wellwisher02
03-27 03:22 PM
Has anyone gone to Vancouver for H1B stamping? Please share your experience and any pointers. It will be a great help.
Also, I found this on Vancouver consolate website:
"Passports and visas will be returned to the applicants with Canadian addresses by Canada Post, generally within three to five business days after the visa is approved. In person pick up will be available only in a legitimate emergency (as determined by the Consulate). "
This is disconcerting. I do not have luxary to wait 3-5 days to get my stamped passport via mail. Is this a standard process? Will they allow in-person pick up the same day?
Thank you.
Hey,
Lemme share my H1B Visa stamping in Vancouver, BC in July 2006:
1. First of all, you need to fix a Visa Stamping appointment via www.nvars.com.
2. Get a Canadian visa to make your trip to Canada. (I didn't have to do this since I hold Canadian Green Card.)
3. On the appointment date, be atleast 1 hour ahead of your appointment time.
4. Do not carry any electronic items (car remote, camera, etc) and food/liquid.
5. Carry all the relevant paperwork along with cash in US dollars, just in case you wanna pay fees by cash.
6. Present the documents asked for, and answer questions posed by the Visa officer confidently.
7. The attending Visa officer will tell you to go to a particular counter to pay a reciprocity fee.
7. Once the fee is paid, you need to collect your passport with new H1B visa stamped the next day at 3 PM.
You will not be able to collect your passport with H1 Visa stamped the same day. If your paperwork is organized (meaning you have all the relevant documents for H1B visa stamping), you'll get your passport the next day. Normally, it is stated in their printed document that it would take 2 - 3 business days. In reality, you can collect it the next day unless your case requires more investigation (due to any missing documentation, etc) by the US consulate. You should stay there for atleast 2 business days to get your H1B visa stamping done. Getting your visa stamped in contiguous neighbouring country like Canada and Mexico is convenient as opposed to going to your home country which would otherwise cost your more time and money.
Hope this helps.
Also, I found this on Vancouver consolate website:
"Passports and visas will be returned to the applicants with Canadian addresses by Canada Post, generally within three to five business days after the visa is approved. In person pick up will be available only in a legitimate emergency (as determined by the Consulate). "
This is disconcerting. I do not have luxary to wait 3-5 days to get my stamped passport via mail. Is this a standard process? Will they allow in-person pick up the same day?
Thank you.
Hey,
Lemme share my H1B Visa stamping in Vancouver, BC in July 2006:
1. First of all, you need to fix a Visa Stamping appointment via www.nvars.com.
2. Get a Canadian visa to make your trip to Canada. (I didn't have to do this since I hold Canadian Green Card.)
3. On the appointment date, be atleast 1 hour ahead of your appointment time.
4. Do not carry any electronic items (car remote, camera, etc) and food/liquid.
5. Carry all the relevant paperwork along with cash in US dollars, just in case you wanna pay fees by cash.
6. Present the documents asked for, and answer questions posed by the Visa officer confidently.
7. The attending Visa officer will tell you to go to a particular counter to pay a reciprocity fee.
7. Once the fee is paid, you need to collect your passport with new H1B visa stamped the next day at 3 PM.
You will not be able to collect your passport with H1 Visa stamped the same day. If your paperwork is organized (meaning you have all the relevant documents for H1B visa stamping), you'll get your passport the next day. Normally, it is stated in their printed document that it would take 2 - 3 business days. In reality, you can collect it the next day unless your case requires more investigation (due to any missing documentation, etc) by the US consulate. You should stay there for atleast 2 business days to get your H1B visa stamping done. Getting your visa stamped in contiguous neighbouring country like Canada and Mexico is convenient as opposed to going to your home country which would otherwise cost your more time and money.
Hope this helps.
gc_on_demand
05-25 08:48 AM
AFAIK DS 156 and DS !57 are no longer required. These have been replaced with DS 160.
My last experience in Mumbai consulate was 2 years back after I changed job and went to India. My experience was very good -- not a single question asked . An Indian lady called me and said your Visa is issued. Collected Passport in evening at VFS Office (BTW, there is a very long queue for passport collection)
However, I do not work for consulting company, never worked for any Desi Consulting and I already had a couple of H1 and L1 visa stamps in my passport.
I am travelling again now but avoiding the hassle of stamping. Returning with current stamp whcih will be valid for 10 more days after my return (I already have the extended 797)
I have I 797 valid til July 2011. Stamp is valid for same time. but my passport was expiring in June 2011 so I got I -94 valid until Nov 2010. My company is planing to apply for ext soon so I will get new I 797. with labor and I 140 approved I am hoping to get 1 or 3 years ext.
