Here is our experience getting H1B/H4 re-stamping at the US Embassy in Nassau, Bahamas. I am in 5th year of H1B. Got new I-797 about 18 months ago but did not need to travel at that time. My wife and I will be vacationing in Mexico in April and decided we wanted to be certain of Visa status before vacationing so went with wife and 17 yr old daughter to get restamped.
Background: British citizen working for same company since moving to US in August 2002. I-140 approved for EB-3, Priority date April 2003 so backlogged at this time.
Bought PIN and called from the US. At first attempt I was told the date I wanted (a month ahead) was not scheduled could I call back in 2 weeks. Apparently there is no significant backlog and I could not book 4 weeks ahead. Called back and scheduled for March 12 at 7:00 am
Steps I followed.
1) Call 1-800-763-6812 and get a pin for $14. (http://www.usvisascratchcards.info/)
2) Schedule an appointment with the operator. He/s he will also tell you what documents to carry.
3) Link to Bahamas Embassy (http://nassau.usembassy.gov/how_to_apply.html)
4) Flew direct from Philadelphia on USAirways. Flight was full of spring break students and families.
5) Used HiltonHonors points for 3 nights at the British Colonial Hilton. You really cannot get closer to the Embassy
We could see the embassy building behind McDonalds from our room window. Cost me 120,000 points but that was better than paying $500 a night as it was spring break/height of season. Even Nassau Palms Resort referred to in other threads was $180 a night and sold out on one night we wanted to stay.
6) No need for a Bahamas Visa for us as UK citizens can travel direct in without a visa. One small benefits of a colonial past.
7) Paid the price of Philadelphia screwing up the luggage as we had to wait 3 hours at airport for next flight to bring our checked bags. For those who like alcohol there is a free sample drink from Bacardi Rum in the luggage hall.!! Bahama Mama definitely recommended as it is very sweet and took the edge off the pain of lost luggage.
8) The taxi service from Airport to Hotel costs $22 plus $5 for third persons.
9) Checked into British Colonial Hilton and went out to explore.
10) Was in line at Embassy at 6:35am with about 10 folks ahead. Mostly locals, another British couple behind us, couple of other white business looking folks, one Indian guy ahead.
11) At 7.05am a guy came out and started checking paperwork and letting folks in. Turned away 2 local people more or less straight away. Got to us and checked my DS156 and 157. However for my wife and daughter because they wear eye glasses he said we needed to get new photographs as the ones we had had their eye glasses on which was not allowed. He drew directions to Mr Photo, just of Bay Street, about 10 mins walk away.
12) We walked quickly to the location and were there by 7:15am. The store opened at 7:30am. One of the locals who was turned away was already there…different issue, his picture did not show enough of his torso/shoulders apparently. We were joined by two other folks by 7:30am and a pattern was appearing. I will come back to this comment at the end..
13) We were back at embassy by 7:45 am and rejoined line.
14) Fairly quickly we were inside, but now we were well back in the line. There is double screening security so you go through scanners twice. DO NOT bring anything more than you do not need. Certainly nothing electronic. Also the British guy behind me was told he could not bring cigarettes and lighter in. Be safe! Just go in with your papers and what you need to get back to your hotel.
15) Inside the line was just that. We had to stand there while each person had initial interview. Only after initial interview were you allowed to sit down. There has to be a better system than that, but no matter.
16) Eventually it was our turn and a fairly serious lady reviewed our papers.
Documents she wanted:
17) Serious lady did not ask for any other paperwork though she did ask if I was still working for my employer and what they did. She reviewed each DS156 and fastened the photos to the forms with tape. Then she scanned the photo into the computer system. She then folded and fastened each I797 to each passport and passed them back to me
18) You are asked to go to next window where you pass the passports and $100 per passport to the Cashier. She asked a few questions confirming that she had everything and asked us to sit down.
19) After about 30 minutes wait and watching other people come and go we were called to the window. Very pleasant consular staff lady then interviewed us. Asked me to confirm my title and explain what my company did. Asked how many employees. Asked where original visa was stamped. Shuffled through papers. Said approved and when was out flight back to US. Told her two days time and she said come back tomorrow between 2:30pm and 3:30pm to collect passports. This was interesting as I had heard other people say they were leaving the next day and they were told to come back that afternoon. Was given three small tickets, the I797's and a receipt for the $300.
Big breath of relief.
20) Arrived next day at 2:30pm to a line of around 30 people. Stood with a New Zealand chef now working on luxury private yacht. Nice guy looking for a B1 to transit through the US as his employers yacht was heading over to Florida. He had had the same photograph issues we had. Very nice guy to spend time with.
