Visa Stamping from Canada/ Mexico

Hello, I have couriered in documents through UPS and they were delivered to embassy on 11/10. Does anyone know how long it will take for status to update? Did anyone get their stamping done at Calgary US consulate?

Thanks,

I am a PR eligible for courier-in option. I submitted by docs to the US consulate in Toronto.

The case status was updated to refused and the docs were returned by post.

It’s been 10 days since the status was updated but there hasn’t been any email communication about the refusal and if this was refused under 221g.

I tried emailing the consulate but the call center support were unable to provide any update on my application.

Does anyone know if they have seen such an usecase and what the next steps are?

Canada Post has just delivered my documents for a dropbox submission of first time H1B stamping in Ottawa. Anyone used this embassy for mail-in application recently? Just trying to estimate how long it may take.

Sep 26 - Application mailed via Canada Post
Sep 27 - Application reached consulate
Oct 4 - Status changed to 'Application received'
Oct 5 - Status changed to 'Approved'
Oct 7 - Status changed to 'Issued'
Oct 11 - Tracking number generated, and passport was picked up by Canada Post
Oct 13 - Canada Post took more than a day to deliver to the destination. So, was available for pickup on Oct 13 morning. I picked it up just now.

Can you please help confirm if my line of thinking viable?

Situation :
-- My wife and I live in Seattle. We are working in one of the FAAMG companies.
-- We have Canadian PR.
-- We have friends who live across the border in Vancouver who we can meet in the Freedom park in the US / Canada border without going into Canada.

Considering the situation, I am thinking of 2 options.

Option 1
-- Prep the documents package, including original PR card. Meet our friends in the Freedom Park without crossing the border (they can cross the border, even if there is some ask to meet us outside of Freedom park).
-- Friends send the package to Vancouver consulate from Canada Post.
-- If all goes well, we get the passport delivered to their home and they drop it off for us.
-- If we get Admin processing, we get the passport back to our friends place and they drop it off for us.

Option 2
-- Prep the documents package, including a copy of the PR card instead of the Original PR card. Ship the documents from US to Vancouver consulate.
-- If all goes well, we get the passport delivered to our friends home. They drop it off for us or we cross the border using our PR card, pick the passport back and return.
-- If we get Admin processing, we get the passport back to our friends place. They drop it off for us or we cross the border using our PR card, pick the passport back and return.

Has anyone done this or know the process well enough to say this might work?

Sept 26th: Shipped documents to Ottawa
Sept 27th: Documents reach Ottawa
Sept 28th: Status changed to "Application Received"
Oct 4th: Status changed to "Approved"

Just waiting for my passport to be shipped back now!

Hi All, Thanks so much for sharing your experiences here and providing help. I was looking to use H1B Dropbox in Canada. I have a Canadian PR but have resided in US for the past 10 years. 1 H1 stamping from India in 2017. I had a few questions:
1. Is any PR eligible for Dropbox? Is it necessary to have a proof of residence in Canada?
2. Probability of getting called for an interview? I work for FAANG.
3. If called for an interview, can I just walk in or do I book an interview slot, which isn't available for a year. I am stuck in that case. Do they return your passport if they call you for interview?

Hi,

I had in person interview on 9/26 in Toronto Ottawa. Officer said visa is approved and kept my passport. He gave me photo back saying they don't need it(Not sure if they take from DS-160).

9/27 - I received email saying they need recent photo. same day I sent recent photo along with email printout by Canada post. Document got delivered on 9/28.

My visa status was approved on 9/26, 9/27 - Morning it showed Administrative Processing. 9/27 Afternoon - Application received.

As of today my status is same as Administrative Processing. Any idea when I will get my PP back? How long it will take? Anyone has experience same situation.

Thanks,

Hello,

We submitted our new H1B stamping for drop box processing and got an update that we have to go for interview. However, the first available date is Oct 2023 for Toronto.
In the appointment scheduling, only Toronto is shown for appointment selection. Other locations are not shown.
Would like to know what is the process to look for appointments at other locations. Also would consular location ask us to attend the interview at a particular date given by them or everyone has to explicitly book an appointment for interview?

Appreciate your responses.

Thank you!

Hi All
Any H1B or F1 221 g (pink slip specifically) experiences in any of the Canadian consulates? How are the administrative processing timelines recently? Any preferred consulate for faster processing? I would truly appreciate some feedback and advice for my situation.

This would be my 3rd H1B stamping and first time in Canada. I always receive 221g for H1B due to my PhD and/or my degree. Pre covid used to take 3-4 weeks in India which wasn't a problem. However, during covid in 2020 it took 10 months and I was stuck in India for the entire year. So, now I am looking into traveling to Toronto/Ottawa ( I am in Detroit so easier) to get stamping, travel back to US and then travel to India next year. I can potentially stay in Canada and work from there for 1-2 months without issue. Still better than being stuck in India and work during god-awful hours overnight. Planning to travel May 2023 so really need to get started soon. Happy to answer any general 221g questions that you guys may have. Thanks!