Visa delay and passport
 

Currently, the US consulate in Canada requires few weeks for the
security background check of the person until the visa is issued. So
lets suppose if a male applies for H1B visa at the US consulate in
canada and appear in the interview on the date of appointment then will
the passport be held at the consulate until the visa is issued (which
may be 4 weeks as mentioned on the website) or passport is given out
and then the person is called again after the security background check
is complete.

Re: Visa delay and passport
 

I think you mean to ask that whether you can travel while the security
check for visa is in process. I do not have the exact answer but I
think you cannot as the passport is held by the embassy and even if it
does not, the consulate website says that you will have to remain in
Canada till you get visa.
Just a guess.