US Visa & Immigration Issues

[uraro]

to wax: that's what my friends also said....tnx

[rachelle51972]

hello guys!...i'm planning to sked for an interview too!..and i know it'll take you 3 months b4 you get interviewed...i'm applying for a tourist visa...sabi ng friends ko maluwag daw sa embassy ngayon...is this true? my other friend is there na and his brother passed din the interview just recently...galing nga eh..sabi nila madali lang daw for professionals to pass the interview...totoo kaya yon? my friend kasi is a dentist (..i am too!)kaya madali daw nabigyan ng multiple visa...wish me luck!

[kyutfeys]

to uraro:
i'm just kidding you about the interview, just like wax said, it's just a minute or two. but ofcourse don't take it lightly, just be prepared and don't lie 'coz as long as your telling the truth, everything would just flow smoothly. and goodluck uli sa interview mo, i think mga ilang days na lang, basta balitaan mo 'ko k, and God bless! siguradong ma-una ka pa sa ny.

to wax:
oh yeah! you were right about the quota thing, i remember now, that's what my mom told me during those times na ang tagal ng result ng petition ko. mom ko kase nasa states e, and she helped me with regards to my H-1B petition. basta wax, optimistic ka lang 'dyan.

and good luck rachelle51972!

[badabing]

the questions would rather depend on the consul doing the interview. in my case, it went very well, with the consul asking me what i do(job description) and how long i would be staying in the states. my friend on the one hand was asked on the basics of cobol programming(dunno if the consul understood any of his replies). but in most cases where the petition papers and other required docs(diploma, transcript, fees)are in order, the interview in getting the visa is almost a formality. unless you piss the consul in some way.
i don't want to burst the balloon but a word of caution. if you can ascertain that your employers have an assignment waiting, that would be better. i know some IT professionals who left outstanding careers in PI only to be benched for two months or less then fired. some were able to find permanent positions as staff or as consultant for other firms. but a few who were so unlucky either returned to PI or Singapore.
but then you're not expecting everything to be hunky-dory right? what you're being given is a foot inside and it's up to you to hack it and make U.S. for yourselves the land of opportunities.
goodluck!

[Leigh]

help help!

kyutfeys and uraro...
can you give me a "blow-by-blow account on how to get a visa...tourist and working?

i plan to get a visa soon, but my parents told me to do it on my own and i always forget to call and ask...maybe you guys can help me

[kyutfeys]

hi! leigh, for complete info on applying for a visa (tourist or working) go to this site:

http://usembassy.state.gov/posts/rp1/wwwh3024.html

[Ronmac]

Hello guys I need some advise too.

Im planning to get some visa too, dont know what visas type?
I have a sis in Cali, she always told me to get a tourist visa, but i dont want to get there for a tourist only , i want to get there for a sure job not for tour only. Im into medical field. any advise from anybody? Any prospective employer or agency for medical jobs coming from you? thanks all.

[Leigh]

thanks kyutfeys

i actually printed a the form already hehe
thanks thanks

[kyutfeys]

welcome! leigh, good luck!

and ronmac, what medical professional are u? pt or nurse? i think not in demand ang pt ngayon e, but nursing is! anyways sowee at wala akong connection regrding medical employers or agencies, ako nga swerte lang 'coz my mom in ny helped me. but 'di ka magpa-tulong sa sister mo? or you could browse the net for jobs abroad. actually pwede ka rin mag-tourist then when you get there you could do some steps on how to get a working permit or working visa. good luck din sayo.

[kerb]

kiyutpeys, ang alam ko maghahanap din sila ng programmer na mag iinterview sayo and theyll ask very specific questions (sabi ni mamangbumbero). theyll ask what prog lang u use.. then prepare for the second and the rest of the questions hehe *grin*.. gudlak!

sample interview..

q) do u know dos?
a) of course!
q) how many bytes is the original command.com of DOS 1.0 beta 2.3.1?
a) ... hmmm...

out ka na!

[Ronmac]

Thats what my sis said, punta ko dun then apply there.I have a lot of applications on the net and they replying naman so far but always they said they dont Sponsoring any visas. If im planning there im very much welcome daw for an Interview.Pero gusto ko ill be there for sure job.Im an Xray technologist nga pala. thanks folks

[kyutfeys]

i wonder what happened to all the people in this thread/topic?

