H1B, H4 Visa

Hi,

My H1B application is under AAP(I attended in Chennai). My previous employer phone numbers got changed. How would I intimate the consulate people?

By the way, what will the consulate people do in AAP?

Thanks in advance for your inputs,
H1B_aspi

This Site is very Helpful to me ,Thanks to every body who posted their Experiences

My Interview Started Like this .......
 
 
me :: Good Afternoon(with Smile...........)
VO :: Pass the Folder
VO::Finger Prints Check(Left hand...,Right Hand....)
VO :: Why are u going to U.S ?
me :: Explained
VO :: What is Your Qualification ?
me :: Bachelor Engineering in Computer Science
VO :: where is the Location ?
me :: Hyd
VO :: what is your Project ?
me :: Told Client Name
VO :: Explain about the Project ?
me :: Explained
VO :: Where is it located
me :: Schaumburg,IL.

VO :: Your Visa Approved , U will get Passport in next Couple of Days
me :: Thank U ........... Thank U (with Smile.........)

HI to all,
           
can any one tell me , I have taken an appointment on 4 dec-2006 in mumbai for my visa stamping but please tell me what all documents i have to sent to the office before 5 days of interview date , and do we have to go personally to submit the documents. please guide me ,

waiting for your reply
regards,
vijay.

I had my H1B visa interview at the Mumbai Consulate on the 14th of Nov, 2006 at 12.30pm. I reached there at about 11am. At that time, the 11am and 11.30am interviewees were lined up outside the consul. So I whiled away my time watching others go in and out, till 12pm. Then I joined the queue for the 12.30pm interview.

We were asked to keep only the interview letter and the passport outside. Rest all to be kept in the plastic bag or folder. No food articles, electronics, mobiles, digital watches allowed inside. I was ushered inside and then a full body check was done. Everything in my pockets was emptied including belt, watch, wallet etc and I was made to pass through the detector. The guard inspected my folders and documents (may be for bombs). Then the guard gave me a wooden bar which was to be kept with me till the time I was inside the building. Some kind of security measure!

Then I was led to another counter where the pista-green colored pouch containing my DS156, 157 etc was given to me. The I797 was attached to this pouch. Also a pink-colored paper slip was given to me which contained a token number. I was told to proceed to the finger-printing section with all this.

Here, you have to give the finger-prints of the index finger of both your hands. Then you have to wait till your token number is called for.

Till this time, there was a common queue for all kinds of visa applicants, be it visitors, students, H1 or immigration.

But the counters for the Visa Officer interview were categorized for each type of visa. The H1B fellows were generally called to window numbers 4, 5, 6 & 7.

Then it was a bit boring wait till my number was called. My visa officer (VO) was a middle-aged lady in her late 40s. She took the pink token slip from me before proceeding with the questions.

The interview started at about 1.40pm and the interview was over before 1.42pm. The questions asked were as follows:

Me: Hi there (with a smile)
VO: Hi (not even looking at me)
(then she took a few seconds, going through my documents & her computer)

VO: So, you wanna go to the United States, haanh?
Me: Yes

VO: What are you gonna be doing there?
Me: Software Development

VO: What do you think qualifies you to do that?
Me: my academics & my work experience (in slight detail)

VO: Why do you want to go there?
Me: better prospects, international experience etc etc (but in short)

VO: Where's this company located? Let's see… ZZZ, is it?
Me: That's right.

VO: What is the size of your company?
Me: YYYY employees

VO: Okay! You are all set to go. Your passport will arrive at your residence in 2 days. Good Luck!

Me: Hey, thanks! Can I collect it today itself?
VO: Well.... Its late afternoon right now so it might not be ready by evening. It'll reach your home in 2 days. Have a nice time! (smiles)

Not a single document except my Passport, I797 and Interview letter was asked for.

I came out of the cabin, gave the wooden bar to the security and went home, relaxed & happy.

So that was it! No issues! Out of the 1.5 hours, I was in the building, I saw only 2 people not granted the visa, but they were not rejected… only asked to bring some more documents.

