shar533
04-29 02:29 PM
Yesterday I came back from Vancouver after 4 day visit, using 30 day rule. My visa was expired but I-94 was still valid. CBP officer at Vancouver airport didnt create any problem. He looked at my expired visa on my old passport , my new passport and current I-94 date on I-797. Thats it. He even wandered why my old I-94 was still attached with old passport which no1 bothered to take out while I was going out of USA. So he took out old I-94 from expired passport and put a new I-94 on new passport. Thats all. He didnt bothered to ask my job letter, work details , company name etc.
looivy
11-12 05:06 PM
How early do I need to apply to get an appointment at vancouver or Toronto or Mexico?
Vancouver stamping experience (Oct 2009):
Guys we successfully had our H1B visa stamping done in Vancouver, Canada. First let me start about Vancouver and man what a beautiful place it is. It�s also called Glass City but has its own natural side in which no city can come close.
We flew into Vancouver from Seattle, WA and stayed at Days inn near West Pender St, which we did not like at all. Also take some time for taking pictures inside Vancouver airport. I think they are beautifying the airport for the Winter Olympics in 2010 but the totem poles and some exhibits are worth watching. Taxi ride to the airport is about 30$.
One advantage with Days Inn on West Pender is walking distance to the US embassy. One the visa day we came at 9:00 AM (Tuesday) to the consulate with DS-160 confirmation letter. We uploaded the photos during our electronic submission but better to have additional photos as we have seen many people being sent out as the picture in the application was not clear. The whole process took about 2 Hours and I was back to the hotel room by about 11:30 AM.
After the consulate visit on Tuesday we immediately shifted to Century Plaza Hotel & Spa. We got a good deal for Century Plaza and were surprised at the level of luxury we got.
I was only asked for my H1B approval document. The officer asked questions about our previous work location as he was from the same place. I was told to collect the document on Thursday as Wednesday was a holiday. We booked our tickets for Friday as we thought it would take two days to get our passport back.
The Friday journey meant we had lots of time to visit some amazing places in Vancouver, Canada. We visited Stanley park (must visit), Granville Island (very expensive-not much to do-liked the boat taxi), Canada place (beautiful spot for a great view), Robson street (nice street for shopping), Victoria Island (long travel but a worthy one), Caplilano suspension bridge (Did not find it too surprising), Bushart gardens-Victoria Island (must visit) and Parliament building-Victoria Island (must visit). Heard lot of good reviews about British Columbia history museum but missed it. Public transportation is great in Vancouver but do take enough time if you are planning for it. Also do take two days if you want to cover Victoria Island. The journey (Bus+BCFerry) itself takes half day.
Some of the places I would recommend for food are Banana leaf Malaysian restaurant, India Bistro and Sala Thai.
We were very depressed by the thought of another Visa stamping but Vancouver visit changed the entire episode. Been to Toronto and Ottawa before but nothing like Vancouver.
Vancouver stamping experience (Oct 2009):
Guys we successfully had our H1B visa stamping done in Vancouver, Canada. First let me start about Vancouver and man what a beautiful place it is. It�s also called Glass City but has its own natural side in which no city can come close.
We flew into Vancouver from Seattle, WA and stayed at Days inn near West Pender St, which we did not like at all. Also take some time for taking pictures inside Vancouver airport. I think they are beautifying the airport for the Winter Olympics in 2010 but the totem poles and some exhibits are worth watching. Taxi ride to the airport is about 30$.
One advantage with Days Inn on West Pender is walking distance to the US embassy. One the visa day we came at 9:00 AM (Tuesday) to the consulate with DS-160 confirmation letter. We uploaded the photos during our electronic submission but better to have additional photos as we have seen many people being sent out as the picture in the application was not clear. The whole process took about 2 Hours and I was back to the hotel room by about 11:30 AM.
After the consulate visit on Tuesday we immediately shifted to Century Plaza Hotel & Spa. We got a good deal for Century Plaza and were surprised at the level of luxury we got.
I was only asked for my H1B approval document. The officer asked questions about our previous work location as he was from the same place. I was told to collect the document on Thursday as Wednesday was a holiday. We booked our tickets for Friday as we thought it would take two days to get our passport back.
