Consulate Review: Vancouver, Canada
Review Topic: K1 Visa
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| Event |
Description |
| Review Date : |
June 9, 2011 |
| Embassy Review : |
The medical clinic was amazing. Staff were knowledgeable, helpful and incredibly nice. I was able to schedule my interview and medical for the same day (medical at 6am and interview for 11am). My understanding is that there is only one doctor--a female--so that was reassuring. Everyone took a number, filled out a form, then waited to have our blood test for syphilis (no other diseases--only syphilis). I hate needles but the nurse was very adept and it was painless. Next we had the chest x-ray. The gowns are a little threadbare and as a consequence, most people end up hanging out in their change rooms until they hear someone exit and then peak their head out to see if it is their turn. Besides, it is only a waist-up strip. Thankfully, we were not lined up in see-through gowns free to ogle one another(I had read someone had this experience and was anxious about it). Medical went smoothly, although I am fairly thin and when the doctor asked me if I was anorexic, I laughed slightly (since I am a huge pig) She had to ask me again since I didn't take the question seriously.
After the medical was over I had to walk to the consulate for my interview. Ended up arriving there about 10:15 am. I was confused by the different lines so I showed the guard my papers and told her that I have my medical and interview the same day and wouldn't have my results until 2pm. She immediately moved me to the 10:30 am line and I was inside in a flash. They only let one person in the foyer at a time and you remove your jacket, anything from your pockets, etc to be searched. Do not bring any lighters, liquids, backpacks, food or closed envelopes or you will not be allowed in. One girl had her work name tag on, which is a pin, and they told her to dispose of it and come back later. They are very strict about this so don't even try. After your things are searched, a guard brings you up to the interview room where you wait for your turn to hand over Packet 3. The clerk was very friendly and looked through my documents, making photocopies when necessary, and then told me to have a seat and they'd call me for my interview. My experience with the interview was not the friendly peace circle others had experienced and wrote in their reviews. For one thing, you are standing at a wicket just like at the bank, with other people being interviewed right beside you (really distracting I must say). Also, there is a thick layer of what I assume to be bullet proof glass with only a narrow slit to slide documents back and forth. As a consequence you really have to speak loud causing everyone in the interview room to overhear your conversation. The interviewer I had was not friendly (but not despotic) although he made me grateful I did not have the female interviewer beside me. I heard her snap at an school girl, "Come on the direction haven't changed here--It's still the same. Put your hand on the device!" because the device wasn't picking up her fingerprints. Although my interviewer did ask me some personal questions I didn't feel comfortable answering in a crowded room. Thus,I had a tendency to lower my voice, to which he'd reply "Pardon me" so I had to repeat it louder. For instance, he asked why my fiance's divorce wasn't finalized until 2010 if we had begun our relationship a couple years earlier. I was forced to explain that no, i did not break up the marriage but rather my fiance's ex-wife kept appealing the court's repeated decisions not to grant her alimony. I certainly was not comfortable with the public nature of the questioning. Afterwards, I was given no inclination whether I had passed or failed the interview. Only told to get my results from the clinic and come back. All in all I had no problem navigating the downtown and even had time to walk down to the water and look around. I was even able to get back to the airport for the 5pm flight without issue. The consulate closes at around 4pm so don't book a late flight out of Vancouver if you have nothing to do all day--you'll be done well before 5pm and if you hop on the skytrain from downtown, it goes straight to the airport. Also I highly recommend the Century Plaza Hotel. It's only a block from the medical clinic, making it perfect for 6am appointments. It also has a pool and a beautiful view. Plus, a kitchenette suite was cheaper than the prices I found for the Days Inn and Best Western. The best part is they will hold your bags for you free of charge during the day while you go to your medical and interview appointments. They can also help you if you need directions to the consulate or have any questions about the downtown. Highly recommend them  |
| Rating : |
Moderate |
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ver 5.0