Vancouver, Canada US Consulate Information

Recent Visa Approvals

	J & D IR-1/CR-1 Visa (2013-06-17)
	Alex & Caroline K1 Visa (2013-06-06)
	Hugh & Niki IR-1/CR-1 Visa (2013-06-03)
	Austin & Courtney IR-1/CR-1 Visa (2013-06-03)
	Chad & Nadine K1 Visa (2013-05-31)
	Ben & Melissa K1 Visa (2013-05-30)
	Rick & Christine IR-1/CR-1 Visa (2013-05-30)
	Valerie & Eric IR-1/CR-1 Visa (2013-05-30)
	James & Annie K1 Visa (2013-05-29)
	Marco & Fernella IR-1/CR-1 Visa (2013-05-23)

Upcoming Interviews

	Aaron & Ami-Jo IR-1/CR-1 Visa (2013-06-19)
	D & K IR-1/CR-1 Visa (2013-06-19)
	Michelle & James IR-1/CR-1 Visa (2013-06-25)
	Susan & Grant K1 Visa (2013-06-25)
	Patrick & Shawna K1 Visa (2013-06-25)
	Jennifer & Jim K1 Visa (2013-06-25)
	Ric & Allyson K1 Visa (2013-06-25)
	Sonrisa & Shane K1 Visa (2013-06-26)
	Sarah & Guy IR-1/CR-1 Visa (2013-07-09)
	J & T K1 Visa (2013-07-10)

Vancouver, Canada
US Embassy / Consulate Info

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last updated on 2013-03-05 by pocheros

Consulate Phone Number:

604-685-4311
fax: 604-685-7175
FAX: The consulate has a couple of fax numbers and the one needed for K1 documents is
604.688.8537
http://canada.usvisa-info.com

Consulate E-Mail:

vancouverNIV@state.gov For K Visa questions, it's vancouverK@state.gov

Address:

1095 W Pender St
Vancouver BC V6E 2M6

Working Hours:

No interviews on the 3rd wednesday of the month
This is used for staff training/inservice so no interviews that day.

Best Way to Contact Consulate:

E-mail (responds sometimes same day, usually 2-3 Days)

Approx Waiting Time for interview date from when the Consulate receives the package from the NVC:

Once the Consulate receives your DS-230 (part 1) and checklist by fax, they will send you packet 4,(renamed "Instruction Package for Immigrant Visa) which consists of instructions on how to schedule your interview online (http://canada.usvisa-info.com). From the website, you can view all available appointment dates and select one. The Vancouver Consulate has a reputation for operating very efficiently. They send out Packet 3 within a week (often on the same day) of receipt from NVC, and generally send Packet 4 on the same or next day from return of the Packet 3 checklist.

Issues a Packet 3?

Packet 3 Contains:

Packet 3 (renamed "Instruction Package for Immigrant Visa")consists of nothing more than a checklist of all the items you are required to compile for the visa interview,
NOTE: Packet 3 (renamed "Instruction Package for Immigrant Visa)does not include paper forms for the DS-230 Part 1, DS-156 or DS-156K. You go to: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html to fill them out and print them (make sure barcode is on them).

This address will let you print off the checklist for your
PACKET 3 "Instruction Package for Immigrant Visa"
http://vancouver.usconsulate.gov/visas/fiance-visas.html

Issues a Packet 4?

Yes

Packet 4 contents (if known):

Packet 4: Renamed Appoinment Package for Immigrant Visa
A letter which directs the applicant to http://canada.usvisa-info.com to schedule the interview and pay the visa fee. Paid online at the time you book your appointment.
NOTE:
It appears that as a default, the Consulate will send Packet 4 (Renamed Appoinment Package for Immigrant Visa)
via snail mail but if you send the Consulate an email immediately after faxing Packet 3 indicating that you submitted Packet 3 and would like Packet 4 sent via email, the Consulate has obliged.

What forms should be send back to the Consulate?

DS-230 Part 1
Checklist (http://vancouver.usconsulate.gov/visas/fiance-visas.html)
both via fax: 604.688.8537

Other Forms (if any)?

Dr. Ian Joseph MORGAN (m), Panel Physician
Mr. Frank Joseph MANGANIELLO (m), Consul
Ms. Glenna Kathleen HILL,
Mr. Charles Skipwith SMITH (m),
Mrs. Alice Fugate SEDDON (m),
Mr. William Paul SIMONSEN (m),
Ms. Carol Anne COX, Consul
Mr. Jeffrey Lynn PILGREEN (m),
Mr. Thomas Anthony DUVAL (m), Vice-Consul
Ms. Rachel Celeste GRACIANO,
Ms. Kirsten Ellen THOMPSON,
Mr. Kevin Berle CRISP (m),
Ms. Hong-Geok T. MAERKLE (m),
Mr. Ryan Douglas HILLSBERG (m),
Mr. Christopher Michael FANCHER (m),

Consulate offers Direct Consular Filing?

If so, for all or only for US citizen who is lawfully resident in your country?

Can fiance(e)/spouse attend the interview?

Yes

Visa fee payment "same day" or "in advance"?

Advance

Did the embassy schedule your interview or could you walk-in?

Scheduled Ahead of Time

Visa issued same day?

If not whats the waiting period?

