H1B, H4 Visa

Hi,
I have attended visa interview on 1st Oct and it went fine (Visa got approved)….Attended interview with family (Wife and 2 kids (4yrs boy 1yr old girl))
Background:
Working for US based MNC from last 4 and half years and having total 8 and half years experience.
Visa Priority: BEP
Consulate Location: Hyderabad
Booked Appointment on 16th September
OFC : 18th September
Appointment time is 3:30PM, we reached there around 2:30 and they asked us to wait up to 3:00. As we have 2 small kids, they allowed us inside straight away by avoiding Q line.
One person at main door is checking passports, DS160 confirmation page and visa appointment confirmation.
Then, second person is entering our DS 160 application number in his tablet and checking, and then they allowed us inside.
While generating bar code, person at counter asked couple of questions.
1. “Have you ever modified DS-160”: I told “NO”, then he repeated same question, they I said, ‘Yes, while filling the form we need to get some details from employer, those details I have updated’.
2. “What is purpose of visit”? I said, it’s “Work Assignment”. Then he said, ‘OK’ and asked to proceed inside.
3. At photo taking & Finger printing counter, there is no Q and I’m first person, lady asked for my finger prints and taken photo. They send my wife to separate counter. For our kids they scanned the photos, which we have carried.
That’s all over, and we came out in 10-15 mins.

For visa interview, I got very long gap and I gone through all different user experience in this forum.
Visa Interview:
Time is at 9:30, we reached consulate office by 8:00 and we waited 20 mins (Thought they may not allow 1 and half hour early) and started in the line at around 8:40
Initially (At main gate) they manually checked for the visa interview confirmation and passport and allowed inside.
In the first counter scanned bar code (pasted at OFC) and given token number and asked to proceed further.
Next is security check (similar to airport final security check), and they asked put all the belongings in a tray (Including wallet, Belt, lady ornaments, etc.).
We entered to a common area, one lady assisting there and she asked me to put my passport and Original I797 together and asked us to wait in the common area.
Then, I observed already so many people are waiting over there. My token number is 200+ and that time running token number is 100+, thought we may get our number faster as we have infant baby. Waited 15-20 mins (By that by kids started making big noise), then checked with that lady is there any faster processing possibility as we have kids, she told ‘no’, we have to wait.
Finally we waited for around 1and half hour, by that all the preparation and enthusiasm is gone in the interest of covering 2 kids.
Finally our turn came after 10:00, no one is there at counter, and we went straight away.
Me: Good morning, how are you doing today?
VO: smile and fine
VO: Passport please
Me: Given passport
VO: Which company you are going to work for?
Me: <Answered>
VO: Who is your client?
Me: <Answered>
VO: What is your salary?
Me: <Answered as per I797>
VO: What is your highest qualification?
Me: Master of Computer Applications, M.C.A
VO: To My wife: scan your left hand four fingers
She has done
VO: TO ME: Scan your right hand four fingers.
Me: Done
Now golden words came: “Your visa is approved”, I said than you and came out.
He has not asked any other document like: I797, etc.
After came back to office, I checked status by using DS-160 APP ID, it is showing….
ISSUED
Application ID or Case Number: YYYY YYYY XX
Case Creation Date: 30-Sep-2014
Status Updated Date: 01-Oct-2014
Interview is less than a min and I thought VO make me to engage for a while, when he is typing (Copy/Paste) something on his system.
My suggestion is: Proceed in the line at main gate to go inside as early as possible and plan to maintain your kids properly.

Hi,

First thanks to everyone who had shared their experiences at the consulate. This is an great forum which helped me in preparing for stamping process.

I know everyone would be eager to complete your OFC and interview process at the earliest and would go ahead of their schedule time which is the last thing you would want considering the chennai heat. Please do not go no earlier than the scheduled time minus 30 min.

If your interview slot is @ 9 the queue would formed no earlier than 8:30 so be there around 8:30 only.

28th Sep @ OFC
Pretty simple , basic questions such as name, date of birth, birth place and finger prints. Just ensure that your hear properly what OFC people speak, i could hardly hear what they spoke and was helped by the people around there.

29th Sep @ Consulate
My slot was @ 8 and i was there by 7:30. Huge amount of people and they extended the line till the gemini fly over bus stop. Went into the consulate by 8:15 and got the security check done.

