H-1B Visa Stamping in Canada? Background Screening?

A

Alex Chang

New Member
I originally plan to revalidate my visa in the US, but since the State Department discontinued the program, I'd need to go to Canada to get my visa stamp. I have the following questions/concerns:

1. I'm from Malaysia, and I don't know if that would subject me to additional
background screening and thus longer waiting period for the visa (I have only 5-day to spare in Canada)?

2. Does anyone know someone from Malaysia who successfully obtained a H-1B visa stamp in Canada recently? How long did he/she need to wait?

3. Does anyone know if Malaysia is listed as one of the "special registration countries" as far as visa application is concerned?

I called the Visa Information Services twice for these questions, but apparently I did not get any answers from them. I'll appreciate any help...

Thanks!
 
Alex,
I'm from Malaysia too and on my h-1. Just like u, i'm Chinese. Last year when i went back, i got held back for 3 months because of the FBI background check (required for all Malaysia males between 16- 45 yrs of age). When i came back, they stopped me at the US airport and pull me to a side for finger printing, photos and background information. After that, i was told to go for the 30 day and annual special registration. The special registration program was abolished sometime this year (luckily). When i was at the airport, i saw the immigration had a list of countries that they pay special attentions to but Malaysia is not one of them (iraq, iran, Jordan, Libya...etc). However, at the very bottom of the list, they have a category listed as 'others'. So i guess, it is up to the officer! Not that i want to scare you, but if you have no need of leaving the country, then don't take the risk!
 
Thanks for replying. That's the type of scrutiny that I'm afraid of, but I heard rumors that things are getting better recently (?). Since I do not know many Malaysians here, have you heard anything from anyone who went home or obtained a H1B visa stamp recently? I called the US Embassy in KL last night, and they told me it takes 7 days to 30 days for background check, but it's up to the officer during the interview if I need to undergo one.

Btw, I went home last year in July, but had no problems re-entering US. I wonder how they decide on who needs special registration, and you know fully well it's ridiculous you (or me) would even fall under this category.

Thanks,
Alex
 
Alex,
The time i went home last year (Jan- April), i knew 2 other people that were back there the same time as me (one Indian and the other one Chinese). Both of them had to go thru the same thing i went thru. I'm quite surprised that you had no problems when you travelled back. One thing i can tell you is that when i was at the US embassy, the consular was an ass! It is up to him to decide whether you will need a background check and he DON"T CARE if you have a job, a house, a family etc. Although you were told it will take about 30 days, you must be aware that this can take longer. Before i went back, i heard from friends that it will take 3-7 days, but when i was there, the consular told me there is no telling about the wait time. He said "It could take 2 days, 2 weeks, 2 months or longer.....just go home and wait for the phone call from us". The sad thing is, there is no receipt number, no confirmation number and nobody to talk to on status check! The people that works in the embassy seems to have no clue about the procedures or status, and the standard response was "just wait"! I have not heard anything from anybody for this year, but i will try to find out and update you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top