Successful H1B stamping in Vancouver, BC on October 21

balilanai

By balilanai,
in H1B : Visa Stamp

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balilanai Advanced Member

balilanai

Posted
Posted

I have benefited from this forum so it is time to give back.

Others have repeatedly provided useful information so I will help with some other useful tips. Feel free to respond back if you have any specific question.

 

Here is the summary

 

1. VO looked at my LCA

2. VO asked me about my US university degree

3. VO asked me about my title and what my company does

4. VO asked me if I had an end client. I do not. It sounded like that is a positive factor.

5. VO asked me about my previous employer and how I was working for a different company now at a higher position.

 

Sound confident, have all documents and you will get your visa.

Out of 12 interviewees before me, I only saw one rejection and it was a Canadian citizen who was a truck driver and had some issues with an old record.

 

This was my 3rd H1B stamping so it was very short and smooth.Interview lasted less than 2 minutes.

 

Some useful tips

 

1. Sound confident 

 

2. There are 4 windows there out of which only 2 were open. There are chairs right in front of the interview window so you will be likely sitting behind someone who is taking the visa interview. I had to do this since other seats were occupied. I could hear all the interviews going in front of me and it seemed like a distraction especially since I was able to hear about personal information. I got up and moved to the common, quieter seating area. It is important to be focused.

 

3. Security will not let you in more than 20 mins before the interview. No exceptions.

 

4. The US Consulate in Vancouver is unlike the Consulate in Mumbai. It is smaller and less conspicuous. No long lines and crowds of families waiting outside. The atmosphere is pleasing, welcoming and stress free. Like going to a doctor's office. After going through security the receptionist checked my documents and photo and noticed that my picture was the same one I used for my previous visa so I needed a new one. She graciously told me I would not have to go outside as there was a photo booth right next to her and I could quickly take 6 photos for $ 10 Canadian. it took just 5 minutes and I moved to fingerprinting.

 

5;. There is a Starbucks and another coffee shop right next to the Consulate where you can hang out if you come early. No reason to come too early.

 

6. If you have folders and rolled degree certificates like I did, it is Okay to take a plastic bag inside. I took one of those long Macy's bag and security said it was fine.

 

7. Don't take anything electronic like cell phones, keyless car remote, US drive etc.. Leave it in the hotel.My hotel key card was allowed. I kept my cell phone and keys in a safe inside my hotel room.

 

8. I stayed at the Hilton Vancouver, right next to the Canucks stadium. Excellent hotel and highly recommended. They have a shuttle that will drop you to the Consulate.

 

9. After visa was approved, I moved to the Hampton Inn near Vancouver Airport. Not because I was flying back. But because it was close to the Loomis location in Richmond.

 

10. Visa interview and approval was Monday. No information changed on my visa account page that day. On Tuesday, again there were no updates in the status. I was curious about this and thought it was a delay. On Wednesday at 7 am I received an email saying my passport was handed over to Loomis but was not ready to pick up. At 7:30 am the Loomis tracking page said, passport was at the facility. It did not say it was ready to pick up. I called Loomis' toll free number and asked them if I could pick it up. They said yes. So I took the hotel shuttle to the airport, and then walked to the Loomis pick up location. Be sure to look at the walking directions carefully on a satellite photo. It is a 10-15 min walk from the airport through a cargo shipment area's car parking lot. There are no sidewalks. I suggest you go across from the car rental area and cross Miller Road and then once you are in the cargo parking lot, you will see DHL trucks. Follow to 5000 Miller Road. Do NOT walk on Miller Road. It seemed risky as they have no sidewalks.

 

 

Overall, I don't think you need a car. The Sky train is awesome and will get you everywhere.

I suggest you stay close to the Consulate on evening of interview and move to a more inexpensive hotel later if you have to.

 

I traveled from Seattle and took an Amtrak bus. You can also take a train. Just $40 one way, sometimes cheaper and very safe and comfortable.

No issues at border crossing.

 

Overall from interview time (Monday 9:30) to passport with stamped visa in hand (Wednesday 9 am) it took only 48 hours. Your mileage may vary.

