Successful H1B stamping at Ottawa on Nov 2 - My Experience

[deep2000]

Steps taken:
1. Booking an Appointment:
I had booked appointment at Ottawa embassy. My initial prefernce was Toronto (since I am in upstate New York, Toronto would have been closer & I have friends there to stay with), but after umpteenth attemps could not get any appointment at Toronto. In the meantime I had seen available appontments at Ottawa pop-up twice, before taking the third time. I saw appointments available at Ottawa at different times of the day. Once I saw available appointment for Oct 27 show up on Sept 16 at 12pm and then another for Oct 28 appeared on Sept 17 in the afternoon. Finally I booked Nov 2 appointment on Sept 22 at 7.30 am. So there is no specific time for appointments being availabe, so keep checking between 7 am & 9 pm.

2.Documents needed:
-DS-156 can be filled online at State Deptt website (link given in the letter)
-DS-157 is a fillable PDF which you can type in and then save on your computer.
Paste 1 passport photo (make sure background is white)taken from CVS or Walgreens, on DS 156 Pg 1 botton right.
-Scotia bank reciepts for $131. Closest Scotia Bank brach is on Rideau st near Freiman Mall (opposite to Rideau St). Take printout of 3 pages of the reciept from consulate website & the bank teller will take 1, return 2. Embassy will take the remaining 2 & give 1 back after interview.
-I-797 approval notice. I-94 from the approval notice can be attached to passport. If you are going from US, they will take your old I-94.
-Copies of I-129 & LCA that were submitted at the time of applying. (As per USCIS rules, employer must provide a copy of all documents submitted to USCIS, to the employee also).
-Letter from employer (I dont work for consultant, so no client letter needed) that says hiring date, current annual salary & job responsibilities. People working on TAL fields should also get a letter from supervisor stating how their work is related or not related with TAL fields. It should be strong and truthful. Also in the leeter from employer try to avoid terms included in TAL if they are not related to your work.
-Most current resume/CV
-W2s & tax returns (I took all of them)
-Bank statements & utility bills
-Company brochure
-Photographs of work area, office building, with colleagues
-Technical reports you have written (as a proof of what you are doing in company)
-Original college degrees & transcripts
-If went to school in US, then old I-20s
-Old passports (must, if they have any previous US visa)
-They also ask for Canpost Express envelope, but if you are picking up passport, then it is not neede. It is for people in Canada who want to get passport back in mail.
There can be additional documents needed. Check other postings for the info.

3. Travelling to Canada & Stay:
-I have a multiple entry visa to Canada so did not need to get a new one. But if you dont have one, then get one from any of the consulates by showing your appointment letter (they take passport in the morning and typically return in the afternoon). Single entry canadian visa is $65 USD.
-I drove to Ottawa crossing over through 1000 Islands, Alexandria Bay. There are 2 options, you can take I-81 (interstate so busy) or go through NY-37 (Ogdensberg) and cross another bridge which is nearly emplty as no trucks are allowed on the bridge. Folks from New England can go through Vermont (same way as for Montreal).
-Hotels: There is a Days Inn & Holiday Inn among the cheaper ones very close to the embassy. There are Inns and Bed & Breakfasts in downtown area for people needing to stay longer. Usually passports are returned after 2 days, but for 221g cases a longer stay might be warranted.
-Food: Rideau Center at the intersection of Sussex Dr & Rideau St has a big food court with most of the chain fastfood places. There is a McDonalds & Starbucks on Rideau st. Also 2 Indian fastfood places on Byward market plus a full restaurant Haveli is on clarence st (1 block from embassy). I also saw an Indian buffet on Laurier St in downtown and another restaurant called East India company. For vegetarians, ISKCON temple near Univ of Ottawa provide vegy food everyday from 5-7pm for $7. There is a vegy bed & breakfast on Mcleod st.

4. Appointment:
-Arrive at upto 45 min before your appointment and they will let you in. I had 10.30 appointment (kept time to get Scotia Bank reciept since bank closed on Sunday & my appt was Nov 2 monday) but I arrived around 9.45 and the person at the gate looked at my letter and then asked me to wait at the sign marked 'Visa Services'. After 10 minutes another security guard asked myself & another prerson standing there to come in. DONT bring any electronics, phone, ipods etc. They kept my car keys in a bag & gave a deposit number.
-After usual metal detector scan & x-ray of my giant file folder, went in. They made everyone to put handcleanser for flu prevention. The person at the side of the door looked at appointment letter, DS-156 & DS-157 with Scotia bank reciept and directed me to go to counter 7 for depositing passport & reciept. The person at the counter 7 looked through the 2 forms & stamped 'PAID' on scotia bank reciept and took passport and the forms. I was told to sit in the waiting area. THe consulate has 8 windows and seating capacity of around 35-40.
-I was called for finger prinrting at counter 4 after around 15-20 minutes. While waiting I saw everyone who was approved getting the card marked pickup 'W' at 3.00 pm. They have changed rules and dont give passport back next day.
-Around 11.00 am my name was called to window 1 (only widows 1 & 2 were hosting visa interviews, counter 6 is a door for special reviews/interviews).
VO: Good Morning Mr.xxxxxx
Me: Good Morning, How are you?
VO: I am good. Do you have older passport? (I have previous visa on older passport)
Me: Here it is (gave it & the previous visa was stamped 'Cancelled without Prejudice')
VO: Do you have letter from employer?
Me: (Gave it)
VO: What do you do at XXXXXX?
Me: I do ......
While I was answering, she gave my employer letter back and put a sticker on the back of passport marke 'W' pickup and gave me the conterfoil of that
VO: Come on wednesday at 3pm at the outside door & pickup your passport.
Me: Thank you.
Took my giant file folder and came out to pick up my car keys. The interview was for 3 minutes max. I was out of embassy by 11.15.

