2019.11 Update
The service staff at the Shanghai Embassy are really terrible. Whether they are the gatekeepers or the guides, their attitudes are extremely bad. It may be that they are not paid enough and are in a bad mood.
This time the visa application was quite smooth, but there are a few changes:
- The content filled out online is obviously much more complicated, and a lot of it is added temporarily, and some information is filled in repeatedly.
- Social network accounts and the like are required to be filled in online. You can just fill in the commonly used ones. It should be in case of emergency.
- Visas are much stricter. If you transfer from OPT to H1B, it may take an extra week for verification (approximately 2 weeks to get your passport). Please arrange your itinerary.
- If you sign H1 normally, there is no problem. Bring all the supporting documents you can bring, such as resume, offer, and for special skills, bring the source and description of the skills in case you need it.
- Regarding the shipping speed, I passed the interview on Monday and my passport arrived at China CITIC Bank on Thursday (sent from Shanghai to Beijing), so they should have sent it directly after the interview was completed, instead of sending it out on Thursday as previously rumored.
2019.1 Update
This time my visa application was very difficult. When I went there, I found that the number on my DS-160 was different from the one in my visa appointment, and I was not allowed in. You need to make a new appointment, which is super troublesome. Details have been updated in the column below.
However, I successfully applied for the expedited service, completed the visa in the second week, and caught the flight. Details are below.
Although I applied for expedited service, the visa issue this time was obviouslyMuch stricter,Firstly, the questions asked were much more detailed. It can be seen from the speed of the visa. The original 3-minute interview has now become 10 minutes or more. Secondly, the rejection rate has increased significantly. When I was queuing, I saw several rejections (H1 visas are queued separately). I paid a little attention to the reasons. It was roughly that I couldn't tell what the job was. And if it was research, I needed materials to introduce the content of the research. So everyone should prepare the materials before going there. Especially those whose jobs are slightly different from their majors (for example, EE is a programmer, MIS is a data analyst)
Also, when I applied for the visa this time, because I didn’t upload a photo before, they scanned my photo and found it was the same as before. Then I used an earlier photo (actually I also used it during the visa application), but I still passed the test. It feels a bit thrilling. I would like to remind everyone to take photos within 6 months. If you can upload them online, then upload them online.
2018.11.8 update
I am planning to return to China in December, and as expected I have to apply for a visa again. It is really annoying to have to apply for it every time I return to China. Many people reminded that due to Trump's policy issues, special attention needs to be paid when going back this time. I'll update if there's anything special.
- DS160 has changed a lot and requires a lot more things to be filled in, such as the recent 5 entries, more relevant information according to the type of visa, and previous employer information.
- Online payment is still disgusting. It is recommended to ask relatives to pay offline or simply open a CITIC Bank account.
Updated on 2018.1.23
1. Due to time constraints this time, I brought an I-797 visa. The visa officer asked a lot of questions and also asked for my entry and exit records and resume. I didn’t provide them, but I finally passed. It is recommended that comrades should bring it with them (of course, since this is my second H1 and I have canceled my H1 application before, it is more complicated.
2. I was stopped because of Fitbit and asked to deposit before re-queuing. I read the description and it does mention electronic equipment. It is still recommended that you do not bring all electronic devices to avoid trouble. The uncle at the door has a very bad attitude.
3. I have completed the visa steps in the following process, and you need to apply for a DS160 before making an appointment.
4. Regarding CITIC online payment, you can directly click on the location in the picture below to proceed, but registration is required. A domestic mobile phone number is required when registering. However, if the personal test registration is successful, you can directly use domestic debit or credit cards or UnionPay marked cards (3%) to pay.
2017.6.4 update
On this day, I returned to China and applied for a visa in Shanghai. Since the college entrance examination has not ended and the summer vacation has not started, there are relatively few people. I will update the information.
- There are rumors on the Internet that you need to fill in a social network account, but this does not happen in Shanghai. business as usual
- I didn’t prepare much materials this time. After all, it’s a renewal, and the necessary materials are still:
- passport
- DS-160
- Confirmation letter for visa appointment
- I-797 Original
But it’s best to prepare the pay stub and a letter from the company, just in case.
