H1B, H4 Visa

Hi there,

I would like to share my H1B Visa Interview experience here, so that some useful information might be available to some of you - reading this.
--------------Summary--------------------------
Interview Date: 7-Nov-2006, Time: 1.30 PM
Consulate: Mumbai
Visa Category: H1 and H4 (Spouse and 2 kids)
Annotation: BEP Program
----------------Docs required------------------
* Might differ for some cases.
1) H1b approval documents
2) Original marraige certificate and birth certificate for each child
3) Interveiw appointment letters
4) Demand drafts and HDFC visa fee receipts
5) Professional Experience letters
6) Academic certificates
7) Marraige album... carry a small album with photos of the important rituals performed during the marraige.
----------------Preparation---------------------
You must go through your Petition and read how your immigration lawyer has presented your case. It helps you to understand how INS Sees you a candidate for VISA.
----------------Before Interview-----------------
Goto Bhulabhai Desai Road, Corner near Signal at least 1.30 hrs bfore int/view. Get into VFS Office. They charge 150 per head for stay and provide some refreshments. But its worth - as they provide pickup and drop service to/from consulate. And their candidates have shorter queue.
They do nothing - except temporary stay.
Put all your required docs in a Plastic cover.
Goto Consulate. There one person will check you letters and sends in for security
-----------------In the Consulate Office----------
Security person checks your pack/bag. The bad thing is they ask you to remove your belt, watch, wallet etc for gents. Inside this is what happens:
1. Produce your App letter, they locate your original docs DS156/157 etc, take your Passports, ask you to goto Finger Printing. They give a wooden token. Keep it till you leave consulate.
2. The person who takes your finger prints, is most likely to interview you (it was in my case). First Left index finger then right index finger. You get a Pink token. The VO will call you by this token.
3. Now wait. The VO (Visa Officer) will call the pink token number. For families, they call all Pink token numbers and say Family. My interview went like this:
A) why are you (meaning What makes me special) going to US?
B) Where you will be based in US? (I had 2 clients)
C) How long you will be in first location?
D) What type of project is it?

Then he asked my wife:
A) How long you are married?
B) What is the favourite type of food of your husband?
C) How many people attended the marriage?
D) How many brothers/sisters their names, location your husband have?
E) Are you going to work there?

Then he said, I am issuing visas.

So friends, I would advise you to prepare well. Educate your spouse if he/she is coming along with you.

Visit Chilkur Balaji Temple- located near Hyderabad before Interview, do 11 rounds, your interview will be success.after successful interview, do 108 rounds. It worked for 8 out of 9 of my friends.