Electronic Form I-94–Automation Started by CBP

 

Due to the Automation Process started by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from 30th of April, 2013, USCIS has begun updating certain forms requesting applicants and petitioners to enter the admission number from their Form I-94 and/or their:

• Passport information, including passport number, country of issuance and expiration date; and
• Travel Document information, including Travel Document number, country of issuance and expiration date.

[Source – USCIS]

So, prior to this automation, the Form I-94 which was given to you by the airline staff to fill up and submit it to CBP at the port of entry, is not needed anymore.

You can pull your electronic Form I-94 in paper format from CBP’s website (www.cbp.gov/I94).

In USA on H-1B–International Driving Permit, Foreign Driver License, Interim Permit and Learner Permit

 

If you have your International Driving Permit - IDP along with your Foreign Country’s Driver License, you can drive up to 6 months or so, depending upon which state you are in. But you ultimately going to need a USA Driver License.

To start with, you will have to apply for a Learner’s Permit, which requires you to appear for a written test at your nearest DMV office. Depending upon which state you are in, you can download the State-Specific Driver’s Manual from State’s DMV Website. For example, for New York State, you can get the Driver Manual from New York’s DMV Website. Besides that you can also get a printed copy, free of charge, of the same Driver’s Manual from a nearby local DMV Office.

You need to have at least 6 points of proof of identity. For any new arrival, following can be used to accumulate 6 points:

1. Foreign Passport with I-94 – Primary ID – 4 points
2. Social Security Card – Secondary ID – 1 point
3. ATM or Debit Card – Secondary ID – 1 point

Click here for an Online 6 Point Document Selector for the state of New Jersey.

Fees (Source: NY DMV):

Once you successfully passed the Test, you will be given an Interim Permit immediately, which looks like:

Within two weeks you will receive the original Learner Permit in your mail box, which looks like:

In USA on H-1B–First Thing First–Your Social Security

 

The first thing you should do is to get enroll for Social Security.

You need a Social Security number to get a job, collect Social Security benefits and receive some other government services. But you don't often need to show your Social Security card. Do not carry your card with you. Keep it in a safe place with your other important papers. [Source – SSA]

You only need I-94 and your original Passport, which will be a proof of your Age and your Identity, which is required to file an application for Social Security Number/Card.

You can locate the SSA offices or affiliates that are closest to you from - https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp

When you reach the relevant SSA office, you will have to fill an application form called, Form SS-5, see snapshot below:

Officials will ask some questions mostly related to your Age and/or Identity i.e. your Passport. If every thing is ok, then they will inform you about the time when you can expect the Social Security Card in your Mail.

A Social Security Card looks like:

Valid for work only with DHS Authorization.

Before you Fly–Tips

 

Choosing your Airline Carrier:

1. Qatar Airways
2. Emirates
3. Etihad Airways
4. Gulf Air
5. Saudia
6. PIA

Unfortunately there’s no direct or non-stop flight from Pakistan to United States. So the best option available is a one-stop flight. You have plenty of options available, as shown in the list above.

It is advisable to check fares with all the carriers, because the fare plans of these carrier works in a mysterious way; it is quite possible that the carrier which you chose for your last flight and which was the cheapest fare at that time, might not be the cheapest one now; these carrier shuffle their prices; different market actors have impact on how and what fare they would settle for upcoming season.

General sentiments about different carriers are:

1. Qatar Airways – Best Quality with Cheaper rates
2. Emirates – Leader in Quality Services; Somewhat more expensive
3. PIA – Enriches your faith in God ;)

Register with Frequent Flyer before Flight Reservation:

Almost every airline carrier has their frequent flyer program, get your self registered online, before doing the flight reservation. During your flight reservation mention your frequent flyer number to earn miles/rewards, etc.. In case, you forgot to do that, you can register and claim your miles/rewards after your travel as well, but there’s a time limit to do that, so do check with your airline carrier about the time duration.

Luggage / Baggage:

Generally following luggage / baggage is allowed:

1. Two pieces, not to exceed 23 kg and a maximum dimension of 158 cm each
• Maximum Dimension = length + width + height
2. One piece, not to exceed 7 kg and 50 x 37 x 25 cm
3. Laptops and laptop bags have to fit within your hand baggage allowance

However, it is recommended to check explicitly about the allowed luggage / baggage from your chosen airline carrier.

