H1B, H4 Visa

Hi , my employer lost I797 original and dont even have a copy of it.
My Stamping interview is scheduled next week and i may need to fly by 1st week of Oct.
here are my questions:
1. can i attend the interview without I797 copy?
2, can i get a copy of it in any website with my Approved Receipt Number?
2. If i shouldnt attend the interview then what is the time-frame to get the duplicate I797 copy from USCIS?

I'm worried , Experts please advice

Hello everyone

Me and husband attended H1B and H4 extension interveiw on 11th August. Husand works for Amazon VO was very cool and asked few mandatory questions like what do you at work and daily duties etc. She was happy with the answers.She has approved both of our visas. But she said she is unable to fiind his H1B petition in the PIMS database. Made us wait for 2 hrs and later gave 221g white slip and told us to expect and email to submit the passports.

Its been 40 days (6 weeks) since the interview and there is no update.
We are very frustrated and disappointed as i am missing my school, lost my job and husband has to postpone his work.

Can someone guide us in this situation??

Thanks for ur time

Geetha

Hi Folks,

I have attended the Visa interview at Hyd Consulate on 14th Sep2015 ,The questions asked by VO was very basic,Your Salary,your total IT experience and said your Visa is approved,Since then my visa status is showing as "Administrative Processing" ,I am little nervous as the status is same since post interview.

Any comments are really helpful to relax.

Thanks for sharing your interview experiences. It was really helpful to prepare for the visa interview.

I would like to share my H1B visa interview experience with you all.

I had an OFC Appointment on 14th Sept 09:15 AM & Consular Appointment on 15th Sept 09:00 AM at Hyderabad.

OFC Interview:
1) Our appointment was at 09:15 AM, and we went there at 09:00 AM. They allowed us immediately.
2) We stood in finger prints queue. There are two queues one for finger prints & other one for passport collection. Seek assistance from security people over there.
3) After standing in the queue for 15 min, an associate came to us and verified our visa appointment copy, DS160 against our passports to see any information mismatch. In our case there are no information mismatches.
- If you have any information mismatch, don't need to panic. There is a person next to queue who can help you with that. You have to pay him for service.
4) After verification, we entered the building and security check happened there.
5) After security check, they asked us to stand in queue. At the counter they verified our visa appointment copy, DS160, and passports.
6) They labeled the passport and a token number.
7) Moved to next room, and waited for my token number to be displayed.
8) Went to respective counter. Gave my passport & DS160, and Wished the Lady.
9) She asked to read the instructions on the wall. Then took photograph & finger prints.
10) Handover-ed the passport back to me.

Consular Interview: (VO - Visa Officer)
1) Our appointment was at 09:00 AM, and we went there at 08:00 AM.
2) Security people asked us to stand in a queue next to vehicle entrance gate. We were there for 15 min.
3) Security asked us to move to queue at the embassy entrance at 08:15 AM.
4) They have checked our passport labels & marked on the label. Allowed In.
5) An associate asked us to sit in chairs. They allowed 2-3 rows once for security check.
6) At security check, they have asked us to empty the pockets, remove belt, accessories (gold ornaments etc), even pens. They gave us trays to keep documents & belongings.
7) Moved into scanner room, tray was scanned and given back.
8) Another associate made us sit in waiting area for 20 min. They handed over Rights Documents to go through.
9) We stood in queue for finger print verification. An associate collected our passports and handed over to US Officer at the counter.
10) US Officer called us by name, for the finger print verification.
11) After verification is completed they handed over cards with counter number. One card per family group.
12) We waited in the respective queue at the counter for 5 min.
13) Associate collected our passports and handed over to VO
14) VO called us, here started our interview

Me: Good Morning Officer. How are you?
VO: She wished us.

VO: She took 1 minute to check my petition document on computer.
VO: Who is your employer?
Me: Answered

VO: Where will you work?
Me: Client place

VO: Who is your client?
Me: Answered

VO: What is your designation?
Me: Answered

VO: What are your job duties?
Me: Answered

VO: How long have you been working for this employer?
Me: New employment

VO: How many years of experience do you have?
Me: Answered

VO turned to my wife,
VO: Where do you stay in USA?
Wife: She gave the City & State details

VO: How long have you been married?
Wife: Answered

VO: Do you have kids?
Wife: Yes, one kid.

VO said your visas are approved & Have a great day. We wished her in return and left the counter.

VO didn't ask for any documentation except passports.

I HAVE GOT EMAIL CONFIRMATION STATING THAT MY PASSPORT IS READY AT 8 AM ON 16TH SEPT 2015.

I HAVE COLLECTED MY PASSPORT ON 18TH SEPT 2015.

