H1B, H4 Visa

Hi All,

This forum has really helped me understand the current delays and wait times reg visa processing, and I’d like to share my experience as well since I see a lot of posts related to recent interviews and the dropbox process in general. Do note that I was applying for an H-1-extension stamp after changing my employer during the course of my initial H-1 period.

16th Dec - dropped off my passport & I-797+photos at VAC-Mumbai (appointment)
17th Dec - case created on CEAC website
18th/19th Dec - admin processing
20th Dec - admin processing on CEAC website and passport ready for pickup (email and on US travel docs website)
Picked up my passport on the same day and as I feared , there was no visa stamp on it, but it had a green 221(g) slip with the interview option tick-marked
23rd Dec - Interview @ US consulate - Mumbai. There’s a separate time slot and line for 221(g) recipients. Interview was fairly basic for me - I work full-time as an engineer directly with my company, and it lasted only a couple of minutes.
My application was still in admin processing on the CEAC website but the date on it was updated to this day’s date
24th-26th - no updates
27th - date updated on CEAC, still AP
28th - 2nd - no updates
3rd - date updated on CEAC, still AP
6th - status changed to issued at noon and picked up my passport in-person after us travel docs passport tracker updated the status on the website to ‘your passport is ready for pick up’

I know the wait can be nerve-wracking and even I’ve had to cancel my return flight etc., but hang in there folks! Let me know if you have any questions. Best of luck to everyone here!

Consulate - Chennai
Dropbox and Interview
Dropbox Date - 13 Dec 2019
Interview date - 26 Dec 2019
Issue date - 07th Jan 2020
221g issued - Yes.
Reason for 221g (as stated by officer) - SEVIS.

Experience - I completed my dropbox on the 13th of Dec 2019. I picked my passport on 24th 2019 and found a blue slip to attend an interview. No documents were asked interview. Questions asked were:

1. What's your salary?
2. Were you ever out of status? - No.

VO retained the passport and said it's a sevis issue that we need fix on our side. Waited for two weeks as the VO had suggested. Visa issued on the 7th of Jan 2020.

Some pointers - if you were a student with F1 visa, your SEVIS is closed. Mine was actually. So it might have been something else. If you have changed employers after your first H1, make sure your previous employers have reported that you are no longer employed with them and have closed your case. If you have multiple job offers like I did during your H1 transfer and you have 2 approved i797s, make sure you tell the company you are NOT joining to close the I797 or your COS will be denied and recorded in DHS database, which will require some time to have it cleared.

This forum has been really helpful. Thanks for insights.

Disclaimer - These are my personal views, always consult an immigration lawyer for actual legal purposes.

Hi,

I applied for H1B visa for the first time on 21st Nov. I received a 221(G) asking from some additional details which were submitted on Dec 30th.
On the CEAC portal, my Visa status changed to issued on Jan 3rd. On Jan 4th, US Travel docs status changed to "Passport has been received from the consular section, and is currently being processed for delivery".
However, Since Jan 4th I have not received any updates on my Passport. I have also not received any updates from Blue Dart Premium to collect my Passport. Blue Dart currently do not have any logs in their system on my name.

Any one had similar experience in the past? Is this a red sign or normal course?

Hi All,

Me and my husband both are working in different IT Firms. My company applied H1B for me and luckily got picked and petition got approved. We have visa interview in couple of days.
My husband has applied for H4 visa. As he is working already in India with one of the top most IT company, so what should be the most apt answers for the following questions during visa interview.

1. As you are already working, how you will manage your job in India?
2. What you will do in USA?
3. Will you be working in USA?

Please suggest on above questions.

Your help is really appreciated.

Hello Everybody,

As a response to by 221g I dropped my documents at the mentioned drop off location(CGI Documents Collection Office). But I have not received any acknowledgment upon submission. Can any of you please help me on how will I get an acknowledgment/confirmation on my documents submission.

