Visa Stamping from Canada/ Mexico

Hi I have my F1-H1b visa appointment in Calgary on 13th December , trying to know success rate at Calgary and also trying to get the passport pick up location to update .Thanks in advance

Hi,

I am new to the forum and looking to get stamping done in ottawa. Can somebody help me with available dates in jan 2019 . I am unable to see until i do my ds-160 and all.

Case : Job change, getting stamping done for new employer

Entered Embassy 8:20AM(for 8:30AM Appointment).

Step1,Took me about 10 minutes to get to entry reception, the lady checked DS160, photo, passport and 797, arranged in sequence, returned it to me with a slip on the passport.

Step2, Took me about 15 minutes to get to first window for check in, she just took documents and entered information in system. Took 2 minutes to complete this step.

Step3, Took me 2 minutes to get into next window for finger printing, took about 1 minute to get done.

Step4, Took me about 1 hour to wait in the queue for interview, took about 3-5 minutes time for interview.

Questions asked :
Why are you in Canada?
Your status in Canada?
Came for H1B?
Visa renewel? I said, no, new visa for new employer.
Salary?
Work Address?
How long have you been in USA?
Married?
Have children?
Approved. Passport can be collected in 3-4 days.

Important info :
Embassy - They allow Cell phones, key chains, wallet, umbrella, overcoats, etc. Were keeping keys, pen, Cellphones in locker and providing tokens.

Weather- Have winter boots on, It was snowing so winter clothing, Umbrellas are fine.
Area- There is Scotia bank next to embassy if needed to get some money withdrawn from BOFA Debit card. There are plenty(few Indians) of Restaurants around.

I did not see any other H1B candidates in queue. Most of the people were for B1/B2 visas.

I still have to check status online, and collect passport.

Hi ,
Can some one tell me if I have chances of getting visa slot in December in Vancouve for F1r.

I have booked for March, But i want to reschedule it to december because colleges starting in january.

Thanks

Hi anyone going to Vancouver on 4th Dec?

Hi guys,

I was on F1 OPT and got H1B. Status changed to H1b on Oct 1st. I am thinking about Calgary for stamping. Currently I am in the process of filling up DS160. One doubt:

What should I put as my home address and mailing address in the DS160? My USA address? I am worried that my passport my get shipped to the USA after stamping in Calgary. I am not a Canadian, so don't have a Canadian address either. Please advise.

Thanks in advance.

Hi All,

I am going to stamp my H1b for same employer 2nd time. Last time I did the same in Tijuana, Mexico.
Experience was pretty smooth. I needed 3 days - one for bio, one for interview and next day passport pick up.

This time, due to problems in Tijuana, I am going o Calgary, Canada.

I have few doubts:
- In canada do I need two appointments - one for Bio and one for interview?
- what is average time to get back passport once approved? I need to book my logistics there accordingly
- does any one know on available dates in Dec, 2018?
- do I need Canadian visitor visa to enter? (my h1b stamping has expired this year but my i797 valid till 2021)

This is first time I will be going to Canada for stamping.

Hello Guys,

This is my experience @ Matamoros, Mexico. Giving back to community and this information helps. My ASC and Visa interview dates are 26th, 27th November 2018.

Short brief about my case:
My last visa stamping done at Hyderabad consulate in 2014 from desi consulting. After 3 months I moved to new employer. Now, I am working as full time employee to the prime vendor (employer/my petitioner). Working with the same company from past 3.10 years. 60 days ago decided to visit India and see my parents, siblings, village, and friends. So googled whether go to India is good option or somewhere else. There was lot of recommendations not in India but anywhere else is Ok, because lot of 221G’s. Then I started which country to go. Where ever I go, risk will be the same but fast clearing of 221G’s is more important.

I did lot of research, finally, I found Matamoros, Mexico is final destination according to the https://usvisastampinginmexico.com/. I contacted them via WhatsApp and emailed and got some information about H1B visa processing in the mentioned location. As per their recommendation, I also got Mexican Visa (this is not mandatory however, it’s good to have in case if you get 221G or visa denial or go to home country etc.). I filled DS-160 and visa form. Generated the Payment form and sent it to https://usvisastampinginmexico.com/ them via email. Transferred the money to their business account with additional $50 (visa fee paid charges). Once fee paid, after 5 hrs I received a confirmation and then I booked visa appointment. Even I booked an appointment, I was still in dilemma whether go to stamping or not. Finally cross the border bridge at Brownsville, Texas.

I reached 1 day before to Brownsville, Texas and Check-in @ Motel 6 (choose because cheaper than other hotels/motels). Sunday afternoon Check-out from motel, had a lunch nearby and booked a cab and headed border bridge. As I mentioned earlier, I was be cautious to cross the border. After waiting 30 minutes in US soil, decided to cross the bridge. Paid $1 border crossing fee and entered into it mexico. Reached Mexican immigration office (Ernesto waiting for me to pick from there) and completed the formalities to enter into Mexico. Ernesto took us to hotel in Matamoros. We stayed there for some time and went out for walk (is it safe to walk in Matamoras? Yes. Roaming 3 to 4 members is completely fine).

