I got my h1 stamping at Vancouver /canada

P

pran10

Registered Users (C)
hi

I got my h1 stamping at Vancouver /canada on 10-31-2003.

My case is first time h1 stamping (F1 to H1 ----I got my f1 in second attempt at chennai)

I have my MS in computer engineering... and working for a small company from 1 year

at consulate they asked for DS 156,passport,I 797, current Employment letter,100$ cash. They called me for interview after 2 hours( long waiting).

Interview officer asked following questions

1) What are doing in US
2) What does u r company do
3) how long u r working for the company
4) When did u come to US and what for?


He did not ask for any documents .... he just told me to pay 50$ . They gave the passports back at 3pm with the H1 stamp.

What I can advice is be confident and show them that u have sufficient back ground( either academic or Industrial Exp) to do the job.

make sure that u have all the documentation if they ask for any supporting evidence.

If u have any questions mail me at pranavi_ch@yahoo.com



pranavi
 
what is the method for payment..I mean did you pay thru CC/Personal Check with US address/ Cash/ some kind of bank draft

I am planning to go to Toronto in Dec.
 
Vancouver people are accepting cash for both Application and Reciprocatory fee..

I think Toronto people accept either money orders or bank draft.. I am not sure... check their web site...
 
me too

I got my H1B stamping in Vancouver. Mine is H1 extension for the same company. I thought I can use my AP(131) as back up. But the interviewer (seems Indian, name Sanjay) didn't ask me any other than the $50 amount. I went to consulate on Nov 7th and it was 100% approvals day. Good luck for the guys who are planning to attend the interview in Vancouver US consulate.

Thanks
Sunil
 
Hey Pranavi/sunil

could you please give us the info on what are the documents that you submitted?

thanks
--Srini
 
I have a similar question

Hi Pranavi/Sunil,

Could you guys also tell me what are the documents required for

1) canada visa
2) h1b stamping

I tried to search the canadian visa site and I could not find any links. I would need to send to teh LA consulate by mail as i live in SF bay area. Would appreciate if I could get a comprehensive list.

Thanks a lot
- Sri
 
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visitor visa for canda...
***********************************

Go thru the following link for documetns needed , application fee n etc...

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/applications/visa.html

(I posted xerox copies of
I 797,
Vancouver appointmnet letter(optional)
bank stattement
Employemnt letter
pay stubs


with

Original Passport, application fee ( Money order) and 2 passport size photos in speed post with a attched prepaid Speed post envelop... I got my visa with in 5 days...



Required docs at vancouver for h1 visa
**********************************
· One DS-156 application form per applicant (Citizens of Cuba, North Korea, the Peoples Republic of China, Russia, and Vietnam, over the age of 16, must provide two application forms).
· One DS-157 application form per male applicant. This is a mandatory form for all male applicants between the ages of 16 and 45, regardless of nationality and regardless of where they apply. Females from Iran, Iraq, Cuba, Sudan, Syria, Libya and North Korea, ages 16 or older, must also complete this application form.
· Valid Passport (valid for at least 6 months past the intended stay in the U.S.)
· Proof of legal status in Canada/Mexico: original or certified copy
· 1 Passport-size photo taken within last 6 months, 2 x 2 inches, color on white/light background, showing full face, no head cover. (Citizens of Cuba, North Korea, the Peoples Republic of China, Russia, and Vietnam over the age of 16 must provide two photos for each applicant).
· Older passports containing previous visas
· Documents substantiating previous legal status in the U.S.
· $100 U.S. non-refundable application fee
· Reciprocity fee (if applicable)
· I-797(either I-797Aor I-797B) ( I-797C is not acceptable) Must be original and full page . Appointment should be made ten days prior to the validity date on the I-797 or after the validity date has passed.
· Current employment letter indicating the nature of work , duration and salary
· Recent paystubs/payslips
· Copy of I-129B, petition completed by employer and filed with I.N.S.
· Copy of approved LCA, if applicable
· If previously under J-1 in U.S. applicant needs waiver of 2 year foreign residence rule
· Evidence of qualifications must original or certified copy. Consular officers (in Canada) may refuse to issue a visa to H-1B applicants if their education and /or work experience is solely or predominantly from a country other than the U.S. or Canada.
If you require additional information or have questions or concerns, please call the Visa Information Services Center:
From within Canada -1-900-451-2778 (There will be a $2.00 CND charge per minute.)
From within the U.S. -1-900-443-3131 (There will be a $1.65 U.S. charge per minute.)
The system has assigned the principal applicant the following reference number:
1340920

