H1B, H4 Visa

Hello All

Finally on 29th afternoon i got the much awaited H1B Visa.All the apprehensions,weeks of prepration,voice modulation(i gave mock interviews in front of Bathroom mirror ..CAn u beleive it!!) came to an end in merely 4 minutes.

From the day my application was in process few months back till today i have been a regular at this site and it has beeen very very very useful to me.
I would like to thank all the readers,contributors and not the least,the co-ordiantors of this site for a wonderful site.
Ok coming to business this is the procedure of from the time i started off for interveiw till i got the visa approved

My INterview time was 2:00 p.m on 29th Nov.

1.I wore formal white shirt,black trousers,black leather shoes and not to mention tie.Gives a real formal and a serious look to you.

2.Reached VFS office on BHulabhai road by around 12:30ish.The staff outside saw my interview letter and whisked me in thier waiting lounge.

3.There is provision in waiting lounge for putting all your stuff,right from backpack ,mobile your clothes everything,but yo have to pay 150 Rs for those at the time of getting interveiw date

4.Make sure you carry Rs 100 DD from a nationalized bank if you have taken date before 16th nov.coz right from guard outside to each officer in VFS asks you if you have that additional Rs 100 DD.Dont worry if you dont have it since HDFC bank is next to office and you can always take it from there.

5.Around 1.45p.m. the guys from VFS announced that people for 2.00 and 2.30 pm interview slot should come out to be taken to US Consulate.There were some 10 of us right from L1 B1 and visitor visa candidates..

6.Took 5 minutes to reach COnsulate and there we was a fairly big line of people waiting for interview.
7.We were taken in front of the Consulate gate and had to wait for 5 more minutes there.
8.THen one by one were asked to go inside and security check was done.
Make sure you dont carry any cell or any metal things there.given a wooden token.God knows whats its purpose

9.After your security check you are supposed to go inside and get a pink slip from the counter after giving your I129 and I797 and ofcousre your passport.This pink slip is your token number and the VO will call you as per this number

10.After getting the pink slip,went to Counter 1 for finger printing.The packet of i7979,i129 ,passport,questionnaire were taken from me.and was asked to wait

11.There was a heavy rush of people that time and i could see a good number of people getting rejected that day .No need to panic though,they had some docs missing or some other problem.

12 My Number was announced on mike at 3.15pm. along with 4 others..You have to make sure that you catch the token number correctly coz they have a different ascent and the husky voice on mike sometimes makes getting the correct number difficult.

13.Went for interview and this fine guy asked me for my Pink token.

Questions:
Me:Hello,Good Afternoon Sir(Seeing in his eyes).
VO:Good Afternoon.Can i get your pink slip Sir?
Me:Sure! and handed over to him
VO:Which company would be working for?
Ans:ZZZ
VO:Went inside with the passport and other documents he had for me.came back after 2 minutes
VO:Where are you working currently?
Me:YYY
VO:Why are you leaving YYY?
Me:ZZZ is giving international exposure and work as per my expertise
VO:For how long have u been working for YYY?
Me:DD time
VO:Why did you leave TTT and joined YYY?
Me:Better opportunity blah bhal(TTT was my previous company and YYY is my present company)
VO:How long with TTT?
Me:DD time
VO:Where would you be working in US?
Me:abc,FF
VO:What is your client name?
Me:KLJLJK
VO:OK Sir, i am issuing you visa.You will get your passport in two days.
Me:Thank you Sir.

and came out

During the whole conversation i made sure that i saw into his eyes and was confident.He was checking the computer all through the time and it was only during one question and in final moments taht he saw me,But keep looking at him(although you might feel odd looking at him when he is not seeing you) but these officers know waht they are doing and can make out even when seeing on their screens.

VO didnt even ask any one of my documents
Tip:
1.Nothing to worry .Consulate is there to give you visas(Remember CBSE exams,it makes sure that everybody gets passed.I take visa interview same).Only if you have not got proper documents or something is mising,then there is a point of concern else its wonderful there.

2.Carry Rs 100 DD from a nationalized Bank

3.Wear formal,only formal clothes.

4.Look into eyes of officer with a slight smile.

5.Carry documents for interview only in a file folder and not in a plastic bag.Gives a dirty look.When asked for docs,you should not (sound)look clumsy taking out docs from a plastic bag.

6.No need to carry photocopies

Important Docs to carry

1.Passport
2.I797
3.I129 with suppliment ,LCA etc.
4.Offer letter from company
5.Educational docs
6.Previous companies experience letters.
7.Paystubs for last 6 months
8.tax returns for last 3 years
9.PHotos of company for which you r going
10.Any certifications

All the very best for reading through this and thanks again to the people coming here and writing out their experiences.

Gaurav