Can I get my H1b Extension stamped in Mexico/Canada?

USA
1

I’m set to travel to India on Jan 25, but I see that there are no dropbox visa appointments in pretty much any consulate in India. Would it be possible to get a visa stamping done in Mexico/Canada in time for my trip? Is “dropbox” a thing for these or is an interview the only way to get stamped in these countries as a third country national? If anyone could speak from experience of getting a stamping in one of these countries or share links to the process, that’d be of great help!

Also, are things different/slower due to Covid protocols?

Some background info: I have an I-140 approved, my h1b status is extended to Oct 2024, my old H1b visa on my passport expired in Oct 2021.

2

Consulates in India are expected to open up slots for Jan-May 2022 in December this year so I would say keep checking for any available slots. You will need to check several times during the day/night to get lucky.

Below is more information on TCN stamping in Canada/Mexico. This may not be available or only limited during the ongoing pandemic.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/nonimmigrants-present-visiting-canada-mexico.html

https://mx.usembassy.gov/third-country-nationals/

As far as I know, there is no interview waiver aka dropbox for TCN in Mexico or Canada.

3

Thank you very much for the response!