Extending, Renewing or Changing Employers on Your E3 Visa

Visa Info, , , , , , , ,

The E-3 Visa is interesting in that so much of it is undocumented fully related to change of employers, switch to permanent residency, the renewable indefinitely clause, being and working in the country legally while transfer is occurring with USCIS, etc.

However a common question we get asked is the process of renewal or extension of the E-3 Visa. To be honest, practically it seems like most people whether extended, renewing or changing employers just file a new application and get a new E-3 visa overseas. Many do it in Canada as it is close by.

The main reason being that it is more costly to apply for extension of your E-3 visa and the processing times for extension and change of employer that have to be done with USCIS and can potentially take many months. Generally it seems to take 4-8 weeks but even so that can present problems with your status in the meantime if you are not still employed.

Additionally if you have extended your visa or changed employers within the US and then leave the US to travel, you will have to go through the application for a new visa anyway to re-enter the country and thus pay all the consular costs. So it seems pointless given the short duration of the visa for 2 years to pay costs for extension only to have to pay the new visa application costs again.

There is no limit on the number of years an Australian national may hold E-3 status. Initial admission as an E-3 can be up to two years; extensions of stay are granted in up to two-year periods

E-3 beneficiaries may obtain a new period of E-3 admission at a U.S. consulate overseas, or may extend E-3 status by having their employer file an extension request with USCIS. Extension requests may be filed as early as six months before the current stay expires, and should be filed as far in advance of the E-3 expiration as possible.

As we said it is a grey area as to people E-3 status are permitted to continue working while the E-3 extension or change of employer application is processing if the current visa is expired.

Many at USCIS will tell you it works like H-1B which means you can as that is what visa the E-3 was modelled on and uses many of its terms and conditions except when specified otherwise. However others telly because it is not specifically writen anywhere this is not the case.

So your employer prepares a new Form ETA 9035 Labor Condition Application (LCA) if you are just going to do a new E-3 visa via a renewal or change employers and get a new visa.

If extending the stay through USCIS, your employer has to prepare a new Form ETA 9035 Labor Condition Application (LCA) and Form I-129. There are filing fees for the I-129 form.

USCIS sends Form I-797 Approval Notice to the employer or attorney of record as notification of the decision on the extension request.

I hope this best answers this weird part of the E-3 visa terms of operation and I wish you well in either your;
– renewal of your E-3 Visa
– extension of your E-3 Visa
– change of employer of your E-3 Visa

CJ

SPECIAL EDIT: FIND OUT THE COMPANIES THAT YOU PROBABLY SHOULD NOT APPLY TO THIS YEAR BECAUSE IT WILL BE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR THEM TO HIRE FOREIGNERS ON E-3 VISAS

375 thoughts on “Extending, Renewing or Changing Employers on Your E3 Visa”

  1. CJ, Your site is better every time I look at it, great info on the E3’s. Hope I have the right site to pass this info on.
    thanks for getting back to me, will take your advise & renew my E3 in July while I am back home in Perth (same employer etc)
    CJ re my wife, I guess my question is similar to E3DLA Feb 27.
    she is on a E3D & has a EAD expiry november the same as my current E3, due to work she will not be with me therefore could I on my return with new E3 get a extension for her & she can then obtain her new E3D next year when she vsits the grandkids.
    Thanks, Graeme

  2. Hi there CJ;
    Thanks for the posts and help here.
    I got my extension approved (I-797A) till 2012. I got to travel to Germany in June and was wondering if they could process my visa there (Berlin). I suppose it’d be a simple transaction, as the visa has been already “extended”. I’ve read in other places that I have to pretty much re-apply altogether…thats scary, as my employer already did all that.

    Do you know what really happens then?

