Info for Indians in Greater Seattle Area: Visa

Showing posts with label Visa. Show all posts

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Work permit for L2 visa holder

Work permit for L2 visa holder compile:

Hi check the following information..

E Filing: https://efiling.uscis.dhs.gov/efile/ Register as a New User and start applying.

EAD: Employment Authorization Document (Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization)

Fees: ~ $340/-

Once filed, you should receive a letter called as I-797C within a couple of weeks. (Sort of confirmation letter that your I765 has been filed)

After that you will receive a letter that provides the date, time & place (Downtown Seattle) for Fingerprint scanning.

Once scanning is done, you will receive the card via mail to the mailing address. This mite take a couple of months depending upon the no. of applications.

Also attaching the List of Documents that might be needed to be sent after completing your Fingerprint scanning. (Not Mandatory)

Information on EAD:

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=c646065d85cee010VgnVCM1000000ecd190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=9059d9808bcbd010VgnVCM100000d1f1d6a1RCRD

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=040f194d3e88d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=9059d9808bcbd010VgnVCM100000d1f1d6a1RCRD

https://efiling.uscis.dhs.gov/efile/

LIST OF DOCUMENTS

APPLICANT

• 2 passport style color photographs

• Confirmation Receipt (1 Page)

• Copy of I-797C, Notice of Action (1 Page)

• Copy of Passport including copy of I-94 (1 page)

• Copy of Certificate of Birth (2 Pages)

• Copy of Certificate of registration of Marriage (1 Page)

• Copy of Degree Certificate (1 Page)

L1-B HOLDER

• Copy of I-129S, Nonimmigrant Petition based on Blanket L Petition (2 pages)

• Copy of Passport including copy of I-94 (1 Page)

I followed instruction from immihelp.

http://www.immihelp.com/immigration/employment-authorization-document.html

Thanks,

Siddharth

Here is what I did when I had applied for my wife’s EAD –

1. Apply for SSN

2. Apply for the EAD using the I-765 form. Refer to link below

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=73bbb6f2cae63110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=fe529c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

This process may take around 3 months to complete.

Hope this helps

Sriram

Hope this link will help you

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=1847c9ee2f82b010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=1847c9ee2f82b010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD\

L2 visa holders can apply their EAD application in two ways 1. E-Filing 2. Sending the application and other required doc thru post.

As per my earlier enquiry with others, option 2 is best.

Thanks

Mallik

Hi.. I had just posed a question on similar lines today..

Does she have SSN? If not she can apply for one.. I-94, passports and marriage certificate required.

Apply EAD (paper based or e-filing) by paying $340.

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=d502194d3e88d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=1847c9ee2f82b010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

there are links on this page on how to apply

In my case (2 yrs back), I applied for EAD first and then SSN (they would not issue SSN until one had EAD). I believe they now issue SSN w/o EAD. You may want to check with SSA office. Also check if SSN alone(without EAD) is enough for working in USA since on their website I read this info..I need to validate this.

Refer to section C (read details) https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203500!opendocument

You can file the EAD for L2 online form https://efiling.uscis.dhs.gov/efile/InteractionMgr?interactionmgr.interaction=SetupEforms&timestamp=1217280570606

Create the user account and can find the more info there.

All that you need to go to http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis

You can find the details of how to apply for Employment Authorization.

After you apply online you need to send required documents to immigration office.

They will later send a appointment for biometrics(finer prints).

Once all this process is completed they will send you EAD.

H1B transfer

Asking for a friend

She had an H1B with company A. She has an offer from company B.

Company B cannot do premium processing & wants her to join them based on the H1B transfer receipt number.

Responses:

Here is the compile. The gist of it being, yes, one can start working at company B based on the receipt number. It’s better to do premium processing even if one has to pay for it themselves.

If the transfer get denied, options are to find an consultant who will do the transfer immediately or leave the country. I will also post the same on MSIndian wiki

Thanks all once again

Ramya

Yes person need to go back to India. This happened for my friend. He resign Wipro join some other co. Later his H1 transfer got rejected. He went to India and came back on new H1.

I was in that situation in past. I have joined new company even without H1B receipt. One need to have trust in new company and also new company should be trustworthy i.e. they should do what they say. I did not take any salary until H1B approved. Once H1B was approved, company paid me all salary in one shot.

Also I did not leave country and applied H1B. Later also I got my visa stamp by sending passport to Visa office. At that time around 1999 laws were different.

Since she has already resigned, whether or not they do premium processing is really immaterial.
(If it matters, she can pay for the premium processing from her own pocket).

In the past, i've been able to change jobs based on recipt notice, and not had a problem.

She had an H1B with company A. She has an offer from company B.

