H1B, H4 Visa

DISCLAIMER: Please read below details if you want MORE of NON-H1B experiences and LESS of H1B interview experience.

30-NOV :
----------
Rain had already started in Chennai but no one knew the disaster was yet to come. Landed at Chennai airport at 21:30 at night with wife and two sons (aged 1 and 8). IT WAS RAINING.

WHERE IS TAXI? There was no taxi at airport. Government pre-paid said no taxis available. Other authorised taxis within airport (before exit) said no taxis for next 1 hour. What a bad luck.

OUTSIDE AIRPORT: Other private taxis started negotiating with me for 4 times the prices. Somehow managed to negotiate with a taxi with double the price and shared taxi with other passenger.

CITY CONDITION: Only after coming to main road I realised how big mess it was with water logging and traffic jam. Somehow reached my place at 23:00 hrs crossing Saidapet bridge (Adyar River flows under it).

01-DEC: (DAY TIME - it was raining all the day)
-------------------------------------------------
FOR BIOMETRIC: Hmmm... the horrible day of rain. Somehow managed to get a taxi. No taxis were available. After request got a vehicle which the Owner of a big taxi company himself drove to help us. He was gentle and helpful person. There was deep water every where in Chennai. Somehow reached the place for biometric, finished it and safely returned.

02-DEC: (DAY OF H1B INTERVIEW)
---------------------------------------------------
Reached the consulate in time. There was a small queue outside Consulate. Fortunately it was not raining. Not even a single drop. As I was with kids I was moved ahead by the securities. (I did not have to request). After all the checking I finally reached the area where there were counters for interview. All candidates were standing in a queue to wait for their turn. I moved to the end of the queue. A candidate told us to move the front of the queue as we were with small children. We moved to the front of the queue and immediately were called for interview at a counter.

GOOD MORNING EXCHANGED BY BOTH OF US.

VO (a lady): (TO MY SON) How did you come here, by swimming?
SON: No
VO: By boat?
SON: No
VO: by car?
SON: Yes
VO: Who is he?
SON: My father
VO: Who is she
SON: My mother.
VO: Who is that little baby?
SON: My younger brother.

Question to me.
VO: Who is your end client?
ME: Answered
VO: What is your highest qualification?
ME: Answered
VO: How much is your salary per annum?
ME: Answered
VO: Do you have i797?
ME: Gave
VO: How long have you been working with your employer?
ME: New employment
She took some time to read details in computer and after sometime
VO: Now let us start the H1B interview. Here is the most difficult question. When is your anniversary?
ME: Answered
VO: Looked at my wife and asked is it correct?
My Wife: Yes
She again took some time to read details in computer and after sometime...
VO: I am approving your visa and returned i797 and a booklet.
"Thank You" and "BYE" were exchanged.

Yes, All of us were smiling during the interview and VO's relaxed mood gave me the confidence.

I checked for courier service to home for passport delivery and the service was not there.

Overall consulate IN-2-OUT was done in less than 30 minutes.

CHENNAI FLOOD: Got the news of severe flooding in Chennai. Adyar river was flowing over the Saidapet bridge. My flight got cancelled/re-scheduled 3 times. For safety of my family I stayed back in Chennai for 4 more days.

MY CASE: I have 14 years of IT experience. Not in Job for 14 months. Currently have a valid US B1/B2 visa. Have visited these countries (USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Singapore, Indonesia, Uruguay) multiple times in last 5 years in business visa. No past history of visa denial to any countries. Earlier visited USA in 2000 and 2001 in business. All these details were filled in DS160.

Hello

Here's my Interview Experience

Questions:
Who do you work for
Who is your End Client
Does your LCA says the same Client location
What is your annual income
What is your highest qualification
Specialization

VISA Approved :-)

All the Best

Hi All,
Iam working in US from last 5+ years. I came to visit India. I have a status change from L1 to H1B 4 years back and had to got for a stamping. I have attended the visa interview on Dec 3rd at 9.00 AM and VO Confirmed that passport is approved. Iam now waiting for passport but the status is still shown as passport still with embassy/US Consulate.

Appreciate any replies from anyone who attended the H1B/F1 visa interviews that day.

Thanks,
Knp.

