H1B, H4 Visa

Thanks Immi help community for sharing your H1B Interview experiences. It was a big help. Below is my experience.

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About Visa Interviewer/ Location:
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Location: HYD Consulate
Date : May 06 (Monday morning)
Counter : #16
Lady Visa officer in her 30's
Rejected two students in front of me
Extremely rude or pissed (if I could say)

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Visa Interviewer:
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VO: Good Morning, How are you?
Me: Good Morning, I am doing Good, N you?

VO: No response, Looking at my passport, entering some information.

VO: So how long you been working with your current company
Me: Answered

VO: What do you do there?
Me: Explained my roles and responsibilities, I had this rehearsed pretty hard.

VO: Office Location
Me: Answered

VO: Whats your highest Qualification
Me: Masters

VO: Masters in what?
Me: Answered (Non Computer Science)

VO: Which University
Me: Answered

VO: Can I see your most recent pay stubs
Me: Provided (This is the only document she asked me through out the interview process)

She then turned to my Wife

VO: How long you been married Maam
Wife: Answered

VO: Do you have any kids
Wife: Yes

Vo: Is she citizen
Wife: Yes

VO: Do you know your rights in US
We: Yes

VO: I am approving your visa
We: Thanked and left

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Time Lines:
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Apr 15 : Finger printing
May 6 : Visa Interview
May 8 : Received email and message for passport Pickup

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Little bit about my case:
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1. F1-> OPT -> H1
2. I have a common Last Name ("Mohammed")
3. Been on H1B for more than 10 Years
4. This is my 3rd time attending Visa Interview on H1B in last 10 years.
5. Got Admin processing last two times.
6. First time it took one week for admin processing (Was working as Consultant)
7. Second time (2013) it took 4 + months for admins processing (was Full time), mostly this was a Common Last Name issue.

Recently, I went to the New Delhi Embassy for H1B visa interview. Everything went well and the visa got approved. Immihelp portal helped me a lot in preparing my documents and going through other people's experiences gave me an idea of the do's and dont's at the visa interview.

My H1B petition was filed in April,2018, the notice of being picked in the lottery came in May, 2018. After that it was in processing status for almost 6 months, and petition got approved in December, 2018. Due to certain circumstances, it took another 3 months to book interview slot. Here's my experience:

OFC Appointment: 5th May, 2019

It takes only 10 minutes. They only need DS 160, Appointment confirmation and original passport. The documents were checked in the queue, and the details on the DS 160 were verified with passport. Then there was a physical security check. After that, I went to a counter, where they put a sticker with a bar code, visa interview timings, visa type, etc. on my passport. After that, I was given a token and joined a queue to wait for biometrics. When the screen showed my number, I was directed to go to one of the several counters. There, I was asked my language preference. Then they asked me to read a notice that said that I swear under the penalty of perjury that whatever information I supply during the interview is true to the best of my knowledge. Then my fingerprints and photograph were taken and I was told to reach the interview location on time. Also, the DS 160 form was stamped with the date of OFC visit and mode of passport delivery.

Consular Interview Appointment: 6th May, 2019

 I was told to be on time, as the waiting area inside the embassy can't accommodate many people. Still, as I was very anxious, I reached 1.5 hrs before the interview. There were more than a hundred people waiting for their turns in the lawn in front of the embassy. Every 15 minutes, the security staff were announcing the slot time, so that people having that slot could form a line to enter the embassy. My interview was scheduled at 10:30AM. I was allowed into the queue at 10:20AM.

The sticker on the passport was scanned at the entry. Then the physical security check was done. After that I was asked to sit in the waiting area. After around 20 minutes, I was asked to go into the consular section. Before proceeding for the interview queue, my I-797 was checked. Then I joined the interview queue. My turn came in around 15 minutes. I was exhausted from all the waiting and travel.
Still I managed to smile.

VO: Good morning, Sir!
Me: Good morning Sir!!
VO: May I see your passport
Me: Sure.
VO: So, what is the purpose of your trip?
Me: To work for ABC Corporation.
VO: ABC, hmm.. Can I see your I-797?
Me: Yes, please.
VO: What do you do for ABC?
Me: (Explained my responsibilities in brief)
VO: Have you ever been to the US before?
Me: No, I've never been to the US before.
VO: (Pointing at the I-797) Do you directly work for ABC?
Me: Yes, I directly work for ABC.
VO: Your visa is being approved. You will receive your passport in a week.
Me: Thank you so much Sir!

The visa interview was just 2 minutes but the wait time was nerve-wracking. I had opted for premium delivery and received my passport on 9th May, 2019.

My advice like others have already given:
- Every case is different. I work for a US company directly. Those applying under EVC model would be asked different questions.
- Be honest with your answers.
- Be precise with your answers.
- It's okay to be nervous. Just take deep breathes.

All the best!

Hi,

I'm planning to get my H1B visa stamped in Calgary in June. I have an Indian passport. I'm trying to understand whether there's any way to pick up my passport in Calgary. I don't have a place that I can ship my passport to – I'll be a tourist in Calgary. I couldn't find any information about picking up passport in Calgary on the internet.

Any guidance is much appreciated!

Thanks!

My employer told me that I will be laid off in 3 weeks. I have valid petition till March 2020. I want clarity on 60 days rule. My employer ( prime vendor for a big MNC) will not find another assignment for me. Do I need to get job within 60 days and file new H1B petition? Some people say it is 6 months. My I 140 was approved 2.5 years ago and I have 1.5 years left on H1B ( I spent 4.5 years on H1B).