5. Passport Pickup:
On Nov 3 reached the embassy at 2.30 pm and waited on one of the benches in Byward market. There is a metered parking area that has 1 hour parking for $3. If all spaces are filled then there is a garage across it where 30 min costs $3. So if you arrive by 2.50, can park in either and it will be $3. Around 2.50pm people stated forming a line. They started giving passports at 3.00pm sharp. You dont have to go inside so you can carry phones, backpack etc. They took the paper and gave the passport back. They had taken out the old I-94 but left the I-94 of I-79 approval attached to the passport. It had a new visa stamped with expiry date the same as I-797. (For TAL jobs they usually give 1 year stamp).

6. Entry back in US:
At the port of entry (border crossing), I had to go inside the office and get a new I-94 and get the finger print and picture taken (same as we have to do while entering through airport immigration) and I was on my way back home.

So in a nutshell, this is my experience, hope it will be helpful for others. I am single, dont have dependents so cant say about the process for dependents, which I guess would be the same.

[thomachan72]

Letter from employer (I dont work for consultant, so no client letter needed) that says hiring date, current annual salary & job responsibilities. People working on TAL fields should also get a letter from supervisor stating how their work is related or not related with TAL fields. It should be strong and truthful. Also in the leeter from employer try to avoid terms included in TAL if they are not related to your work.
what do you mean by TAL? could you give an example? like terms to avoid etc?

[scorpion00]

Thanks for detailed experience and congarts on your visa.
I've a question about I-94. On the way back, do we need to get a new I94 even when we have the one which came with I797 approval?

[vin13]

Steps taken:

Great Job putting this info together and sharing with such detail. Excellent. Keep up the good work.

[deep2000]

what do you mean by TAL? could you give an example? like terms to avoid etc?

@thomachan:
TAL=Technology Alert List (Here is some info I have compiled from different sources)

The TAL consists of sixteen sensitive technologies, listed below. As evident from the list, some of the categories are quite broad and encompass work of a purely non-threatening nature. Additionally, those who work or study in a "closely" related field or one that is categorized as "dual use" may also be subjected to increased processing procedures and delays. The consular officers will determine whether the person's work or school activities fit within the regulated fields.
The TAL consists of two parts: (1) “Critical Fields List” which lists the major fields of technology transfer concern, and (2) the Department of State List of designated State Sponsors of Terrorism. The first test applies to nationals of all countries while the second test is intended to remind the Consular Officers that applicants from listed countries warrant special scrutiny and are subject to a mandatory Visa Mantis checks.

The sensitive areas constituting the Technology Alert List are:

(1) Conventional Munitions : technologies associated with warhead and large caliber projectiles, fusing, and arming systems;

(2) Nuclear Technology : technologies associated with the production and use of nuclear material for military applications;

(3) Missile / Missile Technology : technologies associated with air vehicles and unmanned missile systems;

(4) Aircraft and Missile Propulsion and Vehicular Systems : technologies associated with liquid and solid rocket propulsion systems, missile propulsion, rocket staging / separation mechanisms, and aerospace thermal and high performance structures;

(5) Navigation and Guidance Control : technologies associated with the delivery and accuracy of unguided and guided weapons, such as tracking and homing devices; internal navigation systems, and vehicle and flight control systems;

(6) Chemical and Biotechnology Engineering : technologies associated with the development or production of biological and toxin agents, pathogenics, and biological weapons research;

(7) Remote Imaging and Reconnaissance : technologies associated with military reconnaissance efforts, such as drones, remotely piloted or unmanned vehicles, imagery systems, and high resolution cameras;

(8) Advanced Computer and Microelectronic Technology : technologies associated with superconductivity, supercomputing, and microcomputer compensated crystal oscillators;

(9) Materials Technology : technologies related to the production of composite materials for structural functions in aircraft, spacecraft, undersea vehicles, and missiles;

(10) Information Security : technologies associated with cryptographic systems to ensure secrecy of communications;

(11) Lasers and Directed Energy Systems : technologies associated with laser-guided bombs, ranging devices, and countering missiles;

(12) Sensors : technology associated with marine acoustics, missile-launch calibration, night vision devices, and high-speed photographic equipment;

(13) Marine Technology : technology associated with submarines and deep submersible vessels, marine propulsion systems designed for undersea use and navigation, radar, and acoustic / non-acoustic detection;

(14) Robotics : technologies associated with artificial intelligence and computer-controlled machine tools;

(15) Advanced Ceramics : technologies related to the Production of tanks, military vehicles, and weapons systems;

(16) High Performance Metals and Alloys : technologies associated with military applications.

