H1B, H4 Visa

Hello all,

I'm planning to go for Visa interview in Chennai soon. Really appreciate all your feedback on this.

Here is my background

Myself H1b ( Have to get visa stamped - Changed employer to a full time US firm)

Spouse H4 to H1b ( first time going to get H1 stamped - after working for 3 years on H1,Working on EVC model)

Can me and my spouse attend the visa interview together? or separately? Which is a good option in my case?

We have a six month old son (who's a citizen)

Thanks.

Hi, here's my recent experience with complete timeline.

I'm a CS grad, F1-->OPT-->H1b. I recently came back to India to get my H1b stamped. I work for one of the major software companies.

10/29 - OFC
11/1 - Gave visa interview. It was a quick 30 seconds interview and only following few questions were asked.

V/O - Is this the first time you applied for H1b?
me - yes.
V/O - Which visa did you have prior to this?
me - F1.
V/O - Were you on opt after finishing studies?
me - Yes.
V/O - Ok, your visa is approved, good luck.

11/2 - Status becomes 'Admin Processing'
12/4 - Case last updated date changes
12/6 - Status becomes 'Issued'
12/7 - Passport status 'Ready to pickup'.

It took about a month of Admin Processing, they didn't ask for any documents, no slips were given. I emailed them twice during this time about any updates and i got same generic replies saying most cases will be resolved in 60 days and that I should wait until that time.

So, to those of you who are in similar situation, I'd say just wait patiently, sooner or later the passport will come back. Lot of my friends got it in a week, and lot of them got it after 3 weeks or a month.

Hi,
I would like to post my experience here because I see many are in similar situation.

11/16 - Dropbox submission
11/27 - Passport picked up - 221G Blue no documents requested and attend interview on any mon,tue, thu and fri. (Case status - AP)
11/29 - Attended interview
11/29 - Case state date updated and status AP
12/04 - Case state date updated and status AP
12/10 - Issued.

VO asked for new passport. Then he questioned me if I had any gap or transfer in my F1 or OPT. I said no and he asked more generic questions like CGPA in my masters, company I currently work for and work location etc.

I am a FT employee in a top company. Also I did my Masters in CS in USA

Day 1
Date: 6th Dec 2018
Appointment Time: 12:30 PM
Venue: Shivaji Stadium Metro Station – Concourse Level (2 levels down)

Reached the venue at 11:40 AM, stood up in the queue which was very short and moving super quick.
At 12:00 pm, I was done with my biometrics registration and at 12:05, my wife was also done with the same. However, my son’s photograph wasn’t accepted at this center and we were told to get a photo that shows both eyes open, and both the ears visible. Earlier, the photo had both the eyes open, but just one ear was visible. Surprisingly, the same photograph was accepted by the Passport Office!
By 12:10 pm, both of us (me and my wife) were out of the venue.
In one hour, we found a picture of our baby and got it printed according to the specifications required with both the ears visible.

Day 2
Date: 7th Dec 2018
Appointment Time: 11:00 AM
Venue: US Embassy, Shanti Path, New Delhi

Reached the venue at 9:50 AM. Waited till 10:30 AM and it was then when the people with an appointment at 11:00 AM were allowed to be queued outside the Embassy.
Reached the waiting room at 11:00 AM. Waited till 11:50 AM in the waiting room and then were sent inside for the biometrics verification and Visa Interview.
Around 12:10, we were done with the biometrics verification and were told to go to the counter for the interview. The VO was a lady in her 50s, seemed not very happy and was like a super strict looking school teacher.

Following were the questions asked:

Visa Officer: Good Afternoon!
Swapnil: Good Afternoon!
VO: Can I have your passports please?
S: Yes, here you go.
VO: <My baby’s photograph was put in his passport by the person who validated the biometrics. This fell from it at the counter at the hands of the Visa Officer. She then put the photograph back into the passport>
VO: Can I see your I-797?
S: Sure, here it is.
VO: <Typing something on her computer for 30-40 seconds> So you’re working for xxx….
S: xxx
VO: Yes, xxx. For how long?
S: I’ve been working for xxx since more than 6 years now. 6 Years and 9 months to be precise.
VO: <Typing something on the computer for 20-30 seconds> Do you have a client?
S: Yes. We have a client.
VO: What is the name of your Client?
S: xxx
VO: <Confused> xx, what?
S: xxx
VO: Can you spell it for me?
S: *spelled it out*
VO: Oh! xxx!
VO: <Typing something for 5-10 seconds> Where is your client located?
S: YYYY City
VO: xxx City? <Confused and then expecting more detail about it>
S: City, State
VO: Oh! Okay.
VO: Where will you be working?
S: xxx
VO: What will be your salary?
S: $xxx/- per annum
VO: <Typing something on her computer for 30-40 seconds> What is your employer’s name?
S: xxx
VO: Where will you be working from? (She asked this second time)
S: xxx
VO: What is your highest qualification?
S: Bachelor’s in xxx
VO: Bachelor’s Technology?
S: Bachelor’s of xxx from yyy, Australia
VO: Australia?
S: Yes.
VO: <Typing something on the computer for 10 more seconds. Pulls a white paper, looks at the computer, writes down the case number from her computer screen. Returns all the 3 passports, i-797 and white paper> You need to submit these checked documents to the <rotated her hand in the air on the form> to the… office to further process your application.
S: <Taking back the passports and the papers. Waited for 10-12 seconds> I have these documents with me right now
VO: No, you must submit these documents to the address mentioned and then your application will be processed.
S: Ok, Thank You.

There were no questions asked to my wife.
We left the US Embassy at around 12:20 pm.

I've been asked to submit loads of documents. They are as follows: i797, i129, Supporting Letter, LCA.
Letter from End Client, Itinerary of services and Contract.
Petitioner's Tax returns for the last 2 years.
List of Petitioner's Employees: Provide a list of all employees with each employee's name, specific job title, yearly salary, immigration status, and employment start and end dates.
Other: W2s, Paystubs 2016 and 2017

I've never been to the US (Not even on business or leisure purposes). I don't know why I'm asked for W2s!

Anybody in the same boat?

11/30 - Application Received
12/03 - Administrative Processing.
12/07 - Received the passports with 221g Blue Slip attached and asked to appear for in-person interview.
12/07 - Attended Interview with finger print verification followed by an interview.

VO asked just four questions (Employer name, Annual Pay, Married or Single, Work Location) and keep reading his system and said looks like your case require additional administrative processing and issued different blue slip with the option checked as "Your Application is refused for administrative processing. The Application will be reconsidered when administrative processing is complete". Retained my passports and said it will take 2 to 3 weeks for the completion of this administrative processing.

I am full time employee with fortune 500 company and this stamping is with reference to change of employer from my previous employers.

Any one with same boat and much appreciated

VFC appointment - 5th Dec 2018
Consular Interview - 6th Dec 2018
Status : Issued

Questions asked :

1. Good morning officer
Ans : no response from the Consular

Waited for 2 to 3 mins as he was typing in the computer.

2. Pass on your passports
Ans : provided

3. Do you have your I797 with you ?
Ans : Yes, verified and returned back.

3. Do you work for YYYY employer ?
Ans : My employer is YYYY and I will be working at client location ZZZ

4. Do you have the client letter ?
Ans : provided and returned back after few mins of scan

5. Whats your salary ?
Ans : YYYY USD per annum

6. Where do you work ?
Ans : YYYY city, YYYY state.

Question to my wife :

7. Marriage date ?
Ans : answered

then final words : Your visas are approved and have a safe travel.
replied Thanks, Have a good day.

He has also approved the visa before me. the questions were asked like revenue of the firm I could hear.

Please be calm. Nothing to worry about if you have all the documentation.

You will be asked little more questions if the company which you are working for is not the reputed/well known firm. Also, if you are a bachelor you can expect more questions as well. (This is my observation only)

Thanks,
Raju

What should I answer in "Where do you intend to work ?"

My Employer is A and my Client is B.
I am in EVC model. Working at Client Location.

I have checked my LCA, in Place of Employment 1: They kept Client Location.

I check multiple forums, some are suggesting keep Employer Address and few are suggesting Client Address.

Can someone help here, whoever filled this in the past with EVC model?

