H1B, H4 Visa

I would like to thank everyone who has posted there experience over here. I have got my H1B and my wife got H4 visa.

This is how my interview went:

1. Plesentaries
2. XYZ Comapnay? Never heard of this company before.
3. Highest qualification
4. Specialization
5. Tell me something about your specialization
6. Where are you going to Live/ work?
7. What does your client do?
8. Roles and Responsibilities
9. Salary
10. How will you survive for the first month?

To my wife: Tell me something about the location that you are going in USA?
To me: What are the rents in the place that I am going to work.

All the questions very simple and very straight forward. But I was very tensed and nervous. But somehow I got my Visa approved.

I thank immihelp and everyone who has posted their experience here….

Hi Folks,

I would like to post my experience and add a little support for those who are waiting for their H1 B visas. So here it goes..

Location - Chennai, TN

OFC appointment - Dec 19th 11 AM

No need to take all you document bundle with you. All you need is your passport, DS 160 comfirmation printout and Appointment confirmation (carry the visa fee slip for supporting your appointment, but this will not be required for the OFC appointment). Reached OFC at 10:30 and they let me inside before my appointment. Am done within 15 mins. OFC guys will put a sticker on back of your passport, take your photo and finger prints. They will stamp of the DS160 confirmation printout as well. Now its time for my visa appointment

Visa appointment - Dec 21st 7:30 AM

This is a long waiting process. Here it goes. I reached at the American consulate around 6:45 AM and stood in the long queue. I was let inside some time at 7:15 AM. Make sure you have your DS160 confirmation printout (stamped one from the OFC appointment), your passport and appointment printout handy (out of your file). You will be asked for these for couple of times. You are allowed to take your wallet but I didn't carry any. I took some money and phone numbers with me, for safer side. Once you are allowed, security will check your files and you are let to walk through a metal detector. Once done with your screening, the consulate staff (indians) will point to a counter to get your token. This token is used till the end of your interview process. You need to show your DS160 confirmation and you get your token. Take the token and just be seated. Your token will appear on the large screen fixed to the ceiling. Wait for your token and check the counter no. The guy at the counter will ask for your passport, DS160, token slip and your visa documents (for H1 B - LCA, 1797, I 129 documents, company letter). He will wrap your passport with the DS160 and staple it with your token slip. He will wrap your H1 B documents with a band and you get your bundles back. Hold them and he will direct you to go to counter 12 (which is in my case) to verify your finger prints. Once done, you need to walk to the Visa Interview chamber. Again, just be seated, wait for your token and then its your turn for the interview.

VO - He seem to be a young guy, probably in mid twenties and he blasted the one before me. I thought he would actually screw me. :)

Questions asked by the VO -

Me: Went ahead with a smiling face.

VO : Good morning
Me : Good morning Sir, How are you.

VO: Can I have your passport please
Me : Yes (gave my passport bundle)

VO : Which company are your working for?
Me : YYYY X

VO : How long are you been working in compnay ZZZ
Me : YYYY months

VO : What your company do ?
Me : YYYY X

VO : What is your package in India
Me : YYYY per annum

VO : What you gonna do in US
Me : YYYY ZZZ

VO : What is your US salary
Me : YYYY X dollars per annum

VO : Can I see the visa documents
Me : Yes sir. Handed over the other bundle

VO : It seems that the package you mentioned in the LCA and what you said are not matching
Me : It may be the minimum wage I believe Sir. But, I have the offer letter stating what is my annual pay.

VO : That's alright. Make sure you are getting what you deserve (smiling)
Me : Sure sir.

VO : (Gave a booklet talking about the rights you have in the US). Make sure you go through it.
Me: Sure Sir

VO : Your visa has been approved and have a nice day.
Me : Thank you sir and I wish you a merry christmas.. :)


Bottom line, choose a good song and just sing in your mind. It will help you to hide your tense and always be confident and smiling.

Immihelp helped me a lot and I thank everyone who posted their experiences. They really helped me a lot. Hope mine helps you.!!!

All the very best to you guys.!! Have a nice one.

- Sirish.
Chennai, TN

This "Post your experience" is a great help!!

My new H1B application is approved while old one under admin processing.

Background:
I got 221G (Blue) @ Mumbai in August 2012. My previous employer refused to provide me tax returns and all employees salaries from 221G list. So I found a new job and new employer filed for H1B (premium processing).

