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Visa
Visa Stamping from Canada/ Mexico
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H1b stamping in Toronto, ON in July
I went for my H1b stamping for extension(second stamping) and below is my experience. It will be in days, instead of days to give you a fair Idea.
Scheduling the interview:
My available interview date was 2 months after my intended date of travel, I took it. I later changed my travel plans in DS160 to match my new travel plan.
Arriving in Toronto:
I landed in Toronto on Sunday evening, I was asked basic questions at immigration. Make sure you tell them you are here for stamping in order to give true picture to visa officer.
Also If you are flying into Toronto I highly recommend landing at Billy Bishop Airport in Toronto City, on an island as immigration here is much quick and you can literally want to the city. Porter Airlines have regular flights here.
I took a cab to my hotel, I stayed at Sheraton as it is in walking distance to consulate and did a quick tour in the evening to familiarize myself.
Day 1: Interview
My appointment was at 8:45 AM but I reached consulate by 8:30. Make sure you go to back side of consulate as that is where visa entrance is. I saw there was already a line outside with about 30 people ahead of me, I joined the line and waited for my turn.
My turn came at 8:55 AM when the officers moved line quickly, but I was noticing people going inside were coming out in 20 minutes at max. Now begins step by step detail:
Step 1: An officer will check your DS160 and paste your file information on your passport. Then security guard will check the documents and allow you to enter.
Please do not carry anything but your passport and documents in a folder, nothing else is allowed in embassy.
Step 2: Security, regular like an airport
Step 3: Visa and document check
You will wait in a line to get your documents checked. A officer will ask for DS160 and passport and ask for your legal status in Canada. Here I was told my PIMS has not yet arrived, but I do not have to do anything and they should get it in a day or 2.
She also took my picture and scanned it, and handed me back my documents in a blue folder along with a booklet of my rights in US as worker. They have red and blue, I guess blue is for all clear(just guess).
Step 4: Fingerprint
Super quick, barely a minute and then we joined line for interview
Step 5: Interview
There were 3 windows operational and it was going to next available window when your turn comes. My turn came and I went to a very nice office, she asked me following basic questions:
Where do I live in US?
Do I have any dependents in US, if yes what are their status?
My current job client, location and duties?
Here explain them your job, responsibilities and not just technologies. They love to hear what we do, trust me :)
My past job location?
My previous visas?
I told her, and offered her to show my passports. She took them glanced and gave them back.
And then the magic words came: Your visa is approved
She then took out a white form and said your visa is approved and you should get it in 3-5 business days.
I left the building to go to my hotel and immediately my status changed to Administrative Processing.
Day 3:
On Day 3 noon my status changed to "Application Received". I assumed this must be for my PIMS and felt a sigh of relief as I have heard people stuck for months due to PIMS.
By the evening my status changed to "Administrative Processing" again.
Also as living downtown as expensive, I moved out to Missisauga. My Canada post location was also there for passport pick up.
Day 4:
By afternoon my status was "Issued"
Day 5:
I received notification of shipment created for my passport to be picked up at Canada Post
Day 6:
Received passport from Canada post and flew back to US
A few take aways here are:
Wait for a couple of months after H1b approval before going for stamping for PIMS to be updated and shared
Make sure you have all paperwork required, you do not want to be stuck in Admin Processing in a Foreign land
First day, stay close to consulate as Toronto morning traffic can be a mess. There are various options, slightly expensive but worth it as you can walk to consulate in morning. Then move out to suburbs.
Canada is a great place food wise, US$ goes longer than CA$. A lot of places accept US$ as well but at 1:1 conversion
Lastly, be confident.Visa officers' are your friends who are determining your capability, and if you are not confident on yourself why should they be?
Good luck guys!
Scheduling the interview:
My available interview date was 2 months after my intended date of travel, I took it. I later changed my travel plans in DS160 to match my new travel plan.
Arriving in Toronto:
I landed in Toronto on Sunday evening, I was asked basic questions at immigration. Make sure you tell them you are here for stamping in order to give true picture to visa officer.
Also If you are flying into Toronto I highly recommend landing at Billy Bishop Airport in Toronto City, on an island as immigration here is much quick and you can literally want to the city. Porter Airlines have regular flights here.
I took a cab to my hotel, I stayed at Sheraton as it is in walking distance to consulate and did a quick tour in the evening to familiarize myself.
Day 1: Interview
My appointment was at 8:45 AM but I reached consulate by 8:30. Make sure you go to back side of consulate as that is where visa entrance is. I saw there was already a line outside with about 30 people ahead of me, I joined the line and waited for my turn.
My turn came at 8:55 AM when the officers moved line quickly, but I was noticing people going inside were coming out in 20 minutes at max. Now begins step by step detail:
Step 1: An officer will check your DS160 and paste your file information on your passport. Then security guard will check the documents and allow you to enter.
Please do not carry anything but your passport and documents in a folder, nothing else is allowed in embassy.
Step 2: Security, regular like an airport
Step 3: Visa and document check
You will wait in a line to get your documents checked. A officer will ask for DS160 and passport and ask for your legal status in Canada. Here I was told my PIMS has not yet arrived, but I do not have to do anything and they should get it in a day or 2.
She also took my picture and scanned it, and handed me back my documents in a blue folder along with a booklet of my rights in US as worker. They have red and blue, I guess blue is for all clear(just guess).
Step 4: Fingerprint
Super quick, barely a minute and then we joined line for interview
Step 5: Interview
There were 3 windows operational and it was going to next available window when your turn comes. My turn came and I went to a very nice office, she asked me following basic questions:
Where do I live in US?
Do I have any dependents in US, if yes what are their status?
My current job client, location and duties?
Here explain them your job, responsibilities and not just technologies. They love to hear what we do, trust me :)
My past job location?
My previous visas?
I told her, and offered her to show my passports. She took them glanced and gave them back.
And then the magic words came: Your visa is approved
She then took out a white form and said your visa is approved and you should get it in 3-5 business days.
I left the building to go to my hotel and immediately my status changed to Administrative Processing.
Day 3:
On Day 3 noon my status changed to "Application Received". I assumed this must be for my PIMS and felt a sigh of relief as I have heard people stuck for months due to PIMS.
By the evening my status changed to "Administrative Processing" again.
Also as living downtown as expensive, I moved out to Missisauga. My Canada post location was also there for passport pick up.
Day 4:
By afternoon my status was "Issued"
Day 5:
I received notification of shipment created for my passport to be picked up at Canada Post
Day 6:
Received passport from Canada post and flew back to US
A few take aways here are:
Wait for a couple of months after H1b approval before going for stamping for PIMS to be updated and shared
Make sure you have all paperwork required, you do not want to be stuck in Admin Processing in a Foreign land
First day, stay close to consulate as Toronto morning traffic can be a mess. There are various options, slightly expensive but worth it as you can walk to consulate in morning. Then move out to suburbs.
Canada is a great place food wise, US$ goes longer than CA$. A lot of places accept US$ as well but at 1:1 conversion
Lastly, be confident.Visa officers' are your friends who are determining your capability, and if you are not confident on yourself why should they be?
Good luck guys!
All Replies (5)
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