Visa Stamping from Canada/ Mexico

Thank you all for sharing your experiences, it really helped me prepare for my appointment the past couple of months. Here is my contribution.

My background: Been in the US for 22 years (E2>F1>H1B), going to Canada for my second Visa stamp overall, first H1B Visa Stamp on my second I797 (I am currently starting my 4th year on H1B)

Timeline
Sept 12: Completed my DS160 Application with Ottawa as my chosen city
Sept 12-17: Frantically refreshed the Canadian US Consulate site looking for an appointment time before February
Sept 17: Booked my appointment for Wednesday, October 17 in Calgary - the only city available at the time
Oct 1: Casually checked appointment times again and found that Tuesday, October 16 was available. Rescheduled my appointment to gain an additional Business Day for processing
Mon, Oct 15: Flew into Calgary
Tues, Oct 16: Completed appointment
Wed, Oct 17: Status online is still "Appointment"
Thurs, Oct 18: Passport ready, picked it up happily
Fri, Oct 19: Fly home

Appointment Experience
My appointment was at 10:10AM - I arrive at 9:10AM and security tells me to come back at 9:40AM.

First stage is to check in with the first worker where they asked me for my proof of legal Canadian status (visitor), passport, passport picture, and appointment confirmation page. They put a sticker on my passport and pin my picture to the cover.


Second stage is the security check - similar to TSA you must take your shoes off and put any items through a metal detector. They specifically asked everyone if they had any sealed envelopes - I guess those are prohibited as well. I took care of not bringing any electronics, but unfortunately had some hand sanitizer left in my purse so they had me throw it away. (TIP: If you are not staying nearby the consulate, find a hotel close by and ask the front desk to store your bag - they will usually do it for free, just say you are checking into your room later in the day.)

Third stage is a waiting room. They allow a handful of people to come in, and then security escorts the group down the hall and into the elevator to the consulate office on the 10th floor.

Fourth stage is a document check - the first staff member asked me for my I797 and current passport. She then asked me if I have any other Visa stamps, letting me know that they have to void any valid stamps (I did not have a valid stamp). She tied my I797 page to my passport and had me go to the next window.

Fifth stage is fingerprints - the staff member checked my documents again and had me scan my fingerprints. (before getting to me, this staff member was absolutely GRILLING the woman in front of me about her paperwork - it was quite scary, but he was nice to me afterward)

Sixth stage is finally the interview - I handed her my passport with I797 and she started typing. She asked me three questions:

1. Explain how you’ve been in the US for 22 years
2. What is your job?
3. Where did you go for college?

After answering all of the questions and she typed for a couple minutes, she showed me the Labor Rights pamphlet and asked if I recognized it. I said I did and then she handed me a sheet and told me I was approved! If you have a reciprocity fee, you go to one last window to pay (they accept credit cards here) but I did not have to pay so I just left. The entire appointment took an hour.

All night Tuesday, all day Wednesday, and Thursday morning I continuously refreshed the status page online, only to find it was stuck on “Appointment”. Thursday morning, I received an email that stated that the Canada Post is going on strike. They offered me to pick up my passport at the consulate or wait out the strike. Of course, I replied that I would like to pick up my passport at the consulate, and they replied confirming that my passport is ready for pickup. They stated that passport pickup times are between 1:30PM-2:30PM. I arrive at 1:30PM and am turned away by security, and was told to come back at 2PM. At 2PM I come back and wait in line at the first desk (before the security check) to pick up my passport. I did not have to put away my electronics at all (I had my phone, watch, and laptop on me), but security did check inside my bag to make sure I did not have any weapons. I showed my US license to the staff member and they handed me my passport. Now I have my passport and am leaving to go back to the US tomorrow (Oct 19).

Overall it was a very stress-free and smooth appointment for me! I made sure to bring literally every document I could think of (tax returns, bank statements, employer letter, diplomas, pay stubs, I797 petition, LCA, payment receipt, birth certificate and translation, etc. etc.) but in the end they only asked me for my I797 and appointment confirmation letter. I hope my experience helps people here - please feel free to ask any questions.