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H1B, H4 Visa

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H1B & H4 VISA interview at Chennai
Interview date - July 10th 2019
Consulate - Chennai

VAC - July 09th 2019 at 08:30
Arrived at the VAC center by 08:00 AM. We had a backpack and there is a place to store that for a cost. Mobile phones are allowed inside with switch off mode. But we placed mobile phones in the backpack. I went with family and two kids (8 & 2). My elder son (8 years) old went by himself for bio metrics. They took him a photo (we did carry passport photos, but they didn't take those)

As we had 2 years old baby, we were allowed to the counter right away and came out quickly in 30ms by 08:45 AM.

Consulate - July 10th 2019 09:45
We reached consulate by 09:10 and there were two lines for 09:15 and 09:30. We jumped into 09:15 line as my son had to go for washroom. Security initially didn't allow, but later allowed with a request as it's hard to locate wash room there outside.

This time, we didn't carry backpack, but my wife carried hand bag with water and some biscuits for the kid. We deposited mobile phones and smart watches (fitbit & apple watch) at the security counter after the que.

We went inside the and immediately sent to interview counter as we had 2 years old baby.

VO: Good Morning
Me: Good Morning Officer ( I was trying to hand over passport and 797, but asked only the passports)
VO: are you on H visas?
Me: Yes sir
VO: Is this 2nd H1?
Me: No, this is the 1st H1, but extension
VO: I mean is this new petitioner?
Me: Yes, I have changed the company and this is my 2nd petitioner.
VO: Who is your client?
Me: ZZZ
VO: Are you direct employee to the client?
Me: Yes
VO: Where is your office?
Me: State and has given office location.
VO: What is your salary?
Me: YYYY per Annam
VO: Pointing to my 2 years old kid, Is he US citizen?
Me: Yes he is
VO: Question to my wife - how long have you been married?
My wife couldn't hear the question while handling the kid, I just restated about the question to her.
My wife : XX years
VO: after few minutes - your VISAs are approved and handed over the pamphlet.

It was quick and we came out by 09:50 AM.

July 10th (Status checked late night) - Administrative processing
July 11th - Issued
July 11th - Email received that passports have been picked up from the embassy
July 12th - Ready for Pickup
July 15th - Passports picked up from Bangalore VISA center

All Replies (0)
H1B and H4 interview at Hyderabad Consulate
Interview Date: June 3rd 2019.
VISA Class: H1 B and H4 during the same appointment slot (11:30 am)
Job: Full time employment as an electrical engineer at a top US company. Have been working for the same company right after graduation.
Interviewer: Lady (AA). Aged between 28-35. Average friendly but she looked professional.

Interview scheduled: My past F1 VISA was stamped in 2011, I never returned INDIA after F1 expired. So I scheduled for a consular interview after 8 years. In the Meanwhile, my first H1B, H1B extension, and I140 were approved through the sample employer.

VO: Asked basic questions related to their stay in USA.
 For H1 applicant :
Q1) Were you on F1 VISA and then changed the status to H1B ? Replied yes
Q2)Asked a copy of original current I797? Provided.
Q3) Asked about Job responsibilities and nature of Job? Replied: all questions were answered appropriately and she determined that my profession matches with one of the listed technologies from TECHNOLOGY ALERT LIST(TAL).
q4) Do you know H1B rights? replied , yes.

For H4:
Q1) were you on F1 and then changed to H1, and later again changed to H4? Replied: Yes and explained.
Q2)Asked a copy of original I797? Provided.
Q3) what kind of a job you are doing right now and who is your current and past employers? Replied: working as a FT associate scientist in a reputed pharma company. Last company was another top pharma company, with the same kind of Job .
q4) Do you know your rights in USA? replied , yes.

VO: At the end she grabbed a paper from the side racks, and mentioned that she needs to have some administrative processing done to find out addition information?
I Replied: Is there a way I can give you more information that you might be looking for? or do you need any additional supporting documents?

VO: You are fine. We'll email you for the list of the required documents and she handed a white 221g with first box checked, returned passports. Interview was done.

