Getting a U.S. Visa in Canada 2023

I was able to get an appointment in Toronto within 3 weeks whereas it was a 3-6 month wait at other Canadian locations. I was asked to show my Canadian visa and LCA, and asked questions about my job and why it was a specialty occupation. I wasn't asked for my employment letter, proof of degree equivalency or passport photos but I had them all prepared anyway. The whole process took about 30 minutes and I had my passport back in four days.
- Tam (about 5 months ago)

My family and I are currently living in Canada (I am a PR and my wife and son are Canadian citizens as well as Australian citizens). We were therefore applying for my first E-3 from Canada. We are living in Victoria, BC so we were hoping to have the appointment in Vancouver, BC or Calgary, AB. However, the nearest appointment times available for those locations were 6+ months out so we opted instead for Toronto which had a few months' wait, even though it meant flying 5 hours across Canada. Positive Aspects of Toronto appointment: - The actual interview process was fast. We were in and out in less than one hour. - There is a convenience store down the street for people to leave their belongings for $10 if they have to bring their belongings/phones with them. - Apart from the rude security guards out the front, the staff in the Consulate were very friendly and helpful. Negative Aspects of Toronto appointment: - They were a bit confused by E-3 visa. They clearly don't get many of those. - Very busy and crowded, processing many hundreds of visa applicants in one session. - This was the biggest downfall, which would make me unlikely to use Toronto again: LONG WAIT AFTER INTERVIEW. At the interview, we were told the visa had been approved and within a week we would get a notification saying the passport has been shipped. One week later we still had not heard anything, and upon using the visa application checking tool (CEAC), we saw the status was still RECEIVED, not yet APPROVED. It ended up switching to APPROVED later that day, and then took another 4 days to move to ISSUED. It is now 12 days since the interview and I only just got my notification that the passport/visa has been shipped, so by the time I get the actual passport it will be more like 2 weeks. Which is stressful as we have travel planned next week.
- Dan (about 2 months ago)

Vancouver BC is THE BEST US Consulate in the world!! I had gotten my E-3 there originally back in December 2016 and the process was extremely smooth and I had my Visa processed and passport back in hand in less than 72hrs. For the next time mid 2018 (also changed jobs) there were no appts available in Vancouver so I went to the Bahamas, which was less smooth (My passport tracking was never updated and it was lost for an extra week - extremely stressed & skint because of unexpected expenses is not how I wanted to spend an extra week in Bahamas). But extra 8 days and it was sorted. Then it was time for my 2 year 'renewal' for mid 2020 and COVID hit.... Panic mode started March and didn't really end until June when I had my passport & visa physically in hand again. The Vancouver NIV Team was PHENOMENAL! During such an incredibly stressful time worldwide they were so responsive and supportive. Confirming eligibility for Emergency Appointment as an essential healthcare worker, helping to figure out whether I'd even be let through the border, advising on extra supporting documentation to get, corroborating the immigration lawyer advice about avoiding land borders during such difficult times, 20+ emails and 10+ phone calls. The day before my appointment on day 14 of my mandatory quarantine at an Airbnb 2 blocks from the consulate (unfortunately with views of the Trump Tower....) 'He' issues another visa announcement pausing most NIV class visas effective at midnight. Enter full scale panic attack and multiple phone calls to verify. One of those calls was to the contact I had made (one of the chief NIV Team officers at the consulate). Thankfully they were able to reassure me that they were following the guidance to a T and nowhere mentioned E-3 Visas. Phew!! I was safe and able to attend my appointment the next day and had it back, Visa processed, within 2 hours. Honestly I cannot stress how amazing they were!! It's that time again and we are still in this pandemic so I can only cross fingers that it goes smoothly this round and then I'll have another 2 years try to figure out a way I don't have to go through this Hoopla again. Haha!
- Deb (about 3 years ago)