H1B, H4 Visa

I wanted to share my experience in case it helps someone in the future.

I had to make an unplanned trip to India in June due to a medical emergency in the family. I was eligible for Dropbox, and so I dropped the passports in the last week of June. The passports were returned with the blue slip requesting me to attend the interview. So I attended the interview in the first week of July. After the interview, I was issued another 221g requesting to email the tax returns of my employer for the past 2 years. It was responded to in mid-July. After waiting for 10 working days, the employer emailed the consulate requesting to expedite the processing citing the reason for my travel. The next day the employer received a response saying that the beneficiary (me) should email the consulate with the reasons to expedite. The same day I received an email from the consulate with another 221g, this time asking for further breakdown of the tax details filed under form 1125A. This too was responded by the first week of August. After waiting for another 10 days, I emailed the consulate explaining the reason for my travel and also highlighting that the school for my daughter was starting the same day and she is going to get un-enrolled if she cannot make it back in two weeks time. The next day I received a response from the consulate expressing their sympathies, and apologizing for the inconvenience, but stating that they need more time to complete the admin processing.

While the process with Employer A was going on, I was offered a new job by Employer B, which I accepted. So Employer B filed for a new petition which was approved by the 3rd week of August. There were no immediate consular appointments available at that time and I was not sure if I would qualify for dropbox this time as my previous application was under admin processing. So I asked the attorney from Employer B that if a 221G is considered a denial. While I was waiting for the attorney to get back on this (around 2 days), a few appointment slots opened up in the Indian consulates and so I scheduled the appointment. If appointments were not available, I was considering the following two options
1. Do the dropbox
2. Go to a US consulate outside of India

I was later advised by the attorney that 221g is not considered as a denial. Since I got the appointment, I was suggested by the attorney B to email the consulate to withdraw my first application (currently under admin processing), which I did. So I attended the consular interview in the first week of September.

At the consulate, I was send to the same counter as last time (where I got the previous 221g). After the VO did the initial screening and based on the data in the system, the VA figured that the officer had screened me once before. So the VO asked if I am abandoning the old application. I replied Yes. After spending a few minutes on the computer, the VO told me that since he has screened me once in the past, I should go to another counter.

So I went to the next counter, where VO2 did my interview. I was asked if I resigned from my current job. I responded that I have not resigned yet, but I intend to do so soon. I was given a white form on which I was asked to make a written statement that I intend to resign from my current job and that I am withdrawing my previous application. I provided this statement. The VO later asked for the H1B filing documents and then the standard questions about the petitioner, location, salary etc. And finally he said the visa is approved and wished us safe travels.

So here are a few things I learned during this nearly 3 months long ordeal

1. If possible, attend the consular interview with your family
2. If you are in consulting or working for small consulting companies, expect delays.
3. Always have a plan B.
4. 221 G is not considered a denial. So if you received a 221g, you do not have to mention it as a denial while filling DS160.
5. It is possible to apply for the visa with a new petition while the old application is in admin processing.
6. There is no need to withdraw the previous application via email ahead of time. You can do so at the consulate when you are attending the interview.
7. The consulate staff reads your emails and responds after looking at your case details.
8. If consulate appointments are not available immediately, the slots might open up in between. So keep checking the scheduling portals for available slots.
9. If your second petition is through a new employer, you are not in any higher risk because the first application is in admin processing. I believe these two applications are considered as separate ones.

I hope this helps someone. Good luck guys.

Hello Guys,
i am looking for dates for appointments in India, please if any one has information on that please post me ,i am looking for dates in the October-2019,
Thanks

I am working in US as a FTE for an American firm on a L2EAD. My employer applied h1b and I got it approved last week. However my COS from L2 to H1 was denied. The reason attorney provided was , I travelled to India for vacation when my h1b was in progress. My question is will I face any issues due to this during my stamping in India, also what are the necessary documents in need to carry to India while going for stamping

i have attented interview after my drop box submitted
On 9th sep.( since called for interview with 221g blue slip with no documents asked )

I have requested to submit tax and last 6 months payslips at time of interview but since I haven't arranged properly time has run out and VO asked no worries please email us with 221g blue slip

And passport returned to me and VO advised they review once submitted and they will send email to drop off passport.

