H1B, H4 Visa

Hi

I got the mail from USCIS regarding my case as follows: Can any one explain about this mail. Shall i put any hope on the visa.

Application Type: I129, PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER

Current Status: This case has been received from the State Department with a request we review it.

On August 15, 2008, a USCIS office received this case from the State Department with a request that we review it. We will notify you when we complete our review, or if we need something from you. If you move while this case is pending, please use our Change of Address online tool to update your case with your new address. You can also receive automatic e-mail updates as we process your case. To receive e-mail updates, follow the link below to register.

I would be very thankful, if any one can explain how the case would be solved.

Thanks
Vidya

I attended the visa interview on 25th September.
Here I am sharing my experience so that it will be helpful to others,
The Visa Officer asked me only few questions :
1. What is your qualification?
2. How much experience do you have?
3. What you will be doing at US?

while I am answering he stopped listening and checked something in the system and after a minute he said "Your visa is issued. You will get it in a week"
I think it depends most on the Employer credentials.
He didn't asked me single document though i took all the needed ones.
The entire process didn't took more than 2 minutes for me.

Hi All,

Let me share my experience at the chennai counsulate on 25 september 2008.

My appt was at 11.30 i reached thr by 10.30 and went to the security to get in, But the VFS staff asked me to stand in the line. I saw like nearly 300 ppl were standing as if it was a Tirupati Darshanam Q...so waited around 2 hours and VFS guys called ppl of appt at 11.30 to move fwd, so we moved fwd and the initial frisking was done. Went inside to scan our folders, they make sure that they dont allow anything which is sealed, SO make sure you dont carry anything sealed. afetr the envelope checking, VFS guys will ask you to go to the counter, for H1B we just have to give the DS-156-DS157 and the labour sheet(Thats all) after that fingure printing. Then i was asked to go to the next building and thr i saw around 70-80 ppl standing in the queue at any given point of time and ppl who walked in just were asked to sit.

SO initially there were only two counters, i was analysing the VO if who was good and frindly. in an AC roon of 21 degrees temperature, I saw so many people sweating, I was one of them. i was nervous. when i waited thr for almost 2 hrs again and i was like the eighth person in the queue a new window opened(a new VO) and she was an Indian but i guess brought up in US she was arrogant and serious with everyone and shouting and yelling and making ppl nervous. then my turn came and i was praying that i should not go to that lady. i was about to go thr to that VO a new window opened up and i push my self there not looking at the VO(previous) I was sweating an nervous i looked at the VO and said Good afternoon she smiled at me, She was an african american and was very good smiled and said

VO: How are you doing?
Me: Not Bad at all.
VO: she asked me for the file and i gave her the file. SHe asked me to show my degree certificates and i was opening them.
Then she asked me for the Tax documents i gave them to her and still was taking out my certificates counldnot find them instantly.
VO:WHat did you do at (my first employer)
Me: i laughed and said i processed your pay checks....(hehe)
VO: Laughed and said we will courier your visa in seven days. Thanks


5 hours of standing and not even 20 seconds of interview.

Guys, dont expect anything to happen be with an open mind


Thanks

Hi All,
       I am working for company YYYY (which the Top most indian company) and they have applied for L1B Blanket and i went to CHennai consulate on Jul-17 they have issued me 221(g) on that.

       Now i have Applied h1b from other consultency...will VO asks any questions on the previous L1B. we have more than 1 lakh employees in current company where as the new one has 20...
if he asks why you are quiting such a good company what should i say to that....

Any help is Highly Appreciated...

Firstly, i would like to thank everyone who has posted their experiences on this site and made us aware of how important it is to be bold and aware of "how to be's" during the interview.

I belong to one of the Indian IT Giants and stamping on behalf of my company would always be a cake walk. But still as a human being i too have my apprehensions and fears abt the interview.

Okay, now let me tell you my experience @ Chennai consulate on the 22nd of September, 2008.

