Anyone been to Canada instead of London to change status?
Jan 6th 2020, 6:26 pm
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 72
Anyone been to Canada instead of London to change status?
Hi all and happy new year!
We've had a super complex journey over the last couple of years and the latest change is that we moved from E2 to L1 status late last year. Our whole family have now adjusted to L1 status (L2 for dependents) however we did this remotely so while we all have immigration status, only I have an actual visa to travel out and back in to the US since I had to do this (at the US embassy in London) to allow for applying for my updated work permit. I do get nervous that if any sort of emergency occurred in the UK and we needed to visit family then I am the only one who could do it without going through all the planning and booking with the US embassy.
So my question is whether anyone has ever booked their change of status in Canada and processed their visa there? If you did, how long did the passport take to come back?
Thanks in advance!
We've had a super complex journey over the last couple of years and the latest change is that we moved from E2 to L1 status late last year. Our whole family have now adjusted to L1 status (L2 for dependents) however we did this remotely so while we all have immigration status, only I have an actual visa to travel out and back in to the US since I had to do this (at the US embassy in London) to allow for applying for my updated work permit. I do get nervous that if any sort of emergency occurred in the UK and we needed to visit family then I am the only one who could do it without going through all the planning and booking with the US embassy.
So my question is whether anyone has ever booked their change of status in Canada and processed their visa there? If you did, how long did the passport take to come back?
Thanks in advance!
Jan 6th 2020, 7:05 pm
#2
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Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 58,679
Re: Anyone been to Canada instead of London to change status?
It would be easy enough for the family to visit the embassy in London if an emergency arose in the UK. Why spend the extra money when you don't really need to. .yet...?
Rene
Rene
Jan 7th 2020, 1:51 pm
#3
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Re: Anyone been to Canada instead of London to change status?
true - that's why we didn't all go back last time. I was thinking we could drive to canada and just build it into a vacation but I'll do some research about last minute appointments in London - it's always taken weeks to get one in the past but maybe different if urgent situation?
Thanks for the response!
Thanks for the response!
Jan 7th 2020, 5:40 pm
#4
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 97
Re: Anyone been to Canada instead of London to change status?
When I switched from L1B to H1B I did it in Toronto (I lived in New York). It was pretty easy. Went up there for a few days, mooched around (it was pretty cold though), did some sightseeing, came home. Not sure if it's still the case but the only annoying thing was that I had to go out to a FedEx place outside of Toronto to pickup my passport with the new visa in it. I can't remember why, but they either wouldn't deliver it to my hotel, or it would have taken too long. I just remember it being really far and annoying.
I'll never forget how angry I was about the security guard and the couple in front of me. We were queuing outside and it was fcking freezing. They were renewing their US visas too, and they had their baby with them who I assume was a USC. He said the baby couldn't come in, as she didn't have an appointment, and they would need to go in separately while the other one waited outside with the baby. It was so infuriatingly petty.
I'll never forget how angry I was about the security guard and the couple in front of me. We were queuing outside and it was fcking freezing. They were renewing their US visas too, and they had their baby with them who I assume was a USC. He said the baby couldn't come in, as she didn't have an appointment, and they would need to go in separately while the other one waited outside with the baby. It was so infuriatingly petty.
Jan 8th 2020, 6:30 pm
#5
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 72
Re: Anyone been to Canada instead of London to change status?
When I switched from L1B to H1B I did it in Toronto (I lived in New York). It was pretty easy. Went up there for a few days, mooched around (it was pretty cold though), did some sightseeing, came home. Not sure if it's still the case but the only annoying thing was that I had to go out to a FedEx place outside of Toronto to pickup my passport with the new visa in it. I can't remember why, but they either wouldn't deliver it to my hotel, or it would have taken too long. I just remember it being really far and annoying.
I'll never forget how angry I was about the security guard and the couple in front of me. We were queuing outside and it was fcking freezing. They were renewing their US visas too, and they had their baby with them who I assume was a USC. He said the baby couldn't come in, as she didn't have an appointment, and they would need to go in separately while the other one waited outside with the baby. It was so infuriatingly petty.
I'll never forget how angry I was about the security guard and the couple in front of me. We were queuing outside and it was fcking freezing. They were renewing their US visas too, and they had their baby with them who I assume was a USC. He said the baby couldn't come in, as she didn't have an appointment, and they would need to go in separately while the other one waited outside with the baby. It was so infuriatingly petty.
Thanks this is really helpful. We are in NJ north so wouldn't be too far of a road trip to toronto! maybe when less freezing though!
Jan 8th 2020, 7:20 pm
#6
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: Anyone been to Canada instead of London to change status?
Big problem is if you get stuck in AP
Jan 9th 2020, 1:28 pm
#7
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 379
Re: Anyone been to Canada instead of London to change status?
Done Toronto twice
Appointment Tuesday
Got email notification following Thursday (about 1130pm) that visa/passport was completed
About 45 mins later had notification that passport had been shipped to our chosen pickup location
Went and picked up at about 0930 the Friday
That was 2015 and we chose a pickup location
Appointment Tuesday
Got email notification following Thursday (about 1130pm) that visa/passport was completed
About 45 mins later had notification that passport had been shipped to our chosen pickup location
Went and picked up at about 0930 the Friday
That was 2015 and we chose a pickup location
Jan 30th 2020, 8:12 pm
#8
The Hamburgler Incarnate!
Joined: Aug 2014
Location: Quakertown, PA
Posts: 56
Re: Anyone been to Canada instead of London to change status?
My wife renewed her L1B in Toronto in January 2018. We drove up, stopping at Niagra falls at the weekend. Her appointment was on the Monday. She was in and out in less than 30 minutes. We only had to wait three days for her passport to be available for collection. Was much easier than having to fly back to the UK, plus we got to do some touristy stuff... Toronto is a nice city!
