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
Hi,
Thank you so much for maintaining this site.. very informative and helpful on E3!
I am currently on a H1B and working for an employer in US. I got a good offer from another company and they are willing to sponsor an E3 (Change of Status). The attorney from the new company told me that the whole process may take anytime between 2 to 6 weeks. I got my LCA approved and the attorney filed for a Change of Status just last week.
I gave a notice period with my current employer (for whatever silly reason). I told my current employer that I am still waiting for a VISA approval and it may take 2 to 6 weeks. So my current employer is O.K to have me for a MAX 6 weeks from now.
Question:
Can you please help me understand the current approval (Change of Status) time in U.S? I dont have an intention to visit a U.S Consulate and get my E3 stamp. May be I will do it later this year once I start working for my new employer.
Please help!
Hi CJ.
Great to see you are still maintaining the site. It’s an awesome resource.
Have you heard lately how long it’s taking the Service Center to process E3 visas? My last one took 7-8 weeks. Came very close to my visa expiration date.
This time round my company started the process earlier, yet I’m still in the same situation. They are ready to submit, (mistakes were made on my LCA) and my visa expires June 4th. So I’ll need to be lucky to get it back in time.
Someone above posted this link. and the article here makes it sound like the 240 day rule applies to us:
http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Resources/E1en.pdf
But then I found documents online from the AILA which stipulates they’ve been petitioning for years to have E3s affored the benefits of the 240 day rule. Since 2007 they first brought it up. This document is one of the latest though:
http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/Outreach/Public%20Engagement/National%20Engagement%20Pages/2010%20Events/October%202010/AILA_QandA_Summary.pdf
Can’t believe it’s taking this long to have us included. Currently it sounds like Rule §274a.12(b)(20) only applies to E1 & E2 (and a whole bunch of others).
Hope you are doign well.
Renee
Hi there,
I’m currently on the E3 visa and want to change employers. Based on everyone’s experience, is it an easy process to get a new E3 visa with the new employer? I’ve heard it’s better to apply for a new visa rather than applying for a transfer to the new employer.
Any help would be great – thanks in advance!
PS – great resource CJ, thanks so much for all your great information.
Hello,
This is a follow-up from my previous post on March 1. Just to keep you all informed my E3 Visa was approved (Change of employer and Visa Category from H1B to E3) in 2 weeks time.
I think the processing time is dependent on case by case basis and also the processing center. Good luck to everyone there!
Thanks
Hi there,
I am an Australian Citizen. I have a master’s Degree – MBA in Australia. Have been working in Australia for 6 years. I have a Bachelor’s Degree from INdia (Engineering in Computer Science).
Have total of 9 years Experience in IT. Work in the area of Microsoft products and applications C#, ASP.net and SQL Server.
I was wondering how to go about looking for jobs in US. I want to be able to work in US on E3 visa.
I had the following questions:
1. Is there a website that I can look for US jobs that the employer would be able to sponsor my E3 Visa?
2. How long it takes to process E3 Visa?
3. What documents (degree certificates, previous employment experience letters?, etc) do I require to apply for this visa.
4. Is it better for me to be visiting US and then looking for a job there?
5. Is there a job agency that I can help me to look for a job in US?
Please let me know.
Thanks.
Cheers,
Ravi
Hi Guys,
So a quick question…the E-3 paperwork I have submitted for renewal included a new LCA (9035) and a I-129. I am currently in the USA working, and my visa expires at the end of June. Now, my dilemma is, now that I have submitted these forms, can I still go to Canada with these (and all other appropriate documents) in hand to get a new visa stamp?
Any tips? Thanks, Tim
Hey All,
Thought I’d share my recent E-3 experience at the Ottawa Consulate…
I’ve been living in LA for 5 years – first visa was a B1/B2, 2nd and O1 and the 3rd an E-3. My time was up on my E-3 so I found a new employer and submitted the LCA on their behalf to get another E-3. I was under the pump for time and the first LCA submitted was denied because the business EIN needed to be confirmed. So I sent through the original document from when the FEIN was created as well as company articles. A few days later the LCA was certified. This took a total of about 7-9 days all up!
