H1B, H4 Visa

Thanks a lot for immihelp. It helped me a lot to prepare for the interview.

OFC interview - 11AM - 4th December 2013

Document required
   - Passport
   - DS 160
   - VISA appointment letter
If you have kids take their photograph as mentioned in the VISA specifications. In my case at VFC, the office took the photo of my kid's photo.

Consulate interview - 8.30AM - 5th December 2013.

Reached the consulate at 8AM. Though the queue was not too big, it took 1.15 mins to enter inside the consulate. After security check went inside the main hall. Since we went with kid, we go priority token. After entering into the interview area, within 1 min I was called for VISA interview. In fact, I thought I will get sometime to prepare for the interview :).

Went to the VISA officer, before me there is one F1 candidate and L2 candidate. The VO was in very very good mood, she was very friendly, she was asking questions to gather information.

My turn came and here are the questions:

Me: Hello Mam, good morning. How are you doing?
VO: Good morning, doing great.

VO: Are you for H1B?
Me: Yes

VO: Please pass your passports?
Me: Sure

VO: Which company you work for?
Me: xxxxx (told the company name, mine is MNC and a product based company)

VO: How much salary you are getting?
Me; Answered

VO: What is your highest qualification?
Me: Answered

VO: what is your proposed duties?
Me: Answered in 2 to 3 lines.

Questions to my wife:

VO: What is your highest qualification?
My wife: Answered

VO: How long you are married?
My wife: Answered

Then the VO told my visa is approved, and the passports will come in 3 to 5 days.

In my case, I am currently working in US on L1, and mine is L1 to H1 conversion from the same employer. But no questions were asked about that.

In general, be confident and cool. I tried to be cool but I was little tensed before the interview. But since the VO was in good mood, it helped me a lot.

I was wearing my company badge during the interview, I believe that helped me too.

All the best guys!!!!
 

  

Hi all,

A great thanks for immihelp and all the users who posted their exp in this site which helped us a lot. I would like to summarize our exp here.

We had appointments on x and y Dec at Chennai.

FIRST DAY

Previous day we reached exactly 10 mins before our appointment time. Since we had our eight months baby with us they didn't ask us to wait anywhere. So we went straight inside OFC. There will be a person sitting outside checking our passports, DS - 160 and confirmation page and let us inside by writing some number on it.

Then everywhere there will be boards to guide us to reach the place. There another person, again checking and paste some small sticker in our passport and will ask us to wait in a queue. Wife and child went directly inside after finishing security check inside the OFC hall. Then there will be n number of counters where only Indian people will be sitting. When they call out our number, we need to go to that particular counter and give our fingerprints and take photo and that's it for the day. Actually we had two DS-160 forms. So even it doesn't take much time. Just they will paste that new bar-code in our passport.

NEXT DAY

Here comes the most awaited and exited day which we were longing for from the past 8 months.

We were there before 30 mins of our appointment time. Again as we had baby we didn't wait anywhere in the queue just went straight inside where they will ask husband and wife separate and will ask to join inside. Security check two times outside and inside and documents check in the tray. At last they will ask to move to next building which is not too far from this one. There first our finger prints will be checked by the US person in the counter.

Then again due to baby we were queued first to VISA interview. Our stomachs were bugging but we were very cool with smiling face without tense. Because we will automatically loose our fear we will become casual.

Here comes our questions.

VO: Hello GM
ME: Good morning Mam

VO: Please give your passports
Me: given

VO: To whom you will be working
Me: YYYY Limited ( My employer)

VO: Where you will be traveling
Me: I will be traveling to AA.

VO: Oh whether you will be traveling to AA or BB? (Since i mentioned i will be working in AA and staying in BB)
Me: Answered accordingly.

VO: What is your salary in US?
Me: XYZ Dollars per year

VO: Who is your client?
Me: Answered

VO: Whether it is an internal or external prj?
ME: Answered

VO: What is your highest educational qualification?
Me: Answered.

VO: Is this your wife?
Me: Yes Mam

And that's all for me and next to my wife

VO: How long you been married?
Me: Its been x year and y months

VO: Do you have only one child?
Me: Answered

VO: What is your highest educational qualification?
Me: Answered.

Then VO were checking something and updating in the system and we were eagerly waiting for the reply for the result.

then the long long awaited golden words came from the VO

"YOUR VISAS ARE APPROVED"....

Then gave the white pamphlet and wished us a safe trip....

