sai
06-16 01:48 PM
Last 3 months statement should be more than enough. I printed online statement attested and sent it. I had no problem.
number30
04-12 12:10 AM
Hi guys,
I am a new bie but in deep trouble,
My case is like this
Have valid I-797 - till - Jan 16,2009 ( now expired right )
Valid I-94 - till -Jan 24 , 2009 ( now expired right )
Applied for extension in --- Sept 2008( 5months before I-94 expiry date)
Applied for premium in -- Feb 26, 2009
RFE -- Mar 2, 2009
Denied -- Mar 31,2009
Trying to transfer my H1- to another product company under premium.
I heard if you appeal the denial, you cant file the transfer, so i dont want to appeal,
Please correct me if this is incorrect ???? gurus please help me,
As I know I dont have any status but denial letter says appeal with in 33 days.
Consulted PRODUCT COMPANY ATTERNEY , said you can stay up till 30 days.
Is it possible to transfer with out appeal or MTR for the current denial ?
Please advice, as I am already running out of time....
thanks
jvs
There is bigger problem than H1 approval i.e. overstaying. If overstay more then six months you will barred for 3 years. So go out as soon as possible and come back with another H1
I am a new bie but in deep trouble,
My case is like this
Have valid I-797 - till - Jan 16,2009 ( now expired right )
Valid I-94 - till -Jan 24 , 2009 ( now expired right )
Applied for extension in --- Sept 2008( 5months before I-94 expiry date)
Applied for premium in -- Feb 26, 2009
RFE -- Mar 2, 2009
Denied -- Mar 31,2009
Trying to transfer my H1- to another product company under premium.
I heard if you appeal the denial, you cant file the transfer, so i dont want to appeal,
Please correct me if this is incorrect ???? gurus please help me,
As I know I dont have any status but denial letter says appeal with in 33 days.
Consulted PRODUCT COMPANY ATTERNEY , said you can stay up till 30 days.
Is it possible to transfer with out appeal or MTR for the current denial ?
Please advice, as I am already running out of time....
thanks
jvs
There is bigger problem than H1 approval i.e. overstaying. If overstay more then six months you will barred for 3 years. So go out as soon as possible and come back with another H1
rkm
05-14 07:29 PM
It was a quite surprise to me. Almost more than a year EB3 did not move for more than a month all of a sudden it moved 2 years..
snathan
05-20 06:19 PM
Not favoring Wipro or quitting person here. General comment..
we need to be careful and review all aspect of issues with mgr and HR before leaving service companies. If we really want to come and work in US then come as independent companies on H1. People keep quite and say 'yes' for everything until H1 is filed in offshore and once a high paid offer comes then leaving and start saying 'sue' this company etc.
they pay fees for H1/air-fares/insurances for commitment for onsite work for some period. If person A goes out, they have to invest same amount of $ on new person B to get there and loosing credit at client also. Are these factors not overhead to these kind of companies?
Becoming so much emotional for money matters is quite common. Be practical and think wisely and negotiate peacefully with HR/MGR. Sending mails with lot of anger and threats to companies etc really don't much help in practical life and things go worse. this kind of stories is not first time and has been going for many years, think it from both sides.
Be practical, thinking peacefully. All the best.
They are not doing any charity for the employees...they want profit and cares only about their interest and so the employee. Whats wrong with that...
we need to be careful and review all aspect of issues with mgr and HR before leaving service companies. If we really want to come and work in US then come as independent companies on H1. People keep quite and say 'yes' for everything until H1 is filed in offshore and once a high paid offer comes then leaving and start saying 'sue' this company etc.
they pay fees for H1/air-fares/insurances for commitment for onsite work for some period. If person A goes out, they have to invest same amount of $ on new person B to get there and loosing credit at client also. Are these factors not overhead to these kind of companies?
Becoming so much emotional for money matters is quite common. Be practical and think wisely and negotiate peacefully with HR/MGR. Sending mails with lot of anger and threats to companies etc really don't much help in practical life and things go worse. this kind of stories is not first time and has been going for many years, think it from both sides.
Be practical, thinking peacefully. All the best.