The Friday journey meant we had lots of time to visit some amazing places in Vancouver, Canada. We visited Stanley park (must visit), Granville Island (very expensive-not much to do-liked the boat taxi), Canada place (beautiful spot for a great view), Robson street (nice street for shopping), Victoria Island (long travel but a worthy one), Caplilano suspension bridge (Did not find it too surprising), Bushart gardens-Victoria Island (must visit) and Parliament building-Victoria Island (must visit). Heard lot of good reviews about British Columbia history museum but missed it. Public transportation is great in Vancouver but do take enough time if you are planning for it. Also do take two days if you want to cover Victoria Island. The journey (Bus+BCFerry) itself takes half day.
Some of the places I would recommend for food are Banana leaf Malaysian restaurant, India Bistro and Sala Thai.
We were very depressed by the thought of another Visa stamping but Vancouver visit changed the entire episode. Been to Toronto and Ottawa before but nothing like Vancouver.
gsc999
06-13 02:30 PM
Americans want immigrants like yourself who follow the rules and contribute to American society; it is our valued tradition. What we don't want is illegals walking all over our laws. The illegals hurt lawfull immigrants. I married an immigrant who followed the rules, she's very bitter over the way this country is pandering to the Hispanic Reconquista crowd. Americans don't want the amnesty, but the government is pushing for it. Legal immigrants and applicants, IMO, should stand up and be heard to fight anmesty as well.
---
Polk1848: Stop patronizing us. Your condescending attitude won't go far on this forum. Each one of IV member is a quintessential American in the making. We understand the American dream far better then many born American citizen, who think everybody else owe them something just because they were born in USA. We, on the other hand are living and moving towards the classic American dream. A good start will be to join us in our cause instead of demanding we oppose Hispanics or undocumented immigrants.
---
Polk1848: Stop patronizing us. Your condescending attitude won't go far on this forum. Each one of IV member is a quintessential American in the making. We understand the American dream far better then many born American citizen, who think everybody else owe them something just because they were born in USA. We, on the other hand are living and moving towards the classic American dream. A good start will be to join us in our cause instead of demanding we oppose Hispanics or undocumented immigrants.
harsh
12-22 10:05 AM
you learn something new everyday. This surely is interesting.
more...
snathan
05-08 10:23 PM
We are all paying tax for years and the way USCIS works...we would get the GC only by next birth. This is very ridiculous rule.
texanguy
05-10 05:56 PM
Dear friends,
has anyone applied for an endorsement of new passport information on PIO card with Travisa? How long did it take them to do it?
Also, does anyone know if they accept walk-in applications? (Houston)...
has anyone applied for an endorsement of new passport information on PIO card with Travisa? How long did it take them to do it?
Also, does anyone know if they accept walk-in applications? (Houston)...
more...
a1b2c3
09-25 01:34 AM
If you need to retain your PD, does the job description need to be similar or can it be different?
Mine is a similar case, I-140 is approved and would like to switch employers on 3 year H1 extension....
My question is can I file for labor through PERM with the new company even if it is in different category and previous I-140 is revoked (worst case, maybe even realistic scenario)? What can my original company do to stop this H1 transfer/filing of new labor from happening?:confused:
Mine is a similar case, I-140 is approved and would like to switch employers on 3 year H1 extension....
My question is can I file for labor through PERM with the new company even if it is in different category and previous I-140 is revoked (worst case, maybe even realistic scenario)? What can my original company do to stop this H1 transfer/filing of new labor from happening?:confused:
mariner5555
01-24 01:48 PM
Hi all,
will appreciate a reply ..I had changed my wifes last name to our married last name (in SSN). her EAD and 485 is in her maiden last name.
will this create an issue when we renew her EAD ? I wanted to renew with our married last name.
Thanks in advance
will appreciate a reply ..I had changed my wifes last name to our married last name (in SSN). her EAD and 485 is in her maiden last name.
will this create an issue when we renew her EAD ? I wanted to renew with our married last name.
Thanks in advance
more...
kartikiran
08-17 05:24 PM
Recently(July 12th 2009) travelled from Hyd to JFK via Dubai on AP. No problems with the airlines. Had to clear the secondary inspection at JFK airport ala Shahrukh Khan...;)
Note, was using my AP for the 2nd time within an year travelling from India.