An alternative list I found:
(1) CONVENTIONAL MUNITIONS: Warheads, explosives, or other large caliber projectiles.
(2) NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY: Nuclear physics and/or nuclear engineering used in the development of nuclear materials for both peaceful and military applications.
(3) ROCKET SYSTEMS: Ballistic Missile Systems, Unmanned Air Vehicles, and pace launch vehicles.
(4) ROCKET SYSTEMS AND UNMANNED AIR VEHICLE SUBSYSTEMS: Propulsion technologies, solid rocket motor stages, liquid propellant engines, re-entry vehicles, guidance sets, thrust vector controls, and warhead arming technologies.
(5) NAVIGATION, AVIONICS AND FLIGHT CONTROL USEABLE IN ROCKET SYSTEMS AND UNMANNED AIR VEHICLES: Internal navigation systems, tracking and homing devices, accelerometers and gyroscopes, flight control systems, and global positioning systems.
(6) CHEMICAL, BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING: Biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, immunology, virology, bacteriology, mycology, toxicology, genetic engineering, recombinant DNA technology, pathogenecity, microencapsulation, chemical engineering, neurochemistry, pharmaceutical production technology.
(7) REMOTE SENSING, IMAGING AND RECONNAISSANCE: Remote sensing satellites, high resolution radar, imagery instruments, photogrammetry.
(8) ADVANCED COMPUTER/MICRO-ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY: Supercomputing, speech processing systems, neural networks, data fusion, quantum wells, superconductivity, optoelectronics, acoustic wave devices, superconducting electron devices, flash discharge type x-ray systems, frequency synthesizers, microcomputer compensated crystal oscillators.
(9) MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY: High performance metals, alloys, and ceramics associated with military applications.
(10) INFORMATION SECURITY: Cryptography, cryptographic systems.
(11) LASER AND DIRECTED ENERGY SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY: High and low energy lasers, directed and kinetic energy systems, optoelectronics, optical tracking, high
speed pulse generation, magnetohydrodynamics.
(12) SENSORS AND SENSOR TECHNOLOGY: Marine acoustics, optical sensors, night vision devices, gravity meters, high speed photographic equipment,
magnetometers.
(13) MARINE TECHNOLOGY: Submarines and submersibles, undersea robots, marine propulsion systems, signature recognition, acoustic and non acoustic detection.
(14) ROBOTICS: Artificial intelligence, automation, computer-controlled machine tools, pattern recognition technologies.
(15) URBAN PLANNING: Architecture, civil engineering, community development, environmental planning, geography, housing, landscape architecture, urban
design.

If possible, try to avoid these terms, but some of them are so common I think it might be difficult to avoid. I work in biotech and nothing I do was on either of the two list.

[deep2000]

Thanks for detailed experience and congarts on your visa.
I've a question about I-94. On the way back, do we need to get a new I94 even when we have the one which came with I797 approval?

@scorpion00
Yes, even if you have I-94 from I-797, you still need to get a new I-94 because the green I-94 from I-797 does not have a stamp or an expiry date, so you need a new one.

[sandy_anand]

Steps taken:


Thank you so much for the detailed posting of the experience. Very helpful. Gave you green!:D

[InTheMoment]

Wow...looks like you did a Thesis on the visa stamping in Ottawa issue... thanks for publishing it !

btw..Multiple Visa to Canada = Single entry visa to Canada (if you are traveling from the US). Just that single entry is max 6 months and costs less! I have made some 15 entries to Canada on a few single entry visas.

[thomachan72]

thanks Deep2000 for the information.
one of my friends is a researcher with a certain very common bacteria and was asked to wait 2 months before he got clearance for stamping. this happened a few years back. so apparently India is also one of the countries? one of my friends said that it is better to have letters from your supervisor or somebody really in charge that your activities are not at all in a sensitive area or that you do not handle biohazardous materials etc.

[whiteStallion]

Thanks for the very detailed and helpful post !

[vijay_s_b]

Can anyone tell what is the best way to make an VISA appointment in canada. I see no dates for any months.

PLEASE HELP!!!!! IN NEED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ashokmohan]

thanks for the info Deep2000...

Just got stamping on Monday Jan 25th 2010. This was my third stamping in Ottawa. H1B extension based on approved I 140.