Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Tips for an effective Presentation

We have a lot of thoughts that we wish to express when making a presentation. Lets keep in mind that the everybody in the room may not have the same understanding as you. We follow coding standards, the same way lets follow some structured way of presentation so that it will be clear on the presentation will proceed.

These are suggested guidelines while making a presentation.

1) Overview of the presentation - What/Why/How about the presentation.
2) Agenda of the presentation - Outline the topics that will be covered in the presentation
3) Architecture/Block diagram - How does this module interact with the rest of the world ?
4) Inter module interaction - How do the blocks inside the module communicate with each other ?
5) Details about each block .

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

This document is a guideline for filing (spouse) H4 Visa. It covers details like the documents required, photograph requirements, visa fees and the questions that may be asked at the consulate.

Disclaimer: The details are compiled from multiple websites; the intent is to consolidate the information at one place. To the best of my knowledge none of the content below is copyrighted. Before reading this document you agree that you are entirely responsible for anything that happens to you/around you before/during/after reading this document. Confirm all the details from the consulate before applying for the visa.

Documents

• TTS Web Appointment
• Orginal H-1B Approval Notice (I-797)
• Copy of H-1B Petition (I-129)
• Visa Application Form DS-156 for Spouse
• Marriage Certificate
• Marriage Photographs
• Original + Copy of Imran's Passport.
• DD for Vissa Issuance
• DD for Vissa Application
• Employment Verification Letter(deputation Letter)
• spouse passport (name of spouse should be endrossed on both passports)
• 1 photo of spouse measuring 2" X 2" , digital with white background front view)
• Visa drafts (office arranges)
• Covering letter (office provides) cash for tts courier

Optional
• Bank Statement (imran)
• Salary Stubs (imran)
• W-2 form (imran)


Site: path2usa.com/h4.doc

• Documents required for dependent visa (H4/L2/F2/M2/J2):
• Completed visa application along with the applicable draft amount.
• Original and valid Passport.
• 2 recent color photograph, (2x2 inches or 50x50 mm) for each applicant showing full face, preferably without head covering, and with a light background. Always keep some extra photos with you.
• Your original marriage certificate.
• 4-5 marriage photographs. All the snaps must be very clear and easy to identify both the bride, and the bridegroom. Photographs showing some marriage rituals are must.
• **Example : Few photographs around the agni ceremony.
• A copy of of each sides marriage invitation card.
• A copy of your spouse's H1 visa and passport. (This is required for H4 visa only. If you are applying for F2/M2/J2 visa then you are required to show your spouses I-20 form copy instead.) Similarly for L2 visa the copy of your spouse's L1 approval.
• Spouse's, employment verification letter. See the sample.
• Demand draft for visa application Fee.
• Demand draft for visa issuance Fee.
• See more details at US consulate Delhi , website.
• For current visa fees rate, visit:
• -Current Visa Fee?
• Note: All visa payments should be in the form of demand draft, made
• payable to the American Consulate General, (Mumbai/ Delhi/ Chennai/
• Calcutta which ever is applicable)

Tips:
• If you are applying for your visa along with your spouse, who is
• applying for H1 simultaneously, then submit both your applications together.
• It is advisable to get your ECNR checked on your passport beforehand.
• It is advisable to get your spouse's name endorsed on your passport beforehand.
• If after marriage your last name has changed, then it's better to endorse the change in your passport beforehand. Otherwise you will have to continue your maiden name here.
• Upon receiving your visa, carefully check for any kind of mistakes
• like name, date of birth, type of visa, validity date, etc.


[Your Company Letter Head]

To Whom It May Concern:

Dear Sir/Madam,

This is to certify that Mr. [First Name] [Last Name] is an employee at
[Employer 's Company Name] and as working as a [Designation] since
[Date with year] .
[His/Her] current gross salary is USD [xx,0000] [In words] per annum.

If you have question regarding his/her employment, please contact our
office at [office HR Phone Number].


