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| Vancouver, Canada |  Review on May 8, 2011: |
lvcouple2010
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
First, compared to what we read about other Consulates, Vancouver is awesome! We requested to submit package 3 via email and they did so, speeding up the process significantly. We scheduled our interview withing 3 weeks of submitting package 3, so that was quick. We scheduled the medical on a Wednesday and interview the next day. Please note there is no package 4 anymore except the email receipt you get from CSC once you book online and pay fee. Arrived at Woking around 530AM and found another VJer waiting  What a small world! We were the first 2 in line and Woking staff arrived about 615AM and they instructed everyone to try and stay in the order you arrived in. However, once the gates were opened, everyone had to pile into the elevator and a few folks took advantage and cut into line.  Us VJers stood strong and kept our 1&2 spots, though Very efficient after that and we were out in less than 2 hours. We had our interview at the Consulate scheduled for 10am and arrived about 920am. There were several lines based on appointment times and when we got there, they were still working on 9am interviews. There were people there for all types of visas and it appeared that K1's were relatively rare. Our VJ friend from Woking was there too Consulate staff were available outside to ask questions of and went to each person in line to check paperwork. Please remember no big bags, backpacks, cell phones, etc. TIP: while outside, take a look at the people around you (more on this later). We were finally allowed inside the building and through security, then upstairs to check in. K1's go up to the 20 floor right away, while other visa types wait on the 2nd floor. We were escorted up and then handed in all our paperwork and told to have a seat and we would be given a number in fifteen minutes. Sure enough, we were given a slip of paper and told to wait for it to be called. Then the waiting started. K1's have a different number sequence than the others, so it was impossible to see where you were in the line. After an hour and a half, we started seeing some familiar faces from the line outside and we hoped it would be our turn soon. That's why I recommend you look at those around you in line. They go to a seperate place to wait apart from the K1's, but you all come back together in the same room to interview. Sure enough, we were called up to the window and I think we had the same officer that mostly everyone references here on VJ. He was very polite and professional. Thanked her for dressing appropriately, and me for taking the time as a USC to accompany my fiancee and witness the State Department in action. A few questions about our relationship (nothing hard or too personal) and it was done! We were out of there by 130PM and off to celebrate!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #7567