Hi,
Is it possible to apply for H4 to F1 conversion while H4 extension is pending? For H4, Finger prints have been provided and I am waiting for the decision.
Has anyone been in similar scenario? Please advise.
Thanks

Anyone received 221g and appeared for interview @Mumbai?
If so, what are your dates and status as of 1/6/2020?

First time H1B visa
I have attended interview on Dec 2nd Hyderabad
Interview went coo, she asked general questions regarding employer name and end client details. VO officer told your visa has been approved and collected passport and gave me white paper. Same day i have received below email:
 
Dear Applicant:
 
Thank you for attending your interview at the U.S. Consulate in Hyderabad. Your nonimmigrant visa case was refused under Section 221(g) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and it requires further administrative processing. 
 
Please complete the below listed questionnaire and email it to [email protected] at the earliest.  Your passport and case numbers are both in the subject line of this e-mail. You must include your passport number and case number in the subject line of all e-mails.
 
We cannot predict how long this process will take as it varies based on the individual circumstances of each case.  You can check the status of your case by visiting our website at http://hyderabad.usconsulate.gov/pending-or-refused-visas.html and type in your case number or your CEAC confirmation number.
 
Please Do NOT submit your passport unless you are requested to do so. We will contact you by email or phone to submit your passport at the OFC.
 
Please do NOT send repeated e-mails to this address requesting or offering further information. We will confirm receipt of your questionnaire but will not respond to further messages sent to this address.
 
Please note: If you fail to submit the required information within one year of receiving this e-mail, your application will expire. No further action will be taken on your case until your questionnaire is submitted.
 
Sincerely,
 
Nonimmigrant Visa Unit
Consular Section
U.S. Consulate General
Hyderabad, India
Email: [email protected]
 
Attached Questionnaire below:
 
U.S. Department of State
Form DS-5535
Approved OMB 1405-0226
Expires 02/28/2021
Approximate estimated time: 60 Minutes
 
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS FOR VISA APPLICANTS:
• If you are unsure of the answer to a question, please provide a response to the best of your knowledge. For example, if you are unsure of an exact address,
provide the city, state, and street name if you can recall them. U.S. Department of State will consider all the information derived from the form in its entirety.
• Failure to answer every question will not necessarily preclude visa issuance, as the application is considered in its entirety.
• If you believe a particular question does not apply to you or your circumstances, please write "not applicable" or "N/A."
• If you need more space to respond to a question, please write the rest of your response on a separate sheet of paper.
• Aside from your name, date of birth, and visa classification, please only provide information not included in your current visa application. For example, if all
of your children are listed in your current visa application (Form DS-160 or DS-260), you do not need to list them again.
 
Personal Information
Applicant’s Surname(s):
Applicant’s Given Name(s):
Applicant’s Date of Birth (mm-dd-yyyy):
Applicant’s Visa Type/Classification:
 
Applicant’s Passport and Travel History:
 
Have you travelled to any country (other than your country of residence) in the last 15 years? (Please mention either "YES" or "NO")
 
If yes, provide details for each trip, including locations visited, date visited, source of funds, and length of stay.
 
Name of country you visited:
locations visited:
date visited:
length of stay:
 
Name of country you visited:
locations visited:
date visited:
length of stay:
 
Name of country you visited:
locations visited:
date visited:
length of stay:
 
Name of country you visited:
locations visited:
date visited:
length of stay:
 
Name of country you visited:
locations visited:
date visited:
length of stay:
 
== Please continue to add the above list if you have visited more countries in the last 15 years. ==
 
Have you ever held a passport other than the passport listed in your visa application?  (Please mention either "YES" or "NO")
If yes, provide the following information.
 
