Visa Stamping from Canada/ Mexico

Hi,

Glad to share my experience here about my H1B visa extension stamping at Ottawa.

Date - Oct 1st 2019
Time - 7.45AM

This is my 5th stamping. Had 221g earlier at Ottawa when it was my first extension stamping.

I stayed in Marriott Downtown and drove my car from US to Ottawa a day prior to the interview.
Reached before time but parking on street does not start until 08.30AM and I was not sure if my interview
will be done by then. So I moved my car and parked to be safe just a block away at ByWard Market Garage,
70 Clarence Street. They have $2 special between 6AM-11AM and it is covered parking.

Reached the gate around 7.35AM but took more than 30 minutes to let me in. First I was told my name is not
in the list then I showed my Appointment email, the guard went in and confirmed before letting me in.

Before Security check, the kind lady wanted to check Passport, I-797, DS-160 and 1 photo.
She told after Security go to Window 1,2 or 3.
Then at security checks - my car keys has remote so had to leave it with them. Pen is also not allowed.

At Window 3 - another kind lady arranged my passport, I-797, DS-160 confirmation, photo looked good so she
returned in a pink/red transparent file and sent me to next window for tenprinting (4 left and right and then 2 thumbs).
She also gave me the 'Know your rights' blue book.

Next followed the line for interview. From what I noticed, everyone was getting approved or atleast was told they are approved.

Questions asked -
Were you on H1B earlier in US?
Same employer?
What does the employer do?
Designation?
Is your I140 approved?

I was trying to share some more documents but interviewer did not want to look at them.

Pointing at the 'Know your rights' blue book interviewer asked - have you read this book?
- I said yes.

Now came the unexpected question - what is written in it?
OMG, I had skimmed through this book at the link below a week ago but was blank and could remember only 1 point about max. hours and pay.
I did not anticipate I have to read the book while standing in line before interview :).

Suggest to read the book at the link before going to interview -
https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/LegalRightsandProtections/Wilberforce/Wilberforce-ENG-100116.pdf

***Your visa is approved.***

Was out by 9AM

Same day on Tue, Oct 1, 12:24 PM - Tracking generated as per email from Embassy.

Canada Post tracking details -

Oct. 1
5:35 pm Item processed Ottawa, ON
3:08 pm Shipment picked up by Canada Post Ottawa, ON

-------------------------------

Oct. 2

1:44 am Item processed Ottawa, ON
6:42 am Item processed Ottawa, ON
6:42 am Item in transit to Post Office Ottawa, ON
12:32 pm Item available for pickup at Post Office Ottawa, ON Ottawa Postal Station B
1:05 pm Delivered Ottawa, ON

Parking near to the Canada Post station at 58 Sparks st is paid and not adjacent so you can give some other post station as I think within
 city anywhere it may take same time. I chose this station for delivery as I thought it is within 1 mile to the embassy so would get passport
 sooner but that was a wrong assumption. Passport gets picked then sent to processing facility before dispatching to post stations.

My previous extension stamping interview at Ottawa was also on Tuesday and passport was supposed to be delivered on Friday but it was a Canada
day Holiday, had to wait until Monday to receive passport. But this time Visa processed in less than 4 hours (much appreciated) but Canada post
 took 24 hrs to deliver. I guess those who want it sooner can pay extra and get expedited shipping.

While returning to US, at the border post paid $6 to get I-94 stapled in the passport.

Wish all Good luck!