db362 Posted September 6, 2011 Report Share Posted September 6, 2011 I applied for H1B stamping in Toronto and interviewed for it today -- Just wanted to share my experience for the community: Appointment date: 6th Sept 2011 -> Morning 8 am appointment -- not many people in queue. -> Upon entering the consulate building, they ask for your DS-160 print out and passport and put them in a plastic envelop. -> Then you go to a counter for initial document check -- they asked for I797 and kept it with them along with passport and DS-160. Here you will receive a token number. -> Call out for finger printing -> After sometime, call out for interview VO: How are you? ME: Good thanks, how are you? VO: Good too. Thanks VO: So you went to xyz school before joining this company? ME: Yes. ( The VO had full record of previous visas and all on his computer, of course.) VO: Okay, you did your MBA here, right? ME: Yes. VO: What do you do for this company? ME: I am xyz in the company. VO: Are you working as a consultant or a employee. ME: I am a direct hire employee working in xyz group in the company. VO: Any major clients the company is working with? ME: xyz VO: Okay, your visa is approved. ( The VO kept the passport and I-797 with him and handed me a white paper which lists that passport would be available by DHL and all in 2 - 3 business days etc) ME: Thanks! The whole interview was over in 3 minutes -- no documents asked. Although I carried with me I-129, employer letter and recent payslips as was mentioned in the visa appointment letter. Background: I am working in a interactive marketing agency as a employee for last couple of months with an approved I-797. I only needed the stamp as I may have to travel abroad. Now waiting to collect my passport from DHL facility -- Will update when I receive the passport. Hope this helps! Cheers!! Link to comment
anahita771 Posted September 6, 2011 Report Share Posted September 6, 2011 is this your 1st H1B stamping? Link to comment
sai_bs Posted September 6, 2011 Report Share Posted September 6, 2011 Do we need visa to enter in Canada? How much time before an appointment should be taken? Also, I am on L1B working in the US and my visa expired end of aug last month. My extension is approved and waiting for the approval documents.I heard lot of scarry tales from friends who went to India and got stuck with stamping issues. Is it ok to go to Canada for stamping? I have to travel to India in Nov and do not want to risk stamping there. What do you suggest? Link to comment
db362 Posted September 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2011 Sai_bs: Yes we need a visitor visa to enter Canada. Check the canadian embassy website for info. Generally, if you apply in person, you can get the visa same day. It's no big deal pretty straight forward process. For U.S. visa stamping in Canada for *ANY* visa class, I think they stress on having a US educational degree -- If not, they *advise* to apply in home country. Link to comment
gagarli Posted September 7, 2011 Report Share Posted September 7, 2011 Originally posted by db362: I applied for H1B stamping in Toronto and interviewed for it today -- Just wanted to share my experience for the community: Appointment date: 6th Sept 2011 -> Morning 8 am appointment -- not many people in queue. -> Upon entering the consulate building, they ask for your DS-160 print out and passport and put them in a plastic envelop. -> Then you go to a counter for initial document check -- they asked for I797 and kept it with them along with passport and DS-160. Here you will receive a token number. -> Call out for finger printing -> After sometime, call out for interview VO: How are you? ME: Good thanks, how are you? VO: Good too. Thanks VO: So you went to xyz school before joining this company? ME: Yes. ( The VO had full record of previous visas and all on his computer, of course.) VO: Okay, you did your MBA here, right? ME: Yes. VO: What do you do for this company? ME: I am xyz in the company. VO: Are you working as a consultant or a employee. ME: I am a direct hire employee working in xyz group in the company. VO: Any major clients the company is working with? ME: xyz VO: Okay, your visa is approved. ( The VO kept the passport and I-797 with him and handed me a white paper which lists that passport would be available by DHL and all in 2 - 3 business days etc) ME: Thanks! The whole interview was over in 3 minutes -- no documents asked. Although I carried with me I-129, employer letter and recent payslips as was mentioned in the visa appointment letter. Background: I am working in a interactive marketing agency as a employee for last couple of months with an approved I-797. I only needed the stamp as I may have to travel abroad. Now waiting to collect my passport from DHL facility -- Will update when I receive the passport. Hope this helps! Cheers!! When you left US, did you surrender lower part of I-797A (I-94) at the airport? Please advise. Link to comment
tusharvk Posted September 7, 2011 Report Share Posted September 7, 2011 my opinion is that it is ok either way to go to canada or india. for canada, indian pp holders need a visa. It was walk-in in 2009; you just need a visitor visa; make sure to apply for multiple entry one just in case you decide to visit there again. Link to comment
tusharvk Posted September 7, 2011 Report Share Posted September 7, 2011 Originally posted by sai_bs: Do we need visa to enter in Canada? How much time before an appointment should be taken? Also, I am on L1B working in the US and my visa expired end of aug last month. My extension is approved and waiting for the approval documents.I heard lot of scarry tales from friends who went to India and got stuck with stamping issues. Is it ok to go to Canada for stamping? I have to travel to India in Nov and do not want to risk stamping there. What do you suggest? suggest going to india. Canada isn't all that rosy either. there are a lot of instances of admin processing even in canada. You need to go one day prior to pay the fees and stay one m ore day to pick up the passport. so, expensive in a nutshell. employers may allow you to conside interview time as not vacation so, you can stay longer in india. weigh your options carefully. Link to comment
db362 Posted September 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 Guys -- just an update: I picked up my passport on Friday 9th Sept morning from DHL brampton location. Around 3 business days turnaround time... Link to comment
avasi36 Posted September 14, 2011 Report Share Posted September 14, 2011 Hi DB362, Really thanks for your post. I have gained a lot of confidence by seeing your post. I will also plan for my visa in Toronto. Can you please tell me if this was your first stamping in Canada. This is a questions irking lot of people. Your response is really appreciated. Thanks avasi Link to comment
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