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Visa
H1B, H4 Visa
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H1B Visa experience at Chennai consulate
I would like to thank everyone on this group for sharing their experiences. It has helped me a lot.
Here's my positive experience :
This is my first H1B stamping (F1 to H1B). I'm a FTE at a renowned company.
OFC date : Dec 3
Visa Interview: Dec 4
I arrived an hour early at the consulate. I was allowed inside for my slot after a few security and passport checks.
Me : Good morning officer.
VO : Good morning. Pass me your passport please (Scanned it)
VO : Who is your employer?
Me : XX
VO : What's your designation?
Me: XX
VO: Salary?
Me : XX per annum
VO : Work location?
Me : XX
VO : Briefly describe your duties.
Me : XX
After 2 lines.
VO : That's enough, Thank you.
VO : What's your highest level of education?
Me : XX
VO : Which University did you Graduate from?
Me : XX
VO: When did you Graduate?
Me : XX
VO : OPT start date?
Me : XX
VO: Were you ever out of status?
Me : No
VO : It looks like we have to do an Admin Processing before coming to a decision on your case. I don't need any other document from you. There's no need for another interview.
Handed me a blue form (2 pages) with a case number to track.
Me: Do you know how long will this take?
VO : 1 week
Dec 3 : Case created
Dec 4 : Case updated (Administrative processing)
Dec 5 - Dec 10 : Administrative Processing
Dec 11 : Case updated (Administrative Processing)
Dec 12 - Issued (9AM) ; Passport still with the Consulate/
Passport getting ready for delivery - 11AM
Passport ready for pickup - 3PM
Picked up passport at 4PM.
221g is common for F1 to H1B these days. Don't worry. You will get your visa issued within a week.
Wishing everyone all the best!
Let me know if anyone has any questions. Happy to help.
Cheers!
Here's my positive experience :
This is my first H1B stamping (F1 to H1B). I'm a FTE at a renowned company.
OFC date : Dec 3
Visa Interview: Dec 4
I arrived an hour early at the consulate. I was allowed inside for my slot after a few security and passport checks.
Me : Good morning officer.
VO : Good morning. Pass me your passport please (Scanned it)
VO : Who is your employer?
Me : XX
VO : What's your designation?
Me: XX
VO: Salary?
Me : XX per annum
VO : Work location?
Me : XX
VO : Briefly describe your duties.
Me : XX
After 2 lines.
VO : That's enough, Thank you.
VO : What's your highest level of education?
Me : XX
VO : Which University did you Graduate from?
Me : XX
VO: When did you Graduate?
Me : XX
VO : OPT start date?
Me : XX
VO: Were you ever out of status?
Me : No
VO : It looks like we have to do an Admin Processing before coming to a decision on your case. I don't need any other document from you. There's no need for another interview.
Handed me a blue form (2 pages) with a case number to track.
Me: Do you know how long will this take?
VO : 1 week
Dec 3 : Case created
Dec 4 : Case updated (Administrative processing)
Dec 5 - Dec 10 : Administrative Processing
Dec 11 : Case updated (Administrative Processing)
Dec 12 - Issued (9AM) ; Passport still with the Consulate/
Passport getting ready for delivery - 11AM
Passport ready for pickup - 3PM
Picked up passport at 4PM.
221g is common for F1 to H1B these days. Don't worry. You will get your visa issued within a week.
Wishing everyone all the best!
Let me know if anyone has any questions. Happy to help.
Cheers!
All Replies (0)
O1 visa stamping in Chennai
I am posting here because I did not find a specific O1 thread. This forum has been super helpful so posting my husband's O1 visa stamping experience in Chennai (F1 to O1).
Location: Chennai
Biometrics: Dec 8
Visa Interview: Dec 9
Officer asked for passport and i797. Asked a few questions - research work, salary, whether wife will be joining him, wife's current visa status, highest level of education, if he studied in the US and if he had ever been out of status.
Took passport, no 221g and said admin processing would take a week.
Dec 12: Case Updated
Dec 13: Issued
Location: Chennai
Biometrics: Dec 8
Visa Interview: Dec 9
Officer asked for passport and i797. Asked a few questions - research work, salary, whether wife will be joining him, wife's current visa status, highest level of education, if he studied in the US and if he had ever been out of status.
Took passport, no 221g and said admin processing would take a week.
Dec 12: Case Updated
Dec 13: Issued
All Replies (0)
VO said Visa Approved but current status is Administrative Processing
Details below for Interview :
Location : Kolkata
Fingerprinting : Dec 11th
Visa Interview Date : Dec 12th
Been in US since 2006 and working as full-time in one of the oldest companies of USA since last 5 years. Went for stamping after 7 years. Interview lasted 5 min, Visa Officer said Visa is approved and kept passports (mine and wife's who is on H4). Gave a white sheet stating generic "Congratulations, your US Non-Immigrant Visa to visit the United States has been approved." followed by details.
