H1B, H4 Visa

Dear Friends,
First of all i would like to thank all of those who have shared their experiences with this forum. It was very useful.

I had my interview in Chennai on 14th October.I was in the que and entered the consulate...They asked to pay Rs.441 DD for TT services and also provided a receipt, and then i was asked to stand in counter no:1, where your Rs.4400 DD will be collected and you will be given a pink token with a number on it. Then there were around 4 ques where they check the documents you have brought and place it in a folder and give it to you....

Here you have to be really careful in choosing a que, as lot of local fellows work here, where they are very sadistic and try to put you in trouble some how...so when you choose a que here just observe the person whether he seems to be good hearted or not...i stood in a roughian's que, he just noted down that my I-797 contained the information as RECEIPT NOTICE and not as APPROVAL NOTICE...though this is a major concern, normally people dont notice so keenly,,,he then noted this in my DS-156,,,,

then i entered the main Visa building,,,where i waited for quite sometime sitting in a chair, then was asked to stand in a que,,,,the VISA officer was a lady officer, she was very good, and i am sure she was giving approvals to max. visa's....

VO: Good afternoon sir!
Me: Good afternoon mam!

I just gave the folder containing my DS-156, DS-157, passport, I-797, I-129, etc...

She just chequed...

VO: Is this a fresh new job, you are going for??
Me: Yes mam! this is a new job(ie i am going for a direct H1B job, not thru my current company)

Vo:where will you be working?
Me:xxxx

VO:who is your current employer??
Me:xxxx

VO:what is your position with the Current employer??
Me:xxxx

Vo:What will your role with the US company?
Me:xxxx

VO was very convinced, but this my DS-156 has a comment mentioning my RECEIPT NOTICE and not APPROVAL NOTICE... she then told me that she needs APPROVAL NOTICE,,, she also told me that there is no prblem is issuing Visa , and i have to just get that approval notice...so she gave me 221(g)...i was very upset...


but i waas very sure i willl get Visa next time...next then i checked with my employer reg this,,,and they have missed to send this approval notice...,,so aggain i got it and went for Visa after a week,,,

Again the same process,, this time the VO was a tough officer...he rejected almost 4 people in front of me...i was very tensed,,,then by seeing my 221(g) where the documents missing, he asked me about Approval Notice,,., i gave him and told him what happened last time....he then asked me about what my role is goiing to be in US job...i then explained,,,he then checked something in his computer,,,,,he then,,,looked into my Labour condition application and then he just asked me to go and pay me Rs.2200 DD....thats it, i got my VISA...

But friends, be careful even the 2nd time when you go after getting 221(g) during ur first visit...be sure to carry all your documents properly....otherwise again they send you with 221(g),,,,then you will be in unneccesary trouble...

Also they dont just give you VISA the 2nd time,,,there are some VO's who again ask everything about you from scratch....but main concern will be on missing documents as per 221(g)...

But not to worry if every this is proper...be cool and shrwed and you will get it...

Best of luck for all of you!!

May god bless everyone...In my case i got it purely because of Chilkur Balaji( so called VISA Balaji) in Hyderabad...all of you try to visit Chilkur Balaji in Hyderabad..

Do mail me if you have any concerns.....

Regards,
Ganesh....

My wife got her h4 stamped 2 days back.By god grace she got it very easily within 2 min without many hassle.
Questions :
1)Since how your hubby is in USA?
Ans : 5 yrs

2)So why did you go there in 5 yrs
Ans : I already been to US and this is second time.

3)When did u get married and can I see your marriage certificate?
Ans : 2 yrs back .(Provided original marriage cert)

4)Can I see his payslips original or copy?
Ans : Provided payslips for last 10 months.

Then she was asked to pay the fees.

The key factor was good documentation.
Most imp was recent payslips.Provide as many payslips as possible and w-2.

I got her stamping 2 times.Both the times lot of payslips were provided and even all the w-2s.

All the best.