    I can’t seem to get this from anywhere….
    Thank you!
    Milton

  3. Hi Bree,
    I don’t think you can officially notify the USCIS as an individual as it is your employer that sponsors your visa. I am sure they will advise them since it is their legal obligation to do so but if they don’t you could always call the USCIS and see what they say.
    Good Luck,
    CJ

  5. Hi Graeme,
    Thanks for the kind words and glad it is helping you in a small way.
    Your wife’s E3D is connected to your E3 visa so she in theory could not file for an extension within the US unless you had an approved new E3 visa. So that is the main issue with the timing of all that. Now whether when you switch to your renewal E3 visa that automatically invalidates your wife’s E3D visa even though it has time left and you are really on the same visa is an interesting question to ask the USCIS. If not, then in theory when you come back to the USCIS with time left, you could then do your wifes E3D extension within the country as long her visa is unexpired.
    Good Luck and look forward to hearing how you go.
    Cj

  6. Hi Milton,
    You do essentially have to re-apply all together as it is the same process despite the fact you have an approved E3 status extension within the US. That is the difference between E3 status and an E3 visa. E3 status just allows you stay in US and operate as before where as the E3 visa is the actual Passport stamp allowing you to both be in the US and come and go in and out of the US.
    As for Berlin processing the E3 visa, they certainly should as it just another Non-Immigrant visa and given you have been previously approved for an E3 visa should be even easier for them. You can always contact them to check.
    Good Luck,
    Cj

  7. Cj, thanks for getting back to me so quick, great work!!!

    I had been thinking & perhaps your response has made me look at plan B ie stay in the US & apply for a extension for both of us, then will get our E3’s when we return to Auss next year.

    To go this path would I
    1 – have me employer obtain a LCA (9035)
    2 – send that (LCA) & 1-129 to USCIS along with required documentation plus 1-539 for both of us.
    3 – can I include wife’s 1-765 for EAD?
    4 – I have noted on the filing instructions for 1-539 that I can file the package together for principals 1- 129 & 1-539 to the California Sevice Centre as state of employment is Colorado, does that sound right?

    CJ sorry to drag out but wanted to make sure I have the process right.

    ps as it’s the same employer etc they are most supportive (of extension) but would like me to do, so as to save Lawyer costs as they have strict budget cuts in place.

    Once again thanks for allowing us Aussies to share information.

  8. Is there any relationship between your E3 visa application outcome and credit score?

  9. No, there is no relationship between E3 visa application outcome based on credit score.

  10. Hello CJ

    I join the chorus of saying that your site is excellent. Great job as always.

    I wanted to ask… I am renewing my E-3 in August, in Canada from NY, as well as my wife’s E-3D. I know I have to file an LCA, but do I still have to prepare a DS-156 and DS-157 like I did the first time I obtained my E-3?

    Thanking you in advance and thanks again for your excellent work.

  11. Hi all,

    I am transferring divisions in my company and a different LLC will be signing my paycheck.

    Currently I am on an E3 visa and I believe I now have to change employers or apply for a new visa given my situation.

    What forms do I need to complete to change employer? I am under the impression I need a new LCA and an I-129. The I-129 does not have an E-3 specific section however.

    Any advice?

    Much appreciated,

    BR

  12. Hi CJ,

    Fantastic work, best of all E3 related websites.. Precise Info..

    I found an employer to sponsor me for work on a E3 visa, my questions are :

    1. What is the best time of the year ( i mean like from which month to month) to enter the US on a E3 visa , if you are working in IT.

    2. Can i have the LCA and get a Visa and the wait a few months and then travel to work in the US on a E3, or would i be better of getting the LCA done when i decide to go?

    3.Can you point me to any good links on current IT Hiring market trends in the US. AS i see that most employers are not willing to sponsor for H1’s.

    Appreciated ..