I had submitted my docs on same day 9th sep with email and got acknowledged.

But when I expect i can get email to dropoff my passport back.

Could any one connect with me fingers crossed, my return flight next week 21st sep 2019.

Looks like it will take 2 weeks

[email protected] +91-9133101818

Thanks
Raju Mutyala

Today mrng we have mailed the required documents mentioned in 221g blue slip to the mail address mentioned in the slip but so far no acknowledgement of having recd the docs has come is it ok or we have to mail again

Hi,

I went to Delhi's location for dropping documents for my H1B Visa Stamping. I am still waiting on Administrative Processing status. I am still not contacted by anyone yet on email or phone. I checked with customer service too, they dont have any update either. Any idea?

Sept 3, Dropped Document at 9.30 AM, and around 11 AM, got the status - Delivered To Post.
Sept 4, Case Created status
Sept 5, Administrative Processing
Sept 6, No Update
Sept 7, Saturday
Sept 8, Sunday
Sept 9, Stil waiting on the same status as below.

Your visa case is currently undergoing necessary administrative processing. This processing can take several weeks. Please follow any instructions provided by the Consular Officer at the time of your interview. If further information is needed, you will be contacted. If your visa application is approved, it will be processed and mailed/available within two business days.

I want to remain positive, but still I am getting stress as my return flight date is arriving.

Thanks.

Hello,

I had my consulate interview on August 29th, 2019 at the Mumbai embassy for my H1B. This is my first H1B stamping and I am about to start work on October 1. I graduated with my Masters in December 2018 and was on OPT until June 2019 and decided to come visit home before beginning work.

The interview was very short and the VO told me that my visa is approved and that I should receive my passport within 2-3 business days. I checked the status of my visa on Thursday (09/05) and it shows that it was under administrative processing. The last updated date was the same date as my interview (08/29). I checked again on Friday (09/06) and the status was updated but still showed admin processing.

Please let me know if there are others going through this same issue and if there are people who have gone through this issue and what can I expect? Thank you.

I am on my H1B visa extension beyond 6 years with approved I-140 from the previous employer.

28th August @ 10:30 am: VAC Appointment (I was an hour early still they allowed me and finished my fingerprint and photo within 15 mins.)

29th August: Visa Interview @ 9:45 am

Called us an hour early again for the outside queue, started security check-in within 15 mins and waited 45 mins to an hour before the actual interview. Majority of the time the queue was standing and moving. (I was actually thirsty when my interview started because of that).

Me: GM sir.
VO: Give me your Passport.

VO: Where r u going?
Me: YYYY , XX

VO: Have you had this visa before?
ME: Replied.

VO: What is your education?
ME: Replied.

VO: What is your salary?
ME: YYYY /year

VO: Your Visa is approved.

Visa Status:

29th August: Admin Processing
30th August: same
Sat, Sun, Mon Holiday
3rd September: Admin Processing
4th September: Issued around 10:30 am

Passport Tracking:

5th September: Passport has been released from the consular section and precessing for delivery.
6th September: Passport has been released from the consular section and precessing for delivery.
6th September: Visited Blue Dart, They actually had my passport and got my passport.

Just wanted to update positive experience about the H1B Visa Stamping.

Here is some positive experience . I had my biometric on sep 5 th and interview on sep 6th.

Sep 5th : appointment at 3.15 but I was let in at 3 pm. Biometric was done by 3.15
Sep 6th : appointment was at 10 am , security let me in by 9.30 am . Was in tthe waiting room then let to the interview room at 10.10 am. Around 10.30 am approached VO.

Questions
How many year are you with employer?
Who is your end client ?
How many years with the client ?
How long Have you been in US?
Which location you will be working?
Current role?
Salary?
Highest level of education?
What is your project about?
Are you married?
What visa your husband holds?
How old are your kids and where they are born?

Visa approved . I was out by 10.45

I applied h1 b based on my i140.

Best of luck everyone !

Submitted 221g along with required documents on 19/8/2019 but so far nothing has been heard /confirmation reg the documents from consulate chennai if any one knows the approximate time it takes to take a decision please respond to have a peace of mind