H1B, H4 Visa

I have approved petition for HB extension till Aug 2015 . . I have to go urgently to India for personal reasons and my wife is not fit to travel with me to India for medical reasons . . . . is it OK to attend hb stamping alone ?

Hi ,

Thanks for the immihelp for providing platform to share our experiences.

had OFC on 3rd Feb and Interview on 4th Feb. Mine was extension for the same employer.

OFC 3rd Feb in Chennai:

everything went fine...it will take 30 min to 1 hr time for whole process. They take photograph and finger prints..
Not to worry abt this.

Interview on 4th Feb in Chennai:

Me : Good morning sir, How r u ?
VO: Good Thanks!. how r u ?

VO: Are you from YYYY comp?
ME: Yea.

VO : Are you a superviser?
ME: Nope..But kind of lead with 3-4 team members.

VO: OK. Who is your client?
ME: Answered.

VO: Are you working for the same organization from the time you applied for extn?
ME: Yes.

VO: How long you have been with your employer?
ME: Answered.

VO: how long you have been with this client?
ME: Answered.

VO: were you leading team when you were at offshore?
ME: Yes..for about 8 months.

VO: How many projects your superviser handles?
ME: 3-4

VO: how much % does he involves in your work?
ME : explained his role in my project.

He was taking in between and typing something..finally he said visa is approved and have a nice vacation.

It was about 9-10 mins..i was scared for a moment that my visa might be put on hold for more documentation...

Thanks,
 

Background: H1b Visa Extension, with same employer.

I had choice to skip interview with new process, and submit documents by drop box, but as I did research on drop box, there is not any specific time line given for decision, and sometimes officer may call for interview, so we took personal interview.

OFC Interview Feb 17, 2013, 2:30 PM:

We reached OFC centre around 1 PM, they allow us to go inside. Process is straight forward. Appointment confirmation checked, then token given for each applicant, after waiting 10-15 mins, I called on different counter and my wife & daughter on different counter. All figure scan and photo taken for all of us.
My daughter is around 3 yrs, so they told us don’t carry for personal interview.

Personal Interview Feb 19, 2013, 10:30 AM:

We reached consulate around 8 AM, they allow us to go inside. After all security check they sent to one large open hall. After 5-10 mins one Indian VFS guy came and asked us about daughter age and then allowed us to go inside.
Inside consulate another Indian guy take our I-797 and Passport and give us token number.
Then he told us to go to counter 42 where figure prints are verified. My and Wife’s figure prints are verified. Then they told us to wait and watch TV screens for token number. After 5 mins our token number was displayed on screen.
We went to respective counter.

VO: Good morning..
We: Good Morning Sir..

VO to my wife: Daughters age?
My Wife: 2.7 yrs
VO: Where she born?
My Wife: Answered place.
VO: Which hospital
My Wife: told hospital name
VO to Me: still with same company?
Me: Yes
VO: Where r u going?
Me: Place and State
VO: Salary?
Me: YYYY X USD.
VO: Have you gone through this white pamphlet.
Me: No, but I got this from outside and I will go through it.
VO given one paper for rights of married women’s in USA and told us golden words “Visa Approved”.

We all said Thank you and Bye to VO.

We are out of consulate around 8:35 and reached home before actual our interview time. ?

Not any document asked for me.

I noticed, if you are coming with kid, your wait time is very less compare to normal interviews.

4th March 2013 - OFC , My interview was scheduled at 2:00 PM, i reached by 12:40, and saw people standing outside in long queue :).......i just asked one person about his appointment time, he told 1:00 PM ,Then, i was searching for waiting room, it costs me 400 bugs :( ....... i asked them about using internet, they told, 200 bugs more... i told thanks, i don wana use it ;)... i entered queue at 1:30,then, i got my chance, Officer applied one sticker on back side of my passport, i took a token, my token was announced , i just gave my finger prints , he clicked my snap, (he asked asked me, "r u wearing any lenses, i told yes, then he asked me, colored ?", i told No, then he ok, np :) ........... remember, don wear colored lenses,


5th March 2013, My D day :)...
My Interview was scheduled at 9:00 AM, i reached by 7:45 and entered in Queue, People roaming there, for passport, i got stressed as i was able to find it :( , Always remember to keep your passport in front, After 2.5 hrs, i got in, i gave my finger prints, and got one token, after 20 min, my token got displayed in TV, i was very nervous, Remember not to show ur nervousness in front of Officer.

VO: Good Morning Madam
Me: Wish u the same Sir.

VO: Gimme ur passport madam
Me: I gave him All, :(, Passport, i797m ds160, everything,

VO: Only passport madam.
Me: Yes, Sorry

VO: Who is your Employer
Me: YYYY

VO: Which Client?
Me: YYYY

VO: where r u going?
Me: YYYY

VO: How much they pay?
Me: YYYY

VO: Whats your highest qualification ?
Me: YYYY

VO: Are you single or married?
Me: YYYY

After that, he was doing something on system, Till that tym, i got to know, he is going to approve my VISA :) i was still waiting for Golden words from officer...

