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.

On the Interview Day - US Embassy/Consulate’s Interview Process for H-1B Visa Applicants

 

This post is a part of series of posts that makes up “The Complete Process Trail for H-1B Work Visa”.

• Try to reach 10 to 15 minutes early on the interview day. Please note that it is not recommended by the Consulate to reach earlier than 10 to 15 minutes.

• Parking – If you are on personal conveyance than you can park your vehicle at the locations highlighted with green lines, in the picture below:

1. Outside the premises of US Consulate Karachi - The security personnel will register your entry by asking your Name, Passport Number and Check In Time
2. Main Gate – Through which you enter into the US Consulate Karachi’s premises.
3. Security Check – You will asked to hand over whatever folder, file you have. Besides that you will be asked to take off your leather belts, wallets, glasses, keys, in fact any thing that is other than your clothes. Once checked and satisfied, they will return your items back to you.
4. Walk way to the main waiting area.
5. Waiting area with a shed and seating arrangements for applicants
6. Waiting area with a shed and seating arrangements for applicants
7. Entrance gate to the building
8. Finger Printing Area – Your finger prints will be taken and your height will be measured. They will also ask in which language you want to give the interview, if you have already not checked it on the sticker that was pasted by American Express on the back or front of your passport.
9. The final waiting area – Contains at least 9 or 10 rows of 4 seats each like:
   [01 [05 [09
   [02 [06 [10
   [03 [07 [11
   [04 [08 [12 …..
10. Interview Counters – Visa Offer’s Interview Counters – Total of 5 or 6.

The total process from your entry into the premises as mentioned in #1 above, up till your interview and exit, it would take around 2 and a half hours or so. The actual interview with the Visa Officer will be just around 15 minutes or so.

Finally, what Visa Officer will ask in the interview? stay tuned for next post on this.