H1B, H4 Visa

All,

Had ma H1-B visa interview on 4th Jan, VO asked me only 4 questions as my petition fell under BEP [corporates]

questions asked were
1. What you do in ABC company?
2.which state you are going to?
3. whats your monthly income?


VO told me that visa is approved and i will get ma passport.

BUT untill today i have not received my passport, when i track ma passport on us chennai consulate site it says " Passport is pending with US consuate/Embassy for processing"


I was not given any forms @ h1-b interview by the interviewer .......Any idea what does this mean??? and how long it would take to receive my passport??

My stamping ws done succesfully and so i want to thanks all the guys who shared their experiences which were very helpful.

There were only 2 questions asked for me, one is who is your client and what is your role in onsite.
I answered them and done thatsit !!

gone for h1b stamping, interview with vo went fine.
took all my docs (passport,project details, I797,I129...), issued 221g (blue form) without marking any additional docs.
the final reply from vo is that, "he require more time to analyse my case".

not thinking much about of my stamping app...but left me with confused status. enquired lot about this with friends, not much helpful. till now, the visa status is "passprot is in process with US consulate".

any similar exp?

Hi All,

Thanks for all your postings and i will add my experience too.

Interview schedule : 9.00am

Myself and my wife arrived by 8.00am and the security person allowed us by 8.40am. In gate counter the received Interview confirmation letter and DS160, then issued a token number for the counter.

After entering inside securities checked my folders and asked any mobile phones or electronic goods. Then Moved inside to the counter sections. There were 12 counters 10 for Document check and finger print reading. 2 for interview(I came to know those 2 were for interview after my approval only).

Our token was called and we went there the person verified our DS160 info and told my wife's application cannot be processed as its mentioned she is main applicant and will be working there. That was my mistake, and he gave one pass telling that correct that and bring a new DS 160 copy where this will be allowed only once. We were out of the counsulate in 20mins.

No phones and didn't memorise my office college num to get help. So we both walked towards a browsing center near park hotel. We sat and started filling the application(We both lost hope that they may questions this in interview). It took 1hr and with that pressure i almost felt sick.

Then went back to the counsulate by 10.45am and shown the pass out the gate, he gave new token number.

We waited for 40mins, during that time i was watching in one counter where and US person(2 counters totally) was sitting and questioning a lot to people whoever comes to her window with documents(was praying i should not get that window for doc verification) Then we went the other counter again our document verified(all the other counter were indians verifying docs and taking finger prints...we can communicate in tamil also). She asked what correction was made and told her, then she took both of our finger print reading and informed watch the screen for ur interview counter. But while reading forums i thought each process will happen in separate buidings. So I though so i will get one more token here and move to next building.

In 5mins my token appeared, we both went there (where the US person was there). She asked the folder, I gave. Then she asked "Whats your role in with the client?". I replied in single sentence. Then again "Whats your highest Degree?", i told and was thinking(For checking documents why she is asking this questions). Again she asked "How long you are working in this project"..i said 2.5yrs and Again.."How many yrs of exp in this domain" and I said "2.5yrs.

She asked me to keep the finger on the recorder and also she asked my "Madam keep your left hand thumb on the reader".

Then she told 'Your visa is approved will get ur passport in 4days".

I said thank you and couldn't beleive where this is the interview. I asked the person who wss guiding all to the counters, he told sir goahead you are done and enjoy.

Myself and my wife can't believe that it was an interview, coz my thought was it will happen in separate building. Thats y it went cool like, if i come to know that its an interview counter(then i would've start shiverring).

All went well. In my experience i can say that, just go there keeping in mind that you are going for a discussion about, things will be cool.

All the best

Prasath

Hi All,

I thank this forum for helping all those who are in need of knowing the real time experience of Visa process at Consulate..

My interview was scheduled at 10 AM at Chennai US Consulate office and i was there at 9 AM.

Procedure which i went thru is explained below:-

Security at entrance gate asked me to stand in Queue and i was at queue hardly for 5 min and after that i was asked to move to Counter which checks the US applicant form which we get after submitting DS-160 from....

Then i was asked to get in the office and i stood to meet the officer who checks the documents writes some serial number on the applicaiton. It was done very smoothly as the officer was very gentle and even my finger prints were taken....

Then i sat for 20 min waiting for the VO meeting and after 20 min my turn came..

VO --> Good morning
Me --> Very good morning
VO--> Please place your center finger at the scanner sir
Me--> Ok mam (Placed the finger and she did scan it)
VO--> How long you have been working with $$$ Company sir?
Me --> %%%% Years
VO --> Which is your highest degree?
ME --> Bachelor of Engineering
VO--> In which subject?
ME --> $$$$$
VO--> You know your client name right?
ME --> Yes, its @@@@,
VO --> Have you read the labor law points in this pamplate?
Me--> Yes
VO--> Your VISA is approved sir and you will get in another 1 week..
Me -->Thank you, i can expect it in another 10 days right?
VO --> Normally thats the procedure sir..
Me --> Thank you mam, have great day.

Folks what matters is your confidence and your presence of mind.. If you have all the documents and know for what exactly you travelling then it will be very simple.. So know for what you are travelling and be confident.

