H1B, H4 Visa

I am in USA on stamped valid H1B visa. My wife is in INDIA and needs new H4 visa. She will be comming to USA for the first time. So i took H4 Visa appointment ONLY for her at US Consulate, chennai.
Will the US Consulate allow me inside along with her even though i dont have the visa appointment or do i need to take a visa appointment for myself too on that day to accompany my wife to help her in the interview even though i already have stamped valid H1B visa ???
 
All i want to know is will US Consulate, Chennai allow husband who is on stamped valid H1B visa to accompany his wife for H4 interview even though he does not have visa appointment ???
 
Response appreciated

Guys,

I got my H1B and H4 for my wife at chennai on Nov 9th 2005.

I am giving a clue for you all, those who are married. What i saw is that if you go with your family and with the letter from the employer stating your project details, You will certainly get the visas.

If your wife goes next, then they will ask many questions like pay slips and all.

Better go with your family for the visa.

I can say getting the visa is 90%, if you go for visa with your family.

take help

Hi guys,

I need a favour from u.
Here the story about my interview which was on Nov16th at 5PM.

Here the interview went like this...

VO: How r u sir.
ME:Im fine thanks.How about u.

ME: I said sir, i want to inform u that i appear in london for H1B,but they want me to go chennai for interview.
VO: ok

VO: Can i see ur bachelors degree.
ME: Sure,he took my bachelors degree then went back to do some verification i guess.Then he returned to me.

VO: Can i see ur Masters degree.
Me: sure sir,Then he checked the grade and returned back to me.

VO: Then he asked for what project u working on.
Me: I said so and so..

VO: Can u show the letter for the above.
ME:I said i dont have one.If u want i can get from my employer.

then he issued 221(g) asking for

A detailed and specific description of the internal development project to which the benefeciary will be assigned. Include a complete technical description of the project,timeline,current status,number of employees assigned to it,location of the worksite, and a marketing analysis of the final product.


A COMPLETE ITENERARY OF SERVICES OR ENGAGEMENTS SPECIFIFYING THE DATES OF EACH SERVICE OR ENGAGEMENTS,THE NAME AND ADDRESSES OF AGENT,THE NAME AND ADRESS OF ACTUAL EMPLOYERS AND THE NAMES AND ADDRESS OF THE ESTABLISHMENT,VENUES, OR LOCATIONS WHERE THE SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED.

so guys pls give some advice regarding my query.

if take the above documents will i get visa and also i request if u have any format to the above documents.

thanks

HI all...And First of All I would like to thanks this site for providing the valuable experiences.
I need one clarification, that is, Is Non - IT background a issue while we go for H1 B stamping?
I am having 3.5 years of exp. and currently working in a renowed MNC in chennai. I am holding B.Tech in Mechanical. Is that OK?

First of all, I would like to convey my regards to this group and the valuable messages that I have got from this site. Really its a very useful site.


This is how the US Consulate visa interview goes for me today.
 
Me: Good Evening Sir!
VO: Are you coming from YYYY ?
Me: Yes Sir!
VO: Yaeh, Can you show ur visa documents ?
Me: Sure Sir!
VO: Are you the holder of banchelor of Computer Science degree?
Me: No Sir! I did my Masters in Software Engineering
VO: Please show the original degree certificates?
Me: I gave my original degree certificate and consolidated mark sheet.
VO:: Where you are working now?
Me: Presently I am working in YYYY as a Programmer Analyst
VO: How much experience are you having in this current concern?
Me: I am having more than 1.5 year experience
VO: Did you have any previous working experience?
Me: Initially I was worked in YYY for 10 months
VO: HOw much total experience are you having?
Me: I have around 2.5 year of experience in the IT field?
VO: What type of job are you performing here in India?
Me: I am a programmer analyst and involved in collecting end user requirements and translate them into technical specification, involved
    in all stages of the project life cycle and involved in the quality side also.
VO: Where is your client place ?
Me: Explain the client place.
VO: For which client you are going to work?
Me: Explain the client details
VO: He got confused at this stage?
VO: He asked the work details that I am going to perform in US.
Me: I am going to involve in collecting user requirements and translate them into technical specification, involved
    in all stages of the project life cycle, and depends upon the client needs , I will be going to client place for installation,
    training and for other factors.
VO: Can you show me the work details for the client to which you are going to work?
Me: I gave the letter.
VO: He takes the blue form and started filling the required items to produce for the second time?
Me: I once again clearly explained that I am going to work in YYYY for the client projects.
VO: Before issuing the blue form to me, he asked whether you are having the YYYY company photos?
Me: Sure Sir!.
VO: Finally he throws the blue form by his side and asked me to pay the DD amount in the first counter.
Me: Thank You! Have a Nice Time.

