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H1B, H4 Visa

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H4 Visa - Mumbai Consulate - 29 June - first stamping
Immihelp visa experiences were a life saver for me when I prepared for my Visa Interview (VI) . So I would like to say a huge thanks to all members who shared their experiences here. I will try to be as detailed as possible so that it helps H4 dependents going alone for their stamping. If you have any question, feel free to leave a comment.

Got Married - 8th May
I submitted my DS160 on 30th May - also had it cross checked with hubby's immigration lawyer.
Visa Fees -190$ - paid in Axis bank on 2nd June. You can also do this with IMPS (i could not do this as my bank does not allow transactions more than 10K INR )
Appointment wait time was about 23 days that time. I got VAC for 22 June and OFC for 29 June. I went for interview along( husband's visa extension was already approved before our marriage via dropbox)

Ten Printing at Mumbai VAC: carry only 3 things 1)Print out of DS160 confirmation page 2)Appointment confirmation email printout 3) Your passport
They will be putting a sticker on your Passport and will stamp your DS160 confirmation page (both of these documents are checked when you go for your VI)

My OFC appointment was at 10:30 am. The line outside Consulate started at 9:30 am and took forever to move. One lady came crying out of the consulate and few folks were jumping with joy when they came out. Try not to focus too much on such stuff. Finally at 10:20 am the line began to move. We were seated in the waiting area in rows and one row at a time was sent inside. Bollywood singer Shaan was sitting in the row just in front of me. He seemed very down to earth and was smiling back at people when they smiled at him. There was a huge waiting time and my row was finally sent inside at around 11:10am.

After my ten printing was done, the staff checked my passport sticker and asked to keep my husband's I797 outside. The line to get to Interview counters was like the one in temples but it was moving very fast. My VO was a lady who looked like in her late 20s/early 30s.
Here is my interview:
VO: signalled me to come forward
Me: said Hello cheerfully and passed my Passport and husband's I-1797
VO: *smiles back and greets* - have you gone through the rights pamphet
Me: No - I haven't received any
VO: *passes me over a pamphlet* - you should go through it as it has important information on your rights
VO: what is your highest qualification
Me: Masters in XX
VO: from where did you do this Masters
Me: from Mumbai University
VO: *looking at I797* - where are you going to be working
Me: *startled* I will not be working.. this is a H4 interview
VO: *realized the goof up* Oh.. What is your husband's name?
Me: XX XX
VO: where did you guys meet?
Me: we were in the same college, same engineering college.
VO: When did you get married?
Me: XX XX
VO: Where are you currently staying?
Me: at my husband's place with my in-laws
VO: Can I see your marriage certificate and wedding album
Me: Sure here is the certificate -*I slipped the marriage certificate* - we do not have the album ready as yet but have some photos printed separately*gave the photos to VO*
VO: How big is the album? (i think she mis heard me why I wasnt carrying the album)
Me: The album will be very big.
VO:*looks at photos* Was this one of the big ones?
Me: Yes we had a lot of guests.
VO: *returns my photos and marriage certificate* says something away from the mike which I couldnt hear
Me: *collected my stuff and just assumed that my Visa was approved as she did not give my passport back* said thanks and left

Overall interview was very casual and more like a chat. I kept smiling throughout.
My tip to everyone is just be confident, and do some mocks if you have never given interviews.Ignore the outcomes of other people's interviews. Read your DS160 thoroughly and anticipate questions based on your form. Dress up well- I was wearing jeans and a floral top with a shrug and loafers. If you dont hear what the say, politely ask them to repeat. I should have also done the same as VO could have been speaking something important.

Passport was ready for pickup on the same day as VISA interview but I collected it the next day.Although my passport was expiring in 2018, I got my visa stamped until the expiration of my husbands H1B (until 2020). You will need a govt issued id and a signed copy of the id with your phone number mentioned to collect the passport. You can take your mobile along for passport pickup. Do remember to verify all details on your visa when you receive your passport.

Below is a whole list of documents I was carrying (only I797 , marriage certi and photos were asked)

My Docs:
Passport and Passport copy
Confirmation email printout
DS160 Confirmation page stamped by VAC folks
Axis bank Visa fee payment receipt
Letter on Husband's company letter head saying that I am his dependent and he is a bonafide employee of the company (Company is a widely known firm)
Email Printout of email from HR saying XX was the last day at my office(I was still working when I went for the interview and had mentioned my current Job in my DS160 form)
US VISA style photograph

Husbands Docs:
Copy of I797
Copy of his passport
Copy of his Visa
Husbands H1B petition (which included his petition, LCA, I129 and other docs)
Husband's employment letter
Resume
Pay Stubs
Banks Statement for last 3 months
Tax filing docs for last 3 years

Other Docs:
Marriage Certificate
Some photos from our wedding doing wedding rituals ( mangalsutra, fire ceremony, with our parents, garland ceremony, with guests etc)

Apart from the above questions, below are some other questions which I had anticipated and had prepared accordingly
- what visa are you applying for
- where does your husband work
- what does your husband do
- what is your husband's annual income
- who is the CEO of husband's company
- how many employees does your husbands company employ?
- since when is your husband in the US?
- since when is your husband in the current company?
- can your husband cook?
-has he applied for green card?
- what is his date of birth?
- what is his most annoying habit?
-when did he stamp his H1 visa?
- why did you not come along with him?
-will you be working in the US
- what will you be doing there?
- why was your F1 rejected? (it was rejected in 2011)
- what countries have you visited?
- Do you have any relatives in the US?
- what does your sister do in the US? ( i had mentioned my sibling being in the US)
- what do your parents do?

There is a saying - hope for the best and prepare for the worst- this was somewhat my case. All the best to everyone for their interviews. If anyone has questions, I can ans it in the comments below.
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