Company B cannot do premium processing & wants her to join them based on the H1B transfer receipt number. – That’s pretty normal to do. Most of the Consultants do that way. She can start working for the company B from the day the H1B transfer request papers reaches Consulate. I have done this in the past, if she has all her records straight, she should be fine.

What she wants to know is what are her options if the H1B transfer is denied. She has already resigned from company A. Can’t go back there. Does it mean that she will have to leave the country & apply for H1 again? – One person can hold Visa from more than one consultant. It’s up to the Company A to decide whether to revoke the Visa as soon as she leaves Company A or not. Usually Company A should start the process within 15-20 days of the last date of her with Company A. I think, companies are bound to do that to have clean records. If the H1B transfer is denied, the option would be find another consultant within 30 days to re-apply.

Its better and safe to choose premium processing. Ask your friend to pay additional expenses for Premium processing from his pocket and try to convince company B on this.

If you friend’s H1B (from company B) gets rejected, her only option is to leave the country.

She will have to leave the country in 2-3 weeks from the date of denial.

She will be able to apply for a new H1B but she will have to leave the country(as she is out of status) and then apply from India.

Unless she finds company C who will apply for her H1, she will have to leave the country, as she will be out of status.

If the person works for direct client of company B, which will establish employer-employee relationship and the person submits the client letter while applying for H1 transfer there shouldn’t be problem.

If the company files with the client letter. It is fine.

No need to worry. Even layer also works, but there has to be the client letter.

Normally, H1B transfers do not raise an issue provided Company B is in good standing. She can work for the other company after USCIS has sent the H1B transfer receipt.

As per my knowledge if the previous employer hasn’t revoked H1 he can still go back and work for them otherwise he will have to go back to India. Denial is very rare though.

However you can pay 1K extra yourself and have the company do premium processing and will get H1 transfer approval in 15 days. I am telling you this form my personal experience.

Check list for B2 Visa

Hello,

Time for me to apply B2 visa for my parents/in-laws.

I am sure most you done this before, can you please share what all documents required for it?

=========================

Ensure to carry the mandatory documents listed in the VFS site https://www.vfs-usa.co.in/USIndia/business_NCHK.html

You can also carry the supporting documents which may need to produce on demand, listed below.

Visitor - http://www.immihelp.com/visitor-visa/visitor-documents.html

Sponsor - http://www.immihelp.com/visitor-visa/sponsor-documents.html

Follow the visitor visa experiences from http://www.immihelp.com/experience/view-29-usavisitorvisa_b2visa.html

Get parents/in-laws prepare to answer for the below questions (Opt own language if not good in English):

1. Valid reasons or purpose for the visit and how long intended to say.

2. Valid reasons to show that they will return to India (Continue their job, Most of the relatives are in India, Take care of aged grandparents | Family responsibilities, a Landlord etc..).

3. Visa sponsorship (May ask details (work/salary/company) about yours if you’re the sponsor; may ask for their bank statements etc if they self-financing for the trip).

=======================

Hi, Here is the checklist which I have consolidated from many sources and recently got my Parents and In-laws Visa stamped successfully.

List of Documents for B2 visa Stamping from Our Son/Son-In-law/Child

1. Printout of the DS160 US Visa application confirmation

2. Original interview appointment letter.

3. Affidavit of support form for US visa. Form I-134.

4. Letter of Invitation addressed to visa applicants

5. Letter to US Consulate requesting that visa be granted to the person you are sponsoring. (See a sample letter to US consulate for visitor visa).

6. Bank statements: Latest two bank statements.

7. Bank account verification letter to prove your bank account and bank balance (See a sample bank account verification letter for visitor visa).

8. 1 or 2 recent pay stub copies.

9. Letter of employment (if the sponsor is an employee in USA). See a sample letter: Employment verification letter). .

10. If you are a Visa holder Copies of your - Visa (H1/L1), H1 Approval Form (I-797), and I-94. (If visa has expired but has a renewed petition, a photocopy of the renewed petition.) .

11. Copy of passport of the sponsoring child.

12. W2 form. .

List of Documents for B2 visa Stamping from Parents

1. Valid original passport

2. Proof of fee payment, which is a valid receipt from HDFC Bank.

3. Birth certificate of the sponsoring child. If birth certificate not available an affidavit may be helpful. See a Sample: Affidavit for Birth Certificate

4. Original property papers like house, shop or business ownership documents etc. which a person owns in India/home country. If no papers available make a notarized affidavit for the same.

5. Original Bank statements/Passbook.

6. Fixed Deposit/ Share/mutual funds statement, any financial related documents.

7. Tax returns statements if any.

8. And any such document like an affidavit of assurance, that the visitor's intention is truly for visit and will be coming back, and have no intention to stay in U.S. for a longer time.

9. Pension statements if any.

10. Pension / Employment benefits letters

11. Property documents. If the consular officer asks you whether you will come back, you can show that you have property in your home country and will come back from USA. Notarized documents of all your property.

