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H1B, H4 Visa
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H1b consular processing F1 terminated
Hello All, need some input, My H1b through consular processing was approved last week and my OPT was valid till Dec 2020. And my attorney said, to get into the h1b status i need to leave country and then enter and also said the OPT wouldn't be affected. But when i logged into the sevp portal my stem opt was terminated the day my h1b was approved. Did anyone faced this situation?
Please any inputs appreciated.
Thanks
Please any inputs appreciated.
Thanks
All Replies (7)
Administrative Processing H1B 11/25
Interview at Chennai completed on 25th of Nov,
No required documents expect I was given the Blue 221g along with the rights document.
Yet in status Update.
If someone in the same situation.
Let’s keep this open for discussion. Please.
No required documents expect I was given the Blue 221g along with the rights document.
Yet in status Update.
If someone in the same situation.
Let’s keep this open for discussion. Please.
All Replies (16)
Exp: F1 OPT->Approved H1B->H4 EAD->Back on H1B and first time stamping in HYD
Hi , mine is a different case i was on F1 OPT , my H1B got selected and approved , worked on the approved H1 B for 2 months , then had to convert to H4 due to personal reasons (got H4 stamping in India), worked on H4 EAD for few months and then transferred back to H1B for a new job as i already have an approved petition , below is my H1B stamping exp in Hyd on Nov 4th
Questions asked by VO
Which Company?
What is your title ?
What is the work location?
How long in the present company ?
How did you find this job ?
How many rounds of interview did you have?
What was the name of previous company?
What visa were you in previous company? To this i answered i was on H4 EAD and converted to H1B for the present company as i already have an approved petition
What is your highest education?
Do you know your rights ?
Questions asked by VO
Which Company?
What is your title ?
What is the work location?
How long in the present company ?
How did you find this job ?
How many rounds of interview did you have?
What was the name of previous company?
What visa were you in previous company? To this i answered i was on H4 EAD and converted to H1B for the present company as i already have an approved petition
What is your highest education?
Do you know your rights ?
All Replies (1)
F1 to H1 , 221g HYD
Hi ,
I have my interview on Nov 1st at HYD consulate . First time F1 to H1B . Retained my passport and handed me a 221g with additional processing required . Till now they have not contacted me or my employer for any additional documentation.Working as FT , IC Design Engineer at a semiconductor company and MS in Electrical Eng . Worked on OPT from July 2017 - July 2018 and applied for STEM (approved and received EAD card )but my H1B got picked and approved in 2018 and started working on Work visa from Oct 2018 . No idea what's happening , already postponed the fight once . Any body in similar position please keep update with your status , and any advice on how to contact the embassy is appreciated . already sent an email to support and received a automated reply to wait 60 days .
VO has asked me bunch of questions on what devices/chipsets i am working on, is there any possibility of TAL check here ? If yes how long does it might take ?
Thanks .
I have my interview on Nov 1st at HYD consulate . First time F1 to H1B . Retained my passport and handed me a 221g with additional processing required . Till now they have not contacted me or my employer for any additional documentation.Working as FT , IC Design Engineer at a semiconductor company and MS in Electrical Eng . Worked on OPT from July 2017 - July 2018 and applied for STEM (approved and received EAD card )but my H1B got picked and approved in 2018 and started working on Work visa from Oct 2018 . No idea what's happening , already postponed the fight once . Any body in similar position please keep update with your status , and any advice on how to contact the embassy is appreciated . already sent an email to support and received a automated reply to wait 60 days .
VO has asked me bunch of questions on what devices/chipsets i am working on, is there any possibility of TAL check here ? If yes how long does it might take ?
Thanks .
All Replies (4)
L1 to H1B visa stamping
Location : Chennai
BioMetric : 25th Nov
Interview: 26th Nov
I am FTE in a top US firm.
Interview:
VO: Hello
Me: Hello, good morning
VO: Can I have your passport & I797
Provided
VO: What is your role in Company A
Me : Role explained.... tried to be precise, VO was satisfied with 2 lines, hence we moved to the next question
VO: Work location
ME: Stated
VO: Salary
ME: Stated
VO: Which visa is your spouse on
ME: Stated
Was asked to go to separate counter, when my previous I797 was checked.
Even though it was L1 to H1, I had a H1B extension approval.
Was asked to go back to the previous counter. VO checked on her portal and said my visa is approved , and was given a small slip with details on passport collection , with the rights pamphlet.
