kiran00 said:Dear Friends here is my story.
Background:
Me - Came to US in 1997 to UNCC, completed my masters in 1999. Opt from Jan 2000 to Jan 2001.
Ist H1B from Jan 2001 to Jan 2004. Revalidated this via drop box from tts visa services at Hyderabad to Chennai in March 2001.
2nd H1B from Jan 2004 to Jan 2007. Successfull Revalidation at Toronto on June 8th.
My wife: Cam to US in 2000 to a school in IL. Completed her MS by end of 2002.
OPT from June 2003 till Mar 15 2004. H4 from till OCT 2004. First H1B from Oct 1 2004 to Nov 15 2004. Second H1B from Nov 15
2004 - current.
Timewise:
April 17th: - made online appointment on nvars.com for June 8th at Toronto for me and my wife.
May 19th: Went to Canadian Consulate to obtain single entry visa for me, my wife and my inlaws (they are here to see us and help us
for my newborn daughter).
May 20th: Picked up all the four canadian stamped passports from Canadian Consulate. My daughter is US citizen with US Passport:
so she does not need Canadian Visa.
June 8th: 5 of us flew from IAD to Buffalo. We bought this ticket on FLYI.com for $70.00 each of us two way. Picked the rental car at
Buffalo airport and drove to Canadian border past Niagara.
Conversation with Canadian Border official.
CBO: Where you going?
Me: Toronto
CBO: Why?
Me: Visa Revalidation.
CBO: For whom?
Me: Me and my wife.
CBO: How about others?
Me: There are coming with us to visit Toronto
CBO: Do you all have Visa?
Me: Yes.. and showed the Visa...
CBO: Pull into the Customs Office further down from the border post.
Went into the Customs office, showed them all the 5 passport, Officer, asked the purpose of visit, asked what we are taking to
Canada, amount of US currency. He then struck the issued Visa on all 4 passports and stamped our passports for entry till first of
Decemebr.
From there we drove to toronto and checked in the Marriott Hotel on 90 bloor street. We reserved this hotel in Priceline and got it for
$70 per night - two rooms/ two nights. I guess its a very good deal.
June 9th - Appointment at 9:30 AM.
Went to Scotia Bank at 8:00 AM at 44 KingStreet, gave 2 x 100 USD to pick two vouchers for me and my wife.
8:15 AM- Reached US Consulate after a brief walk from Scotia Bankt to US COnsulate. Stood in the line in front of the building. Then
a guard came and asked me if we have appointment and when we showed the appointment letter, advised us to the back side of the
building.
8:20 AM. Already 15 members standing at the rear entrance of the building. Stood and Q. Guard checked for appointment letter and
let us inside the building around 8:40. Went through the metal detector. and stood in the Q in the Corridor. Entered the main building
around 9:30. Around this time there another lady walking aside the Q and making sure that they have all the documents... she
checked ours and asked us to remain in the line.
9:30 AM: when it was our turn went to counter (i remember its 2). The lady looked at our (both) photos and rejected and said that the
photos need to have white back ground ( I thought the pics I took had white background). She also wanted me to add my highschool
information in the DS 157.
Any ways, we used the photo machine US consulate to get the pics and stood back in the line AGAIN. (Carry CDN 5 with you just in
case if the Lady in the counter rejects your photos. You get 4 photos from this machine which are OK and serves the purpose. I Had
10 CDN and asked around those waiting if they can split... there was one person who had two 5 CDNs and exchanged it for my 10
CDN...). I used a seperate sheet for adding the information in DS 157
10:00 AM. Another counter... another lady...
Lady: Show me your appointment letter....
We: Showed her the letter
Lady: I 797, DS 156, DS 157
We: Showed them.
Lady: Status in Canada, told her that we are here on Visitors visa.. she ran through passport book and could not locate the Canadian
visa,,, I took the passport and showed her...
Lady: Your name does not match passport and I 797.
We: Yeah I know...