In addition, some students reported that they can now directly use cards from other banks to pay. The method is: select CITIC Bank when paying, log in with the central bank account, and after logging in, you can choose other banks to pay.
——————Gorgeous dividing line, the following is updated in September 2015——————
It is compiled through online searches and my own experience. It is only for those who have already obtained H1B and returned to their country to apply for a visa.
My background: F1 graduate student went abroad, got H1B after graduation, returned to China for the first time and transferred F1 to H1, Shanghai visa, in September 2015
text
Material preparation (the ones in bold blue are what I finally used):
Passport must be valid for more than 6 months and have at least 2 blank pages DS 160 (it is the form to fill out when applying for a visa, it must have the bar-code on it) Original I-797 (H1B) Copy of I-129 (This is the form that the company fills out when it helps you apply for H1B. It is said that the original is with USCIS. All we get are copies. Just prepare copies, but I think it may be redundant. Since I already have I-797, why do you need I-129? Where can I get I-797 without I-129) One visa photo (the square one) Confirmation letter of successful visa appointment (it is the confirmation letter given to you after the visa appointment is completed, with a number, time and place) Proof of payment of visa fee (payment confirmation letter from China CITIC Bank) Travel timetable (I don’t understand the specific purpose of it, I plan to show the date of the return ticket) Letter from the employer (it is a piece of paper issued by the company, it says that XXX is an employee of our company, highly educated and highly skilled personnel, etc., it only needs to be signed by HR) Payslip (print out a few recent PAY CHECKs) Bank certificate (just type some bank statement) - Resume (it is said that you can bring a latest resume to explain your current work situation)
- Tax form (W2, to prove you are a taxpayer in the United States of America)
- SSN (bring it with you to prove that you are upright and not afraid of investigation)
- Driver's license (ID card, proof of address, etc.)
- EAD Card (Proof that you came through OPT and your identity is completely legal)
- OFFER (The offer usually has a salary description to prove that you can support yourself)
- Information filled in by the company when applying for H1B (When the company applies for H1B, it will fill in a lot of messy things, so take them all with you, including your background check and so on)
- All I-20s, from the first entry to the last I-20 for OPT
- transcript
- diploma
Apply for DS-160
https://ceac.state.gov/GenNIV/Default.aspx
Just fill it out step by step and remember to choose the right embassy for your visa. Save it after you create it, so you don't have to fill it out again every time.
Make a visa appointment:
Go here to register, log in, then click to schedule an interview, fill in the materials, pay the fee and make an appointment. I won’t go into details on how to fill it out. If you have saved files before, you can use them directly.
Be sure to confirm that the DS-160 code on the reservation form is consistent with the DS-160 code you applied for! Otherwise there will be endless troubles
After filling it out, you need to pay the fee from CITIC Bank. This broken system requires CITIC Bank. I have no choice but to ask my parents to take my receipt number to the bank counter to apply. After the application is completed, you will get the receipt number. After filling it in, you can make an appointment.
The reservations in Shanghai are very strange. I didn’t have any reservations at the beginning, and then a few seemed to be released every day. Anyway, it all depends on luck, don't wait, come early if you have the right time.
Visa process:
It's 8:30 in the morning. I have applied for a visa in Shanghai for the second time, so I have more experience. There is a queue outside the building now. Remember to schedule your time. Ask around when they make appointments. Get the sign downstairs and then go in.
Special note: Before queuing, be sure to store your mobile phone and other items that are not allowed to be carried, otherwise you will have to come down after going up.
After entering, you just have to pass the levels one by one according to the team. The first step is pre-inspection. The materials required for pre-inspection include: Keep these on hand:
- passport
- DS-160
- Confirmation letter for visa appointment
- I-797 Original
If you successfully pass the pre-inspection, it means that the DS-160 form has been filled in correctly. After getting your passport and I-797, you will have your fingerprints done, and then you will line up for the interview. H1 was in a separate team with very few people. I basically asked what I did, what degree I had and what my job was. The whole process took about 1 minute, and it was easy to pass.
What should I do if the barcode on my DS160 does not match the visa reservation barcode?
