Visa Stamping from Canada/ Mexico

I went to H4 in calgary after 2 F1 rejections in vancouver earlier this month and on october 30th.
Slot 9:20 AM
VO: Good Morning!
Me: Good Morning Mam!

VO: Can i see your passport Please?
Me: gave my passport.

VO: Applying for H4?
Me: Yes Mam!

VO: I see that you are rejected twice in vancouver May i know why?
Me: Yes Mam. I got rejected twice i am not sure about the reason the VO didnt exactly told me the reason for rejection. I also think that i Did'nt convince the VO on that day.

VO: When did you get married and where?
Me: Told

VO: Please wait for sometime i will get back to you. Go and have a seat.
ME: Sure. Thank you.

I was waiting in the wait area for almost 30 minutes.

VO 2: Please come to counter 7
Me: Sure

VO2: Asked so many questions about the wedding and the university i have attended.
Me: Told.

VO2: Please wait for sometime the VO who initially interviewd you will call you in sometime.
Me: Thank you.

VO1: We got all your documents and we need to verify few things under administrative process. We will get back to you in few days via phone or email. Please give me the copy of your husbands I797,LCA and the DS-160 I will make a copy. Also took a copy of my Wedding certificate.
Me: Sure, Here you go.

VO 1: You have a nice day look out for an email or a phone call from us.
Me: Sure Thank you.

I did not receive any slip. Got the passport back.

Case created: Nov 22nd 2019
Case last updated: Nov 26th 2019 Admin Processing..

Please let me know if any one has the same situation and how long does it takes for the administrative processing.

Thanks a lot for this immihelp forum which helped me a lot to prepare well and to get my L1B extension.

Interview Questions:
VO: Good Morning
Me: good Morning, How are you doing today?

VO: Thanks you, how are you?
ME: Thank you and I am good.

VO: Asked my documents
Me: passed my documents (Fee, I129S, I797, DS160, petion letter – which are bundled already at earlier counters)
VO: Checked documents and asked to pay Fee (Fraud detection Fee $500) at Cash counter and asked my wife and kid to wait at side.
Me: I paid $500 at Cash counter (paid through credit card)

Meanwhile she was taking interview to other people.

Once I came back with payment receipt, VO called us again.
VO: Give me documents
Me: Given the documents with Fee paid slip

VO: Company name
Me: I told about the company which I am working in USA & told the company which I was working in India
VO: How long you have been working
Me: Answered.
VO: did you apply specialized knowledge VISA
Me: Yes, I am in L1B Specialized Knowledge
VO: did you work for same VISA earlier
Me: Yes (Mine in L1 B Extension that’s why she might have asked this question)

VO: What work you do?
Me: I explained in few short points
VO: Take your rights to stay in USA
(VO gave USA stay rights and went inside for some time)
and VO came back after some time with stamps
She came back and wrote the dates of validity (2 Yrs validity of extension) on my I129S and stamped on I129S
VO: Your VISA approved and gave me one green paper to check the status and told to wait for 3 to 5 days to receive passports
Me: Thanks & have a good day

VO did not ask any questions to my wife and kid.

Date of Interview: 25th Nov 2019 time 8.15am
25th Nov 2019: (afternoon): Administrative Processing: Case created 21-Nov-2019
                                                                                        Case last updated 25-Nov-2019
26th Nov 2019: Administrative processing (morning)
• Application received (evening)
• Administrative processing (late evening again changed)
27th Nov 2019: around 10.30 am Changed to "ISSUED"
           11.00 am Received an email with courier tracking number
28th Nov 2019: Received passports around 12 pm at post office.

Hotel stay: Stayed near by US Consulate walkable to US consulate)
After 2 days I moved to Hotels around North Vancouver
If you want see tourist places in Vancouver, then do not forget to ask discount coupons for visiting places. Hotel people have discount coupons.

Let me know if anyone needs info from me.

Thank you all for sharing your experience in this form. Now it's my turn to share my visa interview experience.

Visa Slot: 7:45 AM

Regular security checkup and documentation verification (DS-160 Confirmation, I797A, Passport, latest photograph) after verification called for fingerprints at counter -4.

The Counter-5 Visa officer called for an interview.

VO asked the below question and gave a yellow 221g form and marked on wait for our call-in 221. Not sure how much time it will take to get my passport back. Anyone in the same boat or experienced the same situation in the past. Please share your experience.

1. Who is the employer?
2. how long you are working with this employer.
3. previously what you used to do?
4. what is your highest level of education.
5. which university?
6. Have you ever been out of status?

