H1B, H4 Visa

Hi All,

I got lot of help from various forums and it's my turn to share my experience. I have attended H1b Visa interview first time at Hyderabad Consulate on June 11 th. Biometrics was on 10 th, it went through fine, my appointment was actually at 11 30 but I was there by 10 30 AM. They allowed me inside, perhaps it was not that busy may be, I was out in 10 minutes.

Next day, June 11 th, my appt was at 9 30 AM. They allowed me on time. While I was in the line, they checked my appointment and DS 160 and ticked the passport.Got inside the building and were seated in an open area. I was asked keep my appt confirmation and DS 160 inside. Then went through security check and got inside the main building. We were told to keep photo with white back ground in the passport, we were told that the photo taken previous day did not come correctly due to technical issue. So every one did the same, those who did not have a back up of their photo had go out of the consulate building and get a new one. So, please keep a back up photo with white back ground. I had one, so went to one of the lanes, they checked passport with photo, verified something and asked to get into another line. I gave my finger prints again (not sure due to machine fault y'day or that's the norm to tally), then came the big step, went to counter number 12 to attend my interview.
There was a student before me, he was asked several questions, may be 5 minutes in front me. They wanted to validate the students awareness of what he was doing, where he will stay, which colleges etc.... he got his visa approved. I went next with my wife and 2 kids. Just 3 questions,

1. who is your petitioner ?

XX comp

2. What do you work as ?

YY

3. What do you do as YY ?

provided my work description

then turned to my wife and asked a few questions, I got a sigh of relief.. :-)

4. Where do you stay in US ?

XX

5. How long are you married ?

10 years

6. How many kids do you have ?

XX

She congratulated on our 10 yrs of marriage, and said the golden words, "your visas are approved".

I said thank you, my kids told her bye and we came out happily.

Important things, keep a back up of your picture with white back ground for Visa, expect lines, waiting times, be ready to take out your documents, show and keep them inside properly. Don't loose yourself as you go through the process, stay calm and tell your self it's fine. Don't get any negative thoughts as to why they can't run the process better, this could be like this or that, don't think or say that. It can unnecessarily spoil your concentration on what's more important. You just want to get your visa approved and come out. EVery thing else is fine and wonderful.

Good luck to you all, be confident, more than that be calm and cool.