12. Any other documents that show you are financially strong and you will come back.

13. Occupation related: If you are employed, get a letter of employment verification.

a. If you are a government employee, you must get an NOC.

b. If you are self-employed, you must get proof of business ownership and financials.

14. Family bindings like unmarried children, old aged parents and other family responsibilities

================================

Someone has already provided the checklist.

Apart from the documents, following points are very important when they go for the visa interview:

1. The purpose of visit should be very clear

2. One should be able to convince the visa officer that one will return back to India (sufficient ties in India)

3. Even if one knows English very well, it is better to opt for the interview in own language

4. Please go through http://www.immihelp.com/ where you will find so much of useful information and experiences.

================================
From your Parents
1) Original Passports valid beyond 06 months and old Passports if any
2) Original Bar codes
3) 01 Photos each as per specifications (50mmx50mm, white background, no borders)
4) DS 160 confirmation page
5) Copy of VFS appointment letter
6) Self covering letter requesting for the visa addressing to "The Visa Officer, American Consulate General, Hyderabad"
7) Bank statement for last 06 months
8) Residential Proof
9) Any FDs & Property papers

From you

1) Passport first, last page & visa page copy
2) Invite letter for inviting your Parents addressing to "The Visa Officer, American Consulate General, Hyderabad" / Sponsorship declaration form
3) Salary slips for last 03 months
4) Bank statement for last 03 months
5) Rental lease agreement copy if any

=================================

I have used the standard list given at VFS site for both parents and in-laws: https://www.vfs-usa.co.in/USIndia/business_NCHK.html

My parents mentioned that they will finance the trip in the forms and took bank passbook – but didn’t need to show that.

For my in-laws I sponsored the trip – sent Affidavit of support + my bank statements – again they didn’t need that either.

Essentially if they can show valid reason to travel and intent to return that is good enough. In my case both my dad and dad-in-law are in service in India and have their homes + extended family.

Best,

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Invite Letter

Last 3mths Pay Slips

Bank Acct statement

Residence Proof

Passport copy with valid visa and I-94

=================================

Please go through this link http://www.immihelp.com/visitor-visa/visitor-documents.html

=================================

This will help.

http://www.immihelp.com/visitor-visa/visitor-documents.html

=================================

http://www.immihelp.com/visitor-visa/sponsor-documents.html

This has all the information about all the documents you need to send.

Hope that helps…Good Luck J

=================================

Sending you an old (Jan 2011) email I got as a response to the same question. Not sure how much of it holds true now. If you could share any info you get that would be great. I am on the same boat

-------------------------------

Hi,

You need to fill two forms.

http://www.immihelp.com/visitor-visa/

http://www.immihelp.com/visitor-visa/sponsor-documents.html

http://www.immihelp.com/visas/fees.html

Sponsor documents:

1. Letter to consulate

2. Invitation letter

3. Employer letter

4. Pay Stubs

5. Bank letter

6. Bank statements

7. Income tax documents

8. Your Birth certificate

9. My passport pages

10. Spouse passport pages

11. I-797 form

12. Marriage cert

Visitor Documents:

1. Covering letter

2. Affidavits

3. Sample Itinerary for local trips

4. Property Documents

5. Group Photos

6. Photos of house

7. Income tax returns (Form 16 ) forms

8. Passbook with good balance or FD docs or LIC docs

For each visitor:

1. Appointment letter print out

2. Passport

3. Photographs

4. DS- 160 confirmation page

5. Visa Receipts (Blue copies)

6. I-134

7. Photo copies of first page and last page

Useful links:

http://www.immihelp.com/visitor-visa/visitor-visa-interview-guide.html

http://www.immihelp.com/visitor-visa/visitors-visa-interview-sample-questions-answers.html

http://www.immihelp.com/visitor-visa/visitors-visa-interview-preparation-tips.html

Canada tourist visa

I have applied for Canada visitor’s visa at Seattle consulate yesterday and I picked my passport with visa in it today morning.

It’s just a one day process.

Make sure you have all the required documents/checklist ready with you before going.

For Documents Checklist refer here:

http://www.vfs-canada.co.in/visaapplication.html

===================================================

Your answers Inline, Also luckily I have compile that I made for my friend J

You need to go to this address: Ste 600, 1501 4th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101

1. Building will come in your right side, outside the building à 1501 will be written above the main entry.

2. Get on to the escalators in front (you will see as you enter the building)

3. After that you need to take Elevators to go to 6^th floor (Elevators will be in left side)

4. After reaching 6^th floor take right turn and enter into Canada Consulate

5. Immediately take the Token number from the machine by pressing Button 1 (Be fast as your turn depends on what token number you have)

6. Your token will called by display with Window number

7. Submit the documents in that windows

8. Again your token will be called for Fee deposit

9. Pay the fee

10. You are good to go for day and you need to come back next day for taking your passport.

Take print of this mail ;-)

1. How long was the wait time?

Manoj: If you reach by 7:45 then you should be able to get free by 8:30

2. When did you get there and how long it took?

We went by bus from 156^th Ave

3. Did you get the passport the same day?

Manoj: No, they are no more giving the passport on same day. You need to come next day between 10:30 to 11 to collect the passport

1. How long was the wait time?

[v-aravin] Try to be there at 8:30. Maximum of 45 mins – 1 hour.

