traja Posted November 9, 2012 Report Posted November 9, 2012 Dear All, Thank you everyone for sharing their experience. It helped me a lot. I will try to cover my experience as much as possible to help others. I work at the same client for last 6yeats, EV model. It's my 7th year stamping. I took client letter, SOW. Client letter is important. We drove to Toronto on Nov 4th and visa Interview was on Nov 5th. While leaving US we didn't drop the I-94. I didn't know that we can give it CBP officer in Canadian border as the office didnt ask/take it. But after following the forums, I learnt that we can give it to Canadian CBP officers. We stayed in Marriott by Residence as they have kitchen. It nice place to stay especially if u have small kid as you can cook etc.; they have full kitchen, free breakfast and internet. It its advise to stay here only if u have car. Also there is nice Indian restaurant called "Sweet india", nice food for $4-5.00. Here comes, the most important part, Interview. The scheduled time was 9.45 PM. We left the hotel at 8.15 AM as we were told that there will be a traffic going to Downtown. So be prepared and leave early if u r staying out of downtown. Arrived consulate at 9.15 but the lady asked to wait and join the line by 9.35 PM. I recommend everyone to be there only 10 mins before. If you reach early, there is a starbucks nearby, so you can hang around there especially during the cold days. There are many parking around the area, but little pricy. I joined the line ~9.40 AM but had to wait outside in line till 11.00 AM as they were allowing only 4-5 ppl inside at a time. So take ur coat/jacket otherwise u will be frozen in the cold. You can take ur cell phone/credit card/keys as they have small locker to keep these stuff. BUT NO BAGS/PURSE. They will give u the token for locker. So don’t get confused with interview token number and visa token number. I went inside ~ 11.00 did the figure print, was waiting for the actual interview. Only 2 counters were open so it was slow moving. Pls eat heavy break-fast as the whole process will take 3-4 hours. One office was Asian and he was rejecting/221 g for most the candidates. I was praying not to be called in that counter. Another office was American, he was finishing the interviews very fast and not much 221g from him. After a while they opened 3rd counter. I was called at counter#2, American officer. Actual Interview: VO: Where do you work? ME: city xxxxx VO: What is the nearest big city? ME: Told YYYY, the VO checked something in the computer VO: Whats your role? ME: Answered what’s mentioned in my LCA/ Job Title VO: How long you work for this client? ME: 6 years VO: Oh 6 years, then she closed the file and said visa approved. No documents asked. But I took everything I could take. They mainly scrutinize on Employer-employee relationship and control over the employee. So take everything you can prove to show that the control exists. Left the consulate ~12.00. I was waiting for waybill update in US consulate website or email from LOOMIS on Nov 7th. Nothing happened. Worried I might have to stay for another 1-2 days possible a weekend. It was very cold too to do outing with baby. But few ppl mentioned that US consulate takes some time update their website. so i had some hope i will get an email from LOOMIS. At 9.15 PM received email from LOOMIS. But it went SPAM folder. So please KEEP EYE ON SPAM FOLDER. I doubled checked the consulate website, no waybill number was updated. On Nov 8th reached LOOMIS office at 7.45 AM. The office opens at 8.00 AM. They unlocked the door at 7.58 am, collected the PP and left toronro ~ 9.45 AM. Note: If you have not received email from LOOMIS or no updated in US consulate website, there is another way to get waybill number (this work ONLY if ur passport has been picked but no email from LOOMIS), in loomisexpress website enter the reference number which can be found on applicant summary page from usvisa-info website. Reached border ~ 11.30 AM, it was weekday afternoon not much rush. the office took i-797 and PP, asked where did u go/how long u stayed etc and checked the system. He asked me where is ur i-94 (actually I removed it from PP and wanted to ask him where to drop this, but he himself asked). I gave him the i-94. He told me, u need to pull the car and get new i-94 in door#2. He gave me the 1-797 and put all the passport inside the blue bag. someother officer came and collected this bag and took it inside the building. we were waiting for ~1.00 hr to be called. fianlly they called our name and office asked whats the job title and address where u live in US and gave me new i-94. He also gave us small white slip to exist the building. so need to hand over that while taking out ur car. Over all it was pleasant experience except the wait. Be confident and take as much documents as possible. Good luck