I just came back this afternoon (1:30 PM EST) via Dubai...Atlanta..from Chennai.. Just showed AP document and passport.. no questions asked...
Airline just verified AP at Chennai and Dubai to ensure I travel with valid documentation to USA.
sanjay02: Dependents may need to produce Primary Applicant's 485 receipt just incase they ask.. Not sure if it really matters as there is no primary or dependent on AP document mentioned.
Hope this helps!
Note, was using my AP for the 2nd time within an year travelling from India.
I just came back this afternoon (1:30 PM EST) via Dubai...Atlanta..from Chennai.. Just showed AP document and passport.. no questions asked...
Airline just verified AP at Chennai and Dubai to ensure I travel with valid documentation to USA.
sanjay02: Dependents may need to produce Primary Applicant's 485 receipt just incase they ask.. Not sure if it really matters as there is no primary or dependent on AP document mentioned.
Hope this helps!
Dhundhun
04-29 06:19 PM
Dhundhun, If you saved a copy of mailed check, Please look for any technical errors like amount in words/figures . Also check for whom it was written ( They demand it to be written for: US Department of Homeland Security) not abbreviations DHS or so.
Duplicate filing may be okay but may involve stop payment of check n withdrawal of 'right' application -- may create a kinda confusion if it is already in process missing on-line updates. Unfortunately, we are always on the receiving end..
BTW: mine was delivered at Phoenix,AZ on 4/12, checks cashed on 4/23 and I received RN yesterday, it is late but most are getting in 2-3 wks time.
Thanks Gbof. I remember of writing check correctly.
Duplicate filing may be okay but may involve stop payment of check n withdrawal of 'right' application -- may create a kinda confusion if it is already in process missing on-line updates. Unfortunately, we are always on the receiving end..
BTW: mine was delivered at Phoenix,AZ on 4/12, checks cashed on 4/23 and I received RN yesterday, it is late but most are getting in 2-3 wks time.
Thanks Gbof. I remember of writing check correctly.
more...
BharatPremi
12-05 03:58 PM
If you are moving to the Tri State Area - we will give you a red carpet welcome into our chapter :)
Thanks but I'm not moving in that area.
Thanks but I'm not moving in that area.
GCHope2011
08-07 02:48 PM
Issued in public interest
Ever since Department of State (DOS) has issued visa bulletins having significant progression of something, what is known as a priority date in certain categories, COLTS has made a comeback to the immigrant community.
For the uninitiated, COLTS stands for Compulsive Obsessive LUD Tracking Syndrome. Surprisingly, it is somehow associated with DOS's monthly visa bulletin and often lags the bulletin by 15-20days after the issuance of the same. It's highly contagious. The only antidote to COLTS known to the humankind is CPO, Welcome or other such emails from USCIS. It doesn't go into full remission until a physical GC is to the sufferer's hands. COLTS as a epidemic generally subsides when DOS severely retrogresses what is known as a priority date but raises its ugly head when the same progresses again.
The symptoms of COLTS is several. The sufferer is often seen logging to the USCIS.GOV site with increasing frequency and making status searches every few minutes. It raises the level of angst when the antidote (as explained earlier) is not received. Sometimes it proves to be a predecessor to other syndromes such as CUPOJMS (Calling USCIS by Prince Of Justice Method Syndrome) , OSRS (Opening Service Request Syndrome), TIAS (Taking Infopass Appointment Syndrome) and CYCS (Contact Your Congressman Syndrome). The good news is, the antidote can correct all these syndromes at once.
Immigrants from ROW (Rest Of World) seem to be immune from it. But immigrants from highly subscribed countries such as India and China have been found to be particularly susceptible.
The last time this epidemic was of such ghastly proportions was in 2008 and that time too, it was known to lag the DOS visa bulletin which had significantly progressed the priority dates. Since the connection between the bulletin and the syndrome has already been proved beyond doubt, it's very surprising that DOS has not learnt its lessons and instead of slowly progressing the dates which will desensitize the sufferers, it is still progressing or retrogressing the dates by months, sometime by years.