Once I had this I completed the DS-160 online and paid the $390 visa fee online at the CSC US Visa website. I tried to get an appointment at Vancouver but the first one I could get was 42 days, Calgary was 19 days, Montreal and Toronto had no available slots so my last Canadian option was Ottawa. Halifax was just too far!
I looked up Mexico City also but the wait was 12 days and I had already started my new job so this was not an option. Ottawa’s wait time was 5 days so reluctantly I booked a trip to Ottawa.
I arrived the evening before my interview with all my paperwork ready to go. At around 8.45am the next day I went to the consulate which was a short walk from the cheap hotel I was staying in. My appointment was at 9.30am but I was there at 9…after walking through security and showing my DS-160, passport and job offer letter to the guy who greeted me I was told to go to the first window and hand them over. I was given a number and told to take a seat About 15 minutes later I was called up to a different window and the lady told me she just wanted my finger prints and then to sit back down. I waited another 5 minutes before being called up to another window for my interview. The guy asked about what my job title actually involved. I explained it and we briefly conversed for 5 mins before he told me my visa had been approved. He gave me a DHL follow up sheet for my passport and that was that. He did not ask for any paperwork – NONE – not even the LCA!
So my meeting was yesterday morning and at 6.29pm today I received this message:
Your passport has been picked up from the Consular Section and within the next few days you will be able to pick it up at:
DHL Ottawa HOLD FOR PICKUP
46 AURIGA DRIVE
NEPEAN, ON, K2E7Y3
Please click the link below to track your passport until it is ready for pickup.
So apart from wanting to leave here asap to get back to work this was a good experience. I’m hoping my visa will get the green light tomorrow! But all in all the process really is a week long event. Ottawa is a very easy city and the cheap hotels nearby make it easy to get to the US Consulate. I stayed at the Days Inn as there were no rooms available at a hotel within my budget nearby. I do recommend Days Inn or the Quality Hotel on Rideau St. Also, a really great option nearby is the Barefoot Hostel on Cumberland St. It’s gorgeous, homey, new and spotless and only $40 a night. They are adjoined to the Swiss Inn next door which is also a great little find at around $120 pn.
Would recommend this as an alternative option to the busier Canadian cities or Mexico if you’re worried about being stuck in a strange place.
Cheers,
Chappo
Hi
Thanls for maintaing this site. It is very infoative.
I am currently on a h1b visa which expires next year 2012. Prior to this I had an e3 visa. I am changing employers and want to transfer back to e3 visa. I have the following questions:
do I need to leave the USA to apply for a new e3 / transfer to e3?
What documents do I need to apply for the e3 visa?
What is the processing period period to transfer to e3?
Thanks a lot for your help.
Hi CJ,
My E3 visa currently expires on July 12. The earliest appointment available in Vancouver is July 28.
Questions
1. Am I allowed to continue working on my existing E3 between July 12 and July 28?
2. Am I allowed to continue working on my existing E3 between July 12 and July 28 if I relocate to Vancouver for the 2.5 weeks?
Thanks in advance.
Nick
I don’t think it’s a matter of getting a whole new visa, just your new employer filing a new LCA:
http://canberra.usembassy.gov/e3visa/change_renew.html
Hey CJ,
Great site! was my bible when I initially applied for the E3.
My current situation is that I am looking for a different employer. Can you please clarify a few points?
1) I can apply for transfer of employment WHILST IM IN the US.
2) I need to go back home in April 2012 for 2 weeks, so until then would I be able to just stay on this current E3, and organize the NEW E3 when I am back in Australia?
3) Would I be able to work for the new employer DURING the process, or must the transfer be approved first?
Thanks, CJ
so just an update on my experience in vancouver – i had an internal USCIS transfer of employers pending (I-129/797) for my original E3 for extending my visa, but decided that I wanted the ability to leave to country if needed, so I applied on Friday the 24th June for a new E3 in vancouver. my dilemma was that no where did it mention what would happen if you applied for a new E3 whilst you had a I-129 pending, but thankfully I emailed the consulate a few times for clarity, and applied for a new E3. took 5 minutes of chit chat, no documentation required other than my ds-160 and LCA (although i had all other tertiary ed, employment paperwork handy just in case). now just waiting for the visa to be returned for pick up….apparently it is taking vancouver and dhl about 4-6 days for turnaround, so be prepared to wait! best of luck to all.
