H1-H4 stamping

[jawwad]

I will be appearing at Chennai consulate on 19th Sep for getting the H1 & H4 (wife & son) visa stamped together. I have few queries to clarify:
1. I have received all the papers from my US employer except the 'Letter of Offer'. But, I do have Employment/Consultant Agreement - I am not sure if it will work.
2. We do not have marriage photos/wedding invitation available with us. But, we have already been to US before on H1 as well as H4 (my dependents). We are applying after two years of gap. At the same time my wife's passport has my name, also my son's passport has mother & father name written in it. I am wondering if marriage certificate & names in the passport would be sufficient or not.

Any help in this regard is greatly appreciated.

[veena_swsh]

1. I have received all the papers from my US employer except the 'Letter of Offer'. But, I do have Employment/Consultant Agreement - I am not sure if it will work.

DO you have an Employment confirmation letter from your company/client? if not do ask them to fax across one to you.

2. We do not have marriage photos/wedding invitation available with us. But, we have already been to US before on H1 as well as H4 (my dependents). We are applying after two years of gap. At the same time my wife's passport has my name, also my son's passport has mother & father name written in it. I am wondering if marriage certificate & names in the passport would be sufficient or not.

Since you don't have it, you obviously cannot produce the same. Take some proof of marriage like say an LIC Policy which mentions the name of the spouse. You will never know what they will ask!
Do update this forum on your experience at the Consulate.
All the Best!

[jawwad]

Thanks Veena for your great advise. I did contact my employer in US and got the Offer letter before I appear for the interview. I would like to share my experience of H1-H4 stamping.

My visa was refused under Section 221(g) ... additional information is needed in order to adjudicate my visa application. They want the following 3 documents from my company:

1. A detailed description of the petitioner's needs for this position and how the beneficiary worker intends to address them. Provide specific examples of how the person's skills match the petitioner's need.

2. A list of all of the employer's active projects. Indicate who is the client and point of contact at the client end with phone numbers and email for that person(s). If the contact with the client is held by a third party, provide names and contact information for that party as well. Do not send a batch of contracts in lieu of this documentary requirement.

3. Provide a detailed and specific amount of how the H/L worker will be employed during the next 12 months. Be sure to specify location, client and client contact information, nature of the project and the duration of the project.

Now, my case is pending with them, they asked me to appear again (with the info required) on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon. They also told that incorrect phone numbers, out-of-date contact information or inadequate photographs may result in further delays.

The consular officer took my wife's interview (asking simple questions -> what is her mother-in-laws maiden name, what was the marriage date, and where it took place.) Finally he told us that my family need not to come again but I should appear with the documents requested.

My background (just fyi): Presently I work for an MNC, previously worked in US for 5 yrs on H1. After a gap of 2 years, got another H1 for a consulting company. It seems like they want to see the credibility of the compnay before issuing the visa. They also know that fact that most of the consulting companies hire people but they will not pay until they start working for the client.

I am waiting for the papers from the company, will be appearing again.

Jawwad

[veena_swsh]

Hi Jawwad,
Sorry to hear that things did not work out. The consulate usually asks for all these extra documentation if they are not convinced about the employer that you are going to be working for. This is actually done for your own good as they do not want you to land in the US and then be left without an immediate job to take up. If you had taken a letter from your employer mentioning the details of the clients and the projects that you are going to be involved in and substantiate it with letters from clients it would be good.