Case Status
25th Nov: Created
26th Nov: AP
2nd Dec: Issued
The delay could be due to thanksgiving holidays and the weekend, anyways it was a nervous wait.
Waiting for my passports now.
I believe there are others too in the same boat, its only a matter of time before the visas are issued :-)
Enjoy.
BioMetric : 25th Nov
Interview: 26th Nov
I am FTE in a top US firm.
Interview:
VO: Hello
Me: Hello, good morning
VO: Can I have your passport & I797
Provided
VO: What is your role in Company A
Me : Role explained.... tried to be precise, VO was satisfied with 2 lines, hence we moved to the next question
VO: Work location
ME: Stated
VO: Salary
ME: Stated
VO: Which visa is your spouse on
ME: Stated
Was asked to go to separate counter, when my previous I797 was checked.
Even though it was L1 to H1, I had a H1B extension approval.
Was asked to go back to the previous counter. VO checked on her portal and said my visa is approved , and was given a small slip with details on passport collection , with the rights pamphlet.
Case Status
25th Nov: Created
26th Nov: AP
2nd Dec: Issued
The delay could be due to thanksgiving holidays and the weekend, anyways it was a nervous wait.
Waiting for my passports now.
I believe there are others too in the same boat, its only a matter of time before the visas are issued :-)
Enjoy.
All Replies (5)
H1b consular processing
My h1b was approved couple of days back consular processing. My OPT is valid till Dec 2020. Below are few questions I have
1) How long can i stay in OPT before transferring to H1b?
2) Is going out of the country is the only way to start my H1b or is there way that can be done without going out?
3) How different will be the visa interview in terms of COS and Consular Processing?
4) Also, how will be the Port of Entry interview in terms of Consular Processing?
5) My i-797 has the start date of 09-15-2019 to 09-14-2022. Will I get 3 years from the date of Port of Entry?
I am really confused, if anyone was in same boat, please do answer my questions really appreciate it. Thanks in advance.
1) How long can i stay in OPT before transferring to H1b?
2) Is going out of the country is the only way to start my H1b or is there way that can be done without going out?
3) How different will be the visa interview in terms of COS and Consular Processing?
4) Also, how will be the Port of Entry interview in terms of Consular Processing?
5) My i-797 has the start date of 09-15-2019 to 09-14-2022. Will I get 3 years from the date of Port of Entry?
I am really confused, if anyone was in same boat, please do answer my questions really appreciate it. Thanks in advance.
All Replies (1)
F1 -> H1b - First time (221g small white slip)
OFC - 24th November
Interview - 25th November
Consulate - Hyderabad, India
H1b - Change of Status
My experience
Questions (Answers)
1. First time H1B or renewal? (First time)
2. What is your designation? (Answered)
3. Highest degree? (Master's)
4. Specialization? (Answered)
5. Do you know your rights to work in USA? (Yes, I read through them way back)
VO - There is a little more administrative processing left from our end which should take 3-5 days and until then I will hold on to your passport. He also handed me over a small 221g white slip.
221g white slip
contains just 8 lines, tells that application has been refused under 221g and needs some administrative processing.
No additional documents were asked.
My background
I work as an FTE in one of the top 3 MNC of USA (let's say Company A). My coursework is analogous to my job responsibilities.
After my Master's, I worked at a Company B for 4 months (didn't want to waste my opt time while my interviews were going on with Company Y) and then shifted to Company B while on opt.
Company A filed my STEM Extension (got approved) and also my H1b.
Changes I see after Interview
There is a change on my SEVP portal. Authorized end date of my present employment changed from a date in 2021 (due to my extension approval) to 10/01/2019 (start of H1b).
This change happened either after my visa interview or just an hour or two before my visa interview. I am no expert in this area but after researching a lot and speaking with lot of people, I got to know the following:
- For all the approvals, SEVP portal changes were seen way before the interview. (I think this is something DSO would do)
- For people who got small 221g white slip, the changes on the SEVP portal happened either few hours before interview or after interview.
Again, I am not an expert in this area so please don't judge me if I am wrong or sound dumb.
I am assuming that 3-5 days are the business days not just calendar days. I don't know if these days are according to USA or India. If it is according to USA, definitely last week would have been holidays for them.
I also know that there are many people out there who have same experience and it is obviously a very stressed out situation with a lot of negativity and bad thoughts. I hope we get out of this scenario as soon as possible. :)
I will keep this thread updated. I would request you all to reply to this thread your experience or info if you are facing the same situation and also, please do keep this thread updated.
Thank you and good luck to everyone out there!
