H1B, H4 Visa

Hello Everyone,

Thanks a lot for those who shared their experiences. It does count and indeed help a lot. So here I am with my own H1B interview experience at the Hyderabad Consulate on Oct 21st 2014

OFC - Oct 20th 2:30 PM

I arrived at 1:30 PM and was only allowed inside at 2:10 AM (for another queue inside). You need to have the following documents

1) Passport (original). Carry old passports just in case
2) DS 160 confirmation
3) Appointment confirmation
4) Fee payment receipt
5) Photographs (Just in case the camera at the OFC stops working, they will as for your photographs. I read several instances where this happened)

You will be security checked and ten-printed (in case anyone doesn't know, ten-print means fingerprints of all your 10 fingers will be taken).

I was asked only 1 question. "What is your purpose of visiting the US". I said "Employment". I was out by 2:35 PM

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Interview - Oct 21st 8 AM - The BIG day

As any other normal Indian. I arrived the consulate at least an hour before though I knew that I will only be allowed 30 mins before. Even the queue starts forming 30 mins before. (But its always better to be early than getting struck in traffic or other unforseen circumstances )

Me: Good morning Ma'am
VO: Good morning
Me: How are you doing today
VO: Good
Me: Great. Here is my passport and H1B petition approval notice.
VO: You can take back the petition (without even looking at it. Okay, I was not expecting this)
Me: Sure Ma'am.
Vo: Who is your employer
Me: YYYY
Vo: What does your employer do
Me: **** ** consulting firm **** **** *
VO: Where do you work currently?
Me: Client location in **** (city name)
VO: What does your client do
Me: **** **
VO: What do you do for your client
Me: **** ** (job responsibilities. Be concise and be ready to speak for a minute if necessary (remember this is why you are going to the US). You will be stopped at 5 seconds anyway)
VO: So, which location will you be working?
Me: **** (city name)
Vo: Okay, your visa is approved
Me: Thanks a lot Ma'am. (and Thanks God!)

The process was pretty smooth and here are all the documents I took took with me. I was out by 8:20 AM

All passports in original
DS 160 with sticker from OFC
Appointment confirmation
I797A copy
LCA copy
I129 copy
Fee receipt
Client letter
Employer letter
Resume
Payslips - 6 months
Bank statement - 6 months + letter from the bank
Previous employment letters
W2 forms
SSN, US DL
Client location photos

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Before me there was a couple for B2 visa and a family (1 H1b, 1 H4 and a kid).

Questions to the B2 couple (visa approved)
1) Why are you visiting the US
2) What does your daughter and Son in law do
3) Do you have any other chidren. Are they in US too
4) Are you still working

Questions to the H1/H4 couple (visa approved)
1) All questions to the H1 guy were similar to mine
2) But the VO asked the wife where does your husband work and she could not answer. VO then asked "Madam, how long is your husband working for ***". The wife didnt answer that too. VO repeated the question 3 times and finally the wife answered.

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Few tips (not that I am a guru of such things, but I know how tensed people can get when it comes to stamping as a lot of our future depends on this.)

1) Its okay to be nervous. Remember that we are human. But try not to show it out.
2) You do not have to carry copies of your passport. (Be logical, you are carrying the original passport. Why would you need the photocopy?)
3) Confidence will be your best weapon. Use it well.
4) Try your best to be calm and answers frankly.
5) Take as many documents as you can. If you can not take a document, be prepared to answer why you do not have it.
6) Do not worry about sending email about PIMS and Advance document submission. These are obsolete topics and are no longer needed to worry about before hand.

And of course, ALL THE BEST!!!!