Consulate Review: Vancouver, Canada
Review Topic: K1 Visa
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| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
March 2, 2012 |
| Embassy Review : |
I am going to do the long version here to help others out...I was so worried myself about it all..
Drove in from Calgary (w my brother and my dog)-left Mon am the 27th Feb, we stayed Mon nite in Kamloops,and we shopped a bit there Tues am, got to Vancouver at 4 pm. Our hotel was the Comfort Inn on Nelson St.. a short 2 blocks from the medical clinic which is why I chose it, for an easy walk at 5:30am.. Loved the hotel, $79..(30$off w no cancellation) outdoor parking lot attached for $14 fee,pet fee, the beds were 6" pillow tops w down comforter, best I have ever slept on!, Doolins Irish pub is downstairs, and the free comp breakfast in Doolins was awesome.Great location,easy 5 min walk to medical clinic, 12-15 mins walk to consulate,and lots to see and do closeby.
Medical Clinic--I left hotel in rain at 5:15am,I was first there at the gates-wrought iron on a short ramp as said-there is an address sign at road..St,Paul's Hospital across street.At 5:30am a lady and her teen son arrived in cab, and went down street to coffee shop. There is a 24hr Esso w Timmie's across on the corner. Meters on street to park(but short limits--would have to pop out and check every hour or so)and parking lots nearby. At 5:45 one lady arrived--big snowflakes by this time, no shelter so we got cold and wet even w umbrellas.Most came after 6,and the lady came to let us in right at 6:15am. There was over 20 of this then. We went in to elevators..in 2 lots, she took a different one, and met us up there. She made us get in line just as we were at the gates...to get numbers. I got number one and my new frozen friend no 2..We sat down-we filled the room up..some went to the washrooms--keys are easy to find right of reception desk.. and she said she would talk to us in a few minutes. At 6:30 she came out and explained the paperwork we all had to do. Lengthy explanation. Most important is that the checkboxes are reversed, NO is 1st box, then YES is 2nd box,and we only do the checkbox area, NOT the rest of the forms,that is for the Doctor to do.We were told to hand in a letter of correspondence from consulate, our immunization records, our 3 photos,and our passport..along with our filled out medical forms--order did not matter..just open the passport to ID page and put papers inside.We got called up in order to recieve the forms...
BUT we stood in line to hand them back as we got finished. My lil group of 4 girls at our bench didn't realize we had to get in line at first, so we ended upno 10 on to our frustration when we could have been first thru 4th.The ladies were glad I was early and no1, and put a postie on my forms that said interview today.
They took our paperwork, checked it over, and sent us on through to the blood lab.It is through a door to left of elevators, and then another door and a bit of a right turn. Large waiting room, but they took 4 people in lab at a time. Only 1 vial required and had to give them a passport photocopy.So a few mins and done.
Back in waiting room, they started calling people for xrays right away--in alphabetical order. Being a M, I thought I was going to be way down that list...and was worried. But, I only sat down for 10 mins and they called me in to DR as no 1. Relief. Nurse explained to take all off but lower undies...I only sat in room, in my paper gown, for a minute before the nurse and Dr (Bob) came in. He asked about my hospital check YES, I said I had knee surgeries, for ACL's, showed him my scars, he asked "how that worked out for me", I relpied " I was 19, it was a long time ago, I have never had any more problems"
He listened to my lungs, took blood pressure, listened to my heart, and checked my throat..asked if I had full plates..( I have partials) and he also asked what I worked at. Exam was 10 mins tops.He was very nice.
The nurse left me to get dressed, back in 2 mins, and then took me in and behind the reception area to another nurse who did the weighing in and was looking at blood lab results for patients already.They were discussing another lady whose labwork didnt show immunity for mumps (which nurse at clinic where I got my MMR shot said OFTEN happens).. But the xrays techs called for me..so off I got sent over there.
