H1B Consular Processing first time, Wish to go to Canada for stamping

[VB111]

Hello!
 

• I have an approved petition for H1B consular processing by a big pharma company that is valid from 10/01/2019 to 09/22/2022. 
• I am currently on F1 OPT (with F1 valid till 2023). 
• I-797B says Consulate is Kolkata.
• I would like to activate my H1B though because it will make it easy for me to move employers. 
• However, I do not have enough PTO to go to India right now. So I would like to go somewhere closer- Toronto/Montreal are drivable for me. 

Questions:

1. can I go to Canada for consular processing as it is first time? Anyone else done this successfully? 

2. Can I request for change in consulate? Is it worth it? I know i-824 is for immigrant visas only. Any other options for non-immigrant visas?

 

THANK YOU! I NEED HELP! 

Best

VARSHA

[Tjgarla]

there is no clear answer for this. You are eligible to go to any consulate in India.

But i am not sure if you are eligible to go to Canada .

You need to consult an attorney for more clarity

[gopalakrishnach]

I do not have enough PTO to go to India right now ... how much time you can get.

I feel consular means you need to go to India. I may be wrong..

[User099]

Even though it says Kolkata, you can go to Canada. You don't need to have that changed in i797.

[shekar11#]

On 1/8/2020 at 3:54 PM, VB111 said:

Hello!
 

• I have an approved petition for H1B consular processing by a big pharma company that is valid from 10/01/2019 to 09/22/2022. 
• I am currently on F1 OPT (with F1 valid till 2023). 
• I-797B says Consulate is Kolkata.
• I would like to activate my H1B though because it will make it easy for me to move employers. 
• However, I do not have enough PTO to go to India right now. So I would like to go somewhere closer- Toronto/Montreal are drivable for me. 

Questions:

1. can I go to Canada for consular processing as it is first time? Anyone else done this successfully? 

2. Can I request for change in consulate? Is it worth it? I know i-824 is for immigrant visas only. Any other options for non-immigrant visas?

 

THANK YOU! I NEED HELP! 

Best

VARSHA

Best option is to consult an immigration attorney.

[premkalyan521]

On 1/8/2020 at 2:54 PM, VB111 said:

Hello!
 

• I have an approved petition for H1B consular processing by a big pharma company that is valid from 10/01/2019 to 09/22/2022. 
• I am currently on F1 OPT (with F1 valid till 2023). 
• I-797B says Consulate is Kolkata.
• I would like to activate my H1B though because it will make it easy for me to move employers. 
• However, I do not have enough PTO to go to India right now. So I would like to go somewhere closer- Toronto/Montreal are drivable for me. 

Questions:

1. can I go to Canada for consular processing as it is first time? Anyone else done this successfully? 

2. Can I request for change in consulate? Is it worth it? I know i-824 is for immigrant visas only. Any other options for non-immigrant visas?

 

THANK YOU! I NEED HELP! 

Best

VARSHA

we have seen many newbies go to Canada for h1 stamping. but for canada u will need CANADA visiting visa. do you already have Canada Visiting VIsa. It may take any where from 3 to 4 weeks.