Regards,
Well Wisher :)

Hi,

It was my usual practice to do a lot of research before doing any work.

So I started working on the collecting details regarding the visa interview on daily basis. When in see across google, I came to know about the forum . I have came across the interview questions asked and prepared myself for the interview .

Below is my story for H1B visa.

My interview was on jan 5 at 9:00. I booked a taxi to reach the place in time . I reached the counslate around 7:45 and I was allowed to stand on line at that time.

I was standing in line for around 15 min and I was allowed to enter the consulate at 8 Am after doing the security check.My documents are verified and I was asked to wait for the interview.

I was waiting to get my chance. Before me there are around 3 people standing in queue.


One from my company for H1B and other two are from other companies with B1A visas on BEP.

H1B visa got approved and all the B1A & L1 visas are getting rejected. Even with proper BEP documentation it is getting rejected.

So guys be careful while applying for B1A and L1 visas. Make sure you have the maximum amount of documents and also the proper messages

hello ..thanks to this site and to the people who posted their experience..which helped me to prepare me for interview.

I’m currently working with cognizant technologies.
my interview was scheduled at

I reached consulate at 7.45 am, and saw line of 100 people standing there. I was little shocked..so many people. Anyways there was a first slot of 50 people..then next slot of 50 people, which was empty..then again 50..after them I was standing..that empty slot is for people who opted for special service..rest all common people like
standing in queue.which refused to move for
at-least 1 hour..[advice: if you have interview scheduled at 8.15 please go there at-least at 7.15 max 7.20 so that you get in first 50 people..which will save your lot of time]..

so after 1 hour..the line moved..but again it stopped..I could people who were entering
consulate..the golden gate..

after 1.30 hr the line moved again..there is one officer out side who checks your forms. keep passport and interview letter ready..

that officer checked my interview letter..and
told me to go ahead..I felt lucky..then I
realized I was standing in 8.30 slot line..[advice : once you reach their ask for your interview timing slot line..]

I was very near golden gate..which is silver in color..I could see people coming out..some with passport in hand..my heart stared pumping fast..are they refusing passport..will I get approval..all those questions started coming in
my mind..gate is very near by the road..I could see people going bye..some beautiful girls...I could not concentrate on them..visa was on my mind. testosterone level was increasing..

then they allowed 5 of us inside the gate..the golden gate which is silver in color..is too heavy..I pushed it..and went inside..there is one security who tells u to strip..lol..just the belt and watch and wallet...[advice: don’t carry cell phone]..so I stripped ..he checked my belt..then he checked if I have hidden something inside my cloths..[what if I hide something in my mouth.]

after that..he gives your belt and other things along with wooden stick..I really don’t know what’s the use of it..you need to keep it inside your pocket.

then you go through another door. where you have some people are given a pink color token[your number] and a rights to know pamphlet. you can
were belt.

then you need to stand in a queue for finger
print scanning..which is done quickly..

in Mumbai there are 2 waiting rooms the first
hall is big the second one is small and is
occupied with families[mostly gujrathi]..and
where you can see beautiful girls..but as I said
I had become little tensed..so I ignored them
for a while..but could not resist afterwards..
there are two TV which play non interesting chanells. luckliy TV near me was playing tom and
jerry so it was stress reliving

my token number was 273[pink token]..when then announce the numbers.please listen very carefully
they don’t announce it twice..so be carefull.you can see beautiful girls afterwards..:)

I was sitting next to a boy of my age..who was
from LNT InfoTech..I tried to instantiate convo
but he was too tensed to carry it on..girls and tom and jerry kept me occupied..

there is an special arrangement for gujrathi people..they can give interview in gujrathi.
what a rule..why I can’t give interview in Marathi..anyways..they call gujju people for interview in gujarathi.."mahesh bhai ani parivar bari number 16 par ayawe jawo"..it was funny..
stress buster..kids have fun there..when their family number come they become so happy..lol..so
waited there for next 45 mins..each min..increasing
tension..atlast my number was called..

group of 5 people are called and you need to go to that window..in Mumbai there are 17 windows..
I was called on window number 15..so went there quickly..I was last person in that group of five..
before me there was a beautiful girl..so all interview started..I was becoming tensed by every second..everyone me including that girl got visa.
I still rem her eyes after she got the visa..there
was a glitter in them.. Something inside me was changed..I felt lot of confidence suddenly.
I just knew..I’m going to make it, with that confidence I went inside

so I went inside..mind you..you dont get to sit there..you need to stand and keep your documents ready if he asks for it..there is enough room to keep your documents.

interview

me : good morning officer
vo : good morning
vo: can I get the pink token
I handed over the token
me : happy new year
vo no response..he is just feeding something in computer
vo : what’s your purpose of going to united states
me : "I will be going there for a project called as Merck-ECCM, and will be working there are system analyst and will analize ,design,develope and deploy new requirement"
vo not interested in my answer..feeding something
vo: why are they sending you
me : because I’m an Microsoft certified guy. I have done msoft certifications. and I’m a project for last 1 yr so I know what the project is all about.
vo: whats your duration of stay in US
me :1 yr
Vo: are you married
me : no, single
vo: have you ever visited US
me : no
vo: have you gone outside India
me : no
vo: your visa is approved..enjoy your stay and work in unites states..
me : thanks alot sir..thanks alot

 
so went out there..I had made it..I was the most happy person at that time..went out side..the security asked for wooden stick..gave him that..again the golden door..this time I felt like a king..:)
Main Advice : be super confidant inside interview room.
If any questions…shoot me at my mail ID

I went for my stamping on 27th at chennai consulate.
I should say it was a breeze.
1. how long in US
2. how long with the company.
3. what is the annual income.
Visa approved. got my visa within next 2 days.

