H1B, H4 Visa

Hi today I attended visa interview for h1b interview. VO asked all very basic questions and at the end he said I see all information correct in the database but we need more time to make decision and said may take 1 to 2 weeks. He gave me slip with case number marking Administrative processing . Hyderabad consulate.

My case: 2nd masters CPT. COS denied . Got I797B . Sevis terminated October 1st. Travelled to India from US on October 6th. What are the chances please let me know . Pls comment if anyone in same state.

I attended visa interview on 4th Sep at Mumbai Consulate. Consular officer took my passport and issued 221(g) green slip stating " requires administrative processing if any documents required we ll email you". After my interview i started tracking my visa status and passport status. Visa status shows " Administrative Processing" till date. Passport status showed " your passport is still with Embassy/Consulate" till 15 days. After that when it try to track passport status it displays " no update available for the passport number submitted" till date.

On 10th Oct i received email stating " we are ready for final processing and requested to submit my passport, copy of i-797 and 221(g) at 11 document drop off locations". I went to Hyderabad document drop off location to submit i-797 and 221(g) copies since my passport still exits with Mumbai Consulate. So, representatives advised to send copies to same email i received.

Again on 15th Oct i received email stating " we are pleased to inform your administrative processing is complete please submit passport, copy of i-797 at 11 document drop off locations". I went to Hyderabad location to find out why keep sending to submit my passport even it still exists with Mumbai Consulate. Representatives called up Mumbai consulate and confirmed my passport exists with them. Later in the evening again i received email stating" you visa is still under administrative processing this can take several weeks for processing"

I m confused whether my visa status completed admin processing or not? I don't understand why did they send email to submit my passport even it exits with them.

Has anyone has faced this similar kind of issue?
  

Please need your inputs
 Visa interview October 9th. Issued 221g. Hyd consulate.

October 9th H1 and H4 admin processing.
October 15th case updated with date H1..
H4 status change admin processing to issued
October 16th H4 passport READY FOR pickup.

H1.. still in admin processing.

How long to take my status update. How to get h4 stamp with out H1?

Thanks

Hello,

Thanks for everyone.

VO asked me a lot of questions and finally said:
“There is one more step. Your visa will be ready in 5 or 6 days.”
No slips were given to me.
It is currently in Administrative Processing status.
Does that mean my visa is approved?

Hi Friends

Need some information on timelines for US dropBox

On Oct 10 I submitted my docs at Pune location

10 - Oct :- Submitted Docs
11- Oct :- Status showed Application received
14-Oct :- Application Received ( Monday )
15- Oct :- Application Received
16- Oct :- Application Received

Not sure when the new status will be updated , Im getting nervous , Please share your experiences

I got struck in unique situation. I have got interviewed in the mid of August in Vancouver and the officer told that my H1 is approved and told to collect my passport in 3-5 days.Next day morning around 11 am got a call from consulate and they informed me saying it will be delayed and will be in admin process and asked me to collect passport if I need that( I dint not collect back its with consulate) and its been 62 days now and havent asked me or my employer or client for any documents.

Did anyone faced similar situation and if yes please respond so that I can get an idea.

Hello all,

Could someone please share the available H1B dropbox appointments availability at Hyderabad consulate for the month of December? Also, is there any chance of Visa approvals without Client letter?

Thank you,
Abhi.

Hi,

I went to Chennai for H4 Visa interview. I received a blue slip saying that submit all primary applicant I797.

Question:

Can I personally go to the consulate and drop the documents in the drop box?

Do I have to submit my passport along with all I797?

Thank you in Advance

Hi All,
First I would like to thank this site and folks for sharing detailed experiences with others. Therefore I thought I should also share mine as a return favour.

