H1B, H4 Visa

Hi every body.

I am posting my bitter experience regarding my visa interview at Chennai Consulate, so that it helps the others who would go there. I have attended my interview on 04-04-2008.

My interview was scheduled at 9.45 am, I went there at about 9.15 am, the security people checked my docs and allowed me to go inside. In the hall there are about 10-13 counters, all the counters are for docs checking and fingerprint taking except for 2 counters, which are interview counters.

The security / staff of the Consulate inside the hall are not giving proper guidance to the visa aspirants as to which counter they have to go for interview. After giving my fingerprints, no one guided me for interview counter. After asking one lady (staff) has asked me to join one of the queue for interview. As I noticed that the queue contains B1, B2 visa aspirants, but even after verifying my DS forms by one staff member for twice and after informing him about my H1B, he suggested me to continue in the same line. I noticed that, like me there are some others who are also H1B, in the same line. Some applicants don’t know as to which counter they have to proceed, they just followed my queue only.

With lot of tension, I was observing the applicants, as most of the people are getting visa at that counter. Before me the two applicants who are B1, B2 have got approval of the visa. I was standing in the queue, my turn came, as the VO was busy singing the docs brought by their staff to her seat, I proceeded further towards the counter. The visa interview was like this.

Me: Good Morning Mam.
VO: Good Morning, How r u?
Me: Fine, thank u mam.
VO: Give me ur docs, the blue folder.
Me: Yes mam (handed over the folder).
VO: While verifying my passport she asked me to give my finger print.
Me: Given
VO: So you are working for ZZZ
Me: Yes mam
VO: Since how long.
Me: About 7 years.
VO: You are MSc
Me: Yes mam, MSc Information Technology
VO: Give me a copy of ur MSc certificate.
Me: Yes mam (given)
VO: You don’t have original
Me: Yes mam (given)
(typing in the computer, after verifying returned back)
VO: (while verifying my docs) What is the project you r going to work.
Me: It’s a client based project (after a small pause)
VO: Give me ur client letter
Me: Offer letter mam?
VO: Yes
Me: Given
(Typing some thing in the computer)
VO: (called one security guy and told) Are you joining the H1B applicants in this queue,
H1B is in the first floor, I will look only this case (with little bit angry).
VO: You are going to work for YYY company
Me: Yes mam, I have the offer letter of that company. (given)
(verified and given back)
VO: Do you have contract letter between YYYY and YYY.
Me: Contract letter mam
VO: Yes
Me: given
       (typing some thing in the computer for about 5 – 8 min.)
VO: We need some documents, you have to submit these documents
(while issuing 221g pink form and ticking about 7-8 items in it)
Me: I have all the documents mam.
VO: Then give me those docs (by putting aside the 221g pick form)
VO: You have Wage reports, tax returns…………
Me: What mam
VO: Wage reports, tax returns
Me: Yes mam
(I was trying to trace those docs, which I was kept in a folder with all the other documents which I prepared to hand them over to VO)
VO: Give me that bunch
Me: (given the bunch of all the documents)
VO: (taken almost all the required documents and returned some unwanted docs by
   verifying the slips which I have attached to each document)

By not even verifying a single document and putting aside all the docs, she started issuing 221g blue form, and said that “we need some administrative processing, we will get back to you later”, which was not that much audible, I couldn’t hear properly. I was disappointed and did not asked it again. She returned my passport.

The content of 221g is as follows.

“This office is unable to issue your visa at this time, as we require additional information. Further action in your case has been suspended under section 221g of the United States Immigration and Nationality Act pending the receipt and review of the documents and information requested below.

Your application is incomplete or requires further processing. When you reapply, please be sure to resubmit all documents as listed below from serial number 1 to 5.

Your application requires additional administrative processing before a final decision can be made. This office will contact you once this administrative processing is complete.”

To my bad luck, I have been placed in a wrong queue, which is not a H1B counter.

If any body has got the same 221g, please guide me as to how much time will it takes for additional administrative processing and is there any chance of getting visa after the administrative processing. Will I need to contact the Consulate, if yes then when should I. What is the actual process for this. Can I keep any hope on this.

I eagerly wait for your response.

