ian-mstm

Asked and answered here: http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=671448.

Ian

froberts2

I'm not sure that this is actually the case. Last time I changed employers they canceled my old E-3 and issued a new one. When I asked about that, in the context that I was still working for my old employer at the time (didn't want to hand in my resignation until I had the new visa) they said there was no issue with continuing to work for the old employer - although I'm not sure if that was a short-term comment or what...

When re-entering the country I know that I mentioned both employers, but I'm not sure which one they wrote on the I-94 at the time.

lifehouse51

You may very well be right. I also don't think the I-94 mentions the name of the employer. However, the experience of the people here is that you can't totally trust what a consulate/embassy tells you. They may not interpret the laws correctly, and if something happens to you, you can't use the argument that you follow what the consulate tells you.

Augigi did mention that it's possible to work for multple employers under E3...so maybe it's as simple as getting multiple LCA's approved.

augigi

Don't know the specifics; I haven't done it. But I definitely read it in a USCIS document.. will have to try and find where. If someone wants to do that.. they should probably fork out for at least a one-time meeting with an immigration lawyer.

I currently have both an E3 and a B2 in my passport though, so you don't necessarily get one visa "cancelled" when you get another approved.

bjih

I successfully renewed my E-3 at the Montreal Consulate this morning. There were no problems, other than me forgetting my tube with my degree certificates and transcripts. Since it was a renewal they weren't to concerned about the degrees and let it slide.

The only inquisitive question I had was "Why did you come to the US and how did you originally come across this job".

Paid the new $390 fee at the cashier. Even they were surprised about the fee hike.

froberts2

Yup, my hope was that someone had already done the forking out to save me the time/money

lifehouse51

It seems like you have to schedule an appointment in Canada quite ahead of time because of the wait...I was thinking of maybe going to Halifax for my renewal in two years...less crowded I hope?

At where I applied, they didn't seem to let people pay the full amount at the consulate. Everyone has to at least have paid the previous fee of $131 to the bank, before being allowed to pay the difference at the cashier. The staff there too commented on the high fee of the E visas compared to the tourist or student visas, which are the ones they saw most often.

skzm

No sign of the passport today either. Gave their $12 line a quick call, they didnt charge me - but informed me nothing they can do, and best thing is to email the consulate at the email on the website. Will post here if I get a response etc...

E3only

That's wierd. I know given they have your passport the visa is approved? I mean otherwise they would have given the PP back of course - but did you hear them say the "Visa is Approved".

Mine arrived in 3rd working day FYI

skzm

Thanks for your reply. So just to provide a 'final' update (cause is always disappointing when people dont).

Emailed the embassy, and they replied last night at 5:30pm saying that my visa was processed, and sent via Australia Post on the 4th of June. Which was very concerning as I couldnt find any details on the tracking website regarding my satchel. After spending a few hours worrying that I'd have to apply for a new passport + visa etc. The details finally turned up on the Auspost website at 8pm and my visa/passport just arrived at 12:30 on the 9th.

So not sure where/what my passport was doing for the few days between the 4th of June, and the 8th of June... but at least all is good. Thanks everyone for their replies - and hope this helps if anybody is in a similar situation.

froberts2

If you had listed yourself as the sender, head into a local AusPost and they will give you another ExpressPost envelope due to them missing the delivery time.

Unfortunately they will only do this for the "sender", so if you'd listed the consulate as the sender your out of luck...

Won't make up for it being late, but at least it might make you feel like you got something back for your pain

lifehouse51

hey so you did get it in time for your travel tomorrow! Try not to cut it this close next time! (I thought I was cutting it close already - expect to receive my passport tomorrow, Thursday, and flight will be next Monday)

E3only

Well, how about never book before you have the passport in hand

lifehouse51

The ticket has doubled in price since I bought it! Another reason to live a life with risks!

skzm

Yep came in Wednesday morning, and flew out on the Thursday - all good in the end.

Think i worked out the mystery too - the Embassy told me they processed and sent it out on the 4th of June. But my wife's passport / E3D visa was also in the same package and it had a processed date of the 8th of June - I think maybe the US Embassy wasnt 100% truthful when it said it posted them on the 4th of June

HOw'd you go with your flight? make it? hopefully you did...