Interview Experience/Guide @ Ottawa

[mansamf]

Got some time to post my experience and some tips. My Interview experience posted earlier. 

http://forum.murthy.com/index.php?/topic/61332-h1b-approved-in-ottawa-6th-august/

 

Interview

Should plan for Monday/Tuesday morning appointments. 7.30-8am. This will give you more chances to get your passport by Friday. Check for Consulate holidays and avoid that week.

Security does not let you in if you reach before 30 minutes. So reach there sharp 30 minutes before to use best of times.

Remember everybody gets their visa (99.999%) and you are not in .001 category. So don’t be nervous about you outcome. Be cool and smiling all the time.

  

Passport Pickup (my case)

My case was all clear (No PMISC verification)

Day1-Interview at 8am

Day2-Status updated in ceac website "ISSUED” 1pm

Day2-Got email from Loomis at 6PM with waybill number.

Day3-picked up passport at 9am

It depended on case to case. My friend Full time No PIMS picked his passport Day4.

In case of PMIS it add upto 1-3 business days. Don’t worry and enjoy the city.

CSC takes time to update waybill number. If you don’t get email from Loomis then best way is to check at Loomis site by reference number or waybill number. Don’t Call Loomis if you don’t have waybill number.

 

Hotel Reservation

Book the hotels in parts. 3 nights together then each separately. Always check for cancellation policy.

Most hotel don’t allow to cancel once you checked in. So it will be easy to cancel if you don’t need. Don’t wait until end. Book the hotel well in advance to get good deal. You can cancel anyway for free you don’t changed your mind.

Check for Internet and wifi connectivity.

 

International Calling

AT&T has $30 for 80 minutes.

Data plan is not necessary unless you want to spend more money

you will get free WIFI most of places in downtown.

There are lots of iOS and Andriod apps to make free WIFI calls.

e.g. magicjack free call, vtok, talkatone. They all are free.

You can use google chat outgoing calls from computer for free. Carry a headset with you.

 

Foreign Currency

1) Bank of America debit card can be used in Scotia ATM . There are plenty of them.

However BOA charged 1% transaction fee. it usually added to the withdrawal amount so most of the people don’t realized.

2) You can take Canadian dollars from Bank of America branch at USA. It is cheap and takes 1-3 days.

3) Bank of America has a traveler credit card. If you have this already there is no foreign transaction free on this type of card.

 

Food

Rideau Center is best place to eat all type of fast foods and Free WIFI access. It is near to US consulate.

Indian buffet are not good at downtown. I tried at 4-5 mile from US consulate "Coconut Lagoon" was good. There are lots of options for fast food restaurants.

 

Cheap Accommodation

Check in hostel.com

There is one place "Jail Hostel" nearby has $50-60 per night for a single room/two bed.

It is really cheap like hostel accommodation (bunk bed) but good when you really need to save money. They have free breakfast and free WIFI too.

 

Driving

Driving is very easy and enjoyable to Ottawa.

Absolutely no issue/time Take while entering Canada.

Returning to US is 5-10 minutes for immigration clearance.

Border officers asked me few questions; all are easy only and took $6 to issue a new i-94. They are helpful and guide you.

 

Car Rentals

If you are planning to drive then take rental only from Alamo or National. They have option to drop the car in Ottawa in case you stuck and want to return the car.

One is expensive though. I see 100% of people getting visa. Only it takes 1-3 week if you get 221g.So personal car also be preferable to save the car rental cost.

 

Places to see

Ottawa downtown is really beautiful. lots of places to see

Specially Parliament tour. For this you need to be at the ticket counter at 9am to get a ticket.

Tickets are free. Evening is good too. They have a light show at 9.30pm it was really fantastic.

 

Transport from Airport

You can also get a bus (No.97) from airport to downtown Ottawa. Check for public transport option in google map

 

 

Hope these help.Contact me directly if you have any questions.

 

[sudha rani]

Wow this was really a good information. Thanks for sharing.

[_jaswanth7_]

Perfect, thanks for your time and willingness to help others.
Would be better if you share your questions as well [asked by VO] :-)

[mansamf]

Above link was a typo. Below was my interview questions details.

 

http://forum.murthy.com/index.php?/topic/61345-visa-approved-ottawa/

[mansamf]

Perfect, thanks for your time and willingness to help others.

Would be better if you share your questions as well [asked by VO] :-)

I already posted earlier and also mentioned above.

http://forum.murthy.com/index.php?/topic/61345-visa-approved-ottawa/

[OttawaNCC]

To add to above useful information on Ottawa.   There is also  accommodation with food available, contact email address in profile for information.

[aris18]

Thank you so much buddy for detailed Information and congratulations for your succesfull H1B Stamping. Me and my wife (She is also Mech Engr and working in Designing firm), we both are on H1 and doing Full time job and planned to appear for Visa Stamping on Aug 20 in Ottawa Consulate. We will also be driving to Canada. if you can give us some more tips that will be really helpful.

[mansamf]

Thank you so much buddy for detailed Information and congratulations for your succesfull H1B Stamping. Me and my wife (She is also Mech Engr and working in Designing firm), we both are on H1 and doing Full time job and planned to appear for Visa Stamping on Aug 20 in Ottawa Consulate. We will also be driving to Canada. if you can give us some more tips that will be really helpful.

 

Please be specific, contact me from my profile . I may help you 

[sendilvera]

thanks for sharing ...