Please share experience after your work is done !!!

[***analyst***]

hi Murali
i checked on vfs site there is no date available before jan 07 in bombay
is there any way to book earlier date
thanks
Thanks for this post.

I have been requesting users on this forum for a quite long time to please do come back and share your experience with others, that’s how this will be even more useful for each of you.

Also suggest, how can be make users to come back and post their experiences and also answer others questions as well.

From our perspective we have kept this forum and website without much advertisements and a properly organized so users get the best service. I believe that users do owe to this website a lot, and they should do their part.

[rajsundu1]

Hi,

Both for me and my wife H1B petition has been submitted by different employers (with receipt numbers dt. 24th & 26th May). We have 4 years old daughter. We 3 plan to go together. Can you please advise as how to book the appointment for the counslate interview. Pls. help me to act accordingly.

[jackofalltrades]

A request from a member to everyone especially to new members

I see many new members joining.I see that they just post a query which they have and then they just disappear after they get the answer.They don't even take the pain to come back to this forum and post their experience or say thanks.

My request to all people is If you want to keep this forum active and helpful, please post your experiences or please share your knowledge on this forum.

[Murali]

Thanks for this post.

I have been requesting users on this forum for a quite long time to please do come back and share your experience with others, that’s how this will be even more useful for each of you.

Also suggest, how can be make users to come back and post their experiences and also answer others questions as well.

From our perspective we have kept this forum and website without much advertisements and a properly organized so users get the best service. I believe that users do owe to this website a lot, and they should do their part.

[hyd2004]

Hi All,
I went through this mail and realised that I also fall in the same category of unthankful people and I am extremely sorry for that.
Before coming to US I asked some questions on this forum and got reply from Murali on almost all the questions, Thanks Sir for all your help.

I was suppose to come to US on L2 visa after marriage in january. My problem was that I dint even have my passport till october and services were taken from TTS to VFS. To get an appointment I needed passport number. finally I got my passport and started the procedure by paying appointment fee at HDFC and got reciept with barcode, as this gets activated after 48 hrs of being issued, I filled up the forms online on VFS site and took an appointment for january 14th as my husband was leaving on jan 16th.
I found VFS procedure quite confusing and at times ther were some probs with website as well.
Finally I got the appointment in Delhi Consulate!
MY appointment was for early morning around 7:30, I reached 45 min in advance with my marriage certificate, hard copy of the forms I had filled, HDFC receipt, wedding album, my husband's company's offer letter, copy of his Visa and ofcourse my passport.
Guy on the first window out side the main office where they ask for application forms and stuff was very rude as it took me some time to take out the papers he wanted, I think he was from VFS only.
I went inside and the lady officer from the embassy was very sweet and polite, she saw my husband's offer letter and his visa. Asked me the date of our wedding and the venue, she also saw some wedding photographs and approved my visa. All this happened in ten minutes.

Thanks a lot for your help!

Swati

[ibbu_arif]

Hi all,

I wanted to share a good news that I finally got my H1B visa and also h4 for my wife stamped after three month long wait.
I attended the interview on March 9th and the Visa is issued on June 13th.

My visa stamp says that the clearance is recieved on may 24th.

Mine is a security clearance check, so it didn't involve any big effort from my side. I am already there in US for the past 4 years and just came back on vacation..
After they recieved the clearance, they emailed me to send the passport and DD .. after 2 1/2 weeks I got my passports back with the VISA stamped.

Hope this atleast gives confidence to all others waiting on 221G that they will get a response one fine day.. Only thing we can do is to WAIT!!!

All the best to you all and thanks to all who shared their experiences and given replies to my queries.

Bye
Ibrahim

[kvkeee]

Hello Ibrahim,
Can you please explain a little bit more on this security clearance check? Did they give any specific information on the check they are performing and the reason why they are doing this?
Me too planning to attend for the interview at Chennai sometime in Jan'07 and I am residing in US since last 2 and half years. How risky it is to get H1B-H1B renewal at Chennai?
Thanks a lot for your time and info.

[syed78]

hi Ibrahim,

can you please give more details on your case . My wife has attented interview for H4 visa in may 1st week in new delhi. the VO didnt ask for any documents but instead gave a 221(g) for "additional admin processing". he told her that they would contact in 3-4 weeks but its been more than 7 weeks now.
i sent a mail for the status and got a reply that "Your application is still pending under Section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) for mandatory administrative processing. No further action can be taken on this case until this processing is complete. We will contact you as soon as this processing is complete". not sure how long will it take :( .
is there a process to find out what security check is being done?

