Visa Stamping from Canada/ Mexico

background: FTE, Masters degree from USA.

Interview date: 24th Nov, 2017, 7:45AM
This is my 2nd H1b stamping (got the first one in India), I have been with my current company for almost 2 years now. My previous H1B on my passport is from a different company (expired now).

VISA APPROVED. The VO said I will get my visa in a week's time.

24th (after interview), 27th, 28th: my status in CEAC has been "Administrative process" with the case last updated sate as 24th Nov.

29th : My case was updated again but is still in "Administrative process".

My VO said that my visa is approved. I am concerned if there are any missing documents. How does the consulate contact us if they need more documents from us?

Also, does anyone know if the CEAC website will be updated after hours? In my case, would the last update for the day be around 5PM vancouver time?

I am really concerned. If anyone out there is in the same boat, please do comment. It would be nice to have some moral support.

I have an H1b extension visa appointment on 12/05/2017 9:15 AM at Ottawa.

1) Is there anyone going to this location on this day?

2) Anybody has delivered the passport to any other location than Visa appointment City (for my case Toronto)? If yes any idea how long does it take? I know if you pick up in the same city it takes 2-4 business days.

Guys. I have a question

Is there anyone who has been to Canada for first time H1B stamping ?

If yes, How many days did it took to get it done ?

For any reason if there is a 221g, do we need to stay in canada until we get the visa
?

Hello,

I went to the consulate in Montreal on 11/24 for my OPT -> H1B change of status interview. The interview went well and my visa was approved but my visa status still says administrative processing as of EOD today. Most other successful cases I've read the visa status was changed to issued within 2 days. I was wondering if other people had a similar experience and how long did you end up waiting? Should I be worried?

Hello,

I am planning to Toronto (second preference Ottawa) consulate for my H1B stamping in December. Does anyone know are there any slots available for the interview.

And also I need help with the Canada visa process.

Hello,

Like many others, I benefited from information shared by fellow members here. Below is a little insight into my experience at the US Embassy in Ottawa.

Background:

US Masters.
9+ years IT.
This was 3rd H1 Stamping (FTE with American Firm) - 1st and 2nd in Hyd and Mumbai respectively

Day 0 - 11/21 Tuesday - Drove into Ottawa. Hassle free. Open border. Simple Qs and then we go.

Day 1 - 11/22 Wednesday

Interview Day - My H1 (8:15am) and Wife H4 (8:45am) ==> Guard let us go in together and we attended the whole process together.

Here are the questions,

1. You work for XYZ?
2. What is your role and what do you do?
3. Did you do you Masters in USA?
4. What did you major in?
5. Did you do any research as part of your Masters? – VO’s intention was to understand how my current role is connected to my masters.

Looked at my wife and asked a few questions,

1. Do you work?
2. Can I see your EAD card?
3. Where do you work?
4. Did you do your Masters in USA?
5. What did you major in?
6. Was there research involved? – my wife majored in Biomedical Engineering and was involved in Clinical Trial research. Since this is a sensitive field, VO wanted to be sure she doesn’t conduct any clinical trials as part of her current role.
7. So your job is actually not conducting clinical trials but providing IT assistance to those who conduct them?

Day 2 - 11/24 Friday

Status Changed to ISSUED

Canada Post Tracking Received

2017/11/24 17:10 OTTAWA, ON Item processed
2017/11/24 17:02 OTTAWA, ON Shipment received at originating postal facility
2017/11/24 14:48 OTTAWA, ON Shipment picked up by Canada Post

Day 3 - 11/27 Monday

Canada Post Tracking Change

2017/11/27 09:30 OTTAWA, ON Delivered
2017/11/27 08:48 OTTAWA, ON Item available for pickup

Started drive back into USA.

At the border, 1st check point looks at passport and advises to go inside the building for paperwork.

Inside building, CBP officer stamps the passport, issues I-94 and collects $6 cash per I-94.

So, from start to finish, ideal case is that on 3rd day since the interview the passport should be ready for pickup.

i hope this information helps someone. Good Luck everyone!

Hi,

My H1B visa stamping was on Tuesday 21st Nov.
The interview was pretty much few questions like others . In the end I was told, my visa is approved and that I will receive passport next week.
However, the status has not yet changed from Admin Processing.
I saw couple others who had appeared for interview around the same time or later and have updated visa status.
Should I be worried or patient?

