Successful H1B/H4 revalidation in vancouver

mmhan

Registered Users (C)
Hi, just wanted to share our experience as this site has hepled us a lot.

Had an appointment with the US consulate in vancouver. Went there and were asked to submit passports, employment letter,I-797's and fee at the first window.
About half an hour later we were called at a window and the officer there asked me couple of questions regarding my job and my intentions after the visa was expired. Than asked me to deposit $50-00 reciprocity fee for my wife and asked us to come back at 3:00 PM to collect our passports. That was it........
We had all the paper work with us but they didn't ask for anything except the above mentioned.

Were really stressed before going..... but can relax now:)
 
He asked me about my company, how I got the job and why the position was so specialized that it was under an H1B category. Be prepared with these answers , especially the last. e.g saying 'IT professional' is not enough...you need to mention about a speclialized or highly technical field. Also he asked me what I intend to do after the H1B expires and what university degree I did and where?

You should be fine...just remain confident and take along the maximum amount of relevant paperwork.
 
Thank you for your prompt reply.............Can you tell me what your answers were like?? Itll give me an idea of the line of answering and in my preparation for the interview......I have my interview tommorrow 16th DEC., I would appreciate a quick reply if possible.
Thanks a ton once again
M
 
Okay, first he asked me to tell him little bit about my company, what they do........so i described what my company does.
Than he asked me what i did there i.e my job description..........i explained about my position and the role i play in the company. He didn't seem very satisfied at this and said i've just given him a generalised view and he wanted me to be more specific and answer in detail.......... and than i said mine is a specialised area of work.
He asked me how i got the job........... and i explained that i came to US with a different company and than switched to this present job.
He also asked me where i did my masters degree and in what...........I told him the name of the university where i did my master's degree.(i had all my original documents but he didn't ask for them).
He then asked me how long i intend to stay in US.........i said until my visa expires i.e another three years.
And he again asked what were my intentions after the visa expires.............i said i'll go back to UK.
He said and do what, does my company have a office there?..............i said will go back and work there and yes my company is based in UK
He than asked my wife, what she does....does she stay home as she is on H4 status and she said yes. And than he asked us to deposit $50-00 reciprocity fee for her and come back at 3:00Pm to collect our passports.
Hope this helps and Good luck..........
 
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Yes, you need to have a visitor visa for canada to enter vancouver. I posted my passport with the application form with the required documents as well as copy of the appointment letter of the interview in vancouver to the Canadian Consulate in LA.
It was quite easy process.
 
sorry, i don't know if they'll issue visa at the canada/US border. I got mine before travelling from the Canadian consulate in Los Angeles. You can check it on canadian consulate web site.
 
mmhan,

How to get an appointment with US consulate in Canada? I have Canadian PR and planning for revalidation of my H1 in Canada.
Is it safe to go for revalidation with current Visa expired in passport?

Thanks in advance.
 
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