H1B, H4 Visa

Hello All,

I got my H1B approved today, Jan 15, 2013 in MUMBAI. So just wanted to share my exp with you.
My appointment at OFC was on Jan 10, 2013 @ 10 AM, i reached OFC at 9:40,
Outside the building there was a security person who checked my OFC Confirmation (DS 160) and PASSPORT.
He ticked all my details on the confirmation and directed to go inside.

After going inside there is a security check, after that a person checks the DS 160 again and sticks a barcode on the passport.
Finally your photo and fingerprints are taken and you are done.

On the interview day i went 45 minutes before my interview time.
Initially security check was done. (This time they said the belt is ok, don't remvove it. Other belongings we scanned)
After that, i was made to sit in an open space, where row wise seating arrangement was nicely made, with a shed on top of it.
While waiting there, a person came and checked my Petition Copy, Appointment Confirmation and Passport. Returned it back to me.
Another person came and handed over a booklet which stated RIGHTS AS AN EMPLOYEE while working in US. Just go thru it once.
(If you already know them, i will not force to)

After 35- 40 minutes i was let inside (where actual interviews are conducted).
i was made to stand in a queue and then issued a token number (which they stucked to my passport. My number was 559)

After that, i had my left fingers scanned again (on another window) for confirmation and then off to a waiting area where i was waiting for my turn.
(it was 482 number going on, unlike breach candy waiting area, at BKC,there is a screen where token numbers are displayed along with the window number, glad to see that)
I took a nescafe and was enjoying every sip of it, (as i wanted to divert my nervousness while waiting for my turn)
Then after waiting for 30 mins (approx), i saw 558 on screen and my heart started pumping, and then next number : 561
(my brain started processing, is my number there? did they add my token number to their list? etc. etc.)
But after that i saw my token number and i prepared my files and went on to a window (like Munnabhai...remember the dialog which CIRCUIT says to parsi doctor - "darne ka nahi re, aise confidence ke sath jaane ka")

QS

ME : Good morning officer, how are you?
VO : Good, how are you
ME : I m fine, thank you
VO : My machine is not responding, give me a minute
ME : OK
VO : Can i see your petition? (Becoz his machine was not repsonding, He asked me for my petition and i gave the entire bunch to him which was arranged by travel dept of my company. )
(He just saw first page of the petition and said)
VO : OH you are working for XYZ?
ME : Yes
VO : For which client are you going to work?
ME : PQR
(Returned the Petition bunch to me, As his machine was not responding he took a break and asked me to wait)
VO : I am sorry give me a minute, I ll be right back
ME : OK no probs.
VO : Alright, are you going to work on clients location?
ME : Yes, i will work at client's location in <city>, <State>
VO : What are you working as?
ME : I am working as Computer Programmer Analyst. I will be responsible to coordinate between my client and offshore team here in india. I will also (VO asked next question)
VO : Whats you US Salary ?
ME : USD YYYY X per anum
VO : Are you married?
ME : yes
VO : Did you get this booklet? (Refering to a booklet attached to a bulletproof window - RIGHTS AS AN EMPLOYEE)
ME : Yes i did get.
VO : Ok, I am issuing you a visa, it will take 2 - 3 days bla bla bla. Have a nice stay and all the best.
ME : Thank you officer
VO : Have a good day
ME : Thank you. have a good day.

I hope this was not boring.

Thanks

Here is my H1-B visa stamping experience in Mumbai. Visa is for non-IT, Mechanical Engineering (M. S. from US).
First of all, Thank you very much immihelp for providing guidelines for getting US Visa. Thank you all for posting their experiences. It was very helpful.
OFC on Dec. 17 2012 @ 4 pm and Visa appointment on Dec 18. 2012 @ 7:45 am in Mumbai.

{OFC pretty straightforward. But unfortunately, I made a severe mistake while completing DS-160. In place of Given name I put my first name only (instead of First and Middle name). However on passport the Given name was my Fist and Middle name. The passport name and DS-160 name should match. The person who was checking my documents for OFC notified me about that. Fortunately, I reached OFC @ 3:15 pm and he said I have 45 minutes to change the DS-160. He told, to go outside and I will get help from somebody to rectify the error. I went outside and an autorickshaw guy asked me about modifying DS-160 and took me to the net-cafe, where they told me to pay about 400 INR for using their system and a guy would help me with DS-160. I was worried that I might have to fill new DS-160 and reschedule my appointment. But the net-cafe guy assured me that he would take care of everything. I was sitting next to him and we filled new DS-160 with almost all information copied from the previous DS-160. He updated DS-160 and printed new DS-160 confirmation and updated Appointment letter (with new DS-160 confirmation # on it). I rushed back to the OFC and reached their @ about 3:45 pm.}
 Everything went smooth after that on that day.

