VisaJourney.com > I've decided to try to transfer to Vancouver...

riblet

Nov 30 2006, 06:24 PM

Well, I've almost decided. My big concern is that it will be like jumping from one lane to another in traffic - the one you pick always slows down

Anyway, I was combing this board for people who transferred, just trying to see how they did it.

If people wouldn't mind sharing with me at what point they requested the tranfer, and the steps that they took I would really appreciate it! Thanks so much

Ecalos

Nov 30 2006, 06:33 PM

I'm not a transferee.. but if I recall correctly, you have to have an address in the Vancouver coverage area in order to transfer.
Whether it's your address or not... I would think it would have to at least be family. Basically, somewhere you could feasably be living.

riblet

Nov 30 2006, 06:38 PM

We definitely have that

I (the USC) am originally from Vancouver, so most of my family is there. Thanks!

bebop + rocksteady

Dec 1 2006, 03:05 PM

I transferred.
I contacted Vancouver as soon as my NOA2 email came through. Got them to approve the transfer (read: them saying "Ask Montral to transfer it to us"). As soon as it left NVC, I emailed Montreal and asked them to transfer it. The next day, they sent it to Vancouver. I was going to try to catch it at the NVC, but no luck. It's not like it added on anything more than 2 days. I gave it a few days, and then I emailed Vancouver asking if they had the transfer and they said they did and that they would be sending out Packet 3 yesterday.

If it helps at all, the reason for our transfer was the Craig and I just wanted to visit his family out there. They seemed completely fine with that as justification. The whole process took maybe a week, and was hands down, the easiest thing I've done so far in the immigration process.

Cass (bebop the great)

EDIT: WAIT, WHOA. I just realized you are going for a K3. I believe Montreal is the only embassy that does K3s in Canada. If that's the case, no transferring for you! Sorry Charlie!

Ecalos

Dec 1 2006, 03:28 PM

QUOTE(bebop + rocksteady @ Dec 1 2006, 04:05 PM)

EDIT: WAIT, WHOA. I just realized you are going for a K3. I believe Montreal is the only embassy that does K3s in Canada. If that's the case, no transferring for you! Sorry Charlie!

Good catch Cass, I didn't notice that either.
I believe she is correct about that unfortunately.

Our Mao

Dec 1 2006, 03:39 PM

what? is this for real? i filed for K-3 in Vancouver and I went to the Consulate in Vancouver and asked them. They said they do process K-3s.... I also emailed them K-3 questions and then answered all of them Also, I've seen a couple of couples who had their K-3 interview in Vancouver so i do feel that Vancouver does K-3... someone correct me if i'm wrong?!

mercy

Dec 1 2006, 03:41 PM

No, I believe Vancouver does do K3 visas. A couple was interviewing(and approved) for a K3 when I was there and there are people here who've gone through Vancouver for a K3.

I transferred after I had returned my packet 3 to Montreal and it took a week from transfer request to getting an interview date. It might be quicker to change at the NVC level though. All I did was call Montreal and say I wanted to transfer to Vancouver, and they transferred me while I was on the phone. Very easy

Best of luck with whatever you decide!

Ecalos

Dec 1 2006, 03:45 PM

I stand corrected.
What am I thinking about then...
DCF maybe?

bebop + rocksteady

Dec 1 2006, 03:47 PM

Yeah, I'm confused too then?
Someone school us! Please!

Cass (bebop the great)

QUOTE(Ecalos @ Dec 1 2006, 03:45 PM)

I stand corrected.
What am I thinking about then...
DCF maybe?

mercy

Dec 1 2006, 03:48 PM

They don't do CR1/IR1 interviews, which are spouse visas like K3's

Cassie

Dec 1 2006, 03:51 PM

From the Vancouver Consulate website:

QUOTE

K3 Visas

To qualify for a K3 visa, the alien must be married to a U.S. Citizen who has filed an I-130 petition for an immigrant visa (IR1) on behalf of the alien. The U.S. Citizen spouse must also file an I-129F petition with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) to initiate overseas processing of a K3. The I-129F must be filed in the United States. Download the I-129F and obtain mailing addresses. Information on who qualifies for K3/K4 processing.

K3 visas must be issued in the country where the marriage took place, if the marriage occurred outside of the United States. If married in the U.S., the alien spouse must apply in his/her country of nationality or permanent residence. Unmarried children (under 21 years of age) of qualified K3 applicants, qualify for K4 issuance. The U.S. Consulate cannot answer questions regarding the K3/K4 visa process. All required information is available at the websites listed above. When the Consulate receives an approved K petition, we will contact the applicant via mail with instructions on how to proceed.

Do not come to the office, please follow the instructions mailed to you. Case specific questions must be directed to vancouverK@state.gov.

Immigrant Visas

The U.S. Consulate in Vancouver no longer processes immigrant visa cases. All immigrant visa cases in Canada are handled by the U.S. Consulate in Montreal. If an immigrant visa application has been filed on your behalf and you have a specific inquiry, please call the National Visa Center at area code (603) 334-0700. We regret that the Consulate does not have the resources to accept inquiries on immigrant visa matters. If you are seeking general information regarding the immigrant visa process, you may phone the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) from within the United States at their toll free number by calling 1 (800) 375-5283. Or, if you wish to address your questions to our visa information 900 number, from within Canada, please dial 1 (900) 451-2778. From within the United States, the number is 1 (900) 443-3131 (per minute toll charges.)

http://vancouver.usconsulate.gov/content/c...cument=applying

I always took it to mean that only Montreal does K-3s. I'd do some phone calling to verify things.