21) Once at front of line no need to clear security as they bring the stamped passports to the front guardhouse and hand them out there. Handed over tokens and was finished after about 45 minute wait. Headed back to hotel and the pool.
Observation 1 - Over the next couple of days I met and saw many people going to Mr Photo from the embassy. I spoke to several people and there were all kinds of small reasons for why their photographs did not meet the requirements. I would recommend that if you arrive in time to do it, get your photographs done there in Bahamas at Mr Photo. They were very high contrast but only cost $8 for two (you only need the one). If I were a suspicious person I would think this might be a way of supporting local commerce, but of course I am sure that is not the case at all. If we had done it the day before when we arrived it would have saved us a lot of time in line as our appointment was first thing.
Observation 2 – As we were leaving the Embassy from our appointment we bumped into Mr Nick Faldo (International golfer and multimillionaire) being checked by the guy at the traffic gate He had his paperwork for him, wife and daughter on the ground sorting through it looking for something. It was nice to see that even a big sporting celebrity like him had to go through the same indignities the rest of us do. Schadenfreude? Maybe
Nassua is a nice place. Ocean is crazy pretty and warm and my best times were renting boat to go on the water with family for an hour. Expensive but I enjoyed. Front Street (where water taxis go over to Paradise Island) and Bay Street have many stores that cater to the cruise ships that come in. Pretty run down and grubby in some places for American tastes, however for anyone who has traveled to other places in the world, it is still pretty nice. On the whole locals are very friendly but things are not as quickfire as they are in the US. Many stores do not take credit cards. cash is king. US or Bahamian Dollars, they dont mind and will give change in both currencies.
When we were there there were many spring break college kids and families. This meant prices were jacked up at hotels and everywhere was busy but not overwhelming. Atlantis Resort over on Paradise Island is nice, but very upscale. Nice to visit and the aquarium is pretty fun. Marina Village shows you how the wealthy live with super expensive luxury cruising boats. Beautiful to look at but don’t expect a friendly invitation to join them for cocktails. There are many mid to expensive restaurants, stores and a casino if that is your thing.
Compared to going to Mexico or Canada in the cold late winter, this was a great option. I’d definitely go back again. But watch your photographs and if you have time save the potential trouble and money and just get them done at Mr Photo, just off Bay Street.
Background: British citizen working for same company since moving to US in August 2002. I-140 approved for EB-3, Priority date April 2003 so backlogged at this time.
Bought PIN and called from the US. At first attempt I was told the date I wanted (a month ahead) was not scheduled could I call back in 2 weeks. Apparently there is no significant backlog and I could not book 4 weeks ahead. Called back and scheduled for March 12 at 7:00 am
Steps I followed.
1) Call 1-800-763-6812 and get a pin for $14. (http://www.usvisascratchcards.info/)
2) Schedule an appointment with the operator. He/s he will also tell you what documents to carry.
3) Link to Bahamas Embassy (http://nassau.usembassy.gov/how_to_apply.html)
4) Flew direct from Philadelphia on USAirways. Flight was full of spring break students and families.
5) Used HiltonHonors points for 3 nights at the British Colonial Hilton. You really cannot get closer to the Embassy
We could see the embassy building behind McDonalds from our room window. Cost me 120,000 points but that was better than paying $500 a night as it was spring break/height of season. Even Nassau Palms Resort referred to in other threads was $180 a night and sold out on one night we wanted to stay.6) No need for a Bahamas Visa for us as UK citizens can travel direct in without a visa. One small benefits of a colonial past.
7) Paid the price of Philadelphia screwing up the luggage as we had to wait 3 hours at airport for next flight to bring our checked bags. For those who like alcohol there is a free sample drink from Bacardi Rum in the luggage hall.!! Bahama Mama definitely recommended as it is very sweet and took the edge off the pain of lost luggage.
8) The taxi service from Airport to Hotel costs $22 plus $5 for third persons.
9) Checked into British Colonial Hilton and went out to explore.
10) Was in line at Embassy at 6:35am with about 10 folks ahead. Mostly locals, another British couple behind us, couple of other white business looking folks, one Indian guy ahead.
11) At 7.05am a guy came out and started checking paperwork and letting folks in. Turned away 2 local people more or less straight away. Got to us and checked my DS156 and 157. However for my wife and daughter because they wear eye glasses he said we needed to get new photographs as the ones we had had their eye glasses on which was not allowed. He drew directions to Mr Photo, just of Bay Street, about 10 mins walk away.