Country of Issuance:
Passport Number:
 
Country of Issuance:
Passport Number:
 
Country of Issuance:
Passport Number:
 
== Please continue to add the above list if you have visited more countries in the last 15 years. ==
 
Information about your relatives (if applicable):
Siblings (brothers and sisters) - Provide the full name(s) and date of birth of any sibling (full, half, step, adopted), living or deceased below:
 
Surname(s):
Given Name(s):
Date of Birth (mm-dd-yyyy):
 
Surname(s):
Given Name(s):
Date of Birth (mm-dd-yyyy):
 
Surname(s):
Given Name(s):
Date of Birth (mm-dd-yyyy):
 
== Please continue to add the above list, as applicable ==
 
Information about your children (if applicable):
Provide the full name(s) and date of birth of any child (minor and adult), living or deceased. Children includes natural children, step-children, and adopted children.
 
Surname(s):
Given Name(s):
Date of Birth (mm-dd-yyyy):
 
Surname(s):
Given Name(s):
Date of Birth (mm-dd-yyyy):
 
Surname(s):
Given Name(s):
Date of Birth (mm-dd-yyyy):
 
== Please continue to add the above list, as applicable ==
 
Information about your spouse (if applicable):
Spouse - Provide the full name(s) of any current or previous spouse or civil/domestic partner, living or deceased.
 
Surname(s):
Given Name(s):
Date of Birth (mm-dd-yyyy):
 
== You may continue to add the above list, if applicable ==
 
Address and Contact Information:
Address - Provide all addresses where you have lived during the last 15 years, if not already provided in your application.
 
Address 1:
Dates of Residence (mm-dd-yyyy):
Street Address 1:
Street Address 2:
City:
State/Province:
Postal Zone/Zip Code:
Country/Region:
 
Address 2:
Dates of Residence (mm-dd-yyyy):
Street Address 1:
Street Address 2:
City:
State/Province:
Postal Zone/Zip Code:
Country/Region:
 
== Please continue to add the above list, as applicable ==
 
Phone Numbers - Provide all phone numbers you have used in the last five years, including primary, secondary, work, home, and mobile numbers.
 
Phone Number (1) :
Phone Number (2) :
Phone Number (3) :
Phone Number (4) :
Phone Number (5) :
Phone Number (6) :
Phone Number (7) :
Phone Number (8) :
 
== Please continue to add the above list, as applicable ==
 
E-mail Addresses - Provide all email addresses you have used in the last five years, including primary, secondary, work, personal, and educational addresses.
 
E-mail Address (1) :
E-mail Address (2) :
E-mail Address (3) :
E-mail Address (4) :
E-mail Address (5) :
E-mail Address (6) :
 
== Please continue to add the above list, as applicable ==
 
Social Media Details:
Please provide your unique user name for any websites or applications you have used to create or share content (photos, videos, status updates, etc.) as part of a public profile within the last five years. (You do not need to list accounts designed for use by multiple users within a business or other organization.)
 
Social Media Platform:
Social Media Identifier (Name/Handle):
 
Social Media Platform:
Social Media Identifier (Name/Handle):
 
Social Media Platform:
Social Media Identifier (Name/Handle):
 
== Please continue to add the above list, as applicable ==
 
Your Employment History:
Provide the following information on all employment in the last fifteen years, if not already provided in your application:
 
Employer Name:
Dates of Employment (from mm-dd-yyyy to mm-dd-yyyy)
Employer's Street Address 1:
Employer's Street Address 2:
City:
State/Province:
Postal Zone/Zip Code:
Country/Region:
Telephone Number:
 
Job Title:
Job Description:
 
Employer Name:
Dates of Employment (from mm-dd-yyyy to mm-dd-yyyy)
Employer's Street Address 1:
Employer's Street Address 2:
City:
State/Province:
Postal Zone/Zip Code:
Country/Region:
Telephone Number:
 
Job Title:
Job Description:
 
Employer Name:
Dates of Employment (from mm-dd-yyyy to mm-dd-yyyy)
Employer's Street Address 1:
Employer's Street Address 2:
City:
State/Province:
Postal Zone/Zip Code:
Country/Region:
Telephone Number:
 
Job Title:
Job Description:
 
== Please continue to add the above list, as applicable ==
 
Please note: By responding to the above questionnaire, you confirm to us that you understand all the information you have provided in, or in support of, this application may be provided to other U.S. government agencies authorized to use such information for purposes including enforcement of the laws of the United States. You also confirm that you fully understand all of the information contained in this form and you certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the foregoing is complete, true, and correct. Further, you also confirm that you understand that any willfully false or misleading statement or willful concealment of a material fact made by you herein may result in refusal of the visa, denial of admission to the United States, and, may subject you to criminal prosecution and/or removal from the United States.
 