Four at a time, we got our lil booth, strip waist up and put on a gown, then one at a time,into xray room.I took my documents and wallet with me but left my clothes in booth. The tech asked for the other passport photocopy, and quickly had me stand in front of machine.Right back out to get dressed and ushered straight to the nurse for the weighing in. She was very friendly , asked me where I was moving to and what did I work at--just chatting. Then, I was moved on to the front desk nurse,who took my money order,gave me back my passport and told me to come back at 1:15pm.They said they had one other interview girl besides me. So I was out the door at 8:15am. I only ever sat down waiting for 10 mins at beginning.
I went back to hotel to change my soaked boots,(the snow had changed to rain) and have my comp breakfast, and go to the washroom.At 9:15 I headed out for consulate . I got there in 12 mins. There was already 20 people in the visa 9:30 appt line , and 20 in the ASC line (American citizens).At 930 ASC line started going in, one at a time.... so I was mad with myself for not rushing. At 9:45, a lady came out and said we had to have our confirmation page with our barcode and pic on it, and our passport. Another security fellow, gave the spiel about no electronics, and walked around looking at bags. They were very nice and helpful. By this time the rain had stopped but it was windy and cold--the security guards were not dressed for cold either.
I looked for my confirmation sheet, and it was missing!EEK!I quickly looked through my files...but NOT there.I panicked for a full minute, then went to the lady up front and told her I was a Kvisa, didn't have my conformation sheet, but did have my passport. She said it didnt matter,she checked me off on the list,asked if I had my medical results, and made me stand by myself, beside the ASC line. The guard popped his head out, saw me, asked what visa I had, and took me next, so I was the 6th person from the startup in.(whew)
Security at door, 2 guards, was same as at airports, empty pockets, remove watches, and belt, put along with documents in tray and they search jacket etc. My boots set off the lights, so had to remove them.Easy and they were efficient and pleasant. They said go up stairs to elevator.
Guard through door, told elevator guard I was Kvisa, so in and up to 20th or so floor. The lady from downstairs told waiting guard I was Kvisa, Out and through another security walk through ,and new guard(very nice guy) said Kvisa, go through door,turn left, go to window B,don't sit down.
Another person was at window, so I stood, waiting beside for a minute. The lady was very very nice. She asked for my passport, my proof of payment of visa fee,my DS 156,my DS156k, my 2 photos...she asked me my fiance's name just to spell it, stamped dates on the forms and asked me to sign and date
She then asked for my fiance's divorce decrees which she handed back after reading,my birth certificate and the photocopy of it,which she read, the police certificate,which she read, the 1-134 and tax records last.( I may not be remembering the exact order here, but it was just as the visajourney info states..)
She asked if I had my medical results yet. Then, she asked about my son, and when or if he would be joining me now or later. I said "I dont think so, as he is 19, and starting a 2 yr college program next fall in Ontario.." so , she said she needed a statement from me to close his case,( I had never requested one for him in fact), he was legally allowed to join me for up to one year, under age 21. I had to write, "To whom it may concern, my son xxxxxx, is not now joining me in moving to the US , nor will he be joining me in the future." and sign and date it.. She then gave me piece of paper with a number, told me to sit and it would be announced and displayed on screens, my number and what window to go to. She said ignore window ONE if it got announced, as that was what I just did. She said window 3 was for fingerprint check, and windows 5 thru 8 were for interviews and she said Good luck. I sat in the lil room with 15 chairs rather than along the interview window wall chairs..to give those interviewing some privacy.There was only 6 of us up there. I waited 10 mins(it was warm,took my coat off..watched 3 leave, and 3 new ones come up.. and was called to window 3. Girl there typed in my info and told me step by step how to do fingerprints--there are pictures that show too...and she took a little reading whatever came up on her screen and asked me about my son. I told her he wouldn't be joining me, and she said everything was fine and to go sit back down.