They are not doing any charity for the employees...they want profit and cares only about their interest and so the employee. Whats wrong with that...
more...
keerthi
07-14 08:32 AM
Hello Ruben,
I have forwarded my employer's email to you. Also, I have sent it through this forum's private messaging. Please check and let me know.
Thanks.
I have forwarded my employer's email to you. Also, I have sent it through this forum's private messaging. Please check and let me know.
Thanks.
snathan
08-06 08:33 PM
hi,
I came to US 5 years back in H4. My husband processed GC and 140 is cleared and 485 pending. I got my EAD and now working. My husband and I have problems and he is threatening to ruin my life.
Can I know a few things
1. Can he take me out of the GC ?
2. Can he revoke my EAD ?
3. Can my employee extend my EAD which is expiring in 2010 and continue my GC.
please help...
Your husband can remove from the GC process if he wants. And you will lose your EAD and you can not extend your EAD. One way is file for new H1B, get the job and start the GC process from PERM. There is no other way.
I came to US 5 years back in H4. My husband processed GC and 140 is cleared and 485 pending. I got my EAD and now working. My husband and I have problems and he is threatening to ruin my life.
Can I know a few things
1. Can he take me out of the GC ?
2. Can he revoke my EAD ?
3. Can my employee extend my EAD which is expiring in 2010 and continue my GC.
please help...
Your husband can remove from the GC process if he wants. And you will lose your EAD and you can not extend your EAD. One way is file for new H1B, get the job and start the GC process from PERM. There is no other way.
more...
permfiling
12-10 01:03 AM
My cousin took a offer from a employer in CA few months ago who did her H1 transfer but the condition mentioned in the agreement is that
In the event the employee voluntarily resigns or her employment is terminated for performance or cause prior to 4 years, employee agrees to reimburse the "Employer" for the full amount of legal, administrative and filing fees associated with the sponsorship of the employee's work visas as permitted by law.
The employer won't do premium processing so my cousin paid $1000 on her own but she had to travel outside the country to canada to get a new I-94. The employer's law firm filed the paper work with canada embassy in US to get a canadian visa.
Now my cousin got her GC through her hubby which her employer does not know. She is debating if she needs to inform her manager and company as they might ask her to sign any agreement or give back H1 fees.
The employment laws in CA are different so how can she move (if moves within 4 yrs) to another company without paying anything or a little fee to the employer. I told her that H1-B fees are not too high maybe around $4000.00 so the employer will have to spend lot of money on the lawyer's to go to court to suit her if she left say after 2 years of employment as she feels that the agreement is one sided considering the time line.
In the event the employee voluntarily resigns or her employment is terminated for performance or cause prior to 4 years, employee agrees to reimburse the "Employer" for the full amount of legal, administrative and filing fees associated with the sponsorship of the employee's work visas as permitted by law.
The employer won't do premium processing so my cousin paid $1000 on her own but she had to travel outside the country to canada to get a new I-94. The employer's law firm filed the paper work with canada embassy in US to get a canadian visa.
Now my cousin got her GC through her hubby which her employer does not know. She is debating if she needs to inform her manager and company as they might ask her to sign any agreement or give back H1 fees.
The employment laws in CA are different so how can she move (if moves within 4 yrs) to another company without paying anything or a little fee to the employer. I told her that H1-B fees are not too high maybe around $4000.00 so the employer will have to spend lot of money on the lawyer's to go to court to suit her if she left say after 2 years of employment as she feels that the agreement is one sided considering the time line.
qasleuth
09-17 11:37 AM
Why even bother?
Forget worrying about about CNN and Lou Dobbs. They are NOBODY and of no significance for the quest for immigration reform.
If CNN drops Lou that will not pass CIR or recapture. There are so much Lou Dobbs are there in USA. It is a waste of time.
Wrong and Wrong.
Lou is broadcasting his radio show from Federation for American Immigration Reform's "Hold Their Feet to the Fire" legislative advocacy event. No points for guessing what the event is advocating for. Just wait for CNN to drop Lou and Fox embraces him. It will be just in time when CIR comes back on radar.
If you have been even remotely following the healthcare debate, the fewest (however idiotic or uninformed they are) make the loudest noise, scaring lawmakers. THAT is guaranteed to affect you and I (well not senthil as he already has his GC).
