H1B, H4 Visa

Dear friends,
 I had an interview on 29th november 2005.
I had an appointment at 4:15.I went at 3:30.
outside the gate they check your appointment letter and your passport and they'll let you go inside.There they check your bags.Do not take any mobile phones or CD's. once your in,you have to pay 441 either cash or DD towards the leftside.In the rightside there are some counters where in you have to pay 4600 and 2300DD's.They'll give u a pink coupon with a no. Then u have to go the next counter for document verification.Once ur documents are verified they take u to the next building for finger print verification.once ur finger print verification is over they make u sit and they'll collect ur coupon. After sometime they'll call ur coupon no,
and they'll send u to any one of the counter for visa interview.
My visa interview went like this:
Me:-Good evening Sir(with a smile)
Visa officer(VO):-Hello
Me:-Hi
VO:-Show me ur documents
Me:-sure and i gave all the documents
VO:-why didnt u apply for a visa before
Me:- As i didnt get an early appointment dates i am applying now.
VO:-where is ur husband right now?
Me:-Right now he is in USA in YYYY state.
vo:-what is ur husbands visa issuance date.
Me:- I said the issuance date.
vo:-where was ur marriage held?
me:-our marriage was held in our hometown in Blore.
VO:-How many members were present in ur marriage?
Me:-xxx
vo:-He saw the marriage photos and he went inside
and came after sometime and said I am issuing u a visa u'll be getting in 3 days.
Me:-Thank u so much.
So be confident in ur answers. If ur documents are right then dont worry.It sometimes depends on ur luck also.

Here is my successful interview:

O: Why did u went to US last time:
M: for a knowledge xfer project.
O: How long u stayed there?
M: ab 3 months:
O: Have u left that company?
M: Yes
O: Which company r u working for?
M: XYZ
O: Whats the name of the company who sponsored the h1
M: SDF
O: who is the owner:
M: some ......funky punky guy
O: How many people work there?
M: 40
O: whats the salary they are offering you?
M: 50k usd etc.......
O: R u going to leave present (XYZ)job ?
M: Yes
O: Whats the name of managers in XYZ
M: Mr. funky, Mr Dunky etc.........
O:Ok fine thanks. Ur visa will me couriered to you tomorrow.
M: thanks a lot

This is what happened with me.
I will suggest you to have go thru
http://www.immihelp.com/experience/readentries.do?category=21&pageNum=3 this. Reading these experiences is I think more than sufficient. Also don't be nervous or panic in case they don't talk to u well or keep u on hold under 221(g). Its ok. Just don't hide any truth and be tricky only when needed. Keep ur answers concise and to the point. Dress formal. Best of luck.

Hello friends,
I went for visa interview on Monday, 28th of Nov. My app. time was bet 4:45 to 5:00.

I reached cousulate from Nungambakkam around 4:15. I approached the security to enquire about the entrance. But he let me in immediately at 4:20. He checked my app. letter and passport.

By 4:45, i finished paying TTS visa fee, went to neighbouring counters to pay the visa application fee of 4600 and got the pink slip. I went to the next building for an interview.

There are atleast 5 counters and almost all of them were empty except two counters. I was asked to stand near one counter. As the VO from other counter finished with her candidate she asked me to go to her.

It was a very simple interview. I won't say its an interview. Its just a verification of your documents and checking the authenticity of your passport, work, visa etc.

I approached them just like how we approach US govt. officials in MVA, SS office etc. in US. If we go to MVA for drivers license basically they ask for your old license, proof of residence etc. Did we ever panic when we talk to them? We should approach these VO in same manner.

I used to wonder when people say, i practised, mock interveiwed, prepared, wore suit and tie, and all the blah blah.

Visa officers are not looking for your appearence, or your english or how you speak or behave. They just look for authenticity of your all your documents including job exp, company, visa status, passport etc.

What is the point in going in Armany suit and not providing valid I-797 or I-129?

My suggestion is go with all proper documents. Arrange them in order, hand over the document required by the VO at the time of interview. There is no need to panic, prepare etc.

By the way my interviw went like this.
Me: Good evening
VO: Hi
VO: Please pass on the folder sir.
ME: Here you go. Passed on the Folder.
VO: Can i get your degree certificate?
ME: Sure. Here you go.
VO: Why your company wants to send you to US?
ME: I didn't understand the question, so i asked her to repeat it. (because i went for h1 extension)
VO: She put the same question in different style:
Me: I have to go back to US in order to continue my employment at YYYY company.
VO: How long do you work there Sir?
ME: I am working for more than 5 years.
VO: Your visa has been approved. You will receive your passport in courier in 2 days.
Me: Thank you.

This conversation took less than 5 mins. I came back after around 5:15. The whole process took me exactly 1 hour.