I went to apply for a visa today, and I was stopped at the first gate because the code found on the DS-160 was inconsistent with the one on the appointment form. This is so shocking. Everything was done according to the normal process, and it was done several times. How could this happen?
Later, when I thought about it, the reason was: I was interrupted when filling out the DS-160, and then I couldn't retrieve the original one, so I filled out a new one. Then their reservation system used my old one, so this problem occurred.
If this problem occurs, you can only make a new reservation. When you enter the reservation system, they will not let you do it immediately. However, after phone inquiries, they will release the reservation within 24-48 hours, and it will be counted as "unsuccessful appearance". Then you can make a new appointment, but at this time it is actually difficult to make an appointment for a nearby time.
The embassy has a customer service phone number, but it is very difficult to find. Here is it for everyone: 021-5191-5200
How to apply for expedited visa service?
First of all, the requirements for expedited service are relatively strict. If there is no sufficient reason, it will not be easy to pass. Application types and precautions can be found on the official website:http://www.ustraveldocs.com/cn_zh/cn-niv-expeditedappointment.asp
This time I applied for "Emergency Business Travel". When I applied, I briefly introduced my situation, which is roughly as follows:
- I work in XX, why should I return to China?
- My previous visa was unable to be interviewed due to XX reasons (my reason was that their system did not match my number).
- Now that I can make an appointment, the interview time is already later than my flight time.
- Hope it will be taken into consideration
Write in English with a little more sincerity, and then submit, pay attention! There is a problem with their system when submitting, and they will tell you an error. In fact, your submission was successful. Do not submit multiple times. I just couldn't figure out the situation. I submitted several times, but the next few were rejected. Fortunately, the first one was not affected.
After the application is completed, you will receive an email informing you of the expedited approval one day later. Then you can go to the system to make an appointment. The appointment time will be far in advance. Then just follow the normal process.
PS, if you make an appointment through the expedited service, the barcode you get at the embassy will say "emergency", which is cool.
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Original author:Jake Tao,source:"H1B return visa materials and interview process-Shanghai (updated in 2019.11)"
Comment list (133)
Sir, do I need to update the “employer’s letter” during the interview every year? Just take the first version, okay?
@cnsvc ：If there is no date, just one version will do. This isn't very important, but I'm afraid I won't be able to get it out if I ask. Anyway, as long as he asks you what you bring out, he won't be embarrassed. Because he actually doesn’t understand much and can’t read very carefully.
Hello, I have an interview next week and I am preparing the materials. . . I think I might be worrying too much, but I still want to confirm. . With bank deposit statements, credit card statements are no longer needed. . . Also, I have an SSN, do I still need a credit report? . .
Thank you very much!
@Anonymous ：H1 does not require bank deposits or credit card statements and credit reports, right? Where did you see it?
@Jake Tao：I figured it out myself. Thanks for the reply! I think I think too much. I saw that you mentioned the bank statement above, so I came up with the following. Thanks again!
@Anonymous ：Well, paystub is more important. China and the United States have had problems again recently, so prepare more materials.
Thank you so much to the blogger for such clear and useful information! I would like to ask a blogger whether when making an expedited appointment, you need to provide supporting documents from your employer, such as what losses you will suffer if you cannot return on time? How to prepare for that? grateful
@anonymous：I didn't provide this, but if you want to provide it, you can ask your employer to sign a document saying that you are on vacation, apply for a visa, and you need to go back to work as soon as possible, your job is important blablabla
@Jake Tao：Thank you very much, because I saw on the official website that a similar letter is an essential document, and I thought it was a necessary document. I asked my boss and HR for a letter. I’m so depressed. I went back to China to attend a temporary interview, and then the regular appointment in Beijing was directly scheduled to 4/25…
@anonymous：It is troublesome to sign once a year. Remember to use the company title paper to be more convincing.
@Jake Tao：I felt that the letter was quite sincere, and the boss's letter was also well written, but it was still denied. I felt that Beijing was very unfriendly to the H visa. I called the customer service girl at the embassy and she said that among the four situations where expedited applications could be made, only B and F visas would be considered. . . And there are no optional appointment times in Beijing now.
@anonymous：Thank you for sharing. If not, can you consider using another embassy? If it really doesn't work, you can go to Canada to sign. After all, we are in a hurry.