Hi all,

This site and the experience are really rich and perfect for all to follow. I got my H1b stamped about one month back. My employer is asking me to wait for some more time before i start my travel.
Is there any specied period for making a enttery after getting stamped.

Thanks to all in advance.

[email protected]

hi friends
i have attended interview on 21st october.
my appointment time was 3:15 pm to 3:30 pm.
i was allowed inside at 3:30 pm after security check.Inside i paid Rs.441/- to tt services and joined and paid my 4400/- dd in 1st counter.They gave me receipt and green card and asked to join in another line where 5 counters are there.I have joined in 2nd counter. there she will put all our docs I-797,I-129,LCA,DS-156,Ds-157 and passport in a folder and told me to go to next building for interview.
here i was asked to give left and right index finger prints and asked to wait for some time.
next boy called my token no and asked me to stand in a line.
a lady before me got visa.now time is 6:10 pm
my interview is as follows
me:good evening sir and gave the folder
con:good evening and he checked my passport and all docs
con:what is ur degree
me:master of computer applications
con:can u show ur certificates.
me:I passed
con:he checked it for sometime and went inside with my certificates and came back after 3 min and returned them to me
con:where are u working
me:xxxxx
con:where is it?
me:hyderabad
con:how much experience do u got?
me:4.3years
con:from the same company?
me:yes
con do u have offer letter?
me:yes and showed to him
con:what r u going to do in us?
me:i will be working as a programmer analyst with xxxxx
con:who is ur client?
me:xxxx
con:do u have any letter from client about project
me:no but i have letter from my employer and showed him that letter where my work for next 12 months was scheduled.
con:here ur work was allotted for next 12 months only but in petition it has 3 years validity what do u do rest of time?
me:i told if project is extended i will work for further enhancements otherwise i will be back
con:he laughed and asked photos of my client office
me:no
con:gave me the checklist stating that
  photos of ur employer.
  photos of client place.
  and letter from client side supervisor stating my nature of work,responsibilities etc.
and also what will be i doing during the petitions duration after 12 months
me:told ok thanks and came out after 10 min of interview.

did anybody faced the same situation please mail me the remedy.

Got H1B visa approved two days back. Thanks to this site and the experiences posted that helped me in the preparing for the interview. I would like to share my experience too.
Case: Change of status from H4 to H1 (possess valid, unexpired H4 visa). Change of status approved while in US. Came to India for a family visit.
Interview details:
Consulate: New Delhi
Me: Good after !! How are you doing ?
CA: Very good afternoon, I am doing good, thanks.
CA: So you are already having an H4 visa.
Me: Yes sir.
CA: So what's your educational background.
Me: I am a graduate in CSE.
CA: Can I see your degree certificate and marksheets (all of them)
Me: Sure
CA: Who is your employer
Me: xyz
CA: how do you came to know about him
Me: Referred by my husband's friend who is an employee with my employer.
CA: Your husband works for xyz
Me: Yes
CA: Did you had an interview
Me: Yes, three rounds...
CA: Tell me something about your employer
Me: Established in , business, clients, turnover,etc
CA: How many employees he has
Me: 18
CA: Have you been to his office
Me: Yes
CA: What will be your role & responsibilities at your job
Me: abc...
CA: Ok, I am approving your H1B visa and it will reach you by courier in few days.
Me: Thanks and have a good day ahead.
CA: You too

Advice: It helps tremendously to go prepared with some set of expected questions and answers based on your case. Must read through your petition and the documents your are carrying especially the details about your employer. Be confident, answer with authority and conviction.

I have booked the H1B appointment for myself and my wife for January 09 2006 before the September 30th through TTS. My kid was born on last month . I enquired TTS whether i can include my kid in the same appointment. But they said i may have to book a new appointment through VFS since TTS is not handling the case any more. Moreover they also told me that i need to try my luck in the consulate on the appointment day. Can anybody suggest me who has a similar situation as to what to do?.

