H1B visa appointment availability

[maverick1982]

When applying for stamping, you need to provide copy of proof of legal presence, like work permit, PR card. Even if they deliver to your home, they might ask for ID. I am not sure , sorry. But there maybe option to give address of US for the ID but deliver to Canada address.

Thanks @maverick1982, My spouse in working in Canada and I can provide his Canada address. If I choose expedited delivery for the passport, I believe I will not have to go for pickup but the passport will be delivered to my Canada address. Can you think of any other step which requires an ID with Canada address (either during appointment booking or for any document submission)?

 

[Kumar25]

Hi guys,
How long does it take to get an interview appointment and final decision if we are applying from Canada?

 

[tuhadapeo]

1. Yes, can keep. Both consulates are different. I don’t see any side effects of keeping to appts.

2. personally never used AVR, but I believe its only accessible through land border only if you return within 30 days.

3. question for your mobile carrier. We can all provide our experience but it depends on what plan you run, so ask them instead. I have T-mobile it works for text, call sometimes if I have network but data has a cap.

Hi All - Need your help with the following questions. Would truly appreciate if you could please answer.

1. I've an H-1B appointment coming up in Canada next month. I do have other appointment booked in India for next year. So, Can I keep my India appointment while appearing for an interview in Canada and cancel it later on OR Do I need to cancel my India appointment before appearing for visa interview in Canada?
2. Would I be able to return to the US using AVR if I could not attend visa interview for some unforeseen reason (may be unexpected quarantine in Canada) and the appointment being still scheduled as I wouldn't be able to cancel it using ais/visa appointment portal after a certain date before my appointment?
3. Will my US phone and mobile internet work in Canada?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[tuhadapeo]

Update on Ottawa dropbox
Background: Canadian PR, last stamping in India.
Timeline:
- Delivered - Sept 24th
- Application Received Update - 18th Oct
- Issued - 20th Oct
- Return Tracking Email 1 - 21st Oct
- Return Tracking Email 2 - 22nd Oct (with estimated delivery date, was able to track from this day)
- Ready for pick up - 25th Oct (They will ask for I.D that has address on it. I showed PR card and local utility bill)

Hope this helps.

 

[harirajmohan]

Thanks @tuhadapeo. I just need more clarification on #2 (given below). Want to know if AVR can be used to enter the US if I could not attend my visa appointment? Does appointment need to be in "Cancelled" status for using AVR? If yes, then does the appointment status automatically updates to "Cancelled" after not showing up for the appointment? I understand it's bit critical. Still, if anybody could help would be appreciable.

@harirajmohan Do you have any thoughts on this?

2. Would I be able to return to the US using AVR if I could not attend visa interview for some unforeseen reason (may be unexpected quarantine in Canada) and the appointment being still scheduled as I wouldn't be able to cancel it using ais/visa appointment portal after a certain date before my appointment?

Why do you expect an unexpected quarantine? You should be knowing ahead if you are subject to quarantine or not.
Planning on unnecessary things is not required when we know it ahead. Quarantine rules are clear upfront, there is no surprise.
if you are not vaccinated then just go to Canada 14 days before appointment. Risking just because of quarantine avoidance is not right plan.

Per me, i think you can return back using avr(assuming you have valid I94).
Last time when i restamped, i was expecting border guys to pull me inside to give new I94 but that didnt happen. it happened only after surely on second/third day. I was commuting at that time. That too this was the case after/around 2 weeks since we wait for 10+ days to get passport.
But while returning they will ask why did you travel. So i am not sure if the reason for stamping will confuse any officer thinking whether you applied for visa or didnt apply for visa - i dont know how you will prove on the same day of interview that you didnt attend interview.

 

[tuhadapeo]

I have never used AVR, would let experienced members help answer your query.

Thanks @tuhadapeo. I just need more clarification on #2 (given below). Want to know if AVR can be used to enter the US if I could not attend my visa appointment? Does appointment need to be in "Cancelled" status for using AVR? If yes, then does the appointment status automatically updates to "Cancelled" after not showing up for the appointment? I understand it's bit critical. Still, if anybody could help would be appreciable.

@harirajmohan Do you have any thoughts on this?

2. Would I be able to return to the US using AVR if I could not attend visa interview for some unforeseen reason (may be unexpected quarantine in Canada) and the appointment being still scheduled as I wouldn't be able to cancel it using ais/visa appointment portal after a certain date before my appointment?

 

[Sree G]

@Sree G - Can you please share if you are a Canadian PR holder and did you apply for dropbox while residing in Canada or submitted your DS160 in US and then traveled to drop your passport ?

I also applied as canada PR holder . My family and I just moved to canada a week ago .

 

[gprawtap]

Hi,
I am considering getting my H-1B stamped from US Consulate in Vancouver either with an interview or via a dropbox. I haven't yet submitted DS-160, but wanted to know if the appointments are readily available these days? I already have a Canadian PR, so getting into and staying longer in Canada is not an issue.
Thanks,

 

[spikyshotgun]

Reading here, it seems that the Dropbox is taking 4-6 weeks whereas in person is much faster at less than 1 week. All my work is in person and I am unable to take 4-6 weeks off.
Is there any way to request them to convert Dropbox appointment to in person or request for emergency appointment?

 

[swan0206]

Reading here, it seems that the Dropbox is taking 4-6 weeks whereas in person is much faster at less than 1 week. All my work is in person and I am unable to take 4-6 weeks off.
Is there any way to request them to convert Dropbox appointment to in person or request for emergency appointment?

They cannot convert dropbox to in-person. You have two options.
1) Either get a appointment date or 2) Request for an emergency appointment with strong explanation.

 

[spikyshotgun]

They cannot convert dropbox to in-person. You have two options.
1) Either get a appointment date or 2) Request for an emergency appointment with strong explanation.

Thanks for your response.

The problem is that since Dropbox has already been selected, there is no option to select a date or request emergency appointment after logging in to my account.

 

[swan0206]

Thanks for your response.

The problem is that since Dropbox has already been selected, there is no option to select a date or request emergency appointment after logging in to my account.

i think you should still have emergency appntmnt. If not i do not see any other option but to email them once or send the documents

 

[ziyoufeixiang]

Thanks for sharing your experience.
Are you a Canadian citizen or a PR?

I have an H-1b interview coming up in 2 weeks, and I've heard some people (not from this forum) got administrative processing and were stuck without their passports for about a month

I heard the US consulate is closed for visa interview. Am I wrong?

 

[ziyoufeixiang]

Hi all, I would like to ask for your help with H1B visa application

My girlfriend is working in the US as a H1B hoder. I asked her to come to Toronto for a visit but she said that she will need a H1B visa for returning to the US. I noticed that currently all the visa interviews are cancelled until Nov 2022.

Please advise if I am wrong and the steps to get a H1B visa in Canada.

Thanks,

 

[bboyking]

My girlfriend is working in the US as a H1B hoder. I asked her to come to Toronto for a visit but she said that she will need a H1B visa for returning to the US. I noticed that currently all the visa interviews are cancelled until Nov 2022.

U.S. Embassies are open and I just got my H1B visa stamped last week in Calgary. But appointments are hard to get this year and mostly for Canadian residents, but spots do open up occasionally due to random cancellations.

For non-residents, it might be hard to get an appointment this year but if her visit to Canada will be less 14 days then she can possibly look into automatic revalidation (Read about it here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/visa-expiration-date/auto-revalidate.html )