Background: My name per passport
Surname : SN1 SN2
GivenName: GN1 GN2 GN3
NOTE THE SPACES....
Per my US Docs:
LastName GN2GN3, FirstName: SN1SN2, MiddleName: GN1
I know its all jumbled... but what can I do ... I wrote this way back in 1997 in GRE forms and school forms and did not get opportunity
to change it back....
Lady: You got to change your passport....
Me: Yeah once I get back to DC I will
Me: Will this be a problem now?
Lady: Donno know, can't say, can't guarantee... she took both our docs and asked us to stand in Q...
waited for 1 and half hour...
Our name was called at around 12:00 by Visa office in counter 7 (as I remember).... as Indian Passport GN1GN2... As the Visa
Officer was struggling with my name, I knew it was me...
Walked to the Counter...
Me: Good Morning
VO: Show me your Employment letters - showed them.
VO: What do you do for your company: explained to her my duties...VO Confirmed my job title and entered into the system.
VO: What do you do for your company: QUestion at my wife.... she explained her job description. VO Confirmed her job title and
entered into the system.
VO: Show me your paystubs. - showed them... my wife had a break in paystubs... she did not get one because she was on maternity
leave... took a letter from the employer explaining this.. showed it to the VO... asking her if she cares for that...
VO: Whats that? I explained that letter...
VO: Congrats so you had a baby recently...
We: Thanks... yes couple of months back...
VO: You dont look like you had a baby....
My Wife: we are trying...
VO: SMiled...
VO: When did you come to US? Question posed at me... explained her all the Visa Status
VO: When did you come to US? Question posed at my wife... she explained all the Visa status held all the time...
VO:Whats your course of Study at your school? I told its Applied Physics I have a bunch of courses in CS and I volunteered to show
my transcripts...
VO: thats ok.. I dont need to look at it...
At this point of time I noticed that she already had ONE blue slip beside her.. looking at One blue slip, my heart sank and I thought I
am in soup because there are not two slips but one...
She gave me the blue slip and asked me to pay the fee... when I looked closedly on the slip, its mentioned at 50 x 2... then I asked
VO if its for both of us.. she said if we want, she can give two... I said I am ok with one... and asked her if we are through and
everything is fine and if we both were issued Visa... VO said yes...
I went upstairs and wanted to pay with cash, the lady at the counter said she wanted exact change.. so I have credit card and paid
with that...
Overall... The VO is very nice and warm... interview lasted for 5mins... There was no mention of my name mismatch....
Came down to the main room showed the VO the receipt of payment of USD 100... she gave me receipts to pick the passports next
day between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM.
The entire restlessness and tension for two and half months was solved in 5 mins....
By the time we came out, it was 12:30 PM and we realised that we were starving since the morning....
Nextday:
2:15 PM - Went to consulates rear entrance..
2:45 PM - Counter opened...
2:50 PM - my turn to pick the passport and picked them...
The visa on the passport was just the way it was on Passport but not as on I797.... What a relief....
Next day at the border post.
Only one person at the border post...
US Custom official: Where you coming from
me: Toronto
USCO: Why - explained her
USCO: Any fruits or vegetables in your car? Any tobacco or alcohol or anything from customs stores... we said know...
USCO: Looked at our 5 passports and let us go to US... During this 5 min stop, we did not even get out of the car....
Though its my second revalidation I was really really worried about my Name mix up, since first was prior in March 2001, I thought,
since the rules changed a lot after Sept 2001, I thought I will run into issues with my name mix up...
Docs We carried:
Visa Appointment letter, I797,DS156,DS157 (just for me),Paystubs, tax returns (3years),BankStmts,UtilityBills,US/Indian Degree
Certs, Transcripts.Vouchers for 100 at Scotia bank.
Please let me know if you guys have any questions.... I will glad to share...
I would like to thank Rajiv Khanna and this forum Organization members and lot for hosting this forum. This has been of great and immense
help to us.... If not for this... I dont know how else I would have prepared.....
