Well Folks!!
Here is my experience!! the 30day AVR rule is no good, or it didn't work form me.
I was refused entry (back into the US) at Peace Bridge last week, (05/26/2003) since I didn't have a valid visa stamp in my passport. So I had to trun and head back to CAN. Once I crossed the border (Canadian border), I called the 800 number to make an appointment, I was originally given one for 06/24/2003. I explained to the lady that I am stuck in Canada, and l begged her to see if I can be scheduled for an earlier date. I also told her that I was under the impression that I do not need a visa to enter the US, since I was a Canadian landed Immigrant. She said nope, "you need to have a visa". She said that she has to talk to her Supervisor, and asked if there was a fax number? so that she could fax the appointment letter over, incase they were able to accomodate me for an earlier date. I gave her the fax number, and lo and behold I got a fax yesterday afternoon, confirming my appointment for this morning 9:30am (06/03/2003).
Dropped off my passport, DS-156, DS-157, I-797 approval notice. I was called around 10:45am (window #5).
Me: Good morning!
CO: Good Morning!
CO: So you have been working on H-1 since 1996?
Me: Yes
CO: You have an Immigrant petition filed by your employer?
Me: Yes
CO: When was it filed?
Me: It's an ammended petition (filed on 10/17/2002). explained
to her about my old company being sold, and the new
company filed the ammended I-140.
CO: Can I see your I-129 and your LCA?
Me: Handed over the entire packet (all the papers which were
submitted to the INS)
CO: Looks at the covering letter addressed to the INS, makes
copies of LCA and the covering letter, and returns the packet
back
CO: DO you have your pay stubs?
Me: Would the last 3 suffice?
CO: Yes, yes, that should be fine.
Me: Slide the copies of the paystubs
CO: Just takes a glance at it, and returns them back.
CO: Give me a small red and white paper with a number on it,
and asks me to collect the passport to-morrow between
3:00pm and 4:00pm. Also returned my old expired passport.
I walk away from the counter, and was surprised to see "CNACELLED WITHOUR PREJUDICE" stamp on my previous (4) F-1 and H-1B expired visas.
When I was standing in the line, I saw a guy who had a British Passport (was on H-1B), who was also refused entry. He didn't even make an appointment. He just came and stood in the line, and the guard let him in.
Everyone in the line who were entering the Consulate had to fill out a SARS Questionnaire.
I am hoping to pickup my passport tomorrow inbetween 3:00pm and 4:00pm. Will spend some money at the Niagara Casino till Friday, and head back over the weekend.
Here is my experience!! the 30day AVR rule is no good, or it didn't work form me.
I was refused entry (back into the US) at Peace Bridge last week, (05/26/2003) since I didn't have a valid visa stamp in my passport. So I had to trun and head back to CAN. Once I crossed the border (Canadian border), I called the 800 number to make an appointment, I was originally given one for 06/24/2003. I explained to the lady that I am stuck in Canada, and l begged her to see if I can be scheduled for an earlier date. I also told her that I was under the impression that I do not need a visa to enter the US, since I was a Canadian landed Immigrant. She said nope, "you need to have a visa". She said that she has to talk to her Supervisor, and asked if there was a fax number? so that she could fax the appointment letter over, incase they were able to accomodate me for an earlier date. I gave her the fax number, and lo and behold I got a fax yesterday afternoon, confirming my appointment for this morning 9:30am (06/03/2003).
Dropped off my passport, DS-156, DS-157, I-797 approval notice. I was called around 10:45am (window #5).
Me: Good morning!
CO: Good Morning!
CO: So you have been working on H-1 since 1996?
Me: Yes
CO: You have an Immigrant petition filed by your employer?
Me: Yes
CO: When was it filed?
Me: It's an ammended petition (filed on 10/17/2002). explained
to her about my old company being sold, and the new
company filed the ammended I-140.
CO: Can I see your I-129 and your LCA?
Me: Handed over the entire packet (all the papers which were
submitted to the INS)
CO: Looks at the covering letter addressed to the INS, makes
copies of LCA and the covering letter, and returns the packet
back
CO: DO you have your pay stubs?
Me: Would the last 3 suffice?
CO: Yes, yes, that should be fine.
Me: Slide the copies of the paystubs
CO: Just takes a glance at it, and returns them back.
CO: Give me a small red and white paper with a number on it,
and asks me to collect the passport to-morrow between
3:00pm and 4:00pm. Also returned my old expired passport.
I walk away from the counter, and was surprised to see "CNACELLED WITHOUR PREJUDICE" stamp on my previous (4) F-1 and H-1B expired visas.
When I was standing in the line, I saw a guy who had a British Passport (was on H-1B), who was also refused entry. He didn't even make an appointment. He just came and stood in the line, and the guard let him in.
Everyone in the line who were entering the Consulate had to fill out a SARS Questionnaire.
I am hoping to pickup my passport tomorrow inbetween 3:00pm and 4:00pm. Will spend some money at the Niagara Casino till Friday, and head back over the weekend.