H1B, H4 Visa

Here are my question asked by VO (Young Lady).

VO: Good Morning, How are you doing ?
Me: I am doing good, Thx. How are you doing ?
VO: I am doing good. Thx
VO: Is this first time your are travelling to US on H1 ?
Me: Yes
VO: Who is client ?
Me: Here i said my client Name but VO is not able to get clearly what i am telling then i started spell out my client name.
VO: Is there any vendor between my emploer and client ?
Me: hhhhh
VO: Where are you travelling ?
Me: siad the location where i am going to travel
VO: Can i see client supporting document ?
Me: Passed the docuemnt.
VO: After verifing the LCA , I129 & Supporting document from employer and said your visa is approved....
Me: i said Thx.

Hi Chennai Boy
did u get any update from the consulate. I read your posts and i am in similiar situation as you.

please mail me ur contact# so that we can discuss in detail.
[email protected]

Hi,

We got our H1 and H4 visa successfully approved on Dec15 at Chennai.
I had my L1B rejected in Aug2010.

We had the appointment at 10.30am. We reached there by 10, so could easily get in without standing for long in the queue.

Everything was fast for us, except at the counter where our finger prints were taken, my hands were sweating.

The following questions were asked to me :

VO : Do you work for 'x'?
Me : Yes
VO : Where will you travel to?
Me : 'x' city
VO : What will you do there?
Me : explained what I will do.
VO : What is you highest qualification?
Me : Bachelor of Tech in Comp Sc and Engg
VO : What is your salary?
Me : x $ per yr
VO : Did you read the white pamphlet?
Me : Yes

The following questions was asked to my wife:
VO : Who is this man next to you?
Wife : (Laughing)He is my husband.
VO : (Laughing)why do everyone laugh at this question? So, how long have you been married?
W : 7 months
VO : Oh..Congrats...Was it an arranged or a love marriage?
W : Arranged

He neither did not check any of our documents or ask me about my previous visa rejection.

Then he was typing some thing on the computer holding our passports but did not tell us anything. After a minute he turned and asked, 'Oh..u guys still here?....It's done....' and kept the passports inside....

We got the passports within a week with visa stamped.. :)

All the best guys...nothing to worry...H1b is easy to get stamped.

Today morning I had appointment at 8AM at Hyderabad consulate. This is my second H1B, I am a full-time employee. My previous H1B is with a different company and that was EVC model.

The interview went pretty smooth. Very few questions were asked by VO.

1) Is this your second H1B?
2) What is your company?
3) What do u do there?
4) What is your previous company?
5) Who is your superviser?
The person you mention should match the details mentioned in DS160

Then the golden words. Visa is approved. I was out of consulate by 8:40AM.

Be cool and confident. Good Luck!

Hi,
I got my H1B renewal stamped on 12/12/2011.

Below are the details.

Reached BKC at around 11:15 (interview was a 11:30 am).
I will cut it short as other steps are straight forward. Once you enter into the final Waiting hall, you will have to go to a window for Biometrics. Once done you will be given a token number which will be displayed on the big screens in the waiting hall.

My number was displayed at around 11:40 am.

Me: Good Morning Mam
VO: Good Morning
VO asked for mine and my wife's passports. I handed over them to her.
VO: Is your daughter born in US?
Me: Yes Mam. (She didnt ask for her US passport)
VO: Where do you go to work daily.
Me: Mentioned my client office location
VO: What do you do?
Me: I mentioned my designation, name of the company I work for and the end client name. Also mentioned my roles & responsibilities & what the client is all about.
VO: Where does your immediate supervisor sit.
Me: Mentioned the location
VO: Asked for I-797
Me: I handed it over to her.
VO: Have you read the white pamplet?
Me: Yes

VO: Asked my wife, what do you do mam?
My wife: I am a house wife.
VO: Were you working before you went to US?
My Wife: Yes, and told her about her last job.

VO: The golden words. Your Visa is issued and you should get the passport within 5 business days.

Surprisingly, my wife's passport was stamped with her H4 visa on 12/12 and mine was on 12/13 one day later.