Your truly has the fast hand experience of suffering from the syndrome. Being abused and victimized by the visa system in early immigranthood, he developed the syndrome with the issuance of August 2010 visa bulletin. Only after the antidote arrived on August 3rd, did he made a sound recovery and was able to pen this.
The immigrant community is advised to keep it under check and wait till the antidote arrives from USCIS.
Good one!! Congratulations!! We wait for our respective antidotes to arrive some day.... as the oldie song goes - "aayega, aayegaa, aayega... aayega aane waala, aayegaa" :)
Ever since Department of State (DOS) has issued visa bulletins having significant progression of something, what is known as a priority date in certain categories, COLTS has made a comeback to the immigrant community.
For the uninitiated, COLTS stands for Compulsive Obsessive LUD Tracking Syndrome. Surprisingly, it is somehow associated with DOS's monthly visa bulletin and often lags the bulletin by 15-20days after the issuance of the same. It's highly contagious. The only antidote to COLTS known to the humankind is CPO, Welcome or other such emails from USCIS. It doesn't go into full remission until a physical GC is to the sufferer's hands. COLTS as a epidemic generally subsides when DOS severely retrogresses what is known as a priority date but raises its ugly head when the same progresses again.
The symptoms of COLTS is several. The sufferer is often seen logging to the USCIS.GOV site with increasing frequency and making status searches every few minutes. It raises the level of angst when the antidote (as explained earlier) is not received. Sometimes it proves to be a predecessor to other syndromes such as CUPOJMS (Calling USCIS by Prince Of Justice Method Syndrome) , OSRS (Opening Service Request Syndrome), TIAS (Taking Infopass Appointment Syndrome) and CYCS (Contact Your Congressman Syndrome). The good news is, the antidote can correct all these syndromes at once.
Immigrants from ROW (Rest Of World) seem to be immune from it. But immigrants from highly subscribed countries such as India and China have been found to be particularly susceptible.
The last time this epidemic was of such ghastly proportions was in 2008 and that time too, it was known to lag the DOS visa bulletin which had significantly progressed the priority dates. Since the connection between the bulletin and the syndrome has already been proved beyond doubt, it's very surprising that DOS has not learnt its lessons and instead of slowly progressing the dates which will desensitize the sufferers, it is still progressing or retrogressing the dates by months, sometime by years.
Your truly has the fast hand experience of suffering from the syndrome. Being abused and victimized by the visa system in early immigranthood, he developed the syndrome with the issuance of August 2010 visa bulletin. Only after the antidote arrived on August 3rd, did he made a sound recovery and was able to pen this.
The immigrant community is advised to keep it under check and wait till the antidote arrives from USCIS.
Good one!! Congratulations!! We wait for our respective antidotes to arrive some day.... as the oldie song goes - "aayega, aayegaa, aayega... aayega aane waala, aayegaa" :)
more...
gconmymind
09-03 04:22 PM
We have the 797 approval with us now. I'll try to checkout if we can apply for the SSN.
Thanks a lot guys for responding so quickly.
I think you can still work without the SSN, on valid employment authorization (H1B, EAD, etc.). You cannot get paid until you get SSN.
Check with Social security office. Should not take much time...
Thanks a lot guys for responding so quickly.
I think you can still work without the SSN, on valid employment authorization (H1B, EAD, etc.). You cannot get paid until you get SSN.
Check with Social security office. Should not take much time...
jasmin45
07-23 07:44 AM
akshayadalti -> person who voted yes...please provide more details
He is the one who says" Oops! I made a mistake" look at his screen name.. do you expect him to be right at all? :)
He is the one who says" Oops! I made a mistake" look at his screen name.. do you expect him to be right at all? :)
more...
priti8888
08-01 07:59 PM
guys, I appreciate the Mr Zoe's gesture , but I dont really think fees is a big issue here. If a company pays, its not an applicants problem. If the applicant pays, few thousand dollars extra will make us any poorer..
The problem is the huge backlog, 140000 limit, per country limit, visas being wasted while ppl wait for years.....
She has so much power, she should lobby for visa recapture
The problem is the huge backlog, 140000 limit, per country limit, visas being wasted while ppl wait for years.....
