H1B, H4 Visa

This forum was like a bible to me from the date I got my appointment dates and really the posts here helped me mentally prepared beforehand so that I should have the clarity on the questions asked by the VO.

Me and my wife had the OFC completed on 4th Feb. Next day was our interview schedule at 10 AM.

We reached at 8.45 and was asked to enter the gate at 9.15. After entering ahd to wait for almost 2 hours which includes verification of docs,token issuance and waiting in the waiting area.

Our VO was a smiling lady.The questions that were asked are as follows:-

1. Pleasantries exchanged

2. Are you travelling for the first time ?

3. Who is the petitioner?

4. Are you applying for the first time?

5. Who is the client?

6. What does client do?

7. What are you going to do there?

8. Which city are you going to travel?

9. What is your onsite salary?

10. How many years are you married ? (To my wife)

Then she told that she is approving the visa and wished her a good day before leaving with million dollar smiles.....

Was reading a lot on this forumn and was very helpful.Also wanted to input my experience.

OFC was on 3 feb ->
Had to change new DS-160 for both me and spouse after i had to get a new passport as old passport expiring in 3 months.(As i booked the appointment using old passport.

Interview on 4rth FEB->
VO- what visa you are applying
me- H1B
VO- which company
me-answered
VO-what are your duties
me- answered
VO-is it a client or where you will be working
me- ans it as inhouse
VO-to my wife(how long have u been married
spouse- answered
VO-ok you visa is approved and gave instructions slip about (after entering US and general guidelines)

Issue is -> I gave only my new passport to the VO.(The old passport is with me).And the current satus what i get from [email protected] is no status update for the passport number(The one with new passport no.)
Looks like travel docs dint update my new passport no. which i have now sent the mail to update.
SO I WAS THINKING I SHOULD ALSO GIVE MY OLD PASSPORT TO THE VO...anyone experienced like this before.Kindly update.

Hi Friends, I am following this Forum since last 2-3 Months. I have found this excellent and very helpful.

My VISA Stamping appointment is sechduled. I have 2-3 queries in my mind...

1. My Spouse (h4) is not very much familar with english. Will it affect stamping process?
2. Is there anything else which i need to take care of?
3. I am a bit nervous and not Sure what is going to Happen :-)?

Pls Suggest.

Hello All,
First of all my thanks for all active users in this good User forum for sharing their Visa experiences as it helps me a lot about Visa interview pattern.
Here is my H1B visa interview experience at Hyderabad consulate.

Back ground:
From past 2 years working at client location (Asian country) with overall 8 yrs IT experience
1) OFC on 29-Jan: scheduled at 10:00 AM, reached Gowra plaza by 9:20 and completed Biometrics by 9:50

2) Actual consular interview on 31-Jan 8:30 AM:

a) Completed all scanning, Docs arrangement formalities,issue of visa counter Token through Indian staff by 8:50 AM
b) 1st VO round: US guy in mid 40's asked questions as below which lasted for 4 mins

i) Your Passport please?
    A) Handed over my latest PP, DS 160 Confirmation, I797 original along with Visa payment receipt arranged by Indian staff.
ii) Who is your sponsor?
     A) I replied **** (Actually Mine is small US based comp with below 25 member staff executing **** *** domain projects)
      He responded saying never heard of this company.
iii) Do you have comp photographs? I didn't understand exactly and hence he repeated the Question again upon my request
     A) My sponsor didn't provided and hence replied back saying I don't have exactly, but tried to explain that Petition docs has Comp Lease and Comp registration, for which he is reluctant to look into petition docs.
iv) Where are you working currently?
    A) Replied **** comp and located at client location on project assignment
v) What is your current Annual salary @Onsite?
    A) Replied with **** * amt/Annum
v) Going to execute Client or Internal project?
    A) Replied with Internal project execution (My petitioner has plans to involve me in Internal projects(2) execution and has proper documentation in detail which both are attached in original Petition docs set.)
     Petitioner prepared me to reply travelling to client location once or twice/month for client training , assistance on product if Business demands.
vi) He asked abt my Roles and duties in Internal project
A) I prepared fully as per documentation provided and discussions with petitioner and hence started explaining.
vii) He is listening, parallely writing something in front form and interrupted after 1 min
and asked me to give my left hand palm reading on machine and i did as he said.
viii) Finally he returned my passport asking my Original petition docs set .
He replied saying that we need to go through docs and 1 of our VO will again discuss with you in detail and asked me to wait in lobby area.