Hello,

Background: FTE in tech, around 6 yrs of experience. 3rd stamping of H-1B. First time in Canada. The other two were in India.

My visa appointment was at 7:45AM. Got there 15 mins prior as instructed. The employees outside were announcing the the interview time: "7:45AM appointments, please join the line.". They asked for the DS-160 confirmation page, passport and I-797. There was a kiosk setup to confirm your identity and appointment date and time. Right behind the Kiosk, there were two officers checking for any electronics in your file and would ask you if you are carrying any other prohibited items. (Recommendation: Carry nothing except the required documents in a folder.). All of this was outside the building.

You finally enter the building, where you are asked to remove any coins, belt, coats off you and put it in a tray(Airport style checking basically).

Once done, you are sent to a counter/window, where your photos are checked and scanned. The officer will also check your permit/visa/PR card for Canada. If your photos are not good, they have a machine where you can click instant photographs and are charged around 10$ CAD. I could be wrong on the price. You are then sent to get your fingerprints.

After your fingerprints are done, you are asked to stand outside an elevator and are offered to use a restroom that's right next to the elevator, since there are none on the floor where the interview takes place. You wait for the elevator to come down, a security guard within the elevator will instruct you whether you are good to go or not. Once you're up there, you are asked to stand in the appropriate line based on your visa. There's no seating anywhere in this consulate. You have to stand all through. It took about 15 minutes until it was my turn.

VO: Good Morning. How are you?
A: Hello. Great. Thanks and you?

VO: So you're here for H-1B? Where do you work?
A: XYZ

VO: Sorry?
A: XYZ(Louder this time)

VO: What do you do?
A: ABCD

VO: Oh, so you do this and that? What exactly does the company sell?
A: That and that.

VO: Oh.. so just that? How is it different than regular stuff that's out there?
A: Had to give him details and he did seem pretty knowledgable about the technology.

VO: How long have you been with them?
A: Almost a year.

VO: SO I see you have a Visa from this company? Are you done with them?
A: Yea.

VO then Stamped "Cancelled without Prejudice" on that visa.

VO: I see that you went to school at xyz university. What did you study there?
A: I studies this: xyz

VO: Was that a masters degree?
A: Yes

VO: Did you always work on a H-1B or did you work on OPT as well?
A: Worked on OPT as well.

VO: Was it with xyz company?
A: No, that was with ABC company.

VO: Ok. Your visa has been approved.
A: Thanks.

VO: We'll keep you passport and I-797. It take take us a few days. Here's the sheet which will tell you how you can track your passport.
A: Thanks.

Kept checking the application status on CEAC all day. It showed administrative processing. 25th and 26th was the weekend. This morning at around 11:30AM, received a notification via email with the tracking number and the application status on CEAC changed to Issued.

The tracking number is yet to be updated by Canadapost.

Hi All,

I attended Visa Stamping at Ottawa today 11/27/2017 @10.15 a.m. Here is some Information.

Flew in to Ottawa airport. Taxi to hotel - $30
Hotel - Courtyard Near Ottawa train station ($150). If you book in advance many options around embassy
Transportation -- Taxi to Embassy. ($10)

Reached at Consulate by 9.40 and waited in front of the consulate for 10-15 mins. It was cold. People can wait in a coffee shop. I walked upto the door at 9.55.
As soon as you enter, before security they will check passport, DS160, I-797 and passport size photo. Then you go through security scan

Things allowed - small Ladies Purses , wallets, switched off cellphones, keys
Things NOT allowed - You can not take anything electronic, pen, pencils past the security check point. I had to remove pens, built in calculator from my folder at security. They will put cell phone, and any other electronic device in bucket and give you a tag for collecting it after interview is done. I carried my folder, jacket, valet inside.

INSIDE-
Stood in line for window 6 / 7 for Doc verification. DS 160, passport , 797 and picture. Then finger printing at window 4 and then window 2 or 3 for interview.

