Applying for Canadian Visa from the US

Decided to write on this given felt that it was one of the most confusing visa's I have applied for.

The following website is a good place to read up on the prelim stuff.
https://www.desi-compile.com/applying-canadian-visitor-visa-step-step-guide/
I, unfortunately, had issues with my browser (Chrome- given it was translating pages and kept redirecting me a million times)

Online application

1. Go to the following page and determine your need for the visa/travel https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/come-canada-tool.html
2. Once done, they will give you a reference code and a document checklist to keep handy and will help you to fill the visa document.  I had the misfortune where my browser kept giving me the following error  



ERROR Message that I kept getting

3. Realized after surfing a million pages and after installing adobe a number of times that it was just a glitch on the system and once you download the PDF (IMM5257E)  it will be sorted out. This means you will get a fillable application.
4. Once you are done downloading the application and filled it in create a MyCIC login via this link
5. Most likely you will have to register for a GCkey (if you have never applied for a visa prior to this)
6. Once logged in choose ‘Visitor visa, study and/or work permit’ service to continue. You will be asked to enter the personal reference code you received in the step above. (P.s.- I kept getting redirected at this point- I finally used internet explorer and then things went smoothly thereafter)
7. Follow instructions thereafter and it should be smooth sailing. You will have to upload documents (travel history and family history etc), pay stubs, employer letter and what not. At the end of this, you will pay for the application and then finally submit it.
8. You will then receive an email stating that they have got your application.
9. Within next 1-2 business weeks (please check processing times online- it depends on the place where you have applied from), you will receive an email from CIC asking you to submit your passport to VAC (Visa Application Center). This indicates that your application was approved and now CIC needs your passport to stamp the visa. (This step is the most confusing part of the process as the email from CIC is not descriptive enough and causes confusion among applicants).

Sending the passport

1. Follow the link in the letter sent by CIC above- https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/account/where-submit-passport.html
2. Find the center based on geographic location. In the USA it is either LA or New York.
3. Find the VAC website which should be mentioned below the options available.

This is the most confusing part of the application.

1. You will have to submit the following in the mail (by UPS)
1. Cashiers check/Money order- Get it from nearby local businesses which might charge 1 dollar to do the same. A bank may charge you 7 dollars which is half the cost of the money you are sending. ($19.90). The fees are listed here. I guess when I submitted my application this place just opened up and hence there was no UPS return fee available, which I expect will change with time.
2. Letter from the embassy
3. TTS services consent form
4. Passport
5. Return shipping label by UPS (go to the nearest UPS store who will help you out with this)

Got my passport back in 2-3 weeks (again no updates from the VAC center regarding the reciept of my passport or no. Thankfully I had UPS on my side and I knew they had definitely received it but still it was nerve wracking waiting for an answer)

Hopefully, this helps a bit. Best of luck!

J1 Visa process by Zeeshan Mansuri

J1 PROCESS (for INDIA)

1. Match day – YAYYYYYY! Match day done and dusted. Now, what’s the next step?

2. Wait for the email from your program coordinator. They will send it by next week.

3. You will receive a packet of your residency contract plus 100s of other forms from your program, which includes the same info to be filled in a gazillion times.

4. For J1, browse the MOH (Ministry of Health) website. Download the Statement Of Need (SON) application (attached with the post) and complete the bond papers and get it signed by 2 people, your father/mother and a gazetted officer (Check the application form for details). The bond basically states that IF you fail to return to India to complete the waiver, you/your Dad/Mom will pay 5 lakh rupees to the Government of India and IF you/your Dad/Mom fail to do so, the gazetted officer who signed the form will be liable to pay. Also, the gazette officer should have more than 7 years left in his/her service and CANNOT be a blood relative. Also, you will also require a sign from the gazetted officer’s boss to confirm that the gazetted officer is speaking the truth and has furnished the correct information.

5. Make sure to sign each and every page of the SON application at the bottom. Make sure to fill all the different annexure forms in the application as applicable.