As my interview slot was at 10.00 AM, i stood in the line at 9.10 AM which extended to about 50-metres adjacent to the road. As you all know how hot and humid it is at Chennai throughout the day, i too was no exception for the scorching heat. I was sweating all through but tried to look fresh by wiping the sweat across with my handkercheif...It was about approximately 9.55 when i neared the entry door where i was asked to take out the Appointment Confirmation letter, HDFC Receipt and mu passport for verification...There was this security guy sitting inside who looked at them and said "You may go inside"...
With little frisking on my body for security check up, the G4S security guy opened the door for me and showed me the way.

On Entering the door, there stood another security guy who looked at the Folders for any suspicious materials....And after one more round of frisking by another security personnel, i was allowed to enter into the main corridor where there were 12 counters in total. I couldn;t really make what each of the counters really mean for...But still since the VFS executive asked me to show my documents at the Counter 8, i went there and stood in the line...There seemed to be a prolonged delay for the verification of a couple's documents, so the VFS guy asked me to go to the Counter 11...

I went in there and produced the documents when my turn came in...After verification of the documents placed in the correct order by my company crew, the lady inside asked me to give the finger prints...

Left 4 fingers (Excluding the Thumb) and Right four fingers (Excluding the Thumb) and now both the Thumbs at once...This is how they take the finger prints...After this, the lady asked me to wait till the VFS executive guides me to the VO...

I was just turning myself away from this counter, there stood VFS guy ready to tell me to be seated in the chairs which are meant for ppl who are gonna meet the VO @ counter 12...

After 10 minutes of nervousness overhearing of the conversations came the turn of the person in front of me...

Literally the VO(she) grilled the person who came in for a B1 visa....I am just controlling my nervousness so that i dont show it on my face...

At approximately 10.20 came my turn...now here comes the tense moments....

VO: Signing at me to come to her..
ME: Went to the counter..."Hi..Good Morning" (I wont suggest you address them Ma'm or Sir, Although it doesnt harm, it wont get you a benefit either...Just be professional)
VO: Reciprocated the greeting...(Good morning...Pls give me your folder.
Me: Yeah...Sure(i gave it to her)
VO: So, which company are you working for(Stupid question, as my company logo is quite visible to her on the folder)
ME: XYZ Company (sorry i could'nt reveal it here for security reasons)
VO: Okay, how long have you been working for this company?
ME: 23 months.
VO: What is your role in the company?
ME: ABC
VO: How long have you been trained in your company...(she came to know that this is the first company i have joined out of my college)
ME: 4 months
VO: You did your bachelors in...?
ME: Electronics & Communications Engg
VO: What is your role in your project? (i didnt understand the question and i asked her thrice to repeat...here try to use the words "I did not get you, Can you repeat it for me...." )
ME: ABCDEF
VO: What would you do as ABCDEF in your project?(trying to find the relation between my study and area of work)
ME: I would do (blah blah blah....somehow managed to convince her that i am at the correct place)
VO: Who is your client?
ME: XYZ
VO: Please put your right index finger and then the Right thumb on the green square (pointing to the finger print scanner)
ME: Did it perfectly as i got used how to at counter 11
VO: Giving me back the petition docs...(keeping the passport, HDFC receipt, Appointment Conf letter, DS forms with her) said those golden words..."We will courier your passport and you would recieve it within a week's time"
ME: Thank you very much (Again dont use Ma'm and dont show your excitement then and there itself)

Left the room through the exit door quitely, had a glass of cold water and came out with a heavy sigh of relief....

Now guys i tell you something...Though i wont say you somehow have to be bold enough, i suggest you to realise the fact that coming to this stage itself is a gr8 achievement and nevertheless if we fail here, not to worry too much about it...So keep yuor cool and go there without any expectations and that is one way to keep yourself away from unnecessary excitement and fear.........

I am expecting my passport on Thursday and wish you all those who are appearing for the interview...."Good Luck"

Cheers,
Your friend...
VO: What is

Hi it was a successful interview for me on 19th september at Mumbai Consultate

Here are my inputs to all those who are appearing

Do not think to appear the interview whether october is good, november is bad ... Nothing like that
 
Only thing we need to do is

1) be confident
2)clearly answer the questions that the officer asks

Carry all the documents with you . Maintain a harmonium folder which helps you keeps the documents index wise and easy to pick up .