- Kiran
H1 Visa stamping experience- Canada
- Thread starter arsraj87
- Start date
Successful stamping in Toronto
Hello Friends,
Thanks to all of you first of all for keeping such a nice website up and running. It helped me a lot.
I had successful stamping in Toronto on 28th.
Background
I came to US on my F1 in 2001 for my MSCS. Finished my graduation in Dec 2003 and got my OPT. OPT was valid till Jan 2005. Got my H1B in Nov 2004. So started working on H1 from Jan 05.
Appointment:
I took an appointment on 28th Jun 05 at 8:30 am. As I had early morning appointment, I asked my cousine to deposit $100 to Scotia bank and keep the receipts with her.
I started from Upstate NY on 27th evening around 4:30 as my cousine suggested not to come during rush hours in toronto. So I reached at Niagra around 8:30pm. I took I-190 North and then 405(canadian route). As soon as I crossed the bridge there was an office(Canadian) at the entrance. He asked me the purpose of my visit. One of my friend was travelling with me, he is a citizen of USA and I got my visitor's visa for Canada. So the office gave me one yellow slip and asked me to get the passport stamped in the Canadian immigration building. As soon as I reached near the building, there was a lady officer standing outside. I parked my car(I have Infinity G35 Coupe) and she was like "I love this car.. does the lights turn off automatically ?". I said yes and then she took my passport, went inside and stamped it. I was so surprised that they didnt look anything else.. they didnt check my car or they didnt check my friend's passport. That was pretty easy.
I went to my cousine's place in Scarborough on 27th night. Next day morning we took local transportation and reached to US Consulate Toronto. Now its so stupid that the address of the US Consulate Toronto shows that its 360 University Ave. We reached there and waited in the line for about 5 mins. It was already 8:30 and I asked one officer about the appointment. He said "You are at the wrong door. You need to go to the back of this building. "
Oh well !! So I went to the otherside of the building and thats 225 Simcom Street or something. There was already 20-25 ppl standing in the line. So my turn came around 9:15 - 9:30. As soon as I entered into the building, there was one lady who was checking everyone's document(Passport, 156, 157/158, photograph, appointment letter, scotia bank slip). After finishing that, there was another gate which was leading to the consulate offices. As soon as I entered, there was another line. This line was for submitting the documents. So around 10:15, my turn came and I went to the window 6. She took my papers and asked me for my I-797 and then she asked me
-- when I came to US,
-- till what date including my OPT I was on F1 and
-- when I started working for the company.
And then she asked me to wait till they call my name. So I went into the line. As soon as I went into the line, one security guard called my name and asked me to return back to the window 6. I was so tensed and was worried what happened. I went there and that lady asked me.."What phone number you put in DS 156?" I said its my India's phone number as that question was exactly right after the Home address question. So then she asked me to change it and wrote US number where I can be reached. So I wrote it and again waited for my name to be called.
Around 10:45 they called my name on Window 4.
Me: "Good Morning"
Officer: "How are you doing?"
Officer asked me to get my index finger prints.
Officer: "So you work for xyz company?"
Me: "Yes, I work for xyz company"
Officer: "Did you do your Masters here ?"
Me: "Yes sir, I did my MS in CS from abc University"
Officer: "When did you join this company ?"
Me: "From Jan"
Officer:"Ok we are issuing you a visa... do you need this F1 visa anymore ?"
Me: "Thank you. I dont think I need F1 visa anymore now"
So he cancelled my F1 and asked me to pay the fees. After paying the fees on the 3rd floor I came back to the same officer and he gave me one recepit for collecting my passport the next day between 3-4.
Next day I got my passport from the window. Checked everything and I started driving back. On the border, near US Immigration booth, officer asked me the purpose of visit the canada and asked my and my friend's passport. Then gave me one pink slip which was marked with "Document Check". I went into the immigration building and they asked me I-797. After 15 mins one lady office came saying that "You are all set guys"
Documents carried:
Appointment letter
DS 156, 157
LCA
I-797
I-129
W2s,
Income Tax Returns,(last three years)
Degree certificates
I-20s
Offer letter
Employment verification letter
Previouse employer's recommendation letters.
