H1B, H4 Visa

Hello,

I want to share my H1B visa stamping at Melbourne Australia experience as it might be beneficial to many in the future. I also want to bore you with a little bit of my background. I did my Masters in CS in USA and worked there for almost 10 years for multiple full-time direct employers. I also have approved I-140 EB2 from a couple of employers. Couple of years ago I decided to apply for Australian PR and after receiving the PR we made the big move down to Australia early last year. I have been working here in Melbourne for the past year and due to personal reasons I decided to go back to the USA. I got a job offer (direct employer) from the US and they applied for my H1B based on my approved I-140 ( AC21 rule applied to me). Now it’s time to go for Visa stamping at Melbourne Australia.

 

Appointment Time 9:00am.

I went there with my wife and Kids (stroller too) at 8:45am and there was a short wait out the main door (Main consulate is on the 6th floor, security and others on the ground floor). They were sending 4 people at a time for logistical reasons as the office is small to get the security, documents checks done... After the security check, a lady escorted us to the 6th floor and there is another security check again (airport style) then there are a couple counters to take your finger prints and a couple of counters for the actual interview.

After successful finger print check and photo check, we were sent for the actual interview (they let us take our stroller too as we have an infant).

 

VO: GM
Me: GM

VO: Passports and I797 Please
Me: Provided
 

VO: What is your highest qualification?
Me: MS in CS from US University (name provided to him)
 

VO: what about you mam? (Addressed to my wife)
Wife: MS in CS from US University (name provided to him)

 
VO: Can I see your Marriage cert, child birth certificate?
Me: Provided.

 
VO: Have you worked in the US before?
Me: Yes, worked for 10 years.
 

VO: Have you received a visa before for the employer you apply visa for?
Me: I worked for that employer before on I-797 transfer but did not receive a visa stamp for that employer.

VO: checked something on his computer for a couple of minutes (it felt like hours to me)
VO: Alight, you will receive the passports in 5-10 days.
Me: Thank you.
 

I came back home and checked the Status on CEAC website and it said “Admin Processing” I was nervous as I did not hear the words “visa approved” from him. As I did not work in the US for the past 1 ½ year I thought he might have recommended some additional checks. But the next day the status has been changed to “Issued” and now the passport is on the way.

 
Most of the staff are friendly and accommodating. Overall experience was pleasant. Car parking is difficult to find, I recommend to go sooner. Expect for your wallet they won't let you take anything to the interview. They will keep your phones and coats and give you a token to collect them after the interview.
 

Good luck you all!!

29-May-18 - Submitted Drop box (I went to VAC at 10.30 AM, it took almost 2.5 hour to reach drop box counter there was big queue. After review, they told that Photo did not match with requirement and sent back to get new Photos. There is a Photo shop within the building they gave photos in 15 min. for 200 Rs. I saw 25% people sent back due to photo issue. I took photos in COSTCO but they did not work out. They are matching photo requirement exactly they mentioned in the website. The worst part is, you have to again stand in queue to drop your documents. They are not giving any exception to reach counter even though you sent back due to the photo issue. Again it took 2 more hours to reach the counter and it is 4.30 PM by the time I come out of the building. Hence take heavy food before you come here. There is exception in queue if you have infant)

Documents collected:
-They took my old passport which has old H1 visa stamp and new passport
-X Employer I-797 approval petition (they took only the approval petition which you got Visa stamp)
-Y Employer I-797 approval petition (they took only latest approval petition, they don't care about your old and multiple amendment receipts)
 -2 Photos
-Drop box confirmation letter
-DS 160 confirmation letter

30-May-18 - Portal status changed to Administration Process (You have to check your email Id daily once you are done drop box)

1-Jun-18 - Received email for finger prints collection on 4-Jun-18 (If you gave finger prints 3 years back then they will defiantly call for finger prints, otherwise they will issue Visa directly. If they called for finger prints means then no interview)

4-Jun-18 - You have to go USA consulate office for finger prints as your case is drop box. Don't go to VAC office for finger prints as it is only for 1st time applicants. They allowed to stand in queue at 10.30 AM as my appointment is as 11 AM. There is big queue it took more than 1 hour to clear security. I went to finger print counter there wait time is 10 min. You have to give finger prints in front of American offer. No more questions, just finger prints.