Thanks
Syed

[quark4]

Hmmm...

As soon as my GC was approved, I logged on to this website and
reported it. Here's a link:

http://forum.path2usa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14424

[rock_solid]

hi new members are not getting answers. Now that H1B cap is full, and those who have applied in 27th May 2006 the application will be rejected, in this case, what happens to the existing visa and status if I have L1b status and my new employer files H1B with change of status.
Now if above H1b is rejected since cap is over what hapens to the L1B visa?

[Rajesh.allu]

hey Rock_sold

what do you mean applications filed after May 27th will be rejected. My application was filed on June 2nd or rather it says "received on june 2nd" when i check status on the USCIC website..so do you think my application is getting rejected.??

- Rajesh

[jgon4268]

Hello,

A friend told me that there are normally two dates (received date and notice date) on the notice of action sent by uscis to the employer. The date that appears on the uscis website when you check the case status online is the notice date.

Which date is the one being considered that the petition has been accepted or will be processed by uscis?

Your comments please....Thanks.

[msamrat]

Thanks for the help...

[JamesDavid]

Hi Guys -

Need some input here. I have applied for H1 B visa in May 2006. At that time - the consul gave me 221(g) telling me my case needs administrative processing and they need to verify the employer / client details. After 4 weeks from then they called up the client to verify the project details. They enquiry went well. I have received a call from VFS to confirm my address as they are sending some documents.

I'm in panic mode - trying to figure out if they will be requesting me to send passport and dd or they sending a visa refusal letter. I called up VFS - they told me it's a small envelope.

Did any one had a similar experience? I have heard folks receieved emails and not letters.

Can you please provide some input.

Thanks!

[Bhavesh Vyas]

hi Murali
i checked on vfs site there is no date available before jan 07 in bombay
is there any way to book earlier date
thanks

Dear H1B,

The problem that you have been facing is the same , i was facing the problem,I had got the appoinment of march 2006 through my local agent,than i had started taking things on my hands wihout getting expectations from others.I went through path2usa.

I had realiazed that the online dates are available and we just have to fill up the forms online,my earlier appoinment was in the march 2006 but after smaller efforts towards the H1b , i was sure that i would get an appointment early.Now i will appear in the interview this month only.

Now keep it up and do not wait for anybody,everything ready on the net.I sincerely profound thanks to this site and murli who have shown their stamping experience,sharing view etc.....

[Bhavesh Vyas]

hi Murali
i checked on vfs site there is no date available before jan 07 in bombay
is there any way to book earlier date
thanks

dear h1b,

the dates are available in oct 2006 at mumbai 20th,26,27 and 30 th october 2006

[netuse1702]

Hi,
I have few question regaring my H1B VISA transfer.

1)My company(A) has applied for H1B VISA transfer
on 6th Dec,2006, how many days will it take for me to receive my Receipt number in a normal process.

2) I came to US on H4 VISA now I am on H1B Visa, I have not got it stamped, should I go t0 India for my stamping or is it fine if I can go to Canada or Mexico, how will I know that.

3)I have been working for this company A as a Microbiologist from Oct 3rd 2006 as a consultant, now they want me to become an employee of that company so they have applied for my H1B VISA transfer on Dec 6th 2006 in regular process. Suppose I get my VISA transfered by Feb 2007, what is the best time for me to go for stamping.

4) Once I receive the receipt number can I become the empoyee of the companyA the same day. and what is the process to cancell my earlier H1B VISA.

I am eagerly waiting for your response.
I greatlly appreciate your suggestions.

Thanks,
netuse

[mrssenthil]

Hi guys
If you ever got H1B or any approval notice, please take soemtime, observe that whether there is I-94 form attached to it. If it is not there, then you have to file amendment - contact your lawyer and proceed. PLEASE CHECK ALL THESE.

Also you can check immihelp.com, murthy.com - forum section to know more about these.

Thanks to path2usa.com. People experience and post replies, which had been really helpful to me. Thanks again to this site.

