H1B visa appointment availability

[harirajmohan]

I'm crossing the border everyday using AVR, but sometimes I get an agent that wants a full explanation, and I'm just sick of questions

Its the way it works while on avr. Also this happens during the first few days and few weeks till they get to know about you even with visa.
Also not all officers know how to deal with your avr situation hence they simply send you inside and waste your time. No choice.
After sometime, it becomes regular in which they wont send you inside(except for once in few months).

 

[canprofus]

Thanks for the reply.
I'll wait and see what they have to say.

I'm crossing the border everyday using AVR, but sometimes I get an agent that wants a full explanation, and I'm just sick of questions

Hi.. what do they generally ask while seeking full explanation?

 

[dry.00]

Its the way it works while on avr. Also this happens during the first few days and few weeks till they get to know about you even with visa.
Also not all officers know how to deal with your avr situation hence they simply send you inside and waste your time. No choice.
After sometime, it becomes regular in which they wont send you inside(except for once in few months).

Hi.. what do they generally ask while seeking full explanation?

I haven't been sent to secondary inspection since my first border crossing using AVR.
But I did run into quite a few CBP agents asking why I don't have a visa, followed by a comment saying I'm not supposed to use an F-1 visa (which is expired now because of my H-1b status), but they all let me through in the end.
They understand that the consulates are all closed, so there's nothing much I can do.
It's just a bit annoying having to explain this almost every time I cross. It would save me a couple minutes if I had a valid H-1b stamp.

No word from Toronto US consulate yet...We'll see if I have to fly out to a different consulate for an interview in May, even though I indicated Toronto in my DS-160. From the looks of this thread, it hasn't been a big issue, but I'd still like to go to Toronto since it's the closest

 

[swan0206]

I sent an email to TorontoPassport@state.gov, but I just got automated email replies saying that emergency appointments are only going to be made for people with confirmed flights.


Second aumated email says:


Not really sure on what to do here, since I drive to Michigan for work, I don't have any flight itinerary.
Any advice on what to do next?

Hi, Is this the request after your expedite request is denied or was it a initial request? When they say flight itinerary, is it from To and Fro? What if we are already in Canada? JUst one way is it fine?

 

[dry.00]

Hi, Is this the request after your expedite request is denied or was it a initial request? When they say flight itinerary, is it from To and Fro? What if we are already in Canada? JUst one way is it fine?

I don't know. I'm just copy pasting the emails i received.

 

[harirajmohan]

Hi, Is this the request after your expedite request is denied or was it a initial request? When they say flight itinerary, is it from To and Fro? What if we are already in Canada? JUst one way is it fine?

That email is for US passport for serving citizens hence the automated reply is confusing. So lets wait till they reply.

 

[swan0206]

That email is for US passport for serving citizens hence the automated reply is confusing. So lets wait till they reply.

Hi Hari,

My question is about the email expedite, as we already discussed on this in other thread. We requested expedite(for h4) through the Visa site immediately after booking appointment due to which it was denied(and we have only one chance as you know). So , can we send out an email for expedite now? Its been a month now.

 

[harirajmohan]

Hi Hari,

My question is about the email expedite, as we already discussed on this in other thread. We requested expedite(for h4) through the Visa site immediately after booking appointment due to which it was denied(and we have only one chance as you know). So , can we send out an email for expedite now? Its been a month now.

Whats is the current date you have in your regular appointment? Any dates appearing to prepone the appointment?

 

[swan0206]

Whats is the current date you have in your regular appointment? Any dates appearing to prepone the appointment?

currently is April 8th. Now its showing May dates. No prior dates. few keep appearing now and then may be sometime someones cancels. But they go off very quick

 

[harirajmohan]

currently is April 8th. Now its showing May dates. No prior dates. few keep appearing now and then may be sometime someones cancels. But they go off very quick

After Jan with new administration, things might change. But only hope is for you to get the dates preponed than waiting till administration change.
Check the website once in an hour, only choice to get earlier date as you cant request emergency appointment one more time.

Did you get your passport issue straightened out? First do that as you need at least 6 months validity before the interview.

 

[dry.00]

Wait, do you have to schedule a regular appointment before asking for an emergency appointment?
I didn't book an appointment because I put down Toronto on my DS-160, and Toronto has no opening, so I couldn't book an appointment.

Maybe I should book an appointment in Montreal or something and ask Toronto for an emergency appointment? It might go against your advice about asking multiple consulates for consular processing...

 

[swan0206]

After Jan with new administration, things might change. But only hope is for you to get the dates preponed than waiting till administration change.
Check the website once in an hour, only choice to get earlier date as you cant request emergency appointment one more time.

Did you get your passport issue straightened out? First do that as you need at least 6 months validity before the interview.

Yes, I am on it. Renewing my Passport thing first and then i would book an appointment. Right now searching slots for h4.

 

[harirajmohan]

Yes, I am on it. Renewing my Passport thing first and then i would book an appointment. Right now searching slots for h4.

1. You dont need to wait for booking appointment as appointment is months away and you can use the new passport while interview. So dont lose chance of getting earlier dates.
2. Why do you need H4 when you have moved to Canada?

 

[swan0206]

1. You dont need to wait for booking appointment as appointment is months away and you can use the new passport while interview. So dont lose chance of getting earlier dates.
2. Why do you need H4 when you have moved to Canada?

I did not get you. We need to give new passport details right while we fill in DS160. Or we can also do it with old passport? I am not aware of this. If thats the case, I will go ahead and book it. And also till i attend the Interview, can i still keep using AVR. Genenrally once we book a slot, we shouldnt travel right.

2) We have already booked an appointment as h4. How do we change it to B2, not sure on this.

 

[harirajmohan]

Wait, do you have to schedule a regular appointment before asking for an emergency appointment?
I didn't book an appointment because I put down Toronto on my DS-160, and Toronto has no opening, so I couldn't book an appointment.

Maybe I should book an appointment in Montreal or something and ask Toronto for an emergency appointment? It might go against your advice about asking multiple consulates for consular processing...

Usually people request through the website but if no appointments available then its ok to email them.