that_architect
New Member
H1B stamping in Vancouver - 06/19/07 (following gretzky's template, thanks)
1. Appointment made through nvars.com – for 11:00am on 06/18/07
2. 9:00am went to a nearby bank to get cash and London Drugs to get pictures taken
3. 10:15am - arrived at the entrance of the Consulate
4. ~11:45pm screened at checkpoint (no cellphone, camera. better bring nothing except the application and documents)
5. proceeded to 2nd floor – submitted:
a. DS-156 and DS-157
b. I-797
c. Company Letter
d. Passport
e. Application Fee (US$100 cash only)
(note: besides the above items, i spent two days gathering all the paperwork, including I-140, resume, diplomas, previous passports, etc. but they didn't check them at all. i think the fact that it's my 5th renewal helped.)
5. 20th floor – did the fingerprint; interview lasted less than 10 minutes; asked the following questions:
a. is this a renewal?
b. where did you get your degree in US?
c. what is required to get licenced to be an architect?
6. returned at 3:00pm the next day (06/19/2007) to collect the visa.
(note: a lot of people didn't know they had to go through the same screening process and had to scramble to store their electronics, bags elsewhere. i just gave my cellphone and camera to another person in line who had the same problem and collected the visa for him. anybody can pick up the visa with a ticket.)
conclusion: a lot easier than i expected, though still stressed out to gather all the paperwork before the interview. it seems to me renewal requires only the basic application forms and documents. but it's always good to be safe.
1. Appointment made through nvars.com – for 11:00am on 06/18/07
2. 9:00am went to a nearby bank to get cash and London Drugs to get pictures taken
3. 10:15am - arrived at the entrance of the Consulate
4. ~11:45pm screened at checkpoint (no cellphone, camera. better bring nothing except the application and documents)
5. proceeded to 2nd floor – submitted:
a. DS-156 and DS-157
b. I-797
c. Company Letter
d. Passport
e. Application Fee (US$100 cash only)
(note: besides the above items, i spent two days gathering all the paperwork, including I-140, resume, diplomas, previous passports, etc. but they didn't check them at all. i think the fact that it's my 5th renewal helped.)
5. 20th floor – did the fingerprint; interview lasted less than 10 minutes; asked the following questions:
a. is this a renewal?
b. where did you get your degree in US?
c. what is required to get licenced to be an architect?
6. returned at 3:00pm the next day (06/19/2007) to collect the visa.
(note: a lot of people didn't know they had to go through the same screening process and had to scramble to store their electronics, bags elsewhere. i just gave my cellphone and camera to another person in line who had the same problem and collected the visa for him. anybody can pick up the visa with a ticket.)
conclusion: a lot easier than i expected, though still stressed out to gather all the paperwork before the interview. it seems to me renewal requires only the basic application forms and documents. but it's always good to be safe.