Yours Sincerely,

[Signature of Person issuing certificate]
[ Manager- HR] or [Designation]

Date : [Date of issuing certificate]



Site: http://usembassy.state.gov/delhi.html/wwwhnivdep.html

Dependent Visas: H-4, L-2


• Applicants for the related dependent visas, H-4 and L-2 visas, should submit:

• all the required documents for any non-immigrant visa

• Your marriage registration certificate, and an original birth certificate for each child

• Your wedding invitation and wedding ceremony photos

• All 36 pages of the principal applicant's passport (if not applying with principal applicant). If a copy of the passport is submitted, it should be a GOOD copy and the photo must be clearly identifiable

• A letter from the spouse's employer confirming continued employment

• Copy of the principal applicant's I797, I129 and LCA

• Copy of the principal applicant's work experience letters

• Copy of the principal applicant's letter of offer from the US company

• Pay stubs from principal applicant's current place of work and income tax return.

• The Embassy cannot accept documents received directly from the company by mail or fax. If confidentiality is of concern, the applicant should bring the documents to the Embassy in a sealed envelope. The Embassy will not make this information available to anyone and will respect the confidentiality of the information.

Documents Required For A Non-Immigrant Visa

• The following documents are mandatory for any application being made:

• A fully completed and signed Visa Application Form DS-156, with one recent - within the past six months- 50mm x 50mm forward-facing visa photograph.

• Every male applicant between the age of 16-45 must also complete the Supplemental application Form DS-157

• For all student and exchange visitor applicants, Application Form DS-158 and Form DSP-2019 (formerly called an IAP-66) from an approved Exchange Visitor Program sponsor

• A passport valid for at least six months after the date of entry in USA

Dependent Visas: H-4, L-2


Applicants for the related dependent visas, H-4 and L-2 visas, should submit:

• all the required documents for any non-immigrant visa Plus

• Your marriage registration certificate, and an original birth certificate for each child.

• Your wedding invitation and wedding ceremony photos. Please submit no more than 30 photos.

• Please do not send entire wedding albums.

• All 36 pages of the principal applicant's passport (if not applying with principal
• applicant). If a copy of the passport is submitted, it should be a GOOD copy and the photo must be clearly identifiable.

• A letter from the spouse's employer confirming continued employment.

• Copy of the principal applicant's I-797, I-129 and Labor Condition Application (LCA)

• Copy of the principal applicant's work experience letters

• Copy of the principal applicant's letter of offer from the US company

• If your spouse is currently working in the US on an H1-B visa, please submit the pay slips for the current calendar year and federal tax returns (IRS Form 1040 and W-2s) for all the years in which he/she has been employed in the U.S. on the H-1B visa.

• The Consulate cannot accept documents received directly from the company by mail or fax. If confidentiality is of concern, the applicant should bring the documents to the Consulate in a sealed envelope. The Consulate will not make this information available to anyone and will respect the confidentiality of the information.

• An individual passport valid for travel to the U.S. for at least six months after your date of entry in to the U.S.

• A fully completed and signed Visa Application Form - DS-156

• All male applicants between the ages of 16 and 45 must also submit a fully completed and signed Supplemental Application Form DS-157

• In addition to the above forms, if you are applying for a F-1, J-1 or M-1 visa, you need to submit a fully completed and signed Application form DS-158

• One recent (within the past six months) passport size photograph, 50mm X 50mm with a white or off-white background. Click here for details.


Important things to remember when filling out application forms:

• Respond to all the questions. If you have no response for a question, put "none" or "nil" - do not draw a line or write " n.a." or "not applicable" If you fail to answer all the questions, this could create problems with your application, so remember to have an answer for each question.
• Respond fully to each question. For example, No. 27 is "What is the purpose of your trip?"
• If you are going on a tourist visa to see your son who is working in Detroit, don't just put "tourist" as an answer, put " "going to visit son in Detroit". If you are a student, don't respond to "purpose of trip" with " to study", be specific – for example "going to study for B.E. degree at Louisiana State".
• Provide details whenever it is useful.
• The applicant must sign the application, even if someone else fills it out.
• Please note that all of these application forms may be downloaded From http://travel.state.gov/visaforms.html.
• There also may be certain suggested documents to bring to your interview. Please refer to the specific visa type for a list of suggested documents.