Hi, My current E3 Visa is expiring on 02nd August and my company has filed for an extension. I have not yet received the Confirmation from USCIS.
I am really confused at the point regarding getting a new visa once we travel overseas after we hold an approved extension. Does the New Visa means that “we need to fill in the DS160 form and take the approved extension copy to the US Consulate overseas and get the VISA Label on our passport” or “Do we need to do the entire processing of the E3 Visa again like the LCA and other documentation”.
Can some one help me regarding this as I have plans to go overseas in October.
Please help me with this query.
Hi- Great info so far, any help regarding our current situation below will be much appreciated! We have an employee on an E-3, expiring November 2011. He wants to go home to AUS in October and then come back to work in November which is good for us. From my research it’ll be better to apply for a new E-3 (not an extension) before he leaves (not sure how long before he leaves?). Then assuming we have the LCA and I-797 approved, he’ll be able to apply for a new E-3 at his home consulate in AUS. If anybody knows about recommended timing or if it would be better to apply for an extension now- that would be great. Thanks!
Good info on this site, thanks. Does anyone know how long USCIS is taking to renew E3 visas in 2011. I filed for renewal in July 2011 and waiting for response. And how long is it taking USCIS (Vermont Service Center/VSC) to approve E3 dependent EAD renewals?
I read on other sites that EAD for J visa, etc are taking 90-120 days now. Is this also true for E3 EAD’s? If anyone has experience, please post your processing time for E3 extension of stay and E3 EAD renewals with USCIS. All E3 renewals are filed with VSC regardless of which state you work and reside in.
ReneeNYC, good to see you here. Did you get your E3 extension? How long did USCIS take this time, can you please share your experience? Thanks.
I filed I-129 to USCIS (Vermont Service Center) for renewal of my E-3 and my wife’s E-3D. They sent me a notice in July that they received my application on Jul/18/2011. My case is still pending after 8 weeks. Is there any way to speed it up?
Nick, my wife has renewed her EAD of E-3D a few times and it took 2-3 weeks each time.
@LH_Boston : hey I am in the same situation as you are I did the application I129 with vermont service center for change of employer. I am going to a very nice big company this time and I was hoping to just travel to canada and get the visa done..my company’s immigration lawyers warned them of it being rejected if I go out of country so they just did in country application to USCIS..god know when it will be approved..I have done this twice before and once it came within a week and once within 2 weeks..I think this time it’s due to H1 processing they are taking this long for this process..Please let me know once you get it..One question I have is..if any one knows anybody who’s E3 got rejected for any reason in canada?
LH_Boston and D_Shah, wow you guys have been waiting longer than me. VSC has become extremely extremely slow all of a sudden for some reason. They transferred spouse EAD application internally to TSC for some reason. TSC will not process until they get approval of 129 and 539. I am running out of time now. There is nothing we can do but to wait since E3 is not eligible for premium processing.
If they publish E3 in federal register as eligible for premium processing then we can apply but I have no idea how it can be published and who can make that happen? I also got my extensions faster, sometimes within 2 weeks previously. This time it is taking painfully long and am running out of time fast.
According to other forums H1 is taking upto to 3 and half months at VSC and I think we are stuck in that queue also despite being E3. If you guys get any updates please post here or in the british expats E3 visa forum where all E3 people have lot of information, just google it and you will find ‘E3 visa its all in here’.
Please post guys if you get any updates as it will help others also. I will post back if I get any updates but it seems like I will have to wait longer than you guys since you have been waiting for almost 3 months!!
D_Shah, what is your receipt notice date? Mine is July 29th.
Nick, Mine is also 29th July so same boat..Is there any reason why you didn’t go to canada for a brand new stamping instead? I booked an appointment for end of August date, since I am changing the employer too. The immigration department advised my hiring manager that it’s very risky to go out to canada for stamping and they strongly advised against it and asked me to wait. But I can see in this forum, many people went during may/june and did the stamping without any problems..I think it’s the fastest and best way..Do you know of any people from any other forums whose E3 got rejected or went into 221g Admin processing when they went for stamping? If it doesn’t come for one more month I really want to go to canada and do it..i really feel uncomfortable keeping the new company waiting for me to join for this long.