2nd VO round (Indian lady in mid 35-40 yrs, discussion lasted for 25 mins):
 After waiting for 1+ hr, one of Indian staff called me and taken me to separate room containing single VO counter

Lady VO started saying: sorry sir since your 1st VO round is for 4 mins only it doesn't mean you were not throughed with Visa interview.However we need complete details about your Internal project along with Roles and responsibilities.
 A) I started explaining in a very detailed way of 1st project and she started writing down abt different terminologies interrupting in between and asking for whether its a S/w product? already existing project etc( lasted for 10 mins)

ii) She went inside, discussed with some body and returned to counter aftr 4 mins
     This time asking whether any clients using this s/w and details about the client
   My petitioner shared me 1 client details and hence i shared the same to her(she noted down).
iii) Then she asked wthr any other client exists.
 A) I replied saying Comp has a sales team doing Marketing research & Analysis and are in discussions with few other customers.
iv) What is the need of upgrading this Internal project and how much time involved for upgradation etc?
    A) I replied back in detail with proper layman explanation afterwhich iam able to understand that she is convinced and able to extract completly abt Internal proj reading her facial expression.
(lasted for 10 mins)
iv) She went inside and again returned back with Original petition docs set and said i am done with interview and seeking my Passport.
Here i got some confidence as she is asking my PP and hence i asked wthr iam throughed. She is in a hurry & noded her head without any reply.
Finally when i requested abt PP issuance, she replied that i will get an SMS followed by PP in week time enquiring wthr i opted for Pickup or Courier option?



Today(4-Feb): I called VFS helpline and asked abt PP status and they replied still with Consulate and probably may took some more time. Meanwhile VFS person shared me Visa Application link to check further abt my visa status.
When i entered this site giving my DS-160 confirmation no, to my surprise i found it as Administrative Processing with description as below:

"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."


Appreciate if any experts can respond to my below queries:
1) Is it a common practise for US consulate to keep working cases as Admin Processing till the time PP with Visa is issued ?
2) In above whole experience, i was neither Rejected (giving back my PP) nor issued 221g form (Query related: White,Blue etc specifying the need for additional supporting docs etc till date). So i am confused wthr iam throughed with Visa process?
3) I have to travel to client location by Feb -16 & join my duties and my PP is with Consulate. So how can i get PP back if its in Admin Processing as mentioned above. ?
4) Any separate process involved in getting PP back on working Cases by Hyd Visa Consulate?
5) Anybody sailing in similar boat with multiple H1B Visa rounds and waiting for stamped visa on PP?

Last but not the least mine is mixed feelings till date and hope i didn't bored though bit lengthy
All the best for other Visa aspirants.

My H4 Visa interview experience - @ US consulate Chennai

Day1:

OFC office :

No 3, Cenotaph Road
Teynampet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu'
 
My appointment was at 3.30 PM. We went there at 2.30 PM. There were around 100 people waiting outside the office (in the road).
There was no queue, and then i heard that only people with 2 PM appointment was allowed. Then the security told me to come at 4 PM as my appointment is 3.30 PM.
But even then, i did not go anyway and i was let in at 3.35 PM !! :)
Ok now will stop with the stories and come to the point.

I went the second floor in the building
Appointment letter, DS 160 abd Password should be carried inside
After security check, barcode was stuck in my passport
Then i got a token and there were no LCD display.
The person standing there called my token number and point me to the counter (this took about 10 mins)

The guy sitting behind the glass counter asked my name, Date of birth and verified my details.
They took a photograph
They took left four fingers, right four fingers and thumbs finger prints.

That is all!! Not much today.

Day 2:

@ US consulate office.

Be there at consulate not before 30 mins (!!but dont delay!!), otherwise you will be asked to stand far away from the consulate.

Keep your DS 160, appointment confirmation letter and Passport ready before you enter in the outside queue.

Went security scan and sat there inside.
Need to get your token from one of the counter.
Waited for the token number for about 15 mins.
My counter was displayed in the LCD screen for my token
Went to the counter and US consulate personnel (Indian only) asked for my following docs:
Passport - Original
DS 160
Appointment letter
I797 - xerox copy
BEP - Original
He then arranged all the documents and put a rubber band and return back there banded docs.


