks everyone! Thanks everyone on VJ for the endless help in this process too. It makes such a difference to know other people going through the same thing.

Not sure another review was needed, since there seem to have been lots of us Vancouver folks lately, but here it is, in case it helps to read something before your own interview... I know it helped me!

I arrived at the consulate about 20 minutes early, and went to the front of the line. They let me right in, which ended up being great, since I was the first 10:00 appointment there, and given how long we waited around, and that I am actually working today, it was good to be up 1st.

There are two security checkpoints –much like at the airport. I had everything in one clear zip up folder and it was easy to search. Security took no time. One checkpoint is at the entrance, and one is when you get off the elevator.

Then you are told to wait in this narrow little hallway with 4 chairs. There are tons of people waiting for other visas, but the K visas wait around the corner, near the counters you eventually get called up to.

They give you a paper with directions to put your documents in a specific order, and then they call you up to go through everything. She keeps all the originals at this point, but they give them back to you (except the RCMP report) after the interview. I had made a couple of stupid mistakes on my 156 form, but she corrected it on the spot.

She will ask you to go down the hall (jumping over other visa applicants along the way – it is busy there!) to pay you $100 USD to the cashier, and you have to return the receipt to her. I imagine she then takes your file over to the consular officer who goes through it.

Eventually, someone calls your name and fingerprints your two index fingers.

My only complaint would be that there is no washroom to use. Plus, you don’t’ want to leave in case they call your name. No one told me to drink a big cup of coffee before getting there though, so it is my own darn fault.

Eventually, a friendly looking man called my name and the interview was conducted through the window, like a bank transaction, only more fun. He asked:

How/when did you meet this guy?

You’ve been together the whole 5 years?

(He noted what my fiancé does for a living, but it wasn’t really a question.)

What do you do for a living?

Then he seemed sad for me that I would have to leave my job, and hoped I could find something I’ll enjoy over there. He said congratulations, I jumped for joy and returned to work.

He did not ask to see any of my photographs, my phone bills, my emails, my letters. I had included a few photos in the initial application though.

Picking up the visa was a breeze – you just return, and they give you the instructions about the envelope and the one entry.

Ta daa!

[Leafgal 3]

Hockeygal in Montreal they didn't look at any of my pics or phone bills either. But again Congrats.

[Jersey Girl 2]

Hey, hockeygal, this is the kind of news we all live to hear! Congratulations!