H1 Visa stamping experience- Canada

Security checks

Hello fbhatti and other people waiting for security checks to clear,

Did you guys apply for the original appointment through online (nvars.com)?

I am not sure if I read it on this thread before or heard from someone else that if you apply for the appointment through online, they perform most of the security check prior to that date and if they feel that a further thorough check is required, they will call you ahead of time to inform you.

I am just curious if you guys went through online or some other method. Also, did you guys get your 797 with i-94 attached back?

Thanks for sharing your experience here, it is really helpful for the rest of us.

Stoned!
 
Fbhatti,

I just read your posting about trying to enter the US on your 797 and I94, which I guess answers one of my earlier questions.

Did they return your passport too? And, is this your first time getting a visa sticker on your passport? If no, then I wonder if you could have come back to the US within the 30 days even if the security check was going on.

I think I have already asked enough questions, so I'll stop and wait for you to share your answers.
My sympathies are with you my friend and I hope you will get your visa soon.

Stoned!
 
tusharvk said:
I did not fly into Toronto; so do not know. I have read\heard that if your visit is less than 30 days in duration to Canada, then the airline is not going to take your I-94. somebody else can comment on this.....
are you planning to go for visa interview? I had detached the I94 that came with notice of action before my visa interview and just handed I797 during my interview. was not asked for I94 card.
Click to expand...

Hi Tusharvk,

I will be flying to Toronto for landing and revalidation and spending less than 30 days.

Yes, I am planning to go for visa interview. Any way I think using I-94 I cannot return back. But in case if they are asking for I-94 at the time of revalidation, that time only the problem.

If some more people throw some light on this will be really helpful.

Thanks
Arun
 
security check concerns

Hey Stoned,
Yes i took the appointment through online, and I think most of people waiting on security clearance got theirs too through the same web portal.
Ideally speaking they should do the security check prior to the appointment date, apparently thats not the case. You can easily find people on this board who are waiting for 4 months.
I have been on H1 for the last 5 years. Befoer that i was on F1. I had two F1 visa satmps on my passport. This is the first time i applied for h1 visa stamp.
I have my passport with me.

Regards
 
to arungc

arun_gc_waiting said:
Hi Tusharvk,

I will be flying to Toronto for landing and revalidation and spending less than 30 days.

Yes, I am planning to go for visa interview. Any way I think using I-94 I cannot return back. But in case if they are asking for I-94 at the time of revalidation, that time only the problem.

If some more people throw some light on this will be really helpful.

Thanks
Arun
Click to expand...
Arun
if your visit is less than 30 days, why are you applying for visa? why not come back on expired visa and using old I-94 ( you can do this if you did not apply for visa)
 
StonedAnt said:
Hello fbhatti and other people waiting for security checks to clear,

Did you guys apply for the original appointment through online (nvars.com)?

I am not sure if I read it on this thread before or heard from someone else that if you apply for the appointment through online, they perform most of the security check prior to that date and if they feel that a further thorough check is required, they will call you ahead of time to inform you.

I am just curious if you guys went through online or some other method. Also, did you guys get your 797 with i-94 attached back?

Thanks for sharing your experience here, it is really helpful for the rest of us.

Stoned!
Click to expand...

when I made apt thru nvars.com, there were messages indicating that I should not confirm my journey for 1-2 weeks after I have made my appointment. This gives them time to check things out. I have read cases on this forum where people were called and informed that their cases were not possible to be processed quickly. However, the message also mentioned that it is not possible to prejudge the case.

One way to address the security concern would be to contact immigration attorney and ask them what triggers it and what can be done to expedite it or if one could get it done before leaving this country and does not get stuck in their home country or Canada.
 
Still waiting

Guys,

Just wanted to keep you guys posted with my case. Had my interview 4 weeks ago in Toronto but still waiting for Clearance check. Consulate received Fingerprint check from FBI 2 weeks ago.

Good luck to everybody.
 
Clearance checks

Tusharvk, Fbhatti and anyone else in the similar situation,

Let me try to understand this correctly. You guys had been in the US for a while and if you are from Pakistan (or one of the other muslim countries), that means you went through Special Registration few years back when it started and they took all your info and fingerprints then. This also means they assigned you a FIN number which is still used when you leave or enter the US today.

Despite all that, you are still going through this clearance check?

If the US Consulate/Embassy returned your passport, 797, I-94 and other papers, why didn't you come back to the US within the 30 days to utilize the automatic revalidation?

And also, how did you get the extension on your Canadian visa? Didn't that expire already, I mean you guys have been there for 2 whole months.

How are you supporting yourselves there all this time?

The reason I ask all these questions is because I too am considering going to Canada to get the visa sticker, but now I am getting a little concerned when I hear your experiences.

You can PM me or email me at stoned_ant@hotmail.com if you feel your answers have confidential information.

Thanks,

Stoned!
 