Very important:

• Remember: though suggested documents may assist you in your interview, the Consular Officer relies primarily on the interview to determine your eligibility for a visa. Documents are of secondary importance.
• Caution: Use only valid Documents. Fraud or misrepresentation can result in permanent ineligibility for a nonimmigrant visa.
• Visa fees for Indian Nationals effective October 11, 2003



Visa fees are as follows:
• Non-immigrant visa application fee (non-refundable) * RS. 4600
• Non-immigrant visa issuance fee (paid only upon issuance)** RS. 2300
• Courier fee Rs. 400***

• Applicants for the following non-immigrant visa categories are exempt from paying the Non-Immigrant Visa Application Fee: A, C-2 , G, and NATO.

• * As of October 11, 2003, applicants for the following non-immigrant visa categories will be exempt from paying the Non-Immigrant Visa Issuance Fee: A, C-2 , D, F, G, J, K, M, N, NATO, S, T, and V.

• Visa fees are payable only via Demand Draft drawn on a nationalized or international bank. The draft should favor the "American Consulate General, Chennai". Please see the list of banks in Chennai from which the American Consulate General, Chennai will accept demand drafts.

• Important: Please write your complete name and passport number on the back of each draft.

• Courier fees may be paid in cash or via a demand draft favoring "T.T. Services"

• Not an Indian National? Visa Fees for other countries can be found in the Visa Reciprocity Tables.



Photo instructions for non-immigrant visas

• The photograph must be an un-mounted full-face photo taken within the last six months. The photograph must be full front view, taken facing the camera – no side or angled views are acceptable. The most important goal of the photograph is that it identifies the person.
• The photograph should measure 2 inches x 2 inches (roughly 50 mm x 50 mm) with the head centered in the frame. The head (measured from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin) should measure between 1 inch to 1 3/8 inches (28 mm and 35 mm) from the bottom of the photo.
• The photograph must have a white or off-white background. Photos with colored, dark or patterned backgrounds will not be accepted.
• For persons wearing glasses, there must be no reflection around the eyes.
• Photos with reflections will not be accepted. A photograph wearing a traditional facemask or veil that does not permit adequate identification is not acceptable. Head coverings or hats are acceptable only due to religious beliefs and then only when the applicant's face is completely exposed.
• Since a separate visa is issued to each qualified applicant, an individual photo is required in all cases. Group photos are not acceptable.
• Please follow these instructions carefully. If photographs presented do not meet these requirements, the visa may be refused.
• For more information photo requirements:
• http://travel.state.gov/photorequirements.html


TIPS FOR PERSONAL INTERVIEW WITH THE VISA OFFICIAL

Find below probable questions and suggested answers to help you face
the visa interview. Please note that these are only guidelines and need
not be asked in the same sequence. You are likely to get only 1-2
minutes of interview time with the visa official. It is essential that
you impress them about your being a computer software professional
going to US to render specialised service. Therefore we suggest you
dress formally. Answer all the questions with confidence. It is also
essential that you make and maintain maximum eye contact effort with
the Visa Official. You are evaluated not only by your answers but also
by your body language. Hence, you must appear normal and relaxed.

What is your name?
My name is (give your full name)

What is your qualification?
I am Graduate/Post Graduate in Engineering or MCA (as the case may be)

Where are you presently employed?
You should give your present employer details.

What is your current assignment?
Explain about your current assignment, the project name, the
environment.

Have you resigned?
If you have not resigned, please say so clearly and that you will
resign soon after collecting your visa. If you have resigned you can
say that you have resigned and indicate that you will travel after
getting relieved.

How did you know about your sponsor (employer)?
I saw an advertisement and applied for a suitable position. I was
interviewed and then selected. I have accepted the offer and have come
to collect my visa.

What is your salary?
State clearly the salary mentioned in the letter to the consulate (for
example 55,000 USD per annum plus fringe benefits like medical, dental
care insurance and life insurance)

What is the compelling reason for you to come back to India?
There are ample high paying software jobs in India itself.
I have my old parents whom I have to look after.
I have valuable properties to be taken care of by me (if you are
unmarried, you could say that you have to get married).

Are you paying any H1 Visa processing fees to your sponsor (employer)?
No, I am not paying any H1 visa processing fees. It is being taken care
of by the Company.

If your are married, your spouse should know the following.
Your Full Name,
The name of the Company you will be joining in the U S A.,
The location of your posting with the company and your salary