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Visa
H1B, H4 Visa
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H1 stamping experience and port of entry
Hello everyone,
I got my H1 filled by my employer and was picked up in lottery. I planned to visit India for family visit hence went for H1 stamping in Mumbai. Trust me I was scared as it was through employer .
Vo: Hello
Me: Hello , Good morning , How are you ?
VO: Fine , thank you, can I have your passport and other documents ?
Me: (Smiled) Sure, I handed over my passport and I-797 A
(I had like whole bunch of supporting documents with me and she , the VO asked for none)
VO: who is your petitioner?
Me: YYYY Company
VO: What is your salary ?
Me: I said as per my LCA . , $YYY an year.
VO: do you work for client location ?
Me: Yes.
VO: Ok, your visa is been approved , have pleasant stay in the States
Me: Thank you so much , have a great day ahead.
I think my H1 interview lasted like 2 - 3 minutes. Just be confident and keep smiling and maintain polite eye contact.
While coming back , my port of entry was Charlotte,NC. I was there too as port of entry seems to be a bad experience for many people.
I was in line for 25 minutes or so and the immigration lady asked about my job . What am I doing. and What does my company do. She asked same question twice. I answered it confidently and yay!! I am in US happily .
I think only thing is be confident and don't change your answer and keep smiling.
All the best to all those who are going for stamping in future.
I got my H1 filled by my employer and was picked up in lottery. I planned to visit India for family visit hence went for H1 stamping in Mumbai. Trust me I was scared as it was through employer .
Vo: Hello
Me: Hello , Good morning , How are you ?
VO: Fine , thank you, can I have your passport and other documents ?
Me: (Smiled) Sure, I handed over my passport and I-797 A
(I had like whole bunch of supporting documents with me and she , the VO asked for none)
VO: who is your petitioner?
Me: YYYY Company
VO: What is your salary ?
Me: I said as per my LCA . , $YYY an year.
VO: do you work for client location ?
Me: Yes.
VO: Ok, your visa is been approved , have pleasant stay in the States
Me: Thank you so much , have a great day ahead.
I think my H1 interview lasted like 2 - 3 minutes. Just be confident and keep smiling and maintain polite eye contact.
While coming back , my port of entry was Charlotte,NC. I was there too as port of entry seems to be a bad experience for many people.
I was in line for 25 minutes or so and the immigration lady asked about my job . What am I doing. and What does my company do. She asked same question twice. I answered it confidently and yay!! I am in US happily .
I think only thing is be confident and don't change your answer and keep smiling.
All the best to all those who are going for stamping in future.
All Replies (0)
H1B visa interview experience @Hyderabad Oct 3rd week
I had my stamping in Oct 3rd week. Below is the conversation with the officer.
My appointment was at 11:30. I reached the place at 10:30 and they let me inside immediately.
Greetings Exchanged.
VO: Can I have your I797?
Me: Handed over
VO: Where are you going?
Me: I'll be joining my employer 'xxx' in 'xxx' city, 'xxx' state.
VO: What will you be doing for them?
Me: As an 'xxx', I'll be doing blah blah...(After the first sentence, interrupted me and went to next question)
VO: What's your designation?
Me: Answered
VO: Do you have a client?
Me: Answered
VO: Does your company have a website? Do you have anything about your company with you?
Me: The website URL is 'xxx'. I do have the company brochure with me (handed over the same, glanced the first 2 pages and kept aside)
VO: So you work for 'xxx' (highly reputed in the US) currently?
Me: Yes
VO: How long you've been working for them?
Me: Answered
VO: What are your duties in 'xxx'?
Me: Explained whatever I gave in DS 160
VO: What's your highest qualification? Do you have bachelor's degree?
Me: I've done Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science & Engineering
VO: In India?
Me: Yes
VO: Your visa is approved
Me: Thanks, have a good day!
It was pretty easy. Just be confident.
My appointment was at 11:30. I reached the place at 10:30 and they let me inside immediately.
Greetings Exchanged.
VO: Can I have your I797?
Me: Handed over
VO: Where are you going?
Me: I'll be joining my employer 'xxx' in 'xxx' city, 'xxx' state.
VO: What will you be doing for them?
Me: As an 'xxx', I'll be doing blah blah...(After the first sentence, interrupted me and went to next question)
VO: What's your designation?
Me: Answered
VO: Do you have a client?
Me: Answered
VO: Does your company have a website? Do you have anything about your company with you?
Me: The website URL is 'xxx'. I do have the company brochure with me (handed over the same, glanced the first 2 pages and kept aside)
VO: So you work for 'xxx' (highly reputed in the US) currently?
