This has been covered here several times. It's supposed to be no later than the visa expiry date (I've had an immigration officer read me the relevant passage from their handbook!) but many of us have experienced different. I've entered the US probably 30+ times over the past 4 years, and had a mixture of visa-end-date and today-plus-2-years, plus once a date that was somewhere between the two (no idea why...)

Remember that despite the date that might be on your Visa or I-94, you still need to have a valid LCA to work. If your LCA has expired, no matter what's on your I-94 you have to leave the country.

hey everybody,
I'm in the US with an E-3 (4th) and am looking at a job change and new visa. I just got off the phone with the consulate in Nassau and apparently they no longer process visa applications for people in the Bahamas as a tourist. You need to be there with a work visa for example. They said they started this policy about a month ago.
Thought people would like to know, and if anyone knows/hears about a change like this elsewhere speak up

In addition, you should also keep in mind that if you are out of a job then even a valid LCA and I-94 does not give you any legal status in the US unless you file a change of status to something else before your last day on the job. If you do not do that and stay in the US after your last day on the job, you will be in violation of E3 status.

Although 10 days after last day on the job is often quoted as the time you have to leave the US, there is actually NO such "grace period". If you want to come back to US again they can, if they want to, deny entry based on that violation alone. In good times these are usually ignored but in times like these any reason can be good enough for denial.

Just thought I'd share one word of warning re applying for your E3 visa - DON'T GO TO BERMUDA.

They don't process 'out of district' applicants (meaning non-Bermudians). I learned this the hard way. I booked 7 nights in Bermuda, hoping to enjoy some warm weather while waiting for my visa to be processed. But when I turned up to my visa appointment I was told that they do not know how to process the E3 visa. They gave me the option of having my visa fee refunded ($390) and going elsewhere, but given I'd already booked everything, I thought I'd take my chances and hope for the best. I called them this morning to follow up, and they haven't even looked at it (they said it could be weeks!!). I picked up my passport from them and am heading back to NYC sans visa!! Boo!

That's $390 down the drain. I also don't think my employer is too impressed about the further delay! I've now booked a new appointment in Toronto... I will be at a complete loss if that doesn't work out!

On a different note, are there any stories here about E3 applications being denied because the job isn't considered a 'specialty occupation'? I would be very interested to hear, as I've made a bit of a career change since leaving Aus (banking to fashion) and to be honest, feel my job might be a bit of a stretch...

Would love to hear any good/bad stories!

Thanks, N

That's something very useful to know. I think quite a few people have been able to renew or obtain new E-3's at various Canadian and Mexican consulates, and those are probably the places that everyone should stick with. Also, call or email ahead of time to make sure the consulate you'll be going to still process applications from 3rd country nationals.

Well, they did give you the option.


Keep in mind that no country (other than Oz) is obligated to process an E-3 visa for "third party nationals". But, that said, Canada has been more accommodating than many.


It is appropriate for you to feel this way! WRT a visa, I'm not sure the fashion industry is entirely acceptable... although, it'll depend on your specific job.

Ian

May I ask what job agencies helped any of you find jobs for the E3?

Thanks.

Finding a job in the US is relatively easy compared to finding a company to sponsor you for a visa! There is no list of companies, and any agency that says they can get you a visa is lying.

Ian

Thanks, Ian.

So your reco would be to go direct to companies? (I assume the economy is tanking at the moment though, is this incorrect)

The optimistic mood

Yes. But you should be prepared for a long, hard slog. You would need superior skills to even get to an interview. The reason being, there are so many people already unemployed that a company can easily choose one of them - at no cost - and the new hire can start tomorrow if asked. While sponsoring you for a visa isn't an exhorbitant cost, it's one that's easily avoided in these fiscally lean economic times.

That said, it's doable, and has been done successfully.

Ian

Cheers, Ian. Many thanks.

I am trying to find that post/document. Can anyone help? Thanks.`

I've been to a few AmericanAustralian Association social events with my Aussie expat friend. The Association helped to pioneer the E-3 visa.

This info below may be of interest to you:

http://www.americanaustralian.org/ImmigrationServices/

http://www.americanaustralian.org/

FYI my current experience getting E3R (renewal same employer) at Toronto Consulate.

