H1B, H4 Visa

Hi,
i have interview in Mumbai on Sep'07.

  Can anybody tell me whether i have to submit my additional questionare form in the VFS office or i have to take on the interview date ???

i got 221g blue form on aug 23rd, my problem is my education field is marked as Ms in computers But my education is B.Tech what i have to do know can any one suggest me


Thank you
vamshi krishna

Hi All,
I attended my interview in Cape Town(South Africa) embasy. The interview really went well and they gave me 221g white form saying that they need to do little confirmation on my Passport.
None of the check boxes listed on this form were checked. The officer himself wrote "TO RETURN TO THE FOLLOWING CONSULATE CONFORMATION OF BONAFIDES" at the botton of the form by hand and checked it.
In turn, He told me that they need to little confirmation on my passport. I think this is b'coz he noticed I have got two work permits and one of the permit had a corrected spelling of my current company that I'm working for. VO told me that they have my contact number and said they will call me soon.
When I asked the officer like when can I expect a call from them, He right away said that it will be with in 3 working days. Today is the end of 3rd day, but didn't get a call from them. Is this soemthing that takes longer time than the time specified by VO.
I'm really tensed, and if someone could shed some light on this kind of sitaution and tell me how much time they exactly would take, it will be of great help for me and I will be relieved a lot.
Seniors here, Can you please suggest me.
Thank you,
Suman

Hi friends..

I'm very much grateful for all members who shared their experiences. I thanks www.immihelp.com in getting my h1b stamping.

My timeslot was at 1:30PM on 27-Aug-2007.

I reached embassy at 10:30AM itself just have a feel. As there was no crowd, the secuity person standing outside asked me to show my PASSPORT and Interview CONFIRMATION letter. Once I got them verified I entered into the first building. Once I crossed the gate and entered the building room, on the right side there was a security check again. He took my file and checked it thoroughly. Asked me if there are any closed pacakages. I had few choclates in my pocket which I carried to ease myself. He took them and asked to leave them outside only. I did as he said and entered into the main room. There was a big corridor sort of room where I saw people sitting in chairs opposite to counters. I approched a person wearing a "V" badge. He asked to collect I156,I157,Interview confirmation letter,HDFC receipt, PASSPORT, LCA, I129 and go to a counter 3rd from last on lefthand side. He checked my documents and put all of them into a folder and gave to me.

I have 2 passports with me. While booking my slot I gave my old passport details. So he asked me for reason and latter asked to write the new passport details in I156 ( PASSPORT NO, DATE OF ISSUE, VALID DATE).

I waited there till 1:30PM in that room. Later I joined the queue which led into the next building. While we were waiting at the dor of the 2nd building Chief Visa Officer came outside and introduced himself to all of us and crached some jokes abt the hot CHENNAI. Later we entered into building and waited there for biometric.

first give your LEFT HAND INDEX FINGER and now give your RIGHT HAND INDEX FINGER.

after which you have to enter into a queue where you will be giving your interview with VO.

Its just like a counter at any bank. where we stand on the otherside of glass and VO sits on ther side of the glass with speakers on both sides.

While you are in the queue CHIEF VISA OFFICER cracks lot of jokes about his previous experiences. That will really ease your state of mind and get relaxed. He says yo great VO once we go to counter 2) Pay attention towards what VO says 3) Answer only what is asked and try to be short in answers. 4) Dont use some fancy phrases while answering.

example:
Vo: Why do you want to go to USA?
Ans: for knowledge Transfer

He says thats looks bulshit for them. instead answer clearly like "for training". Thats more appropriate.

And be quck while providing documents what VO asks.

after hearing all these I headed for my interview.

Me: Good Afternoon Officer( with a smily face)
VO: Good AfterNoon

Me: Gave the folder from the gap underneath the glass protection.

VO: So you are leaving YYYY for YYY?
ME: Yes, its good opportunity Officer.

VO: How long have been with YYYY company?
Me: I completed a Month.

VO: Are any Engineering graduate from computer science?
Me: Yes

VO: How many years of experience do you have?
Me: 6 yrs

VO: Are you an Analyst?
Me: Yes

VO: So for which project are you taken for?
Me: For ZZZZ project, for state of CCCC

VO: Is it at the company or Client place?
Me: At the company

VO: Can show me the project documents?
Me: I searched my file and him a document.

VO: This is about the company.
Me: Hoo, I'm sorry officer. They look almost the same to look.
I looked into the file and gave the project document now.

VO: Saw the document and the design diagram. How many people work for this company?
Me: FFF

Vo: Wrote something in the computer then took my I797 and written something again.
Vo: Do you know what this sheet is(Its the sheet stapled to Passport at verification counter)?
Me: Yes officer. Its says i cannot enter USA till 21st of September

Vo: OK. your visa is approved. You get it by courier in 3 to 4 days.
Me: Thankyou officer. Have a nice day.