[jeevan.g]

Hi,

My interview was last week, and this was my experience.
The interview was scheduled to be at 11:30 at Chennai.
I reached the consulate at about 10:15.
There was but a small queue there, and immediately i was asked to show y interview letter and my passport to the kiosk on the road side.
The security looked at my passport and told me to stand in the queue. this queue led to the door.
There was a guy who ensured that your DS 156 and DS 157 were in order (name is written in native language and you have signed the forms)
I was allowed inside within a minute. The first thing you face is a security check.. they search you throughly..( they made me open the sealed envelope my emplyer had given me, addressed to the VO, containing the tax details and lease agreements of my employer ).
After this I was greeted by a security who asked me to stand in a particular queue. There was about 5 of these queues, and they are virtually like a garage, with just an aluminum sheet above you.

At this counter there was a lady who took my H1 docs. then she returned me all the docs and asked m tp rceed to the next building.

In the next building, another security guided me to the fingerprint queue. after getting my fingerprints take, i was put in to to interview queue.

After about half an hour,I was in front of te CO and the interview went like this :
Me : Hi.. how are you doing..
VO : great...give me your H1 docs..
ME, [removed the rbber and the lady in the first counter put on the docs.]
VO : I'll need the rubber band.
Me : [gives him the docs...]
VO : looks at the docs for a couple of minutes then asks me if i already wrking in US..
Me : No...
VO So tell me what you'll be doing in [my company name] ?
Me ; I'll be working on [project name], and I'll be handling so and so part of the project. Its an internal application used by my [my company]

VO : so its an internal project ?
Me : Yes

VO. Show e your degree certificates.
Me : [shows the dcs.]
VO : after looking through all docs for about 3 minutes, tells me ...
You can go home now, your passport will be mailed to you....
ME ; Thank You...

passport was mailed within two days, with the visa stamped !

[sivakumar]

Sir,
I am working in USA and i would like to bring my family having wife and one kid here. As per the H4 procedure , i am aware of docs required for my wife but i need to know does my kid require DS-156 and DS-157 form to be filled in? Plese let me clear about what are the docs require for my kid who is about 3 years old?
Thanks in advance

[ssss63]

I sent all my documents to my employer by 1rst week of Apr 06, they filed my case and receipt date was 06 may 06. USCIS put a query on my case for education evaluation(09-Aug-1980)--Unfortunatly On my BIRTH DAY. After a week my employer received the query, they applied for education evaluation certificate, it took nearly 2 weeks time to get that, my bad luck, they sent the certificate with some error, a week later we got the corrected version.

USCIS received the response for my RFE on 29th September, after that I had changes on LUD 1st, 5th and on 6th my status is :

This case has been approved. On October 6, 2006, an approval notice was mailed. If 30 days have passed and you have not received this notice, you may wish to verify or update your address. To update your address, please speak to an Immigration Information Officer during business hours.

I got all the documents from my employer 1rst time on 24th Oct 06 and appeared consulate for interview on 3rd Nov 06.

After normal entry procedures, I reached counter no.4, one American fat (specs) lady VO.

VO: what are you going to do in this company?
ME: going to work as a Programmer Analyst.
VO: are you going to work in client place or in house project?
ME: am going to work in XXXs internal product.
VO: typed something in her system, asked is it 18 employees company ?
ME: Exactly.
VO: Can I have the tax returns of the company?
ME: gave those.
VO: within 2 secs, she said from the Tax returns I can say they are not doing any internal product.
ME: No ma’am. Am sure they are developing this product.
VO: do u have any other documents related to this product?
ME gave all the docs related to product.
VO: nothing is there to prove that this product is developed by XXX. Do u have any patent copy of that product?
ME: No Ma’am.
VO: I can promise you they don’t have any product to employee you (YYY is not the product of this company, I think they are misleading you). They are going to put u in bench and once they get the client they will send u to the client place. So you are going to STUCKUP in U.S.
ME: listening all those stuffs.
VO: so you have to get all the(11 documents under petitioner) from your employer in this 221(g).
ME: OK
VO: once you get all the documents from your petitioner, you have to verify that whether you got all of them perfectly. If any one of the required document is missing, then your case will be rejected (said twice). Put all the documents in Drop Box address which is mentioned in this form.

