Interview Scheduled!

[AndreaK 1]

thanks for all the info everyone, and for the well wishes i hope to book my flights tonight (yay airmiles). i know there are some hotels close to the consulate, which ones did you guys stay at (stacey, misa, etc)? would you recommend them? i think i'm going to rent a car as well; it will be much cheaper than trying to get cab rides, especially since i want to stay the extra day just in case i don't get my visa on the tuesday.

[MissStacey 1]

thanks for all the info everyone, and for the well wishes i hope to book my flights tonight (yay airmiles). i know there are some hotels close to the consulate, which ones did you guys stay at (stacey, misa, etc)? would you recommend them? i think i'm going to rent a car as well; it will be much cheaper than trying to get cab rides, especially since i want to stay the extra day just in case i don't get my visa on the tuesday.

Me and Misa both stayed at Century Plaza on Burrard. It was a 10 minute walk to the Consulate.

The Days Inn is also one to look into- it is very close to the Consulate.

You can take the big green airport bus to and from the airport. It is $13.50 and comes every 20 minutes. I took a cab to the hotel- 27.00 I think it was and took the bus to the airport.

I didn't really see a need for a car there. It is a nice area and there is lots of good stuff within walking distance. Plus having to deal with parking would have been a pain. You would probably pay more in parking fees alone that the cost to and from the airport. In my opinion anyway

[CutienPurg 0]

Happy happy news about the interview ....congrats!!!!

[~Nini~ 2]

AndreaK, I don't think it's necessary for you to have a car while you're in the city. If you stay downtown around Burrard and Robson, especially somewhere like the Century Plaza or the Days Inn, a lot of things (including the consulate) are walking distance. I also believe the Century Plaza offers shuttle service to and from the airport, though you may want to check on that - barring that, a cab would probably be cheaper than a rental and parking charges (Century Plaza charges $12/day, if I remember correctly).

I also noticed that my interview was scheduled for 1pm, but I took it as their summer hours. Besides, it'll be nice to have some "ohmygodi'msonervousbutwe'regonnabeokay" time with the fiance.

[Laura0588 0]

Congratulations!! Good luck!

I just did the interview thing yesterday in Vancouver (with success, yay) and so I'll be sure to post my review today in the embassy review section.

I actually stayed at the Pan Pacific Vancouver, which is where all the cruise ships come in to dock, right on the water, about a 7minute walk from the consulate. I tried to get one of the hotels that everyone else mentioned (ie. Century Plaza or Days Inn) but there was a huge World Physical Therapy convention on and everything was filled insanely early. I ended up going onto Hotwire and picking the general area and letting them choose the hotel. It worked out in my favour (yes, a bit pricier: it was $159 for the night) but it was a really gorgeous hotel, nice pool, and close enough I could walk there and back.

Questions I got asked:

- about my job (had to go in depth, it was as if he had researched my company on the web)

- how we met, why we are together, how much time we spend together, how often we talk, what he does, etc.

- asked about matt's family, lots of questions there

- what i plan to do in the us, why i'm willing to move there

All in all not nearly as scary as I thought it would be. It was just like talking to a friend about my relationship. I basically relaxed and said what came into my mind and it went well. I think if you over-think it you'll stress yourself out. Just remember you have nothing to hide.

Best wishes!!

Laura

[seele 0]

Congrats…

My fiancé had is interview and medical both in Vancouver which appears to be the norm. To save travel time and money he scheduled his Interview for by e-mail and then scheduled the medical for the day before. I believe that medicals in Vancouver are done on Wednesday only, but I could be wrong and he had his interview on Thursday. He drove to Vancouver from Nelson and stayed at the YWCA right downtown. Too Easy

[MissStacey 1]

Congrats…

My fiancé had is interview and medical both in Vancouver which appears to be the norm. To save travel time and money he scheduled his Interview for by e-mail and then scheduled the medical for the day before. I believe that medicals in Vancouver are done on Wednesday only, but I could be wrong and he had his interview on Thursday. He drove to Vancouver from Nelson and stayed at the YWCA right downtown. Too Easy

So for those who get the Medical the day before-

Does the Doctor send the results to the Consulate?

Does the Consulate give approval and say "as long as the Medical results are fine."

Then the Consulate will mail the Visa and package to you?

[seele 0]

I believe the medical was fowarded on and after his interview at the Cosulate he was told to come back at two pm to pick up his Visa, he had that day no waiting and no mailing

Edited June 6, 2007 by seele

[MissStacey 1]

I believe the medical was fowarded on and after his interview at the Cosulate he was told to come back at two pm to pick up his Visa, he had that day no waiting and no mailing

Wow. That is awesome! I thought it take a few days at least.

[~Nini~ 2]

Yeah, medicals in Vancouver are only done on Wednesdays.

[seele 0]

Yeah, medicals in Vancouver are only done on Wednesdays.

We actually read it right hear on visajourney, to schedule your interview for Thursday and call the doc for a Wednesday appointment and that's what we did..Everyone was quite accommodating.

[AndreaK 1]

my mom and i are booked at the Days Inn just down from the consulate - $170 for the night (yikes!) but that was the cheapest rate of any of the hotels in the area. also found out that the shuttle to the airport leaves every 20 min from the Pan Pacific (i think i'm remember that correctly), and it's like a block from the Days Inn. the shuttle is either $13.50 one way, or $21 round trip, so that is definitely cheaper than any car rental would be.

i'm getting nervous, even though i'm trying not to be. just have to get pictures printed out yet (for proof of ongoing relationship) and my police check, and then pick up my medical results, and i think i have everything...

[MissStacey 1]

my mom and i are booked at the Days Inn just down from the consulate - $170 for the night (yikes!) but that was the cheapest rate of any of the hotels in the area. also found out that the shuttle to the airport leaves every 20 min from the Pan Pacific (i think i'm remember that correctly), and it's like a block from the Days Inn. the shuttle is either $13.50 one way, or $21 round trip, so that is definitely cheaper than any car rental would be.

i'm getting nervous, even though i'm trying not to be. just have to get pictures printed out yet (for proof of ongoing relationship) and my police check, and then pick up my medical results, and i think i have everything...

Fantastic!!

Everything will be just fine!! The Interview will be a breeze!

[vnoe 0]

I just had mine May 15th and it was no problem. I stayed at the Days Inn as well and just a short walk from the Consulate. I took the shuttle as well....make sure you are then when they arrive...they pull up and take off within seconds...I missed the first shuttle and had to wait for the next one.. My interview was scheduled for 10AM and I think I was out of there by 11:30. Everyone was super nice. You won't have any problems!!!! Have fun and take a walk down to Robson Street!!!!

Edited June 8, 2007 by vnoe