So I saw someone mention "wouldn't it be nice if someone wrote a Vancouver guide..." in another post and I thought, Hey - Why not! I borrowed heavily from Ralyse's Montreal Guide - so credit goes to her and the others involved in creating the Montreal guide. Hopefully this helps people out a bit. If not, PM me!
1. NOA2:
Cry and call everyone you know. The long part of the wait is over and now it’s time to get your butt to America. The next couple of months are easy if you are well prepared.
2. NVC/DOS:
You may contact them in regard to where your application is. I never did this so if anyone knows the instructions for Vancouver let me know. Otherwise I’ll assume they are the same for anyone. It took 28 days to receive my letter from the Vancouver Consulate from my NOA2 date.
3. Packet 3:
Part 1:
- Download Packet 3 from the Vancouver Consulate website. (http://photos.state.gov/libraries/canada/303578/pdfs/K1-K3-packet3.pdf)
- To communicate with the Vancouver Consulate e-mail is the best method. They generally reply within 2 business days. E-mail: Vancouverk@state.gov
- You can also fax them at 604.688.8537.
Part 2:
Complete and return immediately by fax form DS-230 Part I, Biographic Data. This form is accessible online. Fax to: 604.688.8537.
Part 3:
Obtain each of the following documents that are applicable to your case and for each non-U.S. citizen unmarried child under 21 who will accompany you to the United States. Bring a photocopy if you need your original back.
As you obtain each document check off the box found on your Packet 3. You will need:
- Passport (with 6 months validity)
- Medical Examination (As long as this is done before the Interview it’s okay!)
- Birth Certificates (must show that it is an extract from official records and must bear the seal of the issuing authority/must state the names of both parents)
- Evidence in Lieu of an Unobtainable Birth Certificate (if you can’t get a birth certificate you need other evidence) Eg: Baptismal certificate, hospital certificate, school recorts, notarized statement from a close relative.
- Marriage Certificate (this is for K3 visas only)
- Divorce and Death Certificates (if you or your fiancé(e) were previously married)
- Police Certificates
- Court and Prison Records
- Evidence of Support (Form I-134 Affidavit of Support)
- Photographs (5 identical passport photos). 3 are for your medical, 2 are for your Interview
- Custody (you must show you have sole custody of any children under 21 that will accompany you).
- Translations
- Form DS-156 Non-Immigrant Visa Application (complete online and print 2 copies for your interview)
- Form DS-156K Non-Immigrant Fiance(e) Visa Application
4. Returning Packet 3:
Once you have collected all of the documents on the Packet 3 checklist you must fax ONLY the checklist back to the Vancouver Consulate (604.688.8537) *** Note: I had been in contact with the consulate via e-mail because I had issues booking my medical exam and never actually faxed this form back, instead they got annoyed with me and sent me Packet 4 via e-mail and I was able to book my Interview immediately.***
5. Wait:
Usually the Vancouver consulate will mail you Packet 4. Sometimes they e-mail it to you. I don’t know. West Coast is a bunch of unpredictable hippies.
6. Schedule your Interview:
Lucky for you, I have the inside scoop. Basically Packet 4 tells you to book your appointment. Easy. *Do not book your interview until you have received Packet 4 or have been told it is on its way*
“This office has received notification that you now have all of the required documents pertinent to your visa application, and you are ready to schedule your visa interview. To schedule an appointment, including rescheduling and canceling appointments, please visit http://canada.usvisa-info.com.'>http://canada.usvisa-info.com. All visa applicants, including children under the age of 14, must schedule an appointment.”
- Packet 4 also includes instructions on what to bring/what not to bring on the day of your interview. If you want the entire content of the e-mail I was sent I am happy to PM it to you.
- You can get an interview within 4-6 weeks (or less!) when I was doing all of this. In your face, Montreal! (kidding!)
7. Medical!:
Woking Medical makes the most sense for people going through Vancouver Consulate. Their website is http://www.wokingmedical.com/ . Their bark is worse than their bite, trust me. Their website is scary but just make sure you’ve done everything well in advance *VACCINATIONS* and you have nothing to worry about.
You could also go back East (copied from Ralyse’s Guide):
Dr. Seiden: http://panelphysicians.com/ (Toronto and Montreal)
Medisys: http://www.medisys.ca/ (Montreal)
8. Interview (The day has finally come!):
The Vancouver Consulate is notoriously easy. Just be prepared. Smile. Relax. I’ve written a review in great length somewhere in the Canada forums so if you want more information read that or PM me so I can ramble at you.
9. DHL:
The second biggest pain in the butt other than waiting for your NOA2. The staff at the Vancouver Consulate give extremely confusing and inaccurate instructions about how to get your Waybill. The waybill doesn’t show up until your passport has been processed and the Visa has been put in. If you left your e-mail DHL should send you updates/tracking numbers but they weren’t always accurate. Just keep logging into the http://canada.usvisa-info.com website until your waybill shows up. Easy, after logging into USCIS religiously for 5 months!
10. POE:
You can go to the US anytime once you get your passport back. Your Visa expires after 6 months and you can always check which day it is because it’s written on your Visa! Yay! Kathryn41 has written a great POE checklist here: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/347629-moving-to-the-us-summary-list/
11. Get Married – within 90 days, of course. Then get ready to obsess over your AOS.
No need to be embarrassed! Thank you for coming back to update us. I'm sure it wasn't easy.
It sounds like he had a severe case of pre-wedding jitters, but he does need to be slapped around a bit (verbally) for putting you through that. X 10 !
I know my guy was nervous at the beginning about getting married. Same fears, that I will completely change once we get married. I told him "Yeah, I'll gain 200 pounds and become a rightous nag" haha. He's finally gotten past that (hopefully!) You add the stress of this process plus the distance and things can get crazy. Let's hope that is all it was and the guy you know and love is back.
Like others have said, we're here for you!
No need to be embarrassed! Thank you for coming back to update us. I'm sure it wasn't easy.
It sounds like he had a severe case of pre-wedding jitters, but he does need to be slapped around a bit (verbally) for putting you through that. X 10 !
I know my guy was nervous at the beginning about getting married. Same fears, that I will completely change once we get married. I told him "Yeah, I'll gain 200 pounds and become a rightous nag" haha. He's finally gotten past that (hopefully!) You add the stress of this process plus the distance and things can get crazy. Let's hope that is all it was and the guy you know and love is back.
Like others have said, we're here for you!
We were going to do the same, first to the courthouse for the legal part and then a ceremony for friends and family later. He will need to get his AP soon since he will need to leave the US to go back to work. However we decided to go ahead and just do the one wedding since we can use my friend's property for the ceremony and reception and wont require too much advance planning. I'd rather him be "stuck" here a little longer anyway
Haven't even thought about a Honeymoom!
sk8rpatty got a reaction from Andie in May 2012 Filers
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sk8rpatty got a reaction from dandk in May 2012 Filers