Anyway so I will get ext from Nov 2010 to atleast Nov 2011. ( Worst case if I get one year only). I am full time with this company and never changed company in last 5 years. So my question is if I get new I 797 in Nov 2011, and old stamp which is valid until July 2011 can I travel india and come back with old stamp , new I 797 and new passport ?
everything is from same company. Or Do I need to get new stamp since I will get new I 797 ?
My last experience in Mumbai consulate was 2 years back after I changed job and went to India. My experience was very good -- not a single question asked . An Indian lady called me and said your Visa is issued. Collected Passport in evening at VFS Office (BTW, there is a very long queue for passport collection)
However, I do not work for consulting company, never worked for any Desi Consulting and I already had a couple of H1 and L1 visa stamps in my passport.
I am travelling again now but avoiding the hassle of stamping. Returning with current stamp whcih will be valid for 10 more days after my return (I already have the extended 797)
I have I 797 valid til July 2011. Stamp is valid for same time. but my passport was expiring in June 2011 so I got I -94 valid until Nov 2010. My company is planing to apply for ext soon so I will get new I 797. with labor and I 140 approved I am hoping to get 1 or 3 years ext.
Anyway so I will get ext from Nov 2010 to atleast Nov 2011. ( Worst case if I get one year only). I am full time with this company and never changed company in last 5 years. So my question is if I get new I 797 in Nov 2011, and old stamp which is valid until July 2011 can I travel india and come back with old stamp , new I 797 and new passport ?
everything is from same company. Or Do I need to get new stamp since I will get new I 797 ?
USCISSucks
11-14 01:34 AM
Before 180 Days for those 140 approved
Do a H1 transfer and extension to new company which you like..
(don't use EAD with the new company)
Stay with the present company for some secondary part time job just not to get him mad (or take a vacation)
2 months would fly when you are making now decent money...
do whatever after 180 days.
I spoke with my Lawyer on this approach and says he doesn;t see any issue with this since I140 approved..
otehrs who have answered favourably please let us know if anybody did this?
Do a H1 transfer and extension to new company which you like..
(don't use EAD with the new company)
Stay with the present company for some secondary part time job just not to get him mad (or take a vacation)
2 months would fly when you are making now decent money...
do whatever after 180 days.
I spoke with my Lawyer on this approach and says he doesn;t see any issue with this since I140 approved..
otehrs who have answered favourably please let us know if anybody did this?
maddipati1
08-20 03:58 PM
i traveled to India and went for stamping when my PP was expiring within couple of months and got VISA stamped successfully and traveled back safely.
the initial screening officer at Chennai consulate commented with a smile 'you know, your passport is expiring in couple of months'. but the main immi officer didnt mention anything about it. this proves that there is no such law that says, u have to have a PP valid for six months.
but, when u r applying for a stamping appointment, the system says, 'its recommended to have a PP valid for at least six months'.
in your case i guess its just travel and no stamping involved and so u r in much better shape.
but, THIS WAS JUST MY EXPERIENCE. I WOULDN'T RELY ON THIS.
EVER SINCE I STRONGLY FEEL I WAS SUPER STUPID TO TAKE THAT KIND OF A RISK.
coz, i found out couple of things after wards :-)
in SFO consulate i could get PP in less than 7 business days. i guess urs is Chicago, so might not apply for u.
but, in India u can get new PP very fast under Tatkal scheme. do this,
be prepared with required dox and stuff before going there, ask ur relative/friend there to talk to local Tatkal officer to make it ready for ur PP renewal, soon as u land in India apply for PP renewal under Tatkal, u will get ur new PP before ur Jet lag is over. this leaves a buffer of ur vacation time, for contingencies.
finally, what GCCOVET said is absolutely right, u will get I-94 only until the expiry date of old PP. u would need to renew it again. not worth it. luckily i live close to border so i drove and came back to extend my I-94 after getting new PP.
the initial screening officer at Chennai consulate commented with a smile 'you know, your passport is expiring in couple of months'. but the main immi officer didnt mention anything about it. this proves that there is no such law that says, u have to have a PP valid for six months.
but, when u r applying for a stamping appointment, the system says, 'its recommended to have a PP valid for at least six months'.
in your case i guess its just travel and no stamping involved and so u r in much better shape.
but, THIS WAS JUST MY EXPERIENCE. I WOULDN'T RELY ON THIS.