    DJRT

  14. Hi Graeme,
    No problem and glad could be of help. I am not sure you can include the I-765 EAD with this the extension petition but am not exactly sure. That is question you could ring up the USCIS directly about I think to get the best answer. In terms of the filing locations, I think that is correct as haven’t look at those in a long time but if that is what the USCIS website says then you are fine.
    Good Luck,
    Cj

  15. Hi SPSS,
    As someone else noted there is absolutely NO link between the E3 visa application or any other immigration matter and credit score.
    Cj

  16. Hi BR,
    Yes your new companny LLC will have to file an ETA-9035(e) and you would have to change employers. However this is one where it may be best to ask a lawyer as given it is the same parent company it would be great if you could avoid the hassle. The I-129 form, you can just mark E3 for Australians at the top.
    Good Luck,
    Cj

  17. Hi DJRT,
    Thanks for the kind words.
    1. There is no best time of year but generally avoid US holiday times as people who do hiring may not be in the office.
    2. The LCA notes the period of employment so if you want it to be a future date, it should be noted in the ETA-9035(e) filing.
    3. Even in good times, most employers don’t want to sponsor H1B visas or visas in general. I don’t know if there is a good website other than government ones about hiring trends or just reading here 🙂
    Cj

  18. Thanks CJ… Brilliant info on this page. Your help and advice is greatly appreciated!

  19. CJ, Would love to buy you that beer one day.

    I will file the 765 for EAD later as I have discovered (on there site) you cannot apply before 120 days of expiry (nov 15)

    Thanks, Graeme

  20. Hi CJ,
    Thanks so much for getting back to me, I posted on another blog section on your site, and then I came across this one! Even with all this fantastic information, believe it or not, I still have questions.
    Okay, so the background is, my visa first expired Mar 09, my employer renewed, and I received mine and my husbands new I-94 cards. Of course my visa is coming up for renewal again this coming March, however we have booked flights to return to Australia in late August for two weeks.
    Now our work lawyers are saying that they are going to renew our visa and extend our I-94 cards again before we leave. I don’t understand this and feel like they lawyers are just wanting the money as we’re going to have to apply for the new visa’s when in Australia anyway… I wrote to the consulate in Melbourne and they stated that no extensions will be taken into consideration when applying for a new visa.
    So my questions are:
    1. Is this the case that the lawyers are wasting their time applying to extend now, just two months before we fly?
    2. When we apply again in Australia, will we be issued with the original type of visa as we initially did? (ie. able to come and go from the USA for another two years – or are we stuck here everytime?)
    3. If our company does not extend now, and we applied in Australia, would our visa be issued only until March 2011, just for us to enter the US again? or would it be like a reset button and we’d get two years from Aug/September?

    Thank you in advance,
    Gayle

  21. Cj hi, Thanks for your help, it’s great.
    We have just got my LCA dated Nov 15, 2010 (date my current E3 expires) to Nov 15, 2012.
    Will be in Perth (where my E3 was first issued) in August so thought I would take everyone’s advise & get a new E3.
    However someone mentioned they may not issue me a new one 3 months out & that the LCA has to be dated within 10 days of issue. Have you heard of this?
    Also spoke with USCIS as my wife will be in the states & they said her status will be fine & she can extend if I get the new visa. Does this sound right to you?
    Thanks, Graeme

  22. g’day
    I have E3 visa and my wife’s holding EAD. Is she allow to open up a small business or be self employed?

  23. Hello CJ,

    I have an E-3 Visa that has recently expired (June 5th, 2010). I had fairly recently left the US and then re-entered again on June 1st. Upon re-entry my I-94 form was updated with a new date of April 2012.

    I have subsequently been told by a Lawyer that it i am still eligible to transfer my E-3 Visa to another employer should I find one because my I-94 is still in date (even though the Visa date has expired). I have found a new company wanting to employ me, so, I was wondering if you might be able to answer the following questions?
    1) Is the lawyer right?
    2) If so, would I have to leave the country to transfer the E-3 Visa?
    3) Would I just be better off (would it be quicker) to go to London, Canada, Jamaica etc (for instance) and apply for a new E-3 Visa in the original manner?

    Thank you for any help that you may be able to give, hopefully I can sort this out.