Me: Yes
VO: How long you've been working for them?
Me: Answered
VO: What are your duties in 'xxx'?
Me: Explained whatever I gave in DS 160
VO: What's your highest qualification? Do you have bachelor's degree?
Me: I've done Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science & Engineering
VO: In India?
Me: Yes
VO: Your visa is approved
Me: Thanks, have a good day!
It was pretty easy. Just be confident.
All Replies (0)
H1B visa interview experience @Mumbai 15th december
My wife and I had an appointment for H4 and H1b respectively.
OFC 14th December
At Trade center VAC
Appointment Time: 9 am
Reached: 8.30 am
In line: 8.45 am
In: 8.50 am
Out: 9 am
INTERVIEW 15th December @ 10 am
Reached: 9.45 am directly in queue.
We were taken in at around 10.10 am as there was long queue and waited in for security for approx. 15 minutes.
After security we were allowed to seat in waiting area were ~200 people were waiting! We waited for ~1 hour and got in interview hall at around 11.30 am. By 11.45 am we finished finger printing and waiting in line for interview. Finally interview with a lady officer at 11.55.
me: good morning (while passing i797 and passport of both of us)
vo: good morning
VO wrote/checked something in computer for 1 minute and put aside both the passports (that moment I knew that my VISA is approved because of same experience 9 years back)
vo: where do you work in India
me: YYYY XX
vo: ever been to us?
me: yes, years back. do you want to see my old passport with visa?
meanwhile I opened the VISA page on old passport
vo: no thats fine
vo: ok pass it on
vo: oh you were on the same category, how long did you stay?
me: ~8 months
vo: oh very less time any particular reason?
me: had emergency health issue in family
vo: oh and you are going back after these many years (with big smile) (look at the indication from her)
me: yes with smile
Somebody from staff came to VO for some other case related documents. and they discussed that for ~5 minutes keeping us waiting!
then vo entered something in computer for 1 minute.
vo to wife: how long are you married?
wife: 7 years
vo to wife: do you have any kids?
wife and me: 2 kids with smile
vo: ok pass their passport as well (another indication)
we: actually we are going for dropbox as they are not accompanying us (look at the confidence) :D
vo to me: what is your salary at xxxxx?
me: xxxxxx
vo: role?
me: xxxxxxxx
again same staff member came and they both discussed other case for ~5 minutes, we were waiting. meanwhile me and my wife looked at each other and smiled!
vo entered something in the computer for 2 minutes.
vo to wife: so this would be your first time in the US (VO was giving indication in almost each question!!!)
wife: yes
vo to me: which city would you be working?
me: gave statename
vo: city?
me: again gave statename
vo looking at me stargely: Which CITY?
me: oh sorry... its xxxxx with smile
vo: big smile!
vo: you will get your passport in 2-5 working days, your VISA is approved.
me: THANK YOU! after taking i797 back i said BYE!
vo: bbye with smiling face!
We got out at around 12.20! But believe me it was very relaxing interview. I would rather say it was not an interview but a conversation!
My tip, a smiling face with average confidence can help you a lot!
OFC 14th December
At Trade center VAC
Appointment Time: 9 am
Reached: 8.30 am
In line: 8.45 am
In: 8.50 am
Out: 9 am
INTERVIEW 15th December @ 10 am
Reached: 9.45 am directly in queue.
We were taken in at around 10.10 am as there was long queue and waited in for security for approx. 15 minutes.
After security we were allowed to seat in waiting area were ~200 people were waiting! We waited for ~1 hour and got in interview hall at around 11.30 am. By 11.45 am we finished finger printing and waiting in line for interview. Finally interview with a lady officer at 11.55.
me: good morning (while passing i797 and passport of both of us)
vo: good morning
VO wrote/checked something in computer for 1 minute and put aside both the passports (that moment I knew that my VISA is approved because of same experience 9 years back)
vo: where do you work in India
me: YYYY XX
vo: ever been to us?
me: yes, years back. do you want to see my old passport with visa?
meanwhile I opened the VISA page on old passport
vo: no thats fine
vo: ok pass it on
vo: oh you were on the same category, how long did you stay?
me: ~8 months
vo: oh very less time any particular reason?
me: had emergency health issue in family
vo: oh and you are going back after these many years (with big smile) (look at the indication from her)
me: yes with smile
Somebody from staff came to VO for some other case related documents. and they discussed that for ~5 minutes keeping us waiting!
then vo entered something in computer for 1 minute.
