Jayesh- (guest from Mumbai, Maharashtra, India)    •   01/14/2013 05:56:40 AM

1      1

Firstly a big THANK YOU to immihelp for coming up with such an fantastic platform that allows people to share their H1B/H4 interview experiences and helps H1B aspirants to prepare for the same.

Day 1 - OFC - 09th Jan
Straight forward process which will not take more than 30 mins. Passport, DS-160 confirmation page and appointment letter are the only docs required here. I had gone with my spouse and 2yr old son. They said its fine if we do not bring him for consulate interview.

Day 2 - Interview - 14th Jan
I went there only with my spouse. Process starting from the consulate gate to the interview counter are same as already mentioned by various other members. Hence will not mention that.

Interview conversation
Me - Greetings exchanged and handed over our passports with original I-797 document. But I-797 was returned back as he said it was not required.

VO - Which co. do you work for?
Me - Answered

VO - Will you work at client/your co. location?
Me - Answered

VO - Who is your client?
Me - Answered

VO - Your responsibilities there?
me - Answered

To my wife
VO - How long you have been married with him?
Wife - Answered

VO - What is your hubby's favourite food?
Wife - Answered

VO - How old is you son?
Wife - Answered

VO - What is your son's favourite food?
Wife - Answered

VO started typing something in his computer. Here I knew that we have almost made it :-). Then came Golden words - "You VISA is approved and will get your passport in 4-5 working days."

As mentioned by other immihelp members, confidence is the key. But that can go for a toss when you see rejections happening (for various other categories) infront of you. My VO was very cool that helped me gain some confidence while waiting for our turn in queue.

Pramitha- (guest from United States)    •   01/14/2013 02:26:27 AM

1      1

Hi,

I have got a TNC notice when my employer tried to E-verify my records. I have a fairly long name and the last 4 characters are missing in my SSN records. The E-verify process is not yet resolved and I need to apply for H1B this year in April. Can anyone please tell me the impact of the E-verify TNC notice on my H1B approval/rejection?

Thanks,
Pramitha

Aryan- (guest from Hyd, AP, India)    •   01/13/2013 11:33:54 AM

1      1

Hi All,

I am working at "A" company.I had filed My H1B petition with "B" company and got approved .I also attended H1B visa stamping at Hyd last month .Got 221g white paper(Adminstrative Process) .Currently my visa status is on hold .VO officer said that we have doubt about your employer we need to verify.

I have an opportunity to work with company "A" in USA .

My question are

1) Can we transfer company B H1B petition to company A
2) If i transfer the petition , Should i withdraw the Current case (221g).
3) If i want to withdraw my current Visa case ,will my I797 be valid or not

Please help me

Anand- (guest from Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India)    •   01/12/2013 11:30:02 AM

1      1

I have attend H1 and H4 Visa interview @ Chennai consulate, Here is my experience.

OFC appointment on 9th Jan 2013 --- Completed

Main Visa interview on 10th Jan 2013 @ 7:30am slot

VO: Good Morning
ME: Very Good Morning

VO: Please pass the Documents ( DS-160, Passport)
ME: Given the Doc's

VO: You are going to VA
ME: Yes Sir

VO: How many employee's working for your employer?
ME: Answered

VO: Who is your client?
ME: Its a In house project so no client involved sir

VO: How much your salary?
ME: Answered

To my spouse H4

VO:How long you have been married?
My spouse answered.

Thats it, With smile in VO's face he said your visa is approved.

I Wish to people who are attending interview @ Chennai counslate.

All the best

Anand

Kumar S- (guest from Bangalore, Karnataka, INDIA)    •   01/11/2013 06:26:24 AM

1      1

Hi,

I would like to share my experience with all of you as this forum was really helpful for me. I am on H1B extension and have to re-stamp as I came India on vacation.

My stamping process scheduled for 10th and 11th at Delhi U.S. consulate. It is pretty cool and all you need is correct documents and stay calm. That's it.

Day 1 - 10-Jan-2013

I have reached the VAC before 30 mins(actually it is better to go just before 15 mins). You have to carry below:
1. DS-160 confirmation page
2. Interview Confirmation letter
3. Valid Passport
4. Your company Id (optional)

(Note: if you are new to the city carry some cash and return address :) )

Here they will verify all your documents and allow you inside. Followed by finger print scan for all ten fingers and photograph will be done here. Done with day1. Please keep both DS-160 confirmation page and interview letter safely as they will put confirmation seal on both.

Day 2 : Jan-11-2013

I have reached 30 mins before, and started in the queue. verified the documents and directly to interview only.

Me: Hi, Good morning. How are you?
VO: I am good, how about you?
ME: I am good, thank you. Passed my Passport and Petition approval
VO: (Verified the documents) So you going on H1B?
ME: Yes
VO: Are you on extension?
ME: Yes
VO: Who is your client?
ME: XXX
VO: Have you had visa refusal before?
ME: Yes. (I had one L1B rejection)
VO: Your Visa is approved, have a nice stay.
ME: Thanks, have a nice day.

Stay calm and all the best.

Satish- (guest from Hyderabad, AP, India)    •   01/11/2013 02:46:45 AM

2      1

Dear friends,

Thanks to everyone who is giving their inputs in this forum. This is a great help for everyone. I know how much need it is before the intw and many people forgot to write their experiences here.. please post your experiences which can help others.

