H1B, H4 Visa

Hi Guys,

First thanks to admin for having such a wonderful site and many many thanks to all the people who have posted their experiences here which made us familiar about what we are about to undergo.

If you are opting for Chennai as the center for both bio-metrics and stamping, please be at the venue just 15 mins before. Believe me it doesn’t matter if you go 1hr before or 15 mins as they let you in exactly by the appointed time. Don’t sweat yourself unnecessarily. That being said family people and women are given preferences.

Had biometrics on 27th Oct in Chennai at 1pm at OFC center. Reached 45mins before and they allowed inside the campus just 5 mins before. Inside they will check Passport, DS 160 form and appointment form. They will give you one token and you need to check your token for the respective counter in the monitor they have provided. They took my all finger prints and a picture. I came out in 10mins.

Interview/Stamping on 28th at 11pm, big day. Reached US consulate two hours before as I miscalculated Chennai traffic in peak time. Don’t carry anything except the documents which are required to produce. There is a facility to keep your luggage for just 10/- but I wouldn’t suggest it because of the long queues. People started coming in and they got segregated in two lines based on the interview time. Don’t get tensed or worried by seeing the crowd. They allowed me just 15mins before. There will be checking outside the consulate and inside where your documents/materials will go through the scanner. I would suggest that you to carry a harmonium folder for keeping all your documents in order. Before going to the interview they will attach one sticker on your passport containing a token number which you need to check in the monitor for the respective counter. Before me there were two L 1 Visa guys and H1 who was from Oracle (he was wearing company id). All of them were asked not more than 2 questions and got their visas approved. I was so nervous but maintained my cool and my turn came..

ME : Good Morning.
VO : Good Morning. (He gave a glance and looked at my company id which I was wearing and started typing something on his system.)

VO : I see you working for YYYY X. Is this your employer in US?
ME: Yes.

VO : What is the name of the client that you will be working.
ME: YYYY X

VO : What? Can you repeat it?
ME : YYYY X ( I can see that he didn’t get the name properly.)

ME : Do you want me say the name letter by letter?
VO: Yea. That would be great.

ME : X X X X X X.

ME : Sorry.
VO : It’s okay.

VO : What is your salary in US?
ME : YYYY per Annum.

VO : What is your highest qualification?

ME : I have a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering.

VO : (Handing me a pamphlet) Please go through this pamphlet which contains your rights once you enter into US. I’m approving your Visa. Have a good day.
ME : Thanks a lot !

After coming to my home, I checked the status of my visa and it was “Administrative Processing”. I got bit disappointed and slept. Woke up after 2hrs and checked the status again which was changed to “ISSUED” and felt soo happy. At last I was at peace after one year..

That’s it. Believe me if you have correct documents and working for a good MNC, you don’t have to worry at all...
You are here to get YOUR Visa and nothing else. So be cool and maintain a cheerful attitude all the time.

All the best and God bless.