H1B, H4 Visa

DISCLAIMER: Please read below details if you want MORE of NON-H1B experiences and LESS of H1B interview experience.

30-NOV :
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Rain had already started in Chennai but no one knew the disaster was yet to come. Landed at Chennai airport at 21:30 at night with wife and two sons (aged 1 and 8). IT WAS RAINING.

WHERE IS TAXI? There was no taxi at airport. Government pre-paid said no taxis available. Other authorised taxis within airport (before exit) said no taxis for next 1 hour. What a bad luck.

OUTSIDE AIRPORT: Other private taxis started negotiating with me for 4 times the prices. Somehow managed to negotiate with a taxi with double the price and shared taxi with other passenger.

CITY CONDITION: Only after coming to main road I realised how big mess it was with water logging and traffic jam. Somehow reached my place at 23:00 hrs crossing Saidapet bridge (Adyar River flows under it).

01-DEC: (DAY TIME - it was raining all the day)
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FOR BIOMETRIC: Hmmm... the horrible day of rain. Somehow managed to get a taxi. No taxis were available. After request got a vehicle which the Owner of a big taxi company himself drove to help us. He was gentle and helpful person. There was deep water every where in Chennai. Somehow reached the place for biometric, finished it and safely returned.

02-DEC: (DAY OF H1B INTERVIEW)
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Reached the consulate in time. There was a small queue outside Consulate. Fortunately it was not raining. Not even a single drop. As I was with kids I was moved ahead by the securities. (I did not have to request). After all the checking I finally reached the area where there were counters for interview. All candidates were standing in a queue to wait for their turn. I moved to the end of the queue. A candidate told us to move the front of the queue as we were with small children. We moved to the front of the queue and immediately were called for interview at a counter.

GOOD MORNING EXCHANGED BY BOTH OF US.

VO (a lady): (TO MY SON) How did you come here, by swimming?
SON: No
VO: By boat?
SON: No
VO: by car?
SON: Yes
VO: Who is he?
SON: My father
VO: Who is she
SON: My mother.
VO: Who is that little baby?
SON: My younger brother.

Question to me.
VO: Who is your end client?
ME: Answered
VO: What is your highest qualification?
ME: Answered
VO: How much is your salary per annum?
ME: Answered
VO: Do you have i797?
ME: Gave
VO: How long have you been working with your employer?
ME: New employment
She took some time to read details in computer and after sometime
VO: Now let us start the H1B interview. Here is the most difficult question. When is your anniversary?
ME: Answered
VO: Looked at my wife and asked is it correct?
My Wife: Yes
She again took some time to read details in computer and after sometime...
VO: I am approving your visa and returned i797 and a booklet.
"Thank You" and "BYE" were exchanged.

Yes, All of us were smiling during the interview and VO's relaxed mood gave me the confidence.

I checked for courier service to home for passport delivery and the service was not there.

Overall consulate IN-2-OUT was done in less than 30 minutes.

CHENNAI FLOOD: Got the news of severe flooding in Chennai. Adyar river was flowing over the Saidapet bridge. My flight got cancelled/re-scheduled 3 times. For safety of my family I stayed back in Chennai for 4 more days.

MY CASE: I have 14 years of IT experience. Not in Job for 14 months. Currently have a valid US B1/B2 visa. Have visited these countries (USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Singapore, Indonesia, Uruguay) multiple times in last 5 years in business visa. No past history of visa denial to any countries. Earlier visited USA in 2000 and 2001 in business. All these details were filled in DS160.