Hii,
         I got form 221(g) in the first H1B visa interview. When I am going to second interview, What put in form I-156 item no 36.(Has any visa rejection before??) . Please share your valuable suggestion.
Sam

Hi All,

    I require all of your guidance for my query. I got appointment in Chennai at March 02 2006. My employer is asking to come on or before Feb 2006. For the past one and half year i'm working in Bangalore. My Query goes here. Shall i book an appointment in Delhi because of rushing in Chennai ? In my Approval document the consulate mentioned is Chennai only. Kindly guide me.

Regards,
Venkatesh.R

Hello All

Finally on 29th afternoon i got the much awaited H1B Visa.All the apprehensions,weeks of prepration,voice modulation(i gave mock interviews in front of Bathroom mirror ..CAn u beleive it!!) came to an end in merely 4 minutes.

From the day my application was in process few months back till today i have been a regular at this site and it has beeen very very very useful to me.
I would like to thank all the readers,contributors and not the least,the co-ordiantors of this site for a wonderful site.
Ok coming to business this is the procedure of from the time i started off for interveiw till i got the visa approved

My INterview time was 2:00 p.m on 29th Nov.

1.I wore formal white shirt,black trousers,black leather shoes and not to mention tie.Gives a real formal and a serious look to you.

2.Reached VFS office on BHulabhai road by around 12:30ish.The staff outside saw my interview letter and whisked me in thier waiting lounge.

3.There is provision in waiting lounge for putting all your stuff,right from backpack ,mobile your clothes everything,but yo have to pay 150 Rs for those at the time of getting interveiw date

4.Make sure you carry Rs 100 DD from a nationalized bank if you have taken date before 16th nov.coz right from guard outside to each officer in VFS asks you if you have that additional Rs 100 DD.Dont worry if you dont have it since HDFC bank is next to office and you can always take it from there.

5.Around 1.45p.m. the guys from VFS announced that people for 2.00 and 2.30 pm interview slot should come out to be taken to US Consulate.There were some 10 of us right from L1 B1 and visitor visa candidates..

6.Took 5 minutes to reach COnsulate and there we was a fairly big line of people waiting for interview.
7.We were taken in front of the Consulate gate and had to wait for 5 more minutes there.
8.THen one by one were asked to go inside and security check was done.
Make sure you dont carry any cell or any metal things there.given a wooden token.God knows whats its purpose

9.After your security check you are supposed to go inside and get a pink slip from the counter after giving your I129 and I797 and ofcousre your passport.This pink slip is your token number and the VO will call you as per this number

10.After getting the pink slip,went to Counter 1 for finger printing.The packet of i7979,i129 ,passport,questionnaire were taken from me.and was asked to wait

11.There was a heavy rush of people that time and i could see a good number of people getting rejected that day .No need to panic though,they had some docs missing or some other problem.

12 My Number was announced on mike at 3.15pm. along with 4 others..You have to make sure that you catch the token number correctly coz they have a different ascent and the husky voice on mike sometimes makes getting the correct number difficult.

13.Went for interview and this fine guy asked me for my Pink token.

Questions:
Me:Hello,Good Afternoon Sir(Seeing in his eyes).
VO:Good Afternoon.Can i get your pink slip Sir?
Me:Sure! and handed over to him
VO:Which company would be working for?
Ans:ZZZ
VO:Went inside with the passport and other documents he had for me.came back after 2 minutes
VO:Where are you working currently?
Me:YYY
VO:Why are you leaving YYY?
Me:ZZZ is giving international exposure and work as per my expertise
VO:For how long have u been working for YYY?
Me:DD time
VO:Why did you leave TTT and joined YYY?
Me:Better opportunity blah bhal(TTT was my previous company and YYY is my present company)
VO:How long with TTT?
Me:DD time
VO:Where would you be working in US?
Me:abc,FF
VO:What is your client name?
Me:KLJLJK
VO:OK Sir, i am issuing you visa.You will get your passport in two days.
Me:Thank you Sir.

and came out

During the whole conversation i made sure that i saw into his eyes and was confident.He was checking the computer all through the time and it was only during one question and in final moments taht he saw me,But keep looking at him(although you might feel odd looking at him when he is not seeing you) but these officers know waht they are doing and can make out even when seeing on their screens.

VO didnt even ask any one of my documents
Tip:
1.Nothing to worry .Consulate is there to give you visas(Remember CBSE exams,it makes sure that everybody gets passed.I take visa interview same).Only if you have not got proper documents or something is mising,then there is a point of concern else its wonderful there.

2.Carry Rs 100 DD from a nationalized Bank

3.Wear formal,only formal clothes.

4.Look into eyes of officer with a slight smile.

5.Carry documents for interview only in a file folder and not in a plastic bag.Gives a dirty look.When asked for docs,you should not (sound)look clumsy taking out docs from a plastic bag.

6.No need to carry photocopies

Important Docs to carry

1.Passport
2.I797
3.I129 with suppliment ,LCA etc.
4.Offer letter from company
5.Educational docs
6.Previous companies experience letters.
7.Paystubs for last 6 months
8.tax returns for last 3 years
9.PHotos of company for which you r going
10.Any certifications

All the very best for reading through this and thanks again to the people coming here and writing out their experiences.