Tips: (US Consulate, Hyderabad)
- Don’t have any sealed envelopes. Open them before entering the embassy.
- If you have children with you. At embassy they are allowing one bottle of milk only. No child food allowed.
- Push chairs & Strollers aren’t allowed inside embassy.
- Cosmetics, Electronics, Liquids, and Creams aren’t allowed inside embassy.
- In case if you have any restricted items with you they will ask you to drop them outside the embassy premises. You have to walk all the way till the start of the street to dump those.
- Paid parking available for 4 wheeler vehicles. One beside US embassy named Begumpet Palace Function Hall (charged 50/- per hour) & other one at Indian Passport office basement behind Citibank building.
- Private Lockers are available at Hotel near passport office & Xerox center opposite to passport office.
- Inside embassy after security check in, you have wash rooms & tea point.
- For consular appointment be there before 45-60 minutes. They aren’t allowing any applicant whose appointment is beyond 1 hour after the check post.
- Prepare well, be confident, Keep the eye contact with VO, and Have a smiling face.
- Go through your petition documentation; try to be on same lines. Don’t try to give too much information, if require VO will ask for additional information.
- In case if you aren’t able to understand or hear the questions, Don’t hesitate to ask VO to repeat the question.
- Dress appropriately. Formals preferable.
- Carry Authorization letter to collect passports of wife/husband & children. Originals & Xerox copies of ID Proofs, Birth Certificate, and Marriage Certificate

Thanks Immihelp and my fellow visa aspirants for providing excellent resources which helped me to prepare and succeed in my H1B. Here comes my H1B visa experience

Visa:- H1B
Location:- Hyderabad

Note:- In Hyderabad both OFC and US Consulate in same street. In Google maps OFC center showing in different street.

13-September-2015 I went to check OFC and US consulate Address.

15-September-2015 OFC appointment date.
I took below document to OFC
Passport
DS 160
appointment letter
VISA Fee receipt( optional)
xerox of I797 (optional)

I went to OFC center before 1 hour scheduled time.
There was very less queue in front of OFC center and security person checked appointment letter sent to inside OFC center.
They will match ur DS 160 and appointment letter with your passport.

if your entered wrong details in DS 160 dont worry they will charge some 500 Rs and will generate new DS 160 form.

Question inside OFC center

What is your name?
Why are you traveling to US
Please read instructions display left side
They took my photo
Take all documents for visa interview and All the Best

They pasted one white color sticker backside of my passport.

This all process took some 20 to 30 min.i came out of OFC office before my schedule time.

Visa Interview 16 September

I took below document to Visa interview
Passport
DS-160 confirmation
Appointment Confirmation
Original I797
I129
LCA
Client letter
visa fee
My Resume
Educational Documents.
Offer Letter from H1B Company
My previous Experience Letters
Last 3 months payslips
Tax returns of last 3 years
ID proofs
Companies website’s screenshots (2 pages of client and employer).

I went to consulate at 11:20. There is no queue outside of consulate. They scanned my passport and allowed me inside.
Luckily there no waiting queue for security check so my security check completed in 1min went directly to finger print without any waiting or sanding. They verified my right hand finger print given to token asked me stand before h1b candidate.

VO officer is young and beautiful.

VO:- Good morning, How are you?( with our seeing me and typing something computer)
Me:- I am doing great!! Thanks for asking how are you?

Vo:- I am doing great with Smile
VO:- give me your 797 and passport
Me:- given
VO :- What are your education qualifications
Me - Answered.
VO :-Which company do you currently work for?
Me - Answered.
VO :-What is the name of the company you are going work for in USA?
Me - Answered.
VO :-What does your sponsoring employer do?
Me - Answered.
VO :-What is your position and salary going to be in US
Me - Answered.
VO :-What is your roles and responsibilities
Me - Answered.
VO :-Who is the Client that you will be working for.
Me - Answered.
VO :-Where is the client located
Me - Answered.
VO :-do you know about climate over there( Client location climate)
Me - Answered.
VO :-describe about the project you are assigned.
Me - Answered.
VO Have you seen the white Booklet for US rights
Me:- they given me i will see after my visa interview

VO:- VISA approved.
Me:- Thank you very much with Big smile :)
I didnt clearly answered Client project and my roles and responsibilities questions I prepared well but didnt answered well. But VO approved my visa so don’t worry if you didnt answered some question clearly. Be confidant and look straight into VO eyes.
My visa interview process completed in 15 to 20 Min . Before my schedule time

Note: - Dress nicely wear some light color shirt (like blue don’t wear dark color)
Hair cut
Do clean shave. Be confident. First impression is always best impression.

Links for interview question.
http://www.immihelp.com/visas/h1b/h1-visa-interview-sample-questions-answers.html
All the Best guys for Visa interview. Post your experience.

Hi Guys,

I would like to share my H1b Visa stamping interview experience at Singapore.

Process :

9.45 : Admin took all documents for verification(Passport, Appointment letter, DS-160, I797 and supporting documents)

9:50 : Finger Prints taken

11:00 : Here my turn comes

VO : Good morning
Me : Good morning
VO: Please give me your passport and supported documents
Me: Given
VO : Please tell me about your petitioner ?
Me: explained for 45 sec.
VO: What you do in current company?
Me : ***
VO: Where did you do masters?
Me : ***

That's it ...Your VISA is approved.

