Montreal vs Vancouver interview

[Keisha 0]

Our case just got cleared at NVC, and happy as I am I looked through a thread about interview wait times in MTL. Holy ####! I've always thought it was about 3 months, but it looks like I would need to wait 5-6-7 months more! After sending out Packet 3! I haven't even got it yet. Oh no!

What is the wait time in Vancouver?

I am asking myself if I should move to Vancouver now? Go get a tourist US visa to live with my fiancee in the US until the interview? He is fed up spending all his vacations in Canada. And I can't even go to the US without a tourist visa.

[MissStacey 1]

I sent back my packet 3 checklist a few days ago. I just found out my Interview is May 31 in Vancouver. I am still stunned.

I am so amazed at the difference in time between Vancouver and Montreal.

Move to Vancouver!!

Edited May 24, 2007 by Stacey33

[misa 2]

Why can't you visit the U.S. without a tourist visa? What is your status in Canada? What province are you living in now?

Vancouver is approximately one month from them receiving your checklist and DS230 to your interview. Thought sometimes they have empty slots and it looks like Stacey got one.

Edited May 24, 2007 by misa

[MissStacey 1]

I had a choice between May 30 or the 31st!

[misa 2]

That's so awesome! I remember when I went for mine, there were only 3 K applicants there that day (including me). I had asked for the earliest available after a certain date since I was visiting the U.S. for a little while.

[MissStacey 1]

That's so awesome! I remember when I went for mine, there were only 3 K applicants there that day (including me). I had asked for the earliest available after a certain date since I was visiting the U.S. for a little while.

I read Mel your whole Consulate review on the phone earlier

[misa 2]

Heh, awesome. Let me know if you need anything else or have any more questions.

It's too bad he can't go with you. It's totally not necessary for him though. My husband came with me and we made a little holiday of it. Then we came back to Toronto and he helped me pack and say my goodbyes before we crossed the border.

[Keisha 0]

Gosh, 1 month versus 4-6 months! I just moved from Vancouver 2 years ago to be closer to my fiancee who was a boyfriend at that time, he lives in Florida! Misa, I live in Toronto, and I can't visit the US without a visa because I am here on a work permit , in the process of finalising my immigration to Canada. Even when I get my permanent residence in Canada, I would still need a visa until I am a citizen.

Edited May 24, 2007 by Keisha

[misa 2]

Are you sure that PRs of Canada need visas to go to the U.S.? I know that U.S. PRs don't need one to go to Canada.

If you lived in Vancouver before... do you still have very good friends there? If so, I'd try for a transfer using one of their addresses. Just say you moved back...

Edited May 24, 2007 by misa

[Keisha 0]

Do you have to live on the west coast to have the interview in Vancouver? Can I just fly over for an interview to BC from ON? Ooooooohhhhhh, this journey is not for the fainthearted.

[Lance27 19]

Canadian PRs need a tourist visa to visit the US unlike US LPRs who can visit Canada with no problems. However, once you are an intended immigrant the US consulate will not issue you a Tourist Visa.

Try transfering to Vancouver if you can, it is way faster than Montreal.

Are you sure that PRs of Canada need visas to go to the U.S.? I know that U.S. PRs don't need one to go to Canada.

If you lived in Vancouver before... do you still have very good friends there? If so, I'd try for a transfer using one of their addresses. Just say you moved back...

[misa 2]

It's regional specific where you interview though in one case here recently, the NVC sent the paperwork to the wrong consulate (was supposed to be Montreal but was sent to Vancouver). I lived in Toronto but got my case transferred to Vancouver based on mailing address and the reason I gave (told them I was working out of our Vancouver branch office for awhile...).

So if you have friends out west still, use their address and tell them you moved there. Make sure your friends can be trusted to send you your paperwork in a timely fashion though.

[Keisha 0]

Are you sure that PRs of Canada need visas to go to the U.S.? I know that U.S. PRs don't need one to go to Canada.

If you lived in Vancouver before... do you still have very good friends there? If so, I'd try for a transfer using one of their addresses. Just say you moved back...

Misa, yes, I am sure about the visa. I do have friends in Vancouver...may be I could tell I plan to move and provide a copy of a one-way plane ticket to Vancouver, otherwise I would not risk to tell them I've already moved... I don't have a place to stay there or a job....I better take a deep breath

[misa 2]

You don't need to actually move there. Just have your mail sent to your friend's address that you trust and tell the consulate that you are living there or staying there "for a few months".

[Melyssa 0]

Are you sure that PRs of Canada need visas to go to the U.S.? I know that U.S. PRs don't need one to go to Canada.

If you lived in Vancouver before... do you still have very good friends there? If so, I'd try for a transfer using one of their addresses. Just say you moved back...

Misa, yes, I am sure about the visa. I do have friends in Vancouver...may be I could tell I plan to move and provide a copy of a one-way plane ticket to Vancouver, otherwise I would not risk to tell them I've already moved... I don't have a place to stay there or a job....I better take a deep breath

Now that's advice I can't agree with... I wouldn't tell them you moved if you hadn't either!

We thought about transferring, even to the point of me looking for a job in Vancouver, but we decided against it because we didn't think it would be honest.

So we wait on Montreal, but good things are worth waiting for... we were panicking at first too when we realized how long it could be, but in the end are accepting it as just the way it has to be... I'm not even sure where the last three months went since we first sent our forms in!

From Vancouver today:

"Due to our limited resources, we regret to inform you that we are unable to accommodate request for K visa processing for non residents of our consular district.

Thank you."

It is the response I expected, so thankfully I didn't have my hopes up regarding transferring, but I wanted to see what they said in reply to me explaining the real reason we were contemplating transferring...

Edited May 24, 2007 by melytha