H1B visa appointment availability

[harirajmohan]

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.

Just give the actual day trips. I too fill last 5 day trips only. No issues in getting stamping.

 

[swan0206]

if someone is still interested Visa appointment is available now for Toronto for 2+ group: Jan 6 - 8.
I am still trying to reschedule but will see. As i dont have hopes to keep the appointments before Jan, i am thinking that i can get my family's H4 in Jan2021 at least but dont know if they would renew the EO and spoil the plan.

HI Hariraj,

Could you please let me know if any available dates in the between Nov'2020 to Jan'2021.

 

[harirajmohan]

HI Hariraj,

Could you please let me know if any available dates in the between Nov'2020 to Jan'2021.


Thanks,
Anvesh.

No dates except for Calgary(for Mar2021). My appointment is for 2 member group hence not sure if there is any available for single application.
"There are no available appointments at the selected location. Please try again later. "

 

[swan0206]

No dates except for Calgary(for Mar2021). My appointment is for 2 member group hence not sure if there is any available for single application.
"There are no available appointments at the selected location. Please try again later. "

Yes, we are a couple. please let me know if any dates near by.

 

[harirajmohan]

Yes, we are a couple. please let me know if any dates near by.

Ok. No dates as of now except Calgary. I am checking everyday for Toronto/Ottawa/Montreal for 2 but none so far in the last few weeks.

I think that consulates are still not opened(some not even for emergency i assume) hence appointment dates are not getting opening up for this year. So we need to see when they are opening the consulates serving regular appointments.

But you should be ready after paying visa fee to grab the dates once its open.

 

[swan0206]

Ok. No dates as of now except Calgary. I am checking everyday for Toronto/Ottawa/Montreal for 2 but none so far in the last few weeks.

I think that consulates are still not opened(some not even for emergency i assume) hence appointment dates are not getting opening up for this year. So we need to see when they are opening the consulates serving regular appointments.

But you should be ready after paying visa fee to grab the dates once its open.

Sure thanks Hariraj. will be on it.

 

[owleroz]

What option should I select while applying for a visa appointment on the website (https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca/niv/information/niv_questions)
Option 1: Non Canadian Citizen, residing in Canada, applying for a visa
Option 2: Non Canadian Citizen, residing in USA, applying for a visa

Option 2 provides additional warnings for Third Country Nationals(TCN) and is a different sign-up form. Do the 2 options provide different availability?

I am an Indian Citizen with a Canadian PR. Currently residing in Canada trying to apply for an H1-B visa appointment (not my first stamping. have previous stamps from India).

Thanks!

 

[harirajmohan]

1. What option should I select while applying for a visa appointment on the website (https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca/niv/information/niv_questions)
Option 1: Non Canadian Citizen, residing in Canada, applying for a visa
Option 2: Non Canadian Citizen, residing in USA, applying for a visa

2. Option 2 provides additional warnings for Third Country Nationals(TCN) and is a different sign-up form. Do the 2 options provide different availability?

I am an Indian Citizen with a Canadian PR. Currently residing in Canada trying to apply for an H1-B visa appointment (not my first stamping. have previous stamps from India).

Thanks!

1. Option 1, of course as you stay in Canada.
2. Its possible but it was true until a year ago or so when the residents used to get appointments within few weeks but lately in the last one year, i have not heard local residents able to easily/quickly get appointments. So still i am not sure if there is any preference anymore.
Either way, you will have to choose based on your situation hence it doesnt matter how they are going to provide availability(as we cant do anything about it).

 

[harirajmohan]

At least now the appointment scheduling site has announcement on exemptions (which was not mentioned earlier) referring to the state dept's website.
Seems they are doing it slow but still appointments are not available.
https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca/niv/information/announcements#611-u_s_visa_and_travel_updates_20200916214654
16 September, 2020

• Information about national interest exceptions to travel restrictions in Presidential Proclamations 10014 and 10052:
  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

 

[IamBeingPatient]

My H4 visa appointment at Halifax for the 6th of October got cancelled. I just got the email yesterday. However I have requested for an emergency appointment in Halifax. They got back to me asking if Ive been in the province for the last 14 days ( them just making sure that Im not coming out of province which Im not). Anyway coming to my question. I know theyre doing emergency appointments in India for H4. Does anyone know of anybody who has had any luck with H4 emergency appointments in Canada ever since the exceptions to the presidential proclamation was made?

 

[harirajmohan]

My H4 visa appointment at Halifax for the 6th of October got cancelled. I just got the email yesterday. However I have requested for an emergency appointment in Halifax. They got back to me asking if Ive been in the province for the last 14 days ( them just making sure that Im not coming out of province which Im not). Anyway coming to my question. I know theyre doing emergency appointments in India for H4. Does anyone know of anybody who has had any luck with H4 emergency appointments in Canada ever since the exceptions to the presidential proclamation was made?

Not good. Seems that they are not still ready to open for regular appointments. Yes, i too saw the note on H4 few days ago in India website that they can request expedited appt. I wonder why its different here.

Also i could not see any regular appointments available in any location for family of 2. So not sure what they actually planning to do - i am doubting if they will open at all this year. I dont know if they are waiting for the border to open for regular traffic.

But do you have emergency reason to request?

 

[IamBeingPatient]

Not good. Seems that they are not still ready to open for regular appointments. Yes, i too saw the note on H4 few days ago in India website that they can request expedited appt. I wonder why its different here.

Also i could not see any regular appointments available in any location for family of 2. So not sure what they actually planning to do - i am doubting if they will open at all this year. I dont know if they are waiting for the border to open for regular traffic.

But do you have emergency reason to request?

I’m trying for an emergency appointment because
1) They clearly state that they’re only doing emergency appointments at the moment
2) Then they say H1B/H4 holders should only request appointments if they believe they are part of the exception to the proclamation

This makes me think that what they mean is emergency appointments even for H1B/H4 too. I don’t think they’d specify that for no reason. Worth a shot i think.

 

[harirajmohan]

I’m trying for an emergency appointment because
1) They clearly state that they’re only doing emergency appointments at the moment
2) Then they say H1B/H4 holders should only request appointments if they believe they are part of the exception to the proclamation

This makes me think that what they mean is emergency appointments even for H1B/H4 too. I don’t think they’d specify that for no reason. Worth a shot i think.

I agree. Good Luck. Please post here if they accept your emergency request.

 

[harirajmohan]

I’m trying for an emergency appointment because
1) They clearly state that they’re only doing emergency appointments at the moment
2) Then they say H1B/H4 holders should only request appointments if they believe they are part of the exception to the proclamation

This makes me think that what they mean is emergency appointments even for H1B/H4 too. I don’t think they’d specify that for no reason. Worth a shot i think.

Hi, Did you get any update from consulate with an appointment date? Please update as i am planning to request for expediting.

 

[IamBeingPatient]

Hi, Did you get any update from consulate with an appointment date? Please update as i am planning to request for expediting.

No luck and I dont think itll happen either. The wait continues.