EVER SINCE I STRONGLY FEEL I WAS SUPER STUPID TO TAKE THAT KIND OF A RISK.
coz, i found out couple of things after wards :-)
in SFO consulate i could get PP in less than 7 business days. i guess urs is Chicago, so might not apply for u.
but, in India u can get new PP very fast under Tatkal scheme. do this,
be prepared with required dox and stuff before going there, ask ur relative/friend there to talk to local Tatkal officer to make it ready for ur PP renewal, soon as u land in India apply for PP renewal under Tatkal, u will get ur new PP before ur Jet lag is over. this leaves a buffer of ur vacation time, for contingencies.
finally, what GCCOVET said is absolutely right, u will get I-94 only until the expiry date of old PP. u would need to renew it again. not worth it. luckily i live close to border so i drove and came back to extend my I-94 after getting new PP.
more...
milind70
04-01 06:05 PM
Hello folks,
i need some expert opinion here. These are my primary details.
COMPANY A:
1. Perm Labor - Nov 2006. (EB2)
2. I-140 approved - Nov 2007
3. I-485 filed - July 2007.
4 EAD - oct 2007
5 FP - Nov 2007
6 AP - Oct 2007
H1-B extension denied in dec 2007 due to variety of company A issues.
Invoked AC21 yesterday with company B.
COMPANY B: Bought substitution labor of Feb 2004 EB3.
I-140 filed : NSC : paper based filing no documents has been sent waiting for RFE on July 13 2007.
But my labor substitute on 140 has been used for somebody else by mistake and now company B says they have few other labors to substitute and they say we'll respond to the query saying that the original one has been used and please consider the second one. Attorney has made this mistake since many labors were filed at that time and the labor that they have used for me has been approved . Do you guys whatever the attorney is suggesting is going to work? Please let me know i haven't got an RFE yet..
Here are some facts
1. Labor Substitution is not allowed as of mid 2007 .
2. You could have invoked AC21 and moved to company B on EAD after 180 days of filing of 485 rather than trying to file 140 on sub labor
3 I think you could talk to comapny B and ask them to hire you on job of same responsbilities as on your earlier labor.
I think it is better if you see and immigration attorney for advise on this issue.
i need some expert opinion here. These are my primary details.
COMPANY A:
1. Perm Labor - Nov 2006. (EB2)
2. I-140 approved - Nov 2007
3. I-485 filed - July 2007.
4 EAD - oct 2007
5 FP - Nov 2007
6 AP - Oct 2007
H1-B extension denied in dec 2007 due to variety of company A issues.
Invoked AC21 yesterday with company B.
COMPANY B: Bought substitution labor of Feb 2004 EB3.
I-140 filed : NSC : paper based filing no documents has been sent waiting for RFE on July 13 2007.
But my labor substitute on 140 has been used for somebody else by mistake and now company B says they have few other labors to substitute and they say we'll respond to the query saying that the original one has been used and please consider the second one. Attorney has made this mistake since many labors were filed at that time and the labor that they have used for me has been approved . Do you guys whatever the attorney is suggesting is going to work? Please let me know i haven't got an RFE yet..
Here are some facts
1. Labor Substitution is not allowed as of mid 2007 .
2. You could have invoked AC21 and moved to company B on EAD after 180 days of filing of 485 rather than trying to file 140 on sub labor
3 I think you could talk to comapny B and ask them to hire you on job of same responsbilities as on your earlier labor.
I think it is better if you see and immigration attorney for advise on this issue.
aadimanav
10-16 11:15 PM
You are "legally" eligible to take any job or start your own business.
Some good job search websites are:
www.monster.com
www.dice.com
www.hotjobs.com
www.careerbuilder.com
Some good job search websites are:
www.monster.com
www.dice.com
www.hotjobs.com
www.careerbuilder.com
more...
lazycis
12-21 06:53 PM
I applied I-140 with a substitution labor in May'07. Then I applied I-485 on July2nd,2007. Got EAD on Aug20th. Two months back my I-140 was approved. Now I am on EAD. I am working with a very good financial corporation which they are asking me to join as full-time from Jan1st2008. I told my manager that I can join as a full-time from Feb20th 2008. Can any one throw some light on these doubts?
1. What happens if I move before 180 days of EAD to this new company and send AC21 to USCIS after finishing 180 days on EAD?
2. If I moved after 180 days what kind of queries we get from USCIS on AC21?
3. Do we need to make sure my employer also agrees what we are doing? What kind of documents we need from the existing employer?
4. Does my new company has to give same exact responsibilities as my labor certificate?
I would appreciate if any one replies to these posts. Thanks in advance.
1. Technically you can start working for a new employer from January 2nd (180 days after I-485 received date). It does not matter when you've got EAD.
2. If you do not notify the USCIS and you current employer won't withdraw I-140, the USCIS will never know about the job change.
