H1B Renewal @ Vancouver Aug 20th

[permaudit]

I had my interview yesterday and it went fine and my visa was approved. Below is the experience.

 

I had the Visa appointment at the Vancouver Consulate at 7:15am. I was at the Consulate by 6:30 and. To my surprise there were no Indians for H1B. Just a few for B1/B2. Almost all the applications while I was at the consulate were B1/B2 to my knowledge. There was only one guy for H1b (Not sure where he was from, but from his accent I am assuming he was from Europe). By the time I finished security check and till I was called for the interview it was around 8: 45. There was only one lady at Counter 4 that was taking the interviews for everyone, No other counters were functional while I was there.

 

Here is how the interview went

 

1. Is this your renewal?

2. Can I see your W2 and Paystubs.

3. Who is your end client?

4. So were you working at <Location 1> (My Employer Location) looking at my DS on the computer I think. Have you ever worked at this location?

5. And you worked in <Location 2> (My previous client location almost 5 years ago)

6. How long have you been staying in the current location?

7. How long have you been working with the current employer?

8. Have they filed GC for you? When? Can I see your approved I-140? (After I showed her the copy of the I-797 for approved I-140, she mentions that its an I-797, and she wants to see the I-140 approval. I say that its the approval notice and I-140 is mentioned. She was fine with it after looking at it)

9. What is your end client name again?

10. How much do you earn? 

11. And there is a 2% increase every year? (Looking at the additional pay)

12. What is your designation?

 

The interview was around 15 minutes and she sad that my Visa was approved and I would get the passport back in 3 to 5 business days.

 

I came back and checked the CEAC Applciation Website and it says "Administrative Processing" I think its normal. Waiting for the status to change and to receive the Waybill number.

 

IF anyone has attended the interview yesterday or this week. Please let me know,

 

Thank you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[KumarKP]

Congratulations for successful completion of your Visa interview. Thank you for sharing your entire interview. Good to see all your questions and certainly helps others to get prepared. All the very best.

[Nina222]

Hi usimmi14,

Congratulations for sucess!

I have question regarding visa application process. What was the order of completing two applications, Canadian visitor visa application and H1b stamping application? Did you receive the Canadian visitor visa and then started the H1b stamping process (i.e. filling out DS-160 etc..) I don't have a relative or a friend in Canada to include invitation letter. One of the other option is to include H1b appointment letter. How can i have that letter if I don't have Canadian visa.

 

Thanks for sharing your experience and I really appreciate your response. 

Nina

[permaudit]

@Nina222,

 

Thank you! This is my second time to Vancouver for renewal, I applied for the Visa 3 years ago and am not sure is if the process has changed recently. Here is what I did 

 

1. Pay US Visa Application Fee and booked a slot far ahead in time. I think about 2 months from now. 

2. Applied for Canadian Visa right after that using this appointment letter. I received the passport within 15 days back with the Canadian Visa.

3. I rescheduled the appointment to a more feasible date and booked all the hotels and flight tickets accordingly.

 

I don't think you would need Hotel and Flight confirmation for the Canadian Visa. I used a cover letter addressing my travel plans along with the US Visa Appointment Confirmation letter.

 

Hope this helps! All the best.

[victory4469]

@ Nina 222

 

You can start both applications at the same time,

 

Currently for Canada visiting visa it will take around 3 week to get your passport with visa if u submit your application online.

For Visa Stamping you need to start DS-160 and then use that DS 160 application number to start book your VISA slot.

If you have any questions you can reach me @ my profile name at gmail dot com.

[Nina222]

Thank you for the reply!

[gopalb851]

Hi  usimmi14

 

Congratulations on getting the Visa approved. And thanks for sharing the experience. 

 

It seems we have to have a copy of I-140. 

 

I am planning to go for Stamping to Vancouver. Which is the visa delivery location that we have to select which is nearest to Visa office ?  

 

Thanks,

Gopal. 

[donbhargav]

@usimmi14 -> when was your visa approved ? Are you back to US ? 

[donbhargav]

@usimmi14 -> when was your visa approved ? Are you back to US ? 

[permaudit]

Hi  usimmi14

 

Congratulations on getting the Visa approved. And thanks for sharing the experience. 

 

It seems we have to have a copy of I-140. 

 

I am planning to go for Stamping to Vancouver. Which is the visa delivery location that we have to select which is nearest to Visa office ?  

 

Thanks,

Gopal. 

 @ Gopal - The Visa Delivary location is the Loomis Location in Richmond which is at the Airport.. Address is 101 - 5000  Miller Rd, Richmond, BC V7B1K6 

 

All the best!

[permaudit]

@usimmi14 -> when was your visa approved ? Are you back to US ? 

 

@donbhargav - It was approved on the date of my interview August 20th. Yes. I am back in the US.