H1B, H4 Visa

We had lived in USA for 3.5 years on L1, and unfortunately my L1 extension has gone into RFE. Though we timely responded to the RFE, USCIS prematurely denied my wife and kid's L2 extension which was filed along with my L1 extension. Interestingly, my L1 petition was never denied and is still pending with USCIS. Since L2 was denied, I sent my family back to India and they were in US for about 20days(overstay) after the deniel date. Meanwhile, my H1B picked up in lottery and automatic change of status(COS) happened while I was in USA. Now that I am on H1B, I sent my wife and kid to H4B visa stamping in India(Hyd) where they were asked about the 20days overstay (I included this in DS-160 so I guess they looked at it). After asking about overstay, they handed 221g(white) to my wife and didn't ask for any further documents. The case had no movement for about 60days. we were so frustated. Then, I reached out to the local congressmen to see if they can follow up on the case. They timely helped and sent a mail to consulate asking for any update on the case. Then the consulate called up my wife and asked her to produce an "overstay document". However, there was nothing called "overstay document" and even our attorney was not sure of such document. So we prepared a "cover letter" expaining the circumstances behind the overstay and added supplemental evidence(The L1 extension filing and the deniel letter, I94 records etc), and submitted through the VFS office. The next day their visas were issued.

Attended h1b interview on 21st December and VO gave me 221g white slip with no documents asked, he told we need admin processing, he took my passport.

My background is F1 to H1

anyone with this scenario?

Hi,

I had my interview on 5th dec, F1- H1 Visa, My status is still showing Administrative Processing. Could you please recommend what to do?
The VO said Visa approved no 221g issued. I have no idea what to do.

Hi All,

I attended for my H1B visa interview in Hyderabad on Dec 18th. Did my OFC on Dec 15th. My interview was pretty quick and the VO just asked my Salary and asked if I did MS. (full time with a MNC and no issues anywhere) I said yes and he said that my Visa is approved and will get my passport back in 3-5 days as there is some processing required at their side. I didn't see any update regarding my Passport or Visa status from Dec 18th. The Visa status shows it is in Administrative Processing. Is there anyone in the same situation? I have my return planned on Jan 7th and not sure if I could get my PP back by then.

Team,

I need advise urgently. Documents submitted 8th December Delhi. CEAC still in admin processing and finally it shows my passport being delivered from consular section.

Can you advise is it 221 G sure as visa status shows admin processing.

Hello friends !!

 I have been following up this post from a month now. My interview was on November 30 and there is no update since since then. I know we have been asked to wait patiently by our lawyers.

 This is my first H1B stamping so My first experience has not been that great with mental stress and obvious financial loss. I want to ask other people who are here for H1 renewal, is it common for US embassy to delay H1 B visa stamping like this?

I am sure we all have good US credentials and employment history, why we are being harassed like this? And other people being issued visas in a week or so.

Is there any way we can voice our concerns ? Bring it to attention of higher authorities?

I ‘ll appreciate all comments.

Thank you.

Hi, I wanted you guys to know every case is different and DO NOT PRESS PANIC BUTTON when people post about the visa getting stuck as most of them do not bother to respond back when they get the visa issued. Also, remember one thing if you not done anything worng and have taken all the legal path you should not worry. I know its not easy but try to hold your nerves

My case was lot more complex but all my papers were correct and maintained my status in a proper way. We went for stamping in Nov 2017 (I, my wife, my brother) all three change of status.

My Case:

1. Went to good state university, entered USA on F1
2. Graduated in May 2015 got a full time employment in April 2015 started working on full time CPT(last semester) then into OPT from May 2015.
3. Switched company (again Full time) after a year in April 2016 on the condition that they will file my H1B and new company filed for H1B got picked in lottery changed to H1B in October 2016.
4. To my horror they told me on Sept 1st that they will lay me off due to cuts and I am in cap gap. I requested my manager to give me time till atleast I have my one pay check on H1B so that my H1B is active and instead of Oct 1st as my last date they extended till Oct 14th 2016.
5. Started looking for new job aggressively along with who can sponsor no luck till Oct 14th. Stayed away miles away from consultants. Applied for F2 on Oct 13th to maintain my status as my wife was on F1 and luckily I got the new full time job on Oct 14th itself. To add more luck the law firm of my previous company was the same with new company too and the same attorney as well so they had all my documents and they immediately applied for H1B transfer but I had to wait till my F2 is adjudicated and then H1B is approved which took 1 month in premium and with RFE in between (RFE was silly which was saying I need to go into lottery again because I left my previous company, to this my attorney said you sleep peacefully I know how to respond to such RFEs must say my attorney was very helping and very quick in responses)
6. New H1B approved on Nov 14th 2016 and started working immediately. Because F2 COS was pending I could not work on H1B receipt and had to wait till I get my new I797 in my hand
7. Couldn't go to India due to visa issues.