NOTE : My sincere advice to every one is to carry the client details and work details that you are going to perform in US.

Best of Luch for the future applicants

Hello All,
From bottom of my heart, I would like to thank contributors here. This site has been of great help to me. Although I have gotten h1B visa before also but after sept 11 this was first time I had attended the interview so I was little nervous.

Here is the story :

Interview time : 10.00
Reach just 10 mins before interview time or you will have to wait, god knows for how long. I reached at 8.30 and had to wait until 10 before I could get into line.

Show the guard your appointment letter passport etc.
Carry just one envelope with all neccessary documentation, 797 degree, marksheet, appointment letter , DS forms etc.

On that day there were 917 interviews, so you could imagine how long it would have taken. My interview turn came at 3.15.

After waiting into line for 1 hour , I showed documentation to guy in window and gave him draft. After getting clearance from him, had to wait for another 30 mins before I could get into embassy. You are not alone if you are nervous,tensed or confused. But beleive me, Even if you forget draft or photo everything is available nearby. Just ask the Auto rickshaw driver and by paying nominal commision you can get those things.

Before entering embassy, security check was done
and since i was carrying just envelopes so it didnt take me long. After that fingure print line was there in which half hour was gone. So by 12 I was in interview line(and my interview was at 10).
The line had at least 200 people standing before me, I made some friends there and we watched India-sri lanka match in the interview room tv. To pass time we had placed bets on Sehwag too.

at 3, when I was 4-5 in line tension started building and we all discussed final strategy about how to answer questions.One guy was for tourist visa and rest were h1b.
I was dressed in suit and I strongly suggest you all be dressed in suit and tie even if you have to buy a new one for this purpose only. If you are in suit then more than half the battle is won even before interview.

Finally they called me to window and interview was less than a minute.

Here goes conversation

Me : How are you doing.
She(VO): Doing great

Me : Lot of people here today, you must be tired.
She : No i am not tired.
Me : Well I would be, its just overwhelming.

Me : I flew from london this morning just to attend this interview so I am very tired already.

She : Can I see your passport and 797
Me : Sure can
(Gave her passport draft forms which were stapled on my passport by the guy in window outisde embassy)

She : Where are you working now
Me : Blah blah

She: Are you leaving that company
Me : Yes mam.

She : Where is your new company
Me : Madison, Wisconsin the dairy state where there is lot of milk and cheese.

She : Can i see your appointment letter and copy of degree.
Me : here it is.

She : You are all set(meaning visa issued)
Me : Thanks and you have a wonderful day.

Then i went to courier counter and filled the address on envelope and I got my passport on 15th.

So guys if you are tensed it is good, you will prepare yourself better and remember 'SUIT AND TIE' and white shirt.

I wish good luck to all aspirants and feel free to email me in case you need any more suggestions.

Sg

Recently this happened to my friend returning from INDIA who was told by INS Port of Entry officer that his H1B visa (for current Company and previous companies)have to be investigated.
Port of Entry Officer took photocopies of all documents (I797, Employee Verfication Letter, Payslips, Driver License, Social Security Card etc).
Came to know from many sources that this is happening quite often nowadays.

