H1B, H4 Visa

Hi
The only thing I want to add to the list of documents is to carry information about the number of employees on H1-b status if you belong to company of lower strength . It matters a lot during interview . I did not have information about it and hence was issued 221(g) .

All the best for your interview . The documentation needs to be proper.
Thanks

So I had my appointment at the New delhi US embassy and its a typical client-vendor-employer model. The officer asked my some basic questions and returned my passport saying they needed to review my application a bit more. Said they will get back to me in a week if I need to drop off my passport. Keeping fingers crossed.

Please help!
I have to leave on business to attend a conference in New Delhi. I would need stamping to resume my work back in USA however there is no calendar for delhi consulate when i login to that VFS.

Hi,

Reading through few of the below experiences, can some one guide me what is the procedure of submitting documents prior to one's interview date?

I mean do they let you in with out you being on their list of interviewers for a particular day.

When I check the earliest availability appointment dates for Delhi. It doesn't display Delhi calender at all.
Is there a lead time when they would display the calender of available dates or does it mean the dates are filled already?

My petition is approved a year back. I am going now for my interview

1) What kind of question can i expect for going so late
2) Petition is status is not updated online. It is still in review state even though I have got confirmation
3) Can I only work for duration the petition is valid since i have given intent of more year to work that the expiry date of petitio

After my recent success with H1B, I just realized with enough preparation, the process could be very simple and stress-less. Here is a step wise approach that I followed for a successful experience

Appointment requirements (in the order of importance)

Photo fitting the requirements (would be best to check your picture on their website before starting the DS-160)
DS-160 (Takes about 20-30 minutes. Save the DS -160 process as you proceed. The program is notorious for “refreshing” and losing information. Save the completed form for future).
HDFC receipts (Check the VFS website for up to date exchange rates)
Plan on making your appointments at least 15-20 days prior to your interview date. Print three copies of the appointment letter. (In my case, Hyderabad availability was updated only three weeks in advance, but at VFS they mentioned that they allowed applicants could get an interview as late as 5-7 days in advance)

Application process

Submit the following in the VFS Hyderabad Center 3 days in advance (you can also authorize of your friends/relatives to do this for you – in which case add an additional authorization letter to the list).

Copy of VFS Interview letter
Copy of DS-160 confirmation
Copy of passport – Bio page and any pages with observations
Copy of I-797
Copy of the employers petition letter to USCIS
Original HDFC receipts – Both the receipts (green color) for fees paid.
One recent photograph (there is a photographer at the venue, charges you Rs. 100 for 4. Highly recommend it)
You get a white confirmation receipt from VFS. (you will need this to pick-up your VISA)

Note: (I had interview on Tuesday and they accepted my documents on Friday. I later learnt that there are lot of people who do not follow this protocol and end up standing in a long line at the consulate office on the day of interview, which seemed like an anxious and stressful process. Your interview could be delayed by 2-4 hours if you don’t submit the documents earlier. I would strongly recommend submitting the documents earlier.

Interview requirements

(This is an exhaustive list. I had an index paper listing all the documents. The VISA officer found it really easy to navigate through the documents using the index, as a consequence asked me very few questionsJ)

Immigration Documents
Copy of DS 160
Copy of passport – Bio page and any pages with observations
Original I-797 notice of approval,
Copy of complete I-129 petition submitted
Copy of Labor Condition Application
Copy of HDFC Bank fee receipt
Copy of SSN
Employment Documents
Offer Letter (received at the time of employment)
Current Employment Verification Letter
Letter from your Manager certifying the current list of projects you are working on
Copy of Latest Resume
Copy of Pay slips (at least for the past 6 months)
Names and current phone numbers of the personnel managers and current HR
Copy of ID card
Copy of W2's and 1040 (at least for the past 5 years if you are already living in US)
Miscellaneous Documents
Copy of Address Proof (lease and/or driver's license)
Photographs (3)
Copies of relevant diplomas (in my case Master’s and Doctoral)
Copy of air ticket (with your return ticket if you have it)
Copy of Bank Statements (6 months of one major bank)

