F1 to H4 stamping in Canada/Mexico

[uday029]

Hello all,

Thank you for taking time to read my post and for willing to help.

I am currently on H1B visa with approved I-140. I recently received approval for H1B extension for which I was planning to go to Canada/Mexico for stamping. My 1st H1B stamping was done in India, then my previous H1B extension stamping was done in Mexico couple of years ago. This will be my third time going for H1B (extension) stamping.

I am getting married in a couple of weeks here in USA. My fiancee is currently on F1 visa. Her F1 visa stamping in passport is expired but her i-20 is currently valid (as she extended her i-20). After marriage, she is planning to change her status for H4 and also apply for EAD. Considering the long processing times for H4 and EAD approval, she was planning to go to Canada or Mexico to get H4 visa stamped on her passport. We prefer having H4 visa stamping done rather than apply for change of status (due to some other travel plans for later this year). We were planning to do my H1B extension stamping and her fresh h4 visa stamp together.

Is it advisable to go for H4 visa stamping in Canada or Mexico instead of home country (India). We read on the internet that first time stamping is better to be done in home country and as she is applying for H4 for the first time. We are not sure if is risky to go to Canada or Mexico in our situation.

Thank you and Please Advise.

Uday

[traveller3]

In the same situation

Hi Uday,

I am in the same situation. Did you find a solution or decide anything ? I want to go for h4 stamping in Canada but I am not sure.
Please let me know

[traveller3]

H4 stamping in Canada

I had my H4 stamping in Vancouver, Canada 9/5/2017 at 9:15am. I thought it would be important to post as I have not seen any experiences posted for a h4 stamping without the spouse.
Visa Background: Came to US on F1 which expired 1 year back. My F1 to H4 change of status is already approved and EAD has been approved as well. I am currently working. We got married in US. This was my first time for H4 visa stamping.
Experience: Reached the US consulate at 8:30am, there was a line for getting into the embassy. At the entrance itself I was asked for passport, H4 approval, photo and DS 160. One I cleared the security at the entrance, it was time to walk upstairs (Level 2) for a thorough security check. From what I saw, people were allowed to carry bags(plastic bags and small purses) but no cellphone. I think there is a facility for lockers but I did not use it (just saw people had wrist tags with numbers on). I did not carry any bags or cell phone, just had my documents file.
Clearing security on level 2, there was a line and there are two windows.
Window 1 – collects documents where I was asked the following documents:
- Copy of spouse’s passport
- Copy of H1B approval
- Was asked if my spouse had entered the country (US) on H1 visa – had to present I94 (I did not have my spouse’s latest I94 but they said the stamp on the passport is acceptable)
These documents where put in my new passport and was asked to take to window 2.
I was told to keep away the H4 approval, photo and my old passport (only asked me to carry the new passport along with the documents).
Window 2 – takes finger prints and a token number is given for interview.
After getting the token number, I had to wait for about 45 mins - 1 hr for my number to be called. Once it was called, the group was escorted by security to the 20th Level, where there was a short line for the interview.
At the interview, I was asked the following questions
- Where does your spouse work?
- Show the Marriage certificate?
- When did you get married?
- Where do I work? And if I had my EAD card?
After that: Visa Officer said my visa was approved and will be available in 3-5 days and was given a green paper with instructions for tracking the passport.
Current status as of 9/6: Tracking website is showing as administrative processing. I will update the post once I get it changes.
I carried all the documents that were mentioned in immihelp for h4 stamping. Let me know if anyone wants I can post my list of documents as well.
Good luck to everyone!

[foreverinquisitive]

@traveller 3...within what time frame did you receive your stamped passport?

I'm in a similar situation, but the CoS is taking forever, and I dont want to run out on my status. It'd give me a fair idea of the time that i should expect this process to take.

Thanks!

I had my H4 stamping in Vancouver, Canada 9/5/2017 at 9:15am. I thought it would be important to post as I have not seen any experiences posted for a h4 stamping without the spouse.
Visa Background: Came to US on F1 which expired 1 year back. My F1 to H4 change of status is already approved and EAD has been approved as well. I am currently working. We got married in US. This was my first time for H4 visa stamping.
Experience: Reached the US consulate at 8:30am, there was a line for getting into the embassy. At the entrance itself I was asked for passport, H4 approval, photo and DS 160. One I cleared the security at the entrance, it was time to walk upstairs (Level 2) for a thorough security check. From what I saw, people were allowed to carry bags(plastic bags and small purses) but no cellphone. I think there is a facility for lockers but I did not use it (just saw people had wrist tags with numbers on). I did not carry any bags or cell phone, just had my documents file.
Clearing security on level 2, there was a line and there are two windows.
Window 1 – collects documents where I was asked the following documents:
- Copy of spouse’s passport
- Copy of H1B approval
- Was asked if my spouse had entered the country (US) on H1 visa – had to present I94 (I did not have my spouse’s latest I94 but they said the stamp on the passport is acceptable)
These documents where put in my new passport and was asked to take to window 2.
I was told to keep away the H4 approval, photo and my old passport (only asked me to carry the new passport along with the documents).
Window 2 – takes finger prints and a token number is given for interview.
After getting the token number, I had to wait for about 45 mins - 1 hr for my number to be called. Once it was called, the group was escorted by security to the 20th Level, where there was a short line for the interview.
At the interview, I was asked the following questions
- Where does your spouse work?
- Show the Marriage certificate?
- When did you get married?
- Where do I work? And if I had my EAD card?
After that: Visa Officer said my visa was approved and will be available in 3-5 days and was given a green paper with instructions for tracking the passport.
Current status as of 9/6: Tracking website is showing as administrative processing. I will update the post once I get it changes.
I carried all the documents that were mentioned in immihelp for h4 stamping. Let me know if anyone wants I can post my list of documents as well.
Good luck to everyone!