vo to wife: how long are you married?
wife: 7 years
vo to wife: do you have any kids?
wife and me: 2 kids with smile
vo: ok pass their passport as well (another indication)
we: actually we are going for dropbox as they are not accompanying us (look at the confidence) :D
vo to me: what is your salary at xxxxx?
me: xxxxxx
vo: role?
me: xxxxxxxx
again same staff member came and they both discussed other case for ~5 minutes, we were waiting. meanwhile me and my wife looked at each other and smiled!
vo entered something in the computer for 2 minutes.
vo to wife: so this would be your first time in the US (VO was giving indication in almost each question!!!)
wife: yes
vo to me: which city would you be working?
me: gave statename
vo: city?
me: again gave statename
vo looking at me stargely: Which CITY?
me: oh sorry... its xxxxx with smile
vo: big smile!
vo: you will get your passport in 2-5 working days, your VISA is approved.
me: THANK YOU! after taking i797 back i said BYE!
vo: bbye with smiling face!
We got out at around 12.20! But believe me it was very relaxing interview. I would rather say it was not an interview but a conversation!
My tip, a smiling face with average confidence can help you a lot!
All Replies (0)
Travel to Canada while H1B petition is pending.
My h1b visa with the old institute will be expired on 6/2/2017.
The new institute filed the transfer petition in November 2016 but I haven't been approved yet.
I need to travel to Canada next two weeks (12/24/2016-1/8/2017).
Can I still travel? Can you answer following questions?
Option 1. I get approval notice before my departure date (12/24), I can travel with my old h1b visa with the approval notice, right?
Option 2. I don't get approved until I return, I can still travel with my old h1b. Still true?
Option 3. What happens if I get approved, while I travel? Can I get the print out of approval and return with my old h1b with the approval?
Thank you for your help and happy holidays!
The new institute filed the transfer petition in November 2016 but I haven't been approved yet.
I need to travel to Canada next two weeks (12/24/2016-1/8/2017).
Can I still travel? Can you answer following questions?
Option 1. I get approval notice before my departure date (12/24), I can travel with my old h1b visa with the approval notice, right?
Option 2. I don't get approved until I return, I can still travel with my old h1b. Still true?
Option 3. What happens if I get approved, while I travel? Can I get the print out of approval and return with my old h1b with the approval?
Thank you for your help and happy holidays!
All Replies (0)
Planning for H1B Visa Stamping
Hello All,
I am planning for a India Trip in March and so a H1B Visa Stamping. My Scenario, i came US on L1B and in 2014, i went through COS to H1B. And after that it will be my first India Visit and so the stamping.
Here is my 3 questions:
1. I am with a reputed company and not on EVC model, so do i still need a client letter. The reason, my client does not provide client letter. Any other doc which i can show to VO if they ask for client letter?
2. My transfer from L1B to H1B will have any impact on H1B visa Stamping?
3. On light note, Will new presidency in US have any impact on H1B Visa stamping during March 2016?
Any reply would be appreciated.
Thanks,
I am planning for a India Trip in March and so a H1B Visa Stamping. My Scenario, i came US on L1B and in 2014, i went through COS to H1B. And after that it will be my first India Visit and so the stamping.
Here is my 3 questions:
1. I am with a reputed company and not on EVC model, so do i still need a client letter. The reason, my client does not provide client letter. Any other doc which i can show to VO if they ask for client letter?
2. My transfer from L1B to H1B will have any impact on H1B visa Stamping?
3. On light note, Will new presidency in US have any impact on H1B Visa stamping during March 2016?
Any reply would be appreciated.
Thanks,
All Replies (0)
Visa Interview experience @ Chennai, Dec 13th
I had initially scheduled for visa interview on Dec 5th and got cancelled due to situation at Chennai. I had to reschedule for Dec 13th, 10 AM. We reached the consulate by 8:15 AM and we were allowed inside without any delay due to previous day cyclone in Chennai.
Lobby assistant informed that they are not following any time slots on 13th. On the first counter, i was asked to give my passport and approved petition. Once done, moved to next counter for verifying the biometrics. Then we were asked to line up on the main counter. Had to wait for 10-15 mins before our turn. The previous two applicants visa were rejected and I was next in the line and was pretty confident. He called me to come over.
Good Morning!
- Who is your employer?
- How long have you been working for your employer?
- Who is your client?
- Where is it located?
- What difference you noticed between the client location and current location?
- How long have you been with this client?
- Do you have client letter?
(was talking to nearby officer by showing something on the computer. I think the system might be slow. He thanked me for the patience, as he took 3 minutes discussing )
- When did you come to India?