Bank Statements
Passport (Of course )
OPT card
Photographs
Scotia Bank slip
Hello Friends,
Thanks to all of you first of all for keeping such a nice website up and running. It helped me a lot.
I had successful stamping in Toronto on 28th.
Background
I came to US on my F1 in 2001 for my MSCS. Finished my graduation in Dec 2003 and got my OPT. OPT was valid till Jan 2005. Got my H1B in Nov 2004. So started working on H1 from Jan 05.
Appointment:
I took an appointment on 28th Jun 05 at 8:30 am. As I had early morning appointment, I asked my cousine to deposit $100 to Scotia bank and keep the receipts with her.
I started from Upstate NY on 27th evening around 4:30 as my cousine suggested not to come during rush hours in toronto. So I reached at Niagra around 8:30pm. I took I-190 North and then 405(canadian route). As soon as I crossed the bridge there was an office(Canadian) at the entrance. He asked me the purpose of my visit. One of my friend was travelling with me, he is a citizen of USA and I got my visitor's visa for Canada. So the office gave me one yellow slip and asked me to get the passport stamped in the Canadian immigration building. As soon as I reached near the building, there was a lady officer standing outside. I parked my car(I have Infinity G35 Coupe) and she was like "I love this car.. does the lights turn off automatically ?". I said yes and then she took my passport, went inside and stamped it. I was so surprised that they didnt look anything else.. they didnt check my car or they didnt check my friend's passport. That was pretty easy.
I went to my cousine's place in Scarborough on 27th night. Next day morning we took local transportation and reached to US Consulate Toronto. Now its so stupid that the address of the US Consulate Toronto shows that its 360 University Ave. We reached there and waited in the line for about 5 mins. It was already 8:30 and I asked one officer about the appointment. He said "You are at the wrong door. You need to go to the back of this building. "
Oh well !! So I went to the otherside of the building and thats 225 Simcom Street or something. There was already 20-25 ppl standing in the line. So my turn came around 9:15 - 9:30. As soon as I entered into the building, there was one lady who was checking everyone's document(Passport, 156, 157/158, photograph, appointment letter, scotia bank slip). After finishing that, there was another gate which was leading to the consulate offices. As soon as I entered, there was another line. This line was for submitting the documents. So around 10:15, my turn came and I went to the window 6. She took my papers and asked me for my I-797 and then she asked me
-- when I came to US,
-- till what date including my OPT I was on F1 and
-- when I started working for the company.
And then she asked me to wait till they call my name. So I went into the line. As soon as I went into the line, one security guard called my name and asked me to return back to the window 6. I was so tensed and was worried what happened. I went there and that lady asked me.."What phone number you put in DS 156?" I said its my India's phone number as that question was exactly right after the Home address question. So then she asked me to change it and wrote US number where I can be reached. So I wrote it and again waited for my name to be called.
Around 10:45 they called my name on Window 4.
Me: "Good Morning"
Officer: "How are you doing?"
Officer asked me to get my index finger prints.
Officer: "So you work for xyz company?"
Me: "Yes, I work for xyz company"
Officer: "Did you do your Masters here ?"
Me: "Yes sir, I did my MS in CS from abc University"
Officer: "When did you join this company ?"
Me: "From Jan"
Officer:"Ok we are issuing you a visa... do you need this F1 visa anymore ?"
Me: "Thank you. I dont think I need F1 visa anymore now"
So he cancelled my F1 and asked me to pay the fees. After paying the fees on the 3rd floor I came back to the same officer and he gave me one recepit for collecting my passport the next day between 3-4.
