Visa Stamping from Canada/ Mexico

Hi,

   I'm Indian National in US on H1B, I'll be switching to new employer and planning to go to Canada for stamping after the h1 transfer. Is there are requirement/pre-requisite to go for H1 stamping in Canada? wondering if I will be re-directed by consulate to go to India for stamping.

I highly appreciate any insights into this.

Thanks

Venkatesh

I got my visa stamping done 2 weeks back , as easy as it could get, no questions asked, FT with a Canadian company in USA 4+ years. Previous stampings India 2008 (L1), India 2011 (H1B), Mexico in 2014 (H1B).

1. Interview Wednesday morning. Don't carry big items like bags and strollers, they make you leave somewhere across the street. They keep small items like fitbit etc that you can collect after interview.
2. Visa officer (Asian guy counter 3 or 4) didn't ask for any document except Passport and I-797. Did something on computer and kept acting weird and kept noding his head doing something on computer for a minute. It was a little funny for that moment :).
3. Said visa approved, I dint ask when can I pick it since the guy before me asked and VO didn't answer.
4. Next morning Thursday, status changes to Admin Processing. Left for sightseeing.
5. Came back in the evening and status changed to issued and shipping label created.
6. Friday got a pickup email at 9:30iish.
7. Picked the passport from Canada Post office (need some id, DL etc).
8. Took Bus from Pacific central station at 4:00pm Friday ($45) and back to Seattle around 7:45. At border they issued new I-94 for $6.

We (my wife and me) are clinical researchers. We went for first time H1b visa stamp (from J1). Had travelled a lot and can say that visa interview at US embassy in Ottawa was one of best experiences. Everyone was so friendly.
Interview was around 11. Was allowed to bring in my toddler. No backpacks allowed. document folder allowed. At first counter, passport and I-757 was checked. Went for finger print and pic. Infact, I had my put my DS-160 number wrong while taking appointment but no issues.
In front of me, there were 3-4 people. A young pretty lady took interview. I guess all got approved. At interview, typical questions - what to you do, previous visa, did you get waiver and thats it? Only J waiver document checked in my case (May be because lot of my work are on internet so its easy to see my work and profile which she saw).
I stayed in Syracuse a night before and travelled to Canada (from Syracuse, USA) the same day. At Canada border , it took me just 15 min (I crossed around 7 AM at thousand islands crossing). Typical questions asked.
Got parking near embassy. parked for 2 hours but I guess we came out in an hour or 90 min, max.... Overall, it was easy. waiting for passport.

Hello all,
Thanks to the team who are managing this forum and providing all the valuable information on H1b Stamping.
I have attended my H1b Extension Stamping in Ottawa on October 14th, 2016, but unfortunately I was issuesd a 221G for further review. I am on EVC model and here is my experience

What do you do?
What projects do you work on?
Are you full time with employer?
How much per month do you get paid?
How do they pay you?
How many employees are currently under this employer?
How did you find this employer?
Was your previous visa issued with the same employer?
Do you have an End Client?
Do you work at client location?
What is your highest degree?
Is it a US Degree?
Do you have an End client letter?
Give me your end client and DS-160 confirmation?

That's it, VO kept my End client letter and DS-160 confirmation page and returned my Passport back and mentioned that they need to do further administration processing on my case and they will provide me a status in a week
Via email. However, the VO stated that we are not sure about the estimated time when they will get back to me.

I am thinking that they might do my employment verification. Did anyone face the same situation? If yes, how long did it take for them to respond back with the status? I need to make my accommodation plans, so appreciate your suggestions and advice?

Hi Friends,

I am planning to visit Mexico for renewing my L1 visa during October / November. Can anyone please let me know the available dates specifically in Tijuana. This is really important for me as I already missed one Visa appointment in Canada because of a family emergency.

Based on the dates, I will decide to go either to Mexico or India. I promise I will post my experience here to be helpful for future visa applicants.

Many thanks in advance.

Hello,

I have visa interview scheduled on Oct 26th, I'm looking for a shared accommodation. If any one is interested in sharing a room, please contact me @ [email protected]. Thank you!

Hi All,
Myself went for H1B stamping on 12th Oct and wanted to share my experience .

I stayed at Capital Hill Hotels & Suites which is a 10 min walk to the embassy.

Interview was at 9:00 a.m

I reached the embassy at around 8:45 and did not have to wait there (cold weather)

Step 1: At the entrance, an office would check if we have the appointment and would let us in 15 mins prior to appointment. (going early is not worth waiting in the cold weather)

Step 2: Inside, a lady checked the passport, DS160 & I797 and sticked label on the cover of the passport.

Step 3: security check

Step 4: Check-in done at one of the Counter 6 or 7 (photos can be updated if you a new photo to be provided for stamping)

Step 5: Finger Prints done at counter 5

Step 6: ready to enter the interview queue

Interview questions:

VO: Who is your client and what they do?
Me: XYZ and they are into healthcare business

VO: When did you start with this client?
Me: I am working for this XYZ client from 2008 (she was little surprised about longevity)

VO: What is your highest level of education?
Me: Bachelors in Engg

VO: She asked me about my GC process and status?
Me: Yes and mentioned the status

VO: Your visa is approved and will receive an email in few days.
Me: Thank you and have a good day.

Hope this info helps.

Hi all,

Me and my wife went to have our visa's stamped for H1B (renewal) and H4(Change of status from F1 to H4). Wanted to share my experience as it was helpful for me to read through some of them here in immihelp.

We stayed near by the US Consulate at Byward Blue Inn (walkable distance around 5 mins).

Interview was at 8:15am.

Step 1: They will check your passport, Ds160 and photos
Step 2: Security Check.
Step 3: Finger prints and Photos Scan (They will ask for Ds160, I797, passport and photographs)
Step 4: You will be sent to the interviewer

Basic questions were asked.

VO to me: can i have your Ds160 forms and passports, What do you do, Who is your end client, What is your highest level of education.

VO to my wife: Do you work, What do you do, Do you have H4 EAD, what is your highest level of education.

Verified our finger prints and said our visas are approved.

Hope this information helps!!

Would like to share H4 visa experience hoping that some people might get benefited.

My wife went to Ottawa, Canada for her H4 visa stamping. We had 2 petitions.
First one valid until Jan 2017 and second one valid from Jan 2017 to jan 2020.

Visa officer has asked standard questions like what does your husband do? Why did you come to canada for stamping? Why didn't your husband come for stamping?

My H1b visa stamping expires on Jan 2017 and I did not go for stamping based on my new petition (valid from jan 2017 to Jan 2020).

Initially visa officer was not sure if she can give H4 visa based on new petition as the primary (H1b holder) has not yet gone for visa stamping based on new petition.

Visa office talked to her supervisor and confirmed that H4 visa can be issues on new petition as well AS LONG AS OLD & NEW PETITIONS BELONG TO THE SAME EMPLOYER.

My wife's H4 visa was approved.

After we have received passport we found that visa was issued untill Jan 2017 though visa officer confirmed that visa could be given till Jan 2020.

We have sent email to Ottawa consulate mentioning the same. They has requested to send passport back via courier (there is no in-person service available in ottawa, canada).

My wife has sent her passport and received her passport back with correct visa stamping after 3 days.

Hope this information helps you in your visa interview preparation.

All the Best.

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to confirm if it is possible to go to Canada or Mexico Tijuana for my initial H1-B Stamping and if anyone can share there experience briefly that would be great. I am kind of nervous as it is my first time.

Thank you All!!