Hope this will help you all to know the inside condition before itself. like where to go and whom to approach. I have seen few people who entered the first building and just sat in chairs without pre-verification and came to 2nd building when their timeslot is called. They were sent back in 2nd building while biometric. they wasted lot of time.

If you have any queries please write to me. Dont hesitate.

Hi Frnds,
With the grace of GOD, i have sucessfully got my H1 B stamoing done from mumbai consulate on 23rd Aug 2007.

Time to give it back to the community, where I have learned a lot abt the H1 - b process, specially the experinces section, as they have given me a lot of ideas on how to present yourself in the visa interview and types of questions asked. I would love to share my experince with the people in this community and which will also help others.

Well, I shall narrate the complete day in detail, jst to help you understand how the things went with me at the consulate.

I would request all the people who are, please have faith in GOD, and do remember him before you go and come out of the interview.

Well, it started like this, my interview was scheduled with the consulate in mumbai on 23rds Aug 2007 at 8.15 a.m

I have opted for the service offered by the VFS (offered in Mumbai where they have a lounge for waiting and bus service for transporation to the consulate. They charge Rs 200/- extra for this service) . I would suggest and recommend all to use this service as you will not have to wait in long queue outside the consulate and you shall be fresh for the interview. Also, even if there is a long queue, the people who have opted this VFS service have prioity to get into the consulate before the people who are waiting in the queue.

I reached the VFS office at 7.15 and was waiting outside, and then the call was made for people whose interview was scheduled for 8.15. I went inside the lounge, was offered coffee and sandwhich. It was really pleasent atmosphere. The interviews at consulate were running behind schedule, hence we were informed at the lounge abt it and kept us updated abt the happenings. We were told that the 8.15 batch shall movwe out frm VFS lounge at 8.45 or 9.00.

At 8.45, they called the batch who was scheduled for 8.15 interview, and asked us to board the bus which would take us to the consulate.

Reached the consulate by Bus provided by VFS and there was a long queue waiting outside and we were directly taken inside the consulate. jst had to wait for abt 15 min outside as they take people in for security check as soon as u have to enter the consulate.

I went in for security check, here u have to remember that you do not carry any items that are mentioned in the list that should not be carried with you. Please do not carry even any medicines with you as the secuity person asked a guys ahead of me whose security check was going on to go out and throw it away, and if he did not return , he would miss the interview.

Once thru the security check, went inside the hall. There are lot of people sititng in the hall. I went to Window 0 (VFS counter) to collect my documents that i submitted with them. They will give u a pink token which is very imp and once token will be stapled on the passport with you D-156 and D-157 and the I-797. You they will bundle it up and ask you to proceed for finger scanning process.
Please take care of your PINK token that you are given. I has a number and you will be called for your interview by that number or they at times even call out names of people for the interview.

At the finger scanning counter, they will take your passport and the bundle that was made by the VFS personnel and ask you to give your fingerprints on the scanning device.

Then i was asked to be seated, i would suggest that you take a place near the loudspeaker as you might not hear the call made by the consular officer.

I would also suggest you to, please concenterate and do not speak with people around you, as this will only make you more nervous and you might miss your call in that process. There might be numbers which might be after you that could be called first. So jst concentrated n the call for your number and do not panic.

My call was made and I rushed towards the window that my call was made. I was first in the queue and waited outside the cabin. The Visa Officer (VO) was sipping coffee and waved a hnad to me to come into the cabin. I entered the cabin with a smile on my face. She was an old lady abt 40-45 yrs of age

VO-: Good Morning
Me-: Godd Morning
VO-: Please give me the pink token.
(I had kept the pink token above all my documents that were there in my hand and cliped it with my I-129)
Me-: Tried to slide in the whole bunch of I-129 and the pink token.
VO-: Smiled, jst the pink toke.
Me-: Handed the pink token and smiled at the VO
VO-: Why do you want to go US
Me -: Answered (mean while looked at the computer and wrote somthing on my D-156)
Vo-: What are you going to do there
Me-: Computer Programmer
Vo-: What would be you pay?
Me-: Answered
Vo-: How may people work with you compnay
Me-: Answered
V0-: What is your qulification
Me-: I have done my post graduation in Masters of Computer Application
Vo-: When are you planning to travel.
Me-: Answered
V0-: Your visa has been approved and will be sent to you across in 3 days. Welcome to the United States.

She marked somthing on my D-156 and returned my I-797 that i had submitted with my passport bundle.
She told me to carry my I-797, when i intend to travel to the US.

Thats it frnds. I came out of the interview cabin in less then a minute and no documents were asked from me, though i carried all and suggest you to carry all.

The key thing here is that, you need to be calm, paitent and answere the questions with relevence. You should be confident enough on what you say. Please look well organised in fornt of the VO. Please do not bother to talk to people around you before the interview as it will make you more nervous. You can do that after yout interview when you come out of the consulate.

All the process finished by 10.00 A.M and took the bus back to VFS office.

I hope my long explation helps all of you and please have you faith in GOD and leave the rest ot him.
Believe me, before my interview i was nervous like all you people, but its jst very easy and u need not worry. The VO are very good and frndly people. They are doing their duty, so pls support them with it.