Keep the token that was provided earlier, which will be called again for the actual interview by US personnel.
We have to walk to another building.
Then again i had to wait for my token number to be called.

Interview: (totally it took about 30 mins)
My Token number was called.
I went to the counter that was called for me.
I went and Stood behind another candidate standing for the interview.
Once that he is done, the interviewer (lady) called me

Interview: Hi
Me : Good morning Ma'm
Interview : :). where will you go to US
Me : YYYY YYYY
Interviewer: Whats your name?
Me: Told my full name (Given name and surname)
Interviewer: Whats your husband name?
Me : Answered..
Inteveriew: Whats your husbands full name?
Me : told my husband's given name and surname as per the passport
Interviewer: Whats your father-in-laws name?
Me: told the full name:
Interview: Have your husband ever worked in US before?
Me: Yes
Interviewer: Can i see your husband's pay slip?
Me: I showed her the pay slip ( last 12 months)
Interviewer: can i see your husband's passport copy ?
me: Sure. (I showed her the xerox copy of my husband's copy)
Interviewer: Is he still working in USA?
Me: Currently he is in chennai?
Interviewer : What is your marriage day?
Me: I told the date.
Interviewer: Your Visa is approved. YOu will get your visa in a week. (kept my passport for stamping with herself)
Me: With a big smile i said "Thank you Ma'm!!"

FINALLY I GOT MY H4 VISA APPROVED ON MY BIRTHDAY!!! :) Good luck

Got my visa stamped Passport in 2 days.

About me:
I am not very fluent in english. But I learned english to some extent. Even then, this did not stop me from getting the visa.

My Advise:
> Even if you are not fluent in english, take training to understand american accent using google translate (audio option) - its free and very effective.
> Practise the questions available in my blog...:)
> Thanks to indusladies, immhelp, **** * websites! without those websites, i would not have made it.

Hope this helps!!

GOOD LUCK! Lord nataraja may bless you !!:)

Hi All, after a long wait my petition was re-affirmed and then I was called for re-interview. Routine questions and then they approved my visa. All the best for everyone who are stuck with 221g or Admin Processing or whose petitions were sent back to USCIS.

Hi Guys,

This is update to my earlier post posted on 01/22/2013 00:35:18AM.

I was issued 221g for interview in Oct 2012. VO said he is sending my case to USCIS in USA. for further investigation. After all these days, 2 weeks back they contacted my client XYZ in US asking about my employment. My client responded to them on Monday, and I've received an email today from Hyderabad Embassy asking to submit my passport.

I went and submitted just now. I'm assuming they approved my VISA, but I would rather keep my fingers crossed till I get my passport back. Never know what they will do..

:)Praveen

so this is the third time for us to attend visa interview
1st time hyderabad 221g
2nd time hyderabad 221g and
3rd time chennai visa approved ...
so here is my experience
went for ofc centre on 29 jan 2013 ....its opposite to apollo cancer hospital anna salai
note :consulate and ofc centres are not in the same area ...consulate is in anna salai
and ofc centre is opposite apollo cancer hospital..
at ofc center after standing in queue they ask us appointment confirmation and ds160 form and passport after that security check ...then they give a token number ..when called upon take your finger prints ..right hand four fingers left hand four fingers and 2 thumbs ..then photo ...after which your asked to leave ..the whole process took about 30 to 45 minutes ...
next on 30th jan 2013 was our interview day ...
there is a long queue but to my surprise moves pretty fast ..after the security check you will be given a token number ..when they screen you number you must go to the appropriate counter and show your h1 petition and h1 approval notice they are rubberbanded and your passport are also rubberbanded then you have to sit for some time ..again go to your appropriate counter when called and put yourfingerprints ...and move to another buliding which is just beside this building and be seated until they call out your token number ..
note dont talk in the line ...
be relaxed
smile be pleasent
wear good bright clothes
and then comes the interview
husband:gm
vo:gm
vo:whos ur client ?
husband: answered
vo :whats ur salary?
husband :answered
vo :whats ur highest degree?
husband :answered
vo :turns to me whats ur husbandz dob?
me :answered
vo whats ur fathr in laws name?
me :answered
vo :whats ur mom in law name?
me :answered
vo whats ur husband place of birth?
me :answered
vo whats ur highest level of education ?
answered
vo:ok give me 5min went inside and came back then said the golden words visa approved here is the white booklet which focuses on rights of h1b people...
bye have a nice day
me : you too
note dont talk while you leave ..
finally at the exit me and my husband spoke to each other saying congrats
sohere is my experience ..have clarity in your mind ..for each and every question you know he might ask ..
be pleasent and happy ..and confident ...
never lose hope ...
try try and suceed ...
all the best to those who attend the interview
thanks immihelp users who helped me gain confidence through their posts...
cheers!!

