J1 visa stamping

A

Alim58

New Member
Hi, I am a physician in the first year of my residency in internal medicine in Phialdelphia on a J1 visa which was issued by US consulate in Pakistan.

The J1 visa stamp on my passport expires in June 2006. However, I plan to travel to my home country in 2007 but J1 visa re stamping at US consulate in Pakistan takes a long time and I will have only 3 weeks as vacation.

Some of my friends told me that you can go to Canada for J1 visa stamping. I have a new DS 2019 issued to me from 2006 to 2007.

I need a new J1 visa stamp on my passport so that I can travel next year to attend a wedding without any problems.

Do I need to hire a lawyer for this? Anyone had some experience in this situation?? Can anyone explain the procedure.

any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
My understanding, based on info from a prominent immigation lawyer is that you can get your J1 visa renewed in Canada or Mexico as long as you have a valid DS 2019 with you. Your best bet is to have this done prior to the expiration of your current J1 visa in case you get refused, otherwise you will not be able to return to the US.
 
It does not matter if your current visa has not expired when you go to renew. If your application is denied, they will stamp your passport so that you cannot return to the U.S. without first returning to your home country to renew your visa. It sounds risky, but I have not heard of anyone who has been denied a visa renewal. The process for doing it in Canada is pretty streamlined. You need to get an appointment, and I have heard that they deny appointments to people who they think could be trouble cases. In other words, if you get an appointment, then it should be pretty safe to go. Of course, this is just what I have heard, but I renewed in Toronto last summer and it was not a problem (with an expired visa).
 
Anyone can REQUEST an appointment online, but that does NOT guarantee that you get an appointment. The appointment is pending until you get a confirmation, which can take a week. During this time, they can review the information you have provided and cancel your appointment.
 
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