E2 visa question

 realize that definitive answers are sometimes hard to provide, as the required documents seem to vary in different cases. But here is my case. 

I'm going to provide as much info as possible so there is no confusion. 

I obtained an E2-1 visa on the 8th of October 2010. 
It says the period of sojourn is 13 months. 
My re-entry permit says I am good to re-enter until 24th November 2011. 
My current contract expires on the 31st October 2011. 

I told my hagwon boss today that I wish to extend until 29th February 2012, and hopefully start a new job at a university (if not public school) around the 2nd of March. 

My questions are as follows: 

I) Do I need to get a new apostilled CBC and apostilled undergrad diploma for the extension? (I am British) 

II) Do I need to get these two documents for transferring my visa to the university or public school? As I say, I hope to be between jobs for only a couple of days. 

III) A supplementary - I have my original Masters degree here. Will a university require it to be apostilled? 

Thanks for any help you can offer Smile

Re: E2 visa question

Hi,

Your original Master's degree does not need to be apostilled - just the apostilled copy that I guess you already have, otherwise youu would not have a job.

You can extend your contract with current employer no problem. Should you wish to transfer to a new employer there is no problem. You just need an LOR (Letter of Release).

You do not need a new CRC, unless of course you have possibly returned to the UK at some time, which you have not.

In the old days, you used to have to leave and renew your tourist Visa and re-apply for E-2. Not any more, I have changed jobs twice this year with no problem. There is now a generous period of grace between changing jobs.

You are sweet with the docs you have.

Sean.

Re: E2 visa question

Hi again,

Sorry, I didn't read properly first time. You will probably need your Master's apostilled. Try "www.smallfirmsservices.com". I think that is correct. They are based in Coventry. They had my degree apostilled within 9 days. So allowing for post - 3 days either way - they had it done very quickly and professionaly. They guarantee 5 working days.

Sean

Re: E2 visa question

Hi again,

Sorry, I didn't read properly first time. You will probably need your Master's apostilled. Try "www.smallfirmsservices.com". I think that is correct. They are based in Coventry. They had my degree apostilled within 9 days. So allowing for post - 3 days either way - they had it done very quickly and professionaly. They guarantee 5 working days.

Sean

Re: E2 visa question

A Masters isn't required to a get a visa so why would it need to be apostilled?

Re: E2 visa question

I didn't say it had to be apostilled. I said "probably". You are quite right you do not need to have a Masters to get a visa. You need a job - no job - no E-2. To get the job, you require what the job demands. Should the job demand a Masters then logic and common sense would dictate that that document should be verified and apostilled. I know of quite a few people who have apostilled Masters.

Re: E2 visa question

I think it's more than likely you will need to get a new CBC and apostille certifcate.  When I extended my visa last year I was issued a document saying the next time I exteneded it I would need to provide new documentation but as always the only advice you will get on this forum that you can trust is "go down to immigration and ask them".

Re: E2 visa question

Thanks for your advice everyone.

I'm pretty sure I won't have any worries with the E2 visa renewel and then transfer to E1 in March. It looks like I don't need any new documents for that.

However I've seen a few advertisments for university jobs that do want the Masters degree apostilised and some that just want to see the original. Thanks for the advice on getting it done back in the UK. Much appreciated.