Visa Stamping from Canada/ Mexico

I had my H1B and H4 visa appointment got schedule at Ottawa, Canada for June 24 2022. Suddenly, yesterday I got email that my appointment got cancelled. When I called embassy operator told me embassy has decided to cancel and they can not give any reason and you can not do anything. You just have to reschedule. Now, I got appointment for next year June 2023.

Hello All,

I filled DS-160 (Toronto, Canada) and system asked me to send in documents (IWP). Courier-in-receipt has instruction that "If you do not live in Toronto or its metropolitan area, you must send documents to Ottawa". Barcoded courier-in-receipt also has Destination as Toronto. I am travelling from USA and do not living in GTA/metropolitan area. (Being a Canadian PR) I provided local address outside of GTA.

1. Where should I send documents? Toronto or Ottawa?
2. If Ottawa, then - Is it ok to send documents to Ottawa when DS-160 was filled for Toronto?

Please share your thoughts/experience if anyone is in similar situation.

Hello, All,

I’d like to learn from members here about following:
1. My H1B stamp expired in Jan 2018. My new extension is due before Sept 2022. I’d like to go for stamping in Canada once new i797 available . Do you see any issues?

2. My wife came to the US on H4 (current stamp h4) and was approved for H1B in 2018. She needs to stamp the new H1B (changed 2 employers too). Is this type of case being processed in Canada?

Thanks,

Just adding my timeline here for H1B/H4 dropbox stamping at Ottawa in case it helps anyone.

Sent Docs : April 11th
Received Docs: April 13th
Application Received Date: April 18th
Admin Processing: April 20th
Issued : April 21st
Travel Doc Return Notice: April 22nd
Passport Received : April 25th

Hi All, I have dropped off my H1B application (dropbox option) at Toronto consulate via IWR process and my application has been in a "Received" status since April 5th. My offices are reopening from April 2nd and I am required to return back to the office as well.

Can someone help me out with what the process is for expediting the decision on my H1B ?

Thank you all!

Application delivered : April 13th
Application received :April 19th
Application updated on April 20th but status didn’t change.

Received an email to send latest photo. Expected to deliver the photo by April 26th ( Canada post is super slow)

Hi All,

I am on Work Permit in Canada and not a resident or a citizen, living in Vancouver, BC.. I completed my DS160 and was wondering if I can choose the "citizen or permanent resident option" that would qualify me for the H1B visa Interview Waiver Program. The US travel website mentions :

"This new authorization applies to temporary workers applying for H-1, H-3, H-4, L, O, P, and Q visas who meet certain conditions, including that they are applying for a visa in their country of nationality or residence. Under this authority, consular officers have discretion to waive the visa interview requirement for individual petition-based H-1, H-3, H-4, L, O, P, and Q applicants who were previously issued any type of visa, and who have never been refused a visa unless such refusal was overcome or waived, and who have no apparent ineligibility or potential ineligibility"

When I try to schedule for a waiver Dropbox slot, it doesn't take any option for Work Permit rather it requires you to be a citizen or on a Canadian PR. Isn't this contradictory to what the US website mentions?

I called the Vancouver consulate Non Immigrant Visa help desk and they did not agree to the fact that Work Permit holders can apply for waiver program. They kept asking me if I satisfy all criteria, which I do not because I am not a citizen or on PR. But, I see few posts here that says people on WP were able to get a waiver. How is this possible?

If I select "citizen or permanent resident" option and provide my Work Permit and any proof of legal residency, as mentioned in travel.gov website, and submit my documents for Dropbox, will my Visa be rejected? Or do they refuse to process it? (I believe refusal to process and rejection of visa are two different things).

What do you advice me to do in this scenario? I got my H1B pick in Nov 2021 and when I tried to create a dummy account to check for In person interview availability, it says the earliest in Nov 3 2022, which is ridiculously long. What other options do I have? Go back to India and try Dropbox there?

Thanks in Advance

Little late in posting. We sent passport for H-1 and H-4 stamping to Ottawa.

Mailed documents - 31st March
Received documents - 4th April
Application Received - 8th April
Visa Issued - 11th April
Passport received - 13th April

Friends

I am looking for visa stamping dates in Canada before October 2022, can you please help me if you see any of the dates. Thank you in advance.

Post your timelines here:

Mailed the documents = 4/4
Received the documents = 4/6
Created Case = 4/6
Application Received = 4/6