6. Please plan to travel to New Delhi once they start issuing. They usually will give you a token number and will process only 25 a day (This varies from year to year). If you or your friend can go (your friend will need an authorization letter signed by you, authorizing him to get the SON in your place).

7. No bribing in the MOH office last year. It may change this year. (You get the point!!!)

8. ONCE YOU RECEIVE THE SON, MAKE SURE DATES OF YOUR RESIDENCY, YOUR NAME, SPECIALTY ARE ENTERED CORRECTLY. Remember it’s a Government office and they will be casual and make spelling mistakes.

9. Pay your SEVIS fee early. Your application will be processed by ECFMG by the order u paid your SEVIS fee. Make sure that all required documents are uploaded properly.

10. Send the NOC to the program. They will upload it to OASIS on the ECFMG website. ECFMG will take approximately 1 -3 weeks to send your DS 2019 form. Once you receive in your hand, you can schedule your visa interview after paying the appropriate fee.

11. The interview is very chilled out consisting of 3-5 questions. The visa officer will sign your ds 2019 and give it back to you (if he/she forgets, ask for it and keep it safe).

12. Passport in 3-5 days - bingo!!

13. Book your flight tickets by April 15th. Anytime later than that will hurt your dad's wallet by extra 150-200$. I would suggest going back ASAP.

14. In between, your program coordinator will be sending your more documents to sign and return.

15. All J1 applicants can start from India 30 days before the official start date of your program. (H1B people can start only 10 days before start date).

16. Visit all places you want to go and meet everyone you want to meet. Once you start residency, you will start missing all of that. These next 100 days are going to be THE golden period of your lifetime. THE last big vacation. Enjoy every minute of it!! Feel free to add info, correct anything or ask questions. Cheers! Good luck :) God bless :)

Best,

Zeeshan Mansuri

zeeshanmansuri@gmail.com

SON

“I regret saying that I am denying you visa to the US”

“I regret saying that I am denying you visa to the US”

“Why?” asked me!

“Because your scores are very low and I do not feel that you will be able to do anything with these there”, said a slightly surprised visa counselor.

“Who are you to judge my scores? You are not qualified to do so. I know my scores are not good. But I have done my background research before deciding to commit so much of time, money and effort to this. It is tough but it is not impossible! When there is hope, why should I give up on my dreams?”

There was a whole minute silence. The shock on the counselor’s face was screaming that no visa candidate had ever argued with him like this. But for my pounding heart, it was a do or die moment!

“Ok, you will get one chance and only one to prove what you can do”

And so I got my first EVER international visa stamp, that too into the US and thus my journey to the States began!

Hi all, I was reading Neil's blogs and thought to share my experiences in the USMLE journey so that others who are in similar situations like mine are motivated to see through it until the END!

That being said let me start at the beginning.

In 2013, I was one amongst the thousand's of US residency aspirants and by no means a lucky one! I literally had every hurdle imaginable to an IMG.

Citizenship: I am from a third world country and NEVER visited any foreign country.

Exam scores:  My USMLE step 1 score was below the 90^thcentile and step 2 in low 90s.

Graduation: I had been working for 2 – 2.5 years after medical school and so I wasn’t a fresh graduate. 

Past 'Research' experience: I did do some clinical research work after graduation, but nothing too fancy.

US experience: I had a very short (2 week) observership in one of the University hospital's (from where I was lucky to get a good letter)

Interview call: of the 70 odd pediatric programs that I applied to, I received only 1 interview call.

Match day! – of course, to no surprise for all, I did not match :( 

However, I feel God must have heard my prayers, because on the day after 'Match' day – I received a call from the program coordinator of the hospital I interviewed at stating “One of our matched candidates is not able to make it to the residency program. Are you still interested in joining us?” 

And I was SHOUTING in utter disbelief! “Yes, I am.” J

Finally, when I did go to get my H1B visa stamped, the visa officer who denied my visa in the first place, saw me and looking at me came out, smiled and said: “Well Done!” Oh, the joy of proving someone wrong, Incredible!