Next day I got my passport from the window. Checked everything and I started driving back. On the border, near US Immigration booth, officer asked me the purpose of visit the canada and asked my and my friend's passport. Then gave me one pink slip which was marked with "Document Check". I went into the immigration building and they asked me I-797. After 15 mins one lady office came saying that "You are all set guys"
Documents carried:
Appointment letter
DS 156, 157
LCA
I-797
I-129
W2s,
Income Tax Returns,(last three years)
Degree certificates
I-20s
Offer letter
Employment verification letter
Previouse employer's recommendation letters.
Bank Statements
Passport (Of course
)OPT card
Photographs
Scotia Bank slip
Last edited by a moderator:
anyone who got stamping after june 20th please advice
I came across some posts by some members who had their visas stamped recently form ottawa that the passport is returned only the next day. And apparently this change is from June 20th. Does anyone have any idea about this new issue. Can anyone who travelled to ottawa after June 20th confirm this. I have an appointment at ottawa on july 6th and have tickets reserved for 7th morning. Any ideas.... please help
I came across some posts by some members who had their visas stamped recently form ottawa that the passport is returned only the next day. And apparently this change is from June 20th. Does anyone have any idea about this new issue. Can anyone who travelled to ottawa after June 20th confirm this. I have an appointment at ottawa on july 6th and have tickets reserved for 7th morning. Any ideas.... please help
indomitable_77
Registered Users (C)
Successful H1 stamping in Vancouver
Hi all,
I just want to share my visa stamping experience in Vancouver.
My status b4: F1 - OPT - H1
My appointment was on Friday 17th June and i booked a flight to Seattle from Bay area on 16th (costed $300 round trip). U'll get a deal ($89 one-way) if u can plan a week b4 if u want to fly. Also researved a car rental at airport and a motel in Bellingham (itz the nearest city close to the boarder ... takes ~1hr to Vancouver) for $40 in Motel 6.
Reached Seattle around 9pm. Drove to Bellingham ... reached at around 10.30pm. Slept well ... started at 6.30am in the morning ... the security person at US check post checked my passport & visa and asked the reason for visit etc. Asked me to go to the Canadian Immigration office ... person at the front desk checked my passport ... visiting visa and appointment letter and stuff. Took 15mins roughly.
Started again ... got confused with the directions as I-99 split into 2 ... and took a wrong path ... later came back and and took the right one ... was confused and nervous for some time ... check the directions well b4 hand. Reached the consulate on time at 8.30am and stood in the line.
1) Security check was done b4 entering the buld (donot carry cellphone or electronic devices ... no sealed envelopes allowed)
2) On 2nd floor showed the passport, appointment letter etc ... paid $100 cash and was told to go to 8th floor (i guess).
3) There a wait for abt 30mins along with all the people who came for stamping in front of the counters and around 10am, i my # was called for interview.
4) The lady asked few general Q's ... it was like a conversation (a) When did u come to US (b) How long have u been working (c) OPT start date ... showed the I797 with OPT card (d)Where did u work and where r u working now... (e) WHat is ur job ... (f) Ur transcripts ... Ohh lot of computer courses ... giggles etc. (e) Asked me to go and pay the fee in the counter and come back at 3pm today and said 'We do not garantee to give ur Passport back to u today ... as it is Friday ... if not given today, u might have to come back on Monday' (again started thinking what will i do if i don't get te passport today) ... better schedule an appointment on Monday's.
Letme tell u abt the major hurdle i've crossed, which i'd been worrying abt. It was my 2nd H1 after OPT and my 1st employer denied giving me the H1(I797 I94). I didn't even have a copy of it with me (B4 this i applied for H1 transfer through my present employer without previous H1 copy and got approved...thatz a big story). Lady didn't ask in particular abt the dates and stuff and i didn't mention abt my previous employer at all ... i was just talking abt the client places where i worked. Cool....isn't it.
5) Paid $50 ... took the receipt (slip that needs to be produced while taking the passport back) ... killed time eating, sleeping in my car etc.
6) Stood in line at 2.45pm ... got the passport back at 3.15pm. Started driving back ... on my way back, near the US checkpost there was a lot of waiting ... almost took 45mins to cross the boarder. Drove to Seattle...took 3 1/2hrs because of waiting and traffic. Fight was at 8.30pm ... arrived at 10.30pm in Oakland.