Hi All,
First of all thanks to all members of this forum for sharing their invaluable experiences. this helped me a lot in preparing for interview. I was also eager to share my experience and finally the day has come when I can share my experience.

1. No bags allowed at all. Only folders and plastic carry bags. There is a guy outside the consulate, who will charge Rs 100/- for keeping your belongings though it's safe.
2. Don't go more than 10 minutes early. Even if you go, you will not be allowed. If it rains you, there is not shelter and you will be drenched. So take an umbrella by seeing the changing the weather condition at Chennai. Right now it's unpredictable. Some time's it's raining.
3. No body other than mentioned in your appointment receipt will be allowed. At the main gate, it will be verified and you will be allowed to enter. Take care of doors, it's too heavy and you might get hurt and specially save your right and left index finger.
4. Once you will enter, your all documents will be checked casually. Should not carry any floppy, CD etc.. Then you will have to pass through a scanner.
5. Then you have to pay the Rs 441/- D.D. to ttsvisas people. Take the receipts. You will get a red token number.
6. Next go to counter 1, pay the Rs 4400/- D.D. and you will get the receipt. Save all the receipts carefully.
7. Next you can go to any counter(2,3,4,5,6). There you will have to submit following documents.

a. DS-156 forms
b. DS-157 form
c. I-797 form
d. I-129 application
e. Employer offer letter
f. Employer invitation letter
g. Marriage certificate
h. Kids Birth Certificate.
i. Red token which u got from ttsvisas people.
j. Receipt which got from counter 1.

Things will be verified and these documetns will be put into a folder and given back to you. One suggestion here, laminate all your documents properly. Every documents should like it's a real document. Marriage photo must have a snaps when you are moving around the fire and when you are putting the mangalsutra.

Next, you will have to put. You will be called with your token number(red token) and then you can go to main building. There you will be asked to stand in some particular queue.

Now comes the real interview. I have compiled all the interview questions, which is exhaustive. Here are the questions for main H1 applicant.

Q.What are you going to do in US?
A. To work with ZZZ

Q. How did u get this job?
A. I had posted my resume on dice.com. Then found my resume and did telephonic interview and then one in-person interview. Then I was selected. I will suggest not to tell that your friend referred your resume. They want to make sure it's not plan to bring the friends and family members through some plan. Hope you got it.

Q. What will be your roles and responsibility in YYYY company?
A. Explain your role and responsibility. Should match with as mentioned in I-129 forms

Q. How many people are working in YYYY company?
A. Explain.

Q. Will you be working for a client?
A. Explain, yes or no. See below

Q. Which product are you going to work?
A. Explain. See below

Q. What is this product?
A. Explain. See below

Q. Who are the client's of this product.
A. Explain.


Q. How much salary will you get?
A. Should match with as mentioned in I-129 forms

Q. Can you tell me something YYYY company?
A. Year of foundation, CEO, Founder, number of employees, last years's revenue, companies product, companies client.

Q. Is their any bench period?
A. No there is no bench period. I will be working as full time employee and I will be on salary

Q. What’s your current role and responsibility?
A. Explain it.

Q. What project are you working on?
A. Explain it.

Q. Why do you want to leave YYY and join YYYY company
A. I want to gain international exposure preferrable US experience. That's why I am leaving.

Q. Where will you be staying?
A. Must be some concrete address. Should not be some hotel address. Could be company provided guest house accomodation for initial few weeks. Should match with DS-156 forms.

Q. How long will you be working?
A. For three years but I will return back if I complete my project. They want to make sure that you are not a potential immigrant.

Q. Have you ever been to US?
A. Explain it.

Q. Which place had you been in US?
A. Explain

Q. When did you go to US?
A. Explain

Q. How much experience you have ?
A. Explain

Well, I hope you have the answer for all the questions. The real question one which most of the people are getting stuck is - Will you be working for a client?

If your answer is yes, you MUST have the client signed contracts, client interior snaps, client's W-2 forms. Make sure you have all these documents. Otherwise, they will surely give 221g. They want to make sure you are a real bonafide candiate and you will not be in bench once you land to US.