NOTE:

1) There are a few Cars parked outside the Consulate, they have some security lockers available. They are privately run so use them at your own risk. I didnt knew about it earlier so I couldnt use it, but just in case you want to use it. Go ahead.

2) Baby food is allowed in the Consulate, max they might ask you to taste it in front of them. We did the mistake of not taking sufficient food.

Appointment Time: 8:15
DON’T TAKE PHONE, ELECTRONICs, COSMETICS (girls-don’t think they will excuse your cosmetics as I had to say good bye to my favorite cosmetics )
 I reached consulate by 8 a.m. and there was a big queue at the police check post. Don’t stand in that queue since its for folks who arrived way too early for their appointment. Show your appointment letter to police man and just walk past the check post. There will another queue just outside the consulate building and here your passport and appointment letter will be checked. Once you enter the building, your belongings will be checked (this will take around 15 min). Once scanning is done, you will be allowed into main building. You have to stop at first counter (after the steps) where you have to collect the documents (HDFC receipt, DS-160 etc) that you would have submitted at VFS three days prior to visa appointment. Here you will be given a counter number where you have to finish ten-finger printing. After finger printing, you will be directed to waiting area where you have to take token number (wait time was almost 2 hours here). You will find a small food stall next to waiting area where you can purchase coffee, tea, idli etc. Once your token number is displayed on electronic display board, you should walk to the counter number specified.
The guy who was standing before me was asked to fax I-129 since he wasn’t carrying the specified document. He was informed that he will be given his passport with visa once he submits I-129.
VO: Hi…How are you?
Me: Hello …I am doing fine…how are you?
VO: Good. Can you please pass on your passport (Passport was already stapled with DS-160 by the VFS personnel who gave me the token number in waiting area)
Me: Passed the passport stapled with DS-160
VO: While typing something in his computer he asked if I can pass on the pile of papers I was holding on to (I laid I-797, I-129, LCA, and Employer letter on the counter so that I don’t struggle finding the documents in my file)
Me: I passed on I-797 and LCA documents
VO: While keenly inspecting I-129 and LCA, he asked which company I work for?
Me: Replied
VO: What does your company do?
Me: Answered
VO: How long have you been with your current employer?
Me: Give or take 1.5 years
VO: What do you do?
Me: Answered in couple of sentences (this I rehearsed so that I don’t stumble answering)
VO: What yours highest education
Me: Masters in YYYY YYYY X
VO: Where did you finish your Masters?
Me: I answered with City and State details ( I don’t know why I replied with city and state instead of college name )
VO: What is the university name?
Me: Replied
VO: Can you give your pay stubs?
Me: I handed him almost 18 paystubs (it’s not mandatory to bring so many pay stubs as he hardly looked past through the third)
VO: So is the company you work for is your employer?(he meant if I were full time employee or contractor)
Me: Yes.
VO: How do you like YYYY X (city I was going to)
Me: It’s the best place I have been to in USA
VO: Smile….You are all set….you will get your passport in 5 days
Me: Thank you….Happy holidays

Mandatory Documents (I think)
I-1797
I-129 and LCA (this will be in the packet that you would have received from your employer along with your H1b approval notice)
Paystubs
W-2 (I wasn’t asked for these, but since its relevant to job I think anyone should carry)
Client Letter

I am so much thankful to www.immihelp.com.
I am very sorry for not posting this before but I hardly got time after the interview, so posting now - more than 20 days late.


Background: My L1B got denied on Nov 23, 2010 at Kolkata.
Model: Employer-client model.
Employer: India based IT MNC of approx 7000 strength.
Client: Biggest Company in its domain.

My H1B Appointment was at 10 AM, 5 Dec 2011. I was very tensed right through out (shouldn't have been - realised this later). H1B is going to be stamped if you are from at least a medium segment company. Mine is an Indian IT MNC with strength of less than 7000 people.

 
Reached new consulate at Bandra Kurla complex at around 9:30 AM.

My palm was sweating all through. And to add, there was a huge queue outside. After sometime the people who has 10 AM appointment were allowed to go first. Thanks God - it was hot outside.


