Visa Stamping from Canada/ Mexico

My case is very straight forward, this was my 4-5th H1B stamping. Had my H1B interview today, people were super nice, mostly ladies. Played with my kids ,and asked some random questions, which didn't bother me at all. Only one question i didn't like, she kept asking if you have attended any college in USA, which i said no, and she kept asking again and again. Finally checked with her colleague, and came to me and said VISA approved, please collect your passport on Friday.

Anyone else been asked for college/education in USA?

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

I had my interview on April 4th. Got 221G green slip. Returned passport and 797. Status changed to last updated to 9th April. Got email to submit some dodcuments on 10th April. Sent on 12th April. Received by USCIS by 15th April afternoon. Got call on Tuesday afternoon to confirm on client details. USCIS called client on same day around 3PM. Got email from TRTFPU for some petition approval copies and employment itinerary on 16th April. Sent copies on 19th April through email. Make sure you respond in a different email. Do not respond to the same email. Got another email from TRTFPU on 24th Oct for some more confirmations. Sent confirmation on the same day. Another email for more confirmations on 25th by noon. Responded same day by 2PM. USCIS called on same day for some more confirmations. Waiting for update.

Can anyone please help me with current available dates for Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec etc? I want to book if it's available in next 15-20 days. I see first available is after 30 days only but not sure about exact date. Any help would be much appreciated.

My h1b was approved during the interview but in the evening got a email for client letter and work history . Did anyone faced the situation? Tjanks

Hi Guys,

This is my second stamping at Ottawa.
I went today oct-29 Monday
Q1: Is this your first year on H1?
Q2: Are you working with same employer since your first h1
Q3: salary
Q5: Client location and name
Q4: highest qualification
Q5: explain your project/thesis

She gave booklet to read employee rights and asked me what I learned from it.
 

Your visa is approved collect on Thursday 3pm

Is anybody going to Calgary on or around Dec 13th. Feel free to reply and may be we can find a way to travel together!

Please let me know if anyone has understanding what is premium delivery service, since Canada post is on strike, i want to know if this will help to get my passport back to my preferred address in Canada without having extra trip to Ottawa to collect the passport.

Thanks to all who shared their experiences
FTE at a company,no end clients working directly for them since F1 OOT
Had my H1B stamping at Ottawa last week. Security checked my ds-160 at the gate. Let me in for my appointment. Passed through security,collected my gum and lip balm.

Went to first window for picture scanning
Went to next window for finger prints. Asked if this was my first H1B responded saying yes
Went to join the line for interview

Interview:

Officer: So you are changing your status?
Me: yes please from F1 to H1B

Officer: read job description from application and asked a question from it
Me: Responded with answer
Officer: Yes i see how that would be associated with job

Officer:Asked about recent travel in last 5 years
Me: Responded,only Europe and Canada

Officer: Asked about family in the states
Me: Responded,i have siblings in the states

Officer: asked about annual pay
Me: Responded with amount

Officer: Asked if i have read the pamphlet about my rights in the states
Me: No please
Officer: Gave me pamphlet and asked me to go through it

Officer: Mentioned Canada Post is on strike,come to embassy to pick up passport in 3 days,there will be no update on the website
Me:Thank you officer,have a nice day

H1b visa stamping in Vancouver BC Canada. I am coming from Oregon United states. I have visited canada couple of years back on visitor visa.

Filled DS-160 on Sept-27th. Got visa appointment for Oct-23-2018

Oct-22 - Arrived in the evening
- Couple of hotels near U.S consulate for the stay (Ramada or Days Inn)
Oct-23
Reached US consolate at 7:02 AM.
People are entering inside based on the time slots assigned during booking the interview.

Step1: They will check your DS-160 and Passport and I797. They will also ask for a photo so they can scan inside.
NOTE: Please get your photo with you. I saw someone did not get it. But they got a booth inside the consulate where you can pay $10 and get the photo.

Step2: First Security check
Phone is not allowed and they list of other things that are not allow. Please check on website for the list.
In VANCOUVER consulate you can submit your phone which can be collected after interview.

Step3: Second Security check
they will check all the documents. YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY SEALED ENVELOPS.

Step4: Photo scan will be done here

Step5: Finger print taken here

After all of the above steps. Security Person will take you to 20th Floor.

Step6: Final Interview
- Is this your first time for H1b?
- For how long you are working for your employer
- What is your current role?
- What exactly you do for your employer?
- What is your annual salary?
- For how long you are working for this employer?

While asking these question. Continous typing was going on.

Your visa is approved. you will get your passport in couple of days.

Security gaurd will send you to main level. Have some starbucks coffee.

I was out around 8:15 am.

Step7: Collect your phone if you have deposited.

Document list I have prepared for myself:
- DS 160
- Appoitnment confirmation
- Original I797
- Employment verification letter
- LCA copy
- Employment offer letter
- 2 months pay stub
- 2 months bank statement
- 3 year W2 returns (Depending how long you have stayed in U.S)
- Previous I797 (if Any)
- Previous Employment letters(if Any)
- Educational Certificates