Ottawa H1b Visa – All about it

[Dinu464]

The forum helped me a lot during my visa interview, so I thought I will pay it forward. I got my visa stamped in Ottawa, full time job (FTE); basic questions (what you do, education, single/married etc.)

 

Appointment:  A best day to make your appointment is on a Monday, so you would get your visa stamped and passport returned if everything goes well by Friday/next Monday.

 

DS 160: Make sure you fill all the right information, review it more than once; it’s very easy to miss out some important details. Always save DS-160 as a .dat file on your hard drive, so it’s easy to upload the next time you need it.

 

Travel dates: After the visa appointment, it takes about

Best Case: 3 business days

Somewhere in-between: 5 business days

Bad case: anywhere between 2 weeks to 1 month

 

Considering best/somewhere in-between give it 5 business days (not including the day of visa appointment).  So, for example; if you are booking a flight on Sunday for a Monday appointment, make sure you book your return ticket for Monday night of the following week. This will be a safe bet for any unforeseen delays.

 

Accommodation: This is a big one; everyone spends lots b’cos of uncertainly in getting the visa. My recommendations are to use airbnb and book a room for $30-$40 a night. This might be little far from downtown (U.S embassy), so if you feel you need to be relaxed before the interview, book 2 night stay from econo lodge in 475 Rideau St Ottawa, ON K1N 5Z3. This is a short walk to the embassy, it’s the cheapest that I know of. After which you can book through AirBNB for the rest of the days when you are waiting.

 

Recommendation: I booked through airbnb, I stayed in a place rented out by Hassan (phone: ***-***-****) really nice guy and per night rent is cheap, safe location. This place is about 20 minutes to U.S. embassy by bus. You get your own room, TV, queen sized bed and a small fridge

 

Transportation: Checkout OC transpo (buses in Ottawa). It’s pretty reliable. Buy cheap tickets in the airport transportation center. If you have a car/rental car, that’s good as well. Try to avoid Taxi; they are super expensive in Ottawa, try to go public transportation/ rental cars.

 

Loomis pickup:  

Embassy will give you a web URL to track your passport and status.

Day1 of interview: status would be admin processing

Day3/4/5 – status changes to Issued

Once status changes to issued (mostly at 4.30 PM EST), you will be able to pick up your passport the next day during which status will change to be “Ready for pickup”

 

Note: I am not an expert, the above statements are merely based on my personal experience and it may differ for different cases based on specific situations.

[Lucky219]

Thanks Dinu, very helpful post.

[kishore_k]

Thank you Dinu. Other than basic questions did he/she asked any questions related to employer. My appointment is on November 18th. I am also a FTE

[Dinu464]

No the officer did not ask anything about the employer. I believe they do due diligence before you go there (i.e.) they would have verified your employer credential through Dun & bradster or similar websites

[sendilvera]

Dinu464.. Could you please share Hassan Contact details .. I emailed to your yahoo ID  from profile .. could you reply? thanks for your post & help ...