Lou Dobbs | Media Matters for America (http://mediamatters.org/search/tag/lou_dobbs)
Here is a good read on the why's/what's
Timothy Karr: What Beck, Dobbs and Limbaugh Are Really Afraid Of (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/timothy-karr/what-beck-dobbs-and-limba_b_288480.html)
Forget worrying about about CNN and Lou Dobbs. They are NOBODY and of no significance for the quest for immigration reform.
If CNN drops Lou that will not pass CIR or recapture. There are so much Lou Dobbs are there in USA. It is a waste of time.
Wrong and Wrong.
Lou is broadcasting his radio show from Federation for American Immigration Reform's "Hold Their Feet to the Fire" legislative advocacy event. No points for guessing what the event is advocating for. Just wait for CNN to drop Lou and Fox embraces him. It will be just in time when CIR comes back on radar.
If you have been even remotely following the healthcare debate, the fewest (however idiotic or uninformed they are) make the loudest noise, scaring lawmakers. THAT is guaranteed to affect you and I (well not senthil as he already has his GC).
Lou Dobbs | Media Matters for America (http://mediamatters.org/search/tag/lou_dobbs)
Here is a good read on the why's/what's
Timothy Karr: What Beck, Dobbs and Limbaugh Are Really Afraid Of (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/timothy-karr/what-beck-dobbs-and-limba_b_288480.html)
more...
Ann Ruben
05-15 04:38 PM
no worries. my response should have been more precise.
trramesh
11-12 02:59 PM
Guys,
Pls participate in the survey for your own good. We need these figures to show the worth of our community to whom it may matter.
Pls participate in the survey for your own good. We need these figures to show the worth of our community to whom it may matter.
more...
pappu
11-19 11:11 AM
They posted it sometime back: But this does not talk about applications like II40 that were filed last year and still pending for some people in NSC. I140 for EB2 NIW is as late as August 01, 2006.
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=67257de128ce5110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCR D
Advisory on Processing Times
In the past few months, USCIS has received a significant increase in the number of applications filed. As a result, processing times will likely become longer for applications filed after June 1, 2007.
USCIS is working hard to address the increased volume and will continue to provide additional information on application processing times as it becomes available. For more information, please see our Frequently Asked Questions on receipt delays.
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=67257de128ce5110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCR D
Advisory on Processing Times
In the past few months, USCIS has received a significant increase in the number of applications filed. As a result, processing times will likely become longer for applications filed after June 1, 2007.
USCIS is working hard to address the increased volume and will continue to provide additional information on application processing times as it becomes available. For more information, please see our Frequently Asked Questions on receipt delays.
acecupid
07-16 06:24 PM
They have been talking about this lawsuit for a long time now. I wonder when they will actually file it. Though they claim that they will file it this week, I would trust them only when they actually do file the lawsuit.:D
more...
waitnwatch
04-21 02:37 PM
It is generally a good idea to go to any CBP and get the date put in. It is a pretty easy process. When the CBP folks say that an exit in 6 months in fine I guess they are correct in the sense that you have to stay illegally for over 180 days to be barred from reentry.
Anyway this should be pretty easy except that you have to find the time to go to your nearest international airport. For some it could be a 4 hour + drive!
Good luck
Anyway this should be pretty easy except that you have to find the time to go to your nearest international airport. For some it could be a 4 hour + drive!
Good luck
belmontboy
11-09 06:02 PM
Dr. Balkrishna Matapurkar, a surgeon at New Delhi's Maulana Azad Medical College, has pioneered a stem cell based technique for the regeneration of tissues and organs. He already holds a patent for this innovative technique. Incidentally, he is of view that embryonic stem cell research is one of the lost sciences of ancient India.
But please note that I am not trying to propagate that indian culture is best or better etc. I just wanted to share that stem cell related view of mine.
A couple of the fellow members might be cursing me to have posted this in. I know its nowhere related to immigration, but just a thought share.
That would be the view of Dr BalKrishna Matapurkar.
There is no accepted literary evidence to support his views. If so, please point me to that
But please note that I am not trying to propagate that indian culture is best or better etc. I just wanted to share that stem cell related view of mine.
A couple of the fellow members might be cursing me to have posted this in. I know its nowhere related to immigration, but just a thought share.
That would be the view of Dr BalKrishna Matapurkar.
