H1B, H4 Visa

Hello all,

I wanted to share my experience during my h1b consular stamping. I had my interview at Hyderabad consulate. I am a FTE and I did my Master's in USA.

I had a friend who gave his interview at hyd consulate in nov 1st week. He was first time f1 to h1 and he was in EVC model. His visa was approved then and there and he got his passport in a week. Another friend had interview in Chennai and she was an FTE and she got her passport in a week. So, I was pretty confident that my visa process is going to be smooth and was hoping not to get 221g.

I was a Software Engg when my h1b was filed and I was promoted to Associate Senior Software Engineer a couple of months ago. I was afraid if this needed amendment but my Hr told I don't need as the duties remain the same. I was in a dilemma about what to answer for 'what is your role' question.

Education:
Masters in Computer Science
Graduated in May 2017.

Opt started in July 2017 and ended in July 2018.
Employer Filed for h1b and I simultaneously applied for my stem opt extension.

H1b was approved without RFE before July 2018. So I got cap gap from July 2018 to Oct 1 2018.

After h1b approval, got opt extension approved starting from July 2018.
(Stem opt is no longer valid although approved as I was in cap gap)

Also, I had to resubmit a new Ds160 as i had a few changes and i crossed 30 days after submission of my old DS160. So I carried both old and new ds160, visa confirmation pages. They just asked me the new ds 160 confirmation.

Documents carried:
DS160 confirmation
Visa confirmation
I797 approval (Original)
Copy of I797C (receipt)
Copy of I129
Copy of LCA
EAD cards
I94
I94 travel history
All previous I20s
I983 form (not required but just in case)
Offer letter
Verification of Employment letter (old one with earlier title)
VOE latest
Masters degree (xerox copy. Forgot my original)
Masters transcripts unsealed (but the security at the gate made me tear open the envelop).
Bachelors degree
Bachelors Transcripts
SSN
W2 forms for last 3 years
Tax return documents (federal and state) for last 3 years.
Bank statement for last 12 months
Payslips for last 12 months.
Company organization structure and job profile.
Company ID card
Photos of workplace.
Resume.
2 passport sized photographs.

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Experience:
==================================================================
Biometrics Nov 28th @10:15 AM:

Docs required: ds160 confirmation
Visa confirmation
Passport

Everything went smooth. Came in at 10 and came out by 10:15

Visa interview Nov 29th @ 9AM

Went in at 8 45 AM
It was jam packed.
After security check, they made us sit in chairs for 20mins and then they took us to a counter where an American lady took my passport and took my fingerprints and gave back my passport.
Then they made us wait in waiting area for almost 30 40mins

Then we went and stood in the line for interview and waited another 30 40mins. Read the rights in US in the meanwhile.

Finally my turn came up and I went to give the interview around 10:30.

The VO has asked detailed questions and denied two f1s in front of me. I was scared AF. Attendant then took my passport and placed it in front of VO. VO then called me.

VO: hello
Me: hello Ma'am! Good morning
Me: (passing my ds160 confirmation)
VO: i dont need any documents. All the info I need is in this barcode. (Smiling)
Me: Sure
VO: are you working directly for your employer and for a client
Me: directly for the employer
VO: what is your job profile
Me: (i decided to say my latest title rather than saying the title in my h1b application) Associate Senior Software Engineer
VO: whats your salary
Me: (told exact updayed salary, not the one in h1b application) ZZZ$ per annum
VO: what is your highest education
Me: masters in computer science at xxx uni
Vo: do you know your rights in US
Me: yes
(From most of the experiences I read, the VO approved right after asking this question. So, I thought I was lucky)
Vo: (typing something for a minute and prints out a paper.. i knew that i got 221g) So i am putting you under administrative processing. It is very routine and you do not need to worry about it. But i cannot say how long it takes to get processed. Here is your case number and you can track your case.
She gave me 221g white slip with 2nd checkbox (administrative processing) ticked
Me: Sure ma'am. Thank you and have a great day.
Vo: you too.

Left the consulate around 10 45am.

Ceac status timeline:

As on Nov 29th:
Case created: 27th Nov
Case updated: 29th Nov
Status: Administrative Processing
Passport status in ustraveldocs : your passport is with us embassy/consulate

No change until 10th dec.

Then on 10 th dec:
Case created: 27th Nov
Case updated: 10th Dec
Status: Administrative Processing (Status changed around 3 to 5pm)
Passport status in ustraveldocs : your passport is with us embassy/consulate

11 th dec:
Case created: 27th Nov
Case updated: 11th Dec
Status: Issued. (Status changed around 3PM)
Passport status in ustraveldocs : your passport is with us embassy/consulate

12 th dec:
Case created: 27th Nov
Case updated: 11th Dec
Status: Issued.
Passport status in ustraveldocs : Received your passport from consular section. Preparing for delivery

Same day evng:
Passport status in ustraveldocs : Passport is ready for pickup.

13th Dec:
Picked my passport.

The same timeline goes for a couple of my friends who gave their interviews on Nov 30th and Dec 3rd.

Note: We had a holiday on dec 5th due to mourning for the demise of Sr Bush and also ustraveldocs had a notice that it is a holiday on Dec 7th too due
to general elections in Hyd but one of my friends had his interview on 7th and got his visa approved.

So, including dec7th, it took 7 business days ( 13 days) for the status to change to "Issued".

Also, I knew someone who gave their interview on Nov 27th and got the same 221g. They got their status changed to "Issued" on 3rd December (4 business days). The same day a guy who gave his interview on 16th nov got his status changed too.

So, I have been following this forum and have observed a pattern. They are processing applications in batches. And it is taking somewhere around 5 to 10 business days for the status to change. Also, I've noticed the case last update date changes one day before the status changed to "Issued".

I hope this post answers most of the questions people have before and after their interview. Please dot hesitate to ask me anything. Good luck everyone!