LBJC

Thanks Ian; much appreciated

ando88

I had my E3 application refused yesterday which was slightly bittersweet because the interviewer also told me all I need to do is fill out a new LCA with a O*Net JobZone code of 4 or higher and then I can simply email them a copy when approved to get the E3. So today I submitted a new LCA for Graphic Designer which is a JobZone code 4 (7.0 - 8.0). Once this is approved all I need to do is email a copy to the consulate, I won't need to make a new appointment or anything.

Anyone had any success with this categorisation?

Cheers

augigi

Unsurprised that "office worker" didn't meet the criteria. Have never heard of emailing the consulate and not requiring an appointment though, that's weird. Which consulate?

docnetau

When you say "I submitted", you do mean that you potential employer submitted the LCA, right?

ando88

Sydney. They retained my passport awaiting a new LCA and I was told this happens sometimes?

And yes, I, my company, my boss. My mistake!

Dpaks

Hi All,

I have just been moved from E3 to H1B as of Oct 1st 2014. I am now traveling overseas and need to get my H1B stamping done. Have any of you gone through this process ? please do share any information/tips you might have.

I plan to go to Melbourne for my stamping.

Thank you,
Regards,
Deepak

maulajatt

Getting stamping for H1b is no different than getting stamping for E3. You need to Fill DS160, pay fee, book an appointment and carry all the required document.

Dpaks

Thanks Maulajatt, I checked out the procedure in terms of getting an appointment but was wondering what your individual experiences were. Were there any questions on why E3 to H1B ? In my case, my employer has been asking me to move to H1B for years and I figured I might as well move since I had nothing to lose and also get one more additional year of stamping.
Thank you,
Regards,
Deepak

retzie

Not quite the same, but I switched from E-3 on my first US job to H-1B on my second (this was my employer's choice, as they were sponsoring a greencard and wanted to take the most proven path). I also worried about it, but didn't get a single question about the change.

From posts on BE, this switch seems to be fairly common when going down the path of greencard sponsorship. Is this why you are doing it? If not, it seems a little strange to voluntarily subject yourself to a 6 year limit...

Dpaks

Hi Retzie, Thanks for your response. H1B to GC has been suggested by the HR but I am not sure to be honest, I see what you are saying about the 6 year limitation but I still do want to go back to Mel and I figured I have another 6 years to worry about it besides I could always switch back to E3.

Did you attend the consulate interview for the E3 to H1B switch in Mel ?or Canada/Mexico ? and was it the usual questions about the role/employer etc one would expect from an E3 interview ?

Thank you,
Regards,
Deepak

retzie

Hi Deepak, I'm from Melbourne also

I was in a similar position. I have never planned to stay here permanently, so the idea of a greencard was quite confronting. I ended up going for it, in the spirit of 'I might as well take this opportunity while it's there; I can still leave later!". So far, it has given me the flexibility to leave a very unpleasant job without needing to worry about a new sponsor, whether I was ready to go home, etc.

Of course, it is totally up to you. One thing I will say is that my feeling is it might be harder to go H-1B back to E-3. You might find yourself needing to prove you will leave, which as we all know can be a difficult thing to document, especially after many years here. I'm not sure "I don't want to stay in your crazy country forever!" would really work

I got my H-1B back home in Melbourne and the interview was just the same as for the E-3s. I should say, though, that all my work visa interviews have been very easy, as I am an academic. This pretty much eliminates any concerns about it being a specialised job, requiring my qualifications, etc. However, I do think that H-1B/E-3 will be pretty similary for everyone.

kriggles33

Hello

I recently obtained my E-3 visa (4th due to moving to different employers) in Mexico City last Dec 8th, 2014. My passport will be expiring on July 2015 and did not get questioned with my application.

Basing from the US consulate Mexico Website- ur passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months for them to issue you the visa.

YOu may want to apply at a Mexican consulate (Mexico city/ Puerto VAllarta preferrable)
as they are touristy areas, apart from feeling safe, I was able to to see / learn/ visit
tourist spots around Mexico city- not to mention it has one of the shortest interview
wait times out there.

Further, I was able to request "Priority/ expedited Processing" for my E3 visa and was able to return
to collect my passport/visa the next day following my interview.

