Monday, December 2, 2013
Monday, June 10, 2013
Delay in Visa Stamping–Send Inquiry to US Embassy / Consulate
Make sure:
- You have checked the Visa Processing or Stamping for your Location and that duration has been surpassed.
- OR, if your case has been referred to 221(g) Administrative Processing than you have waited for at least 60 days.
Also, make sure you have checked your Visa Application Status Online.
There are two ways you can send your queries to US Embassy or Consulate in your Location
- You can send queries to designated email address displayed on US Embassy or Consulate website. For example for US Consulate Karachi the email address is KarachiVisaQuery@State.gov
- You can also send your inquiries using “Non Immigrant Visa Unit’s Web Based Email Submission Form” available on US Embassy or Consulate website. For example, following form available on US Embassy Islamabad’s website.
Friday, June 7, 2013
Check Current H-1B Visa Application Processing or Wait Time
From US Department of State Website, you can now check:
- Current Wait Time for H-1B Visa Interview Appointment
- Current Processing Time or Wait Time for H-1B Visa Application (for cases which are not referred to 221(g) Administrative Process)
All you have to do, is to go to US Department of State Website
Select your desired Location from the drop down list and click “GET WAIT TIMES” button. Both Wait and Processing Times of selected Location will be displayed on the following page.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Job Hunting in USA on H-1B–Preparing your Resume/CV
You should have to two sets of Resume/CV – a brief one and a detailed one. Wherever you apply, you should use your brief Resume/CV. If, they need more detail, they’ll ask you and then you can send them the detailed one.
You should not mention any personal information in your resume – like:
- Date of Birth
- Age
- Nationality
- Religion
- Race/Cast
- Passport#
- Marital Status
- Languages
As for your educational background – use terms that are known in USA. For example:
In USA | In Pakistan |
School - Grades 1 - 5 | Primary |
School - Grades 6 - 8 | Middle |
School - Grades 9 & 10 | Matric / Matriculation / SSC / O-Level |
School - Grades 11 & 12 | Inter / Intermediate / HSC / A-Level / FSC / FA |
Do not mention the location of your School/College/University. For example:
B.S (Computer Engineering) in 2001 from Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology
, Karachi, Pakistan.
Similarly, in your work experience, do not mention the location of your workplace. For example:
Java Developer – May, 2001 to Mar, 2003 – Al Ghanem Net LLC
, Karachi Pakistan.
If you have worked in companies who are known globally or in USA or have a representation in USA, then also mention them. For example:
Senior Software Engineer II – Northstar Technologies Inc. (Sibisoft Pvt Ltd)
Make sure, you have clearly mentioned following in your work experience:
- What role you played in each of the projects you worked on
- What technologies and tools you used in each of the projects
Make sure you’ve mentioned your primary email and mobile/cell number clearly on your resume/cv.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Updates on Companies in Pakistan, Sponsoring H-1B Visa
Now, it’s Royal Cyber!
As per my source, Royal Cyber is now offering H-1B Sponsorship to candidates who fulfill following criteria:
- Minimum of 16 years of education – with 4 years bachelor’s degree.
- 5 or more years of professional development experience.
Royal Cyber
US Headquarters
Royal Cyber
55 Shuman Blvd, Suite 1025, Naperville,
IL 60563 USA.
Pakistan Office
Suite # 1101-1104, 11th Floor,
Ceasers Towers (National IT Park),
Main Shahrah e Faisal,
Karachi, Pakistan.
Click to view a complete list of companies in Pakistan who sponsor H-1B Visas.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Before you Fly–Tips
Choosing your Airline Carrier:
- Qatar Airways
- Emirates
- Etihad Airways
- Gulf Air
- Saudia
- 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:
- Qatar Airways – Best Quality with Cheaper rates
- Emirates – Leader in Quality Services; Somewhat more expensive
- 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:
- Two pieces, not to exceed 23 kg and a maximum dimension of 158 cm each
- Maximum Dimension = length + width + height
- One piece, not to exceed 7 kg and 50 x 37 x 25 cm
- 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.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Affidavits to support your New Birth Certificate
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
- Mother (or close relative), if alive
- Father (or close relative), if alive
- Close relative who was present at the time of birth
Affidavit (Mother):
Affidavit (Close Relative):