H1B, H4 Visa

Hi Team,

I have attended the interview on 10th Jul, 2018. earlier on h4 status and attended first time h1b.
Officer asked general questions

1)Employer name
2)Work location
3)Salary
4)Spouse work location.

Finally, they have issued 221g white slip and asked me to email the project description and passpost returned to me.

My case status immediately changed to Administrative processing.

my questions are
1)While emailing the document, do we need to mention only case number in the subject or any other details?
2)Anyone has similar situation?
3)Usually, how long it takes to complete the process?

Any help or suggestions would be great

One of the posts on this community gave me the confidence to travel to Germany from USA on an expired H1b and get it renewed in Germany itself. There are not many posts on H1b stamping in Germany so I thought I will add my experience here, so it might help someone in the future.

I had my visa interview scheduled for Fri June 22 2018 7:45am at Frankfurt US Consulate. At 3:20pm in the afternoon i received an email notification from the Consulate that my VISA is issued and passport will be ready to pick up on Tue 26 June 2018. I am amazed by the fast processing. The Consulate is closed on Monday for the public, else i would have received my passport the very next business day of the VISA interview (WOAAH).

Here is quick summary of my background and details of the interview itself.

I am an Indian national currently working in the US at one of the big Tech companies on H1b, this was my first H1B renewal (original H1b stamping I did back in 2014 in New Delhi), I also have an approved i-140 from the same employer. I travelled to Germany on a business trip on an expired H1b but an approved i-797. My case is pretty straight forward same company, same role H1B renewal.

Arrived at the Consulate 7:15am ,
There are 2 windows in the front of the building where you are supposed to line up. Window 1 was checking in nonimmigrant visa applicants and window 2 was dedicated to US citizens. I waited for nearly 20mins in line and was checked in at 7:40am. The lady at window 1 asked me for my passport, i-797 approval notice and appointment confirmation notice , then she put a sticker on the outside of my passport and asked me to proceed to security check.
Before I entered the security screening building there was a guard outside collecting small items like mobile, watches etc in clear plastic bags for storage. I personally was only carrying a document folder with me so I went straight into the security building. After a quick metal detector screening and after my document folder passed through the x-ray machine I was sent to a different building.
In this building the receptionist asked me for my DS160 appointment confirmation page, passport and i797 and after checking those docs directed me to follow the yellow line to windows (1-7) where I was called upon to give fingerprints.
They then asked me to go to window 9 where they took my passport and collected right hand fingerprints again. They asked me to stand in line for window 10 to collect my passport.
From window 10 I took my passport and I was told to stand in line L which I am guessing was H1 B line . This is where finally the Visa officer (VO) conducted my interview.

Interview
VO GM
Me GM

VO: Oh so you work for XYZ? (My company is very well known)
ME: Yes

VO: Where are you travelling to?
Me: USA

VO: Where in US?
Me: I told the location

VO:What do u do at XYZ
Me: I described my role in one sentence

VO: what is your highest level of education?
Me: MBA

VO: Did you ever work and study in India
Me: Yes

VO: What field of study?
Me: Engineering

VO: Where did you work in India?
Me: I told him the company’s name

VO: what was your job at this company?
Me: I again described in one line

VO: Have you ever worked for the Indian government
Me: No

VO: Visa approved you will get it in mail
Me: Can I please ask for a request?

VO: yes
Me: Can I pick it up instead of mail?

VO: yes sure (he puts a red/orange pick up slip in my passport), we will email you when it is ready for pick up.
Me: thank you so much have a great day.

It was the smoothest Visa processing I have had to date.I couldn’t believe my eyes when I received the email from the consulate on the same day saying my visa is issued and passport will be ready for pick in 2 days.I think in future I will definitely plan to get stamping done in Frankfurt ;)

Hi Team,
 
I have been presently working fo MNC and my H1B petitioner is small product and services based firm based out in US.

Below are the questions asked for me :

 
Who is your current employer - xxx
Who is your petitioner - xxx
 What is your salary - xxx
 Is this position a new opportunity - Yes
 What is your Employers location -
 What is your Employers Site and Street Address - I have replied : I don't remember. He read our the Street address.
Do you know your rights in US : Yes

Questions asked for wife :
 

 
How long are you married -

 
Finally , Officer asked the LCA copy and said we need this copy for administrative purpose and later handed over 221 g slip and said we need your application to go through administrative processing.

Is anyone in similar situation.Replies are highly appreciated.

Hi All,
Below is my stamping experience .Im on H1 from last 4 years and this was my first extension . Went for stamping below are the questions asked .

