Can i go to canada to restamp my h1b visa
I know couple years back we could have gone to canada mexico, some say the rules have now changed and need to go to nepal.. can i still go canada for restamping? Is there a usembassy website i can check this info.
@ the_hareeb
Bro, if this is your re-stampting(if you've H1 stamped one time already), then you should be fine going to Canada. But from what i hear is that if you're going to Stamp H1 for the first time then you'll have to go to Nepal. I am not sure though....>But that's what most people say.
@Sirus_me----Bro, you might have to go to Nepal since this is your first time..
Good Luck ya'll.
I am going Nepal for h1 stamping.Please share visa interview questions.
Yeah this is my first time too. I had mine changed from f1 to h1. My visa had expired on f1.
Can anybody please verify.
Thanks for the link sirius, i will update if i find any info, i will also ask my attorney.. will update.
Bro 100% confirm, First time or Second time if YOU ARE WORKING IN US, you can GO TO CANADA for you H1B VISA!!!
You can speak with your company's attorney if you want to verify!! but i am 200% SURE!!
If u r stamping for the first time, then u have to go to ur home country. For 2nd stamping u can go to anywhere.
As you cannot go to Mexico, it is out of picture. Next option is for Canada, see it is risky in Canada if you do not have US education or experience in US as they clearly mention on consulate site of Canada. Personally, Bahamas seems promising as I have not heard any issues. Bahamas is something to consider. You will have to defend your visa interview though with full documentation and any questions though. What my understanding after reading many blogs and other info in many forums is : it is recommended to go to Home country for change of status or First time H1B visa stamping. The reason is, it is much easy to verify your education certificates, work related certificates etc if you have from your home country.
Why Cannot you go for First time H1B visa stamping to Mexico ?
You cannot go to Mexico for first time H1B visa stamping or any kind of Change of Status. You can only go to Mexico for renewals only. People used to be able to get change of visa stamped before( I got my first H1B in Mexico too), but NOT now. The Mexican Immigration website of Tijuana and Matamoros clearly says that Third Country nationals(TCNs) cannot apply for change of status visa stamping.
Here is exactly what it says in immigration website of Tijuana
“ Who Can Apply in Mexico
- TCN Applicants residing in the United States, seeking to renew their visa in any category except B1/2 (tourist/business) or H-2 (temporary or seasonal workers). A spouse or dependent children may apply with the principal visa holder if the principal meets the criteria above. A renewal is a case where an applicant for the same type of visa is made and does not include persons who seek to change from one visa category to another or who are seeking any other type of “change of status” even if that change has been authorized by the Department of Homeland Security.”
Good luck!!.
Last edited: 08-Mar-11 12:12 PM
Uat can you please provide the source where it says i have to go nepal for 1srt time. Maybe it is for first time, mexico we cant, but in canada, we still can.. Thanks for bhelp. All
Last edited: 08-Mar-11 12:40 PM
i just talked to my attorney, he mentioned there is no reason to go to canada to get it re-stamped if you are planning on going to nepal anyways after that because if you get denied in canada, you will have to go to nepal anyways. So, I am thinking of doing mine in nepal but i am still very skeptical on nepal because everything takes forever to process there because of the system..
He also mentioned to ask if h1b visa granted by nepal is multiple entry visa or single entry visa? how long is it valid for?
@hareeb , one of my friend got it done in 3 days in Nepal (what delay are you talking about??). I am going around April 1st week, can update after that!!
There is something called PIMS #update(do inquire more about this), but if you have worked for more then 1 year in H1B then you don't have to worry about PIMS update either!!
Also, I am stating again. My friend got his H1B stamped in Canada in Feb 2011, he was in F1 status and was working on H1B!!
If you are planing to come to Nepal (like Me) then get it stamped from Nepal, or if you want to travel international (visit Europe/Caribbean/Mexico or Latin America) then get it done from Canada!!
Last edited: 08-Mar-11 01:20 PM
@the_hareeb
Hey Bro, you mentioned in previous posting that you're going for the first time H1B stamping. Why do you keep saying RE-STAMPING. .? You're confusing everybody. . . If you had F1 Visa before and you want to stamp H1B it is not called Re-stamping. It is called first time H1B stamping.......Now, if you were renewing F1 Visa, ie. you're going to nepal for stamping F1, then the word "Re-stamping" is valid....F1 and H1 are two different categories...
Even your title should be Stamping H1B, not Re-stamping H1B......People are getting confused here for that reason.....Hope that clears your confusion as well as others.
Again, When you're going to Stamp H1B for the first time (in your case) not re-stamping, then you should go to Home Country and it's pretty fast. . It will probably take you a week or two unless there is any processing delay. ...If it was re-stamping. ie your 3 years H1B expired and you had new H1B for another 3 years and you needed Stamping, then you can go to Canada.
Good Luck.
Purana Kagaz.
@Purana Kagaz
Dude whether it's Stamping (First time H1-B) or re-Stamping (Second time) you can goto Canada for Visa Stamping!!
Condition 1. You should have your degree from US Univ (most of us have) and 2. Working Job in US (that is obvious right?)
My friend just got his 1st time H1B stamped in Canada in Feb 2011(was F1 and Working on H1B), and my company attorney says we can goto Canada without a issue for Visa stamping!! (if you are traveling internationally, few of my colleagues have got it this way. but like 6 months back then goto Canada for stamping)!![but if your motive is to goto Nepal after Stamping then it's wise to goto Nepal for Stamping save money and time]
+ do read about PIMS update too (if you have ~less than 1 year working under H1B)!!
Btw, you dont need no stamp, if u aint going anywhere
Sorry about the condusion. My visa expired while i was in f1.now i am in h1b status and need to have a new entry us visa, so i guess that is technically restamping or is it just stamping?
Thanks all for your inputs, i am now thinking of just going to nepal because i will go there anyways, just skeptical because you know things are always messeed up back home, but hearing from what you guys say, its very safe.
Those of you going to nepal for h1b stamping please share your experiences.
purana kagaz--
You may still have to worry about PIMS verification even if you have more than one years of experience under H1-B. I got my H1 B stamped in KTM last November and I got stuck for a couple of days due to this PIMS verification. I was already in my second year around that time. Usually, this verification last couple of days if its not related to security reasons, but if time is of essence then that wait could be a very anxious one.
@Lahure Kancha: Thanks for the list of document info.Can you also please mention documents to support H4. I am applying for first time stamping and wife for H4.
Is any one here working for dhoti consultant ? I am working for desi consultancy for last 2 and half yrs. Thinking of going to Nepal in June/ July. Not sure how tough to get visa stampped for first time.
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