12) We walked quickly to the location and were there by 7:15am. The store opened at 7:30am. One of the locals who was turned away was already there…different issue, his picture did not show enough of his torso/shoulders apparently. We were joined by two other folks by 7:30am and a pattern was appearing. I will come back to this comment at the end..
13) We were back at embassy by 7:45 am and rejoined line.
14) Fairly quickly we were inside, but now we were well back in the line. There is double screening security so you go through scanners twice. DO NOT bring anything more than you do not need. Certainly nothing electronic. Also the British guy behind me was told he could not bring cigarettes and lighter in. Be safe! Just go in with your papers and what you need to get back to your hotel.
15) Inside the line was just that. We had to stand there while each person had initial interview. Only after initial interview were you allowed to sit down. There has to be a better system than that, but no matter.
16) Eventually it was our turn and a fairly serious lady reviewed our papers.
Documents she wanted:
- Passport
- DS-156 & 157 (for me) DS156 for wife and daughter
- I797 for each person. This confused her as at last renewal I was given full 3 years but my wife and daughter were tied to my son turning 21 and only got 2 year 3 months. They had different dates from me.
- Photographs for each person (more later)
17) Serious lady did not ask for any other paperwork though she did ask if I was still working for my employer and what they did. She reviewed each DS156 and fastened the photos to the forms with tape. Then she scanned the photo into the computer system. She then folded and fastened each I797 to each passport and passed them back to me
18) You are asked to go to next window where you pass the passports and $100 per passport to the Cashier. She asked a few questions confirming that she had everything and asked us to sit down.
19) After about 30 minutes wait and watching other people come and go we were called to the window. Very pleasant consular staff lady then interviewed us. Asked me to confirm my title and explain what my company did. Asked how many employees. Asked where original visa was stamped. Shuffled through papers. Said approved and when was out flight back to US. Told her two days time and she said come back tomorrow between 2:30pm and 3:30pm to collect passports. This was interesting as I had heard other people say they were leaving the next day and they were told to come back that afternoon. Was given three small tickets, the I797's and a receipt for the $300.
Big breath of relief.
20) Arrived next day at 2:30pm to a line of around 30 people. Stood with a New Zealand chef now working on luxury private yacht. Nice guy looking for a B1 to transit through the US as his employers yacht was heading over to Florida. He had had the same photograph issues we had. Very nice guy to spend time with.
21) Once at front of line no need to clear security as they bring the stamped passports to the front guardhouse and hand them out there. Handed over tokens and was finished after about 45 minute wait. Headed back to hotel and the pool.
Observation 1 - Over the next couple of days I met and saw many people going to Mr Photo from the embassy. I spoke to several people and there were all kinds of small reasons for why their photographs did not meet the requirements. I would recommend that if you arrive in time to do it, get your photographs done there in Bahamas at Mr Photo. They were very high contrast but only cost $8 for two (you only need the one). If I were a suspicious person I would think this might be a way of supporting local commerce, but of course I am sure that is not the case at all
. If we had done it the day before when we arrived it would have saved us a lot of time in line as our appointment was first thing.Observation 2 – As we were leaving the Embassy from our appointment we bumped into Mr Nick Faldo (International golfer and multimillionaire) being checked by the guy at the traffic gate He had his paperwork for him, wife and daughter on the ground sorting through it looking for something. It was nice to see that even a big sporting celebrity like him had to go through the same indignities the rest of us do. Schadenfreude? Maybe
Nassua is a nice place. Ocean is crazy pretty and warm and my best times were renting boat to go on the water with family for an hour. Expensive but I enjoyed. Front Street (where water taxis go over to Paradise Island) and Bay Street have many stores that cater to the cruise ships that come in. Pretty run down and grubby in some places for American tastes, however for anyone who has traveled to other places in the world, it is still pretty nice. On the whole locals are very friendly but things are not as quickfire as they are in the US. Many stores do not take credit cards. cash is king. US or Bahamian Dollars, they dont mind and will give change in both currencies.
When we were there there were many spring break college kids and families. This meant prices were jacked up at hotels and everywhere was busy but not overwhelming. Atlantis Resort over on Paradise Island is nice, but very upscale. Nice to visit and the aquarium is pretty fun. Marina Village shows you how the wealthy live with super expensive luxury cruising boats. Beautiful to look at but don’t expect a friendly invitation to join them for cocktails
. There are many mid to expensive restaurants, stores and a casino if that is your thing.Compared to going to Mexico or Canada in the cold late winter, this was a great option. I’d definitely go back again. But watch your photographs and if you have time save the potential trouble and money and just get them done at Mr Photo, just off Bay Street.
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