- Appt was made about 3 weeks in advance, but there were earlier appts, I just chose a day that suited me
- Canadian border control (I drove up) asked my purpose of visiting. I said visiting friends and visa appt. Ears pricked up, I got a yellow sheet and was told to pull over under the roof and go in to talk to an immigration officer. Went in and lined up, after about 10 mins got up to the counter. Guy looked at yellow sheet which said "US visa seeker" and asked my story. I explained. He asked how long I was planning to stay and when I had to be back at work. He asked where I was staying, and how I knew my friends. Saying "they are friends of friends" was not adequate; he wanted specifics. He asked their address; I didn't remember house number but did tell him street name. He asked if I had a business card and took a look. Then he said OK, I just wanted to make sure they'll let you back in, but it looks like you work and pay taxes and they'll be glad to have you back; have a nice trip.

Things the consulate website is wrong about
- Their website said 2 business days to process visa
- Their website says do not bring photographs if you submitted visa application form DS160 electronically
- Their website says "do not arrive more than 15 mins before your appt time".
- Their website says "you may not bring any bags in"

So I got there actually about 30 mins before my appt time (actually was an hour earlier but killed time in a coffee shop; dammit) and there was a MASSIVE line of people waiting. A security guard/visa nazi guy checked our paperwork and said "don't worry about your time" to a few people who asked about missing their appointment times. He asked my friend for paperwork and she said "oh, I'm just waiting with her" and he barked out "OUT OF THE LINE!". Rather intimidating and unnecessary, really. So.. frigid day in Toronto, waited outside for about 45 mins then he started letting people in, 5 at a time. You ARE allowed to take your bag/purse in, but you have to leave your cell phone with security and get a tag for it. Security staff were pleasant and efficient. Halfway up the hallway, you had to show your passport and appointment sheet with barcode to a guy for no apparent reason. Then at the end of the hallway a woman called you up, put your LCA and barcode sheet with passport in a blue folder. Then through another door and into a line for one of 3 teller windows. I get up to the window eventually and the woman says my photo is no good. I said why? I checked the quality on your website and it said it was and submitted it. She said "oh well, it's not good enough". If you have $10 Canadian cash, there is a photo booth in an adjacent room that you can use. If not, you're SOL. She said go outside, there's a passport photo place at the end of the street, then come right back in, don't line up, just come straight in and back up to my window.

Well, crap. I just spent my canadian money at the coffee shop, killing time instead of lining up here... So I left, found the place next door to the convenience store. The woman snapped my photo in about 10 secs and printed and whipped over to me. I looked like a crazy loon with half my hair stuck in my collar and half out, but oh well. At that point I did not care. Here's the kicker - $20! She wanted cash but I said lady if I had cash I would have got photos at the consulate for half your price.

Walked back. Visa nazi made me stand outside and wait for some not-apparent reason, in between yelling at people in the line or standing on the street ("GET OFF THE ROAD, YOU'RE GONNA GET KILLED!!"). Waited probably 20 minutes again. Finally went in, security were nice (again), was allowed right in. Went back to my lady's teller window and she gave me a ticket with #. Sat in roomful of people and watched the screen with changing #s popping up. Got called fairly quickly and was happy until I realized I just got to the window for fingerprinting and sit back down. An hour later, got called up and the woman asked what my job was, how long I worked for that company, and said it was approved. She then said "OK, I will cancel the current visa and you should get this back within a week".

Wait - WHAT!? A week!? Your website says 2 days. She says "Oh yeah, someone else mentioned that this morning, they should fix that". I asked if she was telling me I was going to be having Xmas in Canada, and she said "oh, you might get it back by Friday, we know it's the holidays".

Total time: I arrived 12:45, appt was 1:15, I left around 3p.
Total aggravation: a lot.

So overall wisdoms:
- get there as early as you can to line up
- take a real book, made out of paper; no electronic stuff (its amazing how many times I reached for my iphone while I was waiting!)
- there are bathrooms just off the waiting room
- you can take your bag in and check your cell phone
- take spare photos
- if you don't take spare photos, take at least $10 canadian. Or $20 in case the booth isn't working and you have to go to the photo shark.
- the consulate website is not accurate

Status: Still sitting in Toronto, waiting....

Well at least its approved, so congrats! Enjoy Toronto since you have been forced to stay there now!

It took 6 months and 1 week, almost exactly, to get my E3 renewed along with E3D EAD from VSC!! Still waiting for EAD though. Last time it took less than 2 weeks for the entire process with the same employer, so I guess you just need luck with uscis sometimes! Good news is that I have it now despite the long wait.

Your experience will help others for sure who plan to go to Toronto.