H1B, H4 Visa

Hi,

I got my H4 visa this month. My interview went on this way.

I took all the documents but I gave the following at the first counter, where the document verification is done.

Original HDFC receits (2)
Interview Letter
DS-156
DS-157
Copy of my Husband's H1-B petition
Copy of his Visa (that one page of paasport)
Original Employer letter

Even if you give additional documents, they'll return you back. The lady there took my finger prints and kept these documents in a blue folder and asked me to proceed for the interview.

I took my file and album and stood in the line for more than an hour. Then I went to the 3rd counter for my interview and it started like this

Generally, Visa officers will start with a "Hi", but this person never said anything.
Me: Good Morning
VO: Good Morning
I gave my blue folder and he was checking my passport and other documents
VO: How long have you been married
Me: answere
VO: How long have your husband been working in US?
Me: answered
VO: Is your name changed after marriage?
Me: No,But my marriage is registered
VO: ok, Why did you marry this person? (This is a rare question and is not at all expected in the interview)
Me: My Parents arranged this marriage and I like him
VO: Do you like him?
Me: Yes
VO (with a smile): Is he a good man?
Me (With a smile): Yes
VO: Your application is approved, you may collect your passport through courier.
Me: Thank You

All you have to do is stay cool and be confident. Even if you get a question which you do not expect, try to answer it in the same pace and with a cool attitude.

Please check your details on the Visa as soon as you get it.

Hi I hav edone my graduaction from a recognised university and put a PGDCA from a fake university in order to complete the 16 year study. I have my interview on october 7th. I want to know if chennai counsulate is capable of verifying my education background if so how? will the document verifying officer take oroginals or will he just look at the photo copies?
Urgent please

Hi Friends,

I Am ANIL; I have attended my H1B Visa interview on 19th JUNE 2008 in LONDON.
Visa officer requested some documents from employer; I submitted those documents on 23rd JUNE 2008.

Still I am waiting for the reply from them. Meanwhile I need to go India due to some reasons, can we ask the US embassy to send the letter to Indian address.
If yes means can we get the visa stamped in India itself or should I send the passport to the London embassy.

Looking for an advice from you people regarding this issue.

Thanks

Anil

Dear Friedns,

I got my H1B visa successful from New Delhi consulate.

Before me Visa Officer has rejectd two H1B and they qnquired about 15-20 minutes from each one of them.
I was a bit worried about myself.

When my tuen came I walked confidently towards the counter.

Here is the conversation went between me and Visa Officer.

ME:-Good afternoon Sir. and passed my passport alongwith form DS-156&DS-157.

VO:-No reply from VO
VO:-What is your qualification ?
ME:-Master in Computer Application.
VO:-Where from ?
ME:-xyz University
VO:-Are you holding any other visa ?
ME:-Yes, B1/B2
VO:-How many years of exp. you have ?
ME:-6+ years
VO:-All these years in the same company ?
ME:-No in 2 different companies and I explained years of exp. in each company.
VO:-Are you going to work for the same company ?
ME:-Yes
VO:-Your visa has been approve, you will get your passport in next 3-4 days.
ME:-Thank you very much sir, Have a nice day!

Some Tips:-
-No need to be norvous.
Be confident and whatever you say speak with proper eye contact with the officer.
-Remember all your passing year and Name of universry correctly
-All your employment year for each of your previous employer. i.s start Month Year and End Month Year.

Althoug, all these question has not been asked by me. But, I have seen these kind of questiones asked to other candiates and then candidates start looking into their cerificate for years and all other info.
Which delays and Visa Officer loose the confidence in the candiate.Then, they will ask more questions.

All the best to all the aspirants.

Cheers :)
Sanju

Hi ,
 I need to attend the chennai embassy for my wife's H4. For this is it compulsory to have the spouse name added in the passport or Marriage Certificate will work. Kindly advice.