http://www.amcits.com/vancouver.asp

900) 443-3131 from within the U.S. - you will be charged US$1.65 per minute
 
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Hi Guys,
Here is my experiance:
1. I am from Seattle. I went to Canadian Consulate on one Friday around 8AM and show them my H1 Approval, Employer Letter for H1 Stamping, Passport, 1 Passport Photo and $50
2. They return my passport with visa stamping (6 months) after 11AM.
3. I gone through www.nvars.com and reserve an oppintment date with Vancouver consulate (Nov 7th).
4. I statred in Seattle around 4.30AM and reached the consulate in Vancouver around 6.45AM. No Immigration, Customs etc....
5. I enterted the consulate at 9AM
6. They took my Passport, 797, 156, 157 forms plus $100 and gave me a token.
7. After 2 hours waiting my number was displayed in their board and i went to 20 th floor for attend the interview.
8. After a hour or so, they called my number for interview (not an interview, just formal)
9. Ask me to pay $50 and gave me a receipt to pick the passport at 3PM
10. I went to consulate around 3PM and picked up my passport.
In last i want to say (just thoughts, not suggestions):
1. If no hurry just send to St.Louis. Don't take risk, if you don't have AP(I-131).
2. It's not that hard to get the visa in Vancouver, but we never know.
3. The guys who came for stamping are all from big bugs like Microsoft, Intel, Dell & Boeing. That may be the reason to give the visas without any issues.

Please let me know, if you have any questions. Good Luck!

Thanks,
Sunil
 
Thanks. What contingency plans?

Thanks Pranali and Sunil for your inputs... it helps people like me who are also thinking of getting visa at Vancouver.

BTW, I have been wanting to know from you guys. What were the contingency plans u guys had? As per sunil he had his AP. What other plans did u guys have?

Also in my case I still have my old H1b valid until Jan. I plan to go to Vancouver in Dec. So even if I get rejected, will I be able to come back using my previous H1b?

I wish I could wait for St Louis but due to certain reasons I have to go to India in late Jan.

Thanks for the info
- Sri
 
Thanks sunil/pranavi for your information.

I am also from Seattle working for Microsoft (but not an employee :( ).
I would like to any any body got their stamping with 3 year degree and not an employee of big companies (like microsoft, dell, boeing).

thanks
--Srini
 
Hi Sri,
After 9/11 the US govt changed the lasw and they won't allow us, if the consulate rejected our visa. But i didn't find any like that in the immigtation at POE. But i am not sure. I will suggest, insted of going to India (if Chennai consulate), it's better to test your luck in Vancouver.

Hi Srini,
I don't know about others degree (mine is masters), but the consulate guys didn't ask for our education etc...Just keep your MS Id for reference.


Good Luck Guys!

Cheers,
Sunil
 
Qs about your Vancouver Experience

Hi Sunil,
Is the US-Canada border open 24/7?
I thought the you get a Canada Visa (Issued at the Canadian Consulate) and stamped (with the number of days that you can stay in Canada) at the Border. Is this not the case.
I have an appointment on Dec 5th @ 8am and thought that I would have to go the night before and stay overnight at Vancouver.

Also, you said that you entered the counsulate @ 9AM, is that because they did not let you in till then or because you did not have an apponitment until 9AM?
Did you have to wait at the gates from 6:45 am to 9AM?

Since my appointment is @ 8AM will they let me in before that time?

