H1B Visa Stamping Husband & Spouse together - Mumbai US Consulate

[imish]

Hello All,

Does anyone have idea regarding booking interview for H1B visa renewal for both husband & spouse together at Mumbai. We both work for different companies.

I know we have to book two interviews slots at the same time. But do they allow interview at the same cabin/officer

I heared that, if we book at same time, during finger printing you can tell them that we are family and they will call together. Has anyone experienced this?

Thanks!

[abhayg4]

Hi OP,

Theoritically speaking - you and your wife have to go to differnet counters as two H1 visa interviews can not take place at the same counter ,same time.

But practically you can take your chance and see if they allow it (for which according to me chances are minimal....)

Thanks and Regards,
Abhay

[imish]

Thanks Abhay for your inputs. I'm planning to email VFS and get your inputs. But i personally think, going at 2 different counter is the safest option.

[kkinusa]

"members of a family must apply together even if traveling separately." clearly mentioned on VFS / embassy sites.

Families are almost always interviewed together.

The down side is if one application is held up, the other is also held up till both get cleared. They dont want to approve one and hold other and separate your family.

[shervin143]

This works only for H1B and his/her dependents (H4's). Two H1B interviews cannot be combined into one interview slot.

"members of a family must apply together even if traveling separately." clearly mentioned on VFS / embassy sites.

Families are almost always interviewed together.

The down side is if one application is held up, the other is also held up till both get cleared. They dont want to approve one and hold other and separate your family.

[imish]

VFS Reply to my query

For all readers: Posting the VFS Mumbai reply to my query.

Dear Sir/ Madam
Thank you for your mail,

Please note you both have to fill up DS-160 form individually for both the applicants. You may mention her name in the column of accompany traveler on the DS-160.

Please note and as you and your wife both are applying for H1B renewal then you both can apply for group interview date by adding your both the application through “Co-worker and family members option” option on the VFS website.

Hope this helps everybody!!!

[shervin143]

It doesn't make any sense (at least to me). I am not sure how two H1B candidates working for two different employers can attend the group interview. The documents need to be verified individually for each candidate. When two people fill separate DS-160, the barcode that gets generated will be different. Not sure how two different barcodes can be combined to take one interview slot. Maybe, you both can go together, but the inetreview will still be done on a one-on-one basis.

Please update the forum if multiple H1B can actually take the interview togther as a group at the same time. It is hard for me to buy the reply for VFS helpdesk. If you can post your personal experience, it will help the forum members.

For all readers: Posting the VFS Mumbai reply to my query.

Dear Sir/ Madam
Thank you for your mail,

Please note you both have to fill up DS-160 form individually for both the applicants. You may mention her name in the column of accompany traveler on the DS-160.

Please note and as you and your wife both are applying for H1B renewal then you both can apply for group interview date by adding your both the application through “Co-worker and family members option” option on the VFS website.

Hope this helps everybody!!!

[imish]

Sure, I'll do update my personal experience.

I was also wondering how is it possible?. Still to be on the safer side. I'll book 2 different interviews and avoid any chaos if possible. It's always better to play safe.

[abhayg4]

Hi,

Details are in the following link:

https://www.immihelp.com/usa-visas/usa-visa-appointment/family-members-traveling-together.html

As per me - Co-Workers should be from the SAME employer and not different employers (as the case with you). So this Option will not wotk for you as per my Opinion.

Also I think this is a new feature which many people haven;t tried i.e. Maximum 6 applicants from the same company can apply for H1 Visa interview -same time and same counter.

If anybody has tried this---please share your exprience

Thanks and Regards,
Abhay

[imish]

Hello All,

Does anyone have idea regarding booking interview for H1B visa renewal for both husband & spouse together at Mumbai. We both work for different companies.

I know we have to book two interviews slots at the same time. But do they allow interview at the same cabin/officer

I heared that, if we book at same time, during finger printing you can tell them that we are family and they will call together. Has anyone experienced this?

Thanks!

For all the fellow readers,

My friend and his spouse attend H1B visa renewal interview at Kolkata Consulate at the same time, in the same counter, under same VO officer.

Both had H1B visa renewal interview, both are employed with different employers and their resident state in India is Kerela.

So i think one can attend interview at the same counter though their employers are different by selecting "family and coworker option"

Updates:
Forgot to mention that they both got the H1B visa.

[imish]

Successful H1B stamping at Mumbai Consulate

Hello All,

Finally me and my wife had an successful H1B renewal visa stamping at Mumbai Consulate in last week of Jan 11. There were some basic questions asked by the officer and we answered them honestly and correctly.

Thanks

[sairam_hb]

it is possible

i went for stamping in dec 2010

mine was h1 stamping

wife was h4 to h1b

both of us at the same window - same VO - same drab questions -

one got pink slip and other walked out - and i am the lucky one ( husband ) who got the pink slip after being in US for 10 years..

I hope it answers ur question --

GOD BLESS INDIA

[praveenb]

I got my visa stamped with my wife at the same counter in Delhi. We both work for different employers. While scheduling the interview I selected family member & then gave my spouse details. We both got the visas stamped

[VI001]

Can you share your experience on H1B visa stamping together (Husband and Wife)

Hi there,

My wife and I both are working in the US on H1B. Neither of us have H1B visa stamped yet as we did COS from another visa type(Change of Status L1/L4 EAD to H1Bs) while being in US. Now we are visiting India next month after 3 years and not sure if we both should schedule for same appointment slot for visa stamping at Mumbai consulate?

Are there any issues?
Anyone here have gone through same phase or aware of similar cases, please share your experience.


Your quick comments/replies are greatly appreciated!

[thirustm]

Regarding LCA

Hi

I got my petition approved under company X. Company X gave me client letter and LCA. I still didnt go for stamping. Now actually Im not going to work for Company X any more. Got new LCA for Company Y. When I'm going for stamping interview which LCA I should carry and about which company I have to talk about. I dont have client letter from Company Y. I just have their LCA but I have LCA and client letter from company X.

Please help me in this.