ian-mstm

I don't believe there is a consensus, no.


It could be one, or the other.


Do you mean "won't deny the visa"? That's the only way your question makes sense! That said, you can't make that assumption.


The risk factors are the same whether you're interviewing in Sydney or in Nassau. If you wouldn't qualify in Sydney, you won't qualify in Nassau.

Ian

hepsquith

Thanks Ian, I did mean "won't deny the interview". I was wondering whether even if you book an appointment, they could then deny the interview when i actually turn up, because i am not resident in Nassau. This was based on my confusion about what people mean by denial; visa or interview. Sorry i didn't express that too well.

In the interests of this thread, i wrote to the Bahamas consulate asking if they were issuing first time e-3 visas, i received this reply:

Bootle

It appears that Nassau is back to processing e-3s which is handy. They still have collection for non-residents which is the best part about Nassau.

If you are worried about first-time processing out of Australia, Bridgetown (Barbados) processes first-time e-3s.

Dpaks

Hi,
Anyone done a change from E3D to E3? the missus is planning to go back to Melbourne to get her first E3, was wondering if anyone else had done the same and could share their experience. I expect that this will be just like any other standard first time E3 so LCA, DS160, documentation, job etc.
She is doing this because of delays in EAD processing.

ian-mstm

How long has it been since she applied? Wouldn't an InfoPass appointment be more convenient?

Ian

Dpaks

Hi Ian,
Long story short, this is infact an alteration (end date) to existing EAD going on from Jan this year ... the request was lost once and then a little back and forth on required documentation and now it is come to a stage where she has to stop working. Considering all of this and the potential for future issues with EAD processing, we just felt it was a better option to go with her own E3.
Besides, with young kids it is a little hard to plan for any changes to my work and associated E3 visa and how the whole family has to evacuate in 10 days !

ian-mstm

She can simply reapply if she wants. As for stopping work, it's the employer who would get into trouble if the company was audited... nothing bad would happen to your wife - and certainly nothing negative with respect to US immigration.


Ah... fair enough! Well then - assuming she has a US company willing to sponsor her, it's a fairly straight-forward process.

Ian

brainstorm

Hi Guys,
Thanks to all the people helping out new members I am interested in working in the US in the IT sector on E3 visa & I had a question.
What sort of previous work experience documents do US companies look for before employing someone?( If I can know any particular documents, then I can arrange that from some previous employers)

Thanks

ian-mstm

Since you ask, US companies usually look for progressive US work experience. If you have no US experience, then you'd better be damned good at what you do... else why would a US employer spend many thousands of $$ to sponsor you for a visa?

Ian

chexton

Hi all,

I have read a lot of this thread so I apologize if this has been answered.

I have an E3 valid until March 2014 that I used to enter the US in April 2012. I worked for a company in the US for a 3-4 month period before returning home to work for an Australian Pty Ltd company. I.e. I left the US and no longer work for the company there.

I am about to travel back to the US for a holiday, for two weeks. I rang the US consulate in Australia around a month ago and asked if I could enter on the VWP and the answer was yes. Apparently I needn't file any other paperwork, etc.

I went to apply for an ESTA today and can see I have a valid ESTA until March 2014 (clearly thanks to my Visa). Since then I've been doing a little more reading and, although you'd imagine the US Consulate is the source of all truth, I've found a few conflicting ideas. Am curious if anyone has been in a similar position to me and, if so, should I have filed something that changed my status that I have not? Will I have trouble re-entering if I try and enter under the valid ESTA - i.e. will they see my E3, question where I've been and refuse me entry.


In terms of details:

- I have a valid E3 in my passport.
- I did not fill out any forms / file any forms at the time. As far as the US is concerned I cannot see how they would see me as employed / not employed (particularly as far as the immigration desk is concerned).
- I *do* have a return ticket to Australia. Am actually entering from London, spending some time in NYC and SF where I have friends and leaving from SF > SYD two weeks later.
- I *also* have a British Passport. I've applied for an ESTA with that, as I figure perhaps that's a better route (might be hassle free?)

Any help appreciated and I do intend to call the US consulate again, though it's going to be a little tricky given I'm currently traveling in South Africa!

Thanks!

ian-mstm

I'd be surprised to find that the two are related... but stranger things have happened.


I would never make that assumption - and you shouldn't either!


No.


You shouldn't have any problem entering on the VWP (ESTA is travel authorization only... you'd be entering the US on the Visa Waiver Program). If there is any question, you can simply tell them that you no longer work for your E-3 sponsor. I seriously doubt you'd be refused entry.


No, you don't. Your visa became invalid the day you stopped working for your E-3 sponsor.


With respect, that'd be a waste of time. The CBP officer who will see you at the US port of entry does not work for the US Department of State. Any information you receive from the US Consulate should be treated as questionable... and, at any rate, would be useless to you when speaking to a CBP officer.

Ian

rouge_homme

Hi Everyone,

A great wealth of information in this thread for which I am most grateful. I couldn't find a specific answer to the following question, so please point me in the right direction if it has been asked before.

I am currently working in the USA on an E-3 visa and my fiancee is also here on a J-1 visa, which is valid until the end of September 2013. We will be getting married in August, after which she will be applying for the E-3D dependent visa.

My question is whether she is able to remain in the USA and simply apply for a change of status by filing an I-539 or whether it is better to leave the country and apply for the E-3D at a foreign consulate?

If it is advisable to apply for the visa at the consulate, can this be done in a nearby country (Canada, Mexico, Bahamas etc.) or will she need to return to Australia to complete the application?

Many thanks!

ian-mstm

If she is already in the country legally, she can apply for a change of status... she shouldn't need to leave the country. Then again, if she has the 2-year HRR, then she must either fulfill that obligation or get a waiver of the obligation.

Ian

retzie

Be aware that a change of status will make any international travel annoying: she would need to get the E-3D visa sticker before she could re-enter. My vote would be for a quick trip to Canada (assuming no HRR).

rouge_homme

Thanks Ian, she doesn't have the 2-year HRR so that won't be an issue.

Thank Retzie, do you know how long it usually takes to get the E-3D visa sticker? Also, is it safe to assume that a consulate in Canada will issue a first time E-3D?

I have also read that Barbados could be a viable option for first time E-3's so I assume this would extend to dependent visas as well?

Many thanks!