Visa appointment Dec 18, 2012: Reached @ 7 am. Stood in a line for 7:45 am appointment. Went through procedure mentioned by others in their experiences. Got the token number and waiting for my number.
I have taken almost all the documents including my thesis copy and what not. I was completely confident and positive about the interview.
I and The visa officer greeted each other. I handed him Passport and I-797 Approval Notice. For some reason he thought I am going for F1 and asked me about why am I going to this university and why am I going to US? I just smiled at him, he immediately looked at I-797 and realized that I am going for H1-B. I responded him why I am going to US.
Here is the brief discussion we had (Questions and Answers):
Q: What your company do (manufacture)?
A: Briefly informed about company's products.
Q: What do you do (job role)?
A: A: Briefly explained my job role and responsibilities.
Q: Where will you work?
A: Answered properly. (I am already working there since 12 months).
Q: Are you single or married?
A: Answered.
Q: How much the company pay you?
A: Told my salary USD/year.
Q:Can I see your recent Pay Stubs?
A: Sure (Showed all previous pay stubs).
He said "I approve your Visa". 'Give me just 1 second to update that into my system and you will get your passport in 3 business days'. He was done in few seconds.
I Thanked him and wished him Happy New Year in advance and that's it.

{I intentionally put Passport delivery method as Pick Up from Pune location to avoid delays because of Blue Dart and stuff. I read it in few experiences about delayed passport deliveries and difficulties in tracking passport.}

I got email on Dec. 20, 2012 @ 5 pm stating that passport is ready for pick in the mentioned hours @ location requested. I picked up my passport from Sohrab Hall on Dec. 21, 2012 by showing Photo ID and submitting its photocopy and also took Appointment letter (as mentioned on http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/in-loc-passportcollection.asp&#x29;.
Good Luck to all potential H1-B candidates.
Please feel free to email me and ask questions if you have.
Cheers!

Firstly a big THANK YOU to immihelp for coming up with such an fantastic platform that allows people to share their H1B/H4 interview experiences and helps H1B aspirants to prepare for the same.

Day 1 - OFC - 09th Jan
Straight forward process which will not take more than 30 mins. Passport, DS-160 confirmation page and appointment letter are the only docs required here. I had gone with my spouse and 2yr old son. They said its fine if we do not bring him for consulate interview.

Day 2 - Interview - 14th Jan
I went there only with my spouse. Process starting from the consulate gate to the interview counter are same as already mentioned by various other members. Hence will not mention that.

Interview conversation
Me - Greetings exchanged and handed over our passports with original I-797 document. But I-797 was returned back as he said it was not required.

VO - Which co. do you work for?
Me - Answered

VO - Will you work at client/your co. location?
Me - Answered

VO - Who is your client?
Me - Answered

VO - Your responsibilities there?
me - Answered

To my wife
VO - How long you have been married with him?
Wife - Answered

VO - What is your hubby's favourite food?
Wife - Answered

VO - How old is you son?
Wife - Answered

VO - What is your son's favourite food?
Wife - Answered

VO started typing something in his computer. Here I knew that we have almost made it :-). Then came Golden words - "You VISA is approved and will get your passport in 4-5 working days."

As mentioned by other immihelp members, confidence is the key. But that can go for a toss when you see rejections happening (for various other categories) infront of you. My VO was very cool that helped me gain some confidence while waiting for our turn in queue.

Hi,

I have got a TNC notice when my employer tried to E-verify my records. I have a fairly long name and the last 4 characters are missing in my SSN records. The E-verify process is not yet resolved and I need to apply for H1B this year in April. Can anyone please tell me the impact of the E-verify TNC notice on my H1B approval/rejection?

Thanks,
Pramitha

Hi All,

I am working at "A" company.I had filed My H1B petition with "B" company and got approved .I also attended H1B visa stamping at Hyd last month .Got 221g white paper(Adminstrative Process) .Currently my visa status is on hold .VO officer said that we have doubt about your employer we need to verify.

I have an opportunity to work with company "A" in USA .

My question are

1) Can we transfer company B H1B petition to company A
2) If i transfer the petition , Should i withdraw the Current case (221g).
3) If i want to withdraw my current Visa case ,will my I797 be valid or not


Please help me

I have attend H1 and H4 Visa interview @ Chennai consulate, Here is my experience.

OFC appointment on 9th Jan 2013 --- Completed

Main Visa interview on 10th Jan 2013 @ 7:30am slot

VO: Good Morning
ME: Very Good Morning

VO: Please pass the Documents ( DS-160, Passport)
ME: Given the Doc's

VO: You are going to VA
ME: Yes Sir

VO: How many employee's working for your employer?
ME: Answered

VO: Who is your client?
ME: Its a In house project so no client involved sir

VO: How much your salary?
ME: Answered

To my spouse H4

VO:How long you have been married?
My spouse answered.

