GENERAL INFORMATION

If you are a temporary visitor to Canada or are currently working, studying, or visiting the U.S., you must obtain an appointment to apply for a visa. The fee for this service is CA$8.55 payable by one of the following credit cards: VISA, MasterCard, or American Express

Schedule your visa appointment online: http://canada.usvisa-info.com
If you find that there are no appointment time slots currently available, please keep trying. New slots become available at random intervals throughout each day. (In the past, new time slots became available first thing in the morning but this is no longer the case.) See also below: Emergency Visa Scheduling

Scheduling Appointments by Telephone
If you prefer to make an appointment by telephone you must call a user-pays phone service. This service is operated by the Visa Information Services Centre, a private Toronto-based contractor that handles the Consulate Generals' appointment system. See service numbers below.

Click here to download sample Vancouver, Canada Embassy instructions for renewing your J-1 visa dated March, 2009.

Nonimmigrant Visa Applications: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html

For general information on how to obtain visas to visit, work, study or live in the United States, please call one of the appropriate Visa Information Services Centre numbers below:

Phone Number	Type of Call	Charge per Minute
1-900-656-2222	Recorded Information. No operator. Visa Information through an automated system. Calls from the U.S.	US $0.90 per minute
1-900-451-6330	Recorded Information. No operator. Visa Information through an automated system. Calls from Canada and the US	CA $0.69 per minute
1-888-840-0032	Visa Appointment Reservation System by credit card. Costs charged to credit card instead of phone bill Live Operator / Calls from Canada & US	CA $0.19 IVR CA $1.59 per minute*
1-900-443-3131	Live Operator - Calls from the US	US $1.89 per minute
1-900-451-2778	Live Operator - Calls from Canada	CA $1.89 per minute
1-800-714-7586	Message service only - Customer service inquiries - or clarification on a 900 number - or billing inquiries on 900 number charges	Toll Free
1-888-611-6676	Appointment Cancellations	Toll Free
1-800-283-4356	Information only Lists all telephone numbers associated wit h the NVARS program	Toll Free
	Web site Online appointment bookings service www.nvars.com https://www.nvars.com/Production/userhome.aspx	CA $8.75 each booking

* IVR (Interactive Voice Response) is Recorded Information. This line offers the caller both the option to listen to recorded information as well as speak to a live agent, whereas the 900 lines are split into two separate lines.

Note: Many office phones and all pay phones are set to block calls to 900 numbers. If the 900 telephone service is not available from your area, please contact: 1-888-840-0032 from Canada and the U.S. You will be asked to provide your credit card number. Or call toll free 1-800-283-4356 for a list of all 1-900 and 1-800 visa information lines.

The per-minute charge applies as soon as your call is connected to the call-center system. Depending on the volume of calls, you may have to wait for connection to an actual operator. We recommend that you avoid peak periods to minimize waiting time. Callers wishing to dispute charges for using this service should telephone 1-800-714-7586.

Call the appropriate telephone number and use the Visa Information Services Centre's automated appointment system. The system assigns a reference number - please write it down - which is used in all future transactions regarding the appointment. You will be offered appointments no sooner than 2 weeks in the future. Follow the instructions on the automated menu to make an appointment at the desired date and time.

In the event you lose or misplace your reference number, call one of the numbers answered by a Live Operator and the representative will be able to assist you.

Nonimmigrant Visa Applications: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html