When I got home and checked Visa status on CEAC - it says "Your visa case is currently undergoing necessary administrative processing. This processing can take several weeks. Please follow any instructions provided by the Consular Officer at the time of your interview. If further information is needed, you will be contacted. If your visa application is approved, it will be processed and mailed/available within two business days.". Same status as of today also.
Anyone else experienced this - even after VO said Visa is approved and kept passports? If so what is timeline for Visa approval? Any cause for worry?
Location : Kolkata
Fingerprinting : Dec 11th
Visa Interview Date : Dec 12th
Been in US since 2006 and working as full-time in one of the oldest companies of USA since last 5 years. Went for stamping after 7 years. Interview lasted 5 min, Visa Officer said Visa is approved and kept passports (mine and wife's who is on H4). Gave a white sheet stating generic "Congratulations, your US Non-Immigrant Visa to visit the United States has been approved." followed by details.
When I got home and checked Visa status on CEAC - it says "Your visa case is currently undergoing necessary administrative processing. This processing can take several weeks. Please follow any instructions provided by the Consular Officer at the time of your interview. If further information is needed, you will be contacted. If your visa application is approved, it will be processed and mailed/available within two business days.". Same status as of today also.
Anyone else experienced this - even after VO said Visa is approved and kept passports? If so what is timeline for Visa approval? Any cause for worry?
All Replies (12)
H1B visa interview
Interview Dec 3rd
Basic questions, but system shutdown at VO side so they gave 221g slip and approval slip (once system is back up they will approve).
Was showing admin processing for about 10 days
Dec 13th status updated to issued.
Can someone tell me when will passport be ready to pickup once issued?
Seems pick up location is open on Sunday too.
I got flight on Sunday night.... so would really help if someone can share your experience.
Thanks
Praveen
Basic questions, but system shutdown at VO side so they gave 221g slip and approval slip (once system is back up they will approve).
Was showing admin processing for about 10 days
Dec 13th status updated to issued.
Can someone tell me when will passport be ready to pickup once issued?
Seems pick up location is open on Sunday too.
I got flight on Sunday night.... so would really help if someone can share your experience.
Thanks
Praveen
All Replies (2)
Possibility of 221g Form
While setting up my interview I was offered for a dropbox option by the consular website. As per the instruction, I submitted all the documents in the Kochi dropbox location on Dec 2nd. All the documents were transferred to Chennai on Dec 5th. My case was updated to "Administrative processing" on Dec 10th. When I check my passport status it was updated as
"Passport has been received from the consular section, and is currently being processed for delivery"
Based on my experience if the DS 160 form says as "Administrative processing" means they are going to give 221g from asking for more details.
Waiting for the passport to collect and to see what 221g form says?
"Passport has been received from the consular section, and is currently being processed for delivery"
Based on my experience if the DS 160 form says as "Administrative processing" means they are going to give 221g from asking for more details.
Waiting for the passport to collect and to see what 221g form says?
All Replies (2)
Administrative Processing
Hello,
I attended an interview at Hyderabad, IN for my H1B Visa Stamping. Change of Status was denied, due to which I had to attend the interview. The interviewer just asked a few basic questions and returned the passport and took few employer documents. He handed me a white slip (221g), checked the second box. After 3-4 days I received an mail to collect my documents. I collected my documents that day. Since then I did not hear from them. Its been 3 weeks. The status still shows ' administrative processing'. I am worried now as of how many more days/weeks it might take to get any response from them. As no documents are requested, I am confused. Also, I am pursuing a Ph.D. at a university. What can I do apart from waiting? Anyone in such a situation or have experienced the same situation? Any kind of information helps.
Thank You,
Blossom.
I attended an interview at Hyderabad, IN for my H1B Visa Stamping. Change of Status was denied, due to which I had to attend the interview. The interviewer just asked a few basic questions and returned the passport and took few employer documents. He handed me a white slip (221g), checked the second box. After 3-4 days I received an mail to collect my documents. I collected my documents that day. Since then I did not hear from them. Its been 3 weeks. The status still shows ' administrative processing'. I am worried now as of how many more days/weeks it might take to get any response from them. As no documents are requested, I am confused. Also, I am pursuing a Ph.D. at a university. What can I do apart from waiting? Anyone in such a situation or have experienced the same situation? Any kind of information helps.
Thank You,
Blossom.
