H1B, H4 Visa

Long overdue post. I was very stressed out before leaving for India. This forum helped out a lot. So I am paying it forward. 

1st DUI:

2012. BAC: 0.08. California Completed all DUI requirements. 

2nd DUI:

2018. BAC : 0.24 California. Completed all DUI requirements. 
Interview: Chennai February 6th 2024. I had to book in person because I had never got my finger printing done. 

Preparation: Apart from all H1B related documents, certified copies of court documents (Disposition, records etc). You can apply for these documents at the court your sentencing took place. 

Day of Interview:

Morning interview. Every interview before me took less than 3-4 minutes. When I reached the counter, there was very little discussion about my H1B. 2-3 questions about role company etc. Working for FAANG might have helped here. Rest of the interview was all about the DUI's. The officer asked about both DUIs. How it happened, when etc. I was very open with her and explained both incidents in detail. Did not hide anything. She asked for the court documents. I gave her all the DUI related documents I had. She went to the back office to make copies. She came back and gave me a white 221G. She explained that I will have to go through a medical and psychological evaluation. All the details are in the 221G document. She said that a decision will be made based on the evidence I provided and the results of the evaluation. 

After the Interview : 

I left and immediately called Apollo Chennai for an appointment. This is a potential hassle as they will call you back. I got an appointment 2 days later.  Status on CEAS Tracker set to "Refused".

Day of evaluation: 

Showed up to Apollo with all documents mentioned in the 221G. Went through various medical tests. Blood, chest Xray etc. I was confident about this part as I stopped drinking 6 years back, almost to the day (February 12). Then the main physician interviewed me. Asked about the DUI incidents. I was open and honest with her. Did not try to hide anything or lie. She took notes. Asked me about my current lifestyle. Had nothing to hide a I don't drink anymore. She then referred me to a psychologist for the psyche eval. 

I had to go to a different location for the psyche eval. Had to wait a couple of hours for the psychologist to be available. She interviewed me about the DUIs. This was the longest interview. I was again honest and open. She really wanted to probe and understand. We spoke a lot about my struggles with alcohol. My sobriety. My lifestyle. I don't even remember all the questions. But I was very honest. After 20 minutes. She told me that she will recommend granting me the visa. 

Rest of the process:

Received email to drop passport in a week. Had to mail my passport to a friend who lived in a city with a drop off location. 

"Refused" changed to "Approved" in 4 days, to "Issued" in another 2 days. 

In conclusion:

Please do not take my success story for granted. This was a very stressful situation. I had given a power of attorney to a friend to sell everything I owned in US in case I could not return. A few things I will strongly advise, make sure all the paperwork is in order and DO NOT LIE. I feel the psychologist is a very important decision maker. She will probe hard and deep. Don't try to fool him/ her. 

Good luck.

I applied for H1b in 2005, got rejected. I am working in IT industries for the last 25 years, Travelled to 9 countries for IT projects.

In 2025, I wish to apply for H1b,

1) I worked in IT company from 2002 to 2005, That companies are closed 10 years before, experience letter are not available with me. - What I have to tell before Appling for H1B visa

2) Last 12 years - From 2005 onwards, I have all my experience letter and relieving letter, two companies are merged with other big companies.

please help me to understand - What I have to do before Appling H1b.

I am an H1B employee with iBusiness solutions and my project with client ended on June 14, 2024. My employer shared my profile with another client and had me an interview scheduled on June 24, 2024. However they emailed me today saying that my employment with them ended on June 14, 2024. this is my first official communication that my employment ended with my employer. And there is no information about my H1b visa and also no information about transportation charges for me to fly back to my home country. They haven't paid me prior June 14 and they issued an email today that I got terminated on June 14, 2024. What are my chances of suing my employer? Are they legal allowed to back date termination date and he even texted me saying that he verbally communicated this. He never called me and I have all the call records of his texts and the day he actually called. I am not sure what my options are now if the back dated termination he has orovided has to be considered i lost 18 days of my grace period. Please help me in this regards.

My friend registered for H1B with a passport whose expiry date was corrected in a scanned copy. Now he got picked in the lottery. He has a new passport now. Will the corrected expiry date make a hamper while filing the petition? What do you suggest?

After all the security screening, I was given a line to join. There were three people in front of me. The first guy was for an H1B interview. But he got rejected for some reasons. The second guy was also H1B and he was approved. The person in front of me was for a Tourist visa but was rejected. I called over to the counter.

VO: Please give me your Passport and I797.
Me: Provided those
VO: How long you have been working with this company?
Me: Over 3 years
VO: Give me your LCA
Me: Provided the doc
VO: What is your salary?
Me: Told the salary
VO: Have you been working in the US?
Me: Yes
VO: How long you have been working in the US?
Me: Over 13 years in total
VO: What is your work location?
Me: It's my home address.
VO: State your entire home address:
Me: Provided the info
VO: Is it a inhouse project or do you work for the client
Me: It's an inhouse project
VO: Your visa is approved

Hello Friends,

I had an H1-B refusal under section 221(g) when I went for stamping at Chennai consulate in JAN 2018. Since then, I remained in India, found a job, spent time with family, friends, and have been having a good time.

In the last 6+ years, I did not bother to apply for H1 transfer or applied for fresh H1 under lottery.

I have my I-140 approved from SEP/OCT 2016 with a PD - 05-2014 (EB-3).

After so many years, I applied for H1-B transfer through a Des! consulting firm. My H1-B petition got approved. Now, I am planning to go for H1B stamping sometime soon. I have a few questions-
(1) How would the past refusal affect my current interview?
(2) What questions can I expect from VO with respect to having approved I-140 approved and an interest to go back to the US after such a long gap of 6+years?

This is my 2nd time H1B visa stamping and 1st time H1B visa Stamping in Canada. Previously I had H1B visa stamping in India. This time I am looking to book appointment in Toronto, Canada. I am going there on Tourist/Visitor Visa. Does anyone have latest experiences or anything to guide ?

I'm sorry for posting in experience page. I promise I will post my experience once I finish my interview in Chennai.
Any of you know how long it is taking to get your passport back in Chennai assuming there are no hiccups/ 221g etc

Hi I am travelling to India next week after 12 years. Some relatives emergencies. I need to H1B visa stamping. My Indian passport is the only Indian photo ID proof I have. I don't have Adhar, PAN or any other Indian photo ID card. Since I don't have any Indian ID card except Indian passport which will stay with US embassy for h1b stamping how will I board the domestic airport/flight to go to my home state. Please help with ideas, experiences and help.

Taking almost 4 week for whole process. Timelines for reference
12 Feb: Dropped H1/H4 (total 4) in Chennai
27 Feb: Application Received
28 Feb: Again Application Receid
4 Mar: Application Received and then Approved in afternoon (3 approved and 1 Refused- kid turned 14 within the same month). Extemely stressful situation
6 Mar: Passport Ready for Pick up at Chennai
7 Mar: Picked up passports. The 14 year old was called for in person interview. Walkin anyday
8 Mar: Appeared for interview and they took just the fingerprints. Visa Approved. Relief
11 Mar: Issued

Waiting for passport pick up email. Hope the timelines will help