Hi,
It was very relieving to hear Raman2001's experience in Ottawab. My family and I would also be visiting Ottawa in around 3 weeks time for the stamping. What scares the hell out of me is the fact that if for some reason (say they didn't like the way I looked !) the denied the stamp, we'd have to go back to England (I'm a British Citizen) from Montreal and that could be real messy witha 8 month old baby.
I have my Bachelors and Masters degrees from England. Are the U.S. consulates OK with that ? I've been working in the U.S. for the last 3+ years. Just want to get my extended H1 stamped on my passport (and my wife's H4 stamped also).
Question is what are my chances of getting a Visa in Ottawa ? I had my first H1 stamped in my home country.. i.e. U.K. so does that mean anything ? Would they ask me to get the 2nd stamp in London also ?
I just figured that it might be a lot better to go to Canada rather than taking the family all the way to London. But it seems that there are a lot of hurdles in this area. Its really very simple but sounds like it can be quite tricky too. As a contingency, I have booked an interview at the consulate in London too. Trouble is in case my Visa is denied in Ottawa, I'll have to search for travel agents and book flight to London at a days notice and this can get real expensive. Are there travel agents who can make a tentative booking and then cancel at the last minute (say a days notice) in case I get the stamp in Ottawa itself ? (all this obviously for a fee !!)
Folks, pls. advice, should I be going to London directly and avoid all this headache or is there a chance that I might get a stamp in Ottawa ?
What also is a little tricky is the following Quote:
QuoTe:
To be eligible for a visa, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months past your intended stay in the U.S. unless your country of nationality is on the automatic revalidation list (contact Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services in the Department of Homeland Securitys for current country list).
UnQuoTe:
In my wife's case, her Indian passport expires in April 2006 whereas our stay (I797) is until Jan 2006. Now that means the passport is valid for 4 months beyond the intended stay and NOT 6 months as they require. Does this mean that she wont get her H4 stamped in Ottawa since her passport is not valid for 6 months beyond the intended stay ? Also is Indian on the list of one of those countries where a waiver is applied re: this ? Where is this list ? Where on BCIS' website ? Couldn't find it.
Responses greatly appreciated.
Many Thanks.
-Mohan.
It was very relieving to hear Raman2001's experience in Ottawab. My family and I would also be visiting Ottawa in around 3 weeks time for the stamping. What scares the hell out of me is the fact that if for some reason (say they didn't like the way I looked !) the denied the stamp, we'd have to go back to England (I'm a British Citizen) from Montreal and that could be real messy witha 8 month old baby.
I have my Bachelors and Masters degrees from England. Are the U.S. consulates OK with that ? I've been working in the U.S. for the last 3+ years. Just want to get my extended H1 stamped on my passport (and my wife's H4 stamped also).
Question is what are my chances of getting a Visa in Ottawa ? I had my first H1 stamped in my home country.. i.e. U.K. so does that mean anything ? Would they ask me to get the 2nd stamp in London also ?
I just figured that it might be a lot better to go to Canada rather than taking the family all the way to London. But it seems that there are a lot of hurdles in this area. Its really very simple but sounds like it can be quite tricky too. As a contingency, I have booked an interview at the consulate in London too. Trouble is in case my Visa is denied in Ottawa, I'll have to search for travel agents and book flight to London at a days notice and this can get real expensive. Are there travel agents who can make a tentative booking and then cancel at the last minute (say a days notice) in case I get the stamp in Ottawa itself ? (all this obviously for a fee !!)
Folks, pls. advice, should I be going to London directly and avoid all this headache or is there a chance that I might get a stamp in Ottawa ?
What also is a little tricky is the following Quote:
QuoTe:
To be eligible for a visa, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months past your intended stay in the U.S. unless your country of nationality is on the automatic revalidation list (contact Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services in the Department of Homeland Securitys for current country list).
UnQuoTe:
In my wife's case, her Indian passport expires in April 2006 whereas our stay (I797) is until Jan 2006. Now that means the passport is valid for 4 months beyond the intended stay and NOT 6 months as they require. Does this mean that she wont get her H4 stamped in Ottawa since her passport is not valid for 6 months beyond the intended stay ? Also is Indian on the list of one of those countries where a waiver is applied re: this ? Where is this list ? Where on BCIS' website ? Couldn't find it.
Responses greatly appreciated.
Many Thanks.
-Mohan.