kpparvathaneni
Registered Users (C)
Hi everybody,
I am listing below my recent Canada landing process (June 8th 2004) as well as H1 B stamping process in Ottawa (June 10th 2004).
Since my H1 B visa in the passport has expired, I planned to do my H1 B stamping also in Canada:
Canada Landing process:
I booked one-way bus tickets for me and my wife from New York Port Authority bus terminal to Toronto, fare was US$160 for both the tickets. But, in Buffalo I was asked to get down by the Canadian bus driver (who is also a Canadian Customs officer; bus drivers change in Buffalo) and catch a taxi and go to the Peace Bridge point of entry in Canada, since they do not allow the landing process by bus (He said that he would pick us up at the point of entry after the immigration process, as the bus was scheduled to stop for some more time at the Buffalo bus terminal). The Peace Bridge point of entry was 4 miles from the Buffalo bus terminal and we took a taxi and went there.
Upon arrival at the point of entry, we were asked to go to the Immigration office. There a lady officer interviewed me. I showed her my Passport and Landing papers. Then she asked me a few questions.
a) Is this your first time landing?
Yes
b) How long have you been in the United States?
For more than 5 yrs
c) Are you going to stay in Canada?
For a few weeks; after this, I will go back to USA and return after my H1 B period. Still I have 8 months of H1 visa left. Since I was running out of time for the Canadian landing process, I am landing now.
She seemed to be Ok with all my answers. After that she just explained some Canadian permanent residence rules. She asked me how much money I was bringing. I told her the amount and she noted on the landing paper. Nothing to worry about; she stamped on my landing paper, as well as my wife’s. She told that we will receive our PR cards in 3-4 weeks. The lady officer was cool and nothing to worry about, just some regular questions. Then she asked me to go to the Customs desk.
The customs officer asked if I was bringing in any goods with me now. I told him that right now, I am not bringing any goods and I gave him the list of goods to follow. He asked me how much I am bringing cash. I told him that I am bringing US$8700($8000 banker’s check + $700 cash). After that, he gave me the Goods accounting receipt with the Customs stamp. Even the customs process is cool, nothing to worry about. With this, I was done with my Canada Landing process. In the mean-while, the same bus arrived at the Immigration office and we got down in Toronto. The whole immigration & customs process took around 20-25 minutes.
H1 B stamping process:
We stayed in a hotel in Ottawa downtown (CAD$100/night), since the US embassy was in walking distance from the hotel. I had my interview at 9:30 AM. I reached the embassy and at the security I was asked to show the appointment letter. Upon showing, I was sent inside and there was the regular security screening inside. After that, I was asked to go through another door, where a lady checked my appointment letter again and she asked me if I had the US$ 100 application fee. I said yes and she asked me go to the Cash counter. The person at the Cash counter asked for the set of documents as well as the US$100 application fee. I gave him the following documents properly arranged (DS-156 form, DS-157 form, Employer letter, I-797, I-129, LCA, 3 recent pay stubs) and he asked me to pay US$100. I paid the cash and he asked to me take a seat and wait till I am called. After 10 minutes, my name was called by a lady officer. I walked to her and greeted her; she asked me the following questions.
a) What do you do?
I am a Programmer Analyst
b) Do you have the employer’s letter that lists your work responsibilities, when your H-1 was filed?
Oh, I am sorry; I did not bring that letter.
c) Can you please explain what you do?
I explained my roles and responsibilities briefly.
d) How long have you been with this company?
Since Jan 2004
d) How many employees are there in your company?
I told her the number of employees
e) Who is your previous employer?
I told her the name of my previous company
g) How long were you on H1 B?
For 5 years.
h) Did you get your finger printing done before?
No
She then took my finger prints.
She was cool and then she was telling that since I am not a Canadian immigrant, I have to pay US$ 50 reciprocity fee. At that point, I interrupted her and told that I am a Canadian landed immigrant and I landed just 2 days back. She then checked my landing paper and said that this would save me US$ 50. I thanked her and then she returned my original documents. She then gave me a receipt and asked me to come at 3 PM and collect my passport. I thanked her once again and left. I returned to the embassy at 3 PM and upon showing the receipt, the security guard gave me my passport with the new H1 B visa stamped in the passport.
Hope this helps! If you have any questions, please post and I will try to answer as much as I can.
I am listing below my recent Canada landing process (June 8th 2004) as well as H1 B stamping process in Ottawa (June 10th 2004).
