F1 to H1B visa stamp from Canada (non-citizen)

[ZeroDay 0]

Hi

I got a job at the middle of the pandemic and then my employer changed my visa status to H1B. So, my current passport has F1 visa stamp but if I want to travel my country/or any other country, I will need to get H1B visa stamp from US embassy. But, due to ongoing pandemic, the US embassy of my native country has a long queue, so I would not be able to get an appointment any time sooner.

So, I decide to travel Canada to apply for the H1B visa stamp. As a non-citizen of Canada, could anyone help me to figure out the process to do so? Here are main questions I have (and additional advice will be helpful):

1. Will I need to get a Canada visa? As I am currently not in F1 (but my passport valid visa is), will that be a trouble to get Canadian visa? What should I mention for the purpose of travel to Canada.

2. Can I get an appointment ahead of leaving to Canada? Or should I have to wait until I am there?

3. What are the form I have to fill out to apply for the H1B visa at Canada?

4. How long I may have to stay at Canada?

5. Do I need to get any additional paper (e.g. authorization travel, etc) for the purpose?

[igoyougoduke 1,656]

yes you need a visa to enter Canada.  you tell them the purpose is to get h1b visa .

2) yes you can do it online

3) you go to the US consulate website of canada to get the info

4) 3-4 days

5) you need visa to enter canada. you need h1b visa in passport to enter back in US 

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

You need to first check if the consulates in Canada are issuing routine H1Bs. They all have backlogs. They are all showing limited services available for non immigrant visas, except for Montreal which is only issuing emergency visas. See  https://ca.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/consular-operations-updates/

 

 

 

 

Edited May 25, 2021 by SusieQQQ

[Coco8 1,042]

I thought that they would only give you the visa if you are Canadian or a resident of Canada. It's very risky to go, because you might not be able to come back if they refuse to give you the visa stamp. 

 

Also, travel to Canada is still restricted. 

 

 

[xyz12345 260]

How about doing this in US-Mexico border towns or in Mexico? Here's an example -- https://usvisastampinginmexico.com/

 

If I'm not mistaken a long time ago my friend booked this company to have a bus pick their clients and him at hotel(s) on the US side, go to the consulate in Mexico and then transport them back to the US.

Edited May 27, 2021 by xyz12345

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

24 minutes ago, xyz12345 said:

How about doing this in US-Mexico border towns or in Mexico? Here's an example -- https://usvisastampinginmexico.com/

 

If I'm not mistaken a long time ago my friend booked this company to have a bus pick their clients and him at hotel(s) on the US side, go to the consulate in Mexico and then transport them back to the US.

A long time ago being before Covid and all the backlogs at the embassies?

[xyz12345 260]

1 hour ago, SusieQQQ said:

A long time ago being before Covid and all the backlogs at the embassies?

Yup, a long while. That was just a passing comment. Didn't check if there's anything as recent as just before/during COVID.

 

Anyway, that website showed 2021 news but that is only one reference. Worst case, OP can't travel overseas -- same boat as some naturalized USCs who still can't visit their families abroad bec of still worse COVID conditions.

Edited May 27, 2021 by xyz12345