By immigration department, I meant my company’s immigration department here(immigration lawyer)
D_Shah, it really depends on each case and your own immigration history too. My company did not want me to do it in Canada since they do not have an attorney themselves as they are small company and outside attorney told them there is no need for it. So am stuck with uscis. There have been people on other forums that did it in Canada easily but some also had problems. It all depends on your case. Do you have spouse visa to be approved also?
Keep us updated on your status and I will do the same if I get anything but looks like DH_Boston is slightly ahead of us so maybe he can update before us. Vermont center website says 2 months for E visas but it does not look like they are processing E3 cases in the E category anymore.
Is your attorney going to contact USCIS after your 2 month wait is over to see what is going on with your case? I read in other forums that this worked for some who waited outside of published processing times but there is no telling because uscis customer service is unreliable. It did not work for many others but might be worth trying through your company attorney. You may get lucky! By the way, the british expat e3 forum thread for 2011 (its all in here) is also very good source of info and there you can send messages to other privately also.
D_Shah, my company is small and does not have their own attorney. Outside attorney suggested to them that no need for Canada so am stuck with Vermont center processing.
People have got easily in Canada before and it all depends on your own case and immigration history. Others have also had trouble so it is up to you to decide on going or not.
On some other forums people posted that when their attorney called after their published processing time wait was over that they got approval but many others say calling did not work.
E visa processing takes 2 months as per the VSC website. So if your attorney can call after your 2 month wait then maybe you can get lucky. My attorney said no need it will come whenever but for us to wait is hard. If your attorney is willing to make the call you can try. Unfortunately it seems that we are being forced into the H1B extension pile at VSC which are taking very long time. We should be in the E visa category.
Post back with any updates and I will do the same if I get but looks like DH_Boston is ahead of us so may get update sooner than us.
By the way there is a lot of E3 info on the british expat forum where you can also message people privately. Search for the 2011 its all in here e3 visa british expats in google and you will find it.
@LH_Boston, Did you get any update on your case?
LH_Boston please post back if you get any update on your case. Did you also apply for E3D and EAD extension? Please post if you have any update on your extensions.
@Nick, Boston, and Shah I’m in the same boat. Did any of you get approval from VSC for your extension application yet? I have been waiting for almost 2 and half months and status is still in initial review.
If you all have received anything from VSC can you please reply back here. Thanks.
Any updates from VSC? Please post so others can see how long it is taking VSC to process E3 extension.
Hi there I have a few q regarding my e3 visa. I recently changed employers in May and got a new 2 year visa valid til 2013. But since then my employment has changed from a full-time role to a part-time one. I have a secondary employer who wants to bring me on board on a part-time basis to cover the extra hours. How do I best move forward with my application. Do I need to submit two new LCA’s and DS-160’s? (The LCA only asks if it’s a full time role) Do I amend my original visa details or leave it? Or do I just apply for one new visa and ask for the first not to be canceled? Am confused how to go about having 2 employers when one has already been approved but need to add one. Appreciate any assistance you could provide.
Cheers,
Halley
@Halley, as far as I know you cannot revert to part-time position with you current employer unless the LCA had indicated it. If the LCA did not indicate that it is part-time then you have to remain full-time until the LCA is amended by your employer. Hope your employer had changed the LCA to part-time.
You can get 2 employers to sponsor you, each would need their own LCA. But you certainly can be employed by 2 employers. Consult a good immigration attorney before you change your employment from full-time to part-time.
@Halley, did you get your visa stamped in Canada/Aus or did you go through USCIS Vermont center?
Hi Nick,
This is my 3rd e-3 visa and this one was stamped in Ottawa. My previous one with a different employer was stamped in Oz. I am considering getting a new stamp with the new part-time employer in OZ because it’s likely I’ll be there over Xmas. However, submitting here in the US is obviously also an option because I still have a valid E-3 visa.
I’m the person filling out all the paperwork so I’m guessing by your above response I would need to submit 2 new LCA’s for each employer therefore amending the current LCA/visa..?