[uraro]

i'm so sorry i was away for sometime because I got too busy with my sked and with the US Embassy!...

hey ppl, my visa was approved!!!! yehey!...actually I was at the Embassy last March 23 for my interview schedule at the consul. And after a long wait, my visa was issued. But i have to wait for it though, since they will mail it to me through Delbros, a courier service based at the Embassy.

the interview actually went well and the consul actually didn't ask me something. He just took all my documents and gave me a pink slip to be used for my visa delivery. Wax was correct in saying that when you have completer papers and the visa you're applying for is a working visa (H1B), then you don't need to worry. I actually felt that the schedule you have was just a formality...you just have to present all the pertinent documents.

and to give you a hint on what to bring (as with regards to my experience, you see some consul may require other docs):

- NOA (Notice of Approval from the INS)
(this is stapled to the passport by an Embassy personnel)
- Labor Conditions Applications
(sent by your Employer)
- Petition Form
(sent by your Employer together w/ the first 2 docs)
- Birth Certificate (NSO Certified)
- Original College Diploma
- Employment Contract (sent by Employer; some Employer doesn't give this, only upon request)
- Training Certificates (to certify your skills reqmts)
- Payslips and Certificate of Employment from your current employer (to prove that you are working as an IT here)

I noticed that they don't get the originals nor the photocopies of these documents, except for the NOA. They just looked at them and returned them afterwards.

Their system now is very organized. You don't need to wait longer, and even if you have to, the waiting area is well-ventilated.

I think that for those H1B Visa applicants, you don't need to worry since you are already assured to be issued one. UNLESS OF COURSE YOU DON'T BRING ALL THE SUFFICIENT DOCUMENTS. But then again if this happens, the worst thing they'll do is to let you come back at another sked but they'll issue you otherwise.

One thing more, your appearance sometimes might help. But you don't have to wear a necktie, even polo shirt will do, as long as you look neat, tidy and presentable, and most of all, BELIEVABLE!!!!

[uraro]

i just want to correct something:

completer papers ---> complete papers


and one thing more, I forgot to mention the form OF-156 (?) or the application form which should be completely filled up. This is the form which BPI gave you when you paid the Visa Application fee. Alongside with the completed form, you need to staple the receipt, and also the photo (signed at the back) at areas stated at the form...be sure the photo size is correct 1.5"X1.5"
and also the size of the face. Be sure to have your photo in a studio who knows the picture of US Visa size better.

[f0r5aK3n]

uraro: congrats!!!! so, when are you supposed to go to the US then????

[kyutfeys]

wow! uraro, i'm so happy for you, you really inspired me. and thanks so much for the tremendous amount of tips you just gave us. go for it! new york, new york!

[f0r5aK3n]

kyutfeys: your appt is on May 29, right??? Do you have all those paperwrks that uraro mentioned????

hehe.. these stuffs are kewl.. I love it when someone gets a chance to come to the US!

[uraro]

hey ppl! i was away again.....sorry!


anyway, thank you so much!..actually it is also my wish that all of us will have a chance to be there (but i think some of you are already there!)

i have already coordinated with my employer regarding this and they gave me the chance to think at what time i want to go! (when it rains, it pours! he he he)....they asked me the date and the airport where i will be departing from...

hey guys, i guess this is it...i shall be leaving for New York come April 30, 2001. whew!

but don't worry...i shall keep you posted!

New York! New York!!!! he he he! *smiles*

[kyutfeys]

forsaken, ang wala lang ako is 'yung birth ceritifcate na nso certified and 'yung employment contract, but the rest i have. r u planning to go din ba to the u.s., forsaken?

[f0r5aK3n]

kyutfeys: but you're gonna get that employment contract before you may 29 appointment right??? Oh, I'm already here in the US.. I kinda grew up here..

uraro: wow!!!!!! April 30, huh?? You'll make it for Memorial Day Weekend. That's a 3 days weekend at the end of May.. Do the tourist stuff if u get a chance before you start work!!