She has so much power, she should lobby for visa recapture
saint_2010
07-11 04:33 PM
Hello All,
Just received in mail - 2 Year EAD card for me and my wife. Valid till July 2010. I have e-filed myself for both of us. Still waiting for AP docs.
Just received in mail - 2 Year EAD card for me and my wife. Valid till July 2010. I have e-filed myself for both of us. Still waiting for AP docs.
more...
Administrator2
05-08 04:59 PM
Juliana Barbassa from Associated Press reporter is writing a story about legal immigrants with ITIN holders being denied economic stimulus checks. Please contact Ms. Barbassa to speak-up about this extremely important issue. Here is a message from her requesting members of Immigration Voice to contact her for in interview.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi --
I am an immigration reporter for the Associated Press, and am currently reporting an article about the economic stimulus checks that will be going out soon. I'm writing about how a lot of people won't get them because their spouse doesn't have a social security number _ chief among them green card holders with spouses who are stuck in the backlog, and haven't been able to get a social security number.
I'd love to talk to people in this situation all over the country -- and at least one person, ideally, in the San Francisco Bay Area/Silicon Valley, so we can also have a picture taken. I hope to reach folks today, Thursday, because the article has to be done by Friday.
I can be reached at this email address: immigrationreporter@hotmail.com
Thanks much for your help,
Juliana Barbassa
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi --
I am an immigration reporter for the Associated Press, and am currently reporting an article about the economic stimulus checks that will be going out soon. I'm writing about how a lot of people won't get them because their spouse doesn't have a social security number _ chief among them green card holders with spouses who are stuck in the backlog, and haven't been able to get a social security number.
I'd love to talk to people in this situation all over the country -- and at least one person, ideally, in the San Francisco Bay Area/Silicon Valley, so we can also have a picture taken. I hope to reach folks today, Thursday, because the article has to be done by Friday.
I can be reached at this email address: immigrationreporter@hotmail.com
Thanks much for your help,
Juliana Barbassa
------------------------------------------------------------------------
thakkarbhav
11-17 12:31 PM
I believe that from I 485 stage both cases (Primary applicant and dependant) are different. Primay applicant can be on H1-B or EAD for work purpose but the immigration status will be AOS.
Same is true for dependant candidate. They will be on AOS even if they have approved H4 or EAD.
If primary candidate wants to maintain H1-B status then it is ok. No need for dependant to follow and maintain H4 status. They can work on EAD and contiue their AOS application.
Same is true for dependant candidate. They will be on AOS even if they have approved H4 or EAD.
If primary candidate wants to maintain H1-B status then it is ok. No need for dependant to follow and maintain H4 status. They can work on EAD and contiue their AOS application.
LookingForGC
05-10 10:11 AM
The best is yet to come my friends
vegasbaby
06-04 03:09 PM
I am hearing a lot of cases of RFE. I experienced the same when my best friends case recvd an RFE. They asked all sorts of questions. After filing a reply, there was no update for over a month.
Eventually, her lawyer re-filed the case with same center, with same set of documents (every single document was the same) under premium processing.
The same center approved her H-1B in 3 days flat. No questions asked. I guess they are looking for a legal bribe of premium processing fees :D
Eventually, her lawyer re-filed the case with same center, with same set of documents (every single document was the same) under premium processing.
The same center approved her H-1B in 3 days flat. No questions asked. I guess they are looking for a legal bribe of premium processing fees :D
ivgclive
05-10 01:15 PM
We are expecting some surprises in the July Bulletin. Remember July 2007 fiasco. This year also there are some situations like CIR as before. What about the expected spillover? However, can we expect positive surprises?
Let us start the prediction, analysis, etc, game for the July Bulletin.
June Bulletin will be history in few days! However, people are paying lawyers even for knowing why the visa bulletin hasn't come on the day they wished, in the first week of the month, even though it is supposed to be on 15th of every month.
May be they are going to audit your case along with 10 FBI agents.
Let us start the prediction, analysis, etc, game for the July Bulletin.
June Bulletin will be history in few days! However, people are paying lawyers even for knowing why the visa bulletin hasn't come on the day they wished, in the first week of the month, even though it is supposed to be on 15th of every month.
May be they are going to audit your case along with 10 FBI agents.