There is no accepted literary evidence to support his views. If so, please point me to that
more...
bsbawa10
08-11 09:34 PM
Dear Friends
One of the USCIS IO at NSC told me today that processing date of August 10 2007 for I-485 is nothing but a guess work. She said, in reality the processing date is far behind that. When I said I may have better luck predicting Power Ball numbers, she said that could be very much true than predicting what USCIS does.
Remember, in 2004 then USCIS director along with Bush unveiled a grandose plan in which they said by 2006, they will reduce I-140 petition processing times (for that matter any petition processing time) to 180 days. Four years later, things have became worse. Did anyone take responsibility? No. They give excuses.
For example, for my I-140 under EB2-NIW, NSC processing date shows February 27, 2007; and I filed in April 2007. But, I got approved. (no complaints). Technically, they shouldn't have picked up mine.
My friend applied in June 2007 and his I-140 got approved in December 2007 when their online processing date shows November 2006. So, they processed a petition that was filed 11 months ahead of their processing time. Great....
My colleague who shares office with me applied in October 2006 and still waiting to hear until today. Service requests did not do any good to him. Infopass is a pass. They all said he need to have patience... (lots of it).
Many many instances like this. Online processing dates or what the customer service tells you doesn't mean a shit.
The only thing that is good about online posting of processing dates is, we can file a service request which in many cases, after secondary request, tend to accelerate your case. You still need luck.
How many of you hear "your case is with in normal processing time"... I have been waiting for 18 months for my I-140... what the hell in the world normal about it? Only USCIS seem to understand it.
In the nutshell, its a funny and most idiotic agency and you cannot predict what it does. Do the same treatment to US Citizens, USCIS will be dragged into courts and torn apart in talk shows. Since we are non-citizens who are suffering, no body cares.
See, quasi-citizens i.e., people applying for Naturalization have better luck because their local congressman will be making calls and putting fire under USCIS ass because these are potential voters in November. So, they have some leverage. But people who are waiting for green card are no good now... wait for 5 years after you get it, you may have luck in getting their attention.
If you apply for 485, you get finger prints done. After a month, if you apply for EAD, you go again. What? Are your finger prints going to change every one month? What a waste of resources and time? USCIS do these kinds boneheaded things all the time.
Only thing that will get you green card faster is "Luck".
Good luck to all of us.
I fully understand your frustration and I am equally frustrated with them as you are. Sometimes I feel angry, sometimes frustrated and many a times I have the feeling of helplessness. I am not powerful enough to curse them. What an unfair organization ?
One of the USCIS IO at NSC told me today that processing date of August 10 2007 for I-485 is nothing but a guess work. She said, in reality the processing date is far behind that. When I said I may have better luck predicting Power Ball numbers, she said that could be very much true than predicting what USCIS does.
Remember, in 2004 then USCIS director along with Bush unveiled a grandose plan in which they said by 2006, they will reduce I-140 petition processing times (for that matter any petition processing time) to 180 days. Four years later, things have became worse. Did anyone take responsibility? No. They give excuses.
For example, for my I-140 under EB2-NIW, NSC processing date shows February 27, 2007; and I filed in April 2007. But, I got approved. (no complaints). Technically, they shouldn't have picked up mine.
My friend applied in June 2007 and his I-140 got approved in December 2007 when their online processing date shows November 2006. So, they processed a petition that was filed 11 months ahead of their processing time. Great....
My colleague who shares office with me applied in October 2006 and still waiting to hear until today. Service requests did not do any good to him. Infopass is a pass. They all said he need to have patience... (lots of it).
Many many instances like this. Online processing dates or what the customer service tells you doesn't mean a shit.
The only thing that is good about online posting of processing dates is, we can file a service request which in many cases, after secondary request, tend to accelerate your case. You still need luck.
How many of you hear "your case is with in normal processing time"... I have been waiting for 18 months for my I-140... what the hell in the world normal about it? Only USCIS seem to understand it.
In the nutshell, its a funny and most idiotic agency and you cannot predict what it does. Do the same treatment to US Citizens, USCIS will be dragged into courts and torn apart in talk shows. Since we are non-citizens who are suffering, no body cares.