1st day @ Matamoros, ASC center
Ernest dropped us 45 mins before the actual time. The day I went was windy and cold. Struggled more than 1 hour in the cold and finally went inside (Recommend to go with your jackets/sweaters etc. if you are going with your wife/husband with kid the security is allowing inside after 15 mins). (do not carry any electronic devices including smart watches, lip balms, food etc.)
They check the DS160 and passport information and enter something in their system.
Waiting for photo and finger prints in the specified area.
lady called and asked what is your full name, DOB, PP number etc. She capture photo and finger prints and put pass/sticker on the backside of the passport. She also notifies interview time @ US consulate.
The entire process @ ASC completed in 2 hrs.

2nd day @ USA consulate for Visa interview
Ernesto dropped 1 hour before (actual interview time 9:30 AM) . (do not carry the same items restricted at ASC). Security team looks serious but not like in Hyderabad but they friendly
Standing in the Q, one lady scanning the entry pass (this is from ASC on first day on ur backside passport) with mobile device and checking the information is correct or not. (two members information was incorrect, she took their passport and went inside and came back after 5 mins and handover their passports)
40-50 members sitting and waiting. security team calling 5-10 members at a time.
After entered, airport type checking
Once clears security, the person at the entrance take your passport, write some information on a slip. There is another person helps you to find a place to sit and what counter you need to visit for document verification.
At Matamoros, Doc verification counters are 7,8,9 (my observation)
I went at counter 9, the person asked my passport, i797. Checking something in the system, and asked what is your employer name. I said xxxxxx. He replied, are you working with the xxxxx company? I said Yes. He shown i797 to me asked again are you working with xxxxxx company? I said Yes.
He return all documents and ask me to go back to sit.

After 5 minutes, I moved to another Q for visa interview. Along with me there is a lot of people waiting for their turn.
Sitting for more than 30 mins in waiting area. The one who initially helped, came to us and said go to standing Q. There was 3 people waiting for their turn. The same guy came and asked me to move counter 5 Q. I was standing in front counter 5 Q.
In front of me there was one H1B candidate interview is going on.. VO is a lady and asking lot of questions to him. Based on his questions, I was preparing for my interview and what to answer or not. After 10 mins of drilldown to him, his visa was approved and he left from the counter. I was waiting for my turn and looking to the counter and VO called me.

Interview with VO at Matamors, Mexico

Me: Good Morning! Madam.
VO: She did not look at me but she moved her head

VO: Passport please
Me: passed.

VO: do you have i797
Me: Yes, passed

VO: she is checking something in her system and asked, how long you are working with the company?
Me: xxxxxx years and xxxxx months

VO: What is your company name?
Me: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

VO: Do you work for your company or client?
Me: Client

VO: What is your client name?
Me: xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

VO: Do you have any documentation to prove you are working at client?
Me: pass the client letter (she took some time to read the entire document 2 pages and asked your employer name not mentioned in the document. I replied page number and lane number my employer name listed there (i read multiple times :)) . She look back and underlined it)

VO: Do you have any letters?
Me: Yes. (but she did not ask)

VO: Where is your client located?
Me: xxxxxxx

VO: What you do to the client?
Me: explained in a minute with a USA consulate example. She smiled and she said excellent.

VO: How much do you make?
Me: replied

VO: What is your highest qualification?
Me: replied

VO: How long you are in this country?
Me: xxxxxx years and xxxx months.

VO: Your visa APPROVED and gave pickup slip and said come and pick your passport after 3 PM.
Me: Thanks! Appreciated.

It took 10 minutes to go through the interview process. But the whole process for the 2nd day is about 2 hours.

Passport pick-up.
 Check-out the hotel @ 1:00 PM.
Ernesto took us restaurant for lunch @ 1:30 and spent time till 2:40 PM and reached to USA consulate at 2:45 PM and waiting in the Q.
Again airport security checking process
Sitting in the PP collection area, they are calling the names. I heard my name, walk to the counter with USA ID/old passport to prove you are the person to collect your passport.

At i-94 (departure update record) office
Ernesto dropped the border bridge to enter into USA.
You need your passport handy, because CBP officers checks/verify your passport before approach to i94 office.
Also, you need 4 quarters coins to open the turn style gate to enter into USA
There are few folks waiting in the Q. Show passport at the entrance, to get some info card.
CBP Officers check each and every departure record there.
Waiting for my turn, CBP called to the counter.
At counter, he asks the passport and i797 and pass it.
How long you are working with this company? Replied.
He check something in his system and after 5 mins, he collects $6 for i94 fee and attach i94 card to my passport and then back to USA soil.

All the best guys.

Hi All,

I had my H1b visa stamping interview on 11/26/2018 in Ottawa, Canada. The visa was approved and was given white paper of instructions to track the passport. The tracking still shows Administrative Processing.

My friend for H4 visa stamping who had interview the same day already received the passport the next day (11/27/2018). While i am still waiting for my passport.

Does any of other people on same day or later already receive the passport?

Please reply.

I am changing status from F1 to H1B. I just got H1B approval status on the USCIS website. I am thinking of getting my first H1b stamp in Canada. I am trying to get Canada Visitor Visa, and am stuck at the following:

i. Do i need to scan I-797 (H1B Approval Notice) and provide that as a valid US visa for Canada Visitor Visa application?

ii. Can i show a train ticket from Vancouver to Seattle to show that my visit to Canada is temporary? or, maybe a flight from Canada to Mexico?