I received an email right after the interview to fill a questionnaire, attach resume, employer letters. I completed the questionnaire, consulted with our immigration specialist, then made sure all questions were answered correctly. A copy of updated employment support was provided by our immigration specialist in addition to employment verification. I responded back to the 221G information request on june 4th 2019. Checked status on CAEC website, status was 'admin processing'.
Note: My immigration team recommended not to send any additional documents apart from what they asked for, else processing could get delayed.

on July 1st, I received an email to submit both passports, which I did the same day to VAC begumpet.
H4 case status changed to 'issued' from 'admin processing' on July 12th. Received email to collect passport on July 15th, collected passport on the same day and verified VISA stamp with no errors found.
H1B case status changed to 'application received' on july 12th from 'admin processing'. Again on July 17th case status changed to 'admin processing', on july 18th it status changed to 'Issued.

Waiting for passport collection email.................

Hope my experience helps someone who is in the same boat. I appreciate everyone who posted their experiences in this site as it greatly helps in estimating the next steps and average 221g processing time for FTE and contractors.

All Replies (3)
h1b visa stamping experience at mumbai consulate
Hi,

Adding visa stamping experience for reference.

I have attended my visa on 15/07/2019 and it was approved on the same day.

Questions asked by VO:

VO: Who's your employer?
Answered with my Company Name.

VO: What was the process ? --> This question was to understand the interview process for me.
Answered it appropriately.

VO asked me to present my old passport to verify my B1 visa details while asking questions.

VO: Asked me whether i'm going to work at client site ?
Answered it as it's In-house project.

VO: Asked me about my project details.
Answered about my project details.

VO: Asked me about my current role and total experience.
Answered it with my current role and experience.

VO checked my project documents and company details in the meantime and asked me last question about my salary. Once that's done said, "Your visa is approved"

VO took my passport and handed over other documents. It was really great experience for me.

Suggestions:

Be prepare with your US employer details, role and responsibilities, project documents. Also, make sure you carry all the documents which are necessary to prove your employment.
All Replies (1)
h1b drop box Hyderabad visa issued
H1 Drop box - issued
07-17-2019, 05:13 AM
drop box - H1B visa hyderabad- change of employer from one US based big company to other .
Friday- 7/12 drop box, submitted copy of I797, 2 new photos passport
Monday 7/15- Status changed to Application Received in the AM , Administrative processing in the PM
Tuesday 7/16, Status remained Administrative Processing
Wed 7/17- afternoon Status changed to issued.

So Administrative processing is not a bad thing. for genuine cases , visa will be issued in 2 days.
All Replies (0)
221g admin processing whiteslip H1B Passport retained
Hello,

I had my H1B visa interview on July 10th. Interview went well at the end VO asked me if i was out of status anytime. I said No and i was given a small white slip which say administrative processing. VO told it should take 3-5 business days but its taking longer. This is my first H1b visa stamping from F1. I have also observed there was a change made to my sevis end date on July 12th. My case was updated on 11th and 16th but it still shows Administrative processing. Anyone in same boat? How long will it take ?
All Replies (8)
H1B interview in Mexico
Hi

I am currently in USA and planning to go Mexico for the visa interview. I am working as FTE for a financial banking company and have approved petition till 01/2021. Earlier visa stamping i had with some other company and it got expired and have the approved petition with a new financial banking company. What are the options i have if i get 221g after the interview. Whether i have to go back to India. Please let me know

All Replies (1)
H1 Visa Dropbox Experience - Chennai
Hi all,

I was really worried to go for visa stamping after reading the issues our friends here are facing. This is my 3rd stamping. Below is my experience.