Thanks to all the experince posted before mine whihc helped me to crak the interview

Hi all,

First of all I would like to say thanks to my brothers son's and my daughter-in-law they helped me a lot and thanks a lot to all the members who had posted their experiences. It helps a lot. I got my H1B stamped on 27th august at Mumbai consulate.

The interview was very short and total time I had spent inside the embassy is hardly around 1 hr. My turn was at 7:45 in the morning but they have called us inside at around 7:30 in the morning. I had passed through security check and collected my token number followed by finger printing. After that I had just taken a seat in the waiting area and waiting for my turn. In just 5 min I got a call to attend window no 7.

Below is my interview conversation:

Me: Good Morning Sir.
VO: Good Morning.

VO: How are you?
Me: Fine sir. How about u?
VO: Good.
 
Passed the pink token….

VO: Why you want go to USA?
Me: To gain some international Exposure

VO: Who is your employer?
Me: Answered.

VO: For which project u r going?
Me: Unified IVR-CTI suite

VO: Do u have any documents from u r US employer?
Me: yes, passed the docs.

VO: Explain briefly about u r project?
Me: Explained.

Finally he told “GOOD LUCK.”

Me: Thank you very much sir.
VO: Welcome.

The interview was very short and I came out from the cabin in less then 5 min. and they didt even any single document except us employer docs.

On the same day I was collected my passport.

All the best those are going to attend.
Before attending to consulate please visit the mahalaxmi temple and haji Ali.

Regards,
Dev

Hi,
   I attended visa interview on Aug-24, My slot is at 9:30 AM but I went there too early unnecessarily I stood there. Better to reach only 1 hour before or else avail the lounge facility offered by VFS and reach consulate at exact time there.Though my slot is at 9:30 I stood in queue out side till 10:45 and then entered inside. Dont take mobiles,electronic(battery operated) things(even battery operated key chains of cars they sent one guy out side), Zip folders,hand bags etc. But money is allowed you can take.I took all documents in plastic bag.
After I went Inside there is security check after that I gave finger prints and got token. Please read your token number and listen carefully for your token number as well as the counter number. Once I went there he took a very short interview asked about my current salary and new salary, new company strength and told that visa is issued, I said thank you and came out side.

Thanking you,
Deepak.

Aug 28 2007, Mumbai Consulate.

My Experience:

Appointment was at 7:45 AM. I was there at the application center by 7 AM. I checked in my cell phone and umbrella into the locker room provided. No medicines, elctronics, BIG umbrellas, huge bags allowed. Only wallets and all papers in folder or preferably in a plastic bag. Keep the interview confirmation letter handy it is practically asked at every juncture possible.

I would advise people to take use of the lounge and bus facility offered by Application center. It was raining and I really felt sorry for all who were standing in queue at the consulate. Once you reach the consulate, You need to keep Passport, Copy of interview confirmation letter and I797 in your hand. Next is security check in. At that time they will give you a wooden paddle. Just keep that. On your way out of the consulate you need to return it. After you get in, you will stand in another queue to get the papers you submitted before hand. Show the documents mentioned above to the officer and he/she will hand you all your documents and pink counter. You would be asked to go to window number 1 or 2 for finger printing. Left index finger, right index finger, and you are done with that. At the same time you would hand in all the documents that were given to you but keep one half of the pink counter. Then you start the long wait to hear your number. Take care here as one needs to pay attention when they call out the numbers. Often VOs are too soft spoken or there is just too much noise in the room.

After I waited for some time, I was called to Window 7. And below is the conversation that followed.

VO: Good Morning.
Me: Good Morning.
(She is looking at the computer screen)
VO: I am sorry the computer is really slow today.
Me: I understand.
(She picks all my paperwork that was submitted and is going through it. Next she goes through my passport.)
VO: Did you finish your degree?
Me: Yes.
VO: So what are you going to do?
Me: Described my job function
VO: So why does a bank need someone like you?
Me: Explain why the job exists.
(Ended it with a joke. She smiles. She made small talk as she did something on the computer)
VO: ok. You have been granted the visa. You can collect it in the evening or it will be sent to you by courier.
Me: Thanks!

Walked out. Gave the wooden paddle back to security guard. Took the bus back to the application center, collect my cellphone and BIG umbrella.

The VO didnt ask for a single supporting document from me. I had a gap between OPT and H1B of about 2.5 months. I had no questions on that. Also my passport is going to expire in 7 months, no fuss about that either.

Good Luck to everyone else!!

Hi,

I would like to attend the VISA interview in Mumbai consulate. I heard that if who are attending the interview in mubai, they should drop the documents in vfs drop box prior 5 days to the appointment date. Is it right?

Please suggest me.

Hi,

I would like to attend the VISA interview in Mumbai consulate. I heard that if who are attending the interview in mubai, they should drop the documents in vfs drop box prior 5 days to the appointment date. Is it right?

Please suggest me.