Consular processing - how long does it take?

[megahunt]

Dear forum members,

When someone gets selected in the H1B lottery and the petition was filed as consular processing, that person has to go to a US embassy abroad to activate the visa.

How long does that person have to stay in the foreign country? Could he/she fly back on the same day he/she arrived, or is an extended stay required?

Thanks.

[scientist2016]

No extended stay needed. All that is needed is your passport to have the visa stamped. This might take anywhere from a couple of days to few weeks/months.

[megahunt]

No extended stay needed. All that is needed is your passport to have the visa stamped. This might take anywhere from a couple of days to few weeks/months.

Hi Scientist, thanks for the reply.

Not sure if I got your message right.

My question is: Can someone drawn in the lottery fly to Canada/Mexico on October 2nd and then re-enter the same day on H1B? Or do you have to stay abroad until your passport is ready (which can take "a couple of days to few weeks/months").