I did my First E3 visa in Vancouver last March 2011 and no premium processing available,
I collected my passport 2-3 days after my interview in a DHL ofc in Vancouver- 1 bus ride
away from the US embassy.

Overall I have noticed I can request for Priority/expedited processing at Mexican
US consulates compared to Australia/ Canada- which follows structured visa processing
procedures. I have applied at Tijuana US consulate 2x (prior to my Mexico City
application) and was also granted expedited/priority processing.



Hi all

I don't think I've relied so heavily before on a single source of collected knowledge for such a specific topic. This thread is brilliant.

I've been following the process to get my first E3, I have a job offer and have successfully hit the milestone of a certified LCA a couple of days ago.

Now I'm still in the US trying to book an interview in Canada ASAP. I recognise the risk/return and happy to try that option.

However the issues I'm currently looking at are:
- My passport expires in December 2015, I totally missed this important point and I am thinking I will need to get a new passport very quick (at New York consulate) otherwise will receive an E-3 visa that expires on my passport expiry date? Let me know if I have this all wrong, would be nice if so.
- Also I get the impression this creates flow-on problems given that the DS-160 and the visa booking are based on the passport document number. i.e. if I renew my passport I will need to start again on arranging a DS-160 and visa booking with reference to the new passport document number. I'm making the assumption that the passport document number changes when the passport is renewed - everything I read suggests that.
- As discussed previously the wait times for the Canadian consulates are rock-solid - I am getting "There are no available appointments" across the board for each consulate. Does anyone have feedback on how long it took them to find a slot (assuming they have also checked morning, afternoon and night for cancellations) ?

Also a misc contribution: - When I was looking at the Halifax 'advice page' when trying to book consulates, they had some advice that I didn't see for any other Canadian consulate. I think I'll dodge Halifax.

"Additional Visa Application Procedures for Australian Specialty Workers (E3)
The U.S. Consulate in Halifax issues employment based E-3 visas only for residents of its Consular district and for state-side revalidations. (Revalidation: employment based visa existing in current or expired passport and is seeking renewal of that visa.)
If an appointment is booked for those that do not meet the criteria above they will be turned away at a large expense/cost to the applicant (cost of plane ticket, hotel, taxis, and meals)."[/QUOTE]

kriggles33

HI

I was able to obtain my passport /visa after 2 days in a DHL ofc 1 bus ride away from
Vancouver US consulate for my first E-3 visa application last March 2010. I requested
for
consulate pick-up however was not granted and was asked to do above.
Basing
from the visa wait times website

Visa Appointment & Processing Wait Times

- the current wait time for passport issuance/pick up is 3 days after your interview.


About your concern whether your letter of offer was signed being on a B status
in the US, I was not asked about that during my interview. They dont care
if you signed
it the US or elsewhere. They would ask you more particular questions regarding your
position/ job duties
qualifications etc.- not the place where u signed your letter of offer.

Lastly , I obtained my new E-3 visa in Mexico City last Dec 8th 2014 (changed employers), I was able to
request priority /expedited processing (as always as I changed employers before
and applied through Tijuana US consulate twice) and was able to pick up my passport/visa
the day after my interview. They also treat you like royalty there- accommodating
and apologetic - which I didnt experience in Australia/Canada.

lordgrimstad

Is there a preference given to larger companies over smaller ones? I've been offered a job with salary and equity share in San Francisco in a really small (ie. incubator level) startup. Would the relatively small size be a red flag for issuing the E3?

kriggles33

HI

I don't think a small company will bear weight on your E3 visa application. As long as you have
an approved LCA to present to the consular officer, you'll be fine.

Just an example: I recently applied for my E3 (change of employer) last Dec 2014.
The preparer (who did/completed my LCA) miscalculated and entered the wrong numbers
for my salary....Hence preparer/ and employer
received an email stating error and declined my LCA. Thus a new LCA (with the correct salary) was lodged/
filed and approved/certified after 5 days (with preparer entering the correct
salary).

Therefore an approved/certified LCA proves/ says a lot - as it would not be certified if your
salary is below the prevailing wage of your position/ job.