VO said , For some reason, your profile is indicating that you had been out of status we need to verify your profile and will call you in 2 - 3 days.

The VISA tracker is not updated to any status.

any body here waiting for passport pick up in calgary canada..

Long post, TL;DR All in all, a very efficient visa stamping trip. Out and back in 3 days total! No issues in Tijuana.

Background:

- FTE with multiple H1B renewals
- ASC appointment on Monday, Nov 4, consular appointment on Tuesday, Nov 5.
- Felt adventurous and booked an entire apartment on AirBnb in walking distance from the US consulate. The apartment was very well-rated with a Superhost, so it wasn't that much of an issue.

Sunday, Nov 3, border crossing

I flew in to San Diego, took an Uber to Las Americas mall. Uber was difficult to find when I put San Ysidro or Otay Mesa port of entry. By the time I reached Las Americas, it was already 5pm and the sun had set. I had tried to avoid coming in so late, but misjudged the time it will take to reach. So now, I would be going around Tijuana after dark. From Las Americas mall, crossed over into Mexico. I believe this was the Ped West crossing. Filled immigration forms and entered. At the end of all the walkways, reached a road where it seemed people were getting picked up. I could've done Uber, but I decided to take a taxi just to see if I can navigate to the AirBnb without a phone. Saw a few taxis that were standing to the right side on the curb. Approached one of them, who quoted USD 20 to go to Otay Constituentes. That was a ripoff, and I should've negotiated, but I wasn't sure of the price then. Note that this wasn't a red-and-white Taxi Libre, just a similar looking black-and-white one. Didn't see any Taxi Libres around, so had to pick this one. Anyways, the taxi driver knew Otay Constituentes, but more importantly, he had a smartphone. So all we had to do was plug in the AirBnb address and that took care of the directions. So there wasn't much navigating to do there. Reached the Airbnb, checked in, freshened up, made ready-to-eat dinner and slept off.

Monday, Nov 4, ASC appointment and taxi adventure

In the morning, had breakfast at a cafe walking distance from the Airbnb. The walk to and back was along the main road, so felt safe enough. Around 11:15, called an Uber to take me to the ASC for the 12pm appointment. Keep enough time for this, since cross-Tijuana traffic is pretty tight and it is best to keep enough time to reach your destination. Had to keep my phone locked in the bag back at the Airbnb. But a guy I met in the ASC line mentioned that there's a sort of visa agency in the same building as the ASC that provides locker facility. So I could've taken my phone with me.

Once at the ASC, the attendants assigned me to a line based on my appointment time. In the line, they checked my passport and DS-160 confirmation. After security checks, there is another document check where they just checked my passport and DS-160 again. Then finally the main window where they took my photo and fingerprints.

Once out of the ASC, I was planning to have lunch, but was too full from breakfast. So I decided to just head back to the Airbnb by taxi. Walked over to the busy intersection close to the ASC to see if I can hail a Taxi Libre. If I had had lunch close to the ASC in the restaurant next door, I could've asked them to call me a taxi. But anyways. Had to wait for a few minutes, since taxis don't come by frequently there. But finally, one Taxi Libre came by. I told him I need to go to Otay Consituentes near the US consulate and he quoted MXN 200. I was fine since anyways I didn't know when the next taxi would arrive.

Now this was an adventure. The taxi driver was a good man, but he only spoke Spanish. He had a totally different idea of where Otay Constituentes was. Turned out, he took me to a place on the other side of the US consulate from where I was staying. Since neither of us had a smartphone, it took a lot of going in circles until we finally reached an area which was familiar to me because I had walked around for breakfast in the morning. In hindsight, I should've just asked him to go to the US consulate and should've navigated from there. Thankfully, the driver was patient and helpful through this ordeal. Total cost 200 MXN + gave him a 20 MXN tip for helping out.

Tuesday, Nov 5, consular appointment

Took an Uber early morning to the Consulate for a 7:30am appointment. Didn't have much wait before entering, but they didn't allow the badge holder on my company badge in! Luckily the food cart outside the consulate can store items for you, and I kept it there. Once you get in, you go through security, then a line for document check and then wait for interview.

When I was standing in line for an interview window, saw a guy before me, who had just joined Google, so first time H1B stamping, undergrad degree, was being paid around $210k, who got his visa approved, but had to wait till the end of the week to get his passport back because they had to do some administrative processing. I thought looks like I'll end up in the same boat. When my turn came, the visa officer simply asked me the following:
- What's your job role?
- How much do you earn?
- Where did you do your Master's from?
- No documents were asked except for I-797
After a while, he cancelled my current visa and said your visa is approved and I can collect the passport the next day. Phew!