Finally we were like freezed.

And one more important thing is they have stopped the courier service. So you can track your passport status and wait for the email and you need to collect your passport from the pick up which has been mentioned in the confirmation page.

While you go to collect your passport from the pick up point, don't forget to take original PHOTO ID proof and self attested photocopy of that proof. For wife and child if they don't come with you, please take a authorization letter for both kid and wife with the Photo ID proof original and photocopy. And that's it. Finally we got our passports with VISAS..

Hope this post will help you.

Don't get panic and tensed, Just be cool with charming face. Everything will go fine.

ALL THE BEST....................

Hi all,

A great thanks for immihelp and all the users who posted their exp in this site which helped us a lot. I would like to summarize our exp here.

We had appointments on x and y Dec at Chennai.

FIRST DAY

Previous day we reached exactly 10 mins before our appointment time. Since we had our eight months baby with us they didn't ask us to wait anywhere. So we went straight inside OFC. There will be a person sitting outside checking our passports, DS - 160 and confirmation page and let us inside by writing some number on it.

Then everywhere there will be boards to guide us to reach the place. There another person, again checking and paste some small sticker in our passport and will ask us to wait in a queue. Wife and child went directly inside after finishing security check inside the OFC hall. Then there will be n number of counters where only Indian people will be sitting. When they call out our number, we need to go to that particular counter and give our fingerprints and take photo and that's it for the day. Actually we had two DS-160 forms. So even it doesn't take much time. Just they will paste that new bar-code in our passport.

NEXT DAY

Here comes the most awaited and exited day which we were longing for from the past 8 months.

We were there before 30 mins of our appointment time. Again as we had baby we didn't wait anywhere in the queue just went straight inside where they will ask husband and wife separate and will ask to join inside. Security check two times outside and inside and documents check in the tray. At last they will ask to move to next building which is not too far from this one. There first our finger prints will be checked by the US person in the counter.

Then again due to baby we were queued first to VISA interview. Our stomachs were bugging but we were very cool with smiling face without tens. Because we will automatically loose our fear and we will become casual.

Here comes our questions.

VO: Hello GM
ME: Good morning Mam

VO: Please give your passports
Me: given

VO: To whom you will be working
Me: YYYY Limited ( My employer)

VO: Where you will be traveling
Me: I will be traveling to AA.

VO: Oh whether you will be traveling to AA or BB? (Since i mentioned i will be working in AA and staying in BB)
Me: Answered accordingly.

VO: What is your salary in US?
Me: XYZ Dollars per year

VO: Who is your client?
Me: Answered

VO: Whether it is an internal or external prj?
ME: Answered

VO: What is your highest educational qualification?
Me: Answered.

VO: Is this your wife?
Me: Yes Mam

And that's all for me and next to my wife

VO: How long you been married?
Me: Its been x year and y months

VO: Do you have only one child?
Me: Answered

VO: What is your highest educational qualification?
Me: Answered.

Then VO were checking something and updating in the system and we were eagerly waiting for the reply for the result.

then the long long awaited golden words came from the VO

"YOUR VISAS ARE APPROVED"....

Then gave the white pamphlet and wished us a safe trip....

Finally we were like freezed.

And one more important thing is they have stopped the courier service. So you can track your passport status and wait for the email and you need to collect your passport from the pick up point which has been mentioned in the confirmation page.

While you go to collect your passport from the pick up point, don't forget to take original PHOTO ID proof and self attested photocopy of that proof. For wife and child if they don't come with you, please take a authorization letter for both kid and wife with the Photo ID proof original and photocopy. And that's it. Finally we got our passports with VISAS..

Hope this post will help you.

Don't get panic and tensed, Just be cool with charming face. Everything will go fine.

ALL THE BEST....................

Thank you so much immihelp and for all you for sharing their experience that really helped me a lot to get this clear the visa interview process

Here is what i went through

Dec 4th i attended OFC

I had 2 DS160 form since i did mistake with the first one, so i requested the officer in OFC to make the changes and they made it without any hassles. Thanks to them

It almost took 45 minutes to complete all the formalities and i came out free.

DeC 5th 9.30 was my appointment in Chennai consulate.

i was there by 9.15 am and the whole road was with a long queue.