Interview :- VO I got was a lady and was very friendly. The other one was also very friendly from what I saw from line.
Documents - Only 797, DS 160 and Passport. She did not see anything else or asked.
Questions :-
 Q1 -Is this your first H1? No . Is it with same company? No.
Q2- Is your prev H1 on this passport. I said Yes. She opened a page with H4 stamp and put a stamp in there. (I was on h4 for 30 days before changing job to my current one.)
Q3- so you currently work with YYYY (She mentioned my spouses co. which she saw on passport) I told her that was my H4 stamp. Then she realize her mistake and took the previous H1 stamp out
Q4- How long have you been on h1. I said since YYYY . SHe asked if I was on H1 for the entire time since then . I said no. I briefly went on H4 when I was in between jobs last year for 1 month.
Q5- WHat is your job title. How much are they paying you.
Q6 - Do you have approved 140
Q7- Highest level of edu. I said Masters in Engineering. She asked if my masters was research based or course based. I said course plus thesis. She asked what my thesis was.
Q8- Any children in the US? How many how old and what is their status.
Q9- Are you visiting anywhere else besides what is stated in here? I said yes. I am visiting my company's Canada plant
Q9 - Congrats I am approving your vis30 Ma. Your visa will be ready n 3 days.

Total time - 30 Mins
Now waiting for passport. It shows admin processing right now. meanwhile visiting company office in Toronto. Opted to go back to Ottawa to pick passport. Train system is excellent here. Typing this thing from the train :)

Hope you find this useful. Be confidant. State facts, what ever they might be. There is a bathroom and water fountain and place to sit if you have children with you. You can take your phone and a small purse. People are friendly too.

Good Luck!

 

We had our interview scheduled in Ottawa originally for Nov 17th. Due to medical emergency had to reschedule twice... had to constantly keep looking at their website few times a day to see if any slot opens up. Once a slot opens up (due to some cancellation)... it gets snapped in no time. So keep looking.

Stepping back a bit... we needed Canada visa to get in. Whilst it was a fairly straightforward process, the amount of documentation and time taken is painful (30 - 45 days.. so plan well ahead of your visa interview date). You can choose to do it yourself or get a agent to do it. The 2nd option becomes expensive.

Coming back to L1A, upon landing at Ottawa airport, the immigration official seem to know that lot of people travel to Canada from US for visa stamping (in fact got this comment from a taxi driver also). Anyway it was couple of mins and then we were in.

The actual appointment was on 24th Nov @ 0845. We arrived around 0815AM. Don't go too early... depending on the weather you will be waiting outside. Don't carry anything other than your documents and may be a small bag (No electronics / food etc.. saw lot of people being turned away. Check US State dept website for what is allowed and what is not). You go through couple of layers of security and then you are in the consular section. During the security process, there is a person who checks your docs / photos and then puts a sticker on your passport.

The consular section is a fairly small space with about 12-13 counters and few chairs to sit... you do lot of standing and gets crowded. If you are required to pay any visa fee then you go to Counter 1 and pay the fee (USD Cash or Card... Master / Visa). Typically the person will help to organize your documents. After counter 1, if you are in Non - Immigration visa (like L1A) then to counters 6-8 for check in (again docs, check DS160 details, finger prints and then scan your photos). If there is any discrepancy in DS160 they fix it here (for eg. my wife's first name / last name / middle name was a bit jumbled up and the lady fixed it for us). Once the check - in is done then back to the line for actual interview. There was only one officer doing the interview that day.. so the wait for fairly long. Lot of rejections in front of us (Tech categories / tourist / education)... our turn came and the questions were basic.. what is your title / role / which client / salary and then we were done. The interview itself was short, less of talking more of him getting the processing done on the system. Out in couple of hours with actual interview for 3 mins!!!. Now we are waiting for our passports (3 - 4 working days from interview date).

Key inputs for Ottawa

1) Follow the consular instruction in getting the right docs + not taking banned items. Will make your entry easier and on time
2) Carry supporting docs that will strengthen your case (I saw the officer asking employment letter for a case in front of me / proof of ties back to India) even if there is a remote chance of that being asked
3) Dress in appropriate attire (at the least smart casuals). Be confident of your answers and to the point using minimum of words. Don't beat around the bush... you lose the officer's attention if your answers are long and winded.
4) Be prepared for lot of standing especially if you are going with a small kid
5) If you are renting a car, there is ton of parking around consulate and whilst the security instructions say car remote fobs are not allowed, i saw them allowing everybody who had it.
6) Lots of hotels around the consulate and tons of places to eat ( the consulate is in downtown)

All the best.