Hi
I wish to go for H4 stamping alone in the month of feb. The ustravel docs help desk says a separate i797 is required for the dependent ina ddition to the petitioners i797. Has any one who have gone for H4 stamping alone required a separate I797 ..this is a new rule it seems.. Please advice.
They say they are yet to update this in their site.. kindly advice if for recent h4 stamping are they asking for new i797

Its my turn to write my exp:

May-2012 - My employer applied for H1
Sep-2012 - H1 Approved
Oct-2012 - Received I797 and other docs. unfortunately some wrong details about me in I797. Again employer reported to USCIS
Jan-2013 - Received new I797 with all correct details.

OFC on Jan 27th 2013: Went to OFC on sunday. There were around 25 to 30 ppl in my slot and we are at 5th in queue. One person came and verified passport, DS-160 Confirm, Appt Letter and pinned DS-160 & Appt. One more person came and scanned DS-160 Barcode and allowed inside. Inside at counter took DS-160 and appt letter and scanned barcode and attached a sticker back to our passports and given two tokens for both of us. After security check - allowed into one room where they take photo and finger prints. We waited for 1 min for our turn and meanwhile went through the instructions on board. Once our token number called..went and given finger prints and also photo. He took DS-160 confirmation and put a stamp on that(Carried same copy to interview next day). Every thing was completed within 15 min..BTW our appt was at 4.00 PM - we allowed inside at 3.30 PM and we were out at 3.45 PM - before our scheduled time 4.00 PM :)

Interview on Jan 28th 2013 8.30 AM: Carried all documents and certificates along with 2 sets of xerox for each document. Allowed inside at 8.00 AM after checking passport, DS-160 and Appt letter. At security they asked to put all our belongings including belt in one tray for scanning. and we walk through one security scan. After that took all our belongings(documents, belt, etc...) Next sat in the queue for some time..one person came and checked DS-160, appt letter and asked visa type...since it is h1 she asked i797 xerox and pinned all three docs and given white pomplate booklet. After 10 or 15 min...we were asked to go to next counter...there they again checked pinned docs and asked to wait in waiting area.

At waiting area one person was giving token number may be based on type of visa - mine was F8 (some tokens are with C, E - not sure what are they for)

after some time our token announced. Went to respective counter...before going to counter...I thought there they will check finger prints again and we have to wait for interview for some more time...but that was not happened. at the counter there was VO already doing interviews...i didn't even expected and my mind was not at all ready since i was expecting finger prints check... any ways..i had around 5 min to get my self ready as another interview was going on in front of me. I think he was for Business visa and I heared from VO saying I am sorry I cannot issue the visa today and the person said thank you and left silently...next our turn...here it goes...

VO: So you work for YYYY Company
me: yes

vo: what you will do for them
me: explained disignation and roles

vo: client
me: told

vo: salary
me: told

vo: asked for client letter
me: I dont have direct client letter - my emp provided client support letter, contract letter between employer and client and also PO. I told the same given the docs

vo: how long you have been married
me: told

vo: how did you find this company
me: through Job portal

vo: I have some bad information on your employer
me: said nothing

vo: after a little pause(he was typing and checking something on his computer) he said one min and went inside with our docs and passports and spoke to someone in one room, came back with empty hands and asked us to wait since they need to check something
me: I said ok


waiting time: I was almost hope less and expecting either rejection or at least 221g. After 1hr 15 min wait, he again called

vo: sorry for dealy
me: no problem

vo: so, how did you find this company
me: said job portal

vo: which one
me: dice

vo: how long you have been married...him self answered as this was already asked..(mean time he was typing something)
me: i just said yes

vo: finally he took both passports and put rubber band and put those aside in tray and given back all documents i gave to him and said I am approving your visas and have a good day.
me: thank you..you too have a good day and left

I dont know what they checked, but finally he approved.

paid 600/- for two passports at corier counter and came out.

Jan 30th 2013: passports received with stamping in it.