Renewing (Getting Stamp) visa in Canada

[itc]

My wife is an Italian citizen, needs to get a stamp in the passport on an anual basis. We are planning to go to Toronto, Canada this year .

1. Does anyone has experience in renewing/getting stamp in Canada? She was greatly discouraged in doing that although nobody had any experience. She is pregnant and we would like to avoid traveling if possible.

2. In the hospital she was told that if she is refused she will not be allowed back in the US. She still has a valid (and would have a valid stamp in the passport) from last year. This does not make any sense to me , so if somebody can shed a light we would appreciate this many times. Thanks to eveyone.

 

[itc]

Hm, 33 views as of my writing at this moment and nobody wants to offer even a hint? Is this problem really so uncommon and not explored avenue?

 

[Mi5244]

No need for stamp if you remain in US

If your wife's H1B approval or DS-2019, you don't need a visa stamp to work as long as you remain in US. The stamp is required for people to re-enter US after foreign trips.

 

[schandrag]

If your wife does not plan to travel out of the US , and is already on H-1/J-1 status there is no need for a new stamp in the passport.
If she needs to get the stamp for travel, it may be easier for her to do it in Italy than in Toronto. I have renewed my J-1 visa stamp in Toronto ( many years ago in 1997) and it was not a pleasant experience. On the other hand my friends who have visited the US consulates in Milano and Napoli state there is very little waiting time, no lines and curteous service.

 

[itc]

Thanks a lot for the answers.

Schandrag, you are right. My wife needs to travel and this is why she needs the stamp.

She has been getting a new stamp in Napoli every year and indeed it is a painless experience. But, of course one has to fly oversees and it is at least a week long deal. Not to forget that she is pregnant and we want to avoid traveling by plane.

Toronto is however only few hour drive from where we live and this is why I wanted to know if the process can be accomplished smoothly. I see that one can schedule an appointment on the internet in Toronto.

Any info an experience would be appreciated. Our fear is of course that if she is denied a stamp she was told she will not be able to come back in the states. That sounds strange to me (her stamp is valid till March) but maybe I am missing something. Thanks!

 

[schandrag]

if your wife already has a valid stamp which is to expire soon, even if renewal is denied ( unlikely in the first place) she can reenter based on the currently valid visa. There is little reason for the renewal to be denied if she has already renewed succesfully in Itlay earlier.
My experience in Toronto is from 9 years back so it might not be valid today.

 

[happyneige]

visa stamp in canada

Thanks a lot for the answers.

Schandrag, you are right. My wife needs to travel and this is why she needs the stamp.

She has been getting a new stamp in Napoli every year and indeed it is a painless experience. But, of course one has to fly oversees and it is at least a week long deal. Not to forget that she is pregnant and we want to avoid traveling by plane.

Toronto is however only few hour drive from where we live and this is why I wanted to know if the process can be accomplished smoothly. I see that one can schedule an appointment on the internet in Toronto.

Any info an experience would be appreciated. Our fear is of course that if she is denied a stamp she was told she will not be able to come back in the states. That sounds strange to me (her stamp is valid till March) but maybe I am missing something. Thanks!

I had my H-1B stamp in Calgary, Canada in 2004. Except for the long wait time in front of the Consulate, there was no big hassels. The officials seemed to be familiar with H-1 stamp. And I got my passport (with stamp) back the same day. Key point is paperwork completion. Bring everything you need with you. (They may want the J-1 HRR waiver paperwork as well.) I don't know about Toronto but heard that Halifax is also a good place to have a visa stamped. Hope this helps.

 

[merovingian]

Could you tell me what kind of visa is in your wife's passport?
Now let me give you an advice. Whatever visa it is, extend the status without traveling anywhere. Let the baby be born in USA. You always have this little chance of not coming back to US. Who knows, she pregnant, that means less that 8 month left. Could you wait?
Just my opinion...