I got H1/H4 stamping this week in Montreal,Canada. This forum has been very helpful to me.I would like to share my experience with all of those of you planning to get the same done.
We drove to Montreal and our I-94 was not taken at the border post.Though I think that now even if yu have a valid 1-94 yu cannot come into the US untill you have a visa stamped in your passport.There was no US Checkpost at the border and we went straight to the Canadian Checkpost where our passport was checked for Canadian Visa,and were asked as to why we were going to canada,where we would be staying..all those simple questions.Then we were told to See the immigration officer.After a couple of minutes wait we saw the immigration officer who checked our documents(Approval notice,Appt letter)along with our passport and asked just a couple of questions such as, why we are taking a Visa in canada and not going to our home country.She stamped our passsports and then the custom officer cleared us too very quickly.IT all took not more than 20 mins including wait time.
Next Day at the consulate they do a very rigorous check so make sure to carry just the required things.We were given a form which is being given to any male between 16-45 to fill up.Along with it we were given another checklist which helps yu in putting your documents in order.After filling all those forms we were told to go to the desired floor.Once there we paid our fees(exact amount) and were given a #.
Our # was called and the imigration officer looked at the Original Approval notice,LCA,I-20 .She didnt ask for the offer letter/pay stubs/bank statement etc.After checking the approval notice and the LCA copy she asked us to be seated and wait till we are called by our names.After a wait(this was the longest wait in the entire process it took about an hour) our name was called.Again the officer asked us the same simple and basic questions.And then after reviewing our documents once again asked us to pay at the counter and come and collect our passport betwen 3:00-3:30pm.
So that was it.Then while comming back we spent about 20 mins again at the US entry point where our old I-94 was taken and new ones issued.
I believe that if yu have all your documents and work for a company which gets H-1 done on a regular basis(I think that the immigration officers are spektical about a new name but with reputed companies its not a problem)yu are fine.I was a bit anxious too with all those changes, but feel that if yu have nothing to worry about, the immigration people also have nothing to worry about!
Though we took all possible documents including degrees,tax return copies, transcipts....all that was asked for was our H-1/H-4 approval notice,LCA copy,I-20 & marriage certificate.BUt its better to carry all documnets along.
Our trip back home was fine.
Thanks.Hope this is helpful.
We drove to Montreal and our I-94 was not taken at the border post.Though I think that now even if yu have a valid 1-94 yu cannot come into the US untill you have a visa stamped in your passport.There was no US Checkpost at the border and we went straight to the Canadian Checkpost where our passport was checked for Canadian Visa,and were asked as to why we were going to canada,where we would be staying..all those simple questions.Then we were told to See the immigration officer.After a couple of minutes wait we saw the immigration officer who checked our documents(Approval notice,Appt letter)along with our passport and asked just a couple of questions such as, why we are taking a Visa in canada and not going to our home country.She stamped our passsports and then the custom officer cleared us too very quickly.IT all took not more than 20 mins including wait time.
Next Day at the consulate they do a very rigorous check so make sure to carry just the required things.We were given a form which is being given to any male between 16-45 to fill up.Along with it we were given another checklist which helps yu in putting your documents in order.After filling all those forms we were told to go to the desired floor.Once there we paid our fees(exact amount) and were given a #.
Our # was called and the imigration officer looked at the Original Approval notice,LCA,I-20 .She didnt ask for the offer letter/pay stubs/bank statement etc.After checking the approval notice and the LCA copy she asked us to be seated and wait till we are called by our names.After a wait(this was the longest wait in the entire process it took about an hour) our name was called.Again the officer asked us the same simple and basic questions.And then after reviewing our documents once again asked us to pay at the counter and come and collect our passport betwen 3:00-3:30pm.
So that was it.Then while comming back we spent about 20 mins again at the US entry point where our old I-94 was taken and new ones issued.
I believe that if yu have all your documents and work for a company which gets H-1 done on a regular basis(I think that the immigration officers are spektical about a new name but with reputed companies its not a problem)yu are fine.I was a bit anxious too with all those changes, but feel that if yu have nothing to worry about, the immigration people also have nothing to worry about!
Though we took all possible documents including degrees,tax return copies, transcipts....all that was asked for was our H-1/H-4 approval notice,LCA copy,I-20 & marriage certificate.BUt its better to carry all documnets along.
Our trip back home was fine.
Thanks.Hope this is helpful.