Originally Posted by wildest

Sorry, I don't think I made myself clear. I do understand and I certainly won't be attempting to get work in the USA while waiting for my EAD.

What I'm proposing is to enter the USA to get my I94, submit my EAD application and stick around the states for a few weeks. After this time, I'd look to jump over to London for 8 weeks and pick up some work there.

Would 4 weeks in the USA be a sufficient duration for me to stay in the USA and keep my I94 valid or will I need to stay around for the entire 3 months while my application is being processed?

Thanks,

Tom

Originally Posted by meauxna

Yeah, I have my Qs about that too... the EAD requires biometrics (fingerprinting) too, doesn't it?

Originally Posted by E3only

I know you have not asked but don't waste your time going to SSN office to apply for SSN. They won't accept application until you haev an approved EAD.

Originally Posted by shorrock

My experience was slighly different. Both my wife (E3D) and I (E3) applied for our SSN a few days after arriving and before she submitted the EAD application. The SS office accepted her application for the SSN but told her she wouldn't get the SSN card until she got her EAD card.

About 2 weeks after she got the EAD card (91 days after she submitted the app), she recieved the SSN card.

However after being in the USA for a few years now. I would wait until you have the EAD card before applying. I think it was a fluc that this happened and the fact that it was only just after the E3 visa was introduced.

Originally Posted by dmzungu

Hi Everyone,
I've now started working in my new role, with an E3 Visa!

Here's a bit of a run-down on what I encountered.

My employer paid for an immigration lawyer, who re-iterated most of what's on these forums. However, one very important point was added:

If you are in the USA on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), you cannot get an E3 visa in Canada if you travel there directly. The lawyers have told me that Canada is now strict on this rule. The appointment system will let you book an interview, but once you get there, you'll be rejected. The lawyers confirmed that you can renew your E3 visa in Canada.

I travelled to London from NYC for my E3 interview. The lawyers said it is a good place for E3's as they are familiar with the requirements and have a fast turn-around time. I was able to book via phone a few days in advance. I booked an 8:30am interview and turned up just after 8am. I waited outside in the line for about 35mins to pass through security. Note that you cannot take ANY electronics inside. This includes mobile phones and also any electronic keys or car remotes. You cannot take large bags inside. This includes backpacks, day bags or briefcases. If you have these, you'll be asked to leave and get rid of them. There's a few places near by that rent lockers. I saw people get asked to leave because they had an electronic keypass, and also not all the paperwork. Don't panic if this happens, as even though you'll then be late for your interview, they aren't strict on interview times.

You'll need the receipts for the interview booking, e3 fees, approved LCA, etc. I also had a letter of support from my employer stating my role and that a uni education was required.

Once inside, I waited for about 20-30mins before I was called to the first window. They took my application and passport and asked me to sit back down and wait for the interview. Another 1hr or so wait and I was called to the interview window. 5mins later I was approved. Pretty simple questions that you will know about the new job, your qualifications etc. They didn't ask to see my actual qualifications (we used trustforte to get the certified comparison). It was all completed by 11:30am.

I paid for expedited courier, about another 20 pounds(!) on top of the courier fee. I had my interview on Monday morning and my passport arrived at my address at 6:15am Thursday morning so I was able to fly back to NYC at noon. When you pay for the courier they will tell you when to expect delivery.

When entering the US, you need to make sure they have the full 2yr timeframe written on the white form that's stapled into your passport. It's two years from the LCA approval date, not 2yrs from the Visa issuance date.

Hope this helps!

Originally Posted by Yamoo

Hi,

Thanks for all the help. I now have an approved E3!

I'll give a rundown of how my interview process worked. I was told I had an approved LCA last week - I believe mine took 7 working days to be approved although I don't know the exact date they submitted. Since I was already in Sydney, I had the original LCA and offer letter couriered to me, while I made an appointment for this week. I looked for an appointment on March 1 and the earliest slot I could get was March 9.

The original documents arrived to me in time, thankfully. This is what I took to the interview:

Completed DS 160 form, just the confirmation page
Printed appointment confirmation page
Original LCA
Original job offer letter
Academic transcripts
Bank statements
Passport
Self-addressed Express Post Platinum envelope
Receipt of payment from Aus Post

In the interview (which was less than five minutes long) I was asked:
What visa are you applying for?
Is this your first E3 visa?
What will the job entail?
What is your highest level of education?

And then I was approved! The only documents that they took/used were the DS 160 page, the receipt of payment, the LCA form, the passport and the envelope.

