In the I 797B, Notice of Action, it says H1B Kathmandu for Class consulate or POE. My lawyer says, I can get H1B visa stamped in any of the consulate of US. He suggested me to go to Canada. Guys if any of have similar things and gone to canada for visa stamp, please share your experience. I will be really greatful for that.
- Raman

guys any info please?

Guys any info please?

Yea i know some of my friends have done that.Its easier that way. I am also thinking of going to Canada and get my visa stamped. U can do it in Nepal as well but you never know whats gonna happen there. So its better if you get it stamped from Canada and then go to nepal.

I am thinking about the same.
I have been working for last 2 years without having the Visa stampped yet. Just couldn't get enough time to go back home yet. Not sure if anyone knows about the procedures I need to follow if I wanna go to Canada. Would appreciate it !! Thanks.

you need to file I - 824 before changing your designated consulate office. it will cost $200 and it might take some time (by INS) to send your documents to new consulate.

Thanks khusi,vince and spiderman. Spiderman, can you please tell me how long will it take to send document to new consulate? Probably I have to google for the process and address for filing I - 824 right? Thanks again.
Raman

Hi spiderman, do you know how I file I 824? Or any of the one who have done, please suggest me.
Thanks
Raman

1. In your approval letter, if you go carefully it might have written "If the worker(s) will apply for a visa at a consulate other than that listed above, the petitioner should file Form I-824, Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition, with this office in order to notify the new consulate."

2.
To target=_blank>http://www.iss.purdue.edu/FacultyStaff/H1B/Travel.cfm

To obtain an H-1B visa in a third country (neither the U.S. or your own) or, an H-4 visa for dependents without the H-1B visa holder being present, it is advisable that the U.S. Consulate or Embassy be notified of the approved H-1B petition by filing Form I-824. This must be done 4-5 months in advance. The documents needed for Consular Notification are as follows:

Form I-824
$200.00 check or money order
Copy of Form I-797 approval notice
Send by certified mail with return receipt to:

U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Nebraska Service Center
850 "S" Street
Lincoln, NE 68501-7824

Note – All of the documents listed above as well as the approval notice of Form I-824 should be submitted to the U.S. Consulate/ Embassy at the time of visa application. Keep copies of all documents submitted.

3. For filing your company attorny will help you out or find H1B experienced attory at your city. Again, filing I-824 is advisable (you have better chance of getting visa) but not mandatory.

always,
regards

Don't even think about applying for I-824.

I-824 application takes more than one year to be processed so if you are planning to file I-824 it is simply waste of your time and money. You can go to Canada.

Do not Go to Canada!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have know situations where they have rejected stamping!!!!!!!!
Mexico Cool easy !!!!!!!
In the past 1 year i have over 20 of my friends who went there and go stamped!!!!!!!

There is this guy Mike he wil charge u 250 and get the Mexican visa carry u to The consulate and brign u back to US. No issues

Just a thought!!!!!!!!!!!!

Guys , if you planning to go to Nepal than DO NOT go to Canada or, Maxico for visa. I went to canada and stuck there for 20days to get visa. They put me in name check. I know few people went to Maxico and stuck there for couple weeks. so, its better to go to Nepal and get visa there. It will save your money too. I spent more than $4000.00 in Canada so don't take risk.

Saan Dai

if you have time i think it is better to go to nepal to get visa stamped. i got my visa stamped recently in Matamoros, Mexico. there were around 20 people for H1-B visa. everybody got visa stamped same day. some got within 3 hrs some had to wait till 3pm. but i was only unlucky to wait for next day. visa was apporved but so called system didn't release my visa until next day. there was one hispanic guy who was Coordinating some indians and pakistanies. i assume he was some kind of service guy who charge to get mexican permit and take you to counsular office and bring back to border.

Guys, My OPT expires in August and H1B starts from October. So in early September, I am thinking of going to Nepal. I will then get my H1B stamp in Nepal. Please advise me if it would be good to go Nepal especially during the adjustment period (September) before my H1B starts and get the H1B visa in Kathmandu? If any one of you have experienced similar situation, please share it.

saan dai, you got stuck in canada because they found someone with your name with criminal background in US. I advice people to get their police report from the seriffs department just in case situations like that arise.

Huys any suggestions pls.

My suggestion is also to go to Nepal. If you have maintained good status before you H1, then you won' t have any problem at all.
Going third country is always more risker than going to Nepal nowadays.

It all depends upon your situation and what kind of company you are working. If you feel your company is good then you won't have problem going to Canada or Nepal. But there are always pros and cons whether you goto Canada or Nepal.

Pros going to Cananda:
- Near from USA
- Can be done with visa stamping in few days
- Get chance to see Canada :)
- Close timezone to USA. In case, you need to make phone calls from your work.

Cons going to Canada:
- If US visa get rejected, will face unnecessary hassle and need to go back to Nepal
- Need to take canadian visa

Pros going to Nepal:
- If your USA visa is rejected, you are still in your own country and reapply again easily
- Can meet family and friends
- Will save money and time going to Canada

Cons going to Nepal:
- Need to schedule a long vacation.
- Need to spend more money.
- Not in USA timezone. So in case needed any verification from company, its hard for communication.

Now, its your call whether you want to goto Nepal or Canada. But what I again say is if you are confident with your status and your company then you will get visa whether its Canada or Nepal.

I myself went to Canada for stamping in 2005 and I got visa in less than 2 mins. Consulate did not ask much question. Only questions asked to me was "did you like your work?" and "how many employees in your company?".

Good luck

Does it really take a year to complete the process for I-824? Actually in the I 797B, Notice of Action, it says H1B Kathmandu for Class consulate or POE. Any of of the friends have come across this issue?
Thanks for the above info.

Hi Raman,
There are lots of students like in your case. Students whose OPT expires before July 20 will have (gap before Oct 1) H1B approved without I-94 i.e. petiton approved but COS(change of status) denied. There are lots of ways to rectify it:

1. If person is currently working in same field: (a) they will go to anywhere (Nepal/Canada/Mexico) and will get visa easily with or w/o I-824 notification.
(b)apply for COS i.e. petition for new I-94 without leaving country by maintaining gap (joining college or getting new I-20). Form needed is I-129.

2. If person is not currently working or working in different field: (a)Mostly will go to Can/Mex with or w/out filing I-824. (b)apply for COS i.e. petition for new I-94 without leaving country by maintaining gap (joining college or getting new I-20). Form needed is I-129.

3. You don't need to leave the country. You will be in H1B after Oct 1. You will get your new I-94 when you leave and re -enter in future. Most of the attorney doesn't know about this fact. I know one.
i. Name: Atty. Roger Rathi
ii. Nationality: Nepali, speaks Nepali fluently
iii. web: iv. target=_blank>http://www.rogerrathi.com/
iv. Contact: (800) 510-8421

3. about I-824: it is your job to read your approval letter carefully. it is clearly written that if you want to change consulate you should file I-824. Usually, when you want to go to Can/Mex, you inform your employer and company attorney takes care of I-824. I'v seen people whose I-824 petiton got approved in 2 months.

As always,
Regards