Automatic Visa Revalidation (AVR) to enter USA

[harirajmohan]

Yeah, it is a long story. My interview is on Friday. I wanted to try entering US on Thursday. If they allow me I can ignore the interview.

But if I cancel it and they dont allow me, then I do not have interview opportunity. I already used the expedite interview option too.

So I want to be careful. So, are you sure cancelling should be fine for AVR?
Secondly, what happens if I go without cancelling and they deny entry? Will that have an impact on interview?

Per rule, one should not have applied for visa and waiting for visa before entering for using avr. So cancelling or not cancelling doesnt have any effect if you are not attending the interview for applying for visa. Its up to you if you have enough time to cancel on thursday.

Yes entry denial on thursday will have effect. If your case is good then why would they deny, not for the interview scheduled.
People enter 10 different ds160 and some people could not attend interview for many reasons. These dont get considered as visa denied or visa applied.
Consulate guys dont take application for adjudication unless one shows up as US visa doesnt get issues without one applies personally(unless interview waived and mailing the docs). So i dont see an issue.

First you will have to make up your mind on your candidacy. Either you should decide to use avr or decide to attend interview. Having both doesnt makes sense unless you have a problem in your profile.

You should be using avr within 30 days as i am not sure when you arrived in Canada.

 

[vineverlas]

Per rule, one should not have applied for visa and waiting for visa before entering for using avr. So cancelling or not cancelling doesnt have any effect if you are not attending the interview for applying for visa. Its up to you if you have enough time to cancel on thursday.

Yes entry denial on thursday will have effect. If your case is good then why would they deny, not for the interview scheduled.
People enter 10 different ds160 and some people could not attend interview for many reasons. These dont get considered as visa denied or visa applied.
Consulate guys dont take application for adjudication unless one shows up as US visa doesnt get issues without one applies personally(unless interview waived and mailing the docs). So i dont see an issue.

First you will have to make up your mind on your candidacy. Either you should decide to use avr or decide to attend interview. Having both doesnt makes sense unless you have a problem in your profile.

You should be using avr within 30 days as i am not sure when you arrived in Canada.

Thanks for detailed answer. I entered Canada on Aug 1st. And you are right I do not have time until Thursday to cancel as my cancellation deadline is on Wednesday.

I do not think I have any big problems with my candidacy. But, just that I already have appointment on Friday, I do not want to cancel.

So, as you think scheduled interview is not a problem, I am thinking of entering US on Tuesday without cancelling the interview. If I make it, then I shall cancel the interview before Wednesday. What do you think?

 

[harirajmohan]

Thanks for detailed answer. I entered Canada on Aug 1st. And you are right I do not have time until Thursday to cancel as my cancellation deadline is on Wednesday.

I do not think I have any big problems with my candidacy. But, just that I already have appointment on Friday, I do not want to cancel.

1. So, as you think scheduled interview is not a problem, I am thinking of entering US on Tuesday without cancelling the interview. If I make it, then I shall cancel the interview before Wednesday. What do you think?

1. Seems fine travelling by Tuesday or Wednesday.
Just in case, even if they find out miraculously(which i highly doubt as per current system) then tell that you frankly did not know about automatic visa revalidation and booked the appointment and you came to know through a friend after coming to Canada and you would be postponing it for some other time or would be attending the interview in the home country(so that if there is any administrative processing then it will be easier for me to stay for weeks there).

 

[vineverlas]

1. Seems fine travelling by Tuesday or Wednesday.
Just in case, even if they find out miraculously(which i highly doubt as per current system) then tell that you frankly did not know about automatic visa revalidation and booked the appointment and you came to know through a friend after coming to Canada and you would be postponing it for some other time or would be attending the interview in the home country(so that if there is any administrative processing then it will be easier for me to stay for weeks there).

Thanks. Was exactly thinking of same.
Instead of driving, thinking of flying. I have porter airlines as cheapest option to Boston.