Regards,
MSAM

You should dress up in sober formals and reach the consulate / embassy atleast half an hour before your interview time (With all the required supporting documents eg:- Passport, I797, I129, labour contract of company, bank statements, IT returns, resume, experience letters, marksheets, degrees (Pls refer VFS site for the complete list)). My interview time was 9 AM but I was allowed to enter the consulate at 9 30 only. There was a strict security check up just at the start (List of things you shouldn't carry with you : coins, metal items, medicines, toffee - chewing gum, mobiles, laptops, cameras, audio-video devices). If you clear the security check they give you a wodden stick which has to be returned back while leaving the building. As soon as you enter the main room, on the right side theres a counter on which you will receive your submitted papers (DS 156 or DS 157 and few more papers). Than on the extreme left there will be a queue for bio metric test (They take your finger signs) and at this counter only they take the documents which you had got at the first counter and in turn gives you a pink card with a number on it. As soon as you get this card you should take your seat in the waiting hall and should carefully listen for the number written on the pink slip. As soon as they call your number and the window number, just go in front of that window and make a queue (they call 4-5 coupon numbers). So once they call you inside the chamber, wish the Visa Officer politely and listen to his instructions carefully and present him with the appropriate answer/documents.

My Exp:

Where will you stay in US ?
New york.

Which Company you are going to work for ?
ZZZ Inc.

What does YYYY Inc. do ?
Software Consulting.

What will you do for them ?
Software Development Activities.

How much will you get there ?
-- K dollars per annum.

Tell me something about the project (inhouse / clientsite)?
Answer appropriately.

What will be your role in project ?
Answer appropriately.

What is your degree ?
Answer appropriately.

Where are you currently working ?
YYY Ltd.

What is you skill set ?
ABC framework & DEF server

Congrates your Visa is approved.

I will begin with a sincere thanks for all the information I have got from these forums over the last few months and the amount of confidence I have gained through it.
Now, its my turn give back something by sharing my experience and hope this helps in giving some information to the others like me.

My visa was scheduled for 08:15 AM I reached the car parking in the nearby Malcha Marg parking by 7:45 AM. It is few minutes walk from there. I reached embassy by 7:55 or so. I was with my wife who would get an H4.

Went though the security check outside the building showed them the appointment letter. I was asked to be line no. 2 where the preliminary verification of the documents was being done at the windows. After checking and arranging my documents (the way the Visa Officer expect) they handed over them to me and asked me proceed into the main building where again I had to undergo a thorough security check. After that I entered in the main building where firstly I was asked to go for bio-metrics (finger printing). Did that in few minutes. After which I got into the line where I will finally faces the Visa Officer. There about 8-9 people in front me. Finally my turn came and following is my visa interview in details :

Interview Starts : 09:30 AM

VO : Good Morning
Me : Good Morning Mam :-)
VO : Can I have your forms and passports please ?
Me : Sure (handed over the forms)
VO : Can you please put your right index finger on the here please (point to a bio-metrics device)
Me : (Done that)
VO : Thanks, can you please put your left thumb here (asking my wife this time)
My Wife : (Done that)
VO : Thanks, This is for an H1, right ?
Me : Yes mam.
VO : Is this your first time you are applying for a States visa ?
Me : Work VISA, yes, this is the first time mam, but I have got a B1/B2 as well.
VO : Ok. What is your educational background ?
Me : (Explained her my qualifications by telling her my degrees and certifications)
VO : What type of organization is ABC Inc. (my US employer) ?
Me : (Explained her that in few lines)
VO : Currently you are employed in XYZ Ltd. ((my current employer in India)) , right.
Me : Yes mam.
VO : What work you there ?
Me : (Explained her that as well)
VO : Fine. How did get a job in ABC Inc. ?
Me : (Explained her that as well)
VO : (she had a convincing look on her face, which gave me some relief). Is she your wife (now, referring my wife) ?
Me : Yes
VO : When did you get married ?
Me : (Told her the date)
VO : Can I see the marriage certificate please ?
Me : Sure (handed it over to her)
VO : Fine. (and then came the golden words) Your visa is approved and you will get your passport in the next five days.
Me : Thank you very much mam. Appreciate that.
VO : You are welcome.
Me : I just have small query mam, if I may ask please ?
VO : Sure, please go ahead.
Me : I have a valid B1/B2 as well which is valid till next year end. What will happen to that visa ? Will it be cancelled or ... ?
VO : No, you will still have it. It wont be cancelled.
Me : Thank you very much mam and have a wonderful day (and left the counter)