Dear experts, pleas answer my question.

Situation :

Current H1B expires soon in July 2019. I changed employers last year and have a new i797. Filled out DS-160 and scheduled appointment. Based on questions it said "eligible for dropbox" . This is my first H1B renewal.

Company : one of the top reputed companies with 20k employees.
Job Role : CS , product security (not information security)

April 22nd 2019: Submitted documents for dropbox at mumbai consulate

April 23rd - 25th 2019 : Application Received

April 25th - 30th 2019 : Administrative Processing

April 30th - Current (May 8th) 2019: - Administrative processing.

The "Last Update date" field changed on April 30th 2019 and status is still Administrative Processing.

No documents asked , no email about 221(g). I emailed ustraveldocs twice and got the same standard response "in processing could take 60 days" .

No idea what is happening and what to do. I have had to rebook my flights. Not sure if i will still get it so i dont have to rebook again.

I have read many such experiences here, other forums and blogs, but almost all of them have got it in 2-3 weeks. this is the 3rd week for me

OFC Date: 6th May
Visa Interview: 7th May
Location: Mumbai

Visa Status at the end of Interview: Approved

VO asked following questions after greeting to each other.

VO: Pass me your passports.
ME: (Passed over)

VO: Pass me your I797
ME: (Passed over)

VO: Are you full time employed with ZZZ?
ME: Said YES.

VO: What is your role and responsibilities?
ME: Explained my role as per LCA and responsibilities as per Client Letter

VO: What is your highest qualification?
ME: ZZZ

VO: From which university have you completed your highest qualification?
ME: YYYY

VO: What is your salary?
ME: YYYY dollars per annum

VO: You and Your client located in which city?
ME: ZZZ

VO: Do you know your rights in the US?
ME: I said Yes.

Then after 10-15 seconds VO told "Your Visa is approved. You will get your passport in 3-4 Days".

Hello Everyone,

First of all, thanks for forum as this has helped me a lot for my Interview preparation. I would like to share my experience as below:

First Time H1
Consulate - Mumbai
Interview Date - May 6, 2019

VO: Typing on the screen...
me: Good Morning

VO: (Still typing and No Expressions) Can I see your passport?
me: Passport given

VO: Can I see your I-797?
me: I-797 given

VO: Typing.. What's <Company name>?
me: Explained in brief about my company

VO: Whats your age?
me: Told my age

VO: What's your degree of qualification?
me: Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science

VO: Is this your first H1?
me: Yes

VO: Do you have an end client?
me: No.

VO: Ohk so you are going to work in-house.
Me: Yes I am going to work full time from my Employer office.

**** **** **** **** **Then finally the golden words **** **** **** **** **** **** *

VO: I am approving your Visa and you will receive your passport in 3 working days.
Me: Thank you ma'am. (and again thanked her before leaving. )

Case Created: May 3
Case Updated: May 6
Case Issued: May 7

Currently waiting for my passport. I hope this will help you all for your preparation.

Hello everyone,

First time F1 to H1b
Direct hire

Interview Date - 15th April

VO: next
me: good morning, how are you
VO: Good morning, i am good, thanks. So What does your company do.
me: bdvgd isgdfjkgsig khsdk d sodhjk s shkjs vbisg svh
VO: What are your job duties
me: jksdgfi k;SGDfk; hk; Kdfhui isduhgfks sodhk;s ohsdk;jvhui
VO: How do you liek this city xyz
me: i like it, since i stay with my friends i dont get bored but i often visit JLK on weekends
VO: ohhh JKL i love JKL but only in summers
me: yea its still snowing in JLK lol !
VO: which university did you go to
me: abc
VO: what did you study
me: MS in ABC
VO: have you worked on opt for this company
me: yes this and a previous for few months
VO: Can i see your recent paystub if you are carrying it with you
me: yes sure, here it is
VO: do you know your rights
me: yes i was reading them outside on the screen
VO: ok great, it requires little administrative processing and should take one week.

Kept my passport and handed me a small 221g white slip. Did not require any documents or anything.

Case created: april 15
case updated : april 22
case issued: april 25
passport pickup :april 26

Be confident, have smiling face, keep all documents ready. Most important !!! PLEASE DRESS WELL. If you are going for h1-b please make sure you are dressed professionally, have a blazer on, well groomed and perfumed.

Hi All,

I attended H1B stamping interview in Chennai today. Got 221G blue slip with only one box checked - "Your application is refused for administrative processing. The application will be reconsidered when administrative processing is complete. "

In the interview they asked about the client, internal project. They also looked at SOWs etc. I was asked to wait for few minutes and then they called me for another round of interview. This time it was an Indian officer. He again went through and discussed about LCA, internal projects. And then they asked me to wait again. Later the first officer called me to his counter and handed me 221G blue slip and returned my passports - saying that "They need additional time for processing. They do not need any documents at the moment. And will contact me directly if they need any"

Is this usual? What are the next steps?

FYI: I had H1B from previous employer and it expired last year. And also my last extension & also non cap petition from India denied. I also have an approved I-140.

Hi All,

   I had my first H1B Interview after F1 on April 12, I was issued a 221G white slip which is very small and No Documents required.

April 12 - Interview
April 15 - April 23 - Administrative Processing
April 23 - Application Received
April 30 - Application Received (Last update date changed to April 30)
May 1 - Administrative Processing

As of May 6th I still have Administrative Processing. Does anyone have same Experience?.