jhatka: I didn't have to go to an interview... they waived it. If your major is in engineering or in similar field, they usually waive the interview. I am not sure how to prove your kin in Canada since I didn't do anything like that. For english language, they did ask me to send the proof. I wrote them a letter stating I did my undergraduate and graduate in US and was in English. I also attached an old copy of TOEFEL, the one I took in 1992 (14 years old). They accepted it. Regarding the fees: you have to pay the application fee when you submit the application. They require you to send Cashiers check (one you make at your local bank) or money order (from post office or bank). There is another fee - visa/landing fee. This one they will ask you later if your process is approved. If you want you can send it earlier with your application. Thats what I did. NOTE: If you are applying from US, you need to send the whole application package. You can't do the simplified one. I hope this helps. Cheers