If your answer is no, then you MUST tell about the YYYY companies product on which you will be working. Prepare to tell something about the product. You should have some documentation about the product.

Your answer should be brief and to the point. A one liner answer is preferred. You should remember everything you have filled in DS-156 and DS-157 forms.


Here are the questions for H4 applicant(assuming wife)

Q. How do you know him or how did you meet him?
Q. When did you get married?
Q.Where did you get married?
Q.Was it a love marriage or arranged marriage?
Q. When will you be going to US?
Q. Where will u be staying?
Q. What will you be doing in US?
Q. Where were your kids born
Q. What’s their date of birth?
Q. What was their birth weight?
Q. What’s their current weight?
Q. What time they were born?
Q. Which school they go to?
Q. What’s your father-in-law and mother-in-law’s name?
Q. Where do you live in ?

Wife's answer should match with her DS-157 forms. Answer should be prompt and brief.
You should look confident. Think that this is not the end of road. Feel confident.
If your visa is approved, finally you will have to go to counter 1 and submit the Rs 2200/- DD. Keep the receipts safely.

BTW, fees have been increased effectively 16th Nov. Now you have to pay Rs 4600/- and Rs 2300/- instead of Rs 4400/- and Rs 2200/-. This is due to change in conversion rage of USD to INR which is 1USD = Rs 46/- . TTS charges remains same i.e Rs 441/-

Finally, coming to me. I was asked.

1. My degree certificate
2. Which company I am going to work?
3. Which product I am going to work?
4. A little detail about the product?

They asked from my wife

1. The date of marriage
2. Place of marriage
3. My kids date of birth.

Then she Looked at marriage certificate and marriage photographs. Then she opened the YYYY companies's web site and looked something into it. And then she told me that visa has been approved and to pay the fees. That's it.

Wish all of you good luck. And don't forget to share your experiences on this forum. It's been a great forum to share.

Hi
this site is very useful to prepare interview. i will be going for stamping in couple of weeks. pl clarify my doubt. I am B.sc with 15 month dip. having 8 years of exp. will it be leagally ok. what should be answer if they raise questions reg b.sc. Pl help me to prepare.

thanks
Sampath

Hello Friends,

I had interview in chennai consulate at 4:30PM and I had been to chennai a day in advance. I was so nervous since my B1 was rejected twice earlier. It was a wondeful experience with the VO he is about 45 years. He was issuing almost everyone visa.

Here is the transcript.
I: Good Evening Sir
VO: <No Response for a minute>
VO: Hello
I: Hi
VO: Give me the file.
I: I gave the file that has all the documents
VO: Are you visiting on H1-B Sir?.
I: Yes Sir!.
VO: Are you an MCA graduate?.
I: Yes
VO: Can I see your MCA certificate?.
I: I gave all my certificate bunch!.
VO: He saw the convocation certificate and my graduation certificate then asked "After your bachelor of Science you have done your MCA?"
I: Yes, That is a pre requisite for MCA in India.
VO: I know that!.(then he saw my MCA certicate for 2 minutes examinied the university seal and halogram etc and he has entered my university etc in his system and compared. Then he discussed something with the officer who sits next window.)
VO: What do you do in US?.
I: I said blah..blah...
again he started discussing something(not related to me) with he next officer.
VO: Have you applied for B1 earlier?.
I: Yes
VO: How many times?.
I: couple of times.(he put a round mark in 156 application in that column).
VO: Can I see your offer letter Sir?.
I: I handedover the offer letter from client.
VO: How many employees are there at ZZZ(clinet)?.
I: XX
VO: What do you do in US?(repeated question)
I: I said the same blah..blah...with more explanation.
VO: Go and pay your fee at window 1 sir.
I: Thank you.

He did not see any other documents than I-797,I-129 and LCA and my offer letter.

Be sure of all the documents and be confident on your answers.

I hope this experience will help others.

Thanks,
Nice Guy