H1B, H4 Visa

Hi All,

This forum was very helpful for me. Hence, sharing my own experience of overall process.
Most of us worry a lot when going for stamping for the 1st time stamping, specially those who were approved for Change of Status (F1 to H1B).

Brief summary:

I completed my first masters in NON-STEM programme, after completing 9 credits I was working on CPT. I had only 12 months of OPT, completed OPT. Later, I enrolled in another masters programme. Employer filed H1B in 2019 April with premium processing, I was issued RFE. In August 2019, case was approved.

Employer is well known IT company in US. I directly work for this employer.

I went to India in December 2019.
During this visit, I got married [which was already planned :) ] and brought my wife for her H4 interview along with me.

12/22/2019: OFC Appointment
12/23/2019: VISA Interview

At interview window, I gave my passport and I797 approval. My wife also handed her passport.

After typing something for 15-20 seconds, VO asked 3 questions.

VO: Do you marriage certificate?
Me: I handed the certificate

VO: What's your job profile with this employer?
Me: Answered accordinly

VO: What's you annual salary?
Me: Provided the number

That's it and we heard the golden words: VISA is approved.

On CEAC website, status changed from admin processing to VISA issued on 12/26/2019. Received passport on 12/30/2019.

Be positive, you will be through.

:-)

Hi all,
I attended for visa interview on October 7th, 2019 and sharing my experience

Me : Good Morning Sir
VO: Good morning, can I have your passport ?
Me: Gave.
VO: can I see your I 797
VO: Gave
VO: You studied Masters in US?
Me: Yes
VO: when did you finish your masters?
Me: 2014 December.
VO: Is this your first H1B ?
Me: Yes
VO: After 2014, you can work on OPT for 3 three years but your H1B starts on October 1st of 2019. So, how did you resided in USA after completion of OPT?
Me: I did my second Masters.
VO: second masters school name?
Me: Camp***
VO: Location of the school?
Me: Louisville, Kentucky
VO: okay, whom your working for, I mean who is your employer?
Me: Said
VO: Do you work in house or any end client location ?
Me : I do work at client location, and said client name.
VO: what’s your salary ?
Me: Said
VO: Overall how many year of professional experience in USA?
Me: said.
VO: are you married ?
Me: No
VO: okay. I’m giving this slip and need to verify some additional documents. Please email me all those documents to the email Id provided in the slip. Once you submit it we’ll review let you know the decision.

He issue yellow slip and asked me to submit all the docs from back side of 221g slip.

My case Details:

Interview Date: 7th October
Documents submitted date: 18th October
Passport submission email: 31st December (2019).
Passport submitted date: 2 Jan, 2020.

on ceac website, last updated date was my interview date (i.e. 7th oct). it didn't got update until I submitted my passport.

Last updated date on ceac site is : 3rd Jan, 2020 (One day after passport submitted).

I'm also sharing the email what I got from consulate for Passport submission:

Greetings from the U.S. Consulate General Mumbai.

We are pleased to report that the administrative processing is complete for your application.

Please follow these steps for final processing:

1. Print two copies of the "Submission Slip," which can be found here: http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/221G_Submission_Letter_India.pdf. Complete the slip manually.

2. Submit your passport, submission slips, and a printed copy of this email at one of our drop-off locations. For a list of these locations, please visit http://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/in-loc-documentdropoff.asp#locations. There is no fee for this service. (PLEASE DO NOT SEND DOCUMENTS DIRECTLY TO THE CONSULATE.)

IMPORTANT: If you are the principal visa applicant and you applied with your spouse and/or children, please submit their passports as well. As appropriate for your visa application type, please submit a copy of your I-797, I-20, or DS-2019.

WARNING: Failure to submit your passport in a timely fashion may result in additional delays. This email address is not monitored for incoming responses.

Sincerely,

Consular Information Unit
U.S. Consulate General Mumbai

I received above email on 31st dec and I submitted my passport on 2nd Jan.

While submitting passport, we need to fill CGI documentation slip (Submission slip). In that form There are two options on it
A. Document submission for: NIV 221(g)
B. Passport requested for final visa processing.
I did submitted my passport but they checked for me option A which is irrelevant. I again went and ask to change it but they refused to do that.
I'm worried about that option checked because I have seen lot of cases who selected option A is getting delayed for process.
I'm worried about this completely can someone help in understanding, does it matter or where can update that option if I want to ?

Appreciate your Help.

Thanks
kumar

For Mumbai location, did someone interview before Dec 23rd and still in AP? or conversely someone who interviewed on 20th or 23rd and issued (mumbai only)

Just want to see the backlog (delay in days), assuming its FIFO?

[Other locations, you can have a similar thread too.. i noticed someone from Dec11 Hyd and Delhi....but want to use this thread for Mumbai only]

Location: Mumbai

VAC appointment: Dec 26, 2019
Interview: Dec 27, 2019
Case Created: Dec 26,2019
Case Last Updated: Dec 27,2019

Visa approved. No slips given.

Passport Status:
Your passport is still with the US Embassy/Consulate

Visa Application Status:
Administrative Processing

Anyone else in similar situation?

Hi
My Self, wife and daughter 3 year's Old attended h1 interview in
Stockholm, sweden. They issued 221(g) saying submit daughter photos
And took all passwords.
When I ll receive my passport.... Anybody faced Same issue.

Hello:

Below is my timeline for Hyderabad Dropbox processing:

My H1b stamp for previous employer is expiring in aug 2020 and was suggested by current employer to get the stamp this time since I was visiting india. I am direct FTE with both companies.

Dec 23rd- dropped off documents
Dec 26th- case created

No update since then for a week

Jan 3rd- Administrative processing

Anyone else who dropped of documents at Hyderabad consulate during the same timeline?

Any leads are appreciated! Thanks!

Hi Everyone,

Our H1B is in 221G- AP status for 2 weeks and our return flight is in Mid Jan.
Could anyone please let us know the Consulate contact numbers to get any update on my case.

All I see in the internet is

E-mail: [email protected]
This is the fastest and best way to reach us. We read every email and strive to reply within 3 working days. Occasionally, complicated requests can take longer.
Telephone: (91-120) 4844644, (91-40) 4625-8222 and 1-703-520-2239 (for all calls from the United States)

Haven't tried these numbers.

I had my H1B visa interview in Chennai consulate on Dec 12th. VO asked basic questions and said your visa is approved and I would receive my passport in 3-5 days. No 221g issued .

status updated - 18th Dec - Administrative processing.
Passport tracker status - "there is no update available for the passport no submitted"

My case is still in AP, I have made my travel plans to return on Jan 17th. I am a bit worried. Did someone face a similar experience in Chennai or other consulate.

Ofc: 23rd dec 2019
Interview : 26th dec 2019
Location : Mumbai
Visa was approved by the officer. No 221g. Checked status and it was administrative processing. Case date got updated today to 3rd Jan but the status was still administrative processing.

What should I expect in this scenario?

interview 23rd Dec, H1b

Consular officer mentioned - visa approved, still awaiting change on CEAC, says AP

Had to cancel return flight to US