Successful stamping at Ottawa
Firstly, I would like to thank everyone in this forum who provided useful information that helped me a lot.
I got my H1B stamped successfully at the Ottawa Consulate on Tuesday May 31st at 9.30 am. The entire procedure was pretty smooth. I was accompanying 3 other friends working in the same company as I do who got theirs stamped as well. We arrived at the embassy at 8.30 am thinking that if it’s on a first come first serve basis, then we could get in earlier. However, we were asked by the Mexican security guard to come back after 15 minutes. After spending sometime at a nearby Café, we went back. The guard had changes. This guy was extremely nice and cracked some jokes with us. He checked our appointment letters (keep them handy as soon as you get in the line) and sent us in, two at a time. Thereafter, we had to go through security check (same one like at the airports) and asked to get in the main room.
We then paid US $100 as Visa application fees at the cashier’s counter (no.7) where we had to submit our passport, DS-156, 157 and I-797 and were asked to wait for our turn.
There were 3 interview counters and the 4th one for carrying out name check and background check procedure. My name was called on no.3. The guy looked a bit like Adolph Hitler, but was much nicer. Interview details are as follows:
Me: Morning sir, how are you doing today?
Visa officer: Good. How many people from your company are here today? (He asked this because one of my friends had gone to the same counter before me).
Me: We are 4 of us sir. (If there is anyone with you and he knows that, don’t lie.)
Visa Officer: (Smiles). Ok. So when did you graduate here?
Me: Told him the exact graduation date.
Visa Officer: What did you do after that?
Me: Looked around for jobs. Started working from Oct, first in OPT and then on H1 from Jan.
Visa Officer: Can I see your I-129?
Me: Sure. Slided it in.
Visa Officer: Can I also see some proof of your current employment.
Me: (Slided in the offer letter). Would you also like to see my paystubs?
Visa Officer: That will help.
Me: (Slided in 3 of my recent paystubs.) He seemed to be contended with that.
Visa Officer: Ok, so what project are you currently working on at the client location?
Me: Blah Blah. Explained in brief. Technical enough to show that I knew what I was doing, but not too much to confuse him.
Visa Officer: (I was happy to watch him grab the pink slip.) Alright, please pay 50 dollars issuance fees at no.7 as all Indians have to do that as per the US policy blah blah..and come back to me with the receipt.
Did the needful, picked up the slip and came back at 3 pm to take my passport. My F1 was “Cancelled without prejudice”.
So, guys, that’s the story.
Documents taken:
I-797+I-94, DS-156, 157.
I-129, LCA
Appointment letter
Passport.
2 photographs
Cash (100+50)
Offer letter, letter addressed to the Consulate
Recent paystubs (I took 6, but showed him 3).
W2s.
2 Bank statements.
I20s
Degree Certificates and transcripts.
Recommendation letters from previous employment (internship).
OPT card
Company printouts (take photographs of possible).
Company financial information. (Quartetly statements, payroll information, unemployment insurance papers, etc.)
Updated Resume’
We had driven to Ottawa from Detroit. It takes about 9 hours depending on how fast you drive. While entering Canada, there were no questions asked, however, while entering US today, they asked us to get out of the car, asked a few questions such as “Where are you coming from, what are you carrying, where are you going” and stuff. Our new I-94s were attached to our passports. (the same one that comes with the I-797)
Ottawa is a beautiful place. If time permits, do visit the parliament, especially the Peace tower. We were living at a cheap hotel called Prestige inn. The guy charged us 80 bucks for one night (with an extra bed since we were 4 of us).
