H1B, H4 Visa

Hi, I wanted you guys to know every case is different and DO NOT PRESS PANIC BUTTON when people post about the visa getting stuck as most of them do not bother to respond back when they get the visa issued. Also, remember one thing if you not done anything worng and have taken all the legal path you should not worry. I know its not easy but try to hold your nerves

My case was lot more complex but all my papers were correct and maintained my status in a proper way. We went for stamping in Nov 2017 (I, my wife, my brother) all three change of status.

My Case:

1. Went to good state university, entered USA on F1
2. Graduated in May 2015 got a full time employment in April 2015 started working on full time CPT(last semester) then into OPT from May 2015.
3. Switched company (again Full time) after a year in April 2016 on the condition that they will file my H1B and new company filed for H1B got picked in lottery changed to H1B in October 2016.
4. To my horror they told me on Sept 1st that they will lay me off due to cuts and I am in cap gap. I requested my manager to give me time till atleast I have my one pay check on H1B so that my H1B is active and instead of Oct 1st as my last date they extended till Oct 14th 2016.
5. Started looking for new job aggressively along with who can sponsor no luck till Oct 14th. Stayed away miles away from consultants. Applied for F2 on Oct 13th to maintain my status as my wife was on F1 and luckily I got the new full time job on Oct 14th itself. To add more luck the law firm of my previous company was the same with new company too and the same attorney as well so they had all my documents and they immediately applied for H1B transfer but I had to wait till my F2 is adjudicated and then H1B is approved which took 1 month in premium and with RFE in between (RFE was silly which was saying I need to go into lottery again because I left my previous company, to this my attorney said you sleep peacefully I know how to respond to such RFEs must say my attorney was very helping and very quick in responses)
6. New H1B approved on Nov 14th 2016 and started working immediately. Because F2 COS was pending I could not work on H1B receipt and had to wait till I get my new I797 in my hand
7. Couldn't go to India due to visa issues.

My wife:
1. Entered USA on F2
2. Converted to F1
3. Took me as her dependent when I lost my job

My Brother:
1. Entered USA on F1
2. Converted to H1B this year with tough RFE and finally approval on Nov 15th

We all three planned for India trip and all 3 had our stampings to be done. Took Mumbai consulate because its close to my house:

My interview went like this:
Landed in India on Nov 26th 12:45am. Biometric on Nov 26th at 4pm went smooth. Went back to my home town.
Came back to Mumbai for Interview on Dec 4th at 8:30am

VO: While I was waiting in line for my turn. As soon as the person finished the interview and walked away with 221g she looked at me from the window and said your I797 please.
Me: I walked to her and said GM Mam.
VO: GM
Me: Passed I797
VO: So you are working for YYYY company?
Me: yes Mam
VO: Did you work on OPT in this company?
Me: No Mam, I am working on H1B with this company
VO: Then how did you end up in this company? (couldn't hear clearly ask her repeat the questions and she comes close to mike and asks again)
Me: I was working on OPT with YYY Company before
VO: Which year
Me: 2015
VO: Month?
Me: May'2015 oh no I am sorry its from April'2015
VO: From then what did you do?
Me: I moved to SSS company
VO: Year?
Me: 2016
VO: Month?
Me: April
VO: Oh and then after that your current company?
Me: Yes mam
VO: Year?
Me: Nov 2016 till date (I knew she would again ask month so I told it upfront)
VO: What is your highest qualification? (couldn't hear clearly ask her repeat the questions and she comes close to mike and asks again)
Me: Masters of Science in YYYY from YYY University
VO: which year did you graduate?
Me: Told
VO: What does your current company do?
Me: Told (not more than 15 secs and answered to the point)
VO: What is your designation
Me: Told
VO: What is your salary?
Me: Told
VO: Did you receive this white phamplet?
Me: Yes mam
VO: Cross checks again my I797 with the company name
VO: So which client do you work for? (couldn't hear clearly ask her repeat the questions and she comes close to mike and asks again)
Me: I am a direct hire mam. I work onsite and do not work for any client
VO: Your visa is approved you will get in 8-10 business days.
Me: Thanks mam. You have a good one
VO: Thanks you too