Hello, I would like to ask if I am still filling out DS160 in the United States and filling in the Length of last 5 stays. Do I need to include the current one? Because I haven’t left the United States yet. If necessary, do you need to estimate the time? Thank you very much!
@anonymous：This needs to be filled in. If you have never left, it is from the last time you entered the country to the present.
Thank you very much for sharing your detailed experience. Thank you very much. There are fewer and fewer people who are so patient in blogging.
After reading your guide, I realized that I didn’t write down the information about my previous employer. I'm so confused, I'll go back next Thursday.
When I was opting out, I worked as a PT in another company, and my FT job never changed. But this time I don’t have a former employer in my ds160, what should I do? Do I have to reschedule the interview and pay again? Because the information in ds160 is wrong. . Or can I make a new one? ? ? ? Looking for answers
@XIAOEN ZENG ：This shouldn't be a big problem for you. If you are particularly concerned, fill out a new DS160, and then change the information in your reservation to the new DS160 number. There is no need to pay and make a reservation again.
Hello, I really want to ask, what was checked during this interview? I'm going to renew my H1B on the 22nd. I heard the procedure is a bit tense?
@江影：Just prepare all the materials. It is best to bring all the materials listed above. Especially the materials proving what you do for work and if you have done research before, bring the supporting materials with you.
@Jake Tao： Thanks
@江影：What are you asking for? If the data is relevant, proof needs to be submitted. Then, if the school has studied some sensitive courses, it will also need to be provided. It is best to bring the offer, job profile, research profile, professor information and other supporting materials.
@Jake Tao：Host, can you tell me why you mentioned data or something related? I am a data scientist with a background in statistics. I feel that my major is quite relevant. Do I still need to worry? After hearing what you said, I immediately printed out several reports on my work. . And I just found out that the DS160 was filled in incorrectly. . I hope refilling will not be affected. . .
@everyfanfan：Just fill out DS160 again. As for data, you'd better prepare the research you did when you were a student (if any), and what data you did (some proof of work). But it may not be so strict now. Sino-US relations were tense before.
My mentality exploded. I interviewed on December 7th and was admitted to Administrative Processing. There is no news until today. When I checked the visa status, there was only one update on January 9th.
When will it end? Alas. . .
@Yan Yan ：This should be related to the U.S. government shutdown, which has been closed for 27 days. I have a friend who had an interview on 12.20. . . Worse
@Jake Tao：The question is, when will it be resolved? . . The government is shut down. Why did we update it on January 9th, even though it is still in AP status?
@Yan Yan ：It is estimated that a small number of employees are still working. . . . I guess. . . . Prepare your plans for the Chinese New Year~~(ノへ￣、)
@Jake Tao：Updated again yesterday. . . I'm already ready to celebrate the Chinese New Year in China. After all, I haven't celebrated the Chinese New Year at home in five years. I'm starting to hope that it won't come down before this year, hahaha.
@Yan Yan ：Be normal and normal~~ It’s good to have a good New Year~~
Hello,
Please tell me about the situation when you were stuck due to inconsistent DS160 barcodes when you entered the door. Are the barcodes in the DS160 confirmation, interview appointment form and online account information you printed out consistent in these three places? Or are they consistent in these three places, but they are still said to be inconsistent? Because I quit filling out the DS160 halfway through, and later regenerated a DS160 code to fill in, but I can make sure that the codes on my online account information, the printed DS160 confirmation, and the interview appointment are consistent. I'm a little worried and it's said to be inconsistent. Looking forward to your reply. Thank you~
@gentle：Hello, just like you, I quit halfway through filling in the form. Therefore, the old DS160 code is displayed on the "Interview Appointment Form", and I need to manually modify it and reprint it.
In your case, there is no problem. As long as the one on the DS160 is consistent with the one on the reservation form (the one on the reservation form is the one in the online account).
I wonder if the poster knows about the expedited service? I will return to China on January 28th and take a flight back to the United States on February 16th, but now I only have an appointment open for February 13th. I don't know about this situation, does the author have any suggestions?
@anonymous：You can try expediting based on what I wrote above. But that time seems to be the Spring Festival, right? If they take a day off, there's nothing they can do.