- Where is the employer-employee relationship? I don't see the employer name in the client letter?
I told i have implementation partner/vendor in between and showed the letter given by them...
reading the entire letter for 5 minutes
- Do you have a middle vendor?
- Do you have the letter from the vendor?
- So are you on EVC model?
(Kept reading all the letters and started typing something continuously for 3 minutes)
- Mam (to my wife), is AAAA is your home town?
- When did you get married?
- How many kids do you have?
- Are they US Citizens?
Finally, your Visa is approved...and gave me the right to information.
If you are on EVC model, please make sure you have letters from all the stakeholders and be confident when you respond to VO. Also, if the previous applicant's visa get rejected, do not panic. Each case is different.
Easily it took 15 minutes for me at the interview.
Hope this info helps!
Vijay
Lobby assistant informed that they are not following any time slots on 13th. On the first counter, i was asked to give my passport and approved petition. Once done, moved to next counter for verifying the biometrics. Then we were asked to line up on the main counter. Had to wait for 10-15 mins before our turn. The previous two applicants visa were rejected and I was next in the line and was pretty confident. He called me to come over.
Good Morning!
- Who is your employer?
- How long have you been working for your employer?
- Who is your client?
- Where is it located?
- What difference you noticed between the client location and current location?
- How long have you been with this client?
- Do you have client letter?
(was talking to nearby officer by showing something on the computer. I think the system might be slow. He thanked me for the patience, as he took 3 minutes discussing )
- When did you come to India?
- Where is the employer-employee relationship? I don't see the employer name in the client letter?
I told i have implementation partner/vendor in between and showed the letter given by them...
reading the entire letter for 5 minutes
- Do you have a middle vendor?
- Do you have the letter from the vendor?
- So are you on EVC model?
(Kept reading all the letters and started typing something continuously for 3 minutes)
- Mam (to my wife), is AAAA is your home town?
- When did you get married?
- How many kids do you have?
- Are they US Citizens?
Finally, your Visa is approved...and gave me the right to information.
If you are on EVC model, please make sure you have letters from all the stakeholders and be confident when you respond to VO. Also, if the previous applicant's visa get rejected, do not panic. Each case is different.
Easily it took 15 minutes for me at the interview.
Hope this info helps!
Vijay
All Replies (10)
221(g) with white slip
HI ,
I attended h1b interview today . All regular project questions were asked and I answered them all. At the end asked the below questions and issued a 221(g).
VO : Have you ever applied for universties in US ?
ME : Yes I applied
VO: Did you ever attend F1 visa interview .
ME : No
After this she said , "your case is clear ( didn't mention whether it is approved or not ) , but we need some time to check few things . Usually it takes , 1-2 business days , but in your case , it might take 2 weeks" and kept the passport with her. Kindly let me know your inputs on this .
Thanks,
Neha.
I attended h1b interview today . All regular project questions were asked and I answered them all. At the end asked the below questions and issued a 221(g).
VO : Have you ever applied for universties in US ?
ME : Yes I applied
VO: Did you ever attend F1 visa interview .
ME : No
After this she said , "your case is clear ( didn't mention whether it is approved or not ) , but we need some time to check few things . Usually it takes , 1-2 business days , but in your case , it might take 2 weeks" and kept the passport with her. Kindly let me know your inputs on this .
Thanks,
Neha.
All Replies (7)
H1B Stamping Experience
Hi Guys,
I went to the chennai consulate for stamping 10 days ago. Below questions were asked.
1. Employer name and office address?
2. First time travel or already staying in the USA? Staying already.
3. Salary?
4. Show me your two year W2s, recent paystubs.
5. Show me your LCA
6. Who is your client?
7. Do you have a third party vendor? Yes
8. Show me your client letter
9. Vendor letter.
10. Contract between employer and vendor.
11. SOW between vendor and client.
12. how many bidders were there for this project.
13. how did you get this job?
14. who is your previous client?
15. what is your education?
16. where do you stay?
17. went inside for 2 minutes with all the documents and showed them to somebody. Came back and returned all the documents and said your visa is approved.
that was a lengthy and tough one. She kept on asking asking question when I was searching for the documents asked.
Good luck guys. Be confident. I saw the page of salary opened in the LCA. They are very particular about salary now a days.
I went to the chennai consulate for stamping 10 days ago. Below questions were asked.