Once I got out of the consulate, walked to a cafe nearby (around 1.2 km), had brunch and walked back to the Airbnb. In the afternoon, I thought I'll try to see if the passport was ready. Reached the consulate around 3:30pm. Turned out a lot of people who had their interview in the morning had the same idea! However, none of us got our passports the same day. The officer at the counter also said that the next day, I need to be at the counter at 3pm, if not earlier. They close the counter as soon as they serve all the people present there. So if no one's in line, they can close the counter as early as 3:05pm!

Wednesday, Nov 6, passport pickup and back stateside

The day earlier, I had asked the hosts if I could check out at 1:30pm instead of at noon. They agreed, so I worked in the Airbnb till 1pm and then checked out at 1:30pm. Took an Uber to the Pizza Hut in nearby Plaza Alameda, had lunch, and then waited till around 2:20pm and then decide to leave for the consulate.

Upon reaching, they gave me a number and asked me to take a seat. At 3pm, they called us to line up according to our numbers. Got passport and everything was fine. Was out of the consulate by 3:30pm. Shared an Uber with a few other folks to Ped East crossing in San Ysidro. When we got close to the border crossing, we mentioned 'pharmacia' and the Uber driver understood which crossing we were heading to. The Uber dropped us at what seemed to be a busy road crossing. There was a tourist information hut there, and the man there pointed us to the way to the pedestrian crossing. Basically, we walk along the street marked as Rtno. Sentri on Google maps.

As you walk along this street, you'll first reach a gate where US CBP officers will check your visa. Then, you need to visit the building marked as US Customs House on Google maps, to get your I-94. This building will have a sign saying 'Permits'. Note that its easy to forget this step as no official will be there to tell you to do this. Once inside this building, you'll first pay the $6 fee for the I-94 at the cashier. Note that they need EXACT change. Then you proceed to the CBP officer who'll issue you your paper I-94. Check the validity on the I-94 to ensure that you've been given the correct duration. For H1B, they can give it for a max duration of 3 years from the date of issue, even if the last date on your visa is beyond 3 years. The officers in my case, looked like newbies, who were still getting used to the rules, and were being trained on the job.

Once out of the permits building, walked over to the port of entry. The CBP officers here were newbies too, and didn't know what to do with an H1B holder. She just asked me some simple questions, ensured that I had gotten by I-94, and let me through. Surprisingly, they didn't put an entry stamp in my passport, although my I-94 had already been stamped correctly. Later, when I emailed SFO deferred inspection site, they said that an entry stamp in passport is not required for land border crossing. So all was OK.

Once on the US side, took an Uber to a cafe, since my flight was late at 9:30pm. Hung out at the cafe, then headed to the airport, ate dinner there, and flew back.

- Where to stay:
- Airbnb vs hotel:
- Airbnb:
- You need to know the route in case you have to take a taxi without having your phone with you. In that case, definitely carry the phone number of your host, so you can call him/her using the driver's phone in case you get lost.
- Should have the following:
- Eating places close by or kitchen to cook your own food
- Good internet if you're planning to work
- Safe neighborhood
- Well-rated host
- Usually much cheaper than hotels.
- Hotel:
- No hassle stay
- Food usually available onsite.
- Locals generally know the route to the hotel.
- If you're working, ensure good internet connection, which can be hit or miss.
- Much more expensive

- Total cost:
- Visa cost: $190
- Agent's cost for paying visa fees in Mexico: $75.48
- Airline ticket: $122.96
- Airbnb cost for 3 nights: $111.30
        - Misc transportation + food for 3 days: $200
- Total: ~$430 excluding visa costs

Hello,
Visa Interview Date: 27th Nov 2019
Status: white slip 221g admin processing

Has anyone got white slip 221g at Vancouver location in Nov 2019?
Looking for suggestions on how long this might take?

Hello, I am looking for some slots in Canada, but latest ones are for 2020 Feb.

Since I already have a Canada PR, I now need to activate it and get H1B stamped as well this december.

Please advise if slots can become available if some one cancels or not?

Thank you.

Hi,

I have booked Interview slot on January 9th at Ottawa, I got my H1B extension approved until December 2022. I got my perm approved and will be filing I-140 by end of November. I work at end client EVC Model since 3 years and for the same employer 4 years. can you please let me know what possible documents i need to carry during H1B interview apart from the listed below?

I was in CAP Gap and upon RFE i moved to CPT status from August 22nd to September 30th during my first H1B approval and dropped masters program after October (Got confirmation from DSO and submitted drop out form) can you please suggest me if any documents are required here?