Usual procedure followed. But I was feeling exhausted and my mental preparation went for toss because of the hot weather outside. I went into a line where they took my finger prints. Then I was waiting for my turn.
I wanted at least 10 mins inside to calm myself, so I bought a water bottle inside and allowed to cool myself sitting in front of the windows and there were screens flashing the token no. and assigned window. Announcements were also ON.
There were more than 40 windows.

Those 10 mins gave time to me and I regathered what I had prepared. They key is how do you start in answering each Qs. For example, if the Q is about ROLE, make a note in advance what points you will cover and how will u start. I had listed all my activities that I do daily, monthly and ad hoc. So, it helped me to answer each Q. You know what you do, so be honest and the words will flow, but presentation is important. Talk at your own pace.

I think the key questions are, where u need a bit of prep :-
- Project Description
- Role and responsibilties

Rest of the Qs can be answered in a promt few words/sentences.

So, finally I went to window and an attractive young girl in her late 20s probably, was behind that. My interactions with her:

<<I was not able to hear her voice clearly, Very poor speakers. I saw other people also suffering sue to this. I had to ask her to repeat at least 4 times.>>


I wished her and we exchanged smiles.
I passed on the Passport and I797

Beautiful VO: What is your purpose of trip ?
Me: I will be going to work my client ABC's project (the biggest company in its domain)

Beautiful VO: Have you visted US before?
Me: No

Beautiful VO: client ?
Me: ABC (it is the biggest company in its domain)

Beautiful VO: What's your Exp
Me: 3 y 11 m

Beautiful VO: ur US income
Me: $$$$$

Beautiful VO: Employer?
Me: Answered

Beautiful VO: How many emp in US from your employer
Me: Answered

Beautiful VO: How many emp at this site
Me: Answered

VO: Seems most of people in your comp in US are at ABC's site.
Me: <Smiled>

Beautiful VO: wht wud u do there
Me: Explained in details what I had prepared. (the whole story categorized them in daily, weekly, monthly, ad hoc). She looked after some time; but I didnt want to leave any stone unturned; so completed everything what I had thought of.

Beautiful VO: Manager ?
Me: Told the name.

Beautiful VO: his location
Me: Told her the client location

Beautiful VO: how u interact with him
Me: Email, Instant messenger, Phone, Face to face discussions.

Beautiful VO: how often
Me: Twice a week at least.

Beautiful VO: who is ur mgr 's employer
Me: Told my employer's name.

Beautiful VO: Exp (same Q again)
me: 3 y 11 m

Beautiful VO: Approving your visa <and she returned the passport and kept I797>
Me: this shocked me <but I was sure I heard 'approving'>

Me: Is my visa approved (pointed the finger at passport, I didnt want to touch my passport - it was making me remember my L1B nightmare)
Beautiful VO: Oh sorry, then she took the passport and returned I797

Me: Ooh it puzzled me ..Thank you so much .....<Sighed relief>
Beautiful VO: Smiled

<<the Qs are not in exact order how she asked.>>

I turned around and found my company colleague who came with also standing there. We both showed "thumbs up" to each other. Though he (> 8 yrs exp) was asked only 2 Qs - Experince and Employer name.

I am in US now and roamed around in downtown watching christmas celebrations. My Emirates flight was delayed in Mumbai and missed the connecting one from Dubai which proved blessing in diguise; so got one day to tour Dubai. No complains finally as airlines took care of us by giving nice hotel stay and food.

When I am alone I realise how important that day was, especially due to bad L1 experience.

THANK YOU GOD!!

Hi,
I had my stamping in Chennai on Dec 12th.

My appointment was at 8:15 AM and I was out by 8:30.

me: GM. How are you?
VO: I am good. How are you?
me: I am doing good. Thanks.
VO: How long you are working with the present company?
me: X years
VO: What is your highest degree?
me: Bachelors
VO: Who is your client?
me: XYZ
VO: What is your role?
me: explained the roles and responsibilites
VO: I have approved your visa. You will recieve in 1 week.
me: Thank you and happy holidays.