Dathri Posted November 9, 2012 Report Posted November 9, 2012 Dear All, Thank you everyone for sharing their experience. It helped me a lot. I will try to cover my experience as much as possible to help others. I work at the same client for last 6yeats, EV model. It's my 7th year stamping. I took client letter, SOW. Client letter is important. We drove to Toronto on Nov 4th and visa Interview was on Nov 5th. While leaving US we didn't drop the I-94. I didn't know that we can give it CBP officer in Canadian border as the office didnt ask/take it. But after following the forums, I learnt that we can give it to Canadian CBP officers. We stayed in Marriott by Residence as they have kitchen. It nice place to stay especially if u have small kid as you can cook etc.; they have full kitchen, free breakfast and internet. It its advise to stay here only if u have car. Also there is nice Indian restaurant called "Sweet india", nice food for $4-5.00. Here comes, the most important part, Interview. The scheduled time was 9.45 PM. We left the hotel at 8.15 AM as we were told that there will be a traffic going to Downtown. So be prepared and leave early if u r staying out of downtown. Arrived consulate at 9.15 but the lady asked to wait and join the line by 9.35 PM. I recommend everyone to be there only 10 mins before. If you reach early, there is a starbucks nearby, so you can hang around there especially during the cold days. There are many parking around the area, but little pricy. I joined the line ~9.40 AM but had to wait outside in line till 11.00 AM as they were allowing only 4-5 ppl inside at a time. So take ur coat/jacket otherwise u will be frozen in the cold. You can take ur cell phone/credit card/keys as they have small locker to keep these stuff. BUT NO BAGS/PURSE. They will give u the token for locker. So don’t get confused with interview token number and visa token number. I went inside ~ 11.00 did the figure print, was waiting for the actual interview. Only 2 counters were open so it was slow moving. Pls eat heavy break-fast as the whole process will take 3-4 hours. One office was Asian and he was rejecting/221 g for most the candidates. I was praying not to be called in that counter. Another office was American, he was finishing the interviews very fast and not much 221g from him. After a while they opened 3rd counter. I was called at counter#2, American officer. Actual Interview: VO: Where do you work? ME: city xxxxx VO: What is the nearest big city? ME: Told YYYY, the VO checked something in the computer VO: Whats your role? ME: Answered what’s mentioned in my LCA/ Job Title VO: How long you work for this client? ME: 6 years VO: Oh 6 years, then she closed the file and said visa approved. No documents asked. But I took everything I could take. They mainly scrutinize on Employer-employee relationship and control over the employee. So take everything you can prove to show that the control exists. Left the consulate ~12.00. I was waiting for waybill update in US consulate website or email from LOOMIS on Nov 7th. Nothing happened. Worried I might have to stay for another 1-2 days possible a weekend. It was very cold too to do outing with baby. But few ppl mentioned that US consulate takes some time update their website. so i had some hope i will get an email from LOOMIS. At 9.15 PM received email from LOOMIS. But it went SPAM folder. So please KEEP EYE ON SPAM FOLDER. I doubled checked the consulate website, no waybill number was updated. On Nov 8th reached LOOMIS office at 7.45 AM. The office opens at 8.00 AM. They unlocked the door at 7.58 am, collected the PP and left toronro ~ 9.45 AM. Note: If you have not received email from LOOMIS or no updated in US consulate website, there is another way to get waybill number (this work ONLY if ur passport has been picked but no email from LOOMIS), in loomisexpress website enter the reference number which can be found on applicant summary page from usvisa-info website. Reached border ~ 11.30 AM, it was weekday afternoon not much rush. the office took i-797 and PP, asked where did u go/how long u stayed etc and checked the system. He asked me where is ur i-94 (actually I removed it from PP and wanted to ask him where to drop this, but he himself asked). I gave him the i-94. He told me, u need to pull the car and get new i-94 in door#2. He gave me the 1-797 and put all the passport inside the blue bag. someother officer came and collected this bag and took it inside the building. we were waiting for ~1.00 hr to be called. fianlly they called our name and office asked whats the job title and address where u live in US and gave me new i-94. He also gave us small white slip to exist the building. so need to hand over that while taking out ur car. Over all it was pleasant experience except the wait. Be confident and take as much documents as possible. Good luck
Dathri Posted November 9, 2012 Report Posted November 9, 2012 Hi congrats for your visa...Im done with my visa at vancouver... i travelled thru flight from bay area-seattle- vancouver...but none of the officials took my i-94...i even asked them too but they said if needed will take it...during the interview i just gave my old and new passports..im kind of confused.. is it fine if they dont take the i-94 or will it be a problem at port of entry in SFO?