They did the regular check and finally asked me to step in front of the VO

Me: Good Morning sir
VO: Good Morning

VO: Can i have your passport please?
Me: yes sir

VO: who is your employer?
Me: YYYY

VO: who is your client?
Me: ZZZ

VO: What does your client do?
Me: I explained about my customer

VO: how long you have been with your employer?
Me: 2 years and 2 months

VO: How long with your client?
Me:2 years and 2 months

VO: So your employer recruited you for your client?
Me: yes sir

VO took some time and was searching for something on his computer and in the meantime was looking at my passport and its papers

VO: Is this the first time you are traveling to US?
Me: yes Sir

VO: Here is the pamphlet which will talk about your rights and law, your VISA IS APPROVED.
Me: Thank you sir, have a nice day!!!

I work for an US based fortune 500 company for past 3.5 years. Being eligible for drop box, I went to Hyderabad OFC office for dropping off documentation for visa extension with same employer. Not knowing what will be asked at the OFC office, I took all possible available documentation with me including 2 copies of it.

Only below documents were asked for visa.
1. Drop box confirmation letter
2. DS 160 confirmation letter
3. 2 Photos (make sure absolutely no shadows. I had to go out to get my photos taken due to hair line width of shadow in background)
4. Copy of I-797
5. New and old passport

I asked the officer to include employer verification letter or pay slips and the answer was NO.

Submitted the documents on 11/18 morning around 10:30 AM IST. I received email on 11/26 1AM IST indicating my passport is ready for pickup.

When I checked status on https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx it says visa "Issued".

Hi ,

My employer has not provided the LCA copy to me. Is it a mandatory documents which needs to be provided during H1B VI?

Thanks,
N

I attended H1b Interview at Chennai US Consulate on Dec 2nd along with my husband who applied for H4

Below is the interview conversation

VO: Good morning Ma’am, Good morning Sir :)
Applicants: Good morning :)

VO: Can I have your passports please
Applicant: Sure.

VO: Which company do you work for?
Primary Applicant: Mention employer name

VO: How long have you been working with the employer?
Primary Applicant: Answered accordingly

VO: Which location will you be travelling to in the US?
Primary Applicant: Answered accordingly

VO: What is your designation?
Primary Applicant: Computer Systems Analyst (as mentioned in the LCA)

VO: Who is your client?
Primary Applicant: Mention the client name YYYY

VO: what is your clients business?
Primary Applicant: Give a brief of client s business eg: what do they do?

VO: Can you spell your client name?
Primary Applicant: Spelt the client name

VO: How long have you been married?
Primary Applicant: Answer accordingly

VO: Can I look at your Marriage Certificate
Primary Applicant: Yes. Sure.

VO: Sir, Which company do you work for?
Dependent: Answered accordingly

VO: How long have you worked for your company?
Dependent: Answered accordingly

VO: Thank you. Your visa’s have been approved .you will receive your stamped passport in 4-5 working days. Have a good day :)
Applicants: Thank you. Have a good day too :)

Have all your documents ready.Be confident,polite and answer to the point. All the best:)

My employer said my project is of In-house project and in petition docs saying like project is for the client xyz. My doubt here is for in house project can we have client and client letters?

When i gone through the client site there i able to see "Powered by Employer name" and employer as corporate partner to that client. I got confused like now i should have client letter or employer's offer letter only enough as in house project?

Your inputs will be helpful to me.

Dears,

I would like to thank all those people who shared their experiences, questions and suggestions through IMMIHELP. I prepared only from this forum and these truly helped me a lot for my interview.

Long awaiting day finally arrived!!

I attended OFC on XYth November and Visa interview on YZ November at MUMBAI. This was actually an amendment of H1B which was approved in 20XX. But I could not attend the embassy then.
I am currently working for one of MNC’s in India and H1 was applied from a small employer with middle size client.

OFC: -
Total time taken: - 15 mins (Process: - 5 mins, Waiting: - 10 mins)

OFC center reminded me of movies, people waiting in long queues with files and folders in scorching sun, wiping their sweat and waiting for their turn to come.
As we all are eager and obviously do not want to miss any opportunity, we go there prepared carrying all documents and almost an hour earlier. It will only test our patience. Trust me no one will open the gates or allow you to sit inside in shade. Sorry girls no preference here!!!

You are allowed inside before 15mins only. ONLY BELOW mentioned documents are required and will be asked for OFC.