Is there a long queue at the Border? How much time should I allot for waiting at the border to get into Canada?

I presume you paid them $100 (for the token) and $50 in cash?

Thanks for the valuable info.
Best regards.
 
Hi navdod,
I don't know about their hours of operation. But, you should need a Canadian Visa to renew US visa. So get the Canadian Visitor visa first.
In the Vancouver consulate they won't allow before the interview time. There not that much queue to wait. May be 15-20 people for hour.
We have to pay $100 cash at the counter and the remaining $50 will be in Cash/ Credit Card (I apid through Credit Card). This is only after the interview is done.
Just FYI...if you are driving, you can park your car in the parking lot infront of the consulate office. You have to pay $6 to $10 canadian dollars.

Good Luck!
Sunil
 
Questions for Canada Visa

Hey Guys,

I was filling up my form to get the Canadian Visa. I had few questions that I am not sure what to answer. Will appreciate your response.
Here they are

1 ) Question 8 asks
"Immigration status of applicant in the country where
applying the Visa"

I think this means my status in US... I am on H1B.

The choices are
1) Citizen
2) Permanent Resident
3) Temporary resident
4) Worker
5) student.

What should I chose?

2) Question 11 asks.:
Name and addresses of of any person(s) and
institutions u are going to attend.

Does it mean where u are going to stay? What if its not finalized.... What did u fill in there???

3) During past 5 years have you or any of your family
members lived in any other country than the country to
citizenship or permanent resident?

I have been in US since 1997, in F1 till 2001 and then on H1B since then. I went to India twice for vacation.

Do I still fill this as USA ?? and even if so, the fillable PDF only give a Start Date and End Date and in my case I am still in the US so what end date should I put in there??

The questions might sound stupid but I would still want to get clarification.

BTW, did u guys send Your ORIGNAL H1B Approval Notice and I94 or a photocopy of these will do?

Do i need to send any COVER LETTER?
I have not yet recd any package from the US Consulate after I reserved my appointment. Do i need to wait for that before sending my papers for Canadian visa or the printout of the PDF is good enough.

Your quick response will be great as I want to send the application for Canada soon.
Thank you
 
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Successful Stamping in Vancouver on Dec 5th 2003

Hi Guys,
Thanks for posting your experiences and sharing info on this thread.

So, here's mine. (H1B extension,I already have a H1B visa stamp) ..
I left portland, OR 10pm on Dec 4th, had a 2hr halt @ seattle, and reached Canada border @ 5:30 am.
Din't have to wait, the immigration officer stamped the Canada visa and logged the entry (he did not want to take the I-94, guess thats more paper work for them!)
Reached the consulate @7:30 (stopped for breakfast for 40 mins, parked car 10 blocks away figured it was easier to walk in downtown than drive looking for an address, and had time to kill)

There were 5 ppl in the line already.

The lady at the counter took $100, passport, I-797 & employment verification letter and gave us a token.

had to wait for about 40 mins, the counsulate officer (seemed to be from the Indian subcontinent) called each of us for an interview. He asked the following Qs..
What are your skills
Why do you think there is'nt a US citizen with similar skills
Why did you choose the university among 3000 other to do your masters...(I had entered US on an F1)
What was your specialization in Masters
How does it help in your job.

Then he said he was approving the visa, asked to pay $50 to the cashier, and take another token to pick up the passport at 3pm.

Good luck folks..
 
Answers

thanks navdod,

Could also post the answers for Q 2, 3 and 4 u told them for the questions asked. Seems straight but would like to know what they want to hear.

Thanks
 
1. Be specific about your skills, (example: circuit design, layout, DRC checks... blah blah blah...) what products you have worked on...
2. There are very few US citizens qualified with your education, analytical skills and experience
3. Your research interests matched with the prof that gave you a RA or a TA. ..

FYI: Personally, i think they just do it as a formality, the answers don't really matter (as long as they are not outrageous!), so don't sweat it.

good luck
 
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