H1b stamping in Toronto
Hi
I got my visa stamped last week in Toronto. This forum was helpful and it is great to help each other out.
To give my details
F1 visa -> opt -> H1B (first time) (Indian passport holder)
The consulate is located in downtown Toronto. I flew to Buffalo, rented the car to Toronto (102 miles). Was well prepared. One set of documents - essential ones (like your I-129, I-797, Employer letter) and other one non essential documents (I-20's, pay stubs, etc. etc)
I was asked for the following
a) I-129, I-797, previous passports to US (your lawyer gives you that once your petition is approved), my degree certificate (had a good look at it - it is from US univ, Masters computer science)
b) What I did did in US so far, what you do, what company does
My suggestions
a) Be confident, be polite (no gidgao stuff)
b) Be well prepared ( I had even documents from school saying I was in status all the time I was in school, had all I-20's, company brochures, social security statements, my tax returns, and what not, you guess it (letter from employer that his job may require travel abroad), my business card, any documents that show that you did not do any wrong and you were never out of status)
c) take plenty of cash (I would say atleast USD300)
Within 2 mins of these questions, I was asked to pay reciprocity fees ($75), then another officer asked me few questions and thats it, said that he is approving and you can pick up your passport between 3 and 4 pm next day
There is atleast 30/40 mins wait to pick up the passport (got my Passport bock with I-797 approval notice)
Since I had not submitted my I-94 (since canadian officer did not take it) so when driving back, I did not have to go through their immigration office. The guy at checkpoint said since you already have I-94 you can go straight up. (I had to get canadian visa too ahead of time though before I headed up to Toronto, which is very simple, and got it in mail in about 20 days, applied at washington, dc). There is Scotia bank close to Consular office
(I paid the $100 application fee the day before) USD are accepted everywhere in Canada though, even indian restaurants, which are plenty). You can get your photo taken inside the embassy. It is cheaper at $5 Canadian. Make sure that you have $5 CDN bill because it does not take any other bills)- and read the instructions before putting the money in)
I do not think the appointment time means anything. I had to wait for about 1.5 hrs. Poeple before me were still waiting. Meaning if you get in late, that is ok I guess.
That is pretty much it. Feel free to ask me anything if you have questions.
I feel going to Canada is better then going to your home country straight away. Worse comes to worse, they can send you to India. Though I did feel, that I should have taken an indian appoinment as well - was making me nervous, what if they send me to India). There is a month waiting time for web appointment in India last time I checked.
I would say that it was an experience, but it is a relief once you get it.
Good luck to you all
Anil