Thanks for your guidance
Sundar

Hi Guys,

I have several mail from different people regarding their concern about 221(g) and other questions too.

Here i would like to share some more experince on those.

Queston1:When they ask about which client ur going to work.
Ans: Tell them that you are going to work for the company who sponserd ur H1-B, Because u may not get the client letter on behalf of you from your employer. The best answer may be like this.
"I will be working for the employer where my work depends on client to client requirments" get some details fo the client and projects done by your employer documented on his letter head.

Try to mug up the roles and reponsibilites ur going to perform with your employer including present.

if u could present them clearly(roles and responsibilites), you will defnitly get visa for first time. in my case i was little bit tensed, that might be a reason for issuing 221(g) for me.

I will be going again in the next week i will update you again.

My Reason of 221(g), i have no idea why they asked me to provide all the details of the employer. Though i have 4+years of exp and iam working for Very big Compnay(MNC) and i have my masters degree too in IT, i have visted my places other countries too.

TIPS
1.Talk to other persons who stand infornt or back of you, so that u can releave some tension.
2.Dont argue with them. If u dont understand the questions ask them to repeat.
3.Think once before u give answer, later if u deny u will definately get rejected, make sure u provide an answer where in ur employer will support u in that regard.
4.Dont give too much info to them, be breif in answering. i mean answer to the point.
5.Dont cross the yellow line marked in front of the officer. u need to go to him after he asked u to come to his counter.

IMP:
1.If ur from non-tech degree plz make sure that u have some suporting documets like some professional courses and based on ur postion u have hired u need to have a minimum exp.

Any questions feel free to mail me.

All the Best...

Thanks
Gopi

Hi
  I have interview on Oct 27th. I have following questions from form D156.
Q24. Address where I will stay ::::: My company asked me to put company address (instead of Hotel or guest house)


I have a Sister who in Legal permanent resident (Green card holder) of USA. Should I mention that in form D156 , column 37.
  Also can I give her NAme Address for Column 24.


Thanks
Guri
[email protected]

Hi All,

This site is really helping a lot in giving hints, which needs to be taken care during H1BInterview.As I was only reading the experiances from other people since last two months ,now I feel it is my responsibility to update with my experiance.

My Appointment time was October 19th 12:30PM to 12:45 PM at Chennai.

I started from my home around 11:00AM and reached the American consulate by around 11:45 AM.There was two big queues left and right side of consulate.I went and standing at one of the line.I observed that there were people standing in queue who has the appointment time form 11:30AM to 11:45 AM also.Security people were asking the appointment time for all the people and sending in timewise.

Suggestion:It is preferable to go to consulate just 15 minutes before even if you go before also you need to wait in queue.If your time comes and even you are at end of queue also security people will allow you to enter inside.

Then Near to security gate they asked me to show the Web appoitment letter and Passport.They are just verying the passport number in both and then allowing inside the Consulate.

Just after entering the consulate there were another two security persons checking whether we have any sealed covers,floppies,CD and mobile phoned.After the confirmation they allowed me to go inside one of the building.

After entering in to the building there was TTS services persons sitting at conrner.Paid the 441/- DD and gave the receipt. There were nearly some 6 counters.In the first counter they were taking the DD 4400/- and gave the receipt and token which has 3 parts with the same number.

Keep the 4400/-DD recipt and the token carefully as you will asked for this recipt

in the next counter where they check the documnets.Then we are asked sit there for some time and then asked to stand in another queue for documents checking.We need to give the I797 Approval,DS 156,DS157,I129 H1petition,LCA copy and token.They will check the DS 156 and DS 157 and if required they will ask us to fill it properly.Care needs to be taken to mention as

None wherever it is blank.Otherwise they will ask us to update it.Then they asked us to stand in the queue for finger prints.During that finger
prints,I observed that one of the officer was even joking with the Perons who came for Interview.They are all very cool but they become very serious when anybody argues with them for any reason.When I was in queue,one person came and taken one part of the token from three parts.

