I am a first time poster here and could really use a bit of advice or guidance from anyone with insight into this!
My husband (a U.K. Citizen) has been living and working in the US since December 2015 on an O-1 visa. It's not been super ideal to live apart, and so we have decided that I will join him on O-3 Status and have started the process to facilitate this...or at least, we have tried to.
I am finding it incredibly difficult to find information on how to apply for the O-3. I know it can be done, as our lawyers who helped with the original O-1 said I could always apply to be added on as an O-3 down the road. We are considering going back to the lawyers and getting their help in this case, but it would be really nice to avoid that (especially as it seems like this SHOULD be straightforward).
At this point, my biggest point of confusion comes down to where I actually apply to be added as an O-3. MOST of what I read suggests that I need to fill in the DS-160 and attend a visa appointment with the required supporting documents in order to obtain an O-3 visa entry in my passport. However, I have also read in other places that as a Canadian I am exempt from some of these requirements and should instead just apply directly with my supporting documentation at a US point of entry. I personally can see this route being more complicated, particularly if you get a border patrol officer who is unfamiliar with O-3.
Also, would my husband need to be with me in either of these applications, or can I apply on my own provided I have a copy of his original approval notice, etc?
I can't seem to find any definitive answer on which route I should take. I would be so grateful if anyone has any advice or has been through this before and can point me in the right direction!
Trying to figure out o3 visa process
in Canada
Posted
Hi everyone!
I am a first time poster here and could really use a bit of advice or guidance from anyone with insight into this!
My husband (a U.K. Citizen) has been living and working in the US since December 2015 on an O-1 visa. It's not been super ideal to live apart, and so we have decided that I will join him on O-3 Status and have started the process to facilitate this...or at least, we have tried to.
I am finding it incredibly difficult to find information on how to apply for the O-3. I know it can be done, as our lawyers who helped with the original O-1 said I could always apply to be added on as an O-3 down the road. We are considering going back to the lawyers and getting their help in this case, but it would be really nice to avoid that (especially as it seems like this SHOULD be straightforward).
At this point, my biggest point of confusion comes down to where I actually apply to be added as an O-3. MOST of what I read suggests that I need to fill in the DS-160 and attend a visa appointment with the required supporting documents in order to obtain an O-3 visa entry in my passport. However, I have also read in other places that as a Canadian I am exempt from some of these requirements and should instead just apply directly with my supporting documentation at a US point of entry. I personally can see this route being more complicated, particularly if you get a border patrol officer who is unfamiliar with O-3.
Also, would my husband need to be with me in either of these applications, or can I apply on my own provided I have a copy of his original approval notice, etc?
I can't seem to find any definitive answer on which route I should take. I would be so grateful if anyone has any advice or has been through this before and can point me in the right direction!
Many thanks!