@Jake Tao：Thank you, host! ! Yesterday, I found a position on January 31st, which was really lucky.
How long is your H1b visa valid for? Thanks
@anonymous：Visa is only granted for 1 year
@Jake Tao：Strange, my Taiwanese colleague signed it in Taiwan at the end of December, and it has 3 years, which is the expiration date on the 797.
@anonymous：The one in Taiwan is for three years, and so is my colleague.
@Jake Tao：Hello blogger, so even if the I797 is valid for 3 years, the visa is still only granted for 1 year, right? Does that mean I have to go back and renew my visa every year? How to prepare a payslip? My situation is that I returned to China in August 2018 and am waiting for H1 in China. It was approved recently, but I did not have a job during the waiting period. How should I prepare this payslip? Thanks
@SaraShi：Yes. Every year! ! ! Extremely unreasonable!
You cannot start working without H1 approval. So there is no need for payroll. Just bring your offer and some supporting documents.
Hello, please update, the visa was successfully passed in Beijing on 12/26. But I want to ask, I prepared two paper photos and none of them were asked for, so it should be fine, right? Thanks!
@anonymous：I've also wondered this before. It didn't work, I sent it directly. But I don’t know what will happen this time
@Jake Tao：I should have used the electronic version directly.
@anonymous：I didn't send the electronic version before. When they take fingerprints, they will ask you for a photo and then scan it in. Mine almost had a problem (I used the previous photo)
H1B three-year extension has been approved. Should I return to my country to activate the visa in person or by submitting it?
@mike ：Interview
I would like to ask the original poster, if it is not checked, how many working days can the passport be ready? grateful!
@anonymous：I got it last Monday, updated it on Wednesday, and got it on Friday (sent to Hangzhou)
@Jake Tao：Thank you, the poster. I wonder if the poster can briefly explain the basic issues that visa officers will encounter when applying for a visa. I have been searching online for a long time but I have not seen any suitable posts. Thanks! !
Hello, I would also like to ask if we will be asked how long we plan to work in the United States on our work visa? What should be the appropriate answer? Thanks!
@anonymous：H1 is a temporary work visa. You will be asked about the plan. I usually say 3 years (pay attention to the expiration date of H1), because H1 is issued for three years. You can also say one or two years. But just answer honestly.
12.7 During the visa interview in Shanghai, the H1b was checked for the first time. . . Headache
@yan ：What is the specific reason? I asked but didn’t bring any materials?
@Jake Tao：I brought more than a hundred pages of materials and took the tax return form. Call me today and ask for a client letter, all previous pay stubs, and recent promotion certificates. . I brought them all with me at the time, but he didn’t ask for them. . .
@yan ：Isn't this a lie? . . . On purpose.
@Jake Tao：Does the blogger know how to resubmit materials?
@yan ：I haven’t experienced this before, but I heard from my friends that if you wait for news, they will tell you what to perform, and then tell you how to give it.
Thanks for sharing!
Want to ask
As for the proof of payment for the visa fee (payment confirmation letter from China CITIC Bank), I paid and the registration was successful, but I don’t seem to see the proof of payment. What is the proof you are talking about?
Thanks
@anonymous：I would also like to ask, is that travel schedule still needed? Maybe I need to write it myself?
@anonymous：Just write it down roughly, I won’t be asked again
@anonymous：Hello, after you pay successfully, there will be a receipt. Just remember the receipt number. It’s okay if you don’t remember it. The system will show that the payment has been made after a certain period of time. Just log in again and take a look
@Jake Tao：Thank you, where can I use this number? Do I still need to print a "proof of payment" after the reservation is successful? Thanks!
@anonymous：I would also like to trouble you to ask. I am not sure whether h1b is the same. Will the visa officer take back all the above preparation materials for review? Because there are still many important original documents, so I am a bit worried. Or will we only accept passports in the end?
@anonymous：Only passports are collected, and all materials are just for backup if he asks. Show it to him when asked.
@anonymous：No, but the one with a successful reservation needs to be printed.
@Jake Tao：Thanks! I would like to ask if the cv/resume we bring to the visa application has a fixed format, or can we just change our own to make it more concise? Thanks!