Appointment Confirmation Letter
DS-160
Passport

They will check your details on appointment confirmation and DS 160 with passport at the gate. Then you are allowed inside in a queue where you are directed to collect a token number for OFC. Please ignore even if the person over there does not greet you. Does not matter!! Your passport will be checked and a sticker will be attached at the backside and a token will be given to you. You will be redirected to a room where hardly 5 counters were operating. You will be asked to stand at one of the counters. The lady will ask your above documents and passport. Your picture will be taken and finger prints will be scanned. Your DS-160 will be stamped and documents given to you. Collect all documents, if required can take courier form given at exit. That’s all you are done for the day!! (I took courier form on OFC day only and filled with mailing address :) )

INTERVIEW: - (My big day)

Total time taken: - 90 mins (Process: - 5 mins, Interview: - 15 mins, waiting: - 70 mins)

My slot was at 9 AM and reached there by 8 AM (travelled from Pune to Mumbai). I spent some time in car preparing questions and went to main gate at 8:50AM as my astrologer said me to go after 8:45 AM only?. Do not worry they will allow you even if you go 30mins before your allotted slot. But going beyond 30 mins will make you formal dress night dress as there is no place to wait there.

Documents I have carried to interview:

I-797
I-129 documents “Petition document”
LCA "Labor Condition Application"
Offer letter
Client invitation Letter (CIL)
Business level service agreement between employer and the client letter
Latest CV (Your role and responsibility should match with CIL)
Last 3 months pay slip
Last 3 months bank statement
Current organization appointment letter
All academic supporting documents
DS-160 Confirmation
Passport
Visa Appointment letter
Federal/State Tax documents
Project description
Passport 1st and last pages Photo copy
Present IT returns

They will check only your passport at the gate and will give you white pamphlet and redirect you to wait in queue. It was a long queue, many people and many emotions!! I had to wait almost 30 mins in the queue before I went inside for security check.

Security check: - There you will be asked to put all your documents in a tray and they will be scanned. You can collect your documents after security check. Please do not carry any pen drives, digital watches, remote keys, they are not allowed inside and you will be asked to go out. Repeat whole process again!!

Token collection and finger prints: - After security check you have to collect you token from a counter. They will paste it on your passport and redirect you to finger print confirmation!! Everyone over here will greet you so gracefully!!!
Now Waiting !!!..... You have to wait there. Lucky if you got seat there. Please monitor the screens for your number to attend interview at a counter.

 At one counter, VO over there was approving almost everyone’s visa. I was praying to get my token on that counter. Luckily that was my lucky number counter :). I got on same counter. By the time I went there it was 10:00 am.
Just before I was in queue, 2 people continuously before me were rejected!! To my misfortune, the person who was rejected (10+ exp guy) started arguing with VO and VO said indirectly f **** *. His mood completely changed!! :( I was like OMG!!! What the hell did he do!!!

My tension increased and heart beat rose. I could hear my heart beat.

My turn now:

VO: (He signaled me and wished me with expression less and looking at monitor) Good Morning!!
 (One good thing about VO’s, they give respect to women and children. I was relieved somewhat.)

Me: Good Morning!! (With full confidence and smile. Hands still cold but did not show on face!!)