3. See #2. You have to make sure they will not withdraw I-140. AC21 or not, it's in your best interest to leave on good terms.
4. Not really. Make sure job title or responsibilities/duties are same or similar. It does not have to be 100% match.
1. What happens if I move before 180 days of EAD to this new company and send AC21 to USCIS after finishing 180 days on EAD?
2. If I moved after 180 days what kind of queries we get from USCIS on AC21?
3. Do we need to make sure my employer also agrees what we are doing? What kind of documents we need from the existing employer?
4. Does my new company has to give same exact responsibilities as my labor certificate?
I would appreciate if any one replies to these posts. Thanks in advance.
1. Technically you can start working for a new employer from January 2nd (180 days after I-485 received date). It does not matter when you've got EAD.
2. If you do not notify the USCIS and you current employer won't withdraw I-140, the USCIS will never know about the job change.
3. See #2. You have to make sure they will not withdraw I-140. AC21 or not, it's in your best interest to leave on good terms.
4. Not really. Make sure job title or responsibilities/duties are same or similar. It does not have to be 100% match.
sundarraj61
11-04 10:39 PM
I too missed the chance ( formy wife and son) and waiting for the next chance and not sure when it is going to happen.
-sundar
Situation - During the month of July, I filed my 485 when all categories were current. Got my receipt too. Missed wife's application because her papers were not ready. Now priority dates have retrogressed again.
Saving grace - Our H1/H4 are in order with many long years left on them.
Question - Can I file my wife 485 now as a dependent, even though "my" PD is not current yet. The core point is that, does the concept of PD applies to the dependent 485 applications too?
-sundar
Situation - During the month of July, I filed my 485 when all categories were current. Got my receipt too. Missed wife's application because her papers were not ready. Now priority dates have retrogressed again.
Saving grace - Our H1/H4 are in order with many long years left on them.
Question - Can I file my wife 485 now as a dependent, even though "my" PD is not current yet. The core point is that, does the concept of PD applies to the dependent 485 applications too?
more...
subba
12-13 07:41 PM
I guess the 10 days is "time for pack up" technically.
That is what the POE officer always stamped on my I94.
I was driving to the US from Canada and got a new I-94 on the port of entry. Immigration officer put a date that was 10 days ahead of the expiry on my I-797 telling me that I would have 10 additional days post I-797 expiry to leave the country.
Is this normal? Do I need the date changed on my I-94 to be the date I have on I-797? I would really appreciate your input on this.
That is what the POE officer always stamped on my I94.
I was driving to the US from Canada and got a new I-94 on the port of entry. Immigration officer put a date that was 10 days ahead of the expiry on my I-797 telling me that I would have 10 additional days post I-797 expiry to leave the country.
Is this normal? Do I need the date changed on my I-94 to be the date I have on I-797? I would really appreciate your input on this.
vin13
12-04 10:05 AM
Hi vin13,
Do you also need documents to prove relationship with the person who is ill? If so what kind of documents would suffice?
I have an appointment tomorrow and only have a letter from the doctor.
Thanks,
We did not have to prove the relationship. It was a hospital letter stating the person had passed away.
Again, all i can tell you is go with what you have and try. there are no specific rules or standard procedure. Each IO officer may look at it in different ways.
When you go, take your I-485 receipt notice, 2 passport size photos in case they ask you to fill a new application.
Do you also need documents to prove relationship with the person who is ill? If so what kind of documents would suffice?
I have an appointment tomorrow and only have a letter from the doctor.
Thanks,
We did not have to prove the relationship. It was a hospital letter stating the person had passed away.
Again, all i can tell you is go with what you have and try. there are no specific rules or standard procedure. Each IO officer may look at it in different ways.
When you go, take your I-485 receipt notice, 2 passport size photos in case they ask you to fill a new application.
more...
misholiver
12-17 11:16 AM
did you ever got a receipt notice?
ps. I am in the same boat and getting very nervous now.
ps. I am in the same boat and getting very nervous now.
abhisam
07-09 11:59 AM
How are you saying you will not get it before september 10? I am not sure is it really taking beyond 2 months nowadays to get the EAD?
As per the processing dates, they are processing the applications recieved on March 17th,2008 at Nebraska.
I am hoping that I will recieve my approval before September 10th, but incase i dont..what are my options?
I know they approved many applications last month before the 30th june deadline but i guess they will go back to their slow procedures now.
As per the processing dates, they are processing the applications recieved on March 17th,2008 at Nebraska.
I am hoping that I will recieve my approval before September 10th, but incase i dont..what are my options?
