H1B, H4 Visa

Hi All,

Posting my recent dropbox experience in Mumbai as it might help someone with similar experience to gauge the processing time.

My Background: Completed masters in 2013 from a well-known university. I worked as full-time employee for a well-known company from 2013 to 2017 and for another well-known company from 2017 onwards. I was on OPT from 2013 to 2015 and then on H1B from 2015 to 2018. I had an approved I-797 for H1 extension from 2018 to 2021, and since I was in India for a short trip, I wanted to get the visa extension stamp before I could re-enter US, so I applied via dropbox.

Here is the timeline:
- April 23: Submitted dropbox application
- May 02: Got an email to pick up the passport. CEAC showed Administrative processing
- May 03: Picked up the passport with a 221g asking to attend in-person interview any day of the week. No additional documents asked.
- May 07: Attended the in-person interview. I was asked questions about my masters degree - if I took any gaps/break during the masters program (which I had not). The VO looked at the masters transcript and said the visa is approved but it will take longer than usual to get the passport back and kept the passport. This vague timeline lead to some frustrating days.
- May 07: CEAC last updated date: May 07 and status is Administrative Processing
- May 09: CEAC last updated date: May 09 and status is Administrative Processing
- May 11: CEAC last updated date: May 11 and status is Administrative Processing
- May 14: CEAC last updated date: May 11 and status is Issued
- May 14: Received email to pick up passport.

It just looks like there is a general delay in the visa stamping process and a lot of dropbox applicants are called for in-person interviews. Please make sure you leave enough time for visa applications, even if it is just renewal, to avoid having to change your plans.

All the best to everyone on their visa application.