Keep all the documentation ready even though they didn't ask anything. With proper documentation, it is very easy process.

All the best!

I reached to Consulate around 7:30am, then was in Queue for a hour to get my tokn number. Gave finger prints and again waitd for my interview for 20 mins.

My questions were very simple. It happened by grace of GOD. I felt like it was in my luck to get VISA this time easily, last time in July 2011 my L1B Visa got rejected.

My Questions were:

What do you for <My company name> ?
Told my designation, till then next question came.

What is my exprience with this company ?
5 years

Who is your client?
Told in 1 line its name and about it.


Your University name from where you took degree ?
<My university name>

What will be your salary in US?
$ xxx er annum

Have you read white pamplate?
Yes
 
I am approving your VISA , you will get your passport in 5 days.
Thank you.

First of all thanks to immihelp for providing such a nice platform where we can discuss our worries and get expert advice.

My visa interview was scheduled at US Consulate, Mumbai on 20th December 2011 at 08:30 AM. I went to Mumbai one day prior to the interview with my wife and daughter and stayed in Hotel Holiday Inn. Hotel is about 30 mins from BKC. We started from our hotel at 7 AM and reached US Consulate by 7:35 AM. There was already a long queue for 7:45 AM interview guys. I joined the queue for 8:30 AM Interview. Few guys came there and checked the HDFC receipts and pasted one of the sticker to the passport arranged our Passport with the required documents. The queue was moving fast we reached inside the consulate by 8:35 AM. After getting in we went to one counter and the lady asked for the passport and pasted one sticker with Token number. After that we enter the other building and given scan of our ten fingers. They didn't asked for my daughter may be because she is only 3 years old. After that we were waiting for our token number to be displayed on the TV screen. Please don't get worried by lots of rejections going on at all the counters. I think more than 80% cases were rejected. L1's are almost all rejected. Then at 9:40 AM our number came on the TV screen with a window number. And we reached the window. There was interview of one guy was already going on. After some 2 - 3 minutes he thanked VO and left the window. VO kept his passport. When I reached the window VO asked me to call the guy who just left the window. I rushed to call him. He was about to open the door to go out but I shouted from there only "Excuse me" and he stared back at me and I asked him to reach the window again as VO is calling him. He rushed to the window and the VO returned his Passport with Yellow slip. So my visa interview started with this bad luck for that guy. I am feeling very sorry for him. After that my number came. I greeted the VO and he responded back. Here are the questions that he asked me

VO: Who is your client?
XYZ

VO: Why are you going to US?
Told him about my project and responsibilities.

VO: Which countries you have travelled in Past?
US, England, Wales, Amsterdam, Jordan, Qatar and UAE

VO: What you were doing in Jordan?
Working for Ministry of Finance, Goverment of Jordan in an IT project.

VO: What is your salary in US?
Told him

VO: Ever got your Visa Rejected?
NO

VO: From New Delhi?
Applied for B1 in 2007 and the visa was approved.

VO: I will be right back.

He went behind and was talking to one guy for about 10 mins. Then he came back. Looking in his computer and started typing something. After than he took out his mobile and called someone and talked to him for another 3 mins or so. Then get back to me.

V0: What is your Academic Qualification?
MCA

VO: Do you have your Degree?
Yes. (Showed to him)

VO: Do you have Mark sheets?
Yes. (Showed to him)

After looking into the Mark sheets the golden words came "Your visa is approved Sir you will get the passport in 3 - 5 business days."

No questions to dependents...

Collected stamped Passport from VFS in the evening. Got H1 for 3 years.

I think there may be some person with similar name whose Visa was got rejected and he was confused with my name and was confirming the same. Anyways I got my visa.
Be confident, read your DS-160 carefully. All the answers are there only. Don't try to mug anything. If you are genuine and your Project and travel reasons are genuine then no need to worry. I was a bit nervous because of the incident that happened just before my interview. I was thinking of that guy. He thanked VO at least 4 times and then was very happy when he left the window and then I was asked to call him back and he ended up with Yellow slip. And after that the question to me about Visa Rejection. Anyways all wells that ends well....

Best of luck guys...