    R.

  24. Hi CJ and Radar,

    I have a similar situation to radar as I changed company last august and got the approval notice (I-797A) which extends the validity til Aug 2011. My E3 visa on my passport just recently expired (as it was still with the previous company). If I were to leave US and re-enter, I presumed I will need a new visa, is that correct? My i-94 is also valid til 2011 so I don’t have a problem there.

    My question is that my wife is in Oz and her E3D visa has expired, is she able to reapply based on my I-797A approval letter? Or I would need to re-apply for a new visa first then she could apply for hers?

    Anyone in the forum who can answer my question would be very much appreciated.

    Rodge

  25. Hello again CJ

    I commented here earlier about renewing my E-3 and wife’s E-3D in Toronto from New York (Jun 9, 2010 @3:39 pm). I wanted to first thank you so much for your excellent website again, and tell you that your efforts and information were invaluable to me. Excellent work.

    I applied for an LCA on behalf of my employer and got it approved a few days later, although I had to make a few attempts online. This was only because I had filled it in incorrectly. I advise anyone filling out the LCA online to follow the instructions carefully, even a ticked box out of place will cause the LCA submission to be denied. After two attempts they certified it OK. That took a little over a week all up.

    I then made an appointment (for my wife and I) via the NVARS website to the Toronto US Consulate. That took a few days of constant trying daily but I got thru finally for an appointment about 30 days in advance. I then proceeded to gather together the documents I needed for the interview. I booked a very nice hotel near the Consulate and flights for both of us. I booked for 5 days total knowing that it could take less to process and deliver the passports but I gave it a full 5 days just in case. I then arranged for the $390US fee (each… $780US total!!!) in cash, since the E-3 and E-3D fee must be paid direct to the Consular Officer. I did that before we left for the airport.

    The interview process went smoothly and efficiently. We were in there a total of about 90 mins, all up. I got to the first desk and submitted the forms, went upstairs to pay the fees, then back down to wait for the second part of the process. In the second part I got a few questions about my employer, actual position and duties performed, employment history etc, but all very harmless stuff and very easy. The Officer was very helpful and courteous. He then proceeded to tell us that we were approved and asked us to return in 2 days to pick up our passports at the front office. The website says to arrange a self-addressed envelope, which I had ready just in case, but I didn’t need it. After a few days we picked up the passports and we were valid for two more years.

    It all went so smooth and hassle free. I did it all myself and saved around $3000US by not using a lawyer. Just follow what this great website says, prepare all your documents and have them with you JUST IN CASE they want them. All they wanted from me was the LCA, passports and appointment forms you print out when you make the appointment online. I had degrees, bank accounts from Aust, original letter of offer, salary slips, marriage licence etc. but all they needed was the LCA. Just be prepared and bring everything.

    So it can be done. There are cheap hotel/flight combos form NY to Toronto all the time. Our hotel was fantastic and real cheap. We had a great time. We originally wanted to go to Australia and do it, but that was cost prohibitive and it was 24 hrs away compared to one hour.

    So once again, thanks CJ for all your efforts on this site. You saved us a lot of hassle and money…

    Chris

  26. Hi CJ,

    I was wondering if you could help me:

    I have begun working on an E3 visa, but my employer has changed address and I am not sure of what form to fill in or who to call.

    I have tried calling the DOL, but they didn’t have any information, but directed me to the Foreign Labor Certification who doesn’t seem to answer their phone!

    Please help! Thanks!

  27. Hello, this site is awesome and I wish I had found it sooner.

    I am in the US on a E3 visa and want to change employer in a hurry and don’t have time to leave the country and so want to transfer my visa.

    The question is how much does it cost? is it just the base $320 or do I have to pay the $1500 as well? I don’t want to have it held up due to not enough $$ but on the other hand don’t want to pay too much and then have to try to get the money back.

    Cheers and thanks

  28. Hello,

    Does anyone have experience in applying for new E3 visa in Barbados (Bridgetown)?