5-Jun-18 - Portal status is showed as Visa Issued

6-Jun-18 - Received Passports through Blue dot courier (They collected 500 Rs. as courier charges as i opted courier option, it is better to opt courier option if you are staying out of city. You no need to be in home when courier arrives. They just gives anyone in the home which you gave the address, however they take the person's who collects the courier Govt ID Xerox (Aadhaar/PAN or any) and signature and cash)

My H1 History:
I got H1 with X employer (big MNC) for 3 years and went USA for location A
My USA location changed to B after 2 months then my X employer did amendment for location B
I got RFE for the above amendment for Location B amendment after 9 months
I changed job to Y employer (middle range company, not consultant)
X employer revoked my H1 without submitting response to RFE
Location change again with Y employer and did amendment for location
Amendment approved for the location change
I have Visa stamp on my old passport till Jun 2017 with X employer. I got new passport recently as old passport expired
I am eligible to drop box even though i changed to company B as my previous Visa stamp on passport expired within 12 months

I attended visa interview today June 5, 2018 at Vancouver. I was asked very basic questions. I am on EVC model but she told Visa is going for Administrative processing. She asked if I need the passport as it might take 1-2 weeks. I told her to keep it wiht the consulate.

 I was given a paper that says "Your Visa is refused for administrative processing. We cannot estimate how long the administrative process will take place. If you do not receive any update within 60 days, please contact us".

I was not given any slip as to what documentation is required.

Anybody knows what this means. Does this mean my petiton is sent to USCIS again. I am stuck at Vancouver. anyone on the same boat?

Guys , can I renew Indian passport in USA. My passport expires April 2019. Is it possible to renew my Indian passport in USA? If yes then do they put h1b visa stamping on new passport ?

Hi,

I have to get the H1 visa stamping done after my visa extension and I have visa to enter Canada. So can I plan to have the visa stamping done from Canada.

I am hearing that they are rejecting the stamping and people are advising to get it done from the home country (India), is it really the case?

Is it okay to attend to H4 visa, while H1-b amendment is in processing ?. If there is a RFE at the time of interview will it be a problem and leads to H4 denial ?

My H1B visa and Petition is going to expire on 30th Sept 2018. Still now I did not get an opportunity to travel .

So here my query is within how many days I need to extend my Petition and H1B visa for hassle free travel ?

My petition was under Hyderabad consulate, DS160 also have Hyderabad but Visa Interview scheduled at Chennai consulate.

My Interview is scheduled for 11th June 2018.

Will this be an issue and if Yes, what can be done.

Thanks!

Hi All

My H1-B petition is filed on an EC model. My vendor however is decent big firm that has internal projects as well. I work from my Vendor location most part of my job, and I intended to answer my petition strictly based on my petition supporting the EC model.

However, my resume does have a mention of the end client? Who i dont work for anymore.

Is that something a cause of concern? And if someone could help me with any supporting answer to make it generic and support my resume?

Just additional info, the product my vendor builds internally is used across almost all banks. If that's helpful - is there a way to answer the question about my end client's mention on my resume -and make it generic so I don't need to provide the client letter.

Hi All,

I attended visa interview today (June 5, 2018) at Vancouver. I was asked very basic questions. I am on EVC model but she told Visa is going for Administrative processing. She asked if I need the passport as it might take 1-2 weeks. I told her to keep it wiht the consulate.

I was not given a Case number. I was given a paper that says "Your Visa is refused for administrative processing. We cannot estimate how long the administrative process will take place. If you do not receive any update within 60 days, please contact us".
I was not given any slip as to what documentation is required.

Anybody knows what this means. Does this mean my petiton is sent to USCIS again. I am stuck at Vancouver. anyone on the same boat?