VO: Pass your passport please
Me: passed
VO: please pass I797
Me: Passed (By this time I had organized all my documents in a folder with labels. VO was observing my documents and the way I organized)
VO: So you work for *** (my employer. looking at my I-797)
Me: No Sir. This will be my new employment. I currently work for ABC.
VO: Please pass your petition document
 (I was confused and did not understand what petition document is, but did not show up my confusion. Luckily I took it out with I-797)
VO: (Looking at my file) Yes. The one on the top. (My God he is observing!!!)
Me: Passed I-129 (and then understood that I-129 was petition document)
VO: Pass me Client contract.
Me: Passed
VO: Give me Client letter please.
Me: Passed
VO: Who is your employer?
Me: *** (new employer).
VO: Who is your client?
Me: said name
VO: What is your highest qualification?
Me: Masters in **** *** from *** University
VO: Since when are you working for *** (my current company)?
Me: X yrs and Y months
VO: What is your current package?
Me: ** Lakhs per annum
VO: So you will be working at Client location?
Me: Yes sir
VO: Where are you traveling?
Me: XYZ state
VO: What is your role?
Me: ***
VO: What will you do there?
ME: Explained my responsibilities clearly and my project name.
(VO looked at my client letter and verified my roles. Then checked Client agreement copy and started typing on computer)
VO: How many people from your employer work for your client?
Me: I do not know sir. I will know once I report to my employer. (Please get the details from employer in prior. This led me into crocodiles den!! and took whole smooth interview into a tension interview !! ?)
VO: What!! (Looking at me) you do not know about your client!!
Me: (With smile and confidence) Sir, I do not know as he is my client and I will get all details from my employer once I report them.
VO: what is your project?
Me: *** project. (VO immediately started searching in computer. He looked not satisfied. So I continued) Explained confidently and crispy in 4 lines everything I knew and then stopped giving him some time.
Tip: - Do not stop until he looks confident but in not more than 4 lines. Once done, stop and give him some time. This will give him impression that we are not excited or eager to get the Visa and are not convincing him.
VO: Is *** (my project) different from ** (my client)?
Me: No. It is part of ** (my Client)
VO: (Again searching on computer, trying to get details and confirming) Is it a product of ** (client)?
ME: Yes. (Thought it is better to say yes than to give him scope to ask all questions. I was already too tired then)
VO looked satisfied. He looked at me like,” Idiot why did not you explain all this before. This would have saved my time and search”. ? He showed white pamphlet at corner of screen and asked
VO: Did you get White pamphlet?
Me: Yes. (I was happy :) )
But still the golden words were not coming and questions were coming up from him!! I literally started praying to my Guru.
VO read total Employee and Client letter like he was preparing for examination. Then he took one page and gave it to me along with I-797.
VO: This is women’s right in US. You can take this. (Passing both I 797 and white paper)
Me: (I took only paper and confirmed from him) Sir Can I take I 797?
VO: Yes please!! (Now in a happier tone)
VO: What will be your salary in US?
Me: **Thousand USD
VO: Do you have kids?
Me: No sir.
VO: Are you married?
Me: (With a big smile!!) Yes sir (Still thinking why he asked kids first? Thought he might be confused too :))
VO: Will your husband join you?
Me: No Sir. He has some other plans. (I actually said, “No sir, He has no other plans now” :) and then recollected what I said. I did not recorrect though as he might have stressed on that!! :) )
VO: For how long you will be working?
Me: Sir they asked me to work for a year for now.
VO was serious now after I answered above two questions. VO typing…typing….typing…typing like he was solving bug in production server. He looked confused whether or not to give me VISA. I was praying very hardly to my deity now to give me VISA. Then again showed the white pamphlet and said looking at me with in a question mark face
VO: You must read the white pamphlet thoroughly before coming to US
Me: Sure sir. (I was like “Is the Visa issued?” and trying to understand him, as he did not say that visa is approved)
VO: (Passing all documents except Passport, said seriously) Your visa will be ready in a couple of days.
Me: (Took all documents and wished him) Thank you sir!!! Good Day!!

I started walking fast from there not even looking back. I was afraid he would call me back and ask some more questions :)
 
Came out of center to queue line where we were waiting in morning and put all documents now not in an organized way. Took the courier form and gave at the courier counter, Payed 300 Rs and came out at 10:20. The whole process took 90 minutes.

Still not believing the Visa was issued. I confirmed when I received my passport next day at 02:30 pm!! :) Now all set to go!!

Folks, do not worry about anything. Everyone’s unique. Though two people before me were rejected, I was selected.
Just a recap!!

1. All your documents must be strong.
2. Confidence and Smile is what they see.
Do not get disheartened or lose your smile if VO is serious or is not responding for a long time. Smile even if it is artificial.
Do not look eager / anxious / excited to take visa.
Even after you get the Visa, be calm. (You can show your emotions outside hall as they observe)
3. Do not show tension in your body language. (They observe every moment of yours a lot)
Be confident when you walk.
Your tone should be clear and must sound confident.
Do not speak fast.
4. Use simple and crispy answers to the point.
Do not start convincing him.
Even if you forgot something which you wanted to explain just stop there and do not explain too much.
5. Please carry your documents organized as they are visible to VO.
If you don’t have some documents explain clearly and confidently.
6. Read well all your documents and about Project.
7. Dressing for Ladies:- Formals
a. Indian – Cotton dress, preferably light colors.
b. Western – business formals (coat and tie not mandate)
8. Your Luck

Wishing everyone Good Luck!! Thank you!!

Jai GuruDeva :)

I am planning to go for h1b visa stamping but i have a problem with my name. Name in passport appears as
Last name: xyz
Given name:abc efg

but in H1 documents and other drivers license and bank statements name appears as
Last Name: xyz
First Name: efg abc

will this be an issue.