* My employer provided all the 11 documents + product patent as a supporting doc, My employers docs are really geniune. I got all the documents after 1.5 months with some typo error(16.12.06), couple of days later I could able to get the revised documents(18.12.06). I reviewed all the documents nearly for a week, I found some more errors. I informed to my employer, He was really irritated. He replied they need some more time, they didn’t send any mails till now. I decided to change some of the documents by myself and I dropped at 11:45, 27th Dec 06. once I come back home I checked vfs site, showed “Your passport is not handed over to vfs yet, please contact local regional office”.
I checked the site next day as well, but no change. On 29th morning too, but around 11:30 AM I checked the site. I showed “Your PP is ready to be collected at local vfs center 1600-1700hrs, otherwise your PP will be dispatched to courier office”

I went to VFS to get my PP thru rush service. once i got my pack, I opened infront of the vfs´s one of the counters itself, I took my PP and checked... By god's grace I got my Visa...............................

for furthur queries ssss63@yahoo.co.in

I believe in GOD
__________________
"...Suggestion is mine

Decision is yours..."

Cheers,
Frederik Ericsson.

[frank_ill]

After i sent a mail to Chennai consulate they replied saying that 'your case is suspended and U.S. Consulate in Chennai is no longer handling your case'

What is this mean? Is this equalent to 'Rejected' or different from 'Rejected' state? Please clarify me.

If it is equal to rejected can i apply for a new H1 through different sponsor.

Frank

(Frank is not my real name!)

[lynchbaby]

At which consulate was this? Also what were the 11 documents required in the 221 (g). I am in a similar situation where I need to go for visa stamping and a employed at company with less than 10 employees. I just want to be prepared with all the necessary documents in order to avoid issues. Can you tell me what the 11 documents are so that I can carry them before hand?
Any help will be really appreciated.

[sam101]

Hi guys, I'm new to this forum, so please spare me if I make any mistake.

I have couple of questions on H4 visa. Here is how I'm thinking and suggest any good idea if u have.

I'm in US for more than 4.5 years now and converted from F1 to H1B and doing job from last more than 1.5 years.

1) I'm planning to get married in last week of March this year.
2) Planning to take my wife's H4 visa interview date 3-4 days after marriage so as to have our marriage photographs and marriage certificate ready in the meantime.
3) Bring her here immediately with me (depends on what date I get for her visa interview).
4) File for her H1B visa thru some consulting company sometimes in April/May this year, so that she will be eligible to work here by the end of this year.

Now, the questions are,
1) Is there anything like H4 visa stamping or so?
2) What documents I need to prepare for her visa interview?
3) What @ her Health Insurance and SSN once she get here?
4) Is there any issue in converting from H4 to H1B visa?
5) Should I go with my present consulting company for her H1B or should it be different?

Any comments/suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks,
Sam

[sandygenesis]

Hi All,

Iam Shiva, a new member for this forum and also a new applicant for this year.

Iam a Bcom, MBA student with 5+yrs of expierence in .Net.My new employeer is filing my documents for this year. I have sent all my education certificates last week. Iam bit worried like, Will my education be a problem for my VISA?

Please any one help with the same.

Thanks!
Shiva
:confused:

[ramr1001]

Dear All,

First of all thanks to Simran/Murali/Poragaru and all other members of this group. This site is really helpful in terms of providing the best possible suggestions and for valuable guidance.

I got my petetion papers on 10-Oct-2006 but waited for client letter until 25-Jan-2007 with out scheduling stamping appointment.I got frutrated many times and wanted to go for stamping, thanks to my roommate, I waited again.

Following is my experience at chennai consulate.
Carried all docs (also one set of xerox copies of the same)

While in queue I was observing the questions asked and so on. One lady VO was rejecting many H1-Bs and taking time more than 30 mins for each. (4 rejections in front of me).For one person she has taken 55 mins and rejected.

I prayed God not to put me in her queue, but staff pushed me there. When staff moved around, I jumped to another VO's queue. After some time, Staff came back and again put me in the same old queue. I did not have any other choice.

Actually my appointment was at 2:40 PM, but when I reached VO counter, it was 4:30 PM

Me: Good morning Madam (with smiling face)
(professional wear, tie, present employer's ID card hanging around, so that it is visible to VO)
VO: Good morning, How are you doing.

Me: Fine Madam,Thanks, How are you doing...?
VO: Fine, Please give me those docs

Me: Gave all the docs.
VO: She glanced through the docs, checked something in computer. Cancelled my earlier L1-B visa in passport, which already got expired.

