I recently got my H1B and H4 stamping (spouse and child) done through drop box at Bangalore, I work in EC model. My experience below for all the folks who are concerned about H1B Visa stamping.
Background: My first H1B stamping through employer A expired on June 30 , 2017(extension through employer A was approved until 21/12/2018). I changed to employer B in July 2017. The H1B transfer petition went into RFE due to wage level 1 in LCA. Employer B decided to file an amendment to the transfer petition in Nov 2017 with the revised wage level (level 2 ) in premium processing. The amended petition from employer B also recieved RFE for Client letter. After providing the client letter it was approved in January. Following are the timelines of my visa stamping.
02/13 and 02/14 travelled to India.
02/15 : Submitted my documents at drop box location in Bangalore. Submitted passports, Drop box confirmation letter, DS 160 for all 3 of us, Initial I797 Approval(used for first H1 Stamping) and the recent Approved I797(for the amended petition from employer B).
02/16 : Case Opened, Visa status tracking at
https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx?eQs=WwjqOlbeRYzCYubaSQI+RA==
02/17 and 02/18 : Weekends
02/19 : Consulate Holiday
02/20: Status - Case Opened
02/21: Status - Visa Issued and in final processing
02/22: Status - Visa Issued and Passport status - Preparing for delivery
02/23: Status - Visa Issued and Passport status - Available for pick up at 11:00 AM. Picked up the passports at 01:00 pm
03/07: Traveled back to USA with Chicago Port of Entry. At POE, the only questions asked were
1. Purpose of your visit? 2. What is your designation? No questions to spouse.