VO: Ur Visa is Approved, will be delivered in 2-5 business days.
Me: Thanks and have a nice day ahead :)..........


TIPS - ONLY CONFIDENCE .... By heart ur DS160 ....................... All the very best..................

Rgs,
Nikita

I have attended H1B interview on Nov 5th 2012 at Hyderabad consulate throught X company , the VO was put my case in Admin Processing .Later Y company asked me to go for L1B and I got L1B visa on Jan 23,2012.

So need to understand the status of my H1B ?
Do I get my old H1B visa stamped in the future or will it become stale ?

Pls help

Thanks all for keeping the forum alive by sharing you experiences. Just want to do my bit.

I had applied for H1B renewal and opted for the Dropbox option since I met the necessary criteria as per Stanley website
Here's the timeline

Feb 12 - Went to VFS office in Chennai. Security checked me in after basic checks. I was given a token and I approached the counter when prompted. Of course there are always people to help and direct. Documents submitted:
Mandatory:
Dropbox confirmation letter
Passport
Approval notice

Supporting docs(The lady behind the counter did not specifically ask for any documents. She just asked med to hand over any doc that I thought would help my case - so convenient!!)
Petition papers including LCA
Employment verification letter confirming my position and salary
Last 3 months bank statement
Last 3 years W2
Last year's IT returns

Tracked passport by mailing [email protected] with just my Passport number in the subject (no body, just the subject field)
Feb 12 - 18 - Same status - The current status of your passport is Delivered To Post. (this apparently means that my documents have been submitted to US consulate by VFS)
Feb 19 - Ready for pickup

Feb 20 - I had opted for the pickup option and not courier since I was on a short trip to India. My father could collect the passport on my behalf. I was told by VFS to hand over an authorization letter, my id proof copy to the person going to pick it up. My father also had to take his identity proof (original + copy is safer)

It was a quick turn around considering consulate was closed on Feb 16,17,18 due to weekend and some bandh.

Hi All,
I had a very bad experience in singapore consulate during my H1b visa stamping.
Sharing my experience here.........
 
I approached US consulate of singapore around 9.30AM and my interview scheduled time was 10.30am.There were not much people in front of me so security officer asked me to get inside the office for security check.after security check i entered the office.there was a machine to get token number and i got the number as "---".
I crossed my fingers and waited there for my turn,then i was called to counter number 2 for document submission.
after submitting my docs waited for 7-10mints..then i was called to counter number 4 for thumb impression.Officer in the counter was very nice and she asked me follow some steps for thumb impression.
after that the lady gave me a folder which contains all the docs which i have submitted few mints back.
again waited for 10-12mints...
and my token called to proceed counter number 5..
i approached to the counter and greeted him with a gud morning followed by a nice smile.
he said gud morning.
VO:so you are with XX company?
me:yes.
VO: what is this company for?[and he looked at the computer with an unpleasant face]
me: i explained abt the company
VO: what will be your position thr?
me:Programmer analyst
VO: so you will be going to YY?
me :Yes.
then asked my salary in singapore...and few other general questions.
after this he asked something to a lady who was sitting next to him.then she showed something on the top.
he took a pink slip and wrote my name and marked for 2011 tax papers,and few other documents.
without asking for tax papers he just assumed that i dont have tax papers and marked it in 221(g) letter.
then i told him i have the tax papers and passed the sealed envelope to him..after seeing it he strike 2011 and changed it to 2012 papers.
similarly other documents also he never asked me and just started writing down in 22(g) pink slip.
that time i didnt had 2012 tax papers with me and given me pink 221(g) slip.
okay this was my first experience..
.
second experience was really terrific.........
after 3 weeks my employer provided me the tax papers...i approached US consulate again for paper submission.
only 3-4ppls were thr in the office.
again same steps as token generation and counter 2 document submission.
i showed them my 221(g) slip and submitted tax returns for the year of 2012..
they asked me to wait for some more time..
waited for 20-25mints..
then the VISa officer called me to counter number 5..
He gave me a white 22(g) slip and told me that they cannot approve my visa ..thatz it...
I dont understand whatz happened inside the office...
in 22(g) letter content is copied here.
 
"In accordance with US law and department of state guidelines,action on your case has been suspended,and the I-129 petition for a Non-Immigrant Worker filed on your behalf will be returned to the USCIS with a memorandum explaining the fats of your case as presented to us at the time of interview.The US Embassy in Singapore is no longer handling your case,and will be unable to give you any information on the status of you petition."
 
initially they just asked me for tax papers and after submitting it they says they cannot approve my VISA...
i dont understand why it is like this....
my employers visa rank is below 200 and they are very very good in IT consulting..
anyone please advice me what can be the reason behind this???
 
Regards,
Amit

HI All,

First of let me thank you everyone of you for sharing the experience which is really a key and it increases the confidence .....Hats off

And Now am looking at such experts guidelines...pls help

I had a visa interview on 25 Feb 2013 .