VO: So you are with XXXX Indian company (one of the Indian top MNCs)
Me: Yes Madam (I adusted the hanging ID card so that it is visible to her)

VO: How long you have been with XXXX
Me: 7 years
( I tried to show her me experience supporting docs, she signalled not required) (I do not have experience letter as company will give it only after resignation, I carried last 6 months payslips, and all letters right from joining offer letter to latest promotion letter and UK workpermit, ealier US's L1-B petetion , L1-B's extension petetion etc) ( I worked in UK for 1.3 years and US for 2.3 years)

VO: Can I see your Original Degree Cerificate
Me: I provided, she glanced and returned

VO: To which Client you are going to work for..?
Me: YYYY

VO: What would be your position there
Me: Software Engineer

Around 5 mins, she was checking something in computer.
VO: Do you have client letter?
Me: Yes Madam, I provided.
She started checking something in computer (the way she put her face, she was not satified)
After 5 min, I volunteered and showed my petetioner's letter which stated my job decription for that client.
She glanced it and kept it aside. again started working on computer, with the same old sign on the face (dissatisfaction).
I though of volunteering and showing all other docs like Client Agreement, last 2 years IT Tax forms of the petetioner, Client Contract docs, Petetioner's brochures and petioner's company photos
But my petetioner told me not to show any docs until asked. So I kept quiet praying God.
She was working on the client letter for past 20 mins with same sign of dissatisfaction and tiredness also (working continuously)
Some one cracked joke inside (next VO and near by staff). She switched off the phone, so I could not hear anything.
When joke was over, she was back onto computer checking and spent 3 mins and turned to me and told
VO: I approve your passport
Me: Thanks Madam

VO: Please be aware that, your petetioner cannot take your passport for whatsoever reasons, its your passport, your Indian passport.No one can tae it.
VO: He has to pay whatever amount mentioned in the petetion. He cannot deduct any money stating some reasons
VO: He has to pay overtime and all
VO: He has to pay when you are on bench
VO: If you find anything wrong with the petetioner, please infrom USCIS.
She returned all other docs.

I was out and verified all my docs. Thanked God

(I acted lot of confidence, while answering, and maintained good eye contact and body language, thanks to this site)

I did lot of work, read through all the experiences in this site, all queries and prepared well. God also helped.

Once again thanks to all the members of this group.

Regards
Ram

[chandurajyam]

hi murli and everyone
As i am a new joinee in this group please tell me if the client letter is a must for VISA stamping as this thing is causing a lot tension,i just wanted to know about it,one of my friend went without client letter on dec-14/2006, the VO just asked him toshow his degree,his present company and the company for which he is going to work----stamped..
can somebody please tell me is the client lettter required or not?
regards
chandu

[Vasavi Venugopal]

Hi Friends Iam very new to this forum and US as well:)

I have recently attended the Delhi consulate interview in the month of Dec 2006.
Me and my husband have both filed our H1B from the same employer. We both booked our H1B appointment on the same date. We were very scared for if we will get some questions like why both husband and wife are applying for H1B. And also I had got a new passport with the name change and all.

But to our surprise the interview was pretty cool. Nothing much to worry
First when we went to the consulate they entered in their system my new passport number. And me and my husband went in a distance of 6-7 people in between but again we went to the same person for the interview.

He did not ask much questions to both of us.
Both of us got the same set of questions:
The questions which were asked were:
Is your wife accompanying you?
No
So will she join you later?
Yes.
Could you show me the letter from the Client?
We gave his the purchase order which we have.

So thats it
the interview was pretty cool.

As far as i have come across the Delhi Consulate is cool enough compared to Chennai Consulate. All my friends who went to Delhi consulate got their visa Stamped but in Chennai 2 of my friends got queries.

Thanks,
Vasavi

[snftc]

hi friends,

i had attended my h1bvisa interview at chennai on dec.27th...andgot 221(g) pink form( pending security clearance.) after 2months, my visa status was updated at the usconsulate website on feb27th to "send ppt". today i received my passport with the visa stamped. I wouldlike to thank everyone who provided encouragement and support, especially the moderators who take time to answer queries for as many as they can.

If anyone has questions on 221g(pink) or AAP , you can always email me at suraj_rnair@yahoo.com.

