Business Visa - B1

Hello! Guys,

The New Visa application process is even new for the people dealing with it.
It's so new that, even the people at OFC Centre are not clear about some proceedings.
I mean here that, even they are learning the process.

On trying to get information from the 24x7 IVR helpline . The Customer Support Executive also doesn't know much. To every Question asked he/she says, " Sir! May i put your call On hold?"

I applied for b1 Visa Renewal On 9th Oct. 2012 and
Now [i.e. 12th Oct. 2012] my passport status show is " Your passport is in transit to the Post"
This is very BAD of OFC mumbai. It's been more than 3 working days and still it has not reached the US Consulate.

Hello,

Can soe body help me to get the bar code activated from MRV receipt.
I have been calling VFS last 15 days, but problem still persists

Hello Guys,

I would highly appreciate if you could share any vital tips to clear a US B1 Inetrview,

Thanks!

My interview was at Chennai on 3rd Oct., I started checking my passport status from 5th Oct, it was origination scan. I waited till today and the status still remained same i.e, origination scan. I went to Kolkata OFC today ( I've selected my passport delivery to Kolkata OFC) and found the passport was there from 5th Oct. After i pick up the passport now I can see the status is "Picked up". So if you are tracking your passport and selected pick up from OFC you should visit the OFC if the status showing the confusing "origination scan".

I see some people here are anxious to know the statuses involved in passport tracking.

Here is my experience:
My parents had their visa interview at Chennai Consulate on Oct 9 2012 at 8 a.m
On Oct 9 when I tracked their passports at 7 a.m, the status was " Your passport is still with post."
On Oct 9 when I tracked their passports at 7 p.m, the status was "The current status of your passport is Origination Scan."
On Oct 10 when I tracked their passport at 7 a.m, the status was still "The current status of your passport is Origination Scan."
On Oct 10 when I tracked their passport at 7 p.m, the status was still "The current status of your passport is Origination Scan."
On Oct 11 when I tracked their passport at 7 a.m, the status changed to "The current status of your passport is In Transit From Post."
Before I was about to do my routine check tonight at 7 p.m, my dad got an email saying the passports are ready to be picked up.
Out of curiosity I tracked their passports immediately after he got the email and the status was "The current status of your passport is Ready for Pickup"

Hope this information helps and I sincerely hope you guys get out of this anxious trauma soon!

Thanks to immihelp and all the contributors in this forum.

With the new non-immigrant visa process, I went through two appointment process
OFC appointmentt @Chennai VFS on Oct1, 2012
Consulate interview @Chennai US Consulate on Oct 9, 2012

OFC Experience at Chennai
- Went to the place 1 hr before my scheduled appointment (@9.00 am), the security personnel allowed me and others 30 mins prior to enter the building. One had to go to the first floor. There was only 1 queue. After sometime the VFS representative came and called out names according to their list and rearranged the line (so i guess it doesnt matter to be first come first serve). The queue was in dimly lit lift lobby with no A/C , so quite uncomfortable time. Once you enter through the door, the security guard frisks you and request to hand over the appointment letter, passport, and DS-160 confirmation. 2 VFS representative meanwhile makes necessary checks and puts a barcode sticker at the back of your passport bearing the DS-160 confirmation number and you will be given a paper token with a serial number on it. You have to enter into another room, where you will again hand over your clipped passport, appointment letter, and DS-160, the VFS representatives checks for your passport number and appointment time in their list and asks you to take a seat to await your turn. The room has lots of counters/windows where applicants are called for photo snaps and biometrics. You will called by your token number at one of those counters/windows. The VFS representative in the counter that I went asked for my papers again, checked them in her PC, asked me my date of birth, then asked me to pose for the photo and to place my hand for finger biometric sampling. I saw quite a lot of people struggle to make the desired posture for an appropiate photo, several attempts are are made to take the suitable photo. Once done you are free to leave, but VFS folks will ask to provide you with your feedback of the entire experience. Oh! i forgot VFS representative in that room also hands you one form in case if you want your docs to be directly couriered to your desired address. The filled out form needs to be submitted at the consulate office though. The entire process depends on the number of applicants for that time slot, but should ideally get over in 1.5 hrs

Consulate Office experience: Several checkpoints for frisking and appointment letter time verification is done. Inside bank fee receipts, passport, ds-160, appointment letter are checked and scanned and token with serial number will be issued. In another counter once gain your finger impressions are taken (or matched) and you will be asked to go to another building. Await your turn with the token number you have , the TV display will help you to understand which counter you need to go.
My interview questions:
VO: Good morning, how are you?
me: good morning, i am doing good, thanks foe asking! how about you ?
VO: Me good too
VO: Which company you work for
me: xyz
VO: what do do there?
me: told my designation and a brief account about my job
VO: How long will you be there in US?
me: 7 days.
VO: You are good to go, you will receive your passport in a weeks time.

My tip: Stay calm and focused, don't fret, be polite to the VO with your replies.
Wish all the applicants good luck with your interview.

I have tried emailing [email protected] several times and the response is very inaccurate. It goes from "The current status of your passport is In Transit From Post" to Origination scan .I have no idea at this point on whats going on with my passport. Their call center is as bad as the email support.

Hi,

My Visa has been approved but I haven’t received my passport as yet. I have given a Bangalore delivery address and paid Rs 300/- for the passport to be couriered directly to the said address.
I appeared for the Visa interview on Thursday, two weeks ago (dated 27th September 2012). The interview was smooth and my visa was approved and the vo said that I will receive the PP soon.

Since the last 4 to 5 days i am receiving messages such as "passport is Origination Scan" or
"passport is In Transit From Post" or "passport is Picked Up". I am not sure whats causing the delay. Does anyone know how to really track the PP? it has been 8 business days since the interview.

Hi Friends,

     First of all,Thanks to immihelp for availing the opportunity to share the experience.
I had my B1 visa interview on Sep 06 at 08:00 AM ,chennai.As usual,there are enough number of people and formalities.
After finishing the formalities,Waiting for my turn....Here it goes.....,

Me : good morning,Madam
VO :Good monring,how are you
Me;fine,how are you
Vo:I'm good,thanks.Why are you going to USA
Me:told the reason
Vo:How long are you going to stay
Me:Told two months
Vo:your designation Please
Me:software engineer....
Vo:Your visa is approved.and you will get within 4 days...

Very nice and cool interview with just 3-4 questions......

Hi

Me and my wife interviewed on 20th Sep ( H1B and H4). VO requested few documents and kept our passports , she said I want to review your case and ll be in touch in case need any other information.

its almost 2 weeks now , I have not recieved any information or passports.

When I sent a mail on [email protected] it send automatic reply.

Yesterday reply : "the current status of your passport is In Transit"

Today Reply : "the current status of your passport is picked up"

Can anyone please guide me wht does this mean.

Regards

Sidh