My wife:
1. Entered USA on F2
2. Converted to F1
3. Took me as her dependent when I lost my job

My Brother:
1. Entered USA on F1
2. Converted to H1B this year with tough RFE and finally approval on Nov 15th

We all three planned for India trip and all 3 had our stampings to be done. Took Mumbai consulate because its close to my house:

My interview went like this:
Landed in India on Nov 26th 12:45am. Biometric on Nov 26th at 4pm went smooth. Went back to my home town.
Came back to Mumbai for Interview on Dec 4th at 8:30am

VO: While I was waiting in line for my turn. As soon as the person finished the interview and walked away with 221g she looked at me from the window and said your I797 please.
Me: I walked to her and said GM Mam.
VO: GM
Me: Passed I797
VO: So you are working for YYYY company?
Me: yes Mam
VO: Did you work on OPT in this company?
Me: No Mam, I am working on H1B with this company
VO: Then how did you end up in this company? (couldn't hear clearly ask her repeat the questions and she comes close to mike and asks again)
Me: I was working on OPT with YYY Company before
VO: Which year
Me: 2015
VO: Month?
Me: May'2015 oh no I am sorry its from April'2015
VO: From then what did you do?
Me: I moved to SSS company
VO: Year?
Me: 2016
VO: Month?
Me: April
VO: Oh and then after that your current company?
Me: Yes mam
VO: Year?
Me: Nov 2016 till date (I knew she would again ask month so I told it upfront)
VO: What is your highest qualification? (couldn't hear clearly ask her repeat the questions and she comes close to mike and asks again)
Me: Masters of Science in YYYY from YYY University
VO: which year did you graduate?
Me: Told
VO: What does your current company do?
Me: Told (not more than 15 secs and answered to the point)
VO: What is your designation
Me: Told
VO: What is your salary?
Me: Told
VO: Did you receive this white phamplet?
Me: Yes mam
VO: Cross checks again my I797 with the company name
VO: So which client do you work for? (couldn't hear clearly ask her repeat the questions and she comes close to mike and asks again)
Me: I am a direct hire mam. I work onsite and do not work for any client
VO: Your visa is approved you will get in 8-10 business days.
Me: Thanks mam. You have a good one
VO: Thanks you too

Status:

26th Nov(biometric date): Case Created
Dec 4th(Visa Interview date) : Case Updated - Administrative Processing
Dec 4th: Administrative processing
Dec 10th: Administrative processing
Dec 11th: Case Updated - Administrative Processing
Dec 12th: Issued
Dec 14th: received passport with visa stamped

My Wife: F2 to F1 changed. F1 Visa Interview
Landed in India on Dec 4th 12:45am and finished Biometric on Dec 4th 10am
Killed on day and interview on Dec 6th went like this

My wife's brief profile:

B.Tech in Chemical Engineering
M.Tech in Environmental Engineering
2 years work exp in construction company as Environmental Engineer
Now MS still pursuing

My Wife: GM Mam
VO: GM
VO: Which university?
My Wife: Told
VO: Since when you are doing your masters?
My Wife: 2015
VO: Oh what is it taking so long for you to complete the course
My Wife: I was on F2 initially so had to start with part time till I got my F1 COS approved and I also had pre requisities to finish.
VO: Ohh Ok. How many credits you are left with?
My Wife: Told
VO: You are doing your Masters Thesis?
My Wife: Yes
VO: What is the topic of you Thesis
My Wife: Told
VO: what is your bachelors in?
My Wife: Told
VO: Ohh you are also working?? (Must have scrolled down in DS160 and I had filled in her work details)
My Wife: Yes mam I am doing internship
VO: Where?
My Wife: GGG Company
VO: Who is sponsoring you Masters?
My Wife: For one year I had 100% Graduate Assistantship with $ YYYY stipend and from this year my husband is sponsoring
VO: What is your husbands salary?
My Wife: $ YYYY X
VO: You are working and writing Thesis and still not completed I want to see your Transcript.
My Wife: passed the transcript
VO: Ohh you have a very good GPA> Your visa is approved you will receive it in 4-5 business days.