It went well with same frequently asked questions like

Mine : Good Morning Sir

VO : Good Morning,Can I have your passport.
Mine : I have given my passport..

VO: Where are you going?
Mine: Answered

VO: Whats your Role?
Mine: Answered

VO:How long you have been working with this company?
Mine: I will be joing them once I get my visa approved,since it is a hetrogenous landscape and it requires someone multiskilled like me at onshore to draw a solution.

VO:How did you find this job?
Mine: I have received a call from the organization with reference to my profile in the jobsite

VO:Can I have your H1B documents?
Mine:I have given the bunch of H1P paperwork docs

VO:Can I see your client letter?
Mine:I have given the client letter.

Then he retained the passport and gave a booklet in which we see the informations about the labour laws Do and Don'ts in US ,its like we need to educate ourself before we travel to US.

Since there is no word on my visa I have asked the VO about my Visa?

VO : Replied " I guess it is approved"

and retained my passport.

When I am tracking the status of the visa through "https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx?eQs=WwjqOlbeRYzCYubaSQI+RA== "

and it says my visa is in "Administrative Processing"
 and below that
"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. "

I am really worried about last two lines of the above said message "If your visa application is approved, it will be processed and mailed/available within two business days. " Because my status is still same after two business days"Administrative Processing "? Also I wanted to know if there is any chance of visa rejection even after VO retain our passport?

Kindly help with your expertise.

Thanks in Advance,
Sakthi12

Hi All,

I have attended the interview in Hyd. Hope this helps all of you.

H1B/H4 OFC on 25th Feb:
I had made a mistake in my DS-160 form and taken the appointment. After consulting with my HR and this forum, I filled new DS-160 with correct information and carried it to OFC center which is right opposite to consulate in Begumpet Hyd. My scheduled time was 2:00 PM. Guard asked us to enter at 1:50 PM only. Next was the scanning of DS-160 confirmation number. Please make sure that you promptly tell then initially itself that you have a new DS-160 filled up and ask them to scan that one instead of old DS-160 confirmation number. They will paste the bar-code of old DS-160 on your passport and cut it out with a pen. Next, security check and re-validation of DS-160. Please make sure to tell them again about your new DS-160. Then they will ask you to enter in a waiting room where as per your token number your finger prints and photo will be taken.
Again, make sure that you only give new DS-160 (if changed) confirmation sheet only. Also, important thing to remember is to get new bar-code (in case you have filled new DS-160) pasted on your passport.

This whole process took 30 min. Then you are all set for the D'Day.


H1B/H4 Interview on 26th Feb:
My appointment was for 11:00 AM. I reached at 10:30 AM and waited in the queue. At 10:45 AM, they asked us to go for security check. Once through it, they will verify your DS-160 and passport.
Please do not show any old DS-160 (in case you have filled new DS-160) confirmation sheet.
Once all the verifications are done, you need to enter the waiting area and get a token number and then wait for your chance.
I had to wait for almost 30 min as there was huge rush on that day.
My token number got announced and I have to go to counter number 15. When I reached there, VO was interviewing another person and my number was next. His visa was approved. And it was good to see that VO called that person back as VO understood that the person had some question but he didn't ask may be cauz of fear. Person asked the question and left. Again, this incident gave a lot of confidence to me as well (the way VO reacted was good to see).
Next, VO asked us to come forward.
VO: GM Sir.
Me: GM sir. How are you doing today? (with a smile)

VO: I am doing god sir. Can I have your passport please?
Me: Handed over passport, I797 to VO.

VO: (Took only passport and scanned DS-160 confirmation from back of both the passport and smiled). For which client you will be traveling to US?
Me: Answered with just the client name.

VO: (took 1 min searching something on his comp) To my wife - What is your highest qualification?
My Wife: Answered.

VO: What's the specialization? (with a big smile)
My Wife: Answered the same with a smile.

Next VO asked both of us to scan mine and wife's right and left 4 fingers respectively and said the golden words. "Sir, you visa is approved. You will receive your passport in 5 business working days."

That's it and all is done.


Thanks this forum for valuable information before the interview. Confidence is the key. And yes, your documents should be "you name it, I have it" kind. :)

All the best to all others seeking visa.

Thanks

Sorry for posting my expirence today.My interview was on Feb 12th scheduled at 12:00pm below is my experience
Myself: Hi how r u doing
VO: Hi give me your petition
Me: Gave 1797 and other docs
VO R u working in xxx
Me:Yes i am working at xxx
VO: how much they are paying
Me: xx per year
 VO: Is this an inhouse project or working at client
Me: i am working at clinet
VO : who is your client
XYZ
VO: location where you work
ZZZ
VO: Your application looks good
put your right hand 4 fingers for finger prints

If you pay 300Rs passport will be delivered to your home.
Be confident and keep all documentation with you. Go through each line in your LCA, I129 and other documents you filed during H1 filing, u will get H1 visa approved for sure.