Thanks

Hi All,

Is anyone attended visa interview with Change of Denial from F1-CPT to H1B? I've scheduled visa interview on 12/11/2018. I need your help to get my visa approved.

1. What type of questions I may expect during the visa interview about my Change of Status denial and how to answer them?

Thanks in advance.

Hi all,

Looking for advice on what might be happening at the Embassy/Consulate in my case.

Converted from F1 to H1B.

OFC: 25th Nov 2018
Interview: 27th Nov 2018

Tracking on: https://ceac.state.gov/CEAC
Administrative Processing
Case Created: 26-Nov-2018
Case Last Updated: 04-Dec-2018

Tracking on: http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/in-niv-passporttrack.asp
"Your passport is still with the US Embassy/Consulate"

It's been like this for the past few days. No update so far.

Questions asked at the interview:
1. What is your salary?
2. Tell us about your college.
3. What city is your office at?
4. Asked about my previous passport.
5. Asked for my I-797.
6. Asked if I went "out of status" during a particular time period and I said No. Then mentioned that she'll put a note in to fix that.
7. Asked if I know my rights. And provided me with a brochure about my rights while working in the US.

Approved. Mentioned that I'll get it in a week.

8 working days have passed(No update for past 3 working days.). My flight back is on Dec 14th 2018. Will likely get it cancelled. No 221g given.

Any comments/advice on what might be happening? It's getting really stressful.

This forum has helped us tremendously in our preparation for our visa stamping. I will share our experience on this forum hoping it will help others who are in the same boat as we were.
A quick background about our case. This was my 3rd H1B stamping, working for the same employer through all 3 renewals. My wife is also on her 3rd H4 visa stamping and she also had the H4 work permit and is working full time. I have an approved i140 and I am waiting for my priority date to become current.
After extensive research on this forum and others of similar nature, here is a list of documents that we took with us for the stamping;
- Current passport (with more than 6months validity)
- H4 EAD
- DS160 confirmation letter
- Appointment confirmation letter
- Original i797 for H1B and H4 Visa extension approval
- i140 approval photocopy
- LCA copy
- i129 petition copy
- Employment letter (My Wife's and Mine)
- Client letter (for those working at a client site)
- Paystubs for the last 3 months (My Wife's and Mine)
- W2s for the last 5 years
- Tax returns for the last 5 years
- Degree certificates (My Wife's and Mine)
- Certifications and awards
- most current bank statement
- old/ expired passport
- old i797 approvals (My Wife's and Mine)
- Photographs (These are not required but we took ours just in case)
- Complete DS160 hard copy for H1B and H4 applications (you are not required to take this with you but we took ours)
For all our preparation, we were not asked to provide even a single piece of paper at our interview. Not even the i797. But it never hurts to have too much documentation
The questions that we were asked are below. The visa officer (VO) behaved in a very professional manner. He was neither overly friendly, nor too strict or grumpy
VO: "Please step forward. Can I have your passports please?"
VO (to my wife): "Ma'am, how long have you been married?"
My wife: "We've been married for xx years"

VO (the rest of the questions to me): "Sir, where are you going in the US?"
Me: "To Denver, CO"

VO: "Who do you work for?"
Me: Gave my company's name

VO: "What is your designation at your company?"
Me: "I work as an RF Engineer."

VO: "What is that?"
Me: Explained my job description in a sentence

VO: "What does your company do?"
Me: Explained my company details in a short description

VO:"Do you work for a client?"
Me:" Yes. I work for YYY as a contractor."

VO:" What is your current salary?"
Me:"$ xxxxxx per year"

VO: " what is your highest qualification?"
Me: "I have a Masters degree in Electrical Engineering from YYYY university."

VO: "Your visa is approved. Your passport will be sent to you soon. Please read this brochure (Rights of H1B workers in US" when you get home.
Me: "Thank you!"

Timelines:
OFC biometric appointment: 03-Dec-2018
Visa Consular appointment: 04-Dec-2018
Case Created: 03-Dec-2018
Case Updated: 04-Dec-2018: Administrative Processing
Case Updated: 06-Dec-2018: Issued
07-Dec-2018: Received an email that our passports have been picked up from the consulate by the courier company.

Good luck to all who have their interviews!