1. Passport with 6 months of validity
2. Visa appointment confirmation page
3. DS – 160 confirmation page
4. Present LCA
5. Present I - 129
6. All I – 797’s from the start
7. employment verification letter with duties and yearly salary
8. Client letter
9. client badge
10. vendor letter
11. all pay stubs
12. all w2’s
13. all tax returns
14. All education documents – All I-20’s, transcript and diploma (Matser’s, B.tech)
15. Employer contact numbers
16. Client contact numbers
17. resume
18. old passport if available
19. SSN
20. Driver license
21. 3 months bank statements
22. I-94 copy
23. Health insurance card
24. Visa fee receipt

Hi,

I am looking for dates in Montreal/Quebec city/Ottawa location and not seeing any dates since last 3-4 days. I kept checking the calendar whole day but no luck. I have Canada PR and read previous experiences posted by members in this forum that Canada PR holders get dates availability if any. But I am not seeing any dates since last week.
As of today Montreal and Quebec city location have no availability and for Ottawa it is in Feb 2020. and this situation is intact since last week.

Any suggestions please.
 

Had b2 to f1 change of status approved and decided to get stamping in Montreal Canada.

Interview date : September 13
Me: hi, good morning
Vo: what’s your status in Canada
Me: visitor
Vo: sorry what ? Kept checking my passport . Oh ok visit visa then he looked which countries passport is it.
Vo: so you are applying for f1. He didn’t knew what documents to ask for f1. Kept looking on a list pasted on a wall to check which documents are required, then he was reading my ds-160 on his screen for 5 min.
Vo: your I-20
Read it for few min then Asked me
How you got to know about this collage
Me: one of my friend suggested and I personally visited it.
Vo: on your b2 visa ?
Me: yes but later I got change of status
Vo: who is supporting you?
Me: my father
Vo: where is your family ?
Me: in Pakistan

He didn’t asked for bank statement neither I-797
Vo: you are approved
I was shocked that he didn’t asked me much.
Me: thank you sir, will I get a receipt or an email . He responded but I was so happy I didn’t understood what he said.

September 16: got an email to submit ds-5535 which is background check and comes under extreme vetting.

September 18: got passport back without visa and a 221g yellow slip

My status used to update 2-3 times every week. They always sent me a general reply to my emails.

Left for Pakistan on October 12

I use to email them 1-2 times a week

On October 29 I called nvc and the lady was so cooperative with me I told her my classes have already been started since October 8 so how long it’s gonna take.
She said email your consulate with your passport and wait for them to reply

30th October got email from consulate that someone from department is reviewing my file
Next day got an email to submit passport.

November 4 flew back to Canada and sent passport. After 11 days it got updated and next day got an email that my visa is issued. Got my passport back next day.

Struggle was still pending.

On Montreal airport

Custom officer: do u have green card
Me: no I have f1 visa
Co: how long u r living in USA
Me: 1.5 years
Co: What’s your status in Canada
Me: visitor
Co: so u went to USA in b2 and later got f1. What was your intention when u entered USA first time
I told him that I went as a tourist got impressed with educational system and applied for cos bla bla bla
He kept questioning and then took me to a room where more people were sitting before me.
After 15 min my name was called and he said on your I-20 classes started 6 weeks ago so why u r late. I explained him that my visa is issued 2 days ago and it’s not my fault. My I-20 is still valid. I was then being told to go back and have a seat

After 30 min another officer who was so kind and chill told me that I’ll be with u in a minute then he called me in his room and told me to explain everything from start. He then said to slow down and let me him write everything.

I was being told to provide any evidence that my collage will still accept my if I m 6 weeks late even tho my I-20 is still valid.
anyways he even tried to call college but no one was there in Saturday morning 7am

He said my story is good but I need to have any email or any prof other wise they can’t let me go and I’ll have to come back on Monday with a prof.

I was trying to find my dso number from my cellphone where he asked me to have a look of my cellphone. He went through different apps and asked about different names from my WhatsApp chat and who they are what they do, he also took my phones imei number and noted it that’s it.
Officer: you are very kind with me I don’t wanna stop u but unfortunately can’t do anything. I can talk to my supervisor but cannot promise
Me: will u be in my side,
Officer: I’ll be on both sides but will surly tell him that u r nice guy
After 5 min he came back and said decision is now on me so I’ll let u go, u r a nice guy I hope u will not ruin anything when u go to USA.
Took my details where I’ll stay.

Officer: next time it will not happen with u but always have a proof. Good luck