Status:

Dec 4th(biometric date): Case Created
Dec 6th(Visa Interview date) : Case Updated - Administrative Processing
Dec 8th: Administrative processing
Dec 10th: Administrative processing
Dec 14th: Case Updated - Administrative Processing
Dec 15th: Issued
Dec 16th: received passport with visa stamped

My brother's Interview

My Brother: F1 to H1B changed. H1B Visa Interview
To save time I had scheduled my brothers and my wife visa interview on the same day so that we can return to our hometown and not make multiple trips to Mumbai. On Dec 4th finished Biometric at 10am
Killed on day and interview on Dec 6th went like this

VO: GM
My Brother: GM Sir
VO: Did not even asked I797. Asked which company do you work for?
My Brother: Told
VO: Where is it located
My Brother: Told
VO: Ohh Then you must have done your masters from YYYY University
My Brother: Obviously sir with the smile
VO: Your visa is approved you will get it in 4-5 business days

Status:

Dec 4th(biometric date): Case Created
Dec 6th(Visa Interview date) : Case Updated - Administrative Processing
Dec 7th: Administrative processing
Dec 8th: Issued
Dec 9th: Received passport with visa stamped

Tips:
Each and every case is different I gave interivew first and my brother last but he received his passport earlier than mine. The same day same time my wife gave interview along with my brother but she received the passport last. It all depends on individual case. Its natural to go through tension and anxiety which we have too. I hope this will help. All in all be genuine. VO only asks what is there in DS160 they verify everything from DS160 so do not bluff and speak the truth and do not hide anything either in DS160 or in interivew because they will find out when they cross check your case. Do not give elaborated answers to VO which means you are making yourself suspecious. Do not go for consultants unless you are left with no options as I was seeing rejections for consultants and more 221g for consultants than direct hires

We all Me(on H1B), my wife (F1), My brother (H1B), My brother's wife (on OPT) returned to USA on Dec 25th after finishing my brothers wedding with smooth immigration checks at port of entry

hi friends,
                   Anyone from unnj applied h1b visa? I graduated from a state university, as my h1b havent got picked in lottery i had to join unnj, i got my first h1b stamped but now second h1b it took my 3 months, am waiting from sep 12th. any one from unnj here?? please let me know.

Hi friends,

First of all, thanks for keeping such an informative community of support and information here. I guess I am here for some moral support :)

I applied for visa renewal this December and was issued a 221g on account of FIR for lost passport. I gathered the necessary documents are attended the visa interview on Dec 18, 2017.

On Dec 20, 2017 the CEAC status changed from 'Administrative Processing' to 'Issued'. I was very happy but it's been a week (Dec 27 evening as I write this) and I still haven't received an email/SMS to collect my passport.

I am going to the visa collection center everyday since I have nothing to do but wait :(. I contacted the consulate (through support-india@us..) and they said that it is final processing and I should reach out after 10 working days (so end of this week or Monday next week).

Reading through most of the experiences here, it seems like once Issued passports are being made available for collection within 1-2 days.

Anyone else on the same boat as me?

Hi all,

I have booked appointment at Hyderabad for H1B (finger prints on Dec 31 and interview on Jan2) with my old passport number: YYYY

Recently I took a new passport (YYYYY),because old passport will expire in 5 months, so I would like to update my profile with new passport number.

I have contacted US travel docs and below is the response:

Thank you for writing to the U.S. Visa Service Desk.

We understand that you are requesting to update your new passport number on your profile.

In response to your question, we would like to confirm, if you have already associated a receipt to your profile it is not possible to make this change, as per the warnings provided throughout the scheduling process.

Please continue with the process that you have chosen and you will receive further directions by the U.S. Embassy regarding the acceptability of your application.

We remind you that the MRV fees are non-refundable and non-transferable from one applicant to another.

Finally, if you have recently updated your passport, please bring the passport used to create your profile along with your new passport to the appointment.

You should arrive at exactly the time of your appointment; there is no provision to wait in and around the Embassy/Consulate area.

We hope this information is useful to you.

Sincerely,
U.S. Visa Service Desk.

-- Any one in the same situation, please reply.