1. Wondering if this is a good option or driving?
2. Just to clarify, AVR is applicable while flying too right?
3. Does immigration is done here in Toronto irrespective of airlines?

I know these are basic questions. But just want to clarify one last time.

 

[harirajmohan]

Thanks. Was exactly thinking of same.
Instead of driving, thinking of flying. I have porter airlines as cheapest option to Boston.

1. Wondering if this is a good option or driving?
2. Just to clarify, AVR is applicable while flying too right?
3. Does immigration is done here in Toronto irrespective of airlines?

I know these are basic questions. But just want to clarify one last time.

Yes, for flying too. We did fly once while completing landing - my family did not have valid visa, just travelled with valid i94.

 

[chetan8785]

Anyone can help me with my queries on H1B stamping at Toronto Consulate?
I have my interview scheduled for Monday 12th Aug at 8:45AM. My wife is also going with me for interview.And I was not aware that they do not allow kids during interview. I got an email yesterday that Applicant under 14 are not allowed during interview.
But my kid is US citizen & not applicant. So i am not sure the consulate will allow him during interview.
As we dont know any one in Canada we cannot leave him anywhere or someone who can take care of him.Our son is just 5 month old.
Another thing I just found a day ago that there is process called Automatic Visa
Re validation (AVR) can be used if your travel to canada or Mexico for shorter duration less than 30 days.

1) Will it be OK if we take our son to the interview.I called the US number for consulate in Canada and got a generic answer minor applicant
under 14 are not allowed. Explained my situation about not knowing anyone in Canada and so on. They told me cannot guarantee if they will let you in consulate with kid its up to you can take the risk.

2) I have already missed the deadline to cancel the interview. Will I be able to use AVR. I can drive on Saturday do my landing and return same day?
Does CBP knows or see in the system if I have an interview appointment scheduled?

3) What happens if I miss my interview?

 

[harirajmohan]

Anyone can help me with my queries on H1B stamping at Toronto Consulate?
I have my interview scheduled for Monday 12th Aug at 8:45AM. My wife is also going with me for interview.And I was not aware that they do not allow kids during interview. I got an email yesterday that Applicant under 14 are not allowed during interview.
But my kid is US citizen & not applicant. So i am not sure the consulate will allow him during interview.
As we dont know any one in Canada we cannot leave him anywhere or someone who can take care of him.Our son is just 5 month old.
Another thing I just found a day ago that there is process called Automatic Visa
Re validation (AVR) can be used if your travel to canada or Mexico for shorter duration less than 30 days.

1) Will it be OK if we take our son to the interview.I called the US number for consulate in Canada and got a generic answer minor applicant
under 14 are not allowed. Explained my situation about not knowing anyone in Canada and so on. They told me cannot guarantee if they will let you in consulate with kid its up to you can take the risk.

2) I have already missed the deadline to cancel the interview. Will I be able to use AVR. I can drive on Saturday do my landing and return same day?
Does CBP knows or see in the system if I have an interview appointment scheduled?

3) What happens if I miss my interview?

Whats your purpose of the trip? is it for landing to confirm PR or for stamping?
If its for landing then yes you can use avr, no need for stamping to return back.

If its just for stamping then just skip the trip. No one is forcing you to give up your status as there is no rule to make you lose status just because you did not go for interview to apply for visa.

So explain your situation in detail first and decide based on above options.

 

[chetan8785]

Whats your purpose of the trip? is it for landing to confirm PR or for stamping?
If its for landing then yes you can use avr, no need for stamping to return back.

If its just for stamping then just skip the trip. No one is forcing you to give up your status as there is no rule to make you lose status just because you did not go for interview to apply for visa.

So explain your situation in detail first and decide based on above options.

I am going for my PR landing.
I was not aware about the AVR process so booked my appointment for stamping.
And now US consulate has one more caveat to not bring Minor under 14 I am thinking to skip the interview altogether.