So here I am, almost at the end of my pediatric residency and still living a dream! The sole purpose of writing my path to USMLE  is to  encourage you to keep trying! Don’t give up on your dreams, no matter how crazy people think you are! You never know what life might have in store for you. I faced hurdles, extra hurdles, in every step! Every person I knew looked at me as if I am crazy to pursue USMLE further. But I knew what I wanted and I was determined to do all that I can! So saying I end with this  

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

The Road Not Taken – Robert Frost

Driver's License in the States

The Driver's license test generally has 2 parts. 

Knowledge and the ACTUAL driving test

If you have an Indian license, take the same along with the following documents

1. Passport
2. I-94 printout
3. Letter from employer stating that you work there
4. SSN- Details on how to get one is in the previous post.

For the knowledge test, you can practise online by doing practise one's according to your respective States. You can get few here (http://driving-tests.org/) In Ohio, the test has 40 questions and you just have to get 75% of the questions to clear the exam and then schedule your DRIVING test.

Best of luck!

P.S.- I read the manual and did the above questions. Most of the questions just need plain common sense answers :) So it really won't take too much time.

SSN for H-1B individuals (Medical residents)

You can get an SSN as soon as you land.

Steps are as follows

1. Open this LINK
2. Fill in the last page with the correct details
3. Take your passport and the current I94 
4. Go to the nearest SSN office near you by checking HERE.
5. Once in the office they will take your forms and fill in the details and that's it!
6. In a week or 2 you should get your SSN in the mail!

P.S.- I do not think that the rumor that you have to wait for 2 weeks is true since I have done it 3 days post landing.

Visa sponsor letter for Step 2 CS

Find below a sample visa sponsor letter. You can you it to build your own and make it better.

Generally the Notary knows how to do it. But it always better to have your own for backup in case the Notary is a newbie.

DECLARATION

August 21, 2014

I, DAD NAME, S/o Mr GRAND FATHER, aged 62 years, residing at ADDRESS, do hereby solemnly affirm and declare as follows:

My son, Neil Dominic Fernandes, Passport No. 12345, issued from XXX, India, intends to attend USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills examination to be held at Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. I do hereby give free consent and No objection to my son to attend the above mentioned examination at Atlanta, U.S.A.

Furthermore, I do hereby agree to bear all the expenses incurred during his visit to U.S.A. I have attached my bank statements and income tax certificates to show that I have sufficient resources for the same.

The above stated facts are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information and belief.

Father’s Name

F/o Neil Dominic Fernandes

Letter link

Visa experience at Chennai for Clinical Skills examination

I am writing about my visa interview experience here, as there are not many experiences by people going to the States on the basis of CS alone. Now in order to go for electives, residency interviews or the Step 2 CS, you need to apply for a US visitor visa (B1/B2). Best is to try and apply as early as possible. Ideally, you should have taken Step 1 before you go for the interview.

I applied for B1/B2 visa. You can start the visa application process by filling in form DS160 here - https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/ and then after getting the confirmation code complete the scheduling part here - http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/. Furthermore for people who are not sure which place to schedule your visa appointment, I hereby have attached the link- http://www.path2usa.com/us-consulates-in-india

Before I start talking about my experience thought should just mention it here, that each and every interview that I have read to date states that it totally depends on your luck i.e. depends on the interviewing Visa Officer’s (VO) mood. Reading this statement didn’t actually raise my spirits since luck hasn’t been on my side for the last few times when needed it badly.

At this juncture let me tell you that I'll divide this post into 3 parts

1.   Things taken
2. Questions and things that I thought would be asked
3.  Actual interview 

1. THINGS TAKEN

Now collecting things to be taken for the appointment was a tedious task since you never know what the VO will want. So just to be on the safer side this was the list I had taken

I am writing them in a set wise manner.

