H1B visa appointment availability

[harirajmohan]

https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca/niv/information/announcements#602-the_united_states_embassy_and_consulates_in_canada_are_resuming_certain_immigrant_and_nonimmigrant_visa_services_20200820231449
The United States Embassy and Consulates in Canada are resuming certain immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services

Confusion/Issue: The above notice specify about the exemption mentioned in EO rather than later issued memo from State Dept(below). So dont know if dependents of principal applicant are exempted from ban if principal applicant is exempted from ban.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/exceptions-to-p-p-10014-10052-suspending-entry-of-immigrants-non-immigrants-presenting-risk-to-us-labor-market-during-economic-recovery.html

 

[DEEPCUR]

https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca/niv/information/announcements#602-the_united_states_embassy_and_consulates_in_canada_are_resuming_certain_immigrant_and_nonimmigrant_visa_services_20200820231449
The United States Embassy and Consulates in Canada are resuming certain immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services

Confusion/Issue: The above notice specify about the exemption mentioned in EO rather than later issued memo from State Dept(below). So dont know if dependents of principal applicant are exempted from ban if principal applicant is exempted from ban.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/exceptions-to-p-p-10014-10052-suspending-entry-of-immigrants-non-immigrants-presenting-risk-to-us-labor-market-during-economic-recovery.html

Dependents are definitely exempted. Many dependents have been getting H4 stamping without any issues in last two or three weeks at Indian consulates using Emergency Appointments.. Emergency Appointments are being given like normal appointments for people who have their families separated, like the H1 holder is living in US.

 

[harirajmohan]

Dependents are definitely exempted. Many dependents have been getting H4 stamping without any issues in last two or three weeks at Indian consulates using Emergency Appointments.. Emergency Appointments are being given like normal appointments for people who have their families separated, like the H1 holder is living in US.

thanks for the note on recent h4 stamping. its good then, they follow state dept's updated guidance.

 

[harirajmohan]

Looks like they(few locations) started with Student and Exchange Visitors. Will see if they resume for other categories.
https://ca.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/consular-operations-updates/
Nonimmigrant Visas: Student and Exchange Visitors, all other categories emergency only

 

[IamBeingPatient]

thanks for the note on recent h4 stamping. its good then, they follow state dept's updated guidance.

My spouse who is a H1B holder has been in the US prior to June 24. I am in Canada on my work permit and I already have an appointment booked at a consulate on October 6 for my H4 visa. Im guessing Ill be exempted and my appointment wont be cancelled again. Correct?

 

[harirajmohan]

My spouse who is a H1B holder has been in the US prior to June 24. I am in Canada on my work permit and I already have an appointment booked at a consulate on October 6 for my H4 visa. Im guessing Ill be exempted and my appointment wont be cancelled again. Correct?

Explain your situation as the answer depends on many factors unfortunately.
Is your spouse has valid visa now?
I assume you dont have valid visa now. Please confirm.

 

[IamBeingPatient]

Explain your situation as the answer depends on many factors unfortunately.
Is your spouse has valid visa now?
I assume you dont have valid visa now. Please confirm.

Yes she has a valid H1B from September 2019. We got married in India in February 2020. She came back to US and is working there since February 2020. And I have been working in Canada on my work permit. The only valid visa I have is my tourist b2 visa to go to the US. I had an appointment for H4 in March but was cancelled due to Covid. But now I have an appointment in Halifax for October 6th.

 

[harirajmohan]

Yes she has a valid H1B from September 2019. We got married in India in February 2020. She came back to US and is working there since February 2020. And I have been working in Canada on my work permit. The only valid visa I have is my tourist b2 visa to go to the US. I had an appointment for H4 in March but was cancelled due to Covid. But now I have an appointment in Halifax for October 6th.

If she is currently working then yes you are exempt from ban as per state.gov's guidance on Aug12.
But its not mentioned as exemption list in Canada side embassy's website(like it should have been mentioned in India website) but still dont worry, just attend. if they ask on how you are exempt then give the printout of https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/exceptions-to-p-p-10014-10052-suspending-entry-of-immigrants-non-immigrants-presenting-risk-to-us-labor-market-during-economic-recovery.html.
Exemption for your case:
"H-4, L-2, and J-2 applicants

• National interest exceptions are available for those who will accompany or follow to join a principal applicant who is a spouse or parent and who has been granted a national interest exception to P.P. 10052. Note, a national interest exception is not required if the principal applicant is not subject to P.P. 10052 (e.g. if the principal was in the United States on the effective date, June 24, or has a valid visa that the principal will use to seek entry to the United States). In the case of a principal visa applicant who is not subject to P.P. 10052, the derivative will not be subject to the proclamation either."

Appointment website in Canada:
https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca/niv/information/announcements#602-the_united_states_embassy_and_consulates_in_canada_are_resuming_certain_immigrant_and_nonimmigrant_visa_services_20200820231449
Applicants for H1B, H2B, H4, L and certain J categories covered by Presidential Proclamation 10052 should request an appointment only if you have reason to believe you may qualify for one of the exceptions listed in the Proclamation here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-suspending-entry-aliens-present-risk-u-s-labor-market-following-coronavirus-outbreak/.