2. When did you get there and how long it took?

[v-aravin] I went at 9. Completed by 9:45 AM

3. Did you get the passport the same day?

[v-aravin] Used to be same day. Now you will get next day

Other information : Used to accept hand writing application but not now. Make sure to fill and print it.

---------------------------------

Hello Friends,

Thought of writing compile on how to get Canada Tourist Visa. It is based on my experience yesterday. I am sure there will be many compiles available already but just tried to put it in my words.

You can fill the application form online and take a print out or you can go to consulate and then fill out there. You can find the application form and Instructions guide at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/visa-pilot.asp

Also please find below list of the documents you need to apply for Canada Visa.

1. Application form.

2. Passports for all Applicants.

3. I-94 for all Applicants.

4. Employment letter from your employer.

5. Pay stubs for last three months.

6. Bank statements for last three months.

7. Your Immigration supporting document In my case I have L1 so they asked for I-129S, but I am not sure which document is required doc for H1 or any other Visa types.

Note: It’s good to carry all the VISA docs with you just in case

8. Two Passport size photographs. You will find the guideline for the photographs at the Instructions guide documents at above link. You can get these photos in 15 min from Walgreens.

9. Visa Fees, $75 each for single entry and $150 each for multiple entry. Take cash only they don’t accept Credit/Debit card or checks.

10. Marriage certificate. They may ask.

If you are planning to get Visa following is the process at consulate

1. Go to following address early in the morning. I reached there by 7.45 AM. They accept visa applications only between 8.00 AM-10.00 AM and issue Visa’s after 11.00 AM. Reach early and you will get Visa early

1501 4th Ave # 600 Seattle, WA 98101 (206) 443-1372

2. Get the token. (You will get two tokens, Don’t worry you will need them both)

3. Get the Checklist form and fill it out. Very simple. It is red colored form.

4. Go to the officer give you documents and one token. She will review your application and all documents.

5. Wait for Cashier to call your token number

6. She will ask for Visa Fees and will give you receipt and token back. She will tell you when to come back.

7. Now you have time, almost 2 hours, Go out and enjoy downtown Seattle in the morning hours. You can walk to Public Place Market/Macy/Ross.

8. Get back to Consulate and wait for your token number again.

9. Get you Visa.

10. VOILA !!!! You have 6-months Valid Tourist Visa for Canada.

Visa for siblings

Thanks for all the responses. Here is the compile:
1. My parents and my sister [similar situation] had recently applied for visa and were approved without any hassle. With proper documents; and a stable job and parents in India as reasons to return back, it should go fine.
2. Yes the probability of his visa denial w/b greater, if ur name is associated in any way with his application. If he were to engage a tour-travel agency that specializes in tour packages to the USA, that w/b another option.
3. I just got visitor visa for my sister, her son and my brother in law. I think as long as you have valid reason to come back to india and have a job then it should not be a problem. If your brother owns a property then it is added advantage. All they are looking for is reason to come to India.
4. I have got visiting visa for my younger sister. My parents have visa, so we wanted her to accompany them. Her visa got rejected first time because the interviewer asked for my parents visa and she did not take it with her. Second time , she took my parents visa and told the interviewer she want to accompany my parents and she got the visa…
5. I had invited my sister. She was then single/roughly same age and working for a private firm. I feel it’s the other way round. If you are working then less chances of being denied as you are in a job and you are more likely to return back because of your job. She didn’t face any visa issues.
6. Based on my brother’s experience.. When invitation and supporting documents for visa application is from a green card / citizenship holder then visitor visa interview questions will be very less. And if your parents have visited and gone back to india couple of times.. that adds as a proof that your sibling will also return. Ensure to provide job and valid reason to return when questioned..
7. I tried my sister’s visa alongwith my mom & dad. It was approved !
8. Also he has to get clearance from govt . Since he has govt job , that gives the tie up with country, so I feel the opposite that his visa shouldn’t be problem. Basically one has to prove the tie up with country. Like property doc etc.
9. I had invited my sister and brother-in-law. I provided the reason of their visit as me gifting them a vacation to US. Provided a letter and an itinerary on MS letter head. It worked fine. The key thing to establish is that your brother has a stable job in India and other financial ties (like property in the family etc.).