H1B Renewal at Hyd on Jan 11th.

OFC was on 10th, it was very light process.. be in line just 15mins before.. dont be early..it does not help.
For Hyd, OFC is located in gowrav plaza last cornor Apartment building..OFC is nice & easy.. it will be done in just 15-20 mins..
They will just verify your DS-160, appointment letter and passport. Other docs not necessary.

Its very important to have your Name & other info 100% accurate with your passport and DS-160 (including middle name). At the counter they just verify all the information, and stamp on the DS-160 printout which you provide. Its important to keep this document with you and carry for Visa intw. its a must one.

On the day of visa intw, just be in line just half an hour before.
Mine appointment was 9.30, was there in Q at 9.
Process is very much streamlined, nice & easy. --> enter building->security checkup (dont carry any bags, electronic devices ) ***DONT carry Cellphones,, they dont allow & there will NO stock counter --> pass thru security check up , you will be seated for a while, Person will come to you and check your passport, DS-160, appoitnment, I-797 (for H1 will give white pamphlet to read, its just contain US laws on NON-immigration policy), --> call for counter, stand in a Q in the coutner, on your turn, give your DS-160, appt letter, passport, they will verifiy in the system and then ask you sit in the waiting lobby.--> upon reaching waiting lobby, you will be given a token number -> wait here till your turn --> On your turn, go to the counter, here's visa intw...

Cool, Calm, Confindence are the key..

VO: Greetings exchanged.
VO: Company name
VO: why did you change your company
VO: What is your company & what you do.
VO: Right-hand finger print verfiication
VO: Done

Passport retained with VO.

 usually the questions are simple, one need to be prepared and stay calm.

Alll the best for future endeavors.

Thanks for the people who posted their experiences here..

Good luck..
Cheers..

ss- (guest)    •   01/10/2013 13:39:09 PM

1      1

At first BIG thanks to this forum who helps individuals on a regular basis. It's a great help to all by virtually knowing the atmosphere prior to that when one actually go for the interview.
Had attended visa interview this week. Both OFC and Consular have very systematic process and there are very less chances of getting late from the scheduled time.

@OFC: just carry the original passport, visa appointment confirmation and DS-160 confirmation
They'll take finger prints and photograph. And, confirm your attendance by providing stamp on DS-160 confirmation page. Carry all these on next day (specially same stamped DS-160 confirmation)

@Consulate:
brief about the questions:
- how long you have been with current company
- project nature
- client name and location
- marital status
that's all and the golden words finally!!!

basic rules to follow (as per the experience and observations):
Professional attire - does most of the job - well begun half done :-)
Eye contact and smiling face
Have presence of mind with good listening skills (better to response with slight pause rather than answering wrong)
Try to keep the answers crisp (to-the-point) and don't invite more questions out of the answers given (try to keep your level best to have questions as close-ended only)

Hope this helps. All the best to all who would be attending it in future.

ram- (guest from hyderabad, ap, india)    •   01/10/2013 09:24:38 AM

2      2

hi friends, any one has got the approvel, issued with 221 g (with AAP), interview attended on november 2012.

regards
ram

RedBull- (guest from Chennai, TN, India)    •   01/10/2013 02:05:45 AM

2      2

Thanks for all the folks who posted your Interview experience. Really helps a lot.

Here is my experience. My interview was scheduled at Chennai Consulate at 9:30 AM. OFC was 8th Jan at 11:30. OFC is very staright forward. Please carry your DS 160 confirmation sheet and your Appointment letter with your Passport. Nothing else needed. You need carry same DS 160 Confirmation sheet along with you for Visa interview. So keep Safe.

Note : There is no Pleasantires exchanged :(

Me: Good Morniing
VO : Your Passport ( A female in 40+ age )

Me : Gave the bundled pack.
VO: Have you ever been to US ?

Me: No
VO: Have you ever applied for US Visa earlier ?

Me: Yes ( I was holding expired L1 Visa but never travelled.
VO: Can I have your old passport ( She cancelled that L1 visa by stamping cancelled Seal )

VO: Who is your Petitioner?
Me: Answered

VO: How long your working with XXXXX Company
Me: Answererd

VO: Which place you are travelling ?
Me: Answered

VO: What is your pay over there ?
Me: Answered

Thats it. She told your visa is Approved and issued me one white pamplet.

Checker- (guest)    •   01/09/2013 02:04:32 AM

2      2

Interview attended on Nov 29, 2012.
H1B and H4, EVC model, Carried all supporting documents, VO mentioned that he would need
additional 2 to 3 days to make a decision.
Received 221g white letter but no additional documents requested
Passports returned back on Dec 04, 2012 with same 221g document attached.
DOS contacted client to verify employment info
Received email to submit passports on Jan 02, 2013
Issued visa on Jan 07, 2013 & Received passports on Jan 09,2013

New status check link - https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx?eQs=WwjqOlbeRYzCYubaSQI+RA==
works with Application ID, Not sure why but in my case its shows up as invalid case number when checked with 221g case number.

Good luck to everyone and hope everyone struck at 221g processcing will hear the same good news.