Gaurav

I am a Chartered cum Cost Accountant and I am also a Certified Public Accountant. I planned to take up a assignment in US as a functional consultant using my domain knowledge.

I had appeared first for h1b interview here at Chennai on 5th Oct. I was given 221 (g) asking for additonal details. The interview went off like this.

What are you going to do in the US?
I am going to work for YYYY YYYY YYYY YYYY XX under H1B visa.
Did you visit US last time with the previous visa?
Yes. I visited.
You have done your CPA as well?
Yes.
What kind of role you will play in the new job?
 I will be working as a functional consultant leveraging my domain knowledge of finance and accounts.
Show me your certificates?
She verified all the educational certificates
Show me your employer's intent to employ you?
I showed the Xerox of letter from YYYY ZZZ
She further went through the computer system for about 3 minutes.
Finally said that we need some more information about the Company. She gave me 221 g.

A long list of additional details were sought by the embassy.

1. Original job offer letter from the Petitioner
2. Photographs (15) of the inside and outside of the petitioner’s work premises to be provided by employer.
3. 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 contract 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.
4. A list of all the projects and their time lines in which the beneficiary worker has been deployed, with a detailed explanation of the work conducted and the client in question. Include all periods of inactivity or between projects. Also include client reference for each and every project on the list.
5. Provide a detailed and specific account 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 duration of the project.
6. Principal's certified or notorized state and federal tax returns for the last three (3) years, including 2003/2004.
7. W-2 forms for all people employed by the petitioner for 2004 and dates of their joining.
8. Identify the Petitioning entity's personnel needs for the next 12 months.

I appeared again on 20th Oct and they didn't even go through the details which I carried. They just made me wait from the morning till 4:00 PM.
They just asked which project are you going to work and I told I have not been informed about the projects and it will be decided based on the demands of the situation from time to time.

They again gave 221(g) seeking the following info.

1) The list of all of the Petitioner's active projects. Identify the client and point of contact with the client, including a phone number and email address for that person. If the contract with the client is held by a third party, provide names and contract information for that party as well. Do not send a batch of contracts in lieu of this documentary requirement.
2) A signed letter from the beneficiary's prospective supervisor at the end client location to which he/she will be assigned, stating the client's intention to make use of the beneficiary's services and explaining the nature and duration of the project to which he/she will be assigned.
3) A complete itinerary of services or engagements specifying the dates of each service or engagement, the names and addresses of agent, the names and addresses of the actual employers, and the names and addresses of the establishment, venues, or locations where the services will be performed.

I request someone to help me on this and how to handle this kind of a situation when I visit the emabssy next time, ofcourse with all the information sought by them.

Thanks

KRJS

My wife has been to chennai consulate for a H4 visa today, she has been given a 221g asking for a letter from the end client and photographs of the work place and also for home (????). I have got every thing in order payslips and bank statements but still..they want some thing more..

Either its H1 or H4 letter from the client is a must. If any one has a sample letter from the client, appreciate if you post it here...

Thanks..Satzx

Thanks to all the people who previously posted their experiences here.
It helped me to prepare with the documentation and interview.

I went for stamping on 29-Nov and got back my stamped passport on 30-Nov.

My interview was at 8:30am
After 30mins waiting they check my appointment letter, DS-156, $100 payment slip and let me in.
Inside we need to take the token and then submit all documents.
I gave her all the documents i had though she asked for only a few.
After 30 more mins i was called for interview at counter 4.
The VO was very friendly.
He said my documentation looks really good.

I think another officer did the checking inside on my documents before I was called for interview.

He just asked me where in US I am going and how much they will pay me.

He also advised me to start GC processing as soon as possible.
Fingerprints was taken and he asked me to come next day to collect my passports after paying $50 reciprocity fees.

I was really scared as I heard they are very strict and send some people to India for stamping
and also asking lots of technical questions.

My advise is if your documentation is good they wont ask much.

All the best to all.

List of IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS WHICH MAY BE REQUIRED for H1 / H4 Visa at US

Consulate, Chennai-

1. Photos of the company and the client ( client, if applicable).

2. Tax returns of the your company (atleast for last 3 years).

3. Original Letter from the client supervisor (client, if applicable).

4. Contract letter between your company and client (client, if applicable).
   Also include 'Third Party' Contract, if applicable.

5. W2 forms of all the co-workers of your company.

6. Bank statements for the past 6 months.

7. W2 forms and Tax returns for all the years of your stay in USA.

8. Pay slips for the current year.

9. Detailed project description (include project manager contact info, team lead info
   and all the team members).

10.Letter addressed to the US Consulate from your company explaning how will the company

   pay you and your co-workers for atleast next 12 months (Assuming company do not have
   any projects lined up).


     GOOD LUCK

!!! NOT A LEGAL ADVICE !!!