eddiewww

Hi,

Just went into the embassy today for what i thought was practically a formality of getting my visa "stamp"... i had the I-797 and assumed that it was a matter of "process"..
However, the interviewer had an issue with my education qualifications... i was aware that the requirement is to have a BA degree, but i have an HNC and considerable work experience... all this was passed as equivalent to a degree by an accredited university in the US. I had this documentation with me today, but the interviewer said that this was not relevant and i had to provide additional information.. namely college transcripts and a CV detailing work experience etc..
I do not have the original certificate and tried to get a copy when i applied back in april, but because the certification boards have changed, getting a copy was impossible... i don't believe i will get any further now... but i will get something from the college principle at least... the CV is of course easy.
Was i being naive in thinking it was a "done deal"? or is it just the embassy dotting the i's and crossing the t's perhaps??
i am now really anxious about my position...any help much appreciated.

eddiewww.........

J. J. Farrell

On Sep 11, 4:23 pm, eddiewww <[email protected]>
wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Just went into the embassy today for what i thought was practically a
> formality of getting my visa "stamp"... i had the I-797 and assumed that
> it was a matter of "process"..
> However, the interviewer had an issue with my education
> qualifications... i was aware that the requirement is to have a BA
> degree, but i have an HNC and considerable work experience... all this
> was passed as equivalent to a degree by an accredited university in
> the US. I had this documentation with me today, but the interviewer said
> that this was not relevant and i had to provide additional information..
> namely college transcripts and a CV detailing work experience etc..
> I do not have the original certificate and tried to get a copy when i
> applied back in april, but because the certification boards have
> changed, getting a copy was impossible... i don't believe i will get any
> further now... but i will get something from the college principle at
> least... the CV is of course easy.
> Was i being naive in thinking it was a "done deal"? or is it just the
> embassy dotting the i's and crossing the t's perhaps??
> i am now really anxious about my position...any help much appreciated.

What evidence did your prospective employer provide to the USCIS about
your degree equivalence when petitioning for the H-1B? It should
normally be enough to show this same evidence at the interview, but
the Consulate's within its rights to question the equivalence if it
has doubts.

H-1B without a degree can certainly be done but is tougher; it's less
clear cut and obvious whether or not you have the appropriate
qualifications. I'd get a detailed CV together, preferably with
confirmation letters from the relevant previous employers that the job
and your work were at the level expected of a degree holder. Perhaps
also another equivalency statement from another recognized USA
academic accreditation company. No certificate for the HNC is tricky
(and makes me wonder how they got past the USCIS in the first place)
but any evidence you can provide to support having an HNC will help.