Jimmy the American

Dec 1 2006, 03:56 PM

I transfered

I had received my package 3 from Montreal when I realized I wouldn't get my interview til February IF I was lucky. So after much advice, especially from mercy, I called Montreal and asked that my case my transfered to Vancouver. They did it. No questions asked, she didn't require an address out west (I'm from Ontario), She just DID IT! I was super surprised... She typed away on her computer and boom it was transfered.
Vancouver Immidietely receives a eletronic copy of your case, so they know who you are at that point. They can not issue you an interview though until the paper copy arrives in the mail. I faxed Vancouver my check list right away, and kept calling to check in, The day my paper copy of my case arrived I was given my interview date of the phone. December 8th

(3 weeks away from when they got my case)
That's my story

Ecalos

Dec 1 2006, 05:03 PM

QUOTE(Cassie @ Dec 1 2006, 04:51 PM)

From the Vancouver Consulate website:

QUOTE

K3 Visas

To qualify for a K3 visa, the alien must be married to a U.S. Citizen who has filed an I-130 petition for an immigrant visa (IR1) on behalf of the alien. The U.S. Citizen spouse must also file an I-129F petition with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) to initiate overseas processing of a K3. The I-129F must be filed in the United States. Download the I-129F and obtain mailing addresses. Information on who qualifies for K3/K4 processing.

K3 visas must be issued in the country where the marriage took place, if the marriage occurred outside of the United States. If married in the U.S., the alien spouse must apply in his/her country of nationality or permanent residence. Unmarried children (under 21 years of age) of qualified K3 applicants, qualify for K4 issuance. The U.S. Consulate cannot answer questions regarding the K3/K4 visa process. All required information is available at the websites listed above. When the Consulate receives an approved K petition, we will contact the applicant via mail with instructions on how to proceed.

Do not come to the office, please follow the instructions mailed to you. Case specific questions must be directed to vancouverK@state.gov.

Immigrant Visas

The U.S. Consulate in Vancouver no longer processes immigrant visa cases. All immigrant visa cases in Canada are handled by the U.S. Consulate in Montreal. If an immigrant visa application has been filed on your behalf and you have a specific inquiry, please call the National Visa Center at area code (603) 334-0700. We regret that the Consulate does not have the resources to accept inquiries on immigrant visa matters. If you are seeking general information regarding the immigrant visa process, you may phone the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) from within the United States at their toll free number by calling 1 (800) 375-5283. Or, if you wish to address your questions to our visa information 900 number, from within Canada, please dial 1 (900) 451-2778. From within the United States, the number is 1 (900) 443-3131 (per minute toll charges.)

http://vancouver.usconsulate.gov/content/c...cument=applying

I always took it to mean that only Montreal does K-3s. I'd do some phone calling to verify things.

Aha, that's where I remember reading it from.
Yeah, wherever there's information as conflicting as this I think you would be best off to call

whatchatalkinboutwillis

Dec 1 2006, 08:25 PM

Vancouver does K3. There was a K3 couple there when I was.

riblet

Dec 2 2006, 08:24 AM

Thanks for all the responses. That quoted material is discussing two different things. K3's are a NON-immigrant visa, so the part where it talks about not processing immigrant visas doesn't apply to K3's. It's the IR/CR1 that is processed only in Montreal. (See there are 2 headings meaning 2 different sections, "K3 Visas", and "Immigrant Visas".) Thanks again!

I am absolutely sure about this from personal family experience, I had to go from Vancouver to Montreal for my green card interview, and my brother-in-law got his K3 in Vancouver

Gosh, after reading these replies I really want to try this. But my husband feels like it's a gamble and that Vancouver might slow down, and then we'll be stuck paying for the plane ticket. I also worry that Vancouver people might get annoyed with people transferring in. I don't know what to do!! I guess I've just created more stress for myself

flames9

Dec 2 2006, 09:10 AM

From since I have been following VJ, I think Van has always been a little faster at issueing the visa's. Why would u be stuck with a plane ticket? One cvan't really purchase the ticket until you know the interview date? Best of luck

riblet

Dec 2 2006, 12:17 PM

I guess what I was trying to say was that once we commit to transferring to Vancouver, I'm doubting we could switch back if Vancouver suddenly looks like it's going to take forever, so he would have to go to Vancouver even if it wasn't the faster option. I think it would tempt fate too much to transfer twice

flames9

Dec 2 2006, 12:28 PM

Guess when one makes the decison,one has to go on the info at hand, and it appears Van is much faster at this time. yep its a risk, it may or may not pay off, but it appears it would. If your going to make the decision, best to do it quick and run!! All is not lost, its not as if your in a 5th world country starving and freezing while you wait!! Just freezing, lol Best of luck

misa

Dec 2 2006, 03:20 PM

I say take the chance with Vancouver. It's what I'm going to do when it comes time for me that's why I don't care if it costs more for me to fly out there. I just want to be with my husband asap.

riblet

Dec 2 2006, 03:57 PM

My husband finally gave up and just said it was up to me

Thanks for everyone's help!