 

Happy to help answer any questions. Just respond to this thread.

ravi_59ece Member

ravi_59ece

Posted
Posted

I have benefited from this forum so it is time to give back.

Others have repeatedly provided useful information so I will help with some other useful tips. Feel free to respond back if you have any specific question.

 

Here is the summary

 

1. VO looked at my LCA

2. VO asked me about my US university degree

3. VO asked me about my title and what my company does

4. VO asked me if I had an end client. I do not. It sounded like that is a positive factor.

5. VO asked me about my previous employer and how I was working for a different company now at a higher position.

 

Sound confident, have all documents and you will get your visa.

Out of 12 interviewees before me, I only saw one rejection and it was a Canadian citizen who was a truck driver and had some issues with an old record.

 

This was my 3rd H1B stamping so it was very short and smooth.Interview lasted less than 2 minutes.

 

Some useful tips

 

1. Sound confident 

 

2. There are 4 windows there out of which only 2 were open. There are chairs right in front of the interview window so you will be likely sitting behind someone who is taking the visa interview. I had to do this since other seats were occupied. I could hear all the interviews going in front of me and it seemed like a distraction especially since I was able to hear about personal information. I got up and moved to the common, quieter seating area. It is important to be focused.

 

3. Security will not let you in more than 20 mins before the interview. No exceptions.

 

4. The US Consulate in Vancouver is unlike the Consulate in Mumbai. It is smaller and less conspicuous. No long lines and crowds of families waiting outside. The atmosphere is pleasing, welcoming and stress free. Like going to a doctor's office. After going through security the receptionist checked my documents and photo and noticed that my picture was the same one I used for my previous visa so I needed a new one. She graciously told me I would not have to go outside as there was a photo booth right next to her and I could quickly take 6 photos for $ 10 Canadian. it took just 5 minutes and I moved to fingerprinting.

 

5;. There is a Starbucks and another coffee shop right next to the Consulate where you can hang out if you come early. No reason to come too early.

 

6. If you have folders and rolled degree certificates like I did, it is Okay to take a plastic bag inside. I took one of those long Macy's bag and security said it was fine.

 

7. Don't take anything electronic like cell phones, keyless car remote, US drive etc.. Leave it in the hotel.My hotel key card was allowed. I kept my cell phone and keys in a safe inside my hotel room.

 

8. I stayed at the Hilton Vancouver, right next to the Canucks stadium. Excellent hotel and highly recommended. They have a shuttle that will drop you to the Consulate.

 

9. After visa was approved, I moved to the Hampton Inn near Vancouver Airport. Not because I was flying back. But because it was close to the Loomis location in Richmond.

 

10. Visa interview and approval was Monday. No information changed on my visa account page that day. On Tuesday, again there were no updates in the status. I was curious about this and thought it was a delay. On Wednesday at 7 am I received an email saying my passport was handed over to Loomis but was not ready to pick up. At 7:30 am the Loomis tracking page said, passport was at the facility. It did not say it was ready to pick up. I called Loomis' toll free number and asked them if I could pick it up. They said yes. So I took the hotel shuttle to the airport, and then walked to the Loomis pick up location. Be sure to look at the walking directions carefully on a satellite photo. It is a 10-15 min walk from the airport through a cargo shipment area's car parking lot. There are no sidewalks. I suggest you go across from the car rental area and cross Miller Road and then once you are in the cargo parking lot, you will see DHL trucks. Follow to 5000 Miller Road. Do NOT walk on Miller Road. It seemed risky as they have no sidewalks.

 

 

Overall, I don't think you need a car. The Sky train is awesome and will get you everywhere.

I suggest you stay close to the Consulate on evening of interview and move to a more inexpensive hotel later if you have to.

 

I traveled from Seattle and took an Amtrak bus. You can also take a train. Just $40 one way, sometimes cheaper and very safe and comfortable.

No issues at border crossing.

 

Overall from interview time (Monday 9:30) to passport with stamped visa in hand (Wednesday 9 am) it took only 48 hours. Your mileage may vary.

 

Happy to help answer any questions. Just respond to this thread.

 

Nice Info ,Thx for Posting.

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