I had my appointment scheduled at 9am, I went to the consulate by 845 .. They let me in by 9am .. I was in line for PIMS verification by 915 .. The guy who took my details for PIMS verification said the systems were down.. It took him abt 30 min to process my case and then he wrote PIMS not found.
I went and took the token, there were too many people waiting.
Meanwhile a VO came to the waiting room and she said: " there's one good news and one bad news.. Bad news is that half of our systems are down and the good news is the other half are working. But we ll try and finish interviewing all the candidates for sure." and then she left. They finally called my token number at 1030.

I handed over the documents..
Me : Hi, how r u
VO : good .. How long have u been with xxxxsoft
Me : sorry didn't hear u
VO : she asked the same question
Me : 1 year 2 months
Vo : wen did u join them
Me : xxx 12th
Vo : u hav the paystubs?
Me : yes and handed over
Vo : is ur project inhouse or client side?
Me : client
Vo : can I see the client letter
Me : sure and handed over the client
Vo : who is xxx systems .. Middle vendor?
Me : yes mam
Vo : are there anymore ?
Me : no, just xxx systems
Vo : Ok, did u graduate from AAA or did u transfer to any other school ?
Me : I did graduate from AAA
Vo : major ?
Me : majored in blah from IT and E school.
Vo : she took out the 221g yellow and said u might already be carrying all these documents, but as our systems are down .. I ll need some time to process ur case. I will check the documents u ll need to submit at the VFS.. Please do so .. It might take some time to process
the case.
Me : can I include my itenary with those douments so you know when I need to return mam.
Vo : you can do that .. That might help.

I submitted all my documents VO asked for on Dec 7th, and i got a response back from the consulate to submit my passport on Dec 23rd. I did so on 27th Dec, and they sent me my stamped passport on 30th Dec.

P.S : Consulate also included the email attachments of my verification process.

They contacted my client's Place Law Office and verified if the client letter is genuine and also if i was budgeted for 2011.

Hope this helps.

My interview was scheduled at 8.30AM. I reached the consulate at 7.35. I waited in the queue.
At around 8am they asked for the DS 160, gave me a token and let me go inside. In the first entrance they ask to sit and wait for our turn for finger printing. When my token number was displayed I went to the counter. He asked for the interview letter and DS 160 confirmation. I also had the finger printing done for all fingers and thumbs. He put the passport, DS 160, i797 and interview letter into a separate envelope. Then I was asked to move to the other building where I was to be interviewed.
There also I was asked to wait for my token number. They were calling the token number in some random manner; it was not in any particular order so I had to consistently check the display screen for my token number. Finally after waiting for 35-40 minutes, I saw my number and went to the window number 23.
While waiting I saw many visa rejections and few approvals! Even for students visa and dependants (or may be visitor via) for parents they were rejecting. While waiting I was a bit nervous but when my turn came, I was quite confident and calm. The conversation with the consulate officer is as below –



Me: Good morning, Sir
VO: Good morning, please show me the document.
Me: I handed over the envelope containing the passport, i797, ds 160 and the interview letter.
VO: what do you do?
Me: I am database administrator.
VO: what is your qualification?
Me: I have done bachelor of technology in Information technology from ABC university.
VO: OK, give me the employer letter and paystubs.
Me. I handed over the My employer letter and the paystubs of my current company (ZZZ Solutions).
VO: for how long you are working for BBB?
Me: This is a new Job.
VO: and how did they hire you?
Me: I had posted my resume on a job portal and they contacted me from there.
VO: where will be working in the US?
Me. I will be working at BBB office which is located at HHH, in AAA state. It is 30 miles north of CCC.
VO: give me the LCA and the petitioner’s letter.
Me: handed over then documents to him.
VO: will you be working for a client.
Me: yes.
VO: who is your client?
Me: ABBB.com.
Vo. Say again..?
Me. ABBB.com
VO: he checked something in his computer, I think the website aims4claims.com.
VO: and do you have a client letter? I need a client letter with your name.
Me: I do not have a client letter, but I do have the contracts agreements signed between my employer and client and blah blah..
VO: (looked not satisfied), I need a letter with your name.
VO: Sandeep, I still need to decide on your visa I need some documents.
He took a blue slip form 221g, ticked some documents and handed over to me.
VO: please submit these documents along with your passport.
Me. But I do have all the documents with me right now to support the application.
VO: you do not have all the documents; if you had you should have submitted them along with the petition. Please submit the documents and then we will decide. Thank you.