Immigration Law

Experience at U.S. Consulate in Johannesburg, South Africa - Non-immigrant Visa

By Robert Kraft

We recently assisted a client from Johannesburg, South Africa, regarding an H-1B specialty occupation visa. He was approved for an H-1B visa, but in order for our client to enter the United States, he must obtain an H-1B visa in his passport. Because the chances of visa issuance vary greatly depending on documentation and individual circumstances, we suggested that he go to the interview at the U.S. consulate very well prepared. We told him to take a certified copy of his entire H-1B package that was filed with the Immigration Service, along with his Form I-797 Approval Notice. We also suggested that he take original birth certificates, marriage certificate, and proof of financial support. He attended the interview this morning and his experience at the U.S. consulate in Johannesburg, South Africa was documented as follows. 

'My wife, myself and our son had our interview at the U.S. Consulate here in Johannesburg this morning, at 9:00am. We duly arrived at 8:30am, had our relevant DS documents checked at the door, took a number, and waited for the 'call.' At promptly 9:00am we were called to a booth, where our fingerprints were taken, the DS forms checked with the original I-797 form, and then told to go and sit down again. 10 minutes later, we went back to the booth, had our fingerprints taken again, and that was it. All visas approved, and to pay DHL the delivery costs. No questions asked, no documents asked for, no requirement of proof of copies of documents, nothing. All in all a painless and easy task.'
 

Full post as published by Immigration Law Answers Blog on August 03, 2009 (boomark / email).