I waited about 5 mins, 3 other people joined us, 3 left,then it was my turn for window 5. The fellow was very friendly, asked me my name, and read whatever was on his screen.I had my relationship proof folder out on shelf, with our 2 letters of intent, ready. He started asking for papers, I told him, the lady in window B already took them, he apologized and got up and got my file off the shelf in behind his desk.. He asked where my fiance lived, I said "Claremore is 10 mins from Tulsa in Oklahoma, he has a farm there''..He nodded,He was reading info off the DS156 ...and he said, your fiance is a truck driver..and I said yes, and he said " You are a painter--artistic or houses"..I said both, but I do paint houses inside and outside".. He said " You met on equestrian singles?" -he said "We usually just get couples who met on gaming sites,Worlds of Warcraft and such, that is neat"..He gave me back my birth certificate,kept the copy. He asked me to raise my right hand and swear two statements...(too nervous, cant remember details..but I had to swear to marry upon POE within 90 days) he was reading on the monitor, and laughed at something, and said "You were denied entry in March 2011, you were with your fiance?" I said yes, and he said"that is all the relationship proof we need, you were trying to visit your fiance..", "you met in 2009,engaged in Dec 2010, applied in 2011, you have been together 3 yrs, that is all good". He asked if all the tax records were there" I said" yes, there is an awful lot as he is incorporated"..he said, "that is fine, I will take a look later, but it everything looks good" I asked if he needed the letters of intent to marry" and he said no,it is more important for the petition stage. He said I was approved as long as the medical results were good, off you go back to window B and Congratulations!!"
The very nice lady in window B was waiting, and she said that my case was approved,upon my medical results, when I came back later, to tell the guards I had to hand in my medical results, have a picture ID ready, and that my case would be send thru DHL in two days.When I got the sealed envelope from DHL, only open the outside one and get my passport , the other sealed envelope was for the POE. I must cross within 6 mos, marry with 90 days,and could not come back until the AOS, and Greencard process was finished. If I needed to cross for an emergency I would have to apply to do so, otherwise I would be stuck in Canada until the process was finished.She said I could take any goods with me, and to check the govt website for rules on plants and pets. She asked if I had any questions...and said Congratulations, and we will see you back at 2pm"
So..I was done at 10:15..It took me 15 mins to walk back to hotel. I texted my daughter and my fiance the news..javascript:emoticon(' ') We checked out, and drove down to the beach a few blocks away--raining again.to take the dog for a walk...it wasn't long before it was time to drive the few blocks back to the medical clinic. We parked at the meter out front, and I went up at 1pm. A few I reconized from earlier were there, it was a busy spot. At 1:15pm they called me first, and gave me 2 letter size envelopes and a CD disk, she said" The one was for the consulate(it was stamped) and the other was mine for the AOS process--stamped immigration records --DO NOT give them to the POE ,they are yours, and good luck in Tulsa".. off I went back downstairs..I met my friend from earlier (moving to Houston to be with her daughter ) coming in.
Hopped in car and 5 min drive to W Pender, easy to park on sidestreet , and in I went..people still lined up.. I went to guard at podium , and said I was here for Kvisa to hand in my medical.They made me stand in my own line as before and took me next. Guard took my medical envelope, and read my d.l id, and checked my jacket. He handed the medical envelope to another guard he called for to run it upstairs. My boots set the lights off again..and once thru again I went to elevator.The Guard waiting handed the envelope to the elevator guard and off we went. He passed the envelope to the next guard who gave it to me , and told me to go to window B again..the lady was waiting..She opened the envelope and looked it over ..and said" Congratulations,you are fully approved. Good luck in Tulsa." ..out the far door, and down and outside at 1:45 pm.... WOW. It would be quite doable for someone to fly in the day prior, easy walk from skytrain to a hotel, walk to medical, consulate,back to medical, back to consulate, sight see in the afternoon and fly out that night.
All in all, it was a wonderfully suprisingly pleasant experience.Remembering that I had the unpleasant experience getting denied on my last border crossing( a 5hr ordeal) and all the hassel with security if driving vs flying for me to visit my fiance in the two years prior to that..the immigration interview day was soooo different. Here's hoping the POE at Sweetgrass is easy as well.My fiance the truck driver, makes runs from OKlahome to Alberta every few weeks and says North Portal is more difficult to deal with. |
| Rating : |
Very Good |
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ver 5.0