Please Advice, F1 -> H1 Stamping, Complicated Situation

V

vivek12345

Registered Users (C)
Hello All,

First of all, thanks for everyone who take time in posting their experiences, clarifying questions and helping others who are in a similar situation.

My problem:

I finished my masters, worked on OPT and then joined for a PH.D program. After 3 semesters, I quit the Ph.D program and joined a consulting firm. They sponsered my H1. But didnt pay me for 2 months 20 days. But after that, I got a job in a very reputed US company, and joined the company. Luckily, INS didnt ask for paystubs for H1 transer. I have my H1 from this company (present). I am working with this new company for the past 13 months.

I am planning to go for H1 visa stamping this February in Ottawa, Canada, but am really getting scared everyday as i dont have w2 from my 1st comany. I have w2 from my present company for last year, and would have it this year also.

Can anyone please advice if my situation is really risky to get visa stamped. I need to go to India, in March.

And also, do they ask for 2003 w2's if I go for visa in 2005 ? My 1040 has good amount to cover for that 2 and a 1/2 months when I didnt get paid, as I worked while in school.

And when I go for visa stamping, what documents do they ask, regarding my previos employer ? I just have my h1 photo Copy from my previous employer.



Thanks for all the help,
Vivek
 
They may very well ask all the W2's and tax returns for 2003, 2004. Also they may ask you for the paystubs from all the compaies you worked for so its kind of tricky.
 
Thanks for the reply. Yeah, they may ask for everything. I would stop getting worried anymore. They may ask for everything or they may ask for none also.

At the most we have to leave the country, so no worries ....

My sincere suggestion to all who doesnt have proper employment history. Please dont post here, like me, to find an answer to your situation. People may terrify you with their horrible stories or people may give their cool and pleasant expereinces.

Do your best !!! Be positive. You will get what you want. There are people who got visas this way before and even now ....

Thanks,
Vivek
 
Vivek12345,
I am almost in the same boat as yours... F1 -> H1... first time H1 stamping after changing 3 employers... with no paystubs/ W2 forms for about 6 months with the second employer...
let me see what happens to me... if I return successfully to USA after stamping, I shall post my experiences.
Till then.... let me RELAX!!!! ;)
 
I always wonder why we Indians put so much thought into documents and being fully prepared. We work hard, pay lots of taxes.. Even a single year's W-2 should be good enough for govertment to identify us as legit.
Deep-down, I feel they too feel this way.. in short, I like your chances with having only 1 W-2.. good luck..
 
It is really nice to see people like pnrt and Vivek encouraging me not to worry too much on this... thank you guys!!
Vivek,
I am going to Canada, next week. When and where are you going?
 
Guys, I'm in a similar boat as yours. My appointment is in Mexico for next week. I'm so stressed about it. Also on this board, I saw someone mention that F1-H1 folks not on their first H1 cannot go to Mexico or Canada. It's unsubstantiated so far. So not sure if its true.

A friend of mine (straight F1-H1) got hers approved in Tijuana last week, but she ended up terrifying me about some cases that were rejected (and also denied entry at POE) coming from software background.

I am in a dilemma if I should go to Mexico or wait and keep my appointment in Chennai for mid-Feb. Suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks,
ArizonaDesi
 
Do you know the reasons they got rejected ? Dont think about chennai, Its even more worst there.

And for your question, yes you can get your H1 stamped, in Canada or Mexico even though its not your first h1, but getting it stamped for the first time.

Vivek
 
Thanks for the quickie response, Vivek. I'm not sure on what grounds they were rejected but apparently they were not even given a reason. I am assuming it was for a background check. The consular officer apparently didn't even look at any supporting doco.

Are you aware of any rules for such a check for professions not under TAL. Is it a random thing?

When is your stamping? And where?
 
Hey Arizona Desi,

I am planning to go for my stamping soon, but not yet decided on the date.

Yes, they do back ground checks if their professions falls under TAL. You can search on google for those kind of professions as I am not really sure.

So what date are you going for stamping ?

Vivek
 
Vivek,

Mine is on January 31st in Matamoros, MX. I have all my documentation more or less intact. I have never been out of status (per my understanding of the laws of immigration) but still paranoia reigns in my mind.

I just finished talking to another friend who changed her status from F2-F1 in Tijuana recently. She was also talking about a lot of cases (I don't know if they were H1 or F1) that were being rejected. Hmm...

Do you think some consulates in Mexico/Canada are a lot more strict than others? I guess Tijuana qualifies to be among the rigid ones. I'm not sure of Matamoros though. In four days I can tell you that.

Arizonadesi
 
Vivek and Kovai,

I just got my stamping done successfully. It was a rather simple process. If all the required docs are in good order, you should be good to go.

AZDesi
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top