All Replies (4)
221g white slip F1 to OPT to H-1B
OFC on Dec 5th 2019 (10 A.M) (Hyderabad, India)
VISA Interview on Dec 6th 2019. (10 A.M) (Hyderabad, India)
VO: Good morning. How are you this morning ?
Me: Good morning. Doing well...blah blah
VO: So, you work for xxx corporation ?
Me: I do.
VO: So, tell me what you do there ?
Me: Answered.
VO: (He seemed knowledgeable about my company). Asked more details.
Me: Answered.
VO: Were you on OPT ?
Me: Yes, I was.
VO: Highest level of education and annual salary ?
Me: Answered.
VO: Did you inform the sevis portal about your H-1B approval ?
Me: I did. ( I had updated the address and employer on SEVP portal)
Handed me a small 221g white slip and told me that they need to do some additional processing. The slip had no check boxes or such. Just some 8 lines of text.
Dec 11 2019: Case updated (around 1 P.M)
Dec 12 2019: Issued (around 1P.M)
Looks like they are giving out white slips for a lot of people who are transitioning from F1 to H-1B. This forum calmed my nerves while waiting. Hope this post helps others on the same boat.
Currently waiting for the passport to be ready for pick up. Hope the passport comes back soon without any problems. Otherwise, I will have to postpone my flight.
VISA Interview on Dec 6th 2019. (10 A.M) (Hyderabad, India)
VO: Good morning. How are you this morning ?
Me: Good morning. Doing well...blah blah
VO: So, you work for xxx corporation ?
Me: I do.
VO: So, tell me what you do there ?
Me: Answered.
VO: (He seemed knowledgeable about my company). Asked more details.
Me: Answered.
VO: Were you on OPT ?
Me: Yes, I was.
VO: Highest level of education and annual salary ?
Me: Answered.
VO: Did you inform the sevis portal about your H-1B approval ?
Me: I did. ( I had updated the address and employer on SEVP portal)
Handed me a small 221g white slip and told me that they need to do some additional processing. The slip had no check boxes or such. Just some 8 lines of text.
Dec 11 2019: Case updated (around 1 P.M)
Dec 12 2019: Issued (around 1P.M)
Looks like they are giving out white slips for a lot of people who are transitioning from F1 to H-1B. This forum calmed my nerves while waiting. Hope this post helps others on the same boat.
Currently waiting for the passport to be ready for pick up. Hope the passport comes back soon without any problems. Otherwise, I will have to postpone my flight.
All Replies (5)
221g interview
I got a 221g white slip after dropbox and appeared for interview and fingerprint on Dec 11,2019 in Delhi. Can someone having similar experience help me on how many days did it take them to get back their passport with stamp?
All Replies (0)
h1b dropbox
nov 29: h1b docs submitted via dropbox. had to correct error in ds 160 and click a new passport photo
dec 2: status changed to 'application received'
dec 11: last updated date changed to dec 11. but status is still 'application received'.
had to cancel return ticket to the US. us embassy mumbai call center gave the same info that's available on passport tracker and ceac website. asked me to continue waiting.
unfortunately, i've noted my US address as the physical mailing address.
does the consulate send physical mail when requesting additional documents?
dec 2: status changed to 'application received'
dec 11: last updated date changed to dec 11. but status is still 'application received'.
had to cancel return ticket to the US. us embassy mumbai call center gave the same info that's available on passport tracker and ceac website. asked me to continue waiting.
unfortunately, i've noted my US address as the physical mailing address.
does the consulate send physical mail when requesting additional documents?
All Replies (5)
221g Administrative processing. White slip issued.
Hi
Interview location: Hyderabad
Biometrics: 12/9/2019
Interview: 12/11/2019
VO: Asked basic questions like, designation, work location, client, salary. Did not ask or check for any documents. Gave 221g white slip. Told me that he is retaining passport, visa is taken for administrative processing and I should expect a response in 3-5 business days.
I had all the documentation and everything was correct. I don't know why 221g was given. Is there anyone with the similar case, when can I expect a response?
Interview location: Hyderabad
Biometrics: 12/9/2019
Interview: 12/11/2019
VO: Asked basic questions like, designation, work location, client, salary. Did not ask or check for any documents. Gave 221g white slip. Told me that he is retaining passport, visa is taken for administrative processing and I should expect a response in 3-5 business days.
I had all the documentation and everything was correct. I don't know why 221g was given. Is there anyone with the similar case, when can I expect a response?
All Replies (8)
Disclaimer: Please note that the experiences presented are submitted by visitors to our website. Individuals’ experiences may vary, and you should interpret each individual’s experience at your own risk. Do not make a decision solely based on an experience posted here. We do not endorse any individuals’ experiences, and we are not liable or responsible for consequences stemming from your use of the information presented within any individual’s experience.