The mood inside the building was like people in a wedding reception, waiting for a long time in queue to meet the wedding couple and then coming out beaming & satisfied, when their turn is over.

Almost all applicants got their visas that day (even a maid of a family with her 2 year old child).

I think, they are just checking whether the person applying is decent and confident enough in what he's applying for. (& may be… not Al-Qaida) :-)

As far as the documents go, I had taken the following with me.

1. I797, I129, photographs, Company Tax return etc
2. Educational Certificates including Software Certifications (SSC to Masters)
3. Work Experience letters, salary slips, bank statement copy & 2 years tax returns

But I doubt if anybody will be asked for anything from this. Main thing is to be cool, composed and confident!

Anyways, that was my experience.

Cheers!

Hi All,

   I am happy to say that my visa got approved (verbally) by chennai consulate. Ofcourse, passports have not dispatched yet. What is the maximum lead we can think of? Because, one of my friend attended on Nov 9th and got the passport on Nov 14th. I am worried as VFS website still says passports have not been handed over to VFS. Can any one let me know how long should I wait to see my passports in my hand.

  I know this is question, but has a deep impact on my career path. Based on my stamping, I have to take a decision that would stuck me here in India for atleast one year. Please help..

Regards,
Hari.

hi all
     beware of chennai consulate,if u have 221g query better u respond fastly,if not they reject when u attend consulate, i attended on nov 14,with out seeing my documents they have rejected my petition though iam a software enggineer with computer sc engg.background.VISA FROM CHENNAI CONSULATE IS A STONE IN THE HANDS OF MAD MAN,they dont know for whoom they issue the visa.so freinds be care ful with chennai consulate avoid it if possible.mainly HYDERABADI S maut be care ful.
                           naveen reddy

Hi all,

I have my H1B interview on 17th in chennai. When i went through my forms i noticed i have filled up my 24.At What Address Will You Stay in The U.S.? wrongly. Instead of filling up the companies guest house address i have filled up companies address. Friends please let me know what i should do.

I am worried a lot please help me out.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Savi

To the Singapore guy.
Look in your I797 Form. If the port of entry is mentioned as Singapore, you really have nothing to worry. Otherwise try convincing them about the additional costs to travel to India.

To the Mech guy.
I have Electronics and Communication Degree and the guy in Chennai specifically asked me to show computer subjects in the 4 year mark lists. After I said I almost had six courses, he said you are not qualified based on your degree. Then I showed him my Microsoft Certified Professional(Signed by Bill Gates) cert. He said that's not good enough. Then I showed him my work ex related docs and he was satified. Show him any university certificates of computer courses. Even an open university 6 month course cert would do. Don't fake. They really check.

Thanks
Hari

Hi all,

after going through the numerous cases presented here (including mine), I felt like composing a summary - that would be helpful - at a Glance.

Consulates:
-----------
Mumbai/Delhi seems to be easy. Chennai - they are asking for Degree/PG Certificates for each one.
Fake educationalists - beware.

Type of Sponsor:
----------------
BEP Guys: Relax. Its very very easy for you.
Non BEP Guys: (Who get offer from some US Companies direct) well, you need lot of additional stuff. Refer to cases presented here for docs like LCA, Photoes, Tax certificates, blah blah...

Qualification:
--------------
Should not be a problem depending on your Sponsor. Non IT Stream guys - if you have additional certifications - good. Otherwise, your experience counts. What ever, you should be able to justify why from a NON-IT Background, you are going to US. Say that: You are strong in IT, have suitable experience, did that course/certifications etc.


Project in USA:
---------------
This is the clinching question in VISA Interview. You must rehearse verywell about your project, the modules it has, the client you are going to work with, what kind of busineses they do etc. Do there to four rehearsals in front of your friends/mirror. Also gather as much as you can from Internet.

Thats all I think.

hello


i have B.E in mechanical field and also i have M.tech.i started working in software filed from 2003 totally ihave 2years of experience in IT industry.My H1B petition is approved. whether any chances of gettting visa stamping.