Visa Stamping from Canada/ Mexico

I’m trying to find a slot at Toronto consulate to get my h1 stamping in July/August 2021. Would appreciate if someone can share or answer below questions please..

1. Are the borders open between US and Canada so I can fly to Toronto for visa stamping?
2. Are the regular appointments available in July/august 2021 at Toronto consulate?
3. Can we be able to change the locations between consulates (Toronto and Hyderabad) based on visa dates availability?

Hi,

I got my H1B visa stamping done in Calgary on June 28th and would like to share my experience with folks here.

I initially filled DS 160 for Ottawa consulate and requested for expediated process on May 27th. The request was approved on May 28th but was asked to wait for the date from consulate. On June 23rd, after waiting for a month, I filled another DS 160 for Calgary(paid another fee) and requested expediated process. I got approval the very next day June 24th and asked me to come to consulate on June 28th. Ironically, on the same day, Ottawa came back with July 28th as my new date. (I cancelled the appointment after I got my visa in calgary)

For my appointment at Calgary on June 28th, I flew from Toronto the day before. I stayed at a Marriott which is 4 mins walking distance to the consulate.

In the 1st counter, they asked for my DS 160 confirmation page, Canadian residency proof, 797 and passport

Counter 2
VO: GM. What visa are you applying for?
Me : H1B
VO : Have you worked in usa?
Me : Yes from 2012-2018
VO : What does you company do?
Me : Its a consulting company providing IT solutions/services to client etc
VO : How did you get this job?
Me : I applied online and interviewed with them. Then they offered me position
VO : What is you highest education?
Me : MS from US
VO : What is your current role in canada ?
Me : Told about my current job
VO : Why are you leaving you job in canada and going to USA?
Me : I told im contracting here and the role in USA in FTE.
VO : What is your work location? is it petitioner or client?
Me : I told it would be client.
VO: Who is the client?
Me : Told the client and the location
VO : your visa is approved and you will get in mail in 1 week.

I picked up my passport from Toronto canada post on July 5, 2021.

There were couple of L1 visa people who got way more questions than I did from the same VO.
I also think that Calgary is giving the appointments earliest compared to Ottawa and Toronto.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Good Luck.

Please let me know the status change timeline. The status shows administrative processing for the last few days. Anyone on the same boat? When can we expect the passport issued/release status?

Hello Everyone

Anyone has upcoming H1B Non-Emergency Appointments for Third Country Nationals at Matamoros Mexico Consulate?

Did anyone receive cancellation notification lately for July and Aug months. Mine is in Aug and I booked it 6 months ago and have not received cancellation email yet.

Wanted to check if Non-Emergency Appointments are still getting cancelled for Third Country Nationals at Matamoros /Mexico consulate.

Hello All - sharing my experience below.

Case: L1A Blanket
Location : Ottawa Embassy

Profile Created - 8 April, 2021
EA applied (Toronto) - 12 April, 2021
EA denied (Toronto) - 14 May, 2021 (this 1 month was very stressful considering earlier Toronto was approving within 10 days)
EA applied (Ottawa) - 20 May, 2021 (created new DS-160, Paid fees again, applied with almost same content as Toronto - the only extra information I mentioned is that I am PR and currently living in Canada)
EA approved email received - 21 May, 2021 (For EA mail content - it was specific to company, project, my skill set, $Mn impact if I can't move etc.)
Interview Scheduled email received - 26 May, 2021
New Interview Date - 22 June, 2021
I had booked Mariott Downtown Byward Market - just 5 mins walk to Embassy from this hotel.

Reached at 10 mins early, guard asked us to come back after 10 mins. Roamed around and came back after 10 mins. Was escorted inside after verifying DS-160. After initial screening, went inside. Security asked to go to Counter 6 for document verification and payment. There were 4 candidates ahead of me.

At Counter 6 Officer took my L1A documents (2 copies are needed). Took the money orders for the interview. Ottawa takes only money orders (no other mode available now and I had emailed earlier to get this information). Arranged all of the documents in order and gave back to me. It took around 10 mins.

Counter 2:
VO : Good Morning
Me : Good Morning officer, how are you doing? (Gave the documents)
VO : Doing Good, how are you?
Me : Doing good, thank you
VO : Looking at the kid - His passport?
Me : He is US Citizen
VO : What is your status in Canada
Me : PR
VO : Which Visa you are applying for
Me : L1A
VO : So, you work for YYYY company?
Me : Yes
Vo : What is your proposed role?
Me : answered
VO : What would be your responsibilities?
Me : Said just 3-4 well prepared sentences
VO : Will you have HR responsibilities
Me : Yes (i assumed she meant Hire/Fire authority)
VO : What was your last work visa?
Me : H1B
VO : How long were you in US?
Me : answered
VO : (To my wife) Will you be working in US?
Wife : No
VO : Do you work here? Which company
Wife : Yes, answered
VO : Will you accompany him?
Wife : Yes, will take leave from company
VO : (Back to me) Will you work in Client location or your office location
Me : Client location
VO : Where is it located
Me : provided the address
VO : Were you ever in US on L1 (L1B or L1A)
Me : No
VO : Were you ever on Student Visa in US?
Me : No, (seeing her asking these questions I clarified) I had B1/B2 and have been in US few times for tourism and business meetings
VO : Ok, I see (pause for few mins - typing something)
VO : Which one do you consider your base location?
Me : Canada. I live here in Canada
After some more time and typing on her computer..
VO : Everything is fine with your application. You will receive the passport within 1 week
She gave me back one copy of I-129S with Approved stamp, date and other stamps
Me : Thank you, have a good day!

She did not say "Approved" though :)

It was around 10-15 mins interview. Was in and out of embassy within 45 mins. Not complaining, but personally I felt she asked too many questions comparing with others who shared their experience here. But again, each visa officer is different and so is each case. She denied 2 student visas before me while we were waiting in line.

DS-160 Status
In process 22 June
Administrative Processing 23 June
Issued 24 June (I had applied Premium Delivery so tracking number was also provided this day)
Received Stamped Passports 25 June

Planning to drive to US in July.

Just Hang in there folks. All the best!

Today, Somehow i saw 15th July 2021 open slot at Toronto consulate and booked it. not sure if July appointments are still ON at Toronto location?

Checking to see if July-2021 regular (non-emergency) H1B appointments are cancelled or still scheduled at Toronto consulate for anyone?

Thanks in Advance.

Hi All,

Just want to understand if regular H1B stamping appointments are being honored in Toronto consulate. Anyone had their regular appointments recently? I see that some slots opened today morning briefly for July, Aug and Sep 2021.

Hi all, I Wanted to check if I should book for biometrics appointment separately while applying for H1b stamping from Canada (similar to VAC appointment while applying in India), or is it done on same appointment day as the visa appointment and at same location?

Hi All,

I'm creating a new thread for the people who have their EA request approved but their date is not scheduled. Can you please share your consulate and dates details if your EA request is approved and scheduled.

Thank you.

Hi Guys,

Anyone has upcoming h1b appointment at Calgary consulate?

I have one on Aug17th. I wanted to ask if appointments are still getting cancelled?

did anyone receive cancelation notification lately?