Note: if your carrying infants , please make sure your accompanied by your parents/ relatives so that they can take care of the baby stuff such as water bottles , food stuffs else the security people would ask you to even open the water bottle and drink the water as well as part of their process.

Oops forgot to mention the documents which i had carried:

Main applicant:
1. Passports
2. approved petition
3. LCA
4. Client "And/or" MSA
5. original degree ceritifcates
6. 6 month bank statements
7. 3 month pay slips
8. Display your ID card

H4 :- Co applicant
1. Original certificates
2. your marriage certificate
3. your marriage photos (20 nos)

make sure all of your documents are in an transparent folder for ease of process.

Once your enter the actual consulate , please do not look into the counters for the questions asked by the VO. I did do that and saw many rejections/ admin processing which brought down my energy levels. You would be guided the consulate employees which counter to go and wait for your turn.

My turn came and i went to the counter

VO: good morning sir
Me: Good morning

VO: Your passports
me: i provided them

VO: Your client location
me: answered

VO: Your employer
me: answered

VO: Your salary
me: answered

VO: Have you been to US before
me: answered

H4 questions:

VO: how long are you been married
My wife: answered

VO: Whats your highest degree of qualification?
My wife: answered

Then came the words " your visa is approved" and gave a pamphlet explaining rights and responsibilities while stay in US

Thanks,
Iyer

Hi
I had an H1B interview at Ottawa consulate on 1st Oct 2014. I got 221g further review.
Also NO PIMS update on I129. Took my passport and all documents and told me to check in 1 week.

I am planning to go for H1B stamping in Hyderabad in the 3rd week of October and am getting all the documents together. I am working in EVC model for an IT consulting firm in US. I am working at client location (and not in an in-house project). This client location is also mentioned in my H1B petition

Here are the documents I have with me

Valid original passport and all old passports held + copies
Recent photographs
US Visa Application Form DS-160 confirmation page stamped at the Visa Application Center (VAC)
Visa Interview appointment letter copy
Original Notice of Action-I797.
I129 petition copy
LCA copy

Additional Supporting Documents required at the time of interview?
The original Notice of Action (Form I-797).
Form I-129 (if Form I-797 is a blanket permit,
Client letter from client taken within 3 weeks of the stamping date
Copy of Form I-797 and I-129),
Offer letter from employer at the time of joining
Recent letter from employer that describes your proposed duties and intention to hire you.
Previous work experience letters
Original degree certificates along with mark sheets.
Relevant diplomas or certificates, e.g. computer certification.
Last 6 months bank statement which proves my salary being credited,
Last 6 months pay slips
Last 2 years W2 forms
Last 2 years tax returns (1040)
I94 copy
Copy of SSN card,
Names and current phone numbers of the personnel managers at your present and previous positions; and
Latest Resume or CV.
Few photographs of my work location (employer and client)
Rent receipt, Mobile & Internet bills - proving my current address in US,

Here are the documents I don't have.
1) Project description document
2) Contract between employer-vendor, vendor-client

Did I miss any other documents and how crucial is it not having the above 2? Would it be "okay" if I attended the interview without the above 2?
Any suggestions welcome!

Hi

I am currently in India and holding H1b visa valid till 2016. But my current company asked me to do transfer to another company as they don't have projects.

Is it possible to transfer to another company before i travel to USA. Is it mandatory to do attend visa interview again if i do transfer to another company ?

Please help me on these questions.

1.My Approved petition having Consulate name is Hyderabad.But i would like to go for Chennai. Is it applicable?
2.If it applicable then if they ask about why you come to Chennai instead of hyd?

Please share you experience to me.It is important for me

Hi friends,

I have attended H1B visa interview along with my family which was fine, but the VO was not able to find my petition in the system, she tried many times in the system by looking at my I-797 but could not find. Finally she took our passports and I-797, and told me to Email them by checking with my employer if any paper work or anything is pending in my case and then they will issue the visas.
I have sent the email on the same day. Today it was the third day and still showing ‘administrative processing’, where as my friends got stamped passports within 2 days. VO has not given any color slip but took all of our passports along with I-797.
Any one has similar case?
Is this case similar to ‘petition not found in PIMS’?
If so what is the maximum time it will take to clear the issue?
Will there be any advantage if I call to DOS (Washington) to get more clarity on my case as I am getting only one answer from local consulate as ‘wait’ ?