My Suggestions:
1) Be confident in what you say.
2) Don’t follow the queue blindly, ask the security guys for H1B interview counter specifically after the fingerprinting.
3) Always put your face smiling.


Thank you,

Regards,

Chakri.

Hi All,
I'm attending the the interview at New Delhi. I was filling the DS-156 form.
Question : What am I suppose to write to not applicable columns( N/A or " Not Applicable")

Kindly suggest.

Regards,
MSAM

hey hi every.hows u doing.
am in a dilama that i hav attended ma interview on feb 14th.interview was cool.vo asked me to show ma highest degree certificate,den project description,then wage reports.i showed him all these.again he asked for individual wage reports of employees all states.i said i dont have those docs.he ws busy typing looking at monitor,nd he asked again nd again almost three times then he gave me 221g blue nd asked me to submit notarized list of employess nd wage reports,tax returns,nd proj description through vfs drop box.no passport.
 i submited them on march 18th thru hyd vfs.
until now i didnt get any info abt that.

please lemme know abt chances of me geting stamped nd please lemme know how many days does it take for this process and when can i expect a cal or mail or courier from consulate.
on 221g he didnt tick any extra admin process.

just vo said he want to c those docs.

do reply to me..
hyd

i am applying for my h4 visa and i am confused.
do i need to get original invitation card
do i need original marrige certificate or true copy will be valid.
if anybody could help me out.
bye.

My experience at the consulate was very precise and short. I have been working in States and had send my documents from States for the stamping at the Mumbai Consulate.I had an appointment of 10:00 am on March-25. Below are some of the key points:

1) If you are traveling from USA and had taken your picture from USA make sure, its right. I was asked to retake my picture while collecting the pink slip. I would recommend to keep 200 INR incase a picture needs to be taken.

2) The only questions asked were: What company I work for? How long I have been working with this company? Where have I previously worked? Total for how many years I have been in States?

3) Be confident and calm.

4) Go through the VFS facility. Its convinent and keeps the confidence level up.

Best of luck.

-Shravanti.

Hi Friends,

I thank you for all the members, who have posted their experiences. I came to know about this web site 3 days before I go to my visa interview. I am sure I got visa because of this site and blessings of God. Please go through all the shared experiences, you will find the same questions in your visa interview.
The step by step procedure shared by other friends in this forum helped me a lot. I felt so comfortable after entering into consulate since I was aware of what has to do next. Also you will find the people there to guide you where has to go next.

I got my visa stamped on 7th April 2008 on Ugadi festival day. Here I am posting my visa interview experience with VO, hope it might be helpful.
My interview was scheduled at 2.15pm.We reached consulate at 1.30pm.After reaching consulate, we showed our passport and interview letter at security as usual. Then entered into embassy,

In first building they verified the following documents and kept in a blue/green folder

1) Passport
2) Interview appointment letter
3) HDFC receipt
4) DS-156, DS-157
5) I 797 original
6) I 129
7) LCA

They finished finger printing (all the fingers of both the hands) for both of us and kept the docs in the folder. Asked us to move to the next building where the interview is scheduled. People there will assist you by checking the number on your folder where has to go next.

That day I think due to festival there were less people (nearly 50 members in the queue).There were 5 counters opened. One was for visitor visas and another one is for finger prints rests were for H1Bs. 2 VO s were males,1 was female. I found one male VO was giving many blue letters and spending more than 15 minutes for each candidate, also I found he was going inside every time and coming after 10 minutes. I was praying god that I shouldn’t go to that person.
Rest 2 VO’s are rarely issuing blue papers. When we are in queue those people will be watching us.
My turn came and I went to female VO and the conversation was given below:

Me: Good afternoon
VO: Good afternoon (No smile and took folder from me)
VO: Show me your graduation certificates (Just show me MCA docs)
Me: Gave the documents.
(She was typing some thing, that time one female came to her seat and they were talking for 2-3 minutes. Then she turned to me and just checked my certificate and seal on my marks lists)
VO: How many employees are working in US COMPANY?
Me: I said there are xx members
VO: Which project are you going for whether in house or client
Me: In house project xxx
VO: Tell me about the project (While I was explaining she was typing continuously in the system also I observed she entered some number from my I 797 and verifying the same in her system. I am sure she didn’t listen anything about project but concentrated whether I am telling something or not without any gap)
Me: I told some points about the project. (After I stopped she was checking in her system for 2 minutes, changes her face expressions as if she found some mismatch.
VO: She turned to my husband and asked him when your marriage was
He: He told xx
VO: Was it love or arranged
Me: Arranged
VO: Show your marriage photos (This time also some lady came to her seat and asked something. She muted the speaker and spoke to her about 3 minutes.)
Me: We showed photos along with marriage certificate
VO: How is your married life?
Me: Its good and I am enjoying
VO: Are your parents and his parents are living in the same city
Me: No madam 2hrs journey
VO: How did you know about him?
Me: Through marriage bureau
VO: She asked some question about marriage but I didn’t understand
Me: I answered its good
VO: she took finger prints for 1 finger from both of us
VO: I am issuing you visa and you’ll get your passports through courier

We came out of consulate at 4pm.

This is how my visa experience, I believe it depends upon their mood that time and our luck. That’s it. I observed 1 female who went before me to the same counter. Her documents were verified for long time and I think she got blue paper. But that girl was trying to show her I have the description about the project(showing a big spiral binding book to her but that lady was not accepting).So please don’t try to get into argument. Also make sure that they shouldn’t find questions in your answers. If our conversation extents for long time we may get queries.

Hope this information will help the future applicant’s. I wish you all the best.
Once again thanks alot to immihelp.

With Regards,
Saritha
Bangalore

Hi,
    I ahve got my US H1B visa granted on Sep 2007. I have delayed my travel due to job market not so favourable and the offer salary is not that great. I am trying to find an better employer for Visa transfer. Is it necessary to join the first employer before transfer or is ok to get it transferred to second one and joining this one..PLS LET ME KNOW

Hi friends
Plz any body tell me regarding 221g,on may 12 2006 appeared for visa in Chennai.The VO issued 221 g tell that your experience is not geniue and i told that i have real time experience sir plz enquiry in my company.He took all my experience letters.After several mail s to consulate they eniquried in our office(our HR Dept given the written statement to consulate about my experience.After 2 years yesterday i got the courier from VFS submitted my all experience letters i-797 etc ..by issuing the 221g ticked all documents requried from your employer and next page submit your passport,ds Forms etc and my H1 file expires on 30th Sept 2008.
plz tell me What i have to do now.Is there any chance getting the visa after submitting the Documents.

I had attended the interview for first time on 16th Nov,2007 and after that i got continously 221(g)'s in every few weeks to submit the documents(Unemployment wage reports). The last time i had submitted on 2nd April and finally i got my documents back on 7th April with an white form saying that:

“Based on the documents you have submitted to us, and the information elicited in your interview with an American Consular Officer, we are not able to issue you an H-1B temporary work visa, because:

Your petitioner does not appear to be either able or willing to provide qualifying employment in the United States in accordance with appropriate laws and regulations.

In accordance with United States law and Department of State guidelines, action on your case has been suspended, and the 1-129 Petition for a Non-Immigrant Worker filed on your behalf will be returned to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) with a memorandum explaining the facts of your case as presented to us at the time of interview. The U.S. Consulate in Chennai is no longer handling your case, and will be unable to give you any information on the status of your petition.

For your information, your visa was refused today under Section 221 (g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Essentially, this section states that a visa cannot be issued to anyone whose application does not appear to the Consular Officer to meet the requirements of the INA or of the regulations there under.”

They have taken the companys tax returns, notarized list of employees, unemployment wage reports, project description, I 797, LCA, I129 and DS forms. I dont know how it is possible, all employees had got the visa from my consultancy.According to me the documents which has provided my employeer was correct, but due to bad luck i had face this situation.

Can anyone please tell me what is the chance of getting the visa and how much time it will take to clear.

My employer can do anything to USCIS to process the case fast...

Suggestions from people are highly appreciated.

Vidhya
Hyderabad

This is not correct way to ask questions.
Vo: In passport photo u r so white and wat happened now?
Me: xyz...
Vo: Now u have a pimple on ur face.

Is this correct way of asking..