@anonymous：No. Just use your own. He just took a look.
Hello. I was selected for h1b in May this year. I am now in the United States and hope to return to China in January next year. But my passport and F1 visa have expired, and I have not returned to my country during the past 7 years of studying abroad. In this case, are there any risks in returning to the country for h1b visa? Thanks
@fadeless77 ：Your passport will not be affected, but you need to apply for a new passport first, and then start applying for an embassy visa (when making an appointment online, you need to fill in your passport information). I don't know the specific situation of you not returning to your country for 7 years and your F1 expiration. As long as you stay in the United States legally and you are not staying illegally, it won't be a big problem.
I am also going back to Shanghai to apply for H1B in December. I have been reading your blog to prepare materials and fill out the form. I feel it is very helpful. Thank you for sharing~~! But the new policy makes people really nervous~~Wish us all good luck~~
@anonymous：Good luck with that!
@Jake Tao：Waiting for the original poster to update! When will the landlord do it?
@anonymous：I think I am on the 19th or the 20th?
When I made an appointment online and filled in the expiration date, a message appeared: The passport must not have expired, but my passport has already expired when the I-797 expired. What should I do? In addition, the upper part of I-797 says valid from 10/1/2018 – 8/15/2021, but the lower part of I-94 says valid from 10/1/2018 – 8/25/2021. Is this normal? Which should I fill in when making an online reservation? Thanks
@anonymous：It doesn’t matter if I797 and I94 are different. They are two completely different things. One is the date of your H1, and the other is the entry and exit information.
If I understand correctly, your passport is about to expire? In this case, you should renew your passport first, and then use the new passport to apply for a visa. If you haven't encountered it specifically, you need to consult a lawyer.
Hello,
Thank you for sharing. I just got the approval notice and experienced the joy of winning the lottery and the suffering of RFE. Prepare to return to China in early December to apply for a visa. I would like to ask, does it make any difference which consulate I go to to apply for H1b? Is there any restriction on which consulate I must go to to apply (for example, if I am registered in Nanjing, I can only go to Shanghai to apply)?
Thanks
@Yan Yan ：It doesn’t matter, you can also apply overseas (if you don’t have time to return to your country), such as Canada. But based on experience, Beijing’s check rate is very high, and Shanghai’s is much better.
@Jake Tao：I want to do it in Shenyang. I will stay in Shenyang for a long time when I return. How about Shenyang?
Also, my H1b has been RFEed, will I still be checked when applying for a visa?
@Yan Yan ：I haven’t heard anything about Shenyang, it’s best to ask my friends in Northeast China. Whether to check or not depends on the materials. This cannot be seen from other places.
@Jake Tao：OK Regarding I797, is it I797A or I797C? My company only gave me 797C.
Thanks
@Yan Yan ：Hence, Forms I-797A or I-797B are given to applicants, while I-797C is given to employers.
@Jake Tao： I have made an appointment for an interview in Shanghai this Friday. . wish me luck
@Yan Yan ：Good Luck!
@Yan Yan ：Hello Yan. My situation is the same as yours! I searched a lot of information online and no one has encountered it.
What was the outcome of your visa? Can only i797c pass? Please reply if you see it! Thank you very much.
My contact information: chenld0103@sina.com
@leidan ：Hello, I asked for it from the company. I forgot whether it was A or B, but I got it. I don’t want to mention the visa result. I went for the visa interview on December 7th and was checked. It’s been two months and it hasn’t been given to me yet. I don’t think about it anymore, and I can celebrate the New Year with peace of mind. . . Big head
@Jake Tao：Thank you, landlord! How do you find out that the probability of being checked is relatively high in Beijing?
@Xuerui Yan ：The friends around me who talked about it and checked it out were all from Beijing. For reference only
Hello, is the employer’s letter mentioned in the article a necessary document? Can I use an offer letter instead? You said that you finally used the employer's letter. I would like to know how the visa officer asked, is it okay? Thanks!
@ Liu Xiaoqi：I remember that I only used one of the four visas. And for the Shanghai visa, if you don’t have relevant documents, you can use similar ones instead. I think there is nothing wrong with the offer letter. After all, it is also the company’s official document signed by HR. However, according to rumors, it has been tightened recently, so it is best to bring everything with you, just in case.