Who is your employer ?
answered
What is your salary ?
answered
what is your highest degree/qualification ?
answered
what is you work location ?
answered
Do you work in client location or employer location ?
answered .. i work in employer location .If some works in client location , VO is asking for client letter and Vendor relationship letters .So be prepared for it .

Then VO moved to my wife , then i got confidence that my visa is approved but just waiting for VO to say it .

How long you have been married ?
answered
How many kids you have ?
answered

Finally golden words came out .. Your Visa is approved , have a safe travel.

Straight away the status changed to Administrative Processing after the interview.Everything went smooth and be confident in what you are answering. Don't forget to bring the basic required documents to interview.
Be confident , always keep the smiley face infront of VO .Hope my experience help you guys. Good luck...

Hello all,

I have a query regarding H4 stamping for my 7-month old kid.
I got my H1 stamped on June 20th 2018 and I'm travelling to the US in 3 weeks, so in the meanwhile I wanted to get H4 stamped for my baby.

But when I checked the dates, they are available only in Aug and I will not be in India at that time.

So my question is:

1. Will the Drop box also have appointment process as consulate interview?
2. Can I send all the documents for drop box with the baby's grand parents? Or is it compulsory that the Parent has to go for the baby's drop box?

Please clarify my doubts.

Thanks and appreciate your help.

 
This forum has helped me, time to share my experience.

My slot was at 9 am, went at 7:30, already there was a long line, 7:30/7:45 batches were lined up at that time. It took about 30 minutes for my slot to be called, following which they check the passport for the sticker given during OFC, following which a new line is at front of the consulate, where they checkin your application.

Note: no keys/phones allowed. Backpacks are allowed though.

Once in, there is a security check inside (similar to airport), apparently there was a CD in one of the documents - I had to come out and put in the trash bin. Afterwards I was let in, there is a queue inside which leads to the consulate building, after a 5 minute wait few of us were called in to the next building.

Inside, there is another queue - where they checkin your passport and then ask you to go a different counter where they check your fingerprints ( behind the window, while a VAC official helps you).
Once we are done here, then we are in the final line for the visa interview - it was a 15 minute wait.

Below are the questions asked for me ( I work as a FTE, 12 years in US):
- No documents were asked, when i was about to take my I-797 out, they said not required
- Confirmed name of petitioner
- Location where I work
- Annual salary
- Highest level of education
- If I have read my rights online
- Visa issued

When you are in the line, you will have enough time to get an idea of the questions that will be asked.

Good luck to all.

Do we need to have health insurance o H1b visa ?, If we dont have is there any penality we need to pay while filing tax returns.

Hi all, I went for my first H1B visa stamping as I was in Student visa earlier and later started working on OPT. This forum helped me a lot in my prep work. Hope my experience will help someone who is also looking for some support.

My Interview experience:

VO: Who is your employer?
ME: YYYY X Inc

VO: What is your salary?
ME: 65000

VO: What is your highest qualification?
ME: Masters

VO: Is this your first H1B?
ME: Yes

VO: Do you work for internal or client project?
ME: Client project

VO: Who is your client?
ME: YYYY X

VO: Where is your client located?
ME: YYYY X, IL

VO: Do you have client letter?
ME: No, It is against YYYY X policy to provide client letter. I have client location pictures if you would like to see.

VO: No, Do you have any vendors?
ME: Yes, I have one, YYYY X Inc

VO: Do you have Statement of work between vendor and client?
ME: No I don't have, but I have vendor letter (Provided him the vendor letter)

VO: We would like to require either Statement of work / client letter, you don't need to come for an interview. Just send the document to this email ID chennaiH&[email protected]
and gave 221g, Thank You for applying?
ME: OK sure, Thanks

From my side, I was bold and confident on my answers. I did my best. Lets hope for best.

221g Case status changed as Administrative processing.

I am bit worried because I was returned the passport and issued with 221g ask is for SOW or client letter. Lets hope for best, Now I need to be more patience.

Cheers.

Hi All,
i went to interview on june 28th .Interview went very well with caual questions.Below are the questions i faced .

Client name
Manager name
wage level
university name
salary

At the end VO said my visa is approved by reading some regular constitutional rights.

Just go confident i have seen almost 15 h1 approved on the same day.

ATB.

Hi All,

I went for Visa interview at Hyderabad location on 20th June, Visa officer mentioned that she was not able to pull my details & i will be get an update in 203 days. she retained my passport & dint issue any 221G. It's been a week & my case was not updated so far. Anyone faced similar issues? Is yes, How long will it take to process?