Thats it, With smile in VO's face he said your visa is approved.

I Wish to people who are attending interview @ Chennai counslate.

All the best

Anand

Hi,

I would like to share my experience with all of you as this forum was really helpful for me. I am on H1B extension and have to re-stamp as I came India on vacation.

My stamping process scheduled for 10th and 11th at Delhi U.S. consulate. It is pretty cool and all you need is correct documents and stay calm. That's it.

Day 1 - 10-Jan-2013

I have reached the VAC before 30 mins(actually it is better to go just before 15 mins). You have to carry below:
1. DS-160 confirmation page
2. Interview Confirmation letter
3. Valid Passport
4. Your company Id (optional)

(Note: if you are new to the city carry some cash and return address :) )

Here they will verify all your documents and allow you inside. Followed by finger print scan for all ten fingers and photograph will be done here. Done with day1. Please keep both DS-160 confirmation page and interview letter safely as they will put confirmation seal on both.

Day 2 : Jan-11-2013

I have reached 30 mins before, and started in the queue. verified the documents and directly to interview only.

Me: Hi, Good morning. How are you?
VO: I am good, how about you?
ME: I am good, thank you. Passed my Passport and Petition approval
VO: (Verified the documents) So you going on H1B?
ME: Yes
VO: Are you on extension?
ME: Yes
VO: Who is your client?
ME: YYYY
VO: Have you had visa refusal before?
ME: Yes. (I had one L1B rejection)
VO: Your Visa is approved, have a nice stay.
ME: Thanks, have a nice day.

Stay calm and all the best.

Dear friends,

Thanks to everyone who is giving their inputs in this forum. This is a great help for everyone. I know how much need it is before the intw and many people forgot to write their experiences here.. please post your experiences which can help others.

H1B Renewal at Hyd on Jan 11th.

OFC was on 10th, it was very light process.. be in line just 15mins before.. dont be early..it does not help.
For Hyd, OFC is located in gowrav plaza last cornor Apartment building..OFC is nice & easy.. it will be done in just 15-20 mins..
They will just verify your DS-160, appointment letter and passport. Other docs not necessary.

Its very important to have your Name & other info 100% accurate with your passport and DS-160 (including middle name). At the counter they just verify all the information, and stamp on the DS-160 printout which you provide. Its important to keep this document with you and carry for Visa intw. its a must one.

On the day of visa intw, just be in line just half an hour before.
Mine appointment was 9.30, was there in Q at 9.
Process is very much streamlined, nice & easy. --> enter building->security checkup (dont carry any bags, electronic devices ) ***DONT carry Cellphones,, they dont allow & there will NO stock counter --> pass thru security check up , you will be seated for a while, Person will come to you and check your passport, DS-160, appoitnment, I-797 (for H1 will give white pamphlet to read, its just contain US laws on NON-immigration policy), --> call for counter, stand in a Q in the coutner, on your turn, give your DS-160, appt letter, passport, they will verifiy in the system and then ask you sit in the waiting lobby.--> upon reaching waiting lobby, you will be given a token number -> wait here till your turn --> On your turn, go to the counter, here's visa intw...

Cool, Calm, Confindence are the key..

VO: Greetings exchanged.
VO: Company name
VO: why did you change your company
VO: What is your company & what you do.
VO: Right-hand finger print verfiication
VO: Done

Passport retained with VO.

 usually the questions are simple, one need to be prepared and stay calm.

Alll the best for future endeavors.

Thanks for the people who posted their experiences here..

Good luck..
Cheers..

At first BIG thanks to this forum who helps individuals on a regular basis. It's a great help to all by virtually knowing the atmosphere prior to that when one actually go for the interview.
Had attended visa interview this week. Both OFC and Consular have very systematic process and there are very less chances of getting late from the scheduled time.

@OFC: just carry the original passport, visa appointment confirmation and DS-160 confirmation
They'll take finger prints and photograph. And, confirm your attendance by providing stamp on DS-160 confirmation page. Carry all these on next day (specially same stamped DS-160 confirmation)

@Consulate:
brief about the questions:
- how long you have been with current company
- project nature
- client name and location
- marital status
that's all and the golden words finally!!!

basic rules to follow (as per the experience and observations):
Professional attire - does most of the job - well begun half done :-)
Eye contact and smiling face
Have presence of mind with good listening skills (better to response with slight pause rather than answering wrong)
Try to keep the answers crisp (to-the-point) and don't invite more questions out of the answers given (try to keep your level best to have questions as close-ended only)

Hope this helps. All the best to all who would be attending it in future.

hi friends, any one has got the approvel, issued with 221 g (with AAP), interview attended on november 2012.

regards
ram