5 ms·

I might not have read it correctly, but I didn't spot the point where they said their J-1 was not approved - just that it was in progress (and from what I hear,

by crdb 11y ago

I might not have read it correctly, but I didn't spot the point where they said their J-1 was not approved - just that it was in progress (and from what I hear, months-long approval processes seem pretty common in the States). The two countries whose visa process I'm most familiar with in this situation are Singapore and Australia. I've hired many foreigners into Singapore on Employment Passes (the H1-B equivalent) and in some cases, they came in on a tourist visa whilst their EP was in progress (testimony of our hiring speed rather than the Singaporean administration, which delivers the thing in 7 working days). Similarly, when I applied for Australian PR, which takes quite a bit longer than Singapore, the embassy specifically told me it was fine to travel in and out of the country during the application, and I did so on the usual visa waiver whatever it is called. I once was cornered - in a polite and friendly manner - by an Australian immigration agent in Singapore on my way to Perth, who for all intents and purposes looked like a perfectly normal, unarmed civil servant in a suit, and who was wondering why I kept popping in and out of his country. Satisfied with the explanation he let me continue after 2 minutes. And if you think immigration is a hot topic in the US, you should see Australian news at the moment... I've also held two work visas in Switzerland despite owning an "inferior, work-stealing frontalier" (not my words, those of the more right wing protectionists) French passport and I regularly fly in and out of the country without any issues. Therefore, this story strikes me as an illustration of how bad the backend/IT/processes for immigration are in the US. The main failure point was a lack of communication, with the airline as well as with the travelers. All airlines flying to Singapore and Australia check your visa situation (as in, ask to see the visa and scan it) before you check in precisely to avoid these problems. One also has to wonder the wisdom of not allowing visa types to overlap conditionally, since other countries seem more than able to cope; and whether failing to obtain a work visa really ought to be grounds for exclusion from tourism travel.

dzhiurgis 11y ago
> All airlines flying to Singapore and Australia check your visa situation (as in, ask to see the visa and scan it) before you check in precisely to avoid these problems And I got burned by this. Wasn't aware that you need this waiver/visa thing. Got to the check-in gate about 30 minutes before they close and got rejected. Called friend in Sydney to quickly apply online. Got confirmation of application from where it normally takes about 20 minutes to get visa. Showed it to airline lady, so she called Australian border/customs where she was informed that process might take up to 9 days. Hence I wasn't allowed to even check in. I begged to do something and they just blabbered about systems not allowing them to do it. 8 minutes after registration closed I got my visa and obviously wasn't allowed to fly that day. This was Emirates airlines by the way. When I got to Sydney next day I was questioned by a smug fatlus about what I am doing here. I could see satisfaction in her face when she asked me how I am flying back. She though 'now I got him'. Turns out I had tickets booked with different airline via different city. Asked to scan my phone for CP and drugs. Asked my friend contact details and if I can prove I am currently employed. Entry to NZ was ok, but you could see people are intimidating. To be honest all borders I ever seen look intimidating. UK now has these spinning lights on top of their cameras that create this feeling of being surveyed. My home country agents were also incompetent not being tell the difference between my GFs passport (Taiwan republic of China). She also got bad treatment on UK border. My treatment upon entering US was intimidating as well, but fortunately short. I also witnessed bias to uniform. Pilot found someones phone just before agents desk. Agent said in this ridiculous blockubster-marine-like voice "Sir, I will have to ask you turn off the phone". He managed get it thru to the guy in front, but you can bet your balls he would be pushed to the ground if he wasn't wearing his uniform.
trentnelson 11y ago
> I might not have read it correctly, but I didn't spot the point where they said their J-1 was not approved - just that it was in progress (and from what I hear, months-long approval processes seem pretty common in the States). A J-1 is initiated from a host institution, similar to how a company needs to file a Labour Condition Application (LCA) before they can hire a H1B/E3 etc. That provides you with the invitation, and you take that and all supporting evidence to a US embassy in your country of citizenship and they assess on the spot whether to approve or deny the visa. They either couldn't get sponsorship from a host institution, or the consulate officer rejected the application because of some other criteria. There's not really a "months-long" approval process.
- crdb 11y ago
  Fair. I'm not familiar with US immigration beyond anecdotes from my network. From first contact to goes-through-the-door-of-your-office, how long would you say it would typically take to hire a Vietnamese or Chinese citizen into your SF company? Singapore's figure is 7 working days and I've done it in 36 hours.

by crdb 11y ago

dzhiurgis 11y ago

> All airlines flying to Singapore and Australia check your visa situation (as in, ask to see the visa and scan it) before you check in precisely to avoid these problems And I got burned by this. Wasn't aware that you need this waiver/visa thing. Got to the check-in gate about 30 minutes before they close and got rejected. Called friend in Sydney to quickly apply online. Got confirmation of application from where it normally takes about 20 minutes to get visa. Showed it to airline lady, so she called Australian border/customs where she was informed that process might take up to 9 days. Hence I wasn't allowed to even check in. I begged to do something and they just blabbered about systems not allowing them to do it. 8 minutes after registration closed I got my visa and obviously wasn't allowed to fly that day. This was Emirates airlines by the way. When I got to Sydney next day I was questioned by a smug fatlus about what I am doing here. I could see satisfaction in her face when she asked me how I am flying back. She though 'now I got him'. Turns out I had tickets booked with different airline via different city. Asked to scan my phone for CP and drugs. Asked my friend contact details and if I can prove I am currently employed. Entry to NZ was ok, but you could see people are intimidating. To be honest all borders I ever seen look intimidating. UK now has these spinning lights on top of their cameras that create this feeling of being surveyed. My home country agents were also incompetent not being tell the difference between my GFs passport (Taiwan republic of China). She also got bad treatment on UK border. My treatment upon entering US was intimidating as well, but fortunately short. I also witnessed bias to uniform. Pilot found someones phone just before agents desk. Agent said in this ridiculous blockubster-marine-like voice "Sir, I will have to ask you turn off the phone". He managed get it thru to the guy in front, but you can bet your balls he would be pushed to the ground if he wasn't wearing his uniform.

trentnelson 11y ago

> I might not have read it correctly, but I didn't spot the point where they said their J-1 was not approved - just that it was in progress (and from what I hear, months-long approval processes seem pretty common in the States). A J-1 is initiated from a host institution, similar to how a company needs to file a Labour Condition Application (LCA) before they can hire a H1B/E3 etc. That provides you with the invitation, and you take that and all supporting evidence to a US embassy in your country of citizenship and they assess on the spot whether to approve or deny the visa. They either couldn't get sponsorship from a host institution, or the consulate officer rejected the application because of some other criteria. There's not really a "months-long" approval process.

crdb 11y ago
Fair. I'm not familiar with US immigration beyond anecdotes from my network. From first contact to goes-through-the-door-of-your-office, how long would you say it would typically take to hire a Vietnamese or Chinese citizen into your SF company? Singapore's figure is 7 working days and I've done it in 36 hours.