Interview - 25th November
Consulate - Hyderabad, India
H1b - Change of Status
My experience
Questions (Answers)
1. First time H1B or renewal? (First time)
2. What is your designation? (Answered)
3. Highest degree? (Master's)
4. Specialization? (Answered)
5. Do you know your rights to work in USA? (Yes, I read through them way back)
VO - There is a little more administrative processing left from our end which should take 3-5 days and until then I will hold on to your passport. He also handed me over a small 221g white slip.
221g white slip
contains just 8 lines, tells that application has been refused under 221g and needs some administrative processing.
No additional documents were asked.
My background
I work as an FTE in one of the top 3 MNC of USA (let's say Company A). My coursework is analogous to my job responsibilities.
After my Master's, I worked at a Company B for 4 months (didn't want to waste my opt time while my interviews were going on with Company Y) and then shifted to Company B while on opt.
Company A filed my STEM Extension (got approved) and also my H1b.
Changes I see after Interview
There is a change on my SEVP portal. Authorized end date of my present employment changed from a date in 2021 (due to my extension approval) to 10/01/2019 (start of H1b).
This change happened either after my visa interview or just an hour or two before my visa interview. I am no expert in this area but after researching a lot and speaking with lot of people, I got to know the following:
- For all the approvals, SEVP portal changes were seen way before the interview. (I think this is something DSO would do)
- For people who got small 221g white slip, the changes on the SEVP portal happened either few hours before interview or after interview.
Again, I am not an expert in this area so please don't judge me if I am wrong or sound dumb.
I am assuming that 3-5 days are the business days not just calendar days. I don't know if these days are according to USA or India. If it is according to USA, definitely last week would have been holidays for them.
I also know that there are many people out there who have same experience and it is obviously a very stressed out situation with a lot of negativity and bad thoughts. I hope we get out of this scenario as soon as possible. :)
I will keep this thread updated. I would request you all to reply to this thread your experience or info if you are facing the same situation and also, please do keep this thread updated.
Thank you and good luck to everyone out there!
All Replies (3)
No 221g - Needs additional processing, did not say approved
I had H1b visa interview on 29th Nov 2019. I did Masters in CS from US and was on STEM OPT, had H1B approved for Consular processing..
Here's my conversation with the VO:
Me - Handed over passport and DS160 confirmation
VO - Can you pass i797
Me - Passed
VO - So, are you going to be joining XYZ company?
Me - Yes, I work for XYZ
VO - Are you an sde?
Me - yes..!
VO - What do you do at XYZ?
Me - Gave details
VO - How much do you make?
Me - My total compensation is $xxx and my base salary is $yyy
VO - What is your OPT start and end date?
Me - Answered
VO - It will take additional time to process..
Me - How much time would it take?
I couldn't hear the VO as she went off mike on the side to put my passport in the pile.
And then she returned my docs (i797, DS160 confirmation) and said thank you! So, I couldn't ask anything further..
I wasn't given any slips as well. I'm not sure how much time would it take to get my passport back.
Anyone in the same boat? I have a trip planned in 9 days. Should I reach out to them and ask for timelines? (how to reach them?)
Here's my conversation with the VO:
Me - Handed over passport and DS160 confirmation
VO - Can you pass i797
Me - Passed
VO - So, are you going to be joining XYZ company?
Me - Yes, I work for XYZ
VO - Are you an sde?
Me - yes..!
VO - What do you do at XYZ?
Me - Gave details
VO - How much do you make?
Me - My total compensation is $xxx and my base salary is $yyy
VO - What is your OPT start and end date?
Me - Answered
VO - It will take additional time to process..
Me - How much time would it take?
I couldn't hear the VO as she went off mike on the side to put my passport in the pile.
And then she returned my docs (i797, DS160 confirmation) and said thank you! So, I couldn't ask anything further..
I wasn't given any slips as well. I'm not sure how much time would it take to get my passport back.
Anyone in the same boat? I have a trip planned in 9 days. Should I reach out to them and ask for timelines? (how to reach them?)
All Replies (5)
H1B Renewal Dropbox - Mumbai 2019
I want to share my experience, although when I read most of the experiences I was a bit skeptical about the outcome.
I had my first H1B stamping done in 2010 which was also Dropbox and I have had another in 2013 and in 2016. My I-140 was approved a few years ago. I am with the same employer however the location changed.
