US Visa appointment experience in Toronto from a Canadian Permanent Resident

So I had my b1/b2 appointment earlier this week. Penning down my experience if in case it helps anyone.

My background - I’m an indian citizen by birth and I moved to Canada on a permanent resident visa in May 2023. Being so close to the US, i wanted to visit a few places

Timeline October 2023 - filled in the ds160 and paid the visa fee. Earliest appointment that I received was March 2025. Signed in a couple of times after paying the fees to reschedule my appointment, however, never got an earlier one. Gave up after a few tries.

June 2024 - receive an email from the US Visa department stating that I may be applicable for an earlier appointment. (Read more about it and learned that this email is sent to people who have been waiting for over 10 months to a year). Signed into the appointment scheduling website and found August 2023 date. The catch is once you book this date, you cannot change it.

August 2024 - Filling a new DS 160 and generate a confirmation slip. Update this new DS 160 number onto my profile and generate a new instructions page copy (this copy has the date of interview on it)

  • My appointment was at the US embassy in Toronto at 8.45 am. Reached at 7.45 am.
  • They were letting in people an hour earlier. - Showed the passport outside and confirmed my appointment time.
  • As you enter, you are frisked similar to airport security check in. Post that your ds 160 confirmation, passport and visa status in canada (copy/ original works) is checked and a sticker with your ds160 number is stuck on your passport.
  • you then move to a window where they scan a copy of the photograph that you have carried (5cmx 5cm)
  • then you move ahead to biometrics (fingerprints)
  • alas is the interview

Interview experience - I interviewed with a lady, she was friendly but assertive Consular officer (CO) - whats your purpose of visit Me - sightseeing. Want to visit new york and see a few attractions such as Statue of Liberty, central park and a few museums CO - are you currently working in Canada Me - yes, I am working as xx which involves doing yyy. But predominantly im studying towards xxx (Im currently working towards obtaining a certification) CO - since when are you a permanent resident in Canada Me - I state the exact date (dd mm yyyy) CO - do you have any relatives in canada Me - yes, i have a few cousins CO - do you have any immediate family in the US ME - No CO - do you have any other relatives in the US ME - yes, a relative who lives in XX (name of place) CO - thank you, your visa is approved ME - smiling like an idiot :)

My travel history - Ive barely traveled. Canada was the first international trip that I did (that too to migrate on a PR). Had a layover in Egypt for a day and had explored that city. And recently had been to Mexico for a week.

Although i carried a host of documents right from bank statements, doctor record for canada, invitation letter from my relative, rent receipts for my place in canada, so on and so forth, none were required.

The interview is much much shorter than you expect it to be. May be will last 3 to 5 minutes. I assume they create a decision seeing your profile and the interview is only to reassure that you are stating the truth in your application.