H1 Visa stamping experience- Canada

Hi guys,
I was wondering if somebody can answer this. I'm a pakistani national and a canadian resident, worlking as a Software Eng in US on L1 B. I recently got 2 yrs extension on L1 B. However my visa stamp on the passport is expiring on 3rd August 05. I'm thinking to visit Toronto to get the new visa stamp IN Apr. I have a couple of questions.

1, I got my first L1b visa stamp in DEC 2003 from Toronto, but it took 10 days for security clearnce. My question is does anybody here got stuck b/c of security clearnce when they go for visa stamp for the 2nd time?

2 Since I have a valid visa till Aug 05 , Can I come back while my security clearance is pending?

Thanks in Advance!
 
when does your l1b extension take effect? I do not think you can apply for new visa stamp so much ahead of time.

ip_everywhere said:
Hi guys,
I was wondering if somebody can answer this. I'm a pakistani national and a canadian resident, worlking as a Software Eng in US on L1 B. I recently got 2 yrs extension on L1 B. However my visa stamp on the passport is expiring on 3rd August 05. I'm thinking to visit Toronto to get the new visa stamp IN Apr. I have a couple of questions.

1, I got my first L1b visa stamp in DEC 2003 from Toronto, but it took 10 days for security clearnce. My question is does anybody here got stuck b/c of security clearnce when they go for visa stamp for the 2nd time?

2 Since I have a valid visa till Aug 05 , Can I come back while my security clearance is pending?

Thanks in Advance!
Click to expand...
 
Hi tusharvk ,

Well both my old 1-94 and current visa stamp is expiring in Aug '05, but I got my L1 B extended for two more yrs till aug 07. May I ask why isn't it a good idea to apply for my new visa stamp 4 months ahead?
The reason why I wanna do it, is as i'm already going to canada for 2 weeks
for personal reasons so I thought I might do it as well.
 
ip_everywhere said:
Hi tusharvk ,

Well both my old 1-94 and current visa stamp is expiring in Aug '05, but I got my L1 B extended for two more yrs till aug 07. May I ask why isn't it a good idea to apply for my new visa stamp 4 months ahead?
The reason why I wanna do it, is as i'm already going to canada for 2 weeks
for personal reasons so I thought I might do it as well.
Click to expand...

check with others as well. but from what I know, you can apply for visa stamp at most 10 days before the expiry date or at least 10 days after the start date on your notice of action. so you may not be able to apply for a new visa stamp so soon.
 
tusharvk said:
check with others as well. but from what I know, you can apply for visa stamp at most 10 days before the expiry date or at least 10 days after the start date on your notice of action. so you may not be able to apply for a new visa stamp so soon.
Click to expand...
come to think of it, I am not sure if you can travel until august as well. suppose you do not apply for a visa and have to surrender your I94 (the one that came with new notice of action) when coming back, then you would definitely need to leave in august and get visa stamped and re-enter..
I have read a post on some other forum of this happening.
I am sorry, I do not intend to be negative; so check this out before leaving and let us know what you find.
 
Anyone who got stamping recently in Montreal ??

I have an appointment for Mar 10th @ Montreal for 8th year H1B revalidation. Had my 7th year H1B revalidated last year in Ottawa without any hassle. Was expecting it should be easy..But going thru the posts, I am getting a little scared on this one...with all the security checks and waits..

Anyone who got the stamp recently w/o any undue hassles??

-solicit
 
Thanks alot tusharvk for your prompt reply,

Well i get this thing that one can only apply for visa stamp at most 10 days before the expiry date .
But could you explain your last message, why can't I travel until august when I have my current visa valid till Aug.
I believe they are not gonna keep my I-94, as first of all I'm only going there for 2 weeks(I think they only take it when the visit to the canada is of more than 30 days) and also I'm going there by road so almost all of the time ppl at border don't ask for it.

Your input is highly appreciated
 
Anyone struck at vancouver

Ferdie H:

I am also struck at vancouver consulate. May be we can update each other. I had my interview two weeks back. I am still waiting for their call. They said it normally takes 2 weeks but its been already two weeks but no call. They are doing name check for me what about u?

Thanks
 
Hi canada_1111,

Yes, that's a good idea. My experience is pretty much the same as yours. When I was talking to the consulate officer, after the interview, he said he didn't have any problems with my application, but after checking his computer, he told me he would have to do the infamous "administrative processing". He said it's gonna take 2-3 weeks, but after all the numerous questions I asked him, showing my worries to him, he told me that it shouldn't take more than the 2-3 weeks time frame.

I asked him what the reason was for the admin processing,.. if it was because of my nationality (indonesian), and age. He didn't give me a direct answer, but from his reply, I can assume so. So I guess it's a name check.