It went on smoothly ... except for the driving directions mistake, worry abt not carrying previous employers H1 approval ... which didn't stop me though. All the best for those who r going for stamping guys.
Hi all,
I just want to share my visa stamping experience in Vancouver.
My status b4: F1 - OPT - H1
My appointment was on Friday 17th June and i booked a flight to Seattle from Bay area on 16th (costed $300 round trip). U'll get a deal ($89 one-way) if u can plan a week b4 if u want to fly. Also researved a car rental at airport and a motel in Bellingham (itz the nearest city close to the boarder ... takes ~1hr to Vancouver) for $40 in Motel 6.
Reached Seattle around 9pm. Drove to Bellingham ... reached at around 10.30pm. Slept well ... started at 6.30am in the morning ... the security person at US check post checked my passport & visa and asked the reason for visit etc. Asked me to go to the Canadian Immigration office ... person at the front desk checked my passport ... visiting visa and appointment letter and stuff. Took 15mins roughly.
Started again ... got confused with the directions as I-99 split into 2 ... and took a wrong path ... later came back and and took the right one ... was confused and nervous for some time ... check the directions well b4 hand. Reached the consulate on time at 8.30am and stood in the line.
1) Security check was done b4 entering the buld (donot carry cellphone or electronic devices ... no sealed envelopes allowed)
2) On 2nd floor showed the passport, appointment letter etc ... paid $100 cash and was told to go to 8th floor (i guess).
3) There a wait for abt 30mins along with all the people who came for stamping in front of the counters and around 10am, i my # was called for interview.
4) The lady asked few general Q's ... it was like a conversation (a) When did u come to US (b) How long have u been working (c) OPT start date ... showed the I797 with OPT card (d)Where did u work and where r u working now... (e) WHat is ur job ... (f) Ur transcripts ... Ohh lot of computer courses ... giggles etc. (e) Asked me to go and pay the fee in the counter and come back at 3pm today and said 'We do not garantee to give ur Passport back to u today ... as it is Friday ... if not given today, u might have to come back on Monday' (again started thinking what will i do if i don't get te passport today) ... better schedule an appointment on Monday's.
Letme tell u abt the major hurdle i've crossed, which i'd been worrying abt. It was my 2nd H1 after OPT and my 1st employer denied giving me the H1(I797 I94). I didn't even have a copy of it with me (B4 this i applied for H1 transfer through my present employer without previous H1 copy and got approved...thatz a big story). Lady didn't ask in particular abt the dates and stuff and i didn't mention abt my previous employer at all ... i was just talking abt the client places where i worked. Cool....isn't it.
5) Paid $50 ... took the receipt (slip that needs to be produced while taking the passport back) ... killed time eating, sleeping in my car etc.
6) Stood in line at 2.45pm ... got the passport back at 3.15pm. Started driving back ... on my way back, near the US checkpost there was a lot of waiting ... almost took 45mins to cross the boarder. Drove to Seattle...took 3 1/2hrs because of waiting and traffic. Fight was at 8.30pm ... arrived at 10.30pm in Oakland.
It went on smoothly ... except for the driving directions mistake, worry abt not carrying previous employers H1 approval ... which didn't stop me though. All the best for those who r going for stamping guys.
anil_mandra
Registered Users (C)
F1 Stamping
Hi Guys,
My wife has recently converted her visa status from H4 to F1. I was trying to find info. on this website if anyone has gone to canada and been successful in stamping F1 but didn't find much info. Can someone plz. tell me if they had similar experience i.e if they converted from H4 to f1 and had successful stamping from Canada. I have appt. in ottawa for both of us on 3rd aug.
Appreciate your help.
