VB111 Posted January 8, 2020 Report Share Posted January 8, 2020 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 Quote Link to comment
Tjgarla Posted January 9, 2020 Report Share Posted January 9, 2020 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 Quote Link to comment
gopalakrishnach Posted January 9, 2020 Report Share Posted January 9, 2020 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.. Quote Link to comment
User099 Posted January 9, 2020 Report Share Posted January 9, 2020 Even though it says Kolkata, you can go to Canada. You don't need to have that changed in i797. Quote Link to comment
shekar11# Posted January 9, 2020 Report Share Posted January 9, 2020 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. Quote Link to comment
premkalyan521 Posted January 10, 2020 Report Share Posted January 10, 2020 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. Quote Link to comment
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