H1B, H4 Visa

Thanks for sharing your interview experiences. It was really helpful to prepare for the visa interview.

I would like to share my H1B visa interview experience with you all.

I had an OFC Appointment on 14th Sept 09:15 AM & Consular Appointment on 15th Sept 09:00 AM at Hyderabad.

OFC Interview:
1) Our appointment was at 09:15 AM, and we went there at 09:00 AM. They allowed us immediately.
2) We stood in finger prints queue. There are two queues one for finger prints & other one for passport collection. Seek assistance from security people over there.
3) After standing in the queue for 15 min, an associate came to us and verified our visa appointment copy, DS160 against our passports to see any information mismatch. In our case there are no information mismatches.
- If you have any information mismatch, don't need to panic. There is a person next to queue who can help you with that. You have to pay him for service.
4) After verification, we entered the building and security check happened there.
5) After security check, they asked us to stand in queue. At the counter they verified our visa appointment copy, DS160, and passports.
6) They labeled the passport and a token number.
7) Moved to next room, and waited for my token number to be displayed.
8) Went to respective counter. Gave my passport & DS160, and Wished the Lady.
9) She asked to read the instructions on the wall. Then took photograph & finger prints.
10) Handover-ed the passport back to me.

Consular Interview: (VO - Visa Officer)
1) Our appointment was at 09:00 AM, and we went there at 08:00 AM.
2) Security people asked us to stand in a queue next to vehicle entrance gate. We were there for 15 min.
3) Security asked us to move to queue at the embassy entrance at 08:15 AM.
4) They have checked our passport labels & marked on the label. Allowed In.
5) An associate asked us to sit in chairs. They allowed 2-3 rows once for security check.
6) At security check, they have asked us to empty the pockets, remove belt, accessories (gold ornaments etc), even pens. They gave us trays to keep documents & belongings.
7) Moved into scanner room, tray was scanned and given back.
8) Another associate made us sit in waiting area for 20 min. They handed over Rights Documents to go through.
9) We stood in queue for finger print verification. An associate collected our passports and handed over to US Officer at the counter.
10) US Officer called us by name, for the finger print verification.
11) After verification is completed they handed over cards with counter number. One card per family group.
12) We waited in the respective queue at the counter for 5 min.
13) Associate collected our passports and handed over to VO
14) VO called us, here started our interview

Me: Good Morning Officer. How are you?
VO: She wished us.

VO: She took 1 minute to check my petition document on computer.
VO: Who is your employer?
Me: Answered

VO: Where will you work?
Me: Client place

VO: Who is your client?
Me: Answered

VO: What is your designation?
Me: Answered

VO: What are your job duties?
Me: Answered

VO: How long have you been working for this employer?
Me: New employment

VO: How many years of experience do you have?
Me: Answered

VO turned to my wife,
VO: Where do you stay in USA?
Wife: She gave the City & State details

VO: How long have you been married?
Wife: Answered

VO: Do you have kids?
Wife: Yes, one kid.

VO said your visas are approved & Have a great day. We wished her in return and left the counter.

VO didn't ask for any documentation except passports.

I HAVE GOT EMAIL CONFIRMATION STATING THAT MY PASSPORT IS READY AT 8 AM ON 16TH SEPT 2015.

I HAVE COLLECTED MY PASSPORT ON 18TH SEPT 2015.

Tips: (US Consulate, Hyderabad)
- Don’t have any sealed envelopes. Open them before entering the embassy.
- If you have children with you. At embassy they are allowing one bottle of milk only. No child food allowed.
- Push chairs & Strollers aren’t allowed inside embassy.
- Cosmetics, Electronics, Liquids, and Creams aren’t allowed inside embassy.
- In case if you have any restricted items with you they will ask you to drop them outside the embassy premises. You have to walk all the way till the start of the street to dump those.
- Paid parking available for 4 wheeler vehicles. One beside US embassy named Begumpet Palace Function Hall (charged 50/- per hour) & other one at Indian Passport office basement behind Citibank building.
- Private Lockers are available at Hotel near passport office & Xerox center opposite to passport office.
- Inside embassy after security check in, you have wash rooms & tea point.
- For consular appointment be there before 45-60 minutes. They aren’t allowing any applicant whose appointment is beyond 1 hour after the check post.
- Prepare well, be confident, Keep the eye contact with VO, and Have a smiling face.
- Go through your petition documentation; try to be on same lines. Don’t try to give too much information, if require VO will ask for additional information.
- In case if you aren’t able to understand or hear the questions, Don’t hesitate to ask VO to repeat the question.
- Dress appropriately. Formals preferable.
- Carry Authorization letter to collect passports of wife/husband & children. Originals & Xerox copies of ID Proofs, Birth Certificate, and Marriage Certificate