Anil
Hi Guys,
My wife has recently converted her visa status from H4 to F1. I was trying to find info. on this website if anyone has gone to canada and been successful in stamping F1 but didn't find much info. Can someone plz. tell me if they had similar experience i.e if they converted from H4 to f1 and had successful stamping from Canada. I have appt. in ottawa for both of us on 3rd aug.
Appreciate your help.
Anil
Revalidation At Tijuana
Ela and others!
I have an appt. for my 7th year revalidation at TIjuana.
All my papers are clear. I have never been out of status.
MY visa expired July 4. My appt is on Aug 3rd.
My I94 is valid till July 2006.
Based on Ela's experience, I hope i will be let in back again based on the valid I94 incase something goes wrong.
What do you wise people think? - Should I be ok?
What are the questions i should expect?
I am an ORacle applications guy. So may not come under TAL..I think.
What answers should I give to the foll questions? (and my probable answers)
1) Why did you come here ? (bcos it takes 3 months to get an appt in india!!)
2) Do you own property in the US ? ( I do)
Ela and others!
I have an appt. for my 7th year revalidation at TIjuana.
All my papers are clear. I have never been out of status.
MY visa expired July 4. My appt is on Aug 3rd.
My I94 is valid till July 2006.
Based on Ela's experience, I hope i will be let in back again based on the valid I94 incase something goes wrong.
What do you wise people think? - Should I be ok?
What are the questions i should expect?
I am an ORacle applications guy. So may not come under TAL..I think.
What answers should I give to the foll questions? (and my probable answers)
1) Why did you come here ? (bcos it takes 3 months to get an appt in india!!)
2) Do you own property in the US ? ( I do)
shankee said:
I think it is best to be truthful about your answers to the questions. I am not so sure about letting back in after you applied for visa at the consulate. this is true (in theory at least); but I hear the practice varies from one border post to other.
Question on What to answer?
I work in a typical consulting company.
IF the VO asks...`what does you company do'?
Is it safe to say..they are into consulting?
Will they ask what client I work with..or any proof of that? ( I won't have any proof of my working at a client"
I work in a typical consulting company.
IF the VO asks...`what does you company do'?
Is it safe to say..they are into consulting?
Will they ask what client I work with..or any proof of that? ( I won't have any proof of my working at a client"
Desibrother
Registered Users (C)
No Problem
There should not be any issue in getting the stamping in Canada. Visa is primarily a "travel document" based on your H1b approval (I-797); so if you have an approved I-797, getting a VISA stamp is not an issue.
Can I ask, how many days/weeks it took for your h1b 7th year extension approval to come thru ? I'm in the same 7th yr boat as you.
Thanks
Karbi said:
There should not be any issue in getting the stamping in Canada. Visa is primarily a "travel document" based on your H1b approval (I-797); so if you have an approved I-797, getting a VISA stamp is not an issue.
Can I ask, how many days/weeks it took for your h1b 7th year extension approval to come thru ? I'm in the same 7th yr boat as you.
Thanks
successful stamping in toronto consulate
Friends,
I and my wife got our visa revalidation done in Toronto recently.
We stayed in Toronto East. You can also stay in Scarborough. We booked through priceline. Got a 3 star hotel for 50 USD.
Be prepared for a long wait in the Consulate. We took every possble documents we have.
First, they checked the Appointment letter, Passport, Canadian Visa, DS 156 and 157 and questions like since when you are working, when did you come to US 1st, When did you get H1 1st etc. Then she will ask you to wait for interview.
Interview: What was my education is US and asked for the employemnt letter. Thats all. It was pretty cool.
We collected our passports next day. Try to go 30 mins early. Otherwise line will be big.
Port of Entry questions:
1) Why did I go to Toronto for stamping
2) Why I need stamping since I can stay in US without stamping.
3) When did I go to Toronto
4) Where is my old I94( Consulate took it).
5) Did I get anything from Canada.
Friends,
I and my wife got our visa revalidation done in Toronto recently.
We stayed in Toronto East. You can also stay in Scarborough. We booked through priceline. Got a 3 star hotel for 50 USD.
