Visa Stamping from Canada/ Mexico

Hello,

September 23: Filled up DS160 and booked an appointment for Oct 19th
September 25: Reschedule an appointment to Oct 16th

Submitted DS 160 on Oct 7th (for Canada , you can submit DS 160 before interview but I would say please submit it before 10 days so embassy can have all the information from PIMS)

I had my visa appointment on October 16th in Vancouver and it went well . I shared my experience below . I drove from Seattle to Vancouver.
I have booked my hotel(Sunset Inn) near US Embassy as they have free parking for first day and then I have booked Airbnb in Barnaby. I had a plan to come back on Friday night if everything goes well and receive my passport.y Experience .

I had my Visa October 16th at 7:15

Was there on time 30 min before. They call the candidate based on your time slot so don't worry if you see long queue.

My Background - I work in EV model with One of the US based most popular consulting firm since 2.5 years. I have completed MS from US.

Please dont forgot to bring the recent photo otherwise security guy will not allow to enter to the embassy. Please dont bring any sealed envelop.

Good thing is that you can store your cell phone at security desk and you can get it back after interview.

Their customer service is very nice.

Visa Process at window 3 with lady VO:

VO - please give me your passport and I 797.

VO - What is your Job Title?
ME - Answer

VO - What is your salary?
ME - xxxxx

VO - What is your highest level of education?
ME - I did MS from USA.

Then vo typed something in computer and wrote my case number on pink slip, put it in passport with I 797 and wrote "sevis" on back of my passport and gave white slip for 221(g) and explained what is Admin Processing no case number was given.

She told me that we have to verify your sevis information and it would not take long time you will get your passport in 3 to 5 business days. So wait for an email.A pamphlet regarding the right of the immigrants were given by the VO .

After 2 hrs, they have changed the status to Admin Processing and Case last update date to Oct 16th, 2018.

Checked status on Oct 17 around 4 PM : Cast Last updated Date changed to Oct 17th, 2018
Checked status on Oct 18 around 10 AM : Cast Last updated Date changed to Oct 18th, 2018
Checked status on Oct 19 around 10:30 AM : Status updated to Issued but no tracking information was provided because of Canada post strike. I got an email at 12:30 pm to come to embassy to pick up the passport. from 2:15 to 3:15 from US embassy.
Got passport and came back to Seattle on same day.

Note: Please bring a copy of email for passport pick up if there is not name, passport number in your email.Based on my research , I have seen that now a days they are asking project, thesis information for Master Student. Please bring it with you along with CV and keep the project, thesis information in mind if they ask.
In Barnaby, there is an Iskon temple, Hindu temple next door and in Surrey, there are so many Punjabi restaurants and market (Payal supermarket) where you can have authentic Indian food test and there are so many Gurudwara so you can go if you like Langar.

Document which I took:
DS160 confirmation page
Photo
I-797
I-129
LCA copy
Employment Verification Letter
Employment Offer Letter
Employer Background history which I got it from employer
I-140 copy
Resume

Old Passport
Previous Approved I -797
Previous employment experience letter
Previous H1B petition

Client Letter
Last 3 months pay stub and bank statement
Last 3 years W2 and bank return

All I -20 (including OPT, CPT), University Acceptance Letter, OPT Card, Driving Licence
Project Thesis
Master/Bachelor Degree Certificate
Master/Bachelor Degree Transcript

Spouse Passport/Visa Copy
Marriage Certificate
Baby Birth Certificate

Thanks all for sharing you experiences.

Please let me know if you need any other information.

All the best for your Interviews