H1B, H4 Visa

Hi
I would like to share my experience on Interview waiver program / Drop box / In person interview

On July 17, I have attended for drop box for Hyderabad consulate

— Went to the consulate at 9.30 AM, kept my back pack near to the locker stores (Lockers are available near to drop box location- HYD. Rs 100 per locker)
— Went to drop box location, Shown my passport and there is separate queue for drop box. Please don’t stuck in Finger print/Biometrics line
— Got a token and submitted (I797, 2 passport size photos, Passport along with Interview waiver document)
— Submitted and came back home

On July 24, I received an email for fingerprints and In person interview.

Dear Applicant:
 
Thank you for submitting your documents for an Interview Waiver at the VAC office Hyderabad. However, to process your visa application we would like to let you know that your case needs further review and requires you to come to the Consulate for fingerprints and interview.
 
Please come to the Consulate for finger prints and interview with a printout of this confirmation letter on July 24, 2018 at 10:00 a.m.

— So finally i had to go through fingerprints and In person Interview
- I have reached little early and stood in line at 9AM. They allowed me at 930 AM for 10 AM interview.
- I entered consulate but unfortunately i had to come out during security check because security people found sealed envelope in my file and asked me to exit from consulate to unseal the envelope. I had to go out and unseal the envelope. Took nearly 30 mins to come back.
- Finally i’m inside and i asked one officer for fingerprints. He directs me one counter to collect my passport. I took passport along with blue card (If you receive any card with passport, Don’t get panic, it specifies only counter number nothing else.). For me it’s counter number 13 for interview. I gave finger prints on counter number 7 and attended interview on Counter no. 13
- The VO asked me general questions like university name, master’s in what, year of passed out, employer name, client name, salary, how many years that i have been working with the client and asked whether my H1B was approved in US or India.
- VO mentioned me the reason that they have called for interview is my F1 to H1 status was not updated properly in their systems. They just want to make sure everything is okay on their end by calling for interview.
- VO mentioned i should receive my passport with in a week.
- At first when VO mentioned that i should receive passport in a week I thought i would get it in a day or 2 for pickup.
- Later i checked my status, and found out administrative processing which made me little scared.
- https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx
- Based on my knowledge Admin processing, They either want to make further verification with USCIS or they have to verification by calling you for in person interview
-
- Application id abccccc YYYY X
Case Created: 17-Jul-2018
Case Last Updated: 30-Jul-2018
Your visa case is currently undergoing necessary administrative processing. This processing can take several weeks. Please follow any instructions provided by the Consular Officer at the time of your interview. If further information is needed, you will be contacted. If your visa application is approved, it will be processed and mailed/available within two business days. 
For more information, please visit U.S. Consulate General Hyderabad.

The above statement made me little scared. Cause i have already booked my return flights and i haven’t got any updates until 7th day.
Remember, Alway listen what VO says, Cause they know very well when the passport would come out for pickup. According to me, VO specifically mentions that i should receive my passport with in a week
So please be patient, Wait and please do not get panic when you see admin processing.

Interview Waiver docs submission - July 17, 2018
Email received for In person interview & finger prints - July 19,2018
Visa Interview: 24-July-2018
On CEAC case status - 'Administrative Processing' till 31-July-2018
CEAC case status - Issued on 31-July-2018 @ 3:00 PM IST
Email received for passport pick up - 01-Aug-2017

Hope this helps. All the best.