Kindly suggest?

Hello,

I had a H1-B visa stamping interview at the US consulate in Ottawa today. Technically, this was my first H1-B stamping attempt. I have been on H1-b visa since last 6 years, but had not left the US after finishing my masters.
I was asked random questions, like why am I working through my employer and not joining my vendor directly. Also, I provided the client letter as well as the vendor letter, but the VO did not even read anything. He was busy collecting all the documents from me and kept telling me give him whatever I have. After that, he gave me 221-g for further review. I was interviewed by a VO on window 2 around 11am. At least, 2 other people were also provided 221g by this VO.
I'd appreciate your help/response.

Thanks!

Thanks for immihelp.com for providing very useful information. My VISA got approved on 09/26/2014 in Hyderabad consulate.

My OFC date was on 9/25/2014 at 08:30 AM.
My Consular date was on 09/26/2014 at 08:30 AM. I attended interview with myself,my spouse and my kids.

The Process as follows.
1. I reached consulate by 07:45 AM and was waiting in queue.
2. After 15 minutes, One guy came and verified our passport numbers in a tab and sent us inside
3. We collected token number and went through security check. they checked all my belongings.
4. After security check(Similar to airport), before waiting area, they asked our passport and I-797 and they kept them together and given to me back. They asked us to sit until my token comes on screen.
5. Once token comes on screen, we went to the window as displayed on screen and waited there to complete three more interviews before us.

Our turn came, as like others i was bit tensed and below was the conversation

ME: Good Morning Sir
VO: Good Morning After some time.
VO :Passports Please.
ME : Gave them to him. Also,passed I-797 after sometime though it was not asked.
VO : Asked to provide finger prints of my spouse
My spouse: done
VO: Asked my spouse and kids to wait aside as they were not needed after finger prints.
Me: They were standing aside(besides to me).
VO : Who is your employer
ME : Answered
VO : Who is your client
ME : Answered
VO : Where is your client location?
ME : Answered
VO : What is your client business
ME : Answered
VO : What are going to do at client location?
ME : Explained my responsibilities
VO : What does your client do?
ME : Answered.
VO : What is project name again?
Me : Answered
VO : Show me your client letter
ME : Given
VO : What is your highest qualification
ME : Master of computer applications, MCA
VO : What is your salary?
ME : Mentioned as per LCA
VO : He started typing in computer and did for long time.
Me : I was just kept quite and was seeing him while he was typing
VO : After three minutes, he asked to provide my finger prints
Me : done
VO : Given I-797 and client to me back.
Me : I have taken documents back
VO : Collect your passports in 2 to 3 days(It was not clear to me)
Me : I did not confirm again and just said thank you, sir and left the window.

We came to home and checked our VISA applications status as per DS-160 application numbers. My status was showing as "Administrative processing" while my spouse and kids were shown as "issued". Again i was bit tensed, started checking the status for every one hour and at 4 PM my status was changed to "Issued". Then got much relief.

Hi,

I would like to thanks a lot to immi help forum.
I have prepared a lot for my visa interview.
I did my OFC appointment in Hyderabad on 25th Sept.
I did my visa interview in Chennai on 30th Sept.

Here is the visa interview questions:

1).Which Company you would be working for?
YYYY X

2).Will you be working in the Client Place?
No Sir, I will be working for in-house project at the employer's location

3).How long have you been working for the Employer?
It's a new opportunity.

4).What is highest Qualification do you have ?
YYYY X

5).Where are you working currently?
I told my current company name.

6).How long have you been working?
I told my current company IT experience.

During my visa interview, VO asked me to show the I-129 document. I gave my I-129 document and end of the interview they asked me to give the employer documents.

I had given project description, income tax return and employment offer letter documents to the VO.

He said that he will verify the documents and he will get back to me.

Then I went to lobby and sat for 40 mints, at finally I got a call from same counter and then I went there and stood for 2 mins, I think there were discussing some thing about my visa, then VO said that, we are going to approve your visa. I waited for 5 more minutes in the same queue, at finally visa officer said that your visa is approved. they took my passport and handover all the documents which I gave to visa officer.

I received the pamphlet booklet from visa officer.

I said thanks and left the counter.

I was praying for god a lot when I sat in lobby.

At finally they approved my visa.
I'm very happy now.

JAI SAI RAM.

Thanks