The day of
Arrive 10-15 minutes earlier. Really only 15 minutes earlier. (This was different from my Chennai experience as a student, where I went almost 2 hours in advance and was standing in hot and humid conditions).
Just have your valid passport and appointment letter in your hand.
If you arrive only 10 minutes prior, just directly go to the Gate keeper. (No need to stand in line and hopelessly stand behind people who arrive 20-30 minutes before their scheduled time)
There is no shelter for waiting, so prepare yourself for rain and shine.
They do not allow any umbrellas or bags inside so have a water proof document organizer. They were very particular about cosmetics and had witnessed two female applicants sent back for having some in their hand bags.
Interview process

If you have submitted your documents earlier, you are directed to one of the three windows inside. (you will really enjoy the benefit of submitting stuff earlier).

You show your passport and appointment letter. The documents you submitted earlier are returned to you. (Make sure you save the green HDFC receipt, you need this along with the white receipt (item II-2 listed above).
You are directed to finger printing window. (longest wait time, there is water at the back wall)
You are directed to interview window (I had four people in front of me).
Don’t hesitate to ask the interviewer to repeat if you have not understood the question (you say Pardon me, excuse me, or could you please repeat the question). It would greatly help for you to answer the question exactly with few words other than saying YES or NO.
Follow Up

If approved you will get an email in 3-5 business days to pick up your passport.

You can either pick it up from VFS office on specific date and time period (very easy for Hyderabad residents), or you have to wait 2 more days for the courier service to deliver it to you.

If picking up from VFS office –

Usually between 3 and 5 pm. I would recommend going at 3 pm.

Take only the following documents

Copy and original of HDFC green receipt
White confirmation receipt (Item II-2, listed above)
Copy of passport – Bio page and any pages with observations
Any form of ID

Rejected cases:

Three of the four people ahead of me were rejected of H1B visa. One common trait among them was mess nature of arranging documents. Situation 1: The officer asked for LCA (Labor certification application and relevant diplomas, the applicant took long time to sort through and was completely lost in the messy document pile). Situation 2: The officer asked the applicant why was a primary company not sponsoring his H1B, the applicant showed a number of documents to support his importance for his consultancy rather than answering more specifically. Situation 3: The parents didn’t have the Payslip copies of their child, didn’t exactly know the company name their Son was working for, No W-2 or 1040’s of their son. I felt sorry for the old couple.

Hi,

I am happy to share my experience even I got 221(G).

My interview date was on Oct 14 and went to consulate with descent dress. After all normal procedure I was asked the following questions.



Me : GM
VO: GM

1. Have you been to US before ?
A. Yes, Sir

2. Who is your client ?
A. ZZZ

3. What is your work location ?
A. Jersey City

He was watching my passport and taken a blue form from his shelf, I was little worried & surprised why he was taking blue form,but I was confident that without being asked any typical question I wont get 221(G).

VO said

You have a good news as well as bad news.
Your visa got approved, but your passport's first page is not laminated properly, So Please apply for a new passport or relaminate the passport and send to us and you dont need to come to consulate but you just need to drop the passport in VFS drop down box.
 
I thought I could relaminate in any internet ceter,but it is illegal and not suggested to do that. So I applied for a new passport.

Waiting for the passport to come and need to drop it in Bangalore's VFS box.

Suggestion :
Please check if your passport is good.

One more thing is my lamination is taken out by the guy who checked my docs in the first counter. She is such an idiot and had taken my lamination out to check my signature.. I wanted to stop her not doing that but couldnt do that.
Dont allow anyone to remove your lamination.

I went to new delhi consulate last friday for my H1b stamping and I was told that the case is being sent to DHS for review and they will get back to me within one week. I have to travel back this friday and still awaiting to hear back.

I contacted my employer and was told that this has become a common practice and cases are being sent to DHS for reviews. however he wasn't sure about the duration it takes.

anybody has any similar experience? how long does it take to get decision?

Thanks

Last Friday I had been to Delhi Embassy for my H1b Stamping.Interview was good..it got approved.For my surprise I got one call from embassy in the afternoon to revisit again.
I had gone again today but it seems today also it didn't come clear.They have kept my passport and was being told I will be conveyed later on.

Could anyone please tell what is the prospects??Has anyone faced the same problem??Please share your experience..