PR Application Files Transferred from Buffalo ----> Los Angeles VO from Sep 2011

[sa-leth]

As promised, here is my experience in Visa Stamping experience at LA VO. The trip was a little expensive (airfare,car rental, hotel room, etc) but it was well worth the peace of mind as I need to make a trip overseas. I flew in the day before the appointment.

Rental Car: I had booked a car on Orbitz (got one for $22/day from Budget, a pretty good deal)

Hotel Room: Stayed at Hollywood Inn Express South ($45/day on Kayak). Was convenient as it was 2.3 miles from the Consulate.

Parking: There are numerous parking garages close by. There is a parking garage just across the street where you can park for $10/day and one in the very next building and if you don't mind walking a few blocks, there are a lot more which are cheaper.

Document submission: I was there at 8.30am and was about the fourth or so in line. Security is strict and they are very particular about the no-cell phone policy so please do switch it off or leave your phone at home. It was such a welcome surprise to be at a consulate office where everyone seemed happy to be there. I waited about five minutes before my turn and went to the window.
The gentleman at the window requested my documents:
1.   Approval letter/Passport request letter (printout of email from VO)
2.   Passport
3.   Two Photographs (make sure you have them to specifications, I went to three photographers (CVS/Walgreens/a local photo-studio and got sub-par pictures). I finally found a photographer in Austin, TX who takes pictures specifically for Canadian Immigration/Visa on a routine basis.
4.   RPRF (money order from my bank)
5.   Completed Height/Eye color form.
He checked my documents, then went back to get my file and took a few minutes as he went through it. He then gave me a token and asked me to come back at 2.30pm to pick up my passport. I think he could sense how relieved I was; he smiled and said Congratulations. 
I walked around for a while, saw the LA Symphony building, went window shopping and had brunch at a nice little French crepe place on 6th street which also gave me a chance to practice my French with the owner. Did some touristy window-shopping/sightseeing till about 2pm.

Passport pickup: I got there at 2.30pm and was second or third in line. Went through security and up to the counter when it was my turn, the lady gave me my passport and envelope with the COPR (photograph affixed) and other instructions, she said Congratulations as she handed them to me.

I took a long time to go over my paperwork to make sure there were no typos, misspellings, etc.  The security officer was very understanding and asked me to take my time as I went over my documents.  As I was leaving, he wished me the very best for my life in Canada. I was very obvious how very detail- oriented yet very pleasant everyone at the office was. I went back to my hotel room and literally jumped for joy. Thank you Lord.

Hope this helps anyone planning on a trip to LA.
SF2005
 

Hello SF2005

Wow..I'm happy for you....Congratulations...I feel your.... "JUMP for JOY"   

see you in Canada.

[bonny]

As promised, here is my experience in Visa Stamping experience at LA VO. The trip was a little expensive (airfare,car rental, hotel room, etc) but it was well worth the peace of mind as I need to make a trip overseas. I flew in the day before the appointment.

Rental Car: I had booked a car on Orbitz (got one for $22/day from Budget, a pretty good deal)

Hotel Room: Stayed at Hollywood Inn Express South ($45/day on Kayak). Was convenient as it was 2.3 miles from the Consulate.

Parking: There are numerous parking garages close by. There is a parking garage just across the street where you can park for $10/day and one in the very next building and if you don't mind walking a few blocks, there are a lot more which are cheaper.

Document submission: I was there at 8.30am and was about the fourth or so in line. Security is strict and they are very particular about the no-cell phone policy so please do switch it off or leave your phone at home. It was such a welcome surprise to be at a consulate office where everyone seemed happy to be there. I waited about five minutes before my turn and went to the window.
The gentleman at the window requested my documents:
1.   Approval letter/Passport request letter (printout of email from VO)
2.   Passport
3.   Two Photographs (make sure you have them to specifications, I went to three photographers (CVS/Walgreens/a local photo-studio and got sub-par pictures). I finally found a photographer in Austin, TX who takes pictures specifically for Canadian Immigration/Visa on a routine basis.
4.   RPRF (money order from my bank)
5.   Completed Height/Eye color form.
He checked my documents, then went back to get my file and took a few minutes as he went through it. He then gave me a token and asked me to come back at 2.30pm to pick up my passport. I think he could sense how relieved I was; he smiled and said Congratulations. 
I walked around for a while, saw the LA Symphony building, went window shopping and had brunch at a nice little French crepe place on 6th street which also gave me a chance to practice my French with the owner. Did some touristy window-shopping/sightseeing till about 2pm.

Passport pickup: I got there at 2.30pm and was second or third in line. Went through security and up to the counter when it was my turn, the lady gave me my passport and envelope with the COPR (photograph affixed) and other instructions, she said Congratulations as she handed them to me.

I took a long time to go over my paperwork to make sure there were no typos, misspellings, etc.  The security officer was very understanding and asked me to take my time as I went over my documents.  As I was leaving, he wished me the very best for my life in Canada. I was very obvious how very detail- oriented yet very pleasant everyone at the office was. I went back to my hotel room and literally jumped for joy. Thank you Lord.

Hope this helps anyone planning on a trip to LA.
SF2005
 

Thank you so much SF2005, for sharing your experience in the forum. Wish you the very best with your life in Canada.

Bonny

[pradip]

Congrats SF2005.

OMM

Hi OMM
Have you made the FBI report ? If you have,could you share how it is done please?

[K3]

congrts Sf2005

hey bonny ny newz?

good luck to all

[omm]

I made from USA , Are you in the USA or outside?
if you are in the USA than visit local police station for finger print and ask them to do FBI manual ink finger print for immigration, if they have fingerprint card than they will take fingerprint otherwise they will ask you to get fingerprint card , better get original fbi fingerprint card if you found it from stationary stores, ups store. otherwise download from this website and print it.
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/background-checks/standard-fingerprint-form-fd-258
if you have query PM me.

OMM

Hi OMM
Have you made the FBI report ? If you have,could you share how it is done please?

[skFSW]

Today my status changed to "Decision Made" hopefully I can get my passport in next 7-10 days. Good luck to everyone

[thebeast184]

OMM,

Any news? What does your ecas say? Did they reviewed and started processing?

Rod

[trant]

Today my status changed to "Decision Made" hopefully I can get my passport in next 7-10 days. Good luck to everyone

Me too. Hooray!

[thebeast184]

Congrats Trant and skFSW  

[thebeast184]

from the spreadsheet it seems like LA is just getting slower every day 

[squirrel mickey]

Hi skSFW,

Congrats. Did you use courier for sending and returning your passport? Who received your passport in LA office? Mine was received and signed by Austin in LA office. Thx for leting me know.

Good luck,

Mickey

Today my status changed to "Decision Made" hopefully I can get my passport in next 7-10 days. Good luck to everyone

[omm]

No, the Buffalo just transfered file and same "pending review" , as per caips note my BFD is end of march 2012. Let's see LA will move before that BFD!!

OMM

OMM,

Any news? What does your ecas say? Did they reviewed and started processing?

Rod

[bonny]

congrts Sf2005

hey bonny ny newz?

good luck to all

No, nothing yet! Congrats to all who received visa recently.

Bonny

[trant]

Congrats Trant and skFSW  

Thanks!

[bonny]

from the spreadsheet it seems like LA is just getting slower every day 

I agree--very frustrating....LA was moving pretty fast until last couple of weeks.

Bonny