H1B, H4 Visa

First of all I want to thank the forum and all the members for sharing their experience which really helped me a lot.

Background: I have done my B-Tech in Computers and M.S in Computer and Information science from USA. I was in USA from Aug 2000 till March 2004 after which I wanted to be with my parents… so took a job in India.

I had booked my appointment with Chennai consulate for Sept 20th as I have had received my H1B papers in August 2005 from my prospective employer. When I went inside the consulate on 20th Sept … I was asked to wait for about 2 hrs and later informed that my appointment was cancelled from the same IP address which I had booked the appointment. I tried to convince them saying why would I cancel the appointment for which I have been waiting for 2 months… anyway they told me that I have to fix another appointment.

When VFS came into picture for the appointment, I was lucky to get an appointment for 12th Oct 2005. When I did go on 12 Oct… I had seen lot of H1B cases getting rejected due to lack of client letter. Eventually I was given a 221(g) asking to get a letter from the supervisor in my client place along with the pictures. Luckily the client project was outsourced to my employer… so my employer managed to get a letter from the client stating that the project had been given to them and also managed to get a letter stating that so & so person from my petitioner is the project manager for that application. My employer got a letter from the project manager stating that I will be working in the project for about 12 months and there is lot of chances that it will extend. As I will be working in my employer’s premises… there was no need for pictures from the client place.

Finally I took all those documents and attended the Chennai consulate again on 3rd Nov 2005. Six to seven counters were assigned to the H4 dependent cases that needed language assistance. All the H1B cases were asked to wait for a long time. Finally they started calling all the 221(g) cases to one counter… where there was a woman in her late 30’s scrutinizing all the applications. Most of the 221(g) cases were asked to get the client letter… the VO started asking the applicants to get a letter from the end client (i.e.) customers to the client (I am sure it’s not an easy job) and issued them 221(g) again. Only one applicant was successful getting the visa out of 7. Attendant who calls the token number asked the VO in the 221(g) counter... Whether he could send more applicants… for which she rejected, luckily mine was the next number… so I was asked to stand in a different counter… where the VO was an old lady talking very sweetly and even rejecting the applications now and then.

Transcription:

Myself: Good afternoon lady!
VO: Good afternoon.
VO: Can you pass me your folder.
Myself: Sure
VO: Did you get all the documents requested.
Myself: Yep (I handed over the document).
VO: Took those docs and went inside for couple of minutes.
VO: Sorry to keep you waiting.
Myself: Not a problem.
VO punched some numbers in her key board twice and again went inside for another 2 minutes.
VO: Everything looks fine but we need to make couple of checks before I can issue a Visa.
VO: Please pass on your issuance DD for Rs 2200, if everything’s fine… We will stamp your passport and mail you the docs.. Else we will request for further information if needed.
Myself: how long do you think this process might take?
VO: A week or may be even less.

Couple of days later my employer called me and informed that the consulate have mailed the client to verify the information given in the Client’s letter … for which the client had replied.

7 days later. I called the consulate and was told to call back after 2 days as my application is in process (Not pending). When I called again.. I was told that my application was approved and I will be getting my passport in couple of days.

There is no need to worry if you have good documentation but do not forget to get a Client letter from your employer.

All the Very best!!