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H1B visa appointment availability

ustocanada49

Star Member
Jan 6, 2017
165
17
My Wife's H4 expires in July.
I was planning to get her stamping done based on my H1 approval notice but looks like its going to take a very long time in Canada. She might go out of status if she cant get an interview date within next 3 months.
Does anyone see a possibility of them becoming available in next 3 months?

She has Canadian PR but never lived in Canada. Does anyone think its okay to select the Canadian resident option while booking appointments?
 

swan0206

Champion Member
May 14, 2019
1,210
232
My Wife's H4 expires in July.
I was planning to get her stamping done based on my H1 approval notice but looks like its going to take a very long time in Canada. She might go out of status if she cant get an interview date within next 3 months.
Does anyone see a possibility of them becoming available in next 3 months?

She has Canadian PR but never lived in Canada. Does anyone think its okay to select the Canadian resident option while booking appointments?
Why will she go out of status? You can file an extension right. If the extension is in progress , she will not go out of status till the processing time of the application, even if takes one year.
 

ustocanada49

Star Member
Jan 6, 2017
165
17
Why will she go out of status? You can file an extension right. If the extension is in progress , she will not go out of status till the processing time of the application, even if takes one year.
Thanks very much for the reply
Once we de apply for extension, I am assuming she can no longer go for stamping until she gets her own new I-797 approval. Is that not correct? Looks like it has been taking more than a year these days.
Or, you think she can still attend H4 interview based on my I-797 if the dates do become available sooner?
Also, if she does her H4 extension receipt, you think she qualifies for AVR with her expired visa and the receipt?
 

canprofus

Hero Member
Dec 20, 2019
232
59
Thanks very much for the reply
Once we de apply for extension, I am assuming she can no longer go for stamping until she gets her own new I-797 approval. Is that not correct? Looks like it has been taking more than a year these days.
Or, you think she can still attend H4 interview based on my I-797 if the dates do become available sooner?
Also, if she does her H4 extension receipt, you think she qualifies for AVR with her expired visa and the receipt?
I feel you are complicating this. all she needs is your H1 approval to get stamping. Her own H4 i797 is not required. If she leaves US while H4 extension is pending, AVR is no longer possible.
 

swan0206

Champion Member
May 14, 2019
1,210
232
Thanks very much for the reply
Once we de apply for extension, I am assuming she can no longer go for stamping until she gets her own new I-797 approval. Is that not correct? Looks like it has been taking more than a year these days.
Or, you think she can still attend H4 interview based on my I-797 if the dates do become available sooner?
Also, if she does her H4 extension receipt, you think she qualifies for AVR with her expired visa and the receipt?
No, that is not right. She can still attend the interview with a new application once she is out of the country. The older one gets voided automatically. You cannot use AVR with the extension receipt.
 

ustocanada49

Star Member
Jan 6, 2017
165
17
No, that is not right. She can still attend the interview with a new application once she is out of the country. The older one gets voided automatically. You cannot use AVR with the extension receipt.
I feel you are complicating this. all she needs is your H1 approval to get stamping. Her own H4 i797 is not required. If she leaves US while H4 extension is pending, AVR is no longer possible.
Thanks @canprofus . Thats what i originally intended to do Keep it simple. . But the interview dates are not avaialble in Canada. Anyway, I just saw online that Mexico City is showing a wait time of just 7 days for non immigrant visas. Anyone know if they are allowing 3rd country nationals to book dates?
 

ustocanada49

Star Member
Jan 6, 2017
165
17
No, that is not right. She can still attend the interview with a new application once she is out of the country. The older one gets voided automatically. You cannot use AVR with the extension receipt.
Thanks @swan0206 You mean the H4 extension application will be cancelled once we fill new DS-160 and attend inteview with my I-797 approval notice at a later time?
 

swan0206

Champion Member
May 14, 2019
1,210
232
Thanks @swan0206 You mean the H4 extension application will be cancelled once we fill new DS-160 and attend inteview with my I-797 approval notice at a later time?
No. If she wish to go out of country while H4 extension is in progress, the extension will be voided. As long as you are within the Country and you have scheduled an appointment nothing changes.

If you haven't permanently moved to Canada yet its better you apply for her extension. So that atleast if you are commuting she will have the valid status in US, while you plan for permanent move.
 

ustocanada49

Star Member
Jan 6, 2017
165
17
No. If she wish to go out of country while H4 extension is in progress, the extension will be voided. As long as you are within the Country and you have scheduled an appointment nothing changes.

If you haven't permanently moved to Canada yet its better you apply for her extension. So that atleast if you are commuting she will have the valid status in US, while you plan for permanent move.
Thank you very much for your answer @swan0206
 

seaheart521

Star Member
Jul 23, 2020
51
15
Hey Guys,

i saw one time slot in June and was able to reschedule to June... will this be cancelled as well? or they can take appointment now...?
 

suemon

Full Member
Apr 5, 2017
36
10
My June 15th appointment in Calgary has been canceled (I live in the Toronto area but got it a while ago because that was the earliest one available). Now the next available date is Feb. 15th, in Toronto.

Has anyone successfully requested an expedite appointment? I work from home now, but need to be at work in person in mid-August? Can I request an expedite? if so, what appointment date should I put in when requesting an expedite? Any time between now and August? Any information is appreciated.
 

VOBuckeye

Hero Member
Mar 10, 2017
230
78
Category........
FSW
Visa Office......
Ottawa
NOC Code......
2141
App. Filed.......
24-09-2016
AOR Received.
12-21-2016
Passport Req..
15-03-2017
VISA ISSUED...
30-03-2017
LANDED..........
16-10-2017
My June 15th appointment in Calgary has been canceled (I live in the Toronto area but got it a while ago because that was the earliest one available). Now the next available date is Feb. 15th, in Toronto.

Has anyone successfully requested an expedite appointment? I work from home now, but need to be at work in person in mid-August? Can I request an expedite? if so, what appointment date should I put in when requesting an expedite? Any time between now and August? Any information is appreciated.
Following.... I have an appointment in Calgary scheduled for August but I live in Ontario. Still looking for a date in Ottawa or Toronto just in case they say I have to quarantine when I get to Calgary.
 

VOBuckeye

Hero Member
Mar 10, 2017
230
78
Category........
FSW
Visa Office......
Ottawa
NOC Code......
2141
App. Filed.......
24-09-2016
AOR Received.
12-21-2016
Passport Req..
15-03-2017
VISA ISSUED...
30-03-2017
LANDED..........
16-10-2017
Quick question to those of you who've booked for H1B stamping appt......

1. Does the DS-160 form expire?
2. If I live in Toronto and have to travel to Calgary, will I be required to quarantine before appt. date? Has anyone traveled from out of province?

I created my DS-160 form 2 months ago, but haven't submitted it as I keep checking for availability in Toronto or Ottawa consulates. I use the application number to book appts. and so far I have a booking for Calgary Aug 16th.