    Any insights will be appreciated.

    Cheers !

  29. Hi CJ,

    This is a great body of knowledge!

    Quick one for you:

    My E3 expires in March 2011. Im going back to Australia for Christmas for about 3 weeks.

    Can I set up an interview and renew when back in Sydney? Id much prefer to do this than have to head up to Canada or elsewhere later.

    Thanks very much.
    Michael

    Am I best off renewing my Visa at home during this time, or is it too far out from my current Visa’s expiry?

  30. Hi CJ,
    I have been reading your forum for most of the afternoon and it has been a great reassurance that there is so much advice from other E3 visa holders and you. So BIG thanks to y’all!

    I am considering looking for a new job here in NYC. I have been here since June last year (my E3 will expire in June 2011). Before I start the whole interview process, I would like to have my story straight, as from past experience, not many potential employers know about the E3.

    Is the following correct?

    1. My new employer must file a LCA9035 which can be done online.

    2. I can go to a U.S consulate in Canada and apply there with the approved LCA9035 and Letter of Offer only.

    3. If I go to Canada, I don’t need to complete a I-129 that I have seen mentioned above?

    4. If I am simply requesting a transfer of employers, is my visa extended for a further 2 years? If not, can I apply for a NEW E3 visa with 2 years starting from the NEW visa application date?

    5. If I apply for a NEW E3 visa, will I need any additional documentation other than the LCA9035 and Letter of Offer? I still have all my original documents (college degree, bank account info etc) from last year’s process, do I need anything new or updated records (i.e. recent dates of my bank statement)?

    Finally, what is the expected wait in Canada at the moment – does anyone know or does anyone recommend any other neighbouring countries. I don’t fancy flying back to Australia again.

    Thank you in advance!!

    Rich.

  31. Hello,

    Firstly, I’d like to echo all other thanks and compliments about this site – it’s great, very helpful!!

    I’m now living in Australia after resigning from a role in NYC 2 months ago and I still have an E3 visa from my former employer valid for another 8 months. I’m now interested in returning to NYC and commencing a role with another organisation. My questions are:

    1. Can I enter the US again on my current visa which is still valid even though i don’t work for the original employer anymore?

    2. Is your advice please that assuming I get a letter of offer from new prospective employer, I then work with them to apply for a new E3 visa, or try to just renew my existing visa, even though it originated from a different employer?

    3. In trying to ‘make this sound easy’ for the new prospective employer, would a new E3 visa be a difficult/expensive process for them to secure for me?

    THANK YOU SO MUCH, much appreciated – cheers!!

  32. Hi Rich,

    Waiting time in Canada specially Vancouver is 1 month……earliest date u can get is 30th Nov 9:30am and 10am.

    let me introduce myself……I am in OR on VWP and found employer who is willing to sponsor me…..I have all the documents ready…….but the problem is my visa is gona expire on 27th Nov and I getting the date is 29th nov in Vancouver. So is their any possibility to get earliest……thanks for any advise

  33. Hi Gayle,
    To remain living and working in the US, your status must be valid. So your I-94 date must not be expired. So while yes you will need to get a new visa when you return home in August, you also need to keep your status current here in the meantime. So filing the extension with the uSCIS is indeed necessary. The should issue the visa for as long as your LCA document says your period of employment is which is hopefully the full 2 years following the visa issue date.
    Cj

  34. Hi Graeme,
    Well hopefully you be fine with both of these things. If the USCIS says it is fine, I would try and get them to point you to a document statute covering that as far as your wife is concerned. I would also check with the USCIS or a legal expert on the issuance date so far out. In any case you can only enter the US 10 days prior to the issue date on your visa anyway so bear that in mind in terms of your plans.
    Cj

  35. Hi Dutch,
    That is a real grey area. The general consensus is no as the EAD is a right to work not a green card but there are no clear cut guidelines.
    Cj