1^st set was GENERAL purpose documents

• Passport + last expired passport.
• US Visa Interview Appointment Letter (Date showing when is the OFC [finger print and photo will be taken] and when is the ACTUAL interview)
• DS-160 confirmation page
• Bank visa payment receipt (US Visa application fee receipt)
• 2 passport photos ACCORDING to the USA visa requirements. (details found here http://ustraveldocs.com/in/in-niv-photoinfo.asp)
• College Id card (to show you are a student)

Next set was for the questions why am I going to the States

• ECFMG letter stating that I have to come to the States for the examination.
• Appointment confirmation for CS
• Scheduling Permit
• Place where I intend to stay
• Also as I was planning to give my CK- Appointment letter and Scheduling permit
• Itinerary
• Statement of purpose – like what I intend to do after giving the exam and why I am giving it.
• Page 16 of U.S. Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual Volume 9  which states I have applied for the correct visa category http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/87206.pdf (link does not work) 
• Please refer to the following correction- Thanks to Dr. Anil Kumar 
• https://fam.state.gov/FAM/09FAM/09FAM040202.html (B Visas -- Page 19/22 and Page 10 - point no 5)
• https://fam.state.gov/FAM/09FAM/09FAM040205.html (F visa, and why you cannot or can use it -- page 18)
• https://fam.state.gov/FAM/09FAM/09FAM040210.html (H visa -- page 3/4)

Next set as to who would be sponsoring me in my case my dad

• Affidavit from Dad stating that he'll be financing me- Find a sample here http://neilnf.blogspot.com/2014/08/same-visa-sponsor-letter-for-step-2-cs.html
• His bank deposits, land documents etc.
• Income tax certificate last 3 years
• His passport photocopy plus his signature on it
• Summary of all funds in one letter (for at a glance stuff)

Next set personal credentials

• CV
• Step 1 Score
• Letter from college stating that I am a student and have to come back in order to graduate
• NOC from college for the exam
• LOR's from people
• Transcripts 
• Clerkship documents

Since had also applied for electives

• Immunization certificates
• Insurance certificates

 My own ID proof (Not needed) but just in case

• Birth Certificate
• PAN
• Voters ID
• Driver’s License

 And lastly an entire photocopy of the set just in case they ask to keep one. LOL :)

QUESTIONS EXPECTED AND STUFF LIKE THAT

Now for the questions part of this post I would recommend that you read umartariq (visa section - http://umartariq.com/node/70) Please go through each and every person’s experience. I felt it to be very informative. However the problem in the experience section is that everyone was going with the intention of ELECTIVES and not CS. But still it is a good place to start with in order to be prepared for surprise questions.

Few other sites which helped a lot was immihelp.com and path2usa [I have also attached links at the end of the post in case you want them]

Of course not to forget - ASK PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALREADY gone for the interview recently as to what questions were asked to them since the VO’s don’t change their questions a lot:D:P

One question in particular which I felt should be told about is that about mentioning Step 3 on the visa application and during the visa interview? The answer is NO. Step 3 is a big no-no. The reason is that people who have gone previously for residency interviews had to stay longer to do Step 3 and many of them took extensions. Visa consulars know that. So, on the application and during the interviews, mention your reasons for visit as Step 2 CS examination and residency interviews…that’s all.

NOW COMING THE ACTUAL THING THAT HAPPENED AND DOCUMENTS TO BE TAKEN EACH TIME.

As my appointment was at Chennai I’ll narrate my visa experience there.

For your OFC appointment day, you will need to take:

• Current passport + the last expired one if any
• DS-160 confirmation page.
• Appointment confirmation page.
• One photograph as per U.S. visa specifications (you need this just in case the camera doesn’t work or so. It is not needed mostly, but why take a chance:D:P)

When getting into any rickshaw it is safest to tell them Apollo Cancer hospital, since the general public as well as the auto rickshaw fellows know about it and can point you in the right direction. The reason being that when I asked where the USA OFC centre was, people only gave me a look like I was talking in Latin and they were never asked such a ridiculous question! Anyhow I went there in the morning (appointment was in the evening) and  diagonally opposite the Apollo hospital as it is stated in the appointment letter you will find a group of people all lined up for the OFC appointment. (It is very well organised here as there are 2 separate lines based on the timings) 

So at your said appointment time you stand in the line with the above mentioned documents. The security guard tells you to enter when it is your turn. There are 3 to 4 guys in purple shirt who sit outside in the veranda and verify that you have all the necessary documents’ and then send you inside. The OFC thing happens on the 1st floor. It is a 1 - 2 mins procedure and then you can leave.

