Visa Stamping from Canada/ Mexico

We had our interview scheduled in Ottawa originally for Nov 17th. Due to medical emergency had to reschedule twice... had to constantly keep looking at their website few times a day to see if any slot opens up. Once a slot opens up (due to some cancellation)... it gets snapped in no time. So keep looking.

Stepping back a bit... we needed Canada visa to get in. Whilst it was a fairly straightforward process, the amount of documentation and time taken is painful (30 - 45 days.. so plan well ahead of your visa interview date). You can choose to do it yourself or get a agent to do it. The 2nd option becomes expensive.

Coming back to L1A, upon landing at Ottawa airport, the immigration official seem to know that lot of people travel to Canada from US for visa stamping (in fact got this comment from a taxi driver also). Anyway it was couple of mins and then we were in.

The actual appointment was on 24th Nov @ 0845. We arrived around 0815AM. Don't go too early... depending on the weather you will be waiting outside. Don't carry anything other than your documents and may be a small bag (No electronics / food etc.. saw lot of people being turned away. Check US State dept website for what is allowed and what is not). You go through couple of layers of security and then you are in the consular section. During the security process, there is a person who checks your docs / photos and then puts a sticker on your passport.

The consular section is a fairly small space with about 12-13 counters and few chairs to sit... you do lot of standing and gets crowded. If you are required to pay any visa fee then you go to Counter 1 and pay the fee (USD Cash or Card... Master / Visa). Typically the person will help to organize your documents. After counter 1, if you are in Non - Immigration visa (like L1A) then to counters 6-8 for check in (again docs, check DS160 details, finger prints and then scan your photos). If there is any discrepancy in DS160 they fix it here (for eg. my wife's first name / last name / middle name was a bit jumbled up and the lady fixed it for us). Once the check - in is done then back to the line for actual interview. There was only one officer doing the interview that day.. so the wait for fairly long. Lot of rejections in front of us (Tech categories / tourist / education)... our turn came and the questions were basic.. what is your title / role / which client / salary and then we were done. The interview itself was short, less of talking more of him getting the processing done on the system. Out in couple of hours with actual interview for 3 mins!!!. Now we are waiting for our passports (3 - 4 working days from interview date).

Key inputs for Ottawa

1) Follow the consular instruction in getting the right docs + not taking banned items. Will make your entry easier and on time
2) Carry supporting docs that will strengthen your case (I saw the officer asking employment letter for a case in front of me / proof of ties back to India) even if there is a remote chance of that being asked
3) Dress in appropriate attire (at the least smart casuals). Be confident of your answers and to the point using minimum of words. Don't beat around the bush... you lose the officer's attention if your answers are long and winded.
4) Be prepared for lot of standing especially if you are going with a small kid
5) If you are renting a car, there is ton of parking around consulate and whilst the security instructions say car remote fobs are not allowed, i saw them allowing everybody who had it.
6) Lots of hotels around the consulate and tons of places to eat ( the consulate is in downtown)

All the best.