Approved Canadian - Medical and Interview Review

[Lights 56]

Hi everyone!

I thought I'd write a little review for those in Canada, specifically Vancouver.

When I first got my packet 3 and I knew I would be booking my interview, I started to get super excited and anxious. My best advice is to be prepared. Have all your documents organized and make sure that all required vaccinations are completed. Once you do that, it really is a smooth ride.

Medical - Dr. Cheema

The medical was a breeze. The ladies in the reception area are very nice. They took all my paperwork and vaccination records to copy before Dr. Cheema came out to see me. Being organized helps us all and it really reduces the level of anxiety when you know you have everything. Dr Cheema is super professional and personable as well. We chit chatted about where I was moving to (Sunny California) and how my parents doesn't mind visiting because of the weather. We joked a bit while he asked the standard questions (do you do drugs, have you had mental health problems, do you drink etc.). I was in and out of the office in about 30 minutes or maybe even less. I would suggest, if you could drive, to drive. The rest of the exam (blood test and x-rays) are 12 blocks away. The blood work was very easy, the people there were also very nice. The wait wasn't so bad (about 10-15 minutes). Make sure to take a number as soon as you get in. The x-ray's took a bit longer. I waited about an hour before they took us in. They take you in groups and put you in a group changing room with stalls... if you are with someone, have them carry you belongings.

Interview - Vancouver

I got to the interview 15 minutes before 10 AM (my slot). Make sure if you can to not bring anything other then your paperwork. They'll either put your cellphone in a locker or you'll have to go across the street to Quizno's or another store to hold your things. Most people who were there had to do that. I knew ahead of time not to, so I left my cellphone and keys with someone else.

Once you get through the initial security point, you stand outside for about 15 minutes. They take you in in groups of 5. Once you get into the building and upstairs, you go through another security point. Where they ask you to take off your belt and run your jacket through a scanner. Then you wait by the elevators for another agent to take you upstairs. Once you're upstairs, the agent told me to go around the corner to the Window B. It's an open room with multiple windows/open rooms. When I got to the window, I flicked the switch once. A very nice lady came out to collect all my documents and to tell me what the process for the interview was. From then on, she gave me a number and told me to have a seat. I waited probably over an hour in the waiting room. There are other types of visa applicants that, I believe, get screened downstairs because they come upstairs with an interview number already without having to go to any other window. Luckily for me, there was another K1 applicant so we got to chat for a bit and the time went by quicker.

Finally, it was my turn. All in all the interview itself took about 5 minutes. The agent asked questions about myself and my fiance: what we do for a living, how we met, how did he propose, have we met each others family. I was also asked to provide pictures. The agent was very pleasant and we just chatted about the future. Then after a few minutes, she wished me luck and told me I was approved.

I went back to Window B where they told me what to expect... That I would get my passport and visa at the Loomis branch I chose when I selected my interview. They mentioned it would take about 5-7 business days and that I would get an email from Loomis. They did mention sometimes they don't email so after 5 days, I can check with Loomis. I was also informed that there will be a sealed packet that I cannot open (similar to your medical package) that I'll need to give at POE.

I was at the consulate at 9:45 and I was out at about 12:45. All waiting except for the 5 minute interview... glad it's done and that I really was anxious and nervous for no reason.

My notes is: organization is key. Organize your documentation and evidence. Everything else is a breeze. You cannot bring your cellphone in and there's no clock in the waiting room, so if you have a watch you can bring it. There also isn't a bathroom in the waiting room, so if you have to go (and expect to wait about an hour or more) go to bathroom before going upstairs in the elevator. I ended up bringing a book, knowing that I'll have to wait. But I didn't read it at all since I got to chat with another K1 applicant. If he's on this forum - I hope it went smooth for you!!

Good luck everyone

[Sweetmelissa 82]

Congrats and thank you for the Vancouver review - I have my medical and interview there this summer.

[NikLR 13,220]

[c2a 4]

What vaccinations do we need? I dont have a record just Tetanus..

ill have my immigration medical soon (within couple of weeks i assume)

[Lights 56]

What vaccinations do we need? I dont have a record just Tetanus..

ill have my immigration medical soon (within couple of weeks i assume)

If you're medical is in a few weeks, you will just need your:

Tdap (make sure it's the Tdap and not just TD), MMR (MR and MM are not enough, you need an MMR), and Varicella or verbal disclosure that you had chicken pox. It is different for different age groups, but this was only required for me (26 y/o). If you're doing your medical with Dr. Cheema, they will send you a document on how to prepare.

If you don't have records, you can get tested for immunity. I can't remember what it's called, but it's a blood test and usually has a 24-48 hour turnaround. I would get that done ASAP so you don't wait until the last minute. I got my Tdap the week before my medical, but I knew I had to do it because it's a booster shot that only lasts 10 years and I was due for it. Everything else was fine and I had old records luckily.

Good luck!

[c2a 4]

If you're medical is in a few weeks, you will just need your:

Tdap (make sure it's the Tdap and not just TD), MMR (MR and MM are not enough, you need an MMR), and Varicella or verbal disclosure that you had chicken pox. It is different for different age groups, but this was only required for me (26 y/o). If you're doing your medical with Dr. Cheema, they will send you a document on how to prepare.

If you don't have records, you can get tested for immunity. I can't remember what it's called, but it's a blood test and usually has a 24-48 hour turnaround. I would get that done ASAP so you don't wait until the last minute. I got my Tdap the week before my medical, but I knew I had to do it because it's a booster shot that only lasts 10 years and I was due for it. Everything else was fine and I had old records luckily.

Good luck!

thankyou for the info! i guess i will talk to my family doctor right away and get those if not i will get it done during medical.

[Lights 56]

thankyou for the info! i guess i will talk to my family doctor right away and get those if not i will get it done during medical.

I would double check with the doctor you're going to just to make sure they could do it at the medical. I wasn't aware they could, but that's also because I wasn't looking for whether that was available to me.

Good luck!

[NikLR 13,220]

Yes you can get them done at the medical but generally they charge for them. Through the family doctor or health clinic you can normally get them for free.

[pro_star 52]

Yay!!! Thanks for this lovely and I'm glad it went well for you!!!

[Lakehouse 293]

thankyou for the info! i guess i will talk to my family doctor right away and get those if not i will get it done during medical.

As stated by NLR, getting them done in advance could save you a lot of money:)

[c2a 4]

i will try my best!