After the finger printing we are asked to sit again for some more time.They are calling the persons with the token numbers and directing them to the particular queue.Around 4:00PM I was asked to stand at one of the queue.Infront of me there were nearly 10 persons.I am not sure whether all came for H1B.But I am very sure that 6 persons infront of me came for H1B only.I observed that this officer is sending the persons very quickly after asking some questions for a max of 5 minutes.I was trying to listen the questions asked for the perons standing infront of me.I am able to here the quesions and answers for the 6
persons standing in queue.The officer is more interested to know on which project he is going and for which client the person is going to work.Infront of me all the 6 persons were rejected and given the green letter to all of them asking to bring for more details about
client.He is also saying to them like most of the indian companies started doing the business like taking the persons to US with out having any project then they wil ask you to attend the inteviews there.So he is not beliving if there is no proper proof that your employer has got the project from client.Even for some of the persons he is immediatly checking in google.com site immediatly.For some of the persons he is taking the degree certificate to inside and comming back after 5 minutes.

My turn has come and officer has moved his hand to come farward near to counter .From here the transcription goes like this.

Me:Hi Good afternoon
Officer:Hi

Me:just a laugh

Officer:How do you know about this company
Me:I have posted my resume in naukri.com and in some other job sites.They approached me for their requirement.I have been selected after two rounds of interview.

Officer:Is this US company is Product based or Services?
Me:Us company is providing the software solutions to their clients.

Officer:Which client you are going to work?
Me:xxxxxxx

Offcier:Where is that client located in US?
ME:xxxxxxx
What is your background?
Me:xxxxxxx

Offcier:Show me your degree certificate?
Me:Sure and shown the degree

Officer:Then he has gone through the I129 petetion and on of the place it is

written as "See the enclosed petetion".Can u show me this doc?

Me:Sure,Started searching for the docs.I could not find that original letter with

me.I have taken so many documents and 3 sets of all the originals.After two

minutes

officer:Do you really have that letter?

Me:Already in lot of tention and said sir pls give me two more minutes.Even after

5 minutes also I was unable to get that document.He went of from that place .He

came back after 10 minutes.Then I decided that I am not going to get that original

and I shown some of the other docs which I got from my employer.

Officer:No,I did not ask for this letter.
Me:I have got the Xerox copy of that right now and I could not find the

original.Later I observed that the original letter is already with the officer

Me:The letter which you asked me is with you only
Officer:Yah but it is very generic and it does not say anything about your work

there.

Officer:suddenly he started looking in to DS 157 and told me there was problem

with your application.How many years of experiance you have and show me the

original experiance letter from your first employer

Me:Sure.shown all the experiance letters eventhough he did not ask for all the

experiance letters.

Officer:Explain me one of the requirement how you are going to develop?
Me:xxxxxxx

Me:Gave the letter which i have got from client but it does not have any sign from

client

Officer:It does not have sign.So this is not valid document

Me:This is xerox copy of the original which my employer got from client and the

original is with Employer and send the copy .That is the mutual understanding of

the employer and client so sign may not be required
Officer:No, I have seen so many H1B applicants who has the letters from clients

with sign.
Me:Ohh

Officer:How you are going develop this product?
Me:xxxxx

Officer:OK.Go and pay the fees at counter no 1
Me:Thankyou.

Paid the fees at counter 1 and taken the receipt.

I wish you all the best and suuccess in Interview.

Hi,
I have attended the visa interview in chennai on 20th Oct 2005.
He asked me to show the client details and i have submitted the relevant papers but he couldn't find my name in that document.In that document my employer name,client name and the project details are mentioned.But he was insisting on my name in that agreement.Finally he gave me a green paper and marked the document which i have to carry to the consulate next time.
I asked my employer to send these documents,even he responded properly.
Please make sure that your name should be there in the contract between your employer and the client.
It is important to carry all your documents and you should be able to convince the officer with the documents that you have.

Among the refusals,most of the cases are falling under this category.

Wish u all the very best.