Hi,
I have got valuable advice form this website concerning immigration issues and would now like to contribute my bit concerning my H1 stamping in Canada.
I am an F-1 to OPT to H1B case.this is my first H1B.I took all necessary documents as outlined here in so many posts,including visa appointment letter, complete H1B petition,I-129,H1b approval,letter of employment,paystubs,old F-1 documents with OPT card,transcripts from US and INdian colleges,Degree copies of both,etc.
I got my canadian single entry visa and flew to Toronto from NYC.It cost approx 180 US by Jetsgo.net(discount airline) and stayed at the Bond Place hotel(approx 50 US with tax).It is a decent place with some cheap eateries around it for good food.
Check out all-hotels.com for hotel bookings.you get some great deals there.the hotel is 10 minutes brisk walk from the Embassy
I was at the Embassy early.Get bundled up.it is pretty cold in Canada this time of the year.You have to present your appointment letter,H1b approval and passport initially and then wait for your name to get called out.You get to sit inside and wait away from the cold.THe person interviewing me was polite and went over my i-129 in detail,asked me a couple of questions about the kind of job I did,my company and how I managed to land the job.
She then asked to see my OPT card and my US degree certificate,after which she told me that I got the visa and asked me to go upstairs,pay the visa fee and give her the receipt after which she gave me a pick up card for my passport the next day.
That was it.it was simple and brief(approx 3 minutes) and all those harrowing months of research and anxiety were over in a flash.My advice is to go fully prepared with all documetns even though you may not be asked for most fo them.she did not ask to see anyhting else other than what i mentioned above.
anyway each case they decide is unique so prepare well for your application,but my advice is if you have all your documentation in order and have been in proper status all through out,relax and dont get worked up.Just answer the questions and handover only what you get asked for and answer to the point and clearly instead of rambling around which may lead to more questioning.
So go prepared with all documents,take it easy and be confident.after all the people at the embassy are not monsters out to destroy your dreams but just doing their duty in the prescribed word of the laws of this country.
anyway,best of luck with your applications and be positive and dont worry too much.take it from me as I went thru the same tension that you might be going thru and at the end it was unbelievably simple.
take care
din573
I have got valuable advice form this website concerning immigration issues and would now like to contribute my bit concerning my H1 stamping in Canada.
I am an F-1 to OPT to H1B case.this is my first H1B.I took all necessary documents as outlined here in so many posts,including visa appointment letter, complete H1B petition,I-129,H1b approval,letter of employment,paystubs,old F-1 documents with OPT card,transcripts from US and INdian colleges,Degree copies of both,etc.
I got my canadian single entry visa and flew to Toronto from NYC.It cost approx 180 US by Jetsgo.net(discount airline) and stayed at the Bond Place hotel(approx 50 US with tax).It is a decent place with some cheap eateries around it for good food.
Check out all-hotels.com for hotel bookings.you get some great deals there.the hotel is 10 minutes brisk walk from the Embassy
I was at the Embassy early.Get bundled up.it is pretty cold in Canada this time of the year.You have to present your appointment letter,H1b approval and passport initially and then wait for your name to get called out.You get to sit inside and wait away from the cold.THe person interviewing me was polite and went over my i-129 in detail,asked me a couple of questions about the kind of job I did,my company and how I managed to land the job.
She then asked to see my OPT card and my US degree certificate,after which she told me that I got the visa and asked me to go upstairs,pay the visa fee and give her the receipt after which she gave me a pick up card for my passport the next day.
That was it.it was simple and brief(approx 3 minutes) and all those harrowing months of research and anxiety were over in a flash.My advice is to go fully prepared with all documetns even though you may not be asked for most fo them.she did not ask to see anyhting else other than what i mentioned above.
anyway each case they decide is unique so prepare well for your application,but my advice is if you have all your documentation in order and have been in proper status all through out,relax and dont get worked up.Just answer the questions and handover only what you get asked for and answer to the point and clearly instead of rambling around which may lead to more questioning.
So go prepared with all documents,take it easy and be confident.after all the people at the embassy are not monsters out to destroy your dreams but just doing their duty in the prescribed word of the laws of this country.
anyway,best of luck with your applications and be positive and dont worry too much.take it from me as I went thru the same tension that you might be going thru and at the end it was unbelievably simple.
take care
din573