See, quasi-citizens i.e., people applying for Naturalization have better luck because their local congressman will be making calls and putting fire under USCIS ass because these are potential voters in November. So, they have some leverage. But people who are waiting for green card are no good now... wait for 5 years after you get it, you may have luck in getting their attention.
If you apply for 485, you get finger prints done. After a month, if you apply for EAD, you go again. What? Are your finger prints going to change every one month? What a waste of resources and time? USCIS do these kinds boneheaded things all the time.
Only thing that will get you green card faster is "Luck".
Good luck to all of us.
I fully understand your frustration and I am equally frustrated with them as you are. Sometimes I feel angry, sometimes frustrated and many a times I have the feeling of helplessness. I am not powerful enough to curse them. What an unfair organization ?
noone2day78
02-19 08:11 AM
ohh is this really true? can u specify a source for this ?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
more...
nashdel
08-07 11:09 PM
Mine approved August 2nd, Wife`s pending. May be this is one of the administrative fixes from USCIS! As primary on EAD I would have to Work in same job classification, can not stay here for long without work or open a new business. But spouse on EAD can do either one of those per my knowledge. They can allot visa number to another primary. I do not think this is the reasoning from USCIS and there has to be some other reason though such as security check. I wonder if it is smart for them to allot visa numbers to primary and secondary in 2:1 ratio. Will ease problems for lot of people.
Voetsjoeba
05-27 01:32 PM
I love this contest :beam::love: I think Festers site is the ugliest although they are all VERY close to eachother.
ivgclive
03-29 07:36 PM
I am looking for some serious help and advice here , I hate to see any non-immigrant in US in my circumstances .Here some information about it , My company has sponsored my work visa , soon I entered into they customs and Immigration there is some mistake with my paper work , and they charged me and later deported me .In the middle we came to know the company has sponsored some other people B/J visas for their own benefits and officers acted so racially .when i got deported they never issued my passport back , I keep on calling them now , they always say , They can't hear , some times they mention call after 5 mins , 1hr .I am so vexed with all they do , I felt so victim in this . Please advice me can i get my passport back, and my case is in pending appeal , before I got deported
Dude, you are already in your home country. Why do you still need your passport back from US? Do you still want the same passport to travel back to US.
Check with the pilot of the plane, may be they handed over the passport to him.
Dude, you are already in your home country. Why do you still need your passport back from US? Do you still want the same passport to travel back to US.
Check with the pilot of the plane, may be they handed over the passport to him.
gcdreamer05
11-10 02:11 PM
Hi forum users,
My wife is on h4 visa and we have found a volunteering position for a profit company.
Is it legal for people on h4 visa to volunteer (meaning not getting paid any type of salary) for a profit making company.
You may ask why we are doing this, if we dont make money, we are doing this to gain experience here.
So that once we get our EAD we can use it to work.
Does any one have any information about this. Because it is not a non-profit company it is a profit making company.
The field is not IT , it is drug and pharmaceutical related and is mainly bio-tech.
Thanks.
My wife is on h4 visa and we have found a volunteering position for a profit company.
Is it legal for people on h4 visa to volunteer (meaning not getting paid any type of salary) for a profit making company.
You may ask why we are doing this, if we dont make money, we are doing this to gain experience here.
So that once we get our EAD we can use it to work.
Does any one have any information about this. Because it is not a non-profit company it is a profit making company.
The field is not IT , it is drug and pharmaceutical related and is mainly bio-tech.
Thanks.
arjun007
01-26 12:53 PM
H1B Stamping in Halifax Canada (only for revalidation)
If this is your first H1 do not book your appointment. I had my H1 from my first company and I was going for the stamp for my third company.
-Appointment
I Scheduled the appointment on the website. While scheduling it the page for entering the I-797 information (notice date, receipt date, receipt number) did not show up. But a few days before the appointment I logged in again to my account with the passport number and reference number, this page showed up and I entered the information. It is important to fill out this information and DS 156 online.
I would suggest filling up a sample DS-156 offline and after reviewing it filling it up online. You should get 3 pages for the DS 156 and 2 of them have a barcode.
*Do not glue the 2x2 photograph on the form.