This year as usual I was eligible for Dropbox, I submitted my documents on 11/20 and on 11/21 the status changed to “Administrative Processing”. It clearly states that this is essential Administrative Processing and the process can take several weeks. If your visa is issued it would be mailed in 2 business days. Also below it does state that it can take up to 60 days.
I didn’t get any 221g letter nor did I receive any email, this got me quite tensed. As there was no response from the customer support, they just told me that I will have to give it time and wait as it can take about 8-10 days.
This is concerning as I believe most of us who come to India and who are already working in US come for 2-3 weeks. They told me that I should not have booked a ticket!! I explained that I work in USA and I am not going to US for the first time.
I had to contact my HR in USA and they told me that I need not worry as they have heard about delays during Thanksgiving and Christmas and there is shortage of staff at the American embassy, they said that’s it’s an expensive inconvenience. They said I can be potentially delayed for 3-4 weeks but I will get the visa. And if need be I can work in our Mumbai office if I get an approval from my supervisor.
It was a nightmare for me to deal with this for the last 10 days. Anyway, on 11/29 the status changed to “Issued” and I had opted for the premium delivery service. And the passport was mailed to me today 11/30.
I want to wish everyone best of luck and not get flustered with all the negative experiences as each case is different. Although my case was starlight forward I had heard that there is no guarantee!
I had my first H1B stamping done in 2010 which was also Dropbox and I have had another in 2013 and in 2016. My I-140 was approved a few years ago. I am with the same employer however the location changed.
This year as usual I was eligible for Dropbox, I submitted my documents on 11/20 and on 11/21 the status changed to “Administrative Processing”. It clearly states that this is essential Administrative Processing and the process can take several weeks. If your visa is issued it would be mailed in 2 business days. Also below it does state that it can take up to 60 days.
I didn’t get any 221g letter nor did I receive any email, this got me quite tensed. As there was no response from the customer support, they just told me that I will have to give it time and wait as it can take about 8-10 days.
This is concerning as I believe most of us who come to India and who are already working in US come for 2-3 weeks. They told me that I should not have booked a ticket!! I explained that I work in USA and I am not going to US for the first time.
I had to contact my HR in USA and they told me that I need not worry as they have heard about delays during Thanksgiving and Christmas and there is shortage of staff at the American embassy, they said that’s it’s an expensive inconvenience. They said I can be potentially delayed for 3-4 weeks but I will get the visa. And if need be I can work in our Mumbai office if I get an approval from my supervisor.
It was a nightmare for me to deal with this for the last 10 days. Anyway, on 11/29 the status changed to “Issued” and I had opted for the premium delivery service. And the passport was mailed to me today 11/30.
I want to wish everyone best of luck and not get flustered with all the negative experiences as each case is different. Although my case was starlight forward I had heard that there is no guarantee!
All Replies (1)
H1b Stamping/ H4 - Hyderabad
Attended H1b visa stamping at Hyd consulate on 11/29. 3rd visa stamping on H1b.
Had to exit the consulate as I had sealed envelope hiding somewhere in my file. Was asked to come in at later time which needed some additional security clearance. I had quite a few candidates in the same boat (special cases)
Once at the interview
VO - How are you?
Me and My SO - Good. How are you?
VO - Good. Is this H1b extension or New?
Me - Extension
VO - What do you work as?
Me - Said the position and company
VO - How long have you been married?
My SO - Said the answer
VO - Which month
Me - Said the month.
VO - Your visa has been approved
11/29 - Visa is under “Administrative processing”
11/30 - Same status
Fro what I understand if approved the passport gets issued on the same day. The “Administrative processing” is a painful status where you are basically in Limbo of negative thoughts. Hopefully the delay is just due to weekend and it gets updated on Monday. If anyone else is in the same boat please share your experience.
Had to exit the consulate as I had sealed envelope hiding somewhere in my file. Was asked to come in at later time which needed some additional security clearance. I had quite a few candidates in the same boat (special cases)
Once at the interview
VO - How are you?
Me and My SO - Good. How are you?
VO - Good. Is this H1b extension or New?
Me - Extension
VO - What do you work as?
Me - Said the position and company
VO - How long have you been married?
My SO - Said the answer
VO - Which month
Me - Said the month.
VO - Your visa has been approved
11/29 - Visa is under “Administrative processing”
11/30 - Same status
Fro what I understand if approved the passport gets issued on the same day. The “Administrative processing” is a painful status where you are basically in Limbo of negative thoughts. Hopefully the delay is just due to weekend and it gets updated on Monday. If anyone else is in the same boat please share your experience.
All Replies (1)
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