Please update me when the time for you to finally get the visa comes for you. I'm now waiting for their email and/or call, but it's been only 2 days for me, so I'm not really expecting anything at the moment. What's your nationality, if you don't mind?

And lastly, good luck to both of us.


Ferdie.
 
I am indian. I called DOS today and they told me that it is still pending for name check. I hope they don't take more than 2-3 weeks. First he told me that everything is good and deposit 50 bucks for receprocity fee. Then later, he told me that someone with simillar name have a police record so they wanna do additional processing and it normally takes two weeks.

Do you know the name of the person who interviewed you? I am just wondering because I don't know the name of the person who interviewed me. He was a yound guy may be in his early 30.

Thanks and Good Luck
 
Canada_1111,

Hm.. so there's a DOS number you can check the status? Would you mind sharing the number? Is it the same one they've posted in this forum?

No, I don't know the name of the person.. Maybe it's the same person. Mine's also in his early 30's (or maybe late 20's), and very well-mannered, unlike some other immigration officers. Doesn't seem to be very tall, dark brown hair.
 
Ferdie:

Yes, It is the same number posted in this thread. 202-663-1225, select options 1 - 4 - 1 - 1 - 0, you can select these options any time. this way you don't have to listen to their 15 minutes recorded message before talking to someone.

I think, we both had same immigration officer.

Thanks
 
ip_everywhere said:
Thanks alot tusharvk for your prompt reply,

Well i get this thing that one can only apply for visa stamp at most 10 days before the expiry date .
But could you explain your last message, why can't I travel until august when I have my current visa valid till Aug.
I believe they are not gonna keep my I-94, as first of all I'm only going there for 2 weeks(I think they only take it when the visit to the canada is of more than 30 days) and also I'm going there by road so almost all of the time ppl at border don't ask for it.

Your input is highly appreciated
Click to expand...
I-94 will not be collected when you enter canada. but when you re-enter, that could be a problem.
logically there should not be a problem. but think about the following situation.
-they know that you have your l1b extension approved.
-they ask both your i-94 cards (old one and new one that came with new notice of action)
-they look at your visa stamp valid thru aug-05 only and decide that they will stamp your PP only thru aug-05. I have read a post on some forum (check out forums concerned with visiting canada or issues with extension of h1b, etc. etc.)
Please check this out with your lawyer just to be sure. I am not sure that this will happen; but it is likely given that it has happened in one case.
 
Thanks, canada_1111. I really appreciate the number you gave me.

My personal email is ferdiee_at_yahoo btw. I don't check this board regularly.
 
Ferdie H and Canada_1111

Ferdie H and Canada_1111,

I have a couple of questions to you guys (if you guys don't mind!) where do you guys have your education from? and the fact that one of you guys is from India that would take out the fact that they require the special processing from only some certain countries, am I right?


Best of luck and I am sure that you guys should be ok and will get your satmp.

Ramakrishna
 
I have my BS from india and MS from US. I think they can ask for additional processing for anyone. If you read chennia consulate thread, you will find many people also waiting for background check. Recently, they added a millions of names with criminal record into their database. if someone have a common name, it is gonna hit some kind of search condition. Thats what I know.
 
And I got my bachelor's from a US university. I agree with canada_1111. And as I mentioned in my earlier post, he didn't tell me they needed extra processing time until he entered my info into the computer. The computer must have dictated him to do so.

Just an additional info that I'm not sure if it's related - I fly a lot (once every other week). In early February I noticed that I couldn't check in through the internet or through their automated machines at the airport anymore. I was told by the airline agent that my name matches with someone on the watch list (only first name, though.. so I guess they don't do a full name match anymore). Maybe the embassy is sharing the same name database with the airlines.
 
Ferdie H said:
And I got my bachelor's from a US university. I agree with canada_1111. And as I mentioned in my earlier post, he didn't tell me they needed extra processing time until he entered my info into the computer. The computer must have dictated him to do so.

Just an additional info that I'm not sure if it's related - I fly a lot (once every other week). In early February I noticed that I couldn't check in through the internet or through their automated machines at the airport anymore. I was told by the airline agent that my name matches with someone on the watch list (only first name, though.. so I guess they don't do a full name match anymore). Maybe the embassy is sharing the same name database with the airlines.
Click to expand...

I think one way to avoid getting stuck during visa interview would be to do FBI fingerpring check before one leaves the country and show the results to the consular officer. people may want to check forums that discuss applying for immigrant visa or immigrant visa to canada. As I understand, it can take upto 6 weeks.
 
tusharvk said:
I think one way to avoid getting stuck during visa interview would be to do FBI fingerpring check before one leaves the country and show the results to the consular officer. people may want to check forums that discuss applying for immigrant visa or immigrant visa to canada. As I understand, it can take upto 6 weeks.
Click to expand...
tusharvk,
I had my FBI clearance report with me when I went to the consulate but consular didnt bother to look at it.
 
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