Thanks so much for getting back to me. It’s really great to get such great support re this here in the US.
Halley: As far as I know you will need 2 LCA’s since you will have 2 employers. Also, your LCA has to reflect your current employment i.e. in your case change to part-time employment from full time with the same employer.
Since you are now moving into a little bit more complex situation that before, it would be worth consulting an experienced immigration attorney. Spending a 1000$ bucks now could save you a lot of trouble, time and stress in the future if you decide to continue working here for a little while longer.
VSC has really slowed down a lot lately so it cold take 3-4 months if you go that route. Some of the posters above have a July receipt notice date and still waiting. If they come back to this forum to post when they get the approval, that would help others see how long it is taking to get approval from VSC.
Thanks Nick. Yes it’s now getting a little more confusing. I do have an accessible immi lawyer so will now put in a call. THANK YOU!!
still the same status : waiting 🙁
@D_Shah, same status for me too. I hope that they will not take more than 3 months. EAD processing has also been delayed and EAD won’t be approved until extension is approved. This whole process is taking so long that it will be time to apply for the next extension already!! Do post back if you get anything.
I wonder if @LH_Boston got the approval since s/he has mid July receipt date. Please post back if you got your approval LH_Boston. Thanks.
D_Shah, I think E3 applicants are stuck in the H1B extension and new visa category unfortunately. That is taking very long time 3-4 months now at VSC. This is really frustrating wait.
To LH_Boston: Please post back if you got your approval so that we can know how long it is taking for E3 extension. Thanks.
Hi there
I am currently in Hawaii from Australia. I have a complex question and I’ve spent hours on the net to seek answers I can’t find.
I was granted an E3 with one organisation which I had to go back to Australia to file. I returned to the US 5 weeks ago but the first 2 weeks I spent travelling around on vacation. I was told by the Qantas employee to enter as a tourist as there’s a 10 day timeframe to enter the US and work on the E3. So I arrived in Hawaii 3 weeks ago and have found a new employer. My previous employer currently has no work/budget which I knew and it’s been my intention to come here on their visa to find a new job which I have done. So my new employer has filed for a new LCA which we are awaiting. My question is, given I entered on the Visa Waiver, is there any possibility of changing that status based on what the Qantas guy told me? I’d like to start work asap. Would I have to return to Australia and re-enter on my existing E3 and then take up the new LCA?
And just on the change of employer process. Once I have the approved LCA…what is the next step? I’ve been emailing the Consulate in Melbourne but they’re always very short on advice and keep telling me to contact USCIS. I’ve searched their site high and low and have no clue what the process is.
My current E3 with the job that has no work expires in May. The new job is indefinite.
Any advice would be really great. The E3 really is a headache and it took my 5 long months to get it not having a Uni degree. But I proved many wrong and I’m now going to be working in the non profit sector. Happy to pass on all the advice I’ve gained along the way if required.
Please put me out of my misery and tell me I don’t have to leave the US 🙂
Hi HawaiiE3,
I am happy for you that you got an e3visa eventually and in your situation without a degree. It is is not impossible, just more difficult with a much higher rate of non approval. So congrats.
However not only can you not change from the Visa Waiver Status to the e3 visa or indeed any other US visa within the US, you can’t enter the US on Visa Waiver Program and then legally start working on another already approved valid visa. Also under Visa Waiver, Canada and Mexico are consider part of the 90 day stay, so you would not be able to go there to do a US visa application unless it is within the 90 day period of your initial arrival.
I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news but it seems like you got some advice. The other risk you face with a new E3 visa is that just because you got approved for this one without a degree has not a huge bearing on whether your next one for a different position will get approved. So just bear that in mind.
I would suggest leaving the US soon and then re-entering on your valid E3 visa and then trying to do a transfer of employer within the US. However as you can see from many recent posts, there is a lot of delays with processing so might take a while The E3 visa does NOT have the portability provision explicitly stated like the H1B visa does, where you can start working for a new employer which you transfer application is being approved by the USCIS. (some ppl have successfully transferred jobs while application has been processed but it is a risk). Even if you call the USCIS about this particular question, many people get different responses. By the way that is something you can do, you can call them and talk to them on the phone and sometimes you get a really helpful person.