When leaving (I arrived at 8:45am and left at 10am) I noticed many more people waiting downstairs at security than there were when I went through. So try and get an earlier appointment as I'm sure it's less wait.

One other thing. I was nervous about what to wear, so I dressed for a job interview, thinking that I would be meeting someone in their office. However, it's just talking to a guy at a counter so he never saw my snappy outfit and I stressed for nothing. I guess it made me look professional... maybe.

Ok, I hope that helps someone! Thanks again to all who answered my silly questions.

Originally Posted by augigi

As an Aussie, someone asking should they become an Australian citizen so that they can go work in another country more easily ... eh, not so much.

Originally Posted by d-corp

Hi, a request for your wise opinions, from a newbie, if you don't mind. Some background first and then the question.

Firstly, my story - I'm a German citizen but PR of Australia since I arrived at age five several decades ago. As a German citizen I can have only one nationality, not dual. The EU passport has served me well in the past - but that was then, and I'm done with Europe now (seeing how it's cold and miserable and everyone's sick and everything sucks ).

Next, I work for a European (Dutch) multinational with offices in the US. I have a degree and specialised knowledge (engineer, offshore oil and gas - but I'm not in management). I monitor internal vacancies on the company intranet but most of the vacancies coming out of the US these days include the disclaimer at the bottom - "applicants for this position must have authority to work in the US" - or similar.

Hence my question: from the point of view of an employer, how much simpler is it to sponsor an E-3 applicant as opposed to a H-1B applicant?

I mean, H-1B seems to entail a team of lawyers and advertising and six months waiting and thousands of dollars and 2,500 applicants from India and elsewhere. Perhaps for E-3 all it takes is an LCA which is submitted online and takes but a week...(?)

Ergo - should I give up my German nationality and become an Australian citizen?

In which case I could tell the HR dept in our US office that an application from an Australian is good as one from a US citizen...?

[PS. Apologies to my fellow Aussies - I love the place, it's my wife that's not so keen. Cheers ]

Originally Posted by kriggles33

Hi dmzungu

I have successfully completed my initial E-3 visa application in VANCOUVER. I was in the US under VWP and booked my interview online around 3 weeks ago. I was planning of doing it in Sydney, however I thought otherwise.

I arrived at the consulate at 9am (appt is 9:30am), it was not until 10.45 til I was able
to get in the first floor embassy (after security checks). The receptionist asked if it was
for an E-3 visa renewal or initial application. I replied it is an initial E-3 visa application.
I was asked of my passport and printed LCA, which I have provided. I was given a
ticket and was asked to sit down and wait for fingerprinting. After roughly 10 minutes
my number was called and fingerprints were taken electronically (livescan perhaps).

My passport and LCA were returned to me and was asked to go to the 20th floor. Upon reaching the
20th floor, I waited less than a minute when my number was called. The interviewing
officer asked for my passport and LCA and only asked me 2 questions. How did I learn about my job and where was I
before going to Canada. I told him I applied the job through the internet and was offered the job
when I attended the job interview. Further, I mentioned that I was in New York City visiting
friends before coming to Canada. After 2 minutes of intermittent questions and answers
and typing by the interviewing officer, I was given a piece of paper - which are instructions
on where/how to get my passport /visa (local DHL office in Vancouver- accessible
by bus from downtown). I was back in my hotel room before 12pm after roughly 15-20
minutes walk from the US consulate.

Just thought of sharing my experience with everybody as I was under the impression that US consulates in Canada do not process INITIAL E-3 Visas.

All the best

Originally Posted by zer0sum

Hi kriggles33,

That is great news that you managed to do an initial E3 in Canada!!

I am about to leave to apply for an E3 and was going to back home to Aus but have been considering Canada as it is much closer.

I was just wondering what the wait time was to get an appointment?
I am still waiting on my LCA etc. so hadn't set an appointment time yet and have to get out of USA in a few days time.

thanks

Z

Originally Posted by kriggles33

Hi Z

Please refer to the link below for visa wait times (according to city).

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/wait_4638.html

I have tried Vancouver initially, however I was surprised to get an appt date in 3 weeks
(booked my appt online Feb 24 -received an appt date March 18) I was expecting
to get an appt in 3 -5 days.

you may try to book at other cities like Calgary/Ottawa etc to get an earlier appt. I was surprised also to see lots of visa applicants in Vancouver when I was lining up. Maybe other cities are not so much busy (refer to visa wait times link above).

Once u receive your LCA, you can book your appt online using your LCA approval number
(located on the top left hand side of first page of LCA), also using ur credit card
for payment (US$ 390.00)

hope this helps