Since my H1 B visa in the passport has expired, I planned to do my H1 B stamping also in Canada:
Canada Landing process:
I booked one-way bus tickets for me and my wife from New York Port Authority bus terminal to Toronto, fare was US$160 for both the tickets. But, in Buffalo I was asked to get down by the Canadian bus driver (who is also a Canadian Customs officer; bus drivers change in Buffalo) and catch a taxi and go to the Peace Bridge point of entry in Canada, since they do not allow the landing process by bus (He said that he would pick us up at the point of entry after the immigration process, as the bus was scheduled to stop for some more time at the Buffalo bus terminal). The Peace Bridge point of entry was 4 miles from the Buffalo bus terminal and we took a taxi and went there.
Upon arrival at the point of entry, we were asked to go to the Immigration office. There a lady officer interviewed me. I showed her my Passport and Landing papers. Then she asked me a few questions.
a) Is this your first time landing?
Yes
b) How long have you been in the United States?
For more than 5 yrs
c) Are you going to stay in Canada?
For a few weeks; after this, I will go back to USA and return after my H1 B period. Still I have 8 months of H1 visa left. Since I was running out of time for the Canadian landing process, I am landing now.
She seemed to be Ok with all my answers. After that she just explained some Canadian permanent residence rules. She asked me how much money I was bringing. I told her the amount and she noted on the landing paper. Nothing to worry about; she stamped on my landing paper, as well as my wife’s. She told that we will receive our PR cards in 3-4 weeks. The lady officer was cool and nothing to worry about, just some regular questions. Then she asked me to go to the Customs desk.
The customs officer asked if I was bringing in any goods with me now. I told him that right now, I am not bringing any goods and I gave him the list of goods to follow. He asked me how much I am bringing cash. I told him that I am bringing US$8700($8000 banker’s check + $700 cash). After that, he gave me the Goods accounting receipt with the Customs stamp. Even the customs process is cool, nothing to worry about. With this, I was done with my Canada Landing process. In the mean-while, the same bus arrived at the Immigration office and we got down in Toronto. The whole immigration & customs process took around 20-25 minutes.
H1 B stamping process:
We stayed in a hotel in Ottawa downtown (CAD$100/night), since the US embassy was in walking distance from the hotel. I had my interview at 9:30 AM. I reached the embassy and at the security I was asked to show the appointment letter. Upon showing, I was sent inside and there was the regular security screening inside. After that, I was asked to go through another door, where a lady checked my appointment letter again and she asked me if I had the US$ 100 application fee. I said yes and she asked me go to the Cash counter. The person at the Cash counter asked for the set of documents as well as the US$100 application fee. I gave him the following documents properly arranged (DS-156 form, DS-157 form, Employer letter, I-797, I-129, LCA, 3 recent pay stubs) and he asked me to pay US$100. I paid the cash and he asked to me take a seat and wait till I am called. After 10 minutes, my name was called by a lady officer. I walked to her and greeted her; she asked me the following questions.
a) What do you do?
I am a Programmer Analyst
b) Do you have the employer’s letter that lists your work responsibilities, when your H-1 was filed?
Oh, I am sorry; I did not bring that letter.
c) Can you please explain what you do?
I explained my roles and responsibilities briefly.
d) How long have you been with this company?
Since Jan 2004
d) How many employees are there in your company?
I told her the number of employees
e) Who is your previous employer?
I told her the name of my previous company
g) How long were you on H1 B?
For 5 years.
h) Did you get your finger printing done before?
No
She then took my finger prints.
She was cool and then she was telling that since I am not a Canadian immigrant, I have to pay US$ 50 reciprocity fee. At that point, I interrupted her and told that I am a Canadian landed immigrant and I landed just 2 days back. She then checked my landing paper and said that this would save me US$ 50. I thanked her and then she returned my original documents. She then gave me a receipt and asked me to come at 3 PM and collect my passport. I thanked her once again and left. I returned to the embassy at 3 PM and upon showing the receipt, the security guard gave me my passport with the new H1 B visa stamped in the passport.
Hope this helps! If you have any questions, please post and I will try to answer as much as I can.
Are you sure my term is ending on 07/17/2006. I thought 5 year terms starts from the day you get your PR. I got mine on 10/30/2000. I am in Boston.Working with H1B. Waiotting for labor. I am not even sure if I should go to Canada or wait for LC here. Anyway thanks for your suggession.I am applying for "Temporary Travel Document" to find out my status.