Stoned,

You are right ... I did go for special registeration and received a FIN number couple of years ago. And yeah, even after that they asked for the Clearance and Fingerprint check.

Fortunately, I am a Canadian Permanent Resident so I am not worried about the canadian visa. My situation is a lot better than guys who are stuck here without any family or friends. I'm crashing at my uncle's place. I hope he is not getting tired of me already!

Regards.
 
Add me to the "stucked" list..

Add me to the "stucked in canada" club. I'm in Vancouver right now (3/4/05), H1B revalidation, last one was done in Mexico sometimes in yr 2000. Been in the US for 9 years, never been out of status. Unfortunately I come from an SR country (Indonesia).

I'm a landed immigrant of canada by the way.

They returned all my docs & my passport back. I specifically asked the officer if I can make trips outside of Canada, and he said yes. He said it's gonna take 2-3 weeks, and they'll email me and call me when the "administrative processing" has been completed. When I asked if it really was going to take 2-3 weeks (and not more), the officer gave me a convincing look and confirmed, but only time will tell.

Good luck to all of us.
 
Stoned,
Yes I did go for Special Registration couple years ago, yet I am here for 2 months now to get the clearance. I am also canadian resident so didnt have to worry about canadian visa. If you are planning to come here then please please do lot of research, by no means i am trying to scare anyone but be prepared for any worse case scenarios.
 
I am in Toronto at the moment , staying in a hotel. You guys dont wanna know how much have I already spent during the last 2 months.
 
roomate needed

Hey anyone from "stucked in canada" club who happen to be in toronto and want to share the resident , let me know. 2 bedroom apts are easily availbale on temporary basis for a very reasonable price.
 
Struck In Canada

I am also struck in vancouver for first time H1-B visa stamp. In my case, consulte did not return H1-B approval notice. I read in above threads that some of you got your H1-B approval notice. Is that right? Do you know what is the reason I did not get anythinmg back. They just returned my passport.

thanks
 
Struck In Canada

It’s been two weeks since my case is pending for "Additional Processing” at Vancouver Consulate for H1-B1. First I called FBI to check status of background check. As per the lady, they don't have any request for it for me. Then I called Vancouver consulate to find out whats going on. Lady at Vancouver consulate told me that it has nothing to do with FBI, it is all handled by DOS and they have their own means to verify, which I have no idea what it is. She was not very helpful. I did called DOS but their system was down today. Lady told me that I can check status online but I could find anything on www.travel.state.gov to check visa status.

Does anyone know where I can check status online?
 
canada_1111 said:
I am also struck in vancouver for first time H1-B visa stamp. In my case, consulte did not return H1-B approval notice. I read in above threads that some of you got your H1-B approval notice. Is that right? Do you know what is the reason I did not get anythinmg back. They just returned my passport.

thanks
Click to expand...
I my case I got everything back , including the H1 approval notice. Not sure why they kepy yours. You shouldnt worry about this, sometimes they hold the papers and sometimes give them back.
 
StonedAnt said:
Tusharvk, Fbhatti and anyone else in the similar situation,

Let me try to understand this correctly. You guys had been in the US for a while and if you are from Pakistan (or one of the other muslim countries), that means you went through Special Registration few years back when it started and they took all your info and fingerprints then. This also means they assigned you a FIN number which is still used when you leave or enter the US today.

Despite all that, you are still going through this clearance check?

If the US Consulate/Embassy returned your passport, 797, I-94 and other papers, why didn't you come back to the US within the 30 days to utilize the automatic revalidation?

And also, how did you get the extension on your Canadian visa? Didn't that expire already, I mean you guys have been there for 2 whole months.

How are you supporting yourselves there all this time?

The reason I ask all these questions is because I too am considering going to Canada to get the visa sticker, but now I am getting a little concerned when I hear your experiences.

You can PM me or email me at stoned_ant@hotmail.com if you feel your answers have confidential information.

Thanks,

Stoned!
Click to expand...

just to clear the confusion, I had my visa interview in Toronto and got the visa and re-entered the US the next day. I am only joining the discussion and trying to help others if I can.
 
tusharvk said:
just to clear the confusion, I had my visa interview in Toronto and got the visa and re-entered the US the next day. I am only joining the discussion and trying to help others if I can.
Click to expand...


Hey tusharvk,
It was really nice of you to join the discussion and offer your help and advices. Usually people dont care after they get through the hardtime, again appreciated for your concern about stuck in canada or for that matter anywhere in the world to get through the security clearance.

Faisal
 
questions

Is there any way to check status online about pending H1-B Visa.

Is it true that DOS don't send all the requests to FBI and they do their own thing?

Thanks for help
 
canada_1111 said:
Is there any way to check status online about pending H1-B Visa.

Is it true that DOS don't send all the requests to FBI and they do their own thing?

Thanks for help
Click to expand...
I doubt it if anyone can answer this for sure......
 
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