*Also do not leave any blank spaces (.... write NA)
At the airport
As soon as I got out of the immigration at Halifax, a few yards down the airport lounge I saw the Travelex foreign exchange and converted a few us dollars. there is a 7 $ fee for every transaction. If you have somebody with you, I would recommend both of you to do the transaction in one go. I recommend not taking a cab to the city. It costs 54 Canadan $. There is a shuttle service managed by AIRPORTER. Its 18 $ per person. Book your ticket in the airport terminal itself. Ask the driver to drop you at Delta Halifax (Hotel).
-Scotia Bank
Once you get down at Delta Halifax you will see the Scotia Bank Sign. Get into the building. The bank is in this building (Scotia Mall) right behind a fountain.
Deposit the money and get the deposit slips stamped. I converted another 50 US $ for a 2 $ fee ( Cheaper than the airport). The food court is next to the bank. I ate at TASTE OF INDIA, but I would recommend the Chicken kabob platter at the Lebanese joint. After lunch I walked all the way through the skywalk to the PURDY WHARFS TOWER 2, behind the Casino, to check out the consulate, so that I do not have to struggle the next day to find it. The security at the reception area called a cab for us to my Dartmouth motel.
-Stay
I booked a motel (air+hotel package on ORBITZ) in Darthmouth, Nova Scotia (Comfort Inn, 456 Windmill rd) $ 72 per night for a 2 bed room. Its 20 minutes away from the city. 14 $ by cab. You can also take the bus number 51 (2$ coins only) right across the motel to the place called Bridge (it literally takes you to the bridge which connects Dartmouth and Halifax city). Remember to take the transfer stub and change the bus. Most of the buses from the bridge go to the Scotia Mall in Halifax. We travelled by bus for most of the day. It was very cold. January and temperature were around -20 C. There is a Chinese restaurant and a Pizza/Sub place right across the Motel. Also the Bridge area has a few places like Wendy's.
-day of the interview
My appt was at 9:30 , I was there by 8. They took me in. Gave me a list of documents to be kept ready (I was missing the travel itenary, fortunately my friend who was travelling with me had an extra copy). The security guy checks the documents and gives you a stub for the passport. Keep this stub safely, you have to show it the next day to get back your passport. (Its cool even if you lose it.The security guy is very freindly. He remembers people. A few had lost it, but no issue)
questions
- how long you have been in US
- what degree (Masters or Bachelors)
- how long with this company
- why did you leave the first company
- why did you leave the second company
- when did you leave the company
She told me ( as with other applicants) that my information is not in the new system called PIMPS, so its possible that I could not get my passport the next day at 3 pm.
After the interview we went back to the scotia mall, had lebonese food, took a bus number 1 to the park lane mall ( you could also walk) and watched an awesome movie (Kite Runner)
Next Tense day
This was friday, my flight was at 6:15 pm. The US immigration closes at 5:30, so I had to be back to the airport at the most by 5:15 pm.
I was at the consulate at 2:50 pm. I security guy let us in. Has a small chat with us. Said only a few passports are ready. unfortunate none of them were ours. We waited till 3:15 pm but the passports werent ready. There were 7 of us , only 2 were H1B. He asked us to come back at 4:30 pm, if not by then he ased us to enjoy our weekend at Halifax !! We went back to the Scotia mall, ate some more, came back at 4:00, clock was ticking...all 7 of us were there by 4:30 pm. All were very tensed, they had booked their tickets like us. 4:45 nothing yet....4:56 I got my passport, 4:59 my friends got my passport. We ran down to the reception, the security called a cab,
All of us had got the Passports. The Taxi driver (Indian) drove like crazy to get us to the airport. It was rush hour and the Bridge is packed. The most amazing driving I have seen. We got to the airport at 5:30 pm, but they didnt let us check in as the Immigration was closed. I paid 200$ for 2 if us to rebook the next available flight next morning and stayed the whole night at the airport.
-
Hope this information was useful. Too detail, but I was in the mood of writing after watching Kite Runner. Do watch it !
If this is your first H1 do not book your appointment. I had my H1 from my first company and I was going for the stamp for my third company.
-Appointment
I Scheduled the appointment on the website. While scheduling it the page for entering the I-797 information (notice date, receipt date, receipt number) did not show up. But a few days before the appointment I logged in again to my account with the passport number and reference number, this page showed up and I entered the information. It is important to fill out this information and DS 156 online.
