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PREPARING FOR THE H2B VISA INTERVIEW

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(COVID)

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Read everything carefully 

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Step 1 –VALID PASSPORT

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Please check to make sure your passport will be valid for at least 6 months beyond the expiration of your visa that you are applying for.  If you have had prior US visas on old/expired passports, please make sure to have that passport with you for the interview as well. 

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Step 2 –PASSPORT PHOTO

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For visa application form purposes you need a passport photo in electronic format; if you do not already have one, you must get one. 

 

Most photo shops know what to do as far as passport photos are concerned, but just in case, here are some instructions: photo must be recent within the last 6 months and must be against plain white or off-white background.  There should be no distracting shadows on the face or background. 

 

The photo must present a full face, front centered view, eyes open.  Must present full head from the top of hair to bottom of chin; the height of the head should measure 30 mm to 35 mm; Ears must be exposed and hair, if long, should be pulled behind the ears; must have a natural expression.

 

For additional details on this issue, please go to the link below:

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https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos.html

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Step 3 – GATHER DOCUMENTS

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The typical documents that you will need to have with you at the visa interview are listed below – some you will obtain from subsequent steps, some you already have or will obtain after Step 1 & 2 above.

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  • Your valid passport (if you have old/expired passports with US visas, you should take it/them with you at the interview also

  • One 5 cm X 5 cm passport-style color photo

  • Proof of ties with your home country (i.e. proof of employment, proof of available funds, proof of home/car ownership, other proof of assets, proof of family ties, etc)

  • Copies of your prior I-797 approval notices for any H2B status you previously held (if applicable)

  • Original boarding passes to attest to your return home from prior visits to the US (if applicable)

  • Old / expired passport if it has a prior US visa on it

  • Letter of support from employer (to be provided by PGI)

  • I-797 form – this is a copy of the approved petition (to be provided by PGI)

  • Job order details (to be provided by PGI)

  • Any other documents you feel may be useful

  • Electronic confirmation (bar code page) of DS -160 (visa application form) submission (you will obtain this during Step 4 below)

  • Receipt for payment of MRV visa application fee (you will obtain this during Step 5)

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Step 4 – VISA APPLICATION (DS-160 form)

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Before you begin to fill out the visa application form, you will need pertinent information which PGI will provide once the petition for your employer has been approved.

 

This information will include, but not be limited to:

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  • Employer (Petitioner) Name

  • Employer (Petitioner) Address

  • Employer (Petitioner) Contact Person

  • Petition Receipt Number

  • Petition Start Date

  • Petition End Date

 

To fill out the visa application form DS 160, click on the link below:

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https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/

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Step 5 – CONFIRM DS-160 SUBMISSION

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Once you have submitted your DS-160 application and received the confirmation bar code, you must click on the link below and provide the requested information

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Step 6 –MRV VISA FEE  & VISA APPOINTMENT

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Click on the country you are from for specific instructions on how to go about paying for the visa fee and setting up your visa appointment.  If your country is not on the list please email us at info@petrinagroup.com

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