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| Vancouver, Canada |  Review on July 14, 2007: |
Lauralily
Rating:  | Review Topic: K1 Visa
I went with my canadian fiance (I'm the USC) to the consulate in Vancouver on Tuesday, July 10 to do our interview. We had originally been processed in Montreal, but got our file transferred to Vancouver on the advice of several visajourniers (my fiance had moved to Vancouver in the interim). For all you people waiting endlessly for an interview in Montreal, it is very easy to transfer to Vancouver if you have an address you can use, and they are moving VERY fast there (as in they will schedule you an interview within a couple of weeks, whereas the wait in Montreal is taking months). The morning of the interview we went to ScotiaBank and paid our $100 US fee, and received two stamped receipts (as of July 1 they are requiring this, rather than processing the payment at the interview). We arrived at 12:40 for a 1pm interview. The security guard told us to come back in 5 minutes. We returned, presented our interview letter, and he let us in. As required by the letter, we did not bring in any food, beverages, large bags or electronics (including cell phones). I just brought a little wrist purse, and my fiance brought a wallet. We went through security, up an elevator, and through security again (who knows why). Then we sat down to wait. There were two other k1 applicants there (though I was the only USC accompanying). We were 2nd. After about 15 minutes, they called the first girl up to the window. The agent started going through her documents, but then sent her to sit back down to fill out a form she had forgotten to fill out. Then they called us up. At this point they were just checking all our documents. They asked for 1) passport 2) forms (156 and 156k) - but then realized we had already submitted the forms to montreal, so returned them. We had filled out second copies anyway though, just in case. Then the agent had my fiance sign the 156k 3) two photos, which the agent stuck on the 156 forms 4) birth certificate (he took a copy and the original, and then returned the original at the end of the interview) 5)police report. For anyone wondering, our police report was not done through the RCMP, but through Toronto Police. That was fine. As long as the report says that a check of your name and dob was done through the CPIC, which is the national repository of criminal records, you are fine 6) I-134 affidavit of support. He checked to see that it was notarized, then took my letter from employer, bank officer, recent bank statements, copies of 2006 W2 and 1090, some stock and mutual fund info. I had brought copies of everything, which he did not want, and he also did not want info on my personal property (such as car). 7) Then he opened the medical, and said because the doctor had checked no problems, we did not need to give him the x-ray, but that we should keep it in case they want it when we apply for AOS. The he told us to sit down and wait for the interview. About 45 minutes later, they called us to a different window. My fiance was fingerprinted, and they asked us very standard questions. When did we meet (college), the trajectory of our relationship, our jobs, etc. He asked to see some photos, and we chatted a bit. Very relaxed, and both agents were very professional. They told us to return the next day for the visa. My fiance went back the next day, and they returned his passport with the visa in it, as well as a sealed packet to submit to CPB. All in all, a great, smooth experience with no problems. Hopefully everything will go smoothly when he enters the USA tomorrow, and then it's on to marriage and AOS!
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #1795