Visas are generally sent via DHL to a DHL pickup location that you designate at the time you schedule your interview (locations all over Canada). Delivery to a home address is available for a fee. The Consulate says to give up to 4 days from the interview date to the time you can pick up your passport/visa, but visa journeyers generally report being able to pick up after 2-3 BUSINESS days, depending on which DHL office you choose.

Is the Medical exam same day as interview?

Prior to Interview

Cost of Medical Exam?

These are the new rates for the BC Panel Physician
The Rates for the USA Immigration Medical Examination are given below. This is not covered by MSP.
Dr Cheema's office accepts cash or debit card for payments
Adult- $275.00 
Pregnant Adult- $225.00 
Child- $150.00
 (The above Rates Include X-Ray and Blood Test Fees, which are done at a nearby location for appts with Dr Cheema)
To book an appointment and do the USA IMMIGRATION MEDICAL EXAMINATION, contact office by phone (604-597-6887) or email (panelphysicianUSA@drcheema.ca) for the particulars and details.
Results are available the following afternoon after 4PM.
Any vaccinations they provide will be an additonal cost. See below.

List of doctors?

Addresses as of August 7, 2012

British Columbia
Dr. Gulzar Cheema
7170 - 120th Street,
Surrey, BC V3W 3M8‎
Telephone: 604-597-6887 (message only)

ONTARIO
Dr. Howard Seiden & Associates
365 Bloor Street East, Suite 1400
Toronto, ON
M4W3L4

To book an appointment Call: 416-362-5603 Toll free 1-866-362-5603
Results within 48 hours

QUEBEC
Medisys Health Group Inc.
500 Sherbrooke St., West #1100
Montreal, QC H3A 3C6
514‐499‐2772
1‐800‐499‐1394 ext. 500

Dr. Howard Seiden & Associates
Sanagex Medicine du Travail
5345 Blvd L’Assomption # 115
Montreal, QC H1T 4B3
1‐866‐362‐5603

** In packet 3 you will get a list of all doctors in Canada. The above list should cover all the provinces whose residents would be sent to Vancouver for an interview.

How many Passport Photo's Required for the medical?

How many Passport Photo's Required at the interview?

Estimated waiting time at the consulate on the day of interview?

Because the panel physician has changed for West Coast applicants. It is no longer possible to do medical and interview the same day. The doctors office told me that our sealed envelopes won't be ready for pick up until after 4 PM the following day of medical. So you will have to give an extra day to go to your interview.

Vaccination requirements?

You must bring your record of vaccinations to the medical. Precisely which ones depend on your age. The doctors office or website will be able to tell you which you personally require.

The doctor may be able to provide the vaccination you don't have (or cannot prove you have) on the day, but you'll need to check with them - for example they Dr Cheema doesn't do Varicella. Example costs are $25 for flu, $45 for MMR, $45 for Tdap.

Adults are required to have had a Tetanus shot in the last 10 years. Check website for Dr. Cheema for vaccination requirements. If you have had your TD shot less then 2 years ago then you DO NOT need your Pertussis shot.

Cheap and good hotels near the Consulate?

The consulate is in downtown Vancouver *west* (W Pender St) www.hotwire.com has a few hotels in that area. The Westin Bayshore is a close walk to the consulate and very nice. Hotwire lists this hotel as 4 star approx. $150 a night. This area of Vancouver has many hotels! So happy hunting.

There is also Days Inn Downtown Vancouver, 1 block away from the consulate. You can get a room for less than $120/night. If you check out on the day of your interview, they will store your belongings for free while you are at the consulate.

Additional Info?

*The Consulate's website indicates that it will only process Canadian Citizens, or Canadian Permanent Residents, and that all others in Canada are handled in Montreal. HOWEVER -- per a letter sent to my fiancée (on a working-holiday visa, so NOT a Canadian permanent resident), they ALSO process individuals who have "employment authorization or are pursuing a full-time academic program of at least a year's duration."

* K2 children are only required to bring 2 photos to the Medical in Vancouver with Dr. Ian Morgan.

* ALL photos MUST BE in color.

* When at the K1 interview, they will request that your documents be in this order (updated: 2009/08/19):

1. passport
2. photographs (print name on back)
3. OF-156/DS-156
4. DS-156K
5. birth certificate (long form)
6. marriage certificate (if any)
7. termination of previous marriages
8. police certificate(s)
10. court records (if any)
11. Affidavit of Support I-134 (they will also ask for income tax returns and the W2 as supporting documentation)
12. medical (they do not ask for the chest x-ray so you don't need to bring it with you)
13. translations if necessary - email to ask them directly if the translations must be "certified" (the checklist said yes, the person said no... it can be expensive and take time so my advice is to inquire specifically and get it in writing)

Sky train is now super easy to take right from the airport. The station closest to the consulate and the clinic is Burrard Station.

You can do your medical after your interview - just means another visit to the consulate to drop off your results.

You cannot take ANY ELECTRONICS into the consulate so leave your cell phone, iPOD etc in the car or hotel room. Similarly lighters. There's also a limit on the size of bag they let in. A messenger bag is too big, a handbag is probably ok. If your bag is too big or you have banned stuff on you the Quizzno's opposite will store your things for $10 cash.