Good Luck,
Cj
Thanks for responding. The past 24hours has provided me with all the disappointing news I needed to hear.
FROM THE AUSSIE CONSULATE: This depends on when your current employment starts. If you are not working for the employer who sponsored your current E-3, then you cannot use the visa to re-enter the US. You will have to apply for a new visa and then travel.
If you are still employed by the employer of your current E-3 visa and will be for some time, then you will have to exit N. America and re-enter the country on the E-3 visa. When it is time for you to begin the new employment, the new employer will have to petition for you with USCIS.
So now I’m flying back to Australia next week and organising a new interview for a new E3 and HOPE that it’s approved. I’ve come this far I am confident. I have so much supporting evidence and the jobs are very similar but the original was part time and they then withdrew the offer because of the 5 months it took me to get the E3 and the current economic situation here. The new job is full time and paying more so I’m hoping this is helpful. Given it’s in the non profit sector I’m hoping the person I get at the interview has a heart because this whole process is based on passion and wanting to help people with many sacrfices. It’s all luck and destiny from here on I guess 🙂
We suggest you contact your employer(s) and advice them of the situation and plan your travel accordingly.
LH_Boston, Do you have any update on your case? Please post back if you got your approval. And also how long it took you to get EAD for spouse this time. Thanks.
I received my e-3 & e-3d extension on Sep/15, after 2months. I filed EAD extention on Sep/19 and I’m still waiting for it.
LH_Boston, Thank you so much for getting back and posting. It really helps others out a lot to get some estimate of how long it is taking to get approval from VSC these days. By the way, did you or your attorney call them or did it come by itself in 2 months?
Hope you will get the EAD soon. Please post back if you get any update on your EAD also. Thanks a lot.
D_Shah, I am still waiting but as we see LH_Boston got it, probably ours will be coming soon hopefully. My company is very small and no middle-person, so direct employer. What is your employment model? For H1, it seems direct employee i.e. no middle agent, etc are getting bit faster. But from LH_Boston’s approval it seems that we might not be in the H1 queue after all and that’s good since that queue is taking very long time!
Thanks a lot once again LH_Boston and CONGRATS!!
I am joining a bank..directly so yes it should really be very easy to get the approval..the only problem is the time it’s taking..But you are right as LH_Boston has got it and he was only few days before us, we should get it soon too. I will also post it back once I do. With me, they have applied all (E3, E3D, EAD) togather.
D_Shah, yes hopefully we will get it soon. LH_Boston got it in 2 months almost exactly but so far ours is outside of that time frame but hopefully it will come this coming week. I will post back if I get anything.
Hi,
I just had my E-3 approved in Ottawa and was told “your passport will be ready in 3..4 days for pickup from DHL”. Last time I was in Ottawa I collected it the next morning from the embassy. What has been the general experience for the wait time from DHL in Ottawa, once approved, and when you’re a visitor to Canada? ie: is this just a party line or does it really take that long?
Thanks
Andy
@D_Shah, did you get any update about your case? I still have not heard anything, really getting frustrated with this wait. I am not sure why they are taking so long. Please post back if you got any update. Thanks
nope nothing yet..don’t know what they are doing
LH_Boston, did you get your EAD? It seems that there is no particular way VSC is processing E3 applications.
Do you know if your attorney wrote E3 for Australians on top of the LCA or I129? Mine did not have it and has the H1B front cover on it and the only part where it says E3 visa is in the ‘visa type’ section of the LCA. I dont know if this is delaying my application since the person processing my application might be thinking it is H1B application when it is actually E3.
I do not know what is going on with VSC. I read in some other forum that VSC works only 4 days a week and Thursday is holiday for them!
Hi Scott,
A valid unexpired visa is needed in your passport to re-enter the US so yes you do need to go through another US consulate interview abroad as your approved I-129 only allows you stay in the country legally while you are already here.
Cj
CJ,
I have already applied for E3 visa and it’s taking forever these days. Is there any other way, for example is that possible for my company to apply for a new H1b visa with premium processing? That way it can be really fast.
Thanks
D_Shah