Carrying Original Documents:

Make sure, you have at least one photocopy set of all your original documents. Keep both original and copy in separate bags/suitcases.

Purchase a Prepaid SIM Card:

If you are not already carrying a Prepaid/Postpaid SIM from Pakistan, it is recommended to purchase a prepaid SIM Card. It will be helpful when you will return back, because quite shockingly, the Jinnah International Airport Karachi do not have any public Telephone Booth Facilities.

Shoes without Laces:

If you want to keep yourself safe from the hassle of tying and un-tying the laces every now and then during security passes, I would recommend to use shoes that do not have laces.

Currency Exchange:

It is advisable to exchange your currency from Pak Rupee (PKR) to US Dollar (USD) earlier, because the Currency Exchange Dealers in Jinnah International Airport have higher currency exchange rates and you will get fewer dollars against your pak rupees as compared to what you can get elsewhere from the Karachi city.

Affidavits to support your New Birth Certificate

 

As discussed in this post, you will need new Computerized Birth Certificate in English from NADRA for Green Card or Permanent Residence processing in future.

If you do not have the original old birth certificate that was issued the year you were born, than you need 3 Affidavits to support your birth certificate. We are not talking about the new computerized birth certificate here, it is the original old birth certificate. For example, I born in 1979, if my original old birth certificate was issued the same year, than I don’t want any additional Affidavits to support this document. But, if my original old birth certificate was issued after 1979 than I will need to support this document with 3 additional Affidavits. However, actually, in my case I did not have any old birth certificate, so I get my new computerized birth certificate issued from NADRA. And therefore, I need 3 additional Affidavits to support this document.

These 3 additional certificates should be from

1. Mother (or close relative), if alive
2. Father (or close relative), if alive
3. Close relative who was present at the time of birth

Affidavit (Mother):

Affidavit (Close Relative):

New Birth Certificate in English from NADRA–Post H-1B Visa Stamping Action Items

 

This post is a part of series of posts that makes up “Post H-1B Visa Stamping Action Items”.

Why New Birth Certificate from NADRA?

Older birth certificates are in Urdu Language and in order for them to be used in processes in foreign countries (Green Card processing, for example), you need to get a new one issued from NADRA.

Location / Address / Map

Any NADRA Swift Registration Center NSRC.

NSRC @ Awami Markaz, Shahrah e Faisal, Karachi.

View Larger Map

Timings:

Monday through Saturday – 9:00 to 17:00 PST

Fees & Duration:

• Fee - PKR 50
• Duration – 5 days

Required Documents:

1. Photocopy of CNIC of your parents
2. Original Birth Certificate, if you have one
1. If you do not have original certificate, than an application from your parents, confirming the date of birth
3. Photocopy of your CNIC

Process:

1. Fill the form, shown above
2. Attach all the documents mentioned above
3. Submit the form and documents to any NSRC
4. Get the receipt

International Driving Permit–IDP– Post H-1B Visa Stamping Action Items

 

This post is a part of series of posts that makes up “Post H-1B Visa Stamping Action Items”.

Why International Driving Permit?

An International Driving Permit is not a driver license. The permit only verifies that you hold a valid driver license in your home country. Your foreign driver license, not the International Driving Permit, allows you to drive in USA.

You are not required to have an International Driving Permit to drive in USA, but the permit has value. The permit verifies, in several languages, that you have a valid foreign driver license. A police officer who cannot read the language on your foreign driver license can read the permit.

Location / Address / Map

View Larger Map

Timings:

Monday to Saturday - 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Friday - 9:00 am to 12:30 pm

Lunch Break - 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm

Required Documents:

1. Three recent Passport size photographs
2. Photocopy of Valid Passport and Valid Visa Copy
3. Photocopy of Local Driving License
4. Photocopy of CNIC
5. Medical Certificate

Fees & Duration:

• Fee ~ PKR 600
• Duration – Same or next day.

Process:

1. There’s a Post Office opposite to the Clifton Driving License Branch. Go there and buy stamp ticket for International Driving Permit.
2. Go to the Reception Area and ask for International Driving Permit form
3. Fill the form, paste the stamp ticket on the top right corner.
4. Attach photocopies of documents mentioned in the section above
5. Keep original documents with yourself which you may have to show to the Driving License Branch Officials.
6. Attach photographs
7. Submit the filled form with all attachments.
8. There’s a fee which you have to pay
9. You will have to appear before the License Authority to get your IDP approved and collect it at the same time.