From: svenkata@nyx.cs.du.edu (Sridhar Venkataraman)
Subject: H-1 help file.
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Reply-To: sridhar@enuxhb.eas.asu.edu
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Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 92 19:06:01 GMT


[Thanks to  Vijay Rangarajan <vijay@ncsa.uiuc.edu> for this help file which 
is an FAQ atleast on s.c.indian. I am posting it since I had a request for the 
info. Someone else had a request for requirements for a K visa. I would
appreciate any such info mailed to me or posted here. Thanks. ]


H-1 visa at Quebec.
-------------------

Quebec seemed to be the best bet in Canada since Montreal required
appointments and the process was too long. 
(My experience was in 1991 but the latest I've heard from Quebec is
 that even as recent as March 1992, things haven't changed).

(Directions in French are Nord, Sud, Est and Ouest).

- I-87 North to Canadian border.            
- 87 N is 15 Nord across the border.
- 15 N to 20 Est at Montreal (follow the signs to Quebec, can't miss it).
- 20 Est to Quebec (230 Km).

- 20 Est will take you across Fleuve Saint-Leurent. *get onto the right lane*
  as you cross the bridge and get onto 175 Nord. 175 Nord exit will be soon
  after you cross the bridge (which is a beige miniature of the Golden Gate).

- Drive on 175 for 20 minutes or so there will be a lot of hotels on both
  sides along the way and a lot of traffic lights. Keep going on 175 till
  you notice a wall leading to the Old City of Quebec. At this point 175 will
  curve to the left, you should keep going straight and enter Old Quebec.

- You will be on Rue Saint Louis. Keep going straight, look for Rue Laporte.
  The easiest way to get to Rue Laporte is to go through one of the small 
  tunnels on Chateau Frontenac, which is a huge castle towards the end of 
  Rue Saint Louis and on your right. It's right after Du Parloir.
  Chateau Bellevue will be on your right and a few blocks away.

* Old Quebec streets are extremely narrow and buildings are very closely
* strung and signs are not very clear/visible. The whole city is so small
* you can be lost and yet not be too far from the place you're looking for.
* Ask around, it's small and cluttered and is easy to be "lost".

- Chateau Bellevue has off-season rates starting November through Winter.
- The US Consulate is very close to Chatteau Bellevue.

** To make reservations at Chateau Bellevue call 1-(800) 463-2617.

Documents:
----------
1) Passport and I-94.
2) H-1 forms (approval and change of status).
3) Proof of Employment (your Job offer is the best bet, pay stubs might
   compliment it if necessary).
4) Letter from Employer explaining the need for an H-1 visa.
   (wasn't asked for it but it can't hurt to have one handy).
5) One Photo.
6) $100. (US)

Note: There is some confusion on what 'H-1 forms' mean. When your H-1
petition is approved, INS will send two forms, one is the change of status
and the other is H-1 approval. Take these forms (originals) with you. The
header at the top of the form spells out exactly what it is.

The consulate opens at 9.00 am, visa applications are invited only on
mon, wed and fridays. I'm not sure if there is a numeric limit on the
number of visa applications processed per day, but somedays are really
crowded and going early (around 8.00 am) helps (psychologically perhaps).

You will be given a visa application form at the consulate as you sign in.
Fill it up and hand it in with you passport. You will be called (around 30
minutes later) and asked for your documents. A little later (30 - 45 minutes)
you will be called to pay $100 (everybody gets approved). A few minutes from
then your passport will have an additional stamp on it.

If you have time, visiting Montreal would be a good idea. If you want an
adventurous route back, go to Toronto (5 1/2 hours from Montreal), then onto
Niagara (an hour from Toronto) and across to Buffalo.

I can add one piece of information here which might be useful to a few people:

[Madras is in India]

If anybody on an H-1 wants to apply for an H-4 for their spouse, the procedure
is extremely straight forward, all they need are the H-1 forms and the marriage
certificate. The process is simple and experience at Madras have the same
effect as Quebec, which could make obtaining H-1's at Madras just as easy, one
would have to take into account the early and long wait outside USIS in Madras
before weighing it over Quebec.

Vijay.