Our appointment was at 8:00 AM on 17th at the Consulate and we drove from Albany, NY to Ottawa via Lansdowne port of entry on 16th evening. We had to complete the formalities at the Canadian Immigration post as we were landing in Canada as Immigrants. We reached Ottawa about 11:00 PM and checked in to the Clarion hotel in GATINEAU, which is about 10 min drive from the consulate. I found Ottawa downtown is a very confusing and easy to get lost.
We took a cab on 17th morning from the hotel and we reached there about 7:30, the fare was $16. It was freezing cold and the temperature was almost -10 and we were allowed into Consulate anout 7:40. They do not allow any thing except for the documents (no lip balm, glue stick, ladies hand bags, cell phones, office bags, laptop bags, chewing gums , etc... are allowed). My wife had to throw her hand bag, nothing in it. They don't let you throw anything in the consulate surroundings. We were security checked, and allowed in to consulate. There were about 4 people ahead of me in the consulate.
at about 7:50, counter 7 was opened and the person is collecting the passport, I-797, Application, DS-157, $100 fee. My wife and I are next to each other in the line to pay the fee. The fee receipt will be given at the time of interview. At about 8:05 counter 2 was opened and a tall guy with serious look started taking interviews. He sounded very serious, but ok. No queries and no rejects, but taking his own time to make sure everything before he issues the visa. He was asking many questions, but the regular expected questions.
People were called in for interview randomly, he called some who came in after us. At about 9:00 window 3 was opened and at 9:20 window 1. They both are ladies. The officer at window 3 was very jovial and she was joking and providing some directions to places as well. We were waiting, waiting and waiting finally my wife's name was called at about 9:35 from the counter 1. My wife's case is H4 to H1.
VO: so you landed in to Canada as Immigrant yesterday?
me: yes maam.
VO: When did you come to US.
my wife: xx-xx-xxxx
VO: How long have you been working
my wife: 4 months
VO: which company do you work for?
my wife: xyz
VO: where?
my wife: abc city
VO: so, you were temperorily there? (as home address is different in the application)
my wife: yes
VO: Where does your husband work?
my wife: xxx
VO: What does your husband do?
my wife: abc
VO: what do you do and your responsibilities?
my wife: blah blah blah...
VO: Can I see the letter that was submitted by your employer, to INS along with your H1B petition.
my wife: yes, and she gave it to her.
Then she looked at it and went way from the counter with the documents and was talking to another person, she came back after 5 min and gave the letter and I-797 back with a token (red color), and asked to collect the passport the next day.
My wife saw my application on VO desk, so she told me that I am next at counter-1. I was called in couple minutes.
me: Good Morning
VO: very good morning
VO: so you landed in to Canada as Immigrant yesterday?
me: yes maam.
VO: How long have you been in US.
me: 6.5 years
VO: Did you have your GC process pending more than year.
me: yes maam. I have my labor pending more than one year. I have the doc if you like to look at it.
VO: What is the priority date?
me: I was trying to recall my priority date.
VO: Can I see the doc.
me: I gave her the document.
VO: What do you do?
me: I am a computer systems analyst. I do blah, blah, blah.. 20 sec.
VO: How long have you been working for this employer?
me: almost 2.5 years
VO: Do you work at your office's corporate office or clinet location.
me: I work at Client's place.
VO: Who is the client?
me: abc
VO: You can pick up your passport tomorrow at 3:00 PM.
me: Thank you maam.
VO: good day
me: thanks, you too have a good day
My interview was about a minute. We collected our passports the next day about 2:50. It was very cool.
Be confident and keep every possible document with you and the VOs and interviews are very cool.
The worst part and I didn't like was the Interview hall was very small in a very huge palace like building.
I hope this helps and good luck to you all. Let me know if you have any questions.