Dropped my passport at Chennai VFS on July 5. You need only your passport, current and previous 797 copies and 1 passport photo (they will tell you that the pic does not match the criteria, just force them to use the pic you have taken in Costco or wherever, they are trying to make you go get another pic locally)

July 9 - Status changed to Administration Processing (this is the process, do not panic)
July 10 - Status changed to Issued and Shipped
July 11 - Received the passport

I was nervous as anyone who go for Visa stamping. Please do not panic, things will work out. This forum has been of great help to understand the process and help guide me. But we also need to understand things are not as bad as it seems here in the forum. I am sure most ppl who have got their visa are not posting here. Good luck to all.
All Replies (1)
H4 overstay..dropbox..interview ..221g whiteslip
Hi
My husband's employer forgot to apply for H4 extension. i94expired in August 2018. We got to know about that in may 2019. Me and my kids left the country with the advice of attorney and submitted the documents via drop box in Hyderabad....and they called for the interview...

VO asked some basic questions to me and my kids..
And then she asked me about the overstay...
And I explained ...that was our first time going to US..
Just they forgot to apply for the extension...
I explained the same..

She retained my kids passports...and returned my passport..and gave me 221g white slip with second box marked..
And my kids Visa got issued..and I collected the passports.
My case was still showing Administrative processing.
We attended the interview on June 6th.
Till now no Update.

Anybody has the similar experience....
All Replies (7)
H4 Stamping 221G - Chennai
Hi All,

I am on H1B working as FTE with a major tech company. My wife travelled to India last week and since she is eligible for dropbox, she went for H4 dropbox facility and submitted all the documents. Within 2 days she got passport back with 221g form asking for

from Petitioner:
1. copy of petition with all supporting documents filed with USCIS
2. A letter form the personnel department at the US end client company stating that there is a vacancy for you
3. A detailed description of the project to which you will be assigned.
From you:
1. copy of W2 for last two years

I am confused now, why they are asking all these things for H4 stamping. My wife is not working and never worked in US.

Any recent experience or any information would help.
All Replies (2)
H1b visa rejected and issued 221g(Administrative processi) with passport and i797 taken away from me
Below is the detailed communication between me and visa officer.

Visa interviewer :step forward
Me : hi Gm
Vo: give me passport
Me : gave passport
Vo: scanned barcode
And asked i797a copy
Me : gave the i797a copy
Vo: who is your employer
Me : told my employer name
Vo: you have stamping on emporia state university
Me: yes, I have stamping for emporia state university
Vo:- from which school did u graduate
Me :Npu
Vo: when did u transfer to Npu
Me : told her exact dates
Vo: she asked why did u transfer
Me : gave reason
Vo: based on your passport number it says that your are from farmington university
Me: I said yes
Vo: why did u join that uni Dont you know that there were no classes conducted in that university
Me: I said I was not knowing that before
I applied for 3 uni I got 2 admission
One is Farmington and other is cummbersland
But cummberland admission i got so late , so I did not have a chance so I joined this university

Vo: did u attend any classes in farmington
Me: I said no , but I used to visit the university once in a month because it is 2 miles away from my home

She took my passport and i797a copy with her and came back after 7 to 9 mins

Vo:-she asked from which university did u get your opt
Me: Npu

Vo: why did u join farmington
Me: I said during my stem extension my university lost accreditation, I have no other choice
So I applied 3 universities I got farmington and cummberlands admission but cummberland admission was little late , so I joined farmington ,

I forced that person in farmington to provide me classes , he was keep on told to see them the other week

VO: Wait for 10 mins again she way typing what I have told her

I went to USA on emporia university and later he transferred to npu
And I got opt on Npu
And later npu lost its accreditation in dec 2016
And I joined farmington in may2017
And started working at GM after transferred to farmington
AND my Sevis terminated in oct2018
And later I moved to h1b

Again waited for 5 to 10 mins
And said that your i797a copy is not there with us
I am keeping your passport and i797a copy with me
This is your case tracking number , if this case tracking says ready to pick up
Please check and collect your passport and i797a copy

Me:- I asked her how long this process takes
Vo:- she said I don’t know how long it will take.

Could any one suggest if this is a positive sign or a negative sign, are there any similar cases who have faced.

Please let me know if there are any kind of inputs.

Thank you
All Replies (6)

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