Status:

26th Nov(biometric date): Case Created
Dec 4th(Visa Interview date) : Case Updated - Administrative Processing
Dec 4th: Administrative processing
Dec 10th: Administrative processing
Dec 11th: Case Updated - Administrative Processing
Dec 12th: Issued
Dec 14th: received passport with visa stamped

My Wife: F2 to F1 changed. F1 Visa Interview
Landed in India on Dec 4th 12:45am and finished Biometric on Dec 4th 10am
Killed on day and interview on Dec 6th went like this

My wife's brief profile:

B.Tech in Chemical Engineering
M.Tech in Environmental Engineering
2 years work exp in construction company as Environmental Engineer
Now MS still pursuing

My Wife: GM Mam
VO: GM
VO: Which university?
My Wife: Told
VO: Since when you are doing your masters?
My Wife: 2015
VO: Oh what is it taking so long for you to complete the course
My Wife: I was on F2 initially so had to start with part time till I got my F1 COS approved and I also had pre requisities to finish.
VO: Ohh Ok. How many credits you are left with?
My Wife: Told
VO: You are doing your Masters Thesis?
My Wife: Yes
VO: What is the topic of you Thesis
My Wife: Told
VO: what is your bachelors in?
My Wife: Told
VO: Ohh you are also working?? (Must have scrolled down in DS160 and I had filled in her work details)
My Wife: Yes mam I am doing internship
VO: Where?
My Wife: GGG Company
VO: Who is sponsoring you Masters?
My Wife: For one year I had 100% Graduate Assistantship with $ YYYY stipend and from this year my husband is sponsoring
VO: What is your husbands salary?
My Wife: $ YYYY X
VO: You are working and writing Thesis and still not completed I want to see your Transcript.
My Wife: passed the transcript
VO: Ohh you have a very good GPA> Your visa is approved you will receive it in 4-5 business days.

Status:

Dec 4th(biometric date): Case Created
Dec 6th(Visa Interview date) : Case Updated - Administrative Processing
Dec 8th: Administrative processing
Dec 10th: Administrative processing
Dec 14th: Case Updated - Administrative Processing
Dec 15th: Issued
Dec 16th: received passport with visa stamped

My brother's Interview

My Brother: F1 to H1B changed. H1B Visa Interview
To save time I had scheduled my brothers and my wife visa interview on the same day so that we can return to our hometown and not make multiple trips to Mumbai. On Dec 4th finished Biometric at 10am
Killed on day and interview on Dec 6th went like this

VO: GM
My Brother: GM Sir
VO: Did not even asked I797. Asked which company do you work for?
My Brother: Told
VO: Where is it located
My Brother: Told
VO: Ohh Then you must have done your masters from YYYY University
My Brother: Obviously sir with the smile
VO: Your visa is approved you will get it in 4-5 business days

Status:

Dec 4th(biometric date): Case Created
Dec 6th(Visa Interview date) : Case Updated - Administrative Processing
Dec 7th: Administrative processing
Dec 8th: Issued
Dec 9th: Received passport with visa stamped

Tips:
Each and every case is different I gave interivew first and my brother last but he received his passport earlier than mine. The same day same time my wife gave interview along with my brother but she received the passport last. It all depends on individual case. Its natural to go through tension and anxiety which we have too. I hope this will help. All in all be genuine. VO only asks what is there in DS160 they verify everything from DS160 so do not bluff and speak the truth and do not hide anything either in DS160 or in interivew because they will find out when they cross check your case. Do not give elaborated answers to VO which means you are making yourself suspecious. Do not go for consultants unless you are left with no options as I was seeing rejections for consultants and more 221g for consultants than direct hires

We all Me(on H1B), my wife (F1), My brother (H1B), My brother's wife (on OPT) returned to USA on Dec 25th after finishing my brothers wedding with smooth immigration checks at port of entry