I heard around 700 H1-b’s hav ebeen revoked by US embassy in Pakistan.. I personally know a guy who already had h1-b visa stamped went to Pak for his wife’s visa but his own visa was revoked and hes sadlystuck in Pak for ever.. i was planning to go to Pak for the purpose of stamping visa.. is it safe or these r isolated cases?
H-1b Visas?
I heard around 700 H1-b's hav ebeen revoked by US embassy in Pakistan... plus it takes some 3-4 weeks to get the visa.
I am a little worried. INS has approved my H-1b visa but I need to go back to Pakistan to stamp my passport + get visa for my wife and bring her back here to USA.
Does anyone know if US Embassy in Pakistan is facilitating/approving H-1b visas and how long is that process?
They are issuing these visas, yes. After the interview and approval of the visa by the visa officer... they take an additional 4 weeks to do the background check on you. So be sure to plan accordingly.
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*Originally posted by Faisal: *
So be sure to plan accordingly.
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u mean to get the alibis ready? and to give plenty of money to persons involved or who might be interviewed about u?
No, I mean, if you are going to Pakistan after taking leave from your employer than tell them that it is approximately 8 weeks stay in Pakistan. First four weeks for the following:
- You apply via FedEx, Citibank, AmEx
- Your passport comes back requiring an interview
- You get a date for an interview, few weeks ahead
- You appear for the interview and visa officer agrees to give you visa
Next four weeks are for the mandatory background check conducted by the US authorities (FBI etc), if you are within the specified age range (below 40 years old, I think). Your passport remains with the embassy during this time.
I was told that it is not a good idea for f1 or H1 to travel to pak now
Re: H-1b Visas?
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*Originally posted by zakiahmed: *
I am a little worried. INS has approved my H-1b visa but I need to go back to Pakistan to stamp my passport + get visa for my wife and bring her back here to USA.
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If you think US Consulate/Ambassy in Pakistan would refuse you the Visa, You can get your Visas Re-validated in US itself. It takes 3-4 weeks If you sent it by FEDEX.
I dont think there should be any problem. It is safer than getting ur VISA stamped in your country.
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*Originally posted by google: *
I was told that it is not a good idea for f1 or H1 to travel to pak now
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Google ji - One of my friend has just returned from Karachi.
Re: Re: H-1b Visas?
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*Originally posted by Asif_k: *
If you think US Consulate/Ambassy in Pakistan would refuse you the Visa, You can get your Visas Re-validated in US itself. It takes 3-4 weeks If you sent it by FEDEX.
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I cannot revalidate from USA as this is the first time i am getting it. I think, you can only revalidate from US if you've already got one before. So, for this one, I have to go back to Pakistan, and get it stamped.
Re: Re: Re: H-1b Visas?
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*Originally posted by zakiahmed: *
I cannot revalidate from USA as this is the first time i am getting it. I think, you can only revalidate from US if you've already got one before. So, for this one, I have to go back to Pakistan, and get it stamped.
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I am guessing that you are on a Student Visa in US and have recently got your I-797(H1-B) approved. In that case you can try to go to any of the Border Posts (Canada or Mexico) to get your Visa stamped - That is If your Student Visa has not expired yet.
If you want I can inquire with my pakistani friends here and ask about other options.
Re: Re: Re: Re: H-1b Visas?
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*Originally posted by Asif_k: *
I am guessing that you are on a Student Visa in US and have recently got your I-797(H1-B) approved.
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You guessed right.
I have contacted my lawyer here in USA. She says that it's possible to get visa from Canada or Mexico, but it is recommended that I get my visa from Pakistan as it takes about 30+ days no matter where I get it from. So, why not spend this time as vacation in my home country. Furthermore, i might not be able to get canadian visa 'cause canadian embassy will be suspicious to what if USA won't give me visa.
Technically, there shouldn't be any problems of obtaining H-1b visa, as I have got INS approval (i.e., I-797 form).
All I am worried about is, are there cases in Pakistan where Pakistanis haven't been able to get visa even if they have approval from INS?
For the first H-1B visa, I think you do need to go the embassy of the country of origin. The facility of getting it done in Mexico or Canada has since been withdrawn, even for those who were on student visa. Double check from INS website or some other source.
US embassy in Islamabad is still issuing H-1B visas. A friend of mine just got his, and is still waiting for the FBI clearance. Another just returned after the whole process.
By the same token I met a guy in Pakistan whose H-1B visa was refused by Islamabad embassy even when he had the approved I-797 from INS. I met him in June-July 2002 (post Sep 11)
The reason given by the embassy was that the dude, when he had first applied for the student visa had assured the visa officer that he does not plan to stay in US after his studies and will come back. And hence they will not stamp his H-1B visa. This guy was appealing the decision.
Personally, I think it was quite unusual and highly frustrating stand taken by the visa officer in Islamabad. When someone is applying for a student visa, they almost always provide such assurances, and if they change their mind that should not be held against them.
This is just a forewarning so you should be better prepared, if the visa officer asks you the same thing.
There is no need to get h-1 b stamp if u want to reamin in USA but if u want to visit Pakistan u have to get that stamped.. I checked from my lawyer and we have to go back to Pakistan (country of origin) to get it stamped..
I am canadian permanent resident.. can I have it stamped in Canada the easier option or as lawyer recommends going to Pak?
I just talked with Customer Service Representative of US Embassy in Islamabad. He says, it takes 60-80 days on average now to do the background check. 
Which employer would agree to give this long leave…
Degas, a close friend of mine went to Pakistan, got married and got visa for his wife, even without the interview and with no hassles... So I guess those stories that you heard might not be true...
Spock meray bhai,
Getting an H-4 visa (used by wife or kids) is ENTIRELY different from getting an H-1b for the first time. Its a piece of cake cz the husband (who is the main sponsor) already has gone through all the hoops for his H-1b.
Lets not compare apples with oranges. :)
That is the normal standard procedure for people from Muslim country. Everyone goes through it now.
I am still waiting for soemone to tell me if I can get my h1-b visa stamped in Canada as I am canadian resident than going to Pak..