Hi All,

My experience:

I have given interview on 20th Nov. VO asked simple questions. he asked me location of my client as I am going to work for EC model. I told ABC city . He told me , there is no office in ABC city. He searched for INC site for my client so he got confused instead of LLC of my client. He told me to wait for some time. I will call you, Again I got call for new counter, An Indian lady asked me basic questions and took my I797,LCA,I129,Project description, Employer and Client agreement,Client offer letter and also Passport.

Got call for same counter. Vo told me that sorry for waiting . He has given 221 g green form and marked AP and told that Your visa will take time.

I wished VO sir happy weekend and left the counter.

Now Status:
Administrative Processing
Application ID or Case Number:
Case Creation Date: 19-Nov-2015
Status Updated Date: 20-Nov-2015

Your visa case is currently undergoing necessary administrative processing. This processing can take several weeks. Please follow any instructions provided by the Consular Officer at the time of your interview. If further information is needed, you will be contacted. If your visa application is approved, it will be processed and mailed/available within two business days.

As My interview was on 20 so it was last updated on 20.

for passport:
http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/in-niv-passporttrack.asp
I checked with my passport number and i got message that My Passport is with us embassy.

On 30th Nov ,

Status Updated Date is updated to 30th Nov.
Still status is AP.
same for passprt
for passport:
http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/in-niv-passporttrack.asp
I checked with my passport number and i got message that My Passport is with us embassy.

On 6th Dec,2015

Status Updated Date isstill 30th Nov.
Still status is AP.
but for passport,I am getting different message

http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/in-niv-passporttrack.asp
Message is coming like this

Passport Status :
There is no status update available for the passport number submitted

Please let me know is it good sign or bad sign.
How much time will they take for updating me as I know there is no time limit for 221g?
If i want to take passport, How to take passport?

Please guys. I am waiting for your reply.

Thanks,

Hi
I would like to share my H4 visa case experience via Drop Box,

Embassay: Islamabad US.

Drop Box documents sent to embassay on 2nd Dec by Amex.
Case created on 3rd December ... Status was Ready.
Case update : Admin Processing. on 4th December.
5th and 6th week end holidays.
7th Dec : Case status : ISSUED :)

Ahsan

Hi,

Anyone who had their H1B approved on Nov 29/Nov 30 or around these dates in Chennai, have you got your passport? It is still showing administrative processing. There heavy rains, wondering whether it is causing any delay?

Hi All,

H1B Visa Interview is scheduled @ Delhi consulate. Having below query please respond:

Visited Malaysia in 2009 with "visa on arrival" which was sponsered by my company for meeting client abut project requirement discussion.

But on the stamped page it is mentioned that "not permitted to engage in any employment or professional occupation in Malaysia"

My doubt is what should i tell VO if asked about my Malaysian trip ?

Thanks

Hi All,

Due to floods in Chennai, VAC and Consular offices are closed and applicants are asked to reschedule the appointment.

In system its showing "There are currently no appointments available."

Does any one have come across this? when is the next available dates for appointments (Chennai)?

Could you please share us the information ..if anyone have the info..

Regards
KVVR

Hi Friends,

I have attended the visa interview on Dec 1st 2015 @ Hyd consulate. VO told me that my visa is approved. However, When i checked the visa status in CEAC site , it is showing "Administrative processing" since then.

Anyone in similar situation?

How many days will it take for stamping?

Do they request any extra documents?

Thanks

My H1B visa petition gets approved on mid Oct, 2015 and not yet stamped. Due to some urgent short term business requirement, I applied for B1 visa on 4th of Nov 2015 and the same has been denied with 214(b) in time of visa interview.

Below are the questions asked during interview:

1. Who is your client?
A: Answered.

2. Which city are you going?
A: Answered.

3. What is the purpose of your visit?
A: Technical discussion with client managers.

4. What is the purpose of technical discussion?
A: New project is coming and need to discuss with client about the scope of work and resourcing.

5. Have you got the project?
A: Yes. Phase 1 is going on and given the proposal for phase 2 and hence going for discussion about phase 2.

Updated something in system and verify the client letter again and then handed over the 214(b).

Can you please advise me on the below points:

1. In this scenario, when will be the suitable time for my H1B visa stamping? Should I wait for 1/2 months for safer side?

2. Is there any chance that the B1 visa denial could impact my H1B visa stamping? Is there any chance of H1B visa rejection for the prior denial on B1?

3. What does mean by 214(b)? Can I reapply B1 visa in future?

Please advise and give your valuable comments on this. Thanks in advance.