Embassy in India:
https://in.usembassy.gov/visas/
However, these applicants may qualify for one of the national interest exceptions announced on August 12: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/exceptions-to-p-p-10014-10052-suspending-entry-of-immigrants-non-immigrants-presenting-risk-to-us-labor-market-during-economic-recovery.html. The Department of State may also issue H-4, L-2, and J-2 visas to otherwise qualified derivative applicants who qualify for a national interest exception, such as those seeking to join a principal applicant currently in the United States.

Still they say Student and Exchange Visitors, all other categories emergency only but i think that it should change to normal in few weeks once the backlog is cleared.
https://ca.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/consular-operations-updates/

 

[IamBeingPatient]

If she is currently working then yes you are exempt from ban as per state.gov's guidance on Aug12.
But its not mentioned as exemption list in Canada side embassy's website(like it should have been mentioned in India website) but still dont worry, just attend. if they ask on how you are exempt then give the printout of https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/exceptions-to-p-p-10014-10052-suspending-entry-of-immigrants-non-immigrants-presenting-risk-to-us-labor-market-during-economic-recovery.html.
Exemption for your case:
"H-4, L-2, and J-2 applicants

• National interest exceptions are available for those who will accompany or follow to join a principal applicant who is a spouse or parent and who has been granted a national interest exception to P.P. 10052. Note, a national interest exception is not required if the principal applicant is not subject to P.P. 10052 (e.g. if the principal was in the United States on the effective date, June 24, or has a valid visa that the principal will use to seek entry to the United States). In the case of a principal visa applicant who is not subject to P.P. 10052, the derivative will not be subject to the proclamation either."

Appointment website in Canada:
https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca/niv/information/announcements#602-the_united_states_embassy_and_consulates_in_canada_are_resuming_certain_immigrant_and_nonimmigrant_visa_services_20200820231449
Applicants for H1B, H2B, H4, L and certain J categories covered by Presidential Proclamation 10052 should request an appointment only if you have reason to believe you may qualify for one of the exceptions listed in the Proclamation here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-suspending-entry-aliens-present-risk-u-s-labor-market-following-coronavirus-outbreak/.

Embassy in India:
https://in.usembassy.gov/visas/
However, these applicants may qualify for one of the national interest exceptions announced on August 12: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/exceptions-to-p-p-10014-10052-suspending-entry-of-immigrants-non-immigrants-presenting-risk-to-us-labor-market-during-economic-recovery.html. The Department of State may also issue H-4, L-2, and J-2 visas to otherwise qualified derivative applicants who qualify for a national interest exception, such as those seeking to join a principal applicant currently in the United States.

Still they say Student and Exchange Visitors, all other categories emergency only but i think that it should change to normal in few weeks once the backlog is cleared.
https://ca.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/consular-operations-updates/

Ok thank you for your reply. Fingers crossed then

 

[harirajmohan]

For applicants located outside of Canada
3 September, 2020
The United States and Canada have a mutual agreement to restrict non-essential travel across our shared border. The current agreement runs through September 21. Similar restrictions apply to travelers arriving in Canada via air or from countries other than the United States. For more information, see Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) website here. Travelers entering Canada must present a credible 14-day quarantine plan. If you are subject to quarantine, you cannot attend a visa appointment until it is complete.
https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca/niv/information/announcements#604-for_applicants_located_outside_of_canada_20200903205345

 

[harirajmohan]

Toronto appointment dates available for family: Feb 2,3,4

 

[kumar135]

Looks like they(few locations) started with Student and Exchange Visitors. Will see if they resume for other categories.
https://ca.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/consular-operations-updates/
Nonimmigrant Visas: Student and Exchange Visitors, all other categories emergency only

Is it possible to get a dropbox done now ? My H1B stamp is expiring this month . And my previous H1B stamping was done in Ottawa

 

[harirajmohan]

Is it possible to get a dropbox done now ? My H1B stamp is expiring this month . And my previous H1B stamping was done in Ottawa

The system will actually take you through the workflow correctly with the consideration of dropbox. Based on the questions you answered, it will determine if you are eligible for dropbox or not and then it will take you to the sections where you can mail the documents or it will ask you to schedule appointments. So you would know only after you start entering details and pay the fee.

 

[kumar135]

The system will actually take you through the workflow correctly with the consideration of dropbox. Based on the questions you answered, it will determine if you are eligible for dropbox or not and then it will take you to the sections where you can mail the documents or it will ask you to schedule appointments. So you would know only after you start entering details and pay the fee.

Thanks a lot for your reply

 

[kumar135]

Hi All .
I am filling my DS 160 for the first time after becoming a Canadian PR. There is a question regarding "Provide information on your last five U.S. visits" . Date Arrived along with length of stay
Being a daily/weekly commuter to US what info we should provide here ? Because usually the length of stays are 1 or 2 days.
Thanks a lot.