** I had carried a letter to request to withdraw the old visa application stating all details of old visa application (DS-160#, petition #, petitioner, beneficiary, date of interview etc.) and attached 221G, I-129, I-797 and LCA copies. ** Just in case needed

New interview on December 17, 2012
Coincidence! the same VO took my new interview so it was easy to break the ice for me. I told him that he was the VO last time as well and last employer did not give me the documents he requested. He was surprised and he said that is weird, usually companies do provide such documents. Then he looked something in his system and my interview was like,
VO: so now work for a new company?
Me: Yes, told him the name
VO: What does new comp do?
Me: told
VO: role and responsibilities
Me: told
VO: salary.

And the golden words (I was wishing to write these words long since stuck due to 221g)
You visa has been approved!!

Good luck!

Thanks to this forum, as I had benefitted from this..
I travelled with my wife and my US born son to Chennai. Before travelling I was apprehensive of few things. Main was, where to drop my son ,as I was not sure if he will be allowed in? It was almost my first time in Chennai US consulate so was unsure about commuting etc.

Our biometrics on 18th and interview on 19th.

Good news was not only they allowed my child but also we got priority in queue.(but not in queue outside building). Make sure you reach only 30 minutes early for both the appointments. Going too early ,you do not have any waiting area ,so you will end up standing in the hot sun.

First day was smooth. I had appointment at 1.30 pm. I reached 30 minutes early . Painful part was to stand outside in hot sun for about 15 minutes holding my child. But once we got in the building it went very fast. You will only need to carry DS160 confirmation, passport and appointment printout for the first appointment. They took our photographs and finger prints. Make sure not to have any major cuts on any of your fingers.

Second day at consulate reached 30 minutes earlier than my 10.30 appointment. Had to stand out again for 10-15 minutes before we were steered in. Once we were in we went through security check twice and then reached a crowded room with many counters. We got a token number(single token for the family) . Went to a counter where all our documents like DS160 confirmation, passport, petition and other documents were checked and arranged. Then they again took fingerprints ,just for left hand this time.

After this they asked us to go to another building with like 20 counters. Word of advice is do not try to hear other interviews going on as they may rattle you a bit.

My interview went like this.

Officer: (on seeing my company tag) You work for xxx?

Officer: How long you had been working in xxx?

I am in xxx for x months.

Officer: Who is your client?

xxx

Officer: Where is your client located?

xxx

Officer: What would be your responsibilities there?

xxx

Officer: You were on A L1 visa previously ?

Yes sir.

Officer: Who was your L1 sponsor?

Xxx

Officer: what is your highest qualification?

MBA

Officer: Your son is born in US?

Yes.

Officer: Your visa is approved . You would be receiving it in a few days.

Is any one attended the stamping thru Dropbox..I mean interview waiver program , .if so how long that process taking to get our passport back.

Hello,

First of thanks to all who share their experience. They boosted my confidence. Here is my experience.
1) Where did you finish your masters?
2) What is your company name?
3) Designation, who is your client?
4) Client location
5) salary?

Thats it. None of documents asked.

Regards,
Prerak

Issued 221g white form on Nov 29 2012 with option checked "your application requires AAP before a final decision can me made" . passports were mailed back on Dec 04 with the same 221g document attached.
DOS contacted client last week as part of employment verification. EVC model. No update yet, online case status shows up as "your case is currently undergoing processing"

Hi all,
I had my visa interview on 18th.
I am given a 221g white form with case number and I was asked to fill a questionnaire sent to my via email. I was also asked to attach resume & invitation letter.
I am on a EC MODEL. I was asked simple basic questions. But still i was given a 221g. The VO kept my passport and also the documents related to employer like employment letter, client letter, Purchase order, master subcontracter agreement. The VO asked me one question which i remember was how did i come to know about my employer. I said dice.com. He seemed to convinced.
What could be the reason for this 221g?
Common muslim name ?
Employer check?

Any idea how much time it'll take if someone has already been thru this.

Hi,

in My case, 3 passports (H1 and H4) were retained by VO and tagged under admin processing to verify something about employer. anyone is in same situation?

No update on my case as of now, i have also attended on Nov'21 st. after one week they called me for Client information through phone. My employer also got similar call 10 days back. As of now no decision on my case.

Could anyone suggest when i get updated status and what would be the possible result.