Visa Stamping from Canada/ Mexico

Short Version:

Background: Previous L1B and H1 B Stamped with previous company in India, new H1 B Not stamped before with new company, petition approved till March 2020

Interview Date: 06/01/2017, 8:15 AM, Ottawa

Total time at consulate: around 45 minutes (Visa approved)

Visa Status Changed to “Issued” on website: 06/02/2017, 1:00 PM

Document Shipment Notice: 06/02/2017, 1:00 PM

Tracking # email from Canada Post: 06/02/2017, 2:00 PM

Passport pick up email from Canada Post: 06/05/2017, 1:00 PM

Note 06/03, 06/04 were Sat and Sun.

Detail Version

Before appointment:

I was FTE with reputed company on L1B for 5 years and on H1 B for 1year (all visas were stamped in India), switched to another reputed company on H1 B and working for last 2 years (visa was never stamped) so this was my first stamping experience outside India.

I filled DS-160 for Toronto and was planning to go in July but after paying the visa fees saw no appointments were available till September, then selected Ottawa, as appointment were only available there in June and that too on 1st and 2nd only, so I booked 1st June. I called helpdesk multiple times to see if they can fix DS-160 to reflect Ottawa, I got different answer each time I called, so I just filled new DS-160 for Ottawa cancelled the appointment and rebooked it (I did this at 4 AM in the morning, to make sure I get the same spot again, but I didn’t get same spot again so booked a different spot but in the morning around 9 or 10 am it started showing up my vacated spot so booked it at that time).

I planned a road trip with family to Ottawa and other cities in Canada, I cross the border at Sarnia and mostly it was uneventful except long weekend traffic at border. Just note that they don’t do any exit entry at US side (so no record that you exit US). May be it’s well known but I didn’t know that and went to officer inside and they told me about it. Officers on US side were mostly professional, on Canada side lady officer was little rude, and asked some nonsense questions, got the entry stamp and left.

On Appointment day:
I reached early at consulate at Ottawa, parked at nearby Indigo parking on same street. After reading so many post I took only documents and car keys NOTHING ELSE. I was little early but don’t go early also they won’t let you in. I had to wait for 5-7 mins.
- Inside lady officer checks your passport, I797 and photo etc.
- Airport like security check
- You go inside and check in at counter 6/7.
- Figure prints at counter 4
- Waited in line for interview for about 10-15 mins
- All were approved before me except one and he was not H1B
- Interview questions were very basic - how long with the company? Designation? What you do? Etc.
- No documents were asked
- Visa approved
           
Whole process was completed in around 45 mins.

After Appointment:

I had to wait till 1 PM till next day for the Visa status to change to Issues from Administrative Processing. We left for Toronto as I had given passport pick up location at Mississauga. Spent the weekend at Niagara Falls and Toronto downtown. Monday got the email from Canada post for pick up. Collected passport and drove back. You have to park the car and go inside to get I-94 at the border, again basic questions but you have sit and wait (5-7mins) before they stamp it and you have to pay $6 per I-94.

Conclusion

Overall it was a nice experience although I was little tense throughout the process, but I will probably go to Canada again for stamping. Thanks all on this forum for their posts and useful tips.

Please feel free to ask questions if any.