Please carry the following documents for VISA stamping :

1) Passport
2) Passport Photo
3) Appointment Letter & VISA Fee Receipt
4) DS-160 Confirmation Page
5) I797 & Supporting Documents Which were submitted by your petitioner at the time of applying for H1b .
7) Employer Tax returns for last 2 years.
8) Project Description & Your resume
9) Your Payslips & last one year bank statements & last 3-5 years income tax returns.
10) Your Mark sheets (Very IMP)

Hope this post help you guys!!

 

Today with full of happiness, I would like to share my H1B interview experience conducted at Hyderabad Consulate.

Our VAC Interview was scheduled on 15th Sept and consular interview was scheduled on 16th Sept.

VAC interview : We went 30 minutes before the VAC interview time and immediately they allowed us inside. During the initial screening they found that my wife's DS 160 has different name than the passport name. Luckily there is a person inside VAC office to help you in this but charges are exorbitant but issue was resolved.

After that we went inside and completed biometrics and subsequently got barcode for the final consular interview.

Consular Interview : Considering rainy season we reached almost 1 hour early at consular and still got entry inside. After security clearance, we have been asked to confirm our biometrics.

Post to that we have been given asked to go to one of the counter.

There were 2 more candidates in front of us but as no one was there, they moved them to other counter but I patiently stood with my family. Soon one young VO reached and this is how it goes......

Me: Good Afternoon (My son also greets her)
VO : Good Afternoon (She was feeling happy)

Me: How are you ?
VO : Doing good ! How about you ?
Me : Good.

VO : Can I see your passports (Family)
Me : Handed over passports

VO : Who's your employer (After checking few details)
Me: Mentioned YYYY X

VO : From which location you will be working ?
Me : Mentioned the location

VO : How do you come to know about this employer ?
ME : My CV was posted on Naukri.com and after initial screening and technical discussions, they shortlisted my profile.

VO : What are your responsibilities ?
Me : Mentioned all the responsibilities

VO : How did you verified this company ?
Me : This is an e-verified company and their clientele includes fortune 500 MNC's.

VO : How many employees are currently working ?
Me : Currently its XX but it's increased since the date of the petition.

Then VO turned to my wife and asked

VO : Since how long your're married
Wife : My wife answered XX

VO : What's age of your child
Wife : She replied XX years

Then she asked my son

VO : How old are you ?
Son : He replied with XX year

Next question was little weird and funny

VO : Who are these people ?
Son : My father and my mom.

VO took some time to type something on her screen and golden words announced

VO : You're visa is approved.
Me : Thank you very much. (Can't stop my happiness)

Overall interview didn't took more than 3-4 minutes and we were out of the consulate much earlier than the scheduled interview time.

Best of Luck for all the viewers and next candidates.

Guys,

Need a suggestion. My petition was approved back in Aug and still i didn't receive documents for Visa stamping from my employer. When asked he said not to hurry as they want documentation to be perfect and i agree with that.

Generally how much time on an average it will take to send docs required for visa stamping after petition approval.

Hi, me and my wife appeared for OFC on 09/15th, it's just 5 mins process. Collecting your finger prints / taking a photograph etc. They will ask for your passport, D160 and appointment confirmation letter.

09/16 Visa Interview, Just walked in at the time specified. After the security check, went to counter 8 where One officer Verified left 4 finger prints, no questions here and asked to move to counter 10.

There is couple in front of us and officer was asking so many questions almost for 20 mins. I felt like I got to see a bad **** today. finally he gave approval for them but the VISA category is B1/B2.

Now our Turn comes...

VO: Hello, Good morning
ME: Hello, Good Morning Officer.
VO: How are you guyz doing today?
ME: We are doing good, thank you. How are yu doing?
VO: I'm fine. Thank You.
VO: Can you give me your Passport and Approved Petition?
ME: Handed over.
VO; What is your JOb sir:
ME: Answered accordingly
VO: Do you have an End Client
ME: Yes, I've an End Client
VO: What is it?
ME: Told my Client Name.
VO: Pardon me. Whozz that? with a doubtful expression.
ME: Told the company name and its address.
VO: What it does?
ME: Answered accordingly.
VO: How much experience do you have?
ME: X Years
VO to my Wife: How long have you been married mam?
MY WIFE: 15 years
ME: sorry it's 15 months, my wife to said sorry and corrected.
VO: Do you really look like 15 year old married lady?
All Smiles.....
VO: Have you seen the White Booklet that states US rights?
WE: we just got it, will go through it.
 
and here are the golden words "Well, your VISA is approved"
WE: THank you officer.

Lucky that we were not asked too many questions. And the interview is no more than 3 mins. total time we spent at consulate is no more than 10 mins. It's faster than OFC.

Hope my message will bring you bit +ve feeling. Good luck to you all.

Hi,

Thanks Immihelp for the excellent resources which helped me to prepare and succeed in H1B interview.

I have a question regarding dependent Visa.

I alone filled up for DS160 and atteneded the interview for H1B.
Now i would like to apply dependent Visa for my spouse.
I am still in India and would probably travel early next year.
Does this pose any questions to her that y both of us not applied at same time?
My employer said that the my petition documents will do and no extra documents are needed apart from my passport copy,marriage certificate and an album.Could someone confirm on this and also explain if there are any issues if she goes for an interview before i leave to US ?

Thanks,