Successful stamping in Toronto - passport picked after TWO days

[goel_ar]

I got my H1B visa stamping successfully done in Toronto. I had two expired H1B stampings in th past. So no problems.

The only surprises :

1. US consultate office asked me to pick my passport two after when I was under the impression that I will get my passport the next day. As per them, it has been changed recently.

2. I didn't handover my old I-94 on the border while leaving US. My I-94 was in my passport (with expiration matching my current I-797); consulate stamped the visa but didn't take off I-94. While entering the US border, I was able to use the same I-94. As per officer, since the old I-94 is valid until xxxyy200z, I don't need new i-94. Took me only 20-25 seconds on the border. Amazing..

Thanks,
AG

 

[ramesh_madhavan]

H1 B visa stamping after present visa has expired.

Hello,

I would highly appreciate it if you could clarify a few points .

I have a date for H1 B stamping in Canada during June 07.

I renewed my H1B for 3rd time ( 5th and 6th yr) startting July 07, with a new employer this time. I have the new I -797 and I -94 with me. My visa stamp in the passport expired June 06. The initial stamp was from India.I entered U.S the first time in 2003 .

When I got the date for the visa appointment form the U.S consulate ,the
confirmation letter states that " If you have stayed in the U.S longer than the period authorised by the immigration officer when you entered the U.S , you must apply in the country of your nationality".

I was relieved to see your letter.
1)Could you verify if you were in a similar situation , with an expired visa in the passport?.
2)Is there a one year time period after the visa expired before which one should get the Canadian stamping?. I read somewhere that after one year the rule is you have to go back to India for stamping.
3)Do you know of anyone else with expired visa who has had successful stamping in Canada?
4)Also is it a problem that my initial visa stamping was from India, not Canada

I would highly appreciate your input. Please reply on the forum or to ramesh_madhavan@hotmail.com.
Thanks

 

[goel_ar]

See my answers below as ==>

Hello,

I would highly appreciate it if you could clarify a few points .

I have a date for H1 B stamping in Canada during June 07.

I renewed my H1B for 3rd time ( 5th and 6th yr) startting July 07, with a new employer this time. I have the new I -797 and I -94 with me. My visa stamp in the passport expired June 06. The initial stamp was from India.I entered U.S the first time in 2003 .

When I got the date for the visa appointment form the U.S consulate ,the
confirmation letter states that " If you have stayed in the U.S longer than the period authorised by the immigration officer when you entered the U.S , you must apply in the country of your nationality".

I was relieved to see your letter.
1)Could you verify if you were in a similar situation , with an expired visa in the passport?.
==> Yes. I had expired visa in my passport.

2)Is there a one year time period after the visa expired before which one should get the Canadian stamping?. I read somewhere that after one year the rule is you have to go back to India for stamping.

==> No. My visa expired in Jan 2007. Not sure about one year rule.

3)Do you know of anyone else with expired visa who has had successful stamping in Canada?

==> No.
4)Also is it a problem that my initial visa stamping was from India, not Canada
==> Shouldn't be. My first stamping was from Chennai, second from "Washington DC".

I would highly appreciate your input. Please reply on the forum or to ramesh_madhavan@hotmail.com.
Thanks

 

[blues22]

I got my H1B visa stamping successfully done in Toronto. I had two expired H1B stampings in th past. So no problems.

2. I didn't handover my old I-94 on the border while leaving US. My I-94 was in my passport (with expiration matching my current I-797); consulate stamped the visa but didn't take off I-94. While entering the US border, I was able to use the same I-94. As per officer, since the old I-94 is valid until xxxyy200z, I don't need new i-94. Took me only 20-25 seconds on the border. Amazing..

Thanks,
AG

I have a question from you. If your visa was expired in Jan 07, how come your old I94 in passport was valid while coming back to US? Or are you talking about new I94 which comes with 797 approval notice.