1. Employer name and office address?
2. First time travel or already staying in the USA? Staying already.
3. Salary?
4. Show me your two year W2s, recent paystubs.
5. Show me your LCA
6. Who is your client?
7. Do you have a third party vendor? Yes
8. Show me your client letter
9. Vendor letter.
10. Contract between employer and vendor.
11. SOW between vendor and client.
12. how many bidders were there for this project.
13. how did you get this job?
14. who is your previous client?
15. what is your education?
16. where do you stay?
17. went inside for 2 minutes with all the documents and showed them to somebody. Came back and returned all the documents and said your visa is approved.
that was a lengthy and tough one. She kept on asking asking question when I was searching for the documents asked.
Good luck guys. Be confident. I saw the page of salary opened in the LCA. They are very particular about salary now a days.
All Replies (0)
H1B ISSUED after Administrative processing without slip
Dec1 : Interview, VO said "I am approving your visa" but noted something on a yellow post it and stuck on passport.
Questions:
How long have you worked with the employer?
How did you find this job?
Salary? Role? City?
Are you married? Do you have kids?
Husband also on H1B? Will he travel with you?
Highest education?
Did you ever study in US? Enrolled in US University? Applied for F1? ( NO, I had applied for universities in US and was selected but did not join.)
At this point she made notes on a yellow post-it. (Could I have an i-20 processed by one of these universities that showed up or was she curious since I was joining a US based company while having studied in India?)
Finally, as she stuck the note on passport, she said " I am approving the visa, it generally takes 1-2 days but since we have some things going on at our end, it may take 3-5 days. But I am approving your visa".
Status Update Timeline:
Dec1: CEAC shows "Administrative processing" USTravelDocs shows " Passport is with US Embassy/Consulate"
Dec 2-5: No change
Dec 6: CEAC shows "Administrative processing" but status updated date is Dec 6.
At this point, I called the customer care number, he confirmed my Visa was in administrative processing and it is the same as 221(g) (!!!)
Dec 7 Afternoon : CEAC shows "Issued" USTravelDocs shows "Your Passport is with US Embassy/Consulate"
Dec 7 Evening: CEAC shows "Issued" USTravelDocs shows "Ready to pick-up"
Having read so many apprehensive and confused posts about 221(g) with/without slip, I wanted to share a positive experience. Hope this helps!
P.S.
From what I read online, each consulate has different colored slips/form that mean different things for each consulate. We can escalate the case by emailing ustraveldocs e.g. to ask if they need any documents that can expedite the process.
Questions:
How long have you worked with the employer?
How did you find this job?
Salary? Role? City?
Are you married? Do you have kids?
Husband also on H1B? Will he travel with you?
Highest education?
Did you ever study in US? Enrolled in US University? Applied for F1? ( NO, I had applied for universities in US and was selected but did not join.)
At this point she made notes on a yellow post-it. (Could I have an i-20 processed by one of these universities that showed up or was she curious since I was joining a US based company while having studied in India?)
Finally, as she stuck the note on passport, she said " I am approving the visa, it generally takes 1-2 days but since we have some things going on at our end, it may take 3-5 days. But I am approving your visa".
Status Update Timeline:
Dec1: CEAC shows "Administrative processing" USTravelDocs shows " Passport is with US Embassy/Consulate"
Dec 2-5: No change
Dec 6: CEAC shows "Administrative processing" but status updated date is Dec 6.
At this point, I called the customer care number, he confirmed my Visa was in administrative processing and it is the same as 221(g) (!!!)
Dec 7 Afternoon : CEAC shows "Issued" USTravelDocs shows "Your Passport is with US Embassy/Consulate"
Dec 7 Evening: CEAC shows "Issued" USTravelDocs shows "Ready to pick-up"
Having read so many apprehensive and confused posts about 221(g) with/without slip, I wanted to share a positive experience. Hope this helps!
P.S.
From what I read online, each consulate has different colored slips/form that mean different things for each consulate. We can escalate the case by emailing ustraveldocs e.g. to ask if they need any documents that can expedite the process.
All Replies (13)
No status on ceac after H1b is approved by vo
Hi All
Thanks for sharing your experiences I had my interview on nov 30th at Hyderabad consulate and vo has approved my visa. When I check my status on ceac website it says no status for application number entered. When I do passport tracker it says passport is still with post. Can anybody help me know how long does it take and what does this status mean
Thanks
Thanks for sharing your experiences I had my interview on nov 30th at Hyderabad consulate and vo has approved my visa. When I check my status on ceac website it says no status for application number entered. When I do passport tracker it says passport is still with post. Can anybody help me know how long does it take and what does this status mean
Thanks
All Replies (0)
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