Like the original poster, I will return to China to apply for H1 visa at the end of November. I hope it won’t be delayed due to the Trump go p policy. Good luck to the host
@WANG E ：Good luck with that!
Please tell me, if you want to make an appointment, do you have to complete the DS-160 application and then pay with CITIC Bank before you can make a visa appointment? Or can I reserve a time first and then pay? I am on H1B and plan to return to China in 3 weeks. I am applying for a visa in Shanghai. Since I do not have a domestic bank account, I am worried that it will be too late to make an appointment when I return to China. Thank you very much
@anonymous：To pay, they ask you to fill in your payment information when you make an appointment. They usually ask your parents to go to the bank or something.
@Jake Tao：Thank you for your answer. When I filled in the Petitioner column when applying for a visa, my understanding was that it should be filled in according to I-797, and Petitioner should fill in the employer. Receipt Number and other 797 items are all there, but the Start Date drop-down menu can only select 1978-1998? Did I understand it wrong? Thank you for your kindness
@anonymous：I just happened to be doing this yesterday, and I modified it manually after selecting it. It should be a BUG in their system.
Hello, landlord! I would like to ask, is a China CITIC Bank payment receipt necessary? I asked my domestic classmates to pay for me, and I threw away the receipt and form. . . . I read a lot of people’s lists and they said it’s best to take it with you. What does this receipt do? Thanks!
@Hansee ：Just submit it online, I've never brought it with me
Hello, sir, I have a question, please ask. My h1b was approved last year, and it expired in October this year after being interviewed in October. I am currently in the United States, but I am going back to China next month to stay for a year and then hope to come back again. I would like to ask if I can renew my visa in China next year? Can I still come back then?
@old trafford ：Why did you go back for a year? Do you still work for that company? If you are working abroad in China, it shouldn’t be a big problem. If it stops working, your h1 material is useless.
@Jake Tao：I went back for personal reasons, and the company was willing to help me keep my position. So I’m wondering if I can wait until next year to go to the embassy to renew my visa before coming back and come back with h1b.
@old trafford ：In this case, it is best to wait until you are ready to come back next year and ask your company to re-apply for H1B for you. Otherwise, your paystub will not be connected, and it will be troublesome to find out the problem. Or if you are willing to take the risk, just return to the country and apply for a 1-year VISA immediately, and return to the United States before it expires.
@Jake Tao：Then if I renew it immediately after I go back, won’t it be expired again if I go back this time next year? Will there be any problem with entry? Or should I ask the company to write a letter of job reservation and wait until next year when I go back to renew my visa?
@old trafford ：Two situations:
1. If you go back now and apply for H1B, it means that you are still working in the company. If the customs does not check more materials when you go back next year, there will be no problem. Once they check, you will have problems (because you are not actually working in the company, and you have no salary and tax certificates)
2. After you go back, your H1 will be suspended (you need to ask a lawyer for details on how to suspend it). When you are ready to go back next year, ask your company to help you reapply for H1B (as long as it is within 6 years, there is no need to draw a lottery). After the application is completed, the materials will be sent to you. You can apply for a new visa in China, and then go to the United States.
@Jake Tao：了解了。我咨询律师了，她说好像可以走之前让公司写信保留职位等明年回来前带着材料和信再去更新。不知道这样可不可以
@old trafford ：kindness. . . I haven’t tried this before. I welcome you to research and share it with everyone~
Hello~
I will go back to sign in September. I transferred to a new company after winning the lottery last year. The receipt I submitted is new. I would like to ask if I should bring the 129 and apprval notice from the old company?
@Shuhan Chen ：理论上不需要，带着也无妨。我在上海的时候，签证官问了我这个情况，因为系统里面有两个记录。
你好，刚预约了北京的签证，请问邮寄到家（南京）需要再额外付费用吗？
@BadEggX ：预约的时候有选择寄送还是自取，上面有价格，加在里面了。面签的时候不会有额外费用，不需要带钱。
Hello landlord,
我想请问一下一般H1B签证需要提前多久预约会有空位呢？我打算六月中旬回国办H1B，但不知道一般需要提前多久预约。您提到您在上海预约，请问是预约2周还是1个月左右以后的面签？
Thanks!