I would suggest filling up a sample DS-156 offline and after reviewing it filling it up online. You should get 3 pages for the DS 156 and 2 of them have a barcode.
*Do not glue the 2x2 photograph on the form.
*Also do not leave any blank spaces (.... write NA)
At the airport
As soon as I got out of the immigration at Halifax, a few yards down the airport lounge I saw the Travelex foreign exchange and converted a few us dollars. there is a 7 $ fee for every transaction. If you have somebody with you, I would recommend both of you to do the transaction in one go. I recommend not taking a cab to the city. It costs 54 Canadan $. There is a shuttle service managed by AIRPORTER. Its 18 $ per person. Book your ticket in the airport terminal itself. Ask the driver to drop you at Delta Halifax (Hotel).
-Scotia Bank
Once you get down at Delta Halifax you will see the Scotia Bank Sign. Get into the building. The bank is in this building (Scotia Mall) right behind a fountain.
Deposit the money and get the deposit slips stamped. I converted another 50 US $ for a 2 $ fee ( Cheaper than the airport). The food court is next to the bank. I ate at TASTE OF INDIA, but I would recommend the Chicken kabob platter at the Lebanese joint. After lunch I walked all the way through the skywalk to the PURDY WHARFS TOWER 2, behind the Casino, to check out the consulate, so that I do not have to struggle the next day to find it. The security at the reception area called a cab for us to my Dartmouth motel.
-Stay
I booked a motel (air+hotel package on ORBITZ) in Darthmouth, Nova Scotia (Comfort Inn, 456 Windmill rd) $ 72 per night for a 2 bed room. Its 20 minutes away from the city. 14 $ by cab. You can also take the bus number 51 (2$ coins only) right across the motel to the place called Bridge (it literally takes you to the bridge which connects Dartmouth and Halifax city). Remember to take the transfer stub and change the bus. Most of the buses from the bridge go to the Scotia Mall in Halifax. We travelled by bus for most of the day. It was very cold. January and temperature were around -20 C. There is a Chinese restaurant and a Pizza/Sub place right across the Motel. Also the Bridge area has a few places like Wendy's.
-day of the interview
My appt was at 9:30 , I was there by 8. They took me in. Gave me a list of documents to be kept ready (I was missing the travel itenary, fortunately my friend who was travelling with me had an extra copy). The security guy checks the documents and gives you a stub for the passport. Keep this stub safely, you have to show it the next day to get back your passport. (Its cool even if you lose it.The security guy is very freindly. He remembers people. A few had lost it, but no issue)
questions
- how long you have been in US
- what degree (Masters or Bachelors)
- how long with this company
- why did you leave the first company
- why did you leave the second company
- when did you leave the company
She told me ( as with other applicants) that my information is not in the new system called PIMPS, so its possible that I could not get my passport the next day at 3 pm.
After the interview we went back to the scotia mall, had lebonese food, took a bus number 1 to the park lane mall ( you could also walk) and watched an awesome movie (Kite Runner)
Next Tense day
This was friday, my flight was at 6:15 pm. The US immigration closes at 5:30, so I had to be back to the airport at the most by 5:15 pm.
I was at the consulate at 2:50 pm. I security guy let us in. Has a small chat with us. Said only a few passports are ready. unfortunate none of them were ours. We waited till 3:15 pm but the passports werent ready. There were 7 of us , only 2 were H1B. He asked us to come back at 4:30 pm, if not by then he ased us to enjoy our weekend at Halifax !! We went back to the Scotia mall, ate some more, came back at 4:00, clock was ticking...all 7 of us were there by 4:30 pm. All were very tensed, they had booked their tickets like us. 4:45 nothing yet....4:56 I got my passport, 4:59 my friends got my passport. We ran down to the reception, the security called a cab,
All of us had got the Passports. The Taxi driver (Indian) drove like crazy to get us to the airport. It was rush hour and the Bridge is packed. The most amazing driving I have seen. We got to the airport at 5:30 pm, but they didnt let us check in as the Immigration was closed. I paid 200$ for 2 if us to rebook the next available flight next morning and stayed the whole night at the airport.
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Hope this information was useful. Too detail, but I was in the mood of writing after watching Kite Runner. Do watch it !
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