H1 Stamping in Canada or Mexico

[prq20]

Hi All,
I came to the United States in Sep 2001 on F-1 Visa and got my MS Degree in Computer Information Systems. I got OPT, worked for some time on that too, and then Company A filed for my H-1B in Sep 2004 with a start date of OCT 2004. I worked for Company A for the months of Oct and Nov 2004 and then switched the company. I worked with Company B till May 2005 and Because of good offer, joined Company C. At present I am working as a Consultant at a Hightech Company.

Beacuse of my project, my new client wants me to to visit other countries but I am in a fix as my F-1 is expired in Dec 2004 and I don't have an H1 stamped in my passport.

To continue my job, I need the stamping done. Is it a good idea to go to Canada or I can go to Maxico for the same purpose too. What are the chances of getting things done in either countries? Is there any real affect of changing companies, if they offer you a better rate then the previous company?

Any help or experience will be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[qanne_22]

hi

i hope my replywould help u...i m not sure about this company change thing.....but regarding coming to stamp your passport from canada or mexico...who can tell u better then me.
first of all if u r a pakistani national...then u will have to think twice.
we r from pakistan...its our 2nd H-1.
we got the 1st one stamped from islamabad, pakistan back in 2002.
my husband is here since 1999....came here on f-1 n then changed to h-1
we came to toronto....on sep. 6th 2005,
had the interview on sep. 7th.
n got stuck for the security clearence thing
we r still here...and no answer yet.
the visa officer told us we will getit in 2-3 weeks....
but.....our lawyer told us.....for pakistani nationals the average time is 6 weeks...and that is not for sure as well....
it can come earlier or later than that.
then i posted my experience here n asked other ppl....one guy...got it in 40 days....1 guy got it in 4 weeks....
and the reason for security clearence is your name.
if u have ones of those common names...that the embassy have on their database...u will have to go thru the secuirty clearence...
and first we thought its only for the pakistanis...b ut then someone from india replied to me...that one of his friend is stuck in mumbsi for the same thing.
so plz...make sure that u dont get stuck here....coz if u have to have this clearence...no one can help u....
embassy ppl has no answer for u except YES or NO.
they dont know anything about the process...or how long would it take....
no lawyer would be able to help u...ourlawyer told us that in our case it would take 2 days....but...here we r....stuck in a hotel room for the last 1 month....with a 2 year old....
imagine!!!
so be careful...
i hope my long long reply would help u a little....
remember us in your prayers...bbye

 

[qanne_22]

1 more thing

if incase u decide to take this risk....then come to canada.....anywhere in canada...i think every embassy is same...but DONT EVEN THINK ABOUT GOING TO MEXICO....
its not safe...and if incase u get stuck...u will be there in mexico...all they have is barrittos n chalupas to eat.
toronto is the best place in that regard....so many pakistani n indian resturants
bbye

 

[enqueued]

if incase u decide to take this risk....then come to canada.....anywhere in canada...i think every embassy is same...but DONT EVEN THINK ABOUT GOING TO MEXICO....
its not safe...and if incase u get stuck...u will be there in mexico...all they have is barrittos n chalupas to eat.
toronto is the best place in that regard....so many pakistani n indian resturants
bbye

qanne_22, so did you get your visa?