@Karen ：这个看季节的，你6月的话，非常多的学生这个时期签证，所以会非常拥挤。建议你早点准备起来。不过你无所谓哪天的话，就放出来哪天选哪天就行。5-7月是旺季，早点准备没错。我之前提前1周约的，1月份是淡季
Hello, landlord,
I would like to ask, do you know if appointment pending has any impact on the visa? I often go to the customer's place, so the company added the customer's address to my lca, which is still pending.
Also, do you know if a change of address will affect my visa application?
Thanks!
@cc ：I haven't encountered any related situation, but if you have a receipt, it should not be a big problem if you don't bring it. You may need to consult a lawyer for details. I did some research online and it shouldn't be a big problem. As long as your company and position are normal, there will be no problem. If you're not sure, just ask a lawyer? A previous blog recommended one, you can call for consultation, they are very nice. =. =
Hello, would you like to ask if the consulate (such as Chengdu) can sign the visa? How far in advance do I need to make an appointment? Thanks!
@Buddhist anchor ：可以的，你按照步骤一步步填写材料，有一步是选领事馆，国内国外任意的。预约如果不是高峰的话，一般提前3天都有
@Jake Tao： Thanks!
你好，请问一下 I-797 必须是原件吗？我的原件上半部分，公司收起来了，只有下面I-94 那一部分给我了。我有复印件，不知道可行不。
@Gagalin ：I specifically checked and didn't ask for originals. It seems that the photocopy is theoretically OK, because it can actually be found in the system. When I signed the last time, he retrieved my h1 information three times, so it is concluded that it is connected to the Internet. But bringing the original adds a lot of credibility...after all, the company has one original and you have one (most of the time with the lawyer). This is the standard...you should have one copy on hand.
Hello, I have just been promoted. My job title is different from the one on my h1b. I was staff before and now I am senior. Since it was not a major change, I did not submit an appointment. When filling out a visa application, should I write my previous title or a new one?
@Bella ：It is safer to follow the previous comparison, because it is the one shown on your document. It is okay to write a new one, but it is best to ask the company to issue a certificate, or bring a new offer as supplementary materials.
@Jake Tao：Thank you
Hello, I would like to ask, is the copy of I-129 the one we are going to send out after the owner signed it? Or is it that USCIS responded to our I-129 at that time and then sent it back to the lawyer? The lawyer didn't give me a copy of my I-129 or anything. Also, the first form of I-129 is about the lawyer’s information. Do I need to print that one too? Thanks
@anonymous：你好，i129 应该是你寄出去那个，如果h1已经被批准了，这个基本上就没用了，因为他只代表你提交了申请，而你的i797代表了你已经获得了批准，我三次签证都没要i129。
@Jake Tao：谢谢你的回复。我看网上都说要I-129的复印件，我想着万一签证官要看呢。但是当时让owner签完字之后就寄了，我自己也没有copy，律师那也没有copy，我还想着要不要打印出来重新让owner签字然后我再复印一下呢？
@anonymous：个人认为没有必要…你有h1带着，他能从系统里面查到所有信息。问的最多的是工作问题，假如问你要这个你拿不出，也不足以check你…一般被check理由都是工作相关的。这个只能证明你提交过h1申请，你都拿到approve了，当然提交过。不过你真的担心就弄个吧
@Jake Tao：恩恩，感谢你的回复。
@Jake Tao：对了，你说你已经签了3次了？那第一次从F1转成H1b签过之后，第二次回国再签还需要面签吗？
@Jake Tao：需要的，主要他只给一年…所以非常麻烦…基本上回去就要签一次
@Jake Tao：H1b 一次有效期不是3年么，和个3年和回去签证只给的1年分别是什么呢？所有人回去面签拿visa stamp 一次只给一年么，有没有给三年的情况？
@Wish：都是一年，没有三年
你好，请问H1B 第二次回国，是递签还是面签啊
@吃瓜群众：我第二次是面签的。。。好像H1B不能递签。
@Jake Tao：好的，谢谢你