H1B, H4 Visa

Firstly I would like to THANK all the people who have shared their experience in this Forum.
I would say this Forum is TRUE guide /reference book for all who are going for VISA interview.

Personally this Forum helps me a lot to build confidence and success.

My OFC appointment was scheduled on 7th November 2013 and Consular H1B VISA interview on 8th November 2013 @ Hyderabad.

OFC Process:

Documents Required:

1. Appointment Confirmation copy

2. DS-160 confirmation page (If any H4 you have to carry individual copies of DS-160 confirmation page for all)

Note: Make sure in Ds-160, your surname and given name should match with your name in passport.

3. Passports (H1 and H4 if any)

4. VISA payment receipt

In my case, correction on my spouse DS-160. In her passport no seperate rows for Surname and given name. Only one row - Name.
surname and given name was written in her passport with space. In this case you have to fill complete name along with surname in surname row,
and in given name row you have to mention FNU.

If you wish to do any corrections in DS-160, better do it at home before reaching to OFC. There are net centers(Cyber Cafe) in front of OFC. But they all
are collection professionals. They will charge 200/- per correction. Be aware.

My OFC appointment time is @ 2.30pm. Reached by 2 pm. No Q. showed Appointment confirmation to security and went inside.

1. Person checks your appointment letter and DS-160 with passport. He will scan your DS-160 barcode.
2. goto the counter inside and give your passport(s) to them.
3. They have attched DS-160 number on the back of passport and issue the token with number.
4. The token number will disaply either on screen or the helpers will anounce your number and ask you to stand on the counter for Finger Print and Photo.
5. When your turn come, just pass your token, passport and DS-confirmation page.
6. They will ask you to put left hand four fingers, right hand four finger and two thumbs on finger print scanner.
   once finger print done they will take your photo and put a stamp over DS-160 confirmation page.

They said below 14 yrs no need to come for VISA interview.(This was for us, we were holding my child - 11 months)

Done and left for the day.

Consular Interview:

My appointment time was 9.30am. But we reached 8.30 am only. Normally reach 30 mins before your scheduled time.
I attended with my spouse and child(11 months old). We were standing in the Q. Security person came and ask me the appoinment time.
I said 9.30am. He told me to come by 9.15 due to 8.30 and 9 am appointment people were still waiting in Q.
I said, OK and sat aside. Afer 30 mins security told us to stand in Q. Before me there were 30 people.
Security person came to us and said that please stand front of the row due to we were holding my child.
After Ds-160 bar code scanning, they allowd us inside.Went inside and there is a counter to issue the token numbers.
After verifying your passports and DS-160(your photo will be already uploded while taking the finger prints) he will issue the token for interview.

In my case, my spouse was taken photo at OFC and they said OK. next day we went for VISA interview. While issuing the token he told photos of yours and child
were uploaded correctly. But your spouse photo was not uploaded correctly. I asked what to do now? He said in front of US consulate one net center and studio
is there. Go and take the Photo. within 5 mins they will give you the photo. They will charge 250/- per photo. Photos of my Spouse and Child were there with
my father-in-law. My father-in-law was waiting outside and I collected from him and reached VISA consulate. Immediately he issued the token. But photo will
be uploded @ counter - 7.

Better take photo of H4 applicants(Spouse and child - if photo uploaded at OFC also) as per US VISA specifications. It may require any where inside.

Next step you have to keep your documents folder and any items you are holding (including your belt) in one tray and get inside.

You have to keep the tray in the scanner and wait for your turn.

once scanning done, security persons will tell you if any items are not allowed inside.
Better don't carry any items, ornaments etc to the consulate.This will save your time.

Take your documents and goto the place where we have to wait for our token number to display.

There are screens and displaying your token numbers directing the counters for interview.

My token number was dispalyed on the screen with counter number where I have to take VISA interview.

I walkin towards my counter along with my spouse and child.

There are 3 people before me and I was standing in Q. My child was playing with big sounds.

VISA Officer is lady . She was observing my child. She was rejected 3 people before me. I was bit nervoused. But those are student and business VISA's.
Mine is H1B.

Finally My Turn,

Me: Good Morning Mam(With Smile)
VO: Very Good Morning(with smile).

VO: Your passports and I797 please.
Me: Handed over the Passports and I797 original.

VO: VO called my spouse and ask her to place her left hand four fingers on the finger print scanner.
VO: VO said OK and ask my spouse to wait outside. No questions for my Spouse.

VO: VO returnd back the I797 and was checking the details on screen.

VO: After One min, she asked me Are you going to work for a client?
Me: I am not going to work for Client Mam, I am going to work for my employer's internal project.
 
VO: OK. Where in US:
Me: told City and stae.

VO: She was typing continuously looking at screen for few seconds and finally she said that " THE VISA IS APPROVED"
Me: Thank you Mam.

I left from there and came out. My spouse was waiting for the feedback. Done for the day.

I selected passport pickup point is Bangalore. Now I am waiting for my passport to collect.

Be confident....success is yours....thats allllll.