  36. Hi Radar,
    Different people will give you different opinions on this. Once your visa is expired you cannot reenter the US once you leave unless you get a new visa first. Whether you are able to work in the US beyond the expiry of a current visa depends on extension of your status. In theory your I-94 gives you more time but you should really go through a formal extension process with the USCIS. Changing employers in any situation on the E3 visa is a grey area and as you can read here different people have had different experiences so all I can say is that if you are able to and it works then go for it as it has worked for others.
    Good luck,
    Cj

  37. Hi Rodge,
    Given the dual considerations with you and your wife, the best thing to do is to get a new E3 visa and E3D visa for you both outside the US I think as that will probably present the least short term and long term hassles and be the closest method to getting things as less risky as possible for you.
    Cj

  38. Hi CJ,

    Thank you so much for the info and resources! I’ve got some stressful news… I am working under the e3 visa, and it looks like I might be losing my job soon. My question is. I’m preparing for the inevitable.

    My questions are…

    1) If I get fired, I’ll have to leave the country within 10 days. Will I have any trouble coming back on the VWP to commence my job search?

    2) If I find a new job, how long does it usually take based on peoples’ experience that the e3 visa gets processed and transferred to reflect my change in jobs.

    Thanks in advance.

  39. Hi

    Your website is absolutely wonderful and is a source of great information. Well done and thanks.

    I have been working in US since August 2011 under E3 program. This expires in August 2011 however my employer is keen to keep me.

    When is the earliest I can apply for new E3?
    Will a newly issued E3 supersede a previously existing E3?
    Apart from Canada, which other countries can issue a new E3 in a relatively short time period?

    Many thanks

  41. Hi,
    Just want to say that the information on this website has helped me understand the whole E3 process a little bit more clearly. I’m just hoping to clarify a few things.

    My visa will run out on June 2011 and my employer wishes to extend my work contract. I know i have to file a I-129 form for extending my E-3 status. My question is if it is is approved do i have to leave the country to get the visa printed in my Passport or is this only necessary if i Leave US Soil. My only concern is that i travel alot and I don’t want to arrive at the boarder to find i’ve been denied entry becuase i only have the Approved I-129

    Thanks,

  42. Hi CJ,

    I’m not sure if i’m posting this question in the correct location but I’m wondering if you can help me understand the best way to address my current situation. I am an Australian citizen and have been living and working in the US for over 5 years (started on a J1 Visa and am now on my third E3 visa). I recently got engaged to an American citizen and we are planning on getting married in the Summer of 2012 and then moving to Australia shortly afterwards.

    My question is – should I apply for a Green Card prior to us leaving the US or will it be just as eay to do it if/when we decide to move back to the US in the future? Basically is it of any value that I will have been living here for over 6 years by the time we look to leave?

    Many thanks for your help.

    Davyn

  43. Good evening.
    As almost every visitor to this website has said before.
    Thank you for your tireless efforts in explaining the highly confusing E-3 Visa.

    I am currently on an e-3 visa, I have just started my second year with my company, and I think I want to continue working for them.

    Because I was on such a time crunch when I applied for the E-3 originally, I wanted to make sure I gave myself enough time for all my applications to go through with time to spare.

    I have gone through all these comments and just want to verify a few things.

    1) you can extend your visa without leaving the states however this merely allows you to keep working legally and does not allow you to leave the country and return because your “passport visa” will be expired.

    2) If you decide to renew your visa, you must leave the country and go through all the same hoops as the primary application. Do you need to have a new job offer letter, LCA form and all those other forms I have burned from my memory? From those who have done it, is the process less, more or the same level of difficulty as the first application?

    I guess the question I am getting to, is that if I am satisfied with the prospect of not leaving the states for 2012 and 2013, is it overall easier to just extend the visa without leaving the country?