Applicant's full name:
Date of completing the questionnaire (mm-dd-yyyy):
 
PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT STATEMENT:
Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 60 minutes per response, including time required for searching existing data sources, gathering the necessary documentation, providing the information and/or documents required, and reviewing the final collection. You do not have to supply this information unless this collection displays a currently valid OMB control number. If you have comments on the accuracy of this burden estimate
and/or recommendations for reducing it, please send them to: [email protected].
 
CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT:
AUTHORITIES: The information on this form is requested pursuant to Section 212(a) and 221 and as required by Section 222 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Section 222(f) provides that the records of the Department of State and of diplomatic and consular offices of the United States pertaining to the issuance and refusal of visas or permits to enter the United States shall be considered confidential and shall be used only for the formulation, amendment, administration, or enforcement of the immigration, nationality, and other laws of the United States. Certified copies of such records may, in the discretion of the Secretary of State, be made available to a court provided the court certifies that the information contained in such records is needed in a case pending before the court.
 
PURPOSE: The U.S. Department of State uses the information provided on this form to determine an individual’s eligibility for a U.S. visa. Individuals who fail to submit this form or who do not provide all the requested information may be denied a U.S. visa. Although furnishing this information is voluntary, failure to provide this information may delay or prevent the processing of an individual visa application.
 

Privacy Act Statement
 
Under section 222(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), the records pertaining to the issuance or refusal of visas are considered to be confidential and, with limited exception, may be used only for the formulation, amendment, administration, or enforcement of the immigration, nationality, and other laws of the U.S. Thus, information about any particular non-immigrant visa applicant’s case cannot be divulged to third parties.

I have received my passport on Dec 12th. I have checked the case it still shows under administrative processing. Any body have any idea how long does it takes. I am surprised to get my passport back even after VO officer said VISA Approved.

Hi,

I had my Visa interview done recently in December

Interview - 9th December ( Case created )

Case updated - 19th December

My case is still pending and there's no information of my visa which I can track also my passport on US travel Docs too. I had my flight on 6th of Jan but had to cancel due to administrative process. My passport was retained during the interview with VO.

On US travel Docs my passport status shows : "There is no status update available for the passport number submitted" This status changed two days before Christmas.

This process is taking more than three weeks, is there any wait time for this process or shall I wait.

This blog has helped me a lot and would like share my exp as well. Here is time time.

13/Dec Dropped documents at VFS.(Employer Change)
18/Dec Case Created
18/Dec Administrative Processing.
27/Dec Passports ready to collect /AP with 221g asking to come for interview. Interview only for primary applicant.

31/Dec Attended interview at hydbad embassy.
              Basic questions asked by VO.
              Although I said it's FTE with no end client, I still see somestandard questions on end client related..every time I said I don't work for end client and vo said oh ya I forgot :-)
             Collected mine and dependents passports, paystubs, lca and w2.
      Issued 221g whiteslip, said that they don't need any further documents from me, but my application requires additional administrative Processing and will be notified through email once it is done.
I was nervous that I was not aware that these days 221gs are common.

31/Dec Administrative Processing, date updated.
3/Jan/2020 AP, dated updated.
4/5 weekend.
6/Jan Issued.

Waiting for passports to ready for pickup.

Although the wait ends, lot of if else situations. Overall happy ending. Keep atleast 3 weeks buffer for your return travel these days and be prepared for 221gs and be confident and hopeful.