Interview Ends : 09:40 AM

So folks, few points, you may have read them in a lot of forums also :

1. Keep your calm (although I understand how difficult it is, but......you have to do it).
2. Listen carefully to all the questions (as saying I am sorry or pardon me please, can make you nervous and may annoy the officer as well)
3. Answer all the questions clearly, crisply and to the point. No more and no less.
4. And finally which the most important point as well, go prepared and KEEP ALL THE DOCUMENTS (and I repeat ALL THE DOCUMENTS) with you as you may never know which document the officer may ask for and as per Murphy's law he/she will only ask for the documents you don't have. So all you dreams may be affected by just not having one single document which you may have thought is not important. The list of mandatory and supporting documents is available on the respective consulate websites only, so no need to depend on anyone else for that information. Arrange them in proper way (I made indexed files) so that you don't take long when officer demands them. Plus, this leaves a good impression on the officer as well.

Rest, all is fate and destiny my friends. You can't get what is not destined for you and no one can deny you what's there for you. I know its easier said than done, but this is how I think when I don't have control over things beyond a point. I give my best, do whatever I can and then leave the rest to the almighty.

Wish you all the best to all of you and may God fulfils dreams of all of you.

I got approved in the Lottery for H1B and the online status remain the same for the past 4 months as follows:
Application Type: I129, PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER

Current Status: Case approved; approval notice e-mailed.

On April 24, 2008, this I129 PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER was approved and we sent you an e-mail notice. Please follow any instructions on the notice. If you move before you receive the notice, call customer service.


You can choose to receive automatic case status updates, which will be sent via email. Please click here to create an account online.

What should I do next? What and when can be expected?
Thanks in advance,
-Arus

hi,i applied for the h1b visa last year and i was refuse and i applied again this year but this time my application is in pendin 221(g) yellow form i got from the mumbai consulate.....its almost 2 month but still i m waiting for the reply...and cosulate people took my original i797,my academy some documents .... so please TELL ME WHAT IS THE CHANCES I WILL GOING TO GET THE VISA H1B.....I M VERY UPSET PLS.....

Hi all,

I had the foll exp at mum us cons off on 12 sep 2008.

My H1B visa has been approved. H4 visa of my child and my wife has also been approved.
 
:-)
 
it was hardly a 5-7 mins affair.
 
following things were asked, whn inside the booth.
 
VO:Good morning, how r u?
Me: i m fine,Good morning , how are u?
VO: I m fine too
VO:What is ur educational qualification?
Me: BE Electronics
Vo: From where did u do the Engg?
Me: inf the correct univ
VO:When did u finish your Engg Electronics?
Me: correct year
VO:It is a tough course to crack.
Me: not that , I managed it
VO:What did u do after that?
Me: Did relevant work.
VO:Wich Co. are you going to work for in USA?
Me: XYZ.
VO:How did u know abt this Co.XYZ?
Me: I posted my resume on monster.com, received their call, uploaded my resume on XYZ and thereon the procedure started.
VO:How many employees are there in XYZ
Me: ans correctly
VO : Are u their first H1B employee?
Me : ans correctly
VO:What project would u be working there?
Me: gave a brief description of the work(1 min)
VO:Is this an inhouse project?
Me: Yes this is an in house project.
 
Then he asked to my wife
VO:When did u marry him?
wife : ans correctly
VO:How long do u know each other, when did u first nmet?
wife : ans correctly
VO:was ur marriage love or arranged?
Niharika : Arranged
VO:Wat type of clothes did u wear whn u first met him?
Niharika : ans properly
VO:Wat kinda clothes did ur husband wear and wat color?
Niharika : ans properly
VO:Asked to son :wat is ur name?
My son Replied with his correct name
He smiled......
 
Was typing something in his comp while he was asking the general questions
 
Finally told us ur visa is sanctioned and have a nice pleasant stay in USA.
 
Returned back the org I-797 and told me to preserve it properly as this might b reqd while going to USA.
 
That is it, nothing else was asked. nor did he ask for any kinda documents.

All the best to all