Through the help of some fellow DR1'ers, we decided to apply for a US visa for Angel (my husband). I am posting this for informational purposes, and if anyone has any questions, they can PM me or post here.
As some of you know, we're driving from Calgary to Toronto this summer, and wanted to travel through the US to shorten the distance and lessen the costs. We didn't know if it was possible, because we thought it would be a long, hard process. It was actually very easy.
The link to the website to download the application forms is: http://travel.state.gov/visa;visitors.html
I made an appointment at the US Consulate in Calgary on-line, through:
www.nvars.com
Any Canadian resident must have an appointment in order to bring in their application. You can use this website or call 1-900-451-2778, but the call charges are $2.00/minute. Through the website, you pay a flat $10.00 fee to book the appointment.
I filled out the forms (very easy; Forms DS156 and DS157), got a passport photo (2" X 2" on a WHITE background only - the photo place should know specs if you tell them it's for a US visa), and waited for the appointment, which was today. On the website, we were told to bring with us proof that the applicant will not stay in the US - in other words, obligations in Canada. I brought our mortgage papers, bank statements, our CHILD (
), and some lawsuit papers (Angel was in an accident - other car at fault - and may have to settle in court for it). They never asked for any of this. What we did need was his passport, his Permanent Residence card, and the paper downloaded from the net at the time I booked the appointment showing the appointment time and date.
The appointment was today at 10:30 AM. First, we were asked to pay $100.00 US application fee. Then we were asked for his application, passport, and PR card, and were told to sit until we were called. Finally at 1:15, we were called (what a wait with a 2-year-old terrorchild!) up. The first thing he (the interviewer)asked Angel to do was imprint his finger on this machine to give his fingerprints. The interviewer then asked Angel how long he's been in Canada (3 years), what he does for a living (watches our children for the time being!), how long we've been married (four years), and if he has any close relatives living in the US (no).
That was it! The he said, "Thank you for your patience. A visa will be ready for you at 3:00 today, barring security checks." He gave us a stub to bring back, and Angel has a visa which he can travel to the US with for 5 years!
YAY!!! We can finally take the kids to Disneyworld!!!
As some of you know, we're driving from Calgary to Toronto this summer, and wanted to travel through the US to shorten the distance and lessen the costs. We didn't know if it was possible, because we thought it would be a long, hard process. It was actually very easy.
The link to the website to download the application forms is: http://travel.state.gov/visa;visitors.html
I made an appointment at the US Consulate in Calgary on-line, through:
www.nvars.com
Any Canadian resident must have an appointment in order to bring in their application. You can use this website or call 1-900-451-2778, but the call charges are $2.00/minute. Through the website, you pay a flat $10.00 fee to book the appointment.
I filled out the forms (very easy; Forms DS156 and DS157), got a passport photo (2" X 2" on a WHITE background only - the photo place should know specs if you tell them it's for a US visa), and waited for the appointment, which was today. On the website, we were told to bring with us proof that the applicant will not stay in the US - in other words, obligations in Canada. I brought our mortgage papers, bank statements, our CHILD (
), and some lawsuit papers (Angel was in an accident - other car at fault - and may have to settle in court for it). They never asked for any of this. What we did need was his passport, his Permanent Residence card, and the paper downloaded from the net at the time I booked the appointment showing the appointment time and date.The appointment was today at 10:30 AM. First, we were asked to pay $100.00 US application fee. Then we were asked for his application, passport, and PR card, and were told to sit until we were called. Finally at 1:15, we were called (what a wait with a 2-year-old terrorchild!) up. The first thing he (the interviewer)asked Angel to do was imprint his finger on this machine to give his fingerprints. The interviewer then asked Angel how long he's been in Canada (3 years), what he does for a living (watches our children for the time being!), how long we've been married (four years), and if he has any close relatives living in the US (no).
That was it! The he said, "Thank you for your patience. A visa will be ready for you at 3:00 today, barring security checks." He gave us a stub to bring back, and Angel has a visa which he can travel to the US with for 5 years!
YAY!!! We can finally take the kids to Disneyworld!!!
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