    Thanks in advance,

    Bill

  44. CJ,

    As the others have stated, your website is great, covering alot of issues that aren’t addressed elsewhere. Although i’m sure the following question has somehow been answered in the above thread or in the website, I’d like to submit it anyhow for clarification.
    I’m currently on the first leg of my E-3 Visa, which expires in May 2011. I have changed employers (twice) since being in the United States, and will be traveling to Australia next month for a visit. My question is as follows;
    When I transferred to my current employer back in August 2010, they filed the I-129 on my behalf and received the I-797A as a result, which provides for an ‘extension of stay’ through to 7/14/12. I’m aware that this doesn’t constitute a new Visa, and plan to obtain a new Visa during my upcoming trip to Australia, even though it doesn’t expire until May (my rationale for that is I don’t want to make a trip outside the U.S again in May simply to apply for a new visa, and I’d like to have my second interview at the same consular office that I had my first one, for familiarity..) For the purpose of this interview, does my current employer AGAIN have to file a new LCA, even though they just did so back in August of 2010? Or can I simply take along my I-797A & new I-94 receipt that I received last time I changed employers?
    Thanks for any insight..
    CS

  45. Hi Craig,
    Firstly if you stayed in the US beyond May with your approved extension of stay and you re-entered the US prior to your May E3 visa expiry, you would be fine. You would only need a new E3 visa stamp if you then subsequently left the country and then needed to reenter. However getting a full new E3 visa while you are traveling anyway is prudent b/c it means you are covered for multiple entries for another 2 year period. The process your employer has to go through exactly the same steps as with your initial E3 visa application (so yes filing ETA-9035 and getting an approved LCA).
    Cj

  46. Hi Bill,
    1. Yes that is correct
    2. Yes the process is exactly the same for both your employer and yourself. (your visa will say E3R instead of E3)
    It really depends whether you plan to travel outside the US for work or pleasure after your E3 visa stamp expiry date. If this is the case, then a new visa stamp is mandatory to receive outside the US. If this is not the case, then doing an extension of status within the US is fine.
    Cj

  47. Hi Davyn,
    I would probably suggest doing your Green Card process via your spouse if you have time after your marriage. You could always do it later if you return to the US to live but the way rules and the process works could obviously change in time.
    Cj

  48. Hi Scott,
    To reenter the US you need an unexpired visa. If you continue to stay in the US, then you can continue to legally work in the US past your E3 visa expiry date with I-129 filing being approved with the USCIS. So if you then subsequently leave the US you will need a new E3 visa stamp.
    Cj

  49. Thank you for your blog. I have a question. I am in the process of hiring an employee who recently received E3 visa. Before we hire her, I am trying to udnerstand what exactly do we need to do from the immigration stand point of view to bring her on board. ie do we just need to file for LCA or do we also need to file for an application to transfer her E3 visa?

    Thank you very much for your help.

  50. Just wanted to convey my recent experience renewing my E3(d) visa at the Toronto US Consulate. Many people I spoke with told tales of doom and gloom about the process, yet had not gone through it themselves…nothing like fear-mongering…anyway, my wife (the E3 holder) and myself (E3d) arranged everything ourselves and last week drove from Buffalo to Toronto and had our interview on the Monday. My wife had misplaced her actual confirmation page however the staff were able to access her file, as we had a copy of the confirmation number (Phew!!) also, even though our digital pics had been accepted on the website, once in the consulate we were told we needed better quality ones. Don’t panic! – there is a photo booth in the consulate (Make sure you bring a Canadian Five Dollar note), and we were again able to proceed. The staff were really nice – interview took five minutes, if that…and we had our visas withing two days. We then drove back to Buffalo to get a flight back to NYC. Side note – if you are the E3(d) holder and are working in the US, bring your EAC (Employment Authorization Card) to show to the customs officer. Lucky I had mine on me when I was asked. Anyway, we saved a lot of money by not flying back to Oz or Europe…and though I wasn’t a big fan of Toronto it’s still a decent town for a few days, and I would definitely recommend renewing E3 there. Good luck! AGG

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.