I carried the following documents:

passport,HDFC Pink Receipt, Interview Appointment letter,I 797, I129,LCA,Education Evaluation,Cover letter for h1b classification(H classification supplement),US Company Tax Returns,Appointment letter, Offer Letter,

My current Employer documents(payslips,form 16, offer,appointment,increment letters,id card,bank statement for last 1 year)

All Education and professional certificates

During the intervew they did not ask me a single document.....(before the interview during finger printing they will ask u passport,i797,appointment letter)

My interview went like this :

VO:good morning
me: Very Good Morning.
VO; so what s the name of the company where you are going to work in US
me: answered appropriately
VO: Tell me about the company and about your project and Roles and responsibilities
me: Answered appropriately
VO: how much they will pay ?
me: Answered appropriately
Vo: Nice pay
me : yes sir
VO; whats your current company, location, where is your home? how do you travel from home to office? current salary?
me: Answered all.. i said i travel by Rick.
Vo; how much is the meter charge
me; Rs. 9 /- its just 10 min from my home sir.
vo: Any land mark near your home
me: I said yes there is a bus stand near my home
vo: Wats your favourite restaurant? favourite food
me: given the name of restaurant... i love vegetarian food.
vo: sorry to trouble you with these questions.... many people lie that they belong to mumbai when they are not.
me: no problem sir.. thats fine.
vo: well... Every thing is fine.. your visa is approved... can pick up the passport from vfs centre or it will be couriered to you in 3 days.
me: Thanks a lot sir



basically... guys and gals i just tell you ...if you are waiting for your turn and feeling very tense.. take a deep breadth do not see others coming out
from their interviews..
do not prepare what to say before the interview.
Keep telling that what ever you say .... you are going to say very confidently.
Feel great and proud that you got a chance to go to US.
Be strong..and I assure you.. its a cake walk...... for you ...

Wish you all the best......
Any doubts can get back to me buddies....

Hi All,

Can any one of you guys update me the H1 visa issuing status in Chennai? What is the rejection rate and what is the issuance rate. I would like to attend first week of Oct.

Please let me know the issuing the percentage?

Thanks
Devendram

hey guys.... interview was pretty cool for 3 min

questions were asked abt the company,project ,salary and the current job ..

Key : just confidence is the key

really helpful for this forum.. and thanks to all of you all

any help or information feel free to contact me i shall try my best to answer all your doubts

Hi iam working in Mumbai so planned to attend the interview in october second week so hows the mumbai consulate issueing the visas. Is US job crisis impact issueing H1b visa...? any body Please update on this.

Regards,
Rajesh

Hi,

I got my H4 visa this month. My interview went on this way.

I took all the documents but I gave the following at the first counter, where the document verification is done.

Original HDFC receits (2)
Interview Letter
DS-156
DS-157
Copy of my Husband's H1-B petition
Copy of his Visa (that one page of paasport)
Original Employer letter

Even if you give additional documents, they'll return you back. The lady there took my finger prints and kept these documents in a blue folder and asked me to proceed for the interview.

I took my file and album and stood in the line for more than an hour. Then I went to the 3rd counter for my interview and it started like this

Generally, Visa officers will start with a "Hi", but this person never said anything.
Me: Good Morning
VO: Good Morning
I gave my blue folder and he was checking my passport and other documents
VO: How long have you been married
Me: answere
VO: How long have your husband been working in US?
Me: answered
VO: Is your name changed after marriage?
Me: No,But my marriage is registered
VO: ok, Why did you marry this person? (This is a rare question and is not at all expected in the interview)
Me: My Parents arranged this marriage and I like him
VO: Do you like him?
Me: Yes
VO (with a smile): Is he a good man?
Me (With a smile): Yes
VO: Your application is approved, you may collect your passport through courier.
Me: Thank You

All you have to do is stay cool and be confident. Even if you get a question which you do not expect, try to answer it in the same pace and with a cool attitude.

Please check your details on the Visa as soon as you get it.