Another option I was thinking of is if we go to consulate for VISA and if they allow the kid during interview we will appear.
And if not then the kid wife can stay outside (skip the interview) and I can appear for the interview alone and then use AVR for my wife to enter USA.

I am trying to find the best possible way without jeopardizing the VISA status.

 

[harirajmohan]

I am going for my PR landing.
I was not aware about the AVR process so booked my appointment for stamping.
And now US consulate has one more caveat to not bring Minor under 14 I am thinking to skip the interview altogether.

3. Another option I was thinking of is if we go to consulate for VISA and if they allow the kid during interview we will appear.
2. And if not then the kid wife can stay outside (skip the interview) and I can appear for the interview alone and then use AVR for my wife to enter USA.

1.I am trying to find the best possible way without jeopardizing the VISA status.

3. True as you are anyway going to Canada.
2. Yes you can. Keep in mind on processing times which varies based on each candidate and usually it takes 4-7 business days minimum as far as i see based on my case though. So have buffer time to get work from remote or have enough time off.
1. No one is taking away your status if you dont appear for interview.
Decide which suits best for your family.

 

[lampbreaker]

I am going for my PR landing.
I was not aware about the AVR process so booked my appointment for stamping.
And now US consulate has one more caveat to not bring Minor under 14 I am thinking to skip the interview altogether.

Another option I was thinking of is if we go to consulate for VISA and if they allow the kid during interview we will appear.
And if not then the kid wife can stay outside (skip the interview) and I can appear for the interview alone and then use AVR for my wife to enter USA.

I am trying to find the best possible way without jeopardizing the VISA status.

Did the US consulate tell you to not bring the minor? Generally, they allow children (especially USC children) without any problem.

 

[chetan8785]

Did the US consulate tell you to not bring the minor? Generally, they allow children (especially USC children) without any problem.

Yes they did allowed the child when I went for the Visa.

Initially consulate sent an automated email telling what to bring and what not to bring for the interview including not to bring anyone other than applicants.
Then i sent an email to the consulate asking for the same and they said they wont allow kid and said one of the parent have to stay outside while other go for the interview. But at the consulate they didn't even asked anything and allowed the kid.

 

[PlimPlum]

Thanks for detailed answer. I entered Canada on Aug 1st. And you are right I do not have time until Thursday to cancel as my cancellation deadline is on Wednesday.

I do not think I have any big problems with my candidacy. But, just that I already have appointment on Friday, I do not want to cancel.

So, as you think scheduled interview is not a problem, I am thinking of entering US on Tuesday without cancelling the interview. If I make it, then I shall cancel the interview before Wednesday. What do you think?

So which option did you use?

 

[PlimPlum]

If I understand @harirajmohan correctly, online visa application and interview scheduled are not considered "pending new visa application", so until one attends the visa interview in the consulate they can use AVR. I am wondering if anyone has actually tested this in practice. I am trying to fill out an application to renew my H4 visa and schedule an appointment, but I am worried if it invalidates my eligibility for AVR. Anyone?

 

[anuch2588]

Hi All,

Could anyone help on priority would be great!

We are planning to land this weekend to Toronto from USA. The current situation is that we have expired stamping but valid I797. The catch is now I94 which is updated with receipt of H1 extension needs to be endorsed by DHS. We visited USCIS facility but no one is telling the exact process to endorse I94.

Could you please let me know the exact process to do so. I guess it is must for AVR (Automatic Visa Revalidation)


Thanks,

 

[lampbreaker]

Hi All,

Could anyone help on priority would be great!

We are planning to land this weekend to Toronto from USA. The current situation is that we have expired stamping but valid I797. The catch is now I94 which is updated with receipt of H1 extension needs to be endorsed by DHS. We visited USCIS facility but no one is telling the exact process to endorse I94.

Could you please let me know the exact process to do so. I guess it is must for AVR (Automatic Visa Revalidation)


Thanks,

No separate endorsement is needed. You will be fine. Just carry your approval notice.