Visa Stamping from Canada/ Mexico

Hi folks,
I have been a silent reader of this website and have immensely benefitted from the experience of everyone who shared their experiences. I thought of giving it to this community and sharing my experience.

I had the H1b interview in Vancouver on 2/16/2017 around 11 AM. reached there by 10:40. had a queue of around 7-8 people, took around 25 minutes to clear the security process, fingerprinted and was in another queue for the actual interview. I did see a rejection of Panjabi family, not sure what their visa class was, I was called in for the same window.

I was called in around 20 minutes in this second queue.

Me: Good morning officer
VO: Good morning, (nodded).

VO: looked in the computer was entering few things after he asked passport and I-797.
what do yo do:
Me: Answered

VO: Where did you go to college and masters?
Me: Answered

VO: You have approved I-140?
Me: Yes, I do.

VO: Can I have a copy?
Me: Provided copy

VO: Your salary
Me: answered exactly from W2- also was about to hand over my W2 and Salary slips, what I carried with me.
VO: I am good, thanks.

VO: Where do you work?
Me: Answered

VO: Took another good minute to clicks few things in computer- (most anxious waiting time among all for me). Picked green paper where I could read about tracking and all other stuff and he said, your visa is approved and you should get your passport back in 3-5 business days.
Me: Thank you, officer, have a good rest of your day.

This was my 3rd stamping and first outside India. I did cancel my visa interview in India given all the noise around and also my travel time in India is short.
Just be yourself and confident. You have nothing to hide and they know everything about you anyway, so just be open and answer confidently.

I wish all the best to everyone, whoever is planning to attend.

By the way- I had "Necessary Administrative processing status" as of this morning and by 3:30 PM, I got the email from consulate about document ready and in another 30 minutes from Canada post with pick up information. This is Friday so might have to wait till Monday, which I am happy to in beautiful Vancouver.

Again good luck.

let me know if you have any questions.

Hi Viewers,

I have family urgency to go india, so i have planned first to go canada for my h1 stamping from USA.
can any one tell me any interview slots available in March 1 or 2nd weeks at vancouver / calgary???
vancouver or calgary is best visa success rate in canada? pls let me know ASAP.

Thanks Advance!!!

Hi - I'm planning to drive from Boston to Canada for H1b stamping in the month of Mar/Apr, let me know if anyone already schedule or planning to schedule h1b stamping.

All,

I have i797 valid till Dec - 2019. I would like to get H1b restamping done in Canada/Mexico. I was wondering if its possible and in case if there is RFE then travel back to USA on i797 based on automatic revalidation 30 days rule.

Will Appreciate your response.

My visa appointment was on Feb 14th at 8:15 am. Got there at 7:45am and finished the routine process of appointment letter check and security scanning by 7:55am. Was called to a window at 8am. They took my finger prints and verified my I797 and scanned my passport photo. They took a photocopy of my I797.

Then I went to another line to wait for the visa interview. Was called to the window by the VO, within a minute or two.

VO Questions:

1. What do you do in the US?
I told them "I work at client location <client name> through my employer <employer name> as a <client location role>"

2. How long have you worked for this employer?
I told them the # of years.

3. How long at this client location?
I told them the # of years.

4. Do you invent anything?
I said NO. My job starts after the design is ready.

Then the visa officer said "your visa is approved. expect your passport in 3-4 business days".

I came back to my hotel. I saw that my case status was "Administrative processing" and that it can take upto several weeks. I freaked out. I made a reservation for stay for the next 1 week and was imagining the worst. But this morning (Feb 15th) I got an email that my document has been shipped back to me. So the "administrative processing" is a routine status.

Some details about me - I have an approved I140, worked on my H1B for 10 years, my employer is my client's preferred vendor (no layers).

If you have more questions, please ask and I am willing to respond.

Below is my H1b renewal stamping experience at Mexico city.

I attended ASC on 2/13 7:30 AM and it took just 15 minutes for the whole process. The Consular appointment is today 2/14/2017 7:45 AM. Reached there by 7:20 AM and after finishing the security security waited in the hall. The counters open only at 8 AM I guess. I went to counter 40. There was a lady visa officer. Here are the questions.

First time or renewal

Company work with?

What do you do?

How long you are working?

Then handed over the rights form and was told the visa is approved but will take 4-6 business days because of the work load. I have requested if can be given before. The visa officer said I can try, but don't plan like this in future, you need to give a week time at least. I said sure and came back. The whole process took one hour.

The status is still showing administrative processing. Any idea how many days to take to update to issued?

Hi,

I just had my interview today at Toronto office, Following are questions

VO : What is your education ?
VO: What is your yearly salary ?
VO: Have you updated your skills since your last H1B Approval ?
VO: What is your status in Canada ?

VO: Your visa is approved!

Before me the same VO refused visa to someone but that guy had a criminal case pending.

Gist : If your case is genuine then none of what is happening in US is going to impact your visa stamping.

I had my interview today (9th Feb). It was simple and straight forward.

Questions:
1. How long you have been working for current company? (10 yrs : including India,US and Canada exp for same employer)
2. What your company do? (product based, explain what we do)
3. What you will do in US? (functional manager)
4. How many reportee? (12 )
5. What are their designations?
4. How many customers for our product ? Can you name few ?
5. Education? (for me and spouse)

I had my previous L1B visa, officer checked that one.

Overall I didn't face or saw any issues. They were only 2 officers conducting actual interview. I was really impressed with their attitude in trying to grant Visa. Only saw few denials for Business visa. But all work and student visa went through.

Funny observation: One guy asked officer what is the process to apply for GC. Officer said i'm not agent. Still he got Visa approved. So don't rely on rumors. if you think your case is genuine then they won't create any problem.

Hi All,

It was quite a smooth experience. Interview was on Feb 7th early morning and it took about 15 to 20 minutes.I got my passport within 2 days(Feb 9th) through Canada postal service.

Other important things:
1.Incase if you miss to upload your recent photo to DS160,carry 2 copies of recent photo with you.
2.Just arrive 15-20 minutes before your interview. You will be sent back if you be there early.
3.You can carry your jacket, cap, gloves inside the Consulate.
3.Canada weather: It is really cold, wear thermals, snow boots,cap, jackets and good pair of gloves

Please find the few of the questions,

1.Current Role
2.Company details
3.Client details
4.Client location
5.Current project details

Does anyone have a visa appointment in Ottawa on Feb 13th?