From: sas@pandora.cs.wayne.edu (Satyajit Singh)
Subject: H1B multiple entry visa from Ottawa - Details
Organization: Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 8 Dec 1992 19:21:00 GMT


Folks:

I got my H1B multiple entry from Ottawa on monday Dec 7, 1992. Here are
the details:

- The consulate (Visa section ) is located on 85 Albert street, downtown
Ottawa. The U.S Embassy is located at Wellington street which is also
quite close by. Many people tend to get confused and go to the U.S
embassy instead of the visa section. So make sure that you go to the
right place. The building is on Albert street between elgin street and
metclafe street.
            _______________________________________|  |_____________|
            Wellington Street               @@     |  |             |
            ---------------------------------------|  |-------------|
            _______________________________________|  |_____________|
            Queen street  --> one way              |M |             | E
            ---------------------------------------|E |-------------| L
                                                   |T |             | G
            _______________________________________|C |_____________| I
            Albert street <-- one way              |L |   ##        | N
            ---------------------------------------|A |-------------|
                                                   |F |             | S
            _______________________________________|E |_____________| T.
            Slater street --> one way    $$        |  |             |
            ---------------------------------------|St|-------------|

NOTE: ## is the US consulate on the 8th floor at 85 Albert st.
      $$ is the Howard Johnson hotel at 140 Slater st.
      @@ is the U.S Embassy.

The consulate is open for visa's on all week days (mon-fri) except
wednesday. The hours are from 08:30am to 12:00 noon. There is no need
to go there very early in the morning. I reached there at 7:45 am and
found that there was no one and the doors were also locked. So I went
back to the hotel and came back to the consulate again at 08:35 am.
There were about 7 to 8 people who had come there by then. The security guy
there gave me the application form which I filled in and submitted
at the applications counter.

- The documents I was asked for were:
        - Passport with I-94
        - Blue H1 form (I-129, I just gave my copy)
        - One passport sized photograph
        - Employment contract.

  I did not have an employment contract ( I don't know what it means.
  I presume it must be the original Job offer letter ) but I had the
  following documents which I gave her.

        - A letter from my company requesting the consulate to issue
          a multiple entry visa as I may be required to travel
          overseas on business.
        - A letter from my company (primarily to state full time employee
          status and also mentioning my salary.)


  After about an hour of waiting I was called for the interview. I was
  asked the following questions.

  - How long have you been working for this company?
       --> I gave the date since I have been working for my company.
  - Do you have a degree from this country?
       --> I said no, but I have a degree in electronics engineering
           from India.
  - Did you come to the U.S on a B1 visa?
       --> I said yes.
  - Where do you work now?
       --> I replied that I now work as a contractor for IBM in Michigan.
  - Have you been in Michigan all along?
       --> I said no as I was working at IBM Charlotte, NC earlier.
  - Where is your company based?
       --> I said my company is headquartered in NJ but has an office in
           CA also.

  - The officer asked me to pay the visa fees of $100 and asked me to
    collect my passport in the afternoon between 03:00 and 03:30pm. The
    entire interview took less than a minute and it was very cool. some
    of the questions might look intimidating but the tone of the officer's
    voice does not make it so.

    Make SURE you get back your H1 form along with the passport. They would
    not return your old I-94. You will have to get a new one when you
    re-enter the U.S.

- For information call:
        613-248-4470 for a brief recorded message.


- I stayed at the Howard Johnson hotel at 140 Slater street. This is very
  close to the consulate and is in walking distance ( about 3 minutes ).
  It costed me $62 Canadian for one night with discount for being a member
  of AAA. A room with 2 bed comes for about $70 Canadian which is good if
  you have someone to share it with. They also charge $8 for parking for
  a day as it is in the downtown area.

- Standard disclaimers apply and don't blame me if I have missed any
  points. If you have any questions feel free to send me e-mail.

  Good luck.

  Bala.


-- 
*******************************************************************************
|  B. Balakrishnan.                            Tel no : (313) 643-9959. (Home)|
|  2354, Golfview Dr, #206,                             (313) 436-9516. (Work)|
|  Troy, MI 48084.                             email  : bala@emunix.emich.edu |
-- 
Vatsal P. Sonecha                  |  
27000 Franklin Road, Ste. 704      |            God created integers,
Southfield, MI 48034-2351          |           rest is the work of man.
Ph: 313.356.0347                   |
Newsgroups: alt.visa.us