Best wishes to all.
Thanks and regards,
Suraj (snftc)

[sunchennai]

Hello snftc,
Hearty congrats for your Visa. Iam also waiting for my visa its 221g blue form. I submitted all the documents along with my passport on Jan19th 2007. Around 1.5 months is over till now i haven't got any reply from consulate. I dont know how many months i need to wait.

Sun

[snftc]

hello sun,
i am not so familiar with 221g(blue). unfortunately, you cannot even check your status online either. but from past member's experiences, it does seem to take 1-3 months. what did the NIV office(chennai, i presume) say? did you contact them ...whether they got your documents?
mostly all genuine visa applicants are getting their visas nowadays.it's just a matter of time.kindly be patient and keep your hopes up.

[Sesha]

I have attended the H1B visa inteview on Dec 14th, got 221g (pink). After waiting for more than two months, our visa finally got approved on March 6th.

Sesha

[psudheerbabu]

hi suraj (Snftc),

221g pink

i have one doubt. for 221g pink form Online status says some 'SEND PPT' , 'SEND PPT INVITATION LETTER'

is 'SEND PPT INVITATION LETTER' is for visiting visas?
is 'SEND PPT' for H1B?


F1 & J1 are clearly identifiable.

[snftc]

hi sudheer,

it sure looks like that.
send ppt is usually for h1b.
invitational letter could be for b1 and b2 visas.

sometimes, if they need more documents, they will call you.
for example, forum member Sesha was asked to send his ds-156 forms again.

[sunchennai]

Hello Snftc,
Thanks for your rdeply. On Feb 2nd week i malied to consulate explaning i need to join the project immediately. Also in the mail the client name is clearly mentioned. Bu even then i didnt got any positive reply from consulate.
fAll my client letter, my dergree my experience everything is genuine. In fact for the past 1.5 years i was working in a different countey. I have more than 5 years of expreience in my field. The most killing part is the consulate have not returned my passport. If my case went for administrative processing atleast if they returned my passport i would be happy. Becuase i have couple of short term and long term assignment from my current company. Since my passport is locked i cannot able to take up any assignment. In another 3 days 2 months is going to comeplte. I dont know what to do now. I already missed 2 good oppturnities becuase of of not having passport. Now iam really worried about my stamping.

Sun


hello sun,
i am not so familiar with 221g(blue). unfortunately, you cannot even check your status online either. but from past member's experiences, it does seem to take 1-3 months. what did the NIV office(chennai, i presume) say? did you contact them ...whether they got your documents?
mostly all genuine visa applicants are getting their visas nowadays.it's just a matter of time.kindly be patient and keep your hopes up.

[Simran14]

hello snftc good to hear that ur visa is approved ,after how many days u got ur visa stammped i mean after sending ur ppt? with ppt wht else u have send? and in between tht have they did called u or have they done any enquiries at ur work place? plz answer this

[febi4tom]

I read everybodies experiences I too felt like sharing my exp.I went to India on 22 Dec 2005 ,with my 40 day old baby,I was on L2 visa then and my husband had got his H1 in october By Gods grace I didnt have any problem.Everything went smooth.But I couldn't take my baby into the embassy building.Since there were so many people for the interview I had to wait till I was called;poor thing he had to wait in the sun for long and he started crying out of hunger(he was still on breast feed.)
I think they should allow babies 0-12 mths in with their mothers even if the babies dont have interview.
Anyway I am here now.But wouldnt dare going back again if not for good.I cant think about the journey from kerala to madras with a small baby.
Hope they would start embassies in kerala too;) pardon my selfishness please.

Febi

[psudheerbabu]

hi everybody,

It is lucky day today for all 221g PINK cases, Lot of cases got changed to 'SEND PPT'.

In my case i attended interview at chennai embassy on 7th February , got 221g pink form (Administrative processing). All pink cases can check online status. Today (23rd March) the status got changed to 'SEND PPT'.

Thanks for everybody posting their experiances. Thanks to snftc (suraj) , simran and all.........

regards
Edit/Delete Message

[sundar1975]

Dear All.

I am summarizing my experience after getting Additional Administrative Processing Required (pink slip).

I got the 221g from Chennai consulate in December 12 with the PINK slip for more “admin processing required”. I have sent the required information through email in one week. Those are basically what ever I have