My case:
1. This is first H1B (selected in 2018 lottery and approved after RFE 4 months back, earlier once filed but not selected in Lottery)
2. Earlier I had 1 L1B (blanket) approved and travelled and was in US for more than 3.5 Yrs
3. In 2017, I had got 221(g) AP / rejection for 2nd L1B (Blanket) at Chennai consulate
4. I’m FTE in service company (one of the Top beneficiary of H1B) with double digit years of experience.
5. My client is one of the 3 Top company in the world.
6. My work location is client location.
7. My OFC & Consulate Interview Dates were: 17th Sep (11:30 am) and 18th Sep (9 am)
8. Attended with Wife and Son (H4 dependents)

On the date of Interview we were there 30 mins before appointment time. We were asked to stand at the end of long queue. However just around 10 mins before the appointment time, we were allowed to move forward all queues and asked to stand after 2 persons in-front of the entry gate.

As I was with family (son age is less than 4 years) we didn’t face any queues for long. After security check was asked to enter the main building straight. There our Passports and thumbs were scanned to check against OFC data.
Then we were asked to go the side last counter (32) where mostly families were interviewed. In-front of us a family Interview for H1 was going on.

Though I didn’t want to hear anything and wanted my focus on my Interview I could hear some details which might help others here.

The person was having latest experience with Petitioner company of 3.5+ years however till the time he got his approval notice his company was acquired by other company. The VO was asking for client letter and was explaining that his invite letter (which he might have given to VO earlier) is expired and looking for anything like - Individual client letter, SOW or MSA as client letter. He could not provide however the VO lady was very polite, she informed him that they need a valid one which he can provide online and handed over 221(g) and kept passport stating he need not come for another interview.

Then our turn came. The interview went like this:

VO: Hi, GM

I: GM officer how are you doing today?

My wife and son also said GM

VO: great! Can I have your Passports? (With a smile)

I handed over all 3 passport (latest only)

VO: Then she checked in system and asked ’This is your first H1B?’

I: Yes officer.

VO: which company?

I: ZZZ

VO: Oh…ZZZ (expressed that she knows very well). Who is your client?

I: YYY

VO: That’s nice (with a smile) which location?

I: stated the LCA location of work

VO: Yeah that make sense. What’s your total experience?

I: YY years XX months

VO: What’s your salary?
[she was typing simultaneously something]

I: Said LCA salary per annum.

VO: What’s your Role?

I : Said LCA Role.

VO: So all three of you are going?

I and my wife said: Yes (My son was playing with a small toy)

VO: handed over a template and asked -This tells about your rights there.

After some 20-30 secs of typing in the system she said the Golden words with a smile - “I’m approving your visa have a safe flight” and handed over approval slip (blue colour) and told you will get your passports back in 3-5 business days.

We couldn’t believe that our Interview was over in less than 2 mins! Neither she asked about any specific question on my project/ speciality (which I prepared for more than a month) neither asked any question to my dependants.

We thanked her and quietly left the building!

Next day within 24 hours I got an email stating that your VISA is issued and ready for collection.

Some Tips:

1. Client letter is a must if your company/ client is not reputed enough (please carry one of the 3 mentioned above which is valid)
2. Salary if high and Role is good with experience, getting visa should be smooth.
3. If you have dependants please take them along.
4. I was in semi formal (full shirt with tie, jeans) - you should be looking like a professional for the role. Don't be too much formal and too much casual.
5. Greet with a smile at the beginning and eye contact while answering make the difference.
6. Keep all documents in semi opaque folder on the corner of the platform.
7. Answer all questions without leaning forward.
8. Be truthful and pretend to be one.
9. Try to get early slots where chances VO will be in a good mood.
10. Carry only required documents in a file (no Mobiles etc)

Hope this experience helps others...

Thanks

I have attended visa interview on Sep 24th. I was asked basic questions like employer, job duties, client and was given a 221g white slip(2nd box checked), passport has been returned to me. Its been more than 3 weeks but no update on case status, it still says "Administrative Processing" on CEAC portal.

Anyone has gone through this before? if so how long did it take for approval?