Be prepared for a long wait in the Consulate. We took every possble documents we have.
First, they checked the Appointment letter, Passport, Canadian Visa, DS 156 and 157 and questions like since when you are working, when did you come to US 1st, When did you get H1 1st etc. Then she will ask you to wait for interview.
Interview: What was my education is US and asked for the employemnt letter. Thats all. It was pretty cool.
We collected our passports next day. Try to go 30 mins early. Otherwise line will be big.
Port of Entry questions:
1) Why did I go to Toronto for stamping
2) Why I need stamping since I can stay in US without stamping.
3) When did I go to Toronto
4) Where is my old I94( Consulate took it).
5) Did I get anything from Canada.
anil_mandra
Registered Users (C)
Sure badder24 i will post my experience. I haevn't got any reply for my post yet so dunno if anyone had any F1 stamping exp. My appt. is next week so keeping fingers crossed.
Canada Stamping
Hi,
I got my 7th Year H1 extension and now I am planning to go to Toronto,CANADA for stamping.
Please give your inputs ..on
1. Where should I take the CANADA visitor visa before entering CANADA.
2. Should I take the Consulate Visa Fee from US else where do I take it from.
3. I do not have a US Degree - Should I be concerned.
I am planning to go in the Aug/Sep 05.
Thanks in advance.
Regards.
GCDreamzz ..
Hi,
I got my 7th Year H1 extension and now I am planning to go to Toronto,CANADA for stamping.
Please give your inputs ..on
1. Where should I take the CANADA visitor visa before entering CANADA.
2. Should I take the Consulate Visa Fee from US else where do I take it from.
3. I do not have a US Degree - Should I be concerned.
I am planning to go in the Aug/Sep 05.
Thanks in advance.
Regards.
GCDreamzz ..
Phone call before VISA interview
I have applied for a H1-b visa interview in Toronto on Sep 1 through NVARS and got the confirmation letter. And then I also received a call from VISA office in Toronto and the lady informed me that my visa interview has been confirmed on Sep 1 and warned me that it might take 3-4 weeks for background check if Consulate deems it necessary.
Now this issue regarding background check is mentioned on NVARS website and also the letter but I never heard from anyone that they also make a call to confirm the appointment. I was wondering whether this call was just a routine call/warning or they only call those people with whom they anticipate trouble. I really got worried after getting the call.
I transferred from OPT to H-1b January ,2005 and valid until 2008. I came to US in 1999, finished my PhD on 2004 and now working as a visiting faculty in a university and this is the first time I am going outside US. With paperwork, I do not anticipate any problem.
By the way, I am from Bangladesh and Bangladesh was under special registration requirement while that law was in force. Is the call that I got from VISA office has something to do with nationality?
I am really worried now...I have made all the plans regarding travel and after this call I am thinking whether I should cancel.
I would highly appreciate if any body has any suggestions.
Thanks
BigMonty
I have applied for a H1-b visa interview in Toronto on Sep 1 through NVARS and got the confirmation letter. And then I also received a call from VISA office in Toronto and the lady informed me that my visa interview has been confirmed on Sep 1 and warned me that it might take 3-4 weeks for background check if Consulate deems it necessary.
Now this issue regarding background check is mentioned on NVARS website and also the letter but I never heard from anyone that they also make a call to confirm the appointment. I was wondering whether this call was just a routine call/warning or they only call those people with whom they anticipate trouble. I really got worried after getting the call.
I transferred from OPT to H-1b January ,2005 and valid until 2008. I came to US in 1999, finished my PhD on 2004 and now working as a visiting faculty in a university and this is the first time I am going outside US. With paperwork, I do not anticipate any problem.
By the way, I am from Bangladesh and Bangladesh was under special registration requirement while that law was in force. Is the call that I got from VISA office has something to do with nationality?
I am really worried now...I have made all the plans regarding travel and after this call I am thinking whether I should cancel.
I would highly appreciate if any body has any suggestions.
Thanks
BigMonty