Now following your visit to the OFC place where your photo and fingerprints are taken, you will then visit the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

 Here you will need to take:

• A printed copy of your appointment confirmation letter,
• Your DS-160 confirmation page stamped at the OFC place (these 2 are the SAME LETTERS which you took the previous day)
• Your current and all old passports, (current and the last expired one)
• Supporting Documents as per your visa type (which I have listed above)

You can arrive at the place about half an hour in advance. Trust me, it is way more chaotic here than the OFC centre though not sure why. Anyhow keep asking the guy in front (he will be having an iPad ;) when you can enter as only he can let you in.) Now once he clears you (now you can put your tie and suit in case you have it since the show begins only after this) you’ll have a security check and then will be allowed to enter inside the consulate. Please note the things you can’t carry like mobile phone and stuff like that which will be mentioned in the appointment letter. 

Once you enter the visa consulate (it is an A/C room) you will first be issued a token number and then be sent to a place where they confirm your appointment and then you will have to sit in a place waiting for your turn. Here you can practise and check all the documents you have and keep them ready. Have a mock self-interview with yourself in your head to feel prepared.

Finally after this wait, my token number was called and I was asked to stand in a short line. Now my heart was pounding like crazy since I was expecting a tough time, since I had by mistake filled the duration intended to stay as 1 year and to my great fortune, the place which I had filled in my DS-160 form as intended stay was shut down when I checked on it prior to the interview. (I had revised my answers to 1 month and place to stay at a place where it was working and had the address :) The VO dint even bother about that.

Finally when I was called to the interview stand, I started the conversation with the VO, as was mentioned in many of the interviews I have read and I once again stress on the importance on seeing the earlier mentioned sites by wishing him ‘Good morning’ to which he replied ‘Good morning to you too’ and then asked me to hand over the passport and then started questioning me.

He asked me 4 questions (mind you 4 simple questions)

1. Why are you going to the States? -To give my USMLE clinical skills examination
2. Are you a physician? No, I am a final year student at XXX
3. Which state do you intend to visit? Atlanta, Georgia
4. How long do you intend to stay? 1 month

And boom he says your visa is approved have a nice day. I was pleasantly surprised with the interview and said thanks and went back a happy man:)

Few pointers for beginners -

1.      Wish them good morning/good afternoon early on. Don’t wait for them to initiate a conversation or ask a question. Helps build a good rapport.

2.      Be confident. You are not a thief. You are going there so that it helps you as well as them. If they don’t give you a Visa, it is not a big deal, you can apply again, and trust me a lot of people get it the next time.

3.      Also do tell them that you are a student as early as possible. Helps clear any doubt about your potential immigrant status.

4.      Be brief. Short and sweet is good. Do not elaborate unless asked.

5.      Carry all the documents you think might be important. You never know when you may need one.

All the best to all and trust in God. You will do wellJ

Now for those who come from places other than Chennai, mentioning a few places where you can stay and which are decently priced

• Amar Jyothi House - +044-24337535
• Century Residency - +044-28294001

Links to different sites

http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/forms/ds-160--online-nonimmigrant-visa-application/frequently-asked-questions.html

http://www.immihelp.com/visitor-visa/visitor-visa-interview-guide.html

http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/visit/visitor.html

http://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/temporary-visitors-business/b-1-temporary-business-visitor

http://www.immihelp.com/business-visa/b1-visa-documents.html

http://cdn.ustraveldocs.com/in/in-gen-faq.asp

http://umartariq.com/node/71

http://umartariq.com/node/183

http://www.usavisitorvisa.com/visitorvisa/visitorvisa.htm

http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/in-niv-typeb1b2.asp

http://chennai.usconsulate.gov/required-documents3.html

http://chennai.usconsulate.gov/hitechbs.html

http://chennai.usconsulate.gov/immigrantstous/documents-required-for-your-visa.html#DN

http://www.path2usa.com/business-visa-guide/required-documents-for-b1-visa