Vancouver Packet 3 questions

[harrisonanna 3]

Hey All,

We received our NOA2 and I'm now waiting to get our P3 from Vancouver. I see it is available online so is it possible to get a head start? I have the P3 checklist printed off. What number goes in the "Case No:_____________" field in the top right (http://imgur.com/TbCPgpC here is an example for reference). Also what info is needed to complete the DS-160? Is the case number provided by the NVC after pestering them or do I have to wait until Vancouver contacts me with the case number? I'm a little lost at how far ahead I can get for this part of the process. As far as the documents required I have them all but the criminal record check.

Any help here is appreciated. Thank you

Edited November 3, 2015 by harrisonanna

[Ash.1101 1,756]

You can get your Case Number by calling the NVC and asking for it or waiting to get info from them via snail mail. It's up to you.


You just got your NOA2 yesterday though, it may take about a month to get from the NVC to Vancouver. Expect at least the case to be there for at least 20-25 days before being sent to Canada.

Either way, the NVC may not have your case number set up for another week or two weeks. My NOA2 was June 2nd, but a number wasn't assigned until the 25th.


As for the DS-160, it's just basic info, a bit more detailed than that geographic form. It'll want you to list all of your entrances into the country in the past 10 years, but over all it didn't ask for anything you shouldn't already know.



Until you know Vancouver has it, I don't reccomend doing much other than preparing, the ONLY thing you could do is the DS-160 and just hold it. They don't even have your case, with how things get easily messed up I don't think it would be wise to send them the DS-160 they ask for when your case is still at the NVC. You're still about a month out from them having it at the earliest.


Also, your pic of the packet 3 is very blurry. Here is the PDF file for you and others for reference: http://photos.state.gov/libraries/canada/303578/Vancouver/k_pkt3.pdf

[k_stacky 65]

When did you receive your NOA2?

The general guidline is to wait at least a week before contacting the NVC about your case number that they will give to you when it is received by them. From there they will forward your case to the Vancouver consulate, and once Vancouver receives it they will usually mail you your P3. I've heard you're supposed to wait 30 days in between before contacting the consulate to see if they have gotten your case.

As soon as NVC gives you your case number (it should start with VAC I believe if you actually are going to get a Vacouver case, and Montreal will start with MTL) you can download the P3 documents and start filling them out and gathering the documents you'll need. Once you get your case number you can also start tracking your case on the CEAC website. Some people have had the P3 never sent to them, so watch the CEAC website and take note of the 'status updated date'. If it's been over thirty days and the date has changed at least twice (usually within a week of each other, from what I've read) then most people go ahead and just e-mail the P3 documents to the consulate.

Pretty much, yes you can send the P3 things yourself but 1. you have to have a case number, and 2. you have to make sure that the consulate has for sure received your case before you send them anything unsolicited.

Edited November 4, 2015 by k_stacky