I know they approved many applications last month before the 30th june deadline but i guess they will go back to their slow procedures now.
more...
saran4
03-03 09:58 PM
hi ,
Since i dont have answer from them so posted here.... Moreover it may help some other person in future.... about the complexities....
Since i dont have answer from them so posted here.... Moreover it may help some other person in future.... about the complexities....
rama0083
03-07 12:41 PM
My wife, who has been with me in the US since 2005, re-entered the US (after a vacation in India) on an H4 visa on JAN-18-2008 but the immigration official at the airport wrongly stamped the entry date as JAN-18-2007? The entry date on the passport is also stamped wrongly as JAN-18-2007. How big a deal is this? The expiry date of the visa is stamped correctly as Nov-2009. I read that the place to get this corrected is the US Customs and Border Protection Deferred Inspection Site where she entered (Chicago):
http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/deferred_inspection/
But when I called the office I got voice-mail. Is there any other way to get this corrected?
http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/deferred_inspection/
But when I called the office I got voice-mail. Is there any other way to get this corrected?
more...
mihird
10-26 02:17 PM
They took her original 797 approval notice away....it did confuse her and also me.
She just got her stamped passport back in courier yesterday, but there was no 797 with it.
Should we contact the consulate for it?
She just got her stamped passport back in courier yesterday, but there was no 797 with it.
Should we contact the consulate for it?
fromnaija
03-28 01:05 PM
You will need to have your H1 amended to show that you are employed part time. You should be fine with that.
My LC is languishing in Philly backlog center. Not sure if I beleive that they will have it completed by Sep 2007. In any case, I am blessed enough to be able to switch to a part time status at work. I am enrolling in a part time graduate program. My question is - will going part time at work hurt me with LC or even later with 140, 485, or maybe even green card interview?? Thanks.
My LC is languishing in Philly backlog center. Not sure if I beleive that they will have it completed by Sep 2007. In any case, I am blessed enough to be able to switch to a part time status at work. I am enrolling in a part time graduate program. My question is - will going part time at work hurt me with LC or even later with 140, 485, or maybe even green card interview?? Thanks.
more...
sandy_anand
06-04 09:54 AM
Thats the Senate and House for you...they get up very late since they party late into the night!...:)
wandmaker
12-18 11:27 PM
Also I heard that the time limit of 6 months to apply the I-140 after the labor is approved is only applies to people who substuting the approved labor. I am not sure how far that is true, any clarifications would be great.
One must apply for 140 with in 180 days the labor approval. Labor substitution has been discontinued.
One must apply for 140 with in 180 days the labor approval. Labor substitution has been discontinued.
abhijitp
07-08 04:10 PM
Recently at a temple I saw volunteers requesting people to register with the bone marrow registry. Lots of people were coming forward to register.
More details:
http://bonemarrow.org/
I think, this should inspire us to run a similar campaign for the Legal Skilled Immigrants cause.
More details:
http://bonemarrow.org/
I think, this should inspire us to run a similar campaign for the Legal Skilled Immigrants cause.
acecupid
07-06 11:48 AM
Please let me know whether it is possible for a person with valid H1B pettion with expired visa stamping can use the AP at POE to enter the US.
Thanks.
Yes, very much possible.
Thanks.
Yes, very much possible.
jcrajput
06-18 05:02 PM
Make sure you post all the required document 5 "working days" - If appointment is on monday then your papers should reach by Sat of previous week....
Appointment on 29th June means your papers should reach latest by 19th [4 days is for weekend and one day is overlap].....
I had a bad experience when I went for interview at Mumbai consulate - When I reached the office they told me my appointment has been cancelled reason - document did not reach as per the expected time....I had to spend 10 days to get the next appointment...It was not a problem for me as I am from Mumbai...
Make sure you reach atleast 2 hours before your appointment time. local hawaldars make a mess of people standing in queue...
- Deepak
After taking an appointment date, how to report to the Mumbai Consulate? What type of documnets I will need to send to the consulate? Please help. I don't see this info on VHS site.
Thanks.
Appointment on 29th June means your papers should reach latest by 19th [4 days is for weekend and one day is overlap].....
I had a bad experience when I went for interview at Mumbai consulate - When I reached the office they told me my appointment has been cancelled reason - document did not reach as per the expected time....I had to spend 10 days to get the next appointment...It was not a problem for me as I am from Mumbai...
Make sure you reach atleast 2 hours before your appointment time. local hawaldars make a mess of people standing in queue...
- Deepak
After taking an appointment date, how to report to the Mumbai Consulate? What type of documnets I will need to send to the consulate? Please help. I don't see this info on VHS site.
Thanks.
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