traja Posted November 9, 2012 Author Report Posted November 9, 2012 Hi congrats for your visa...Im done with my visa at vancouver... i travelled thru flight from bay area-seattle- vancouver...but none of the officials took my i-94...i even asked them too but they said if needed will take it...during the interview i just gave my old and new passports..im kind of confused.. is it fine if they dont take the i-94 or will it be a problem at port of entry in SFO? If I'm not wrong u need to get new I-94 after visa stamp and return ur old i-94, even if the stay is less than 30 days in Canada/Mexico. Pls check ur company attorney.
vin18may Posted November 10, 2012 Report Posted November 10, 2012 Hello traja Firstly congrats on your interview. I am planning to get my second H1b stamped in Canada. Based on the general views - I presumed that Vancouver is the best .. but the dates are quite filled till feb 2013. Hence I was considering Vancouver.. and needed your thoughts on it. My background: 1) Did masters in US and graduated in 2007 2) got first H1b in oct 2008 3) got it stamped in Mumbai in may 2010 4) got the h1b renewed in 2011 & its valid till sept 2014 Now i want to get it stamped so that i can visit India. What are your thoughts in getting it stamped in Toronto before this yearend ? Thanks for your time & advice. - Vin
traja Posted November 10, 2012 Author Report Posted November 10, 2012 Hello traja Firstly congrats on your interview. I am planning to get my second H1b stamped in Canada. Based on the general views - I presumed that Vancouver is the best .. but the dates are quite filled till feb 2013. Hence I was considering Vancouver.. and needed your thoughts on it. My background: 1) Did masters in US and graduated in 2007 2) got first H1b in oct 2008 3) got it stamped in Mumbai in may 2010 4) got the h1b renewed in 2011 & its valid till sept 2014 Now i want to get it stamped so that i can visit India. What are your thoughts in getting it stamped in Toronto before this yearend ? Thanks for your time & advice. - Vin Like I said, as long as u can prove that emp-employer relationship exits and FTE, EV model plus no other issues in ur status then I don't see any problem going to Toronto but you are the best person to judge. Thx
4top455 Posted November 10, 2012 Report Posted November 10, 2012 @Dathri : read this: http://canada.usembassy.gov/visas/forms-and-programs/usa-arrival-departure-record.html You should submit the most recent I94 when Lvng. If you did not then on reentry( after stamping say) submit to CBP official and they will issue a new one usually valid upto visa end date or passport expiration date whatever is earlier!!
arun45 Posted November 12, 2012 Report Posted November 12, 2012 Ok regarding i94 you need to submit your current i94 at the time of your next exit from the US that you have which you received when you last entered the US. When you re enter the US next time you will be given a new I94 which you should keep with you at all times until you exit the country later. The reason your required to do this for the fact that you are not violating the visa laws and immigration rules and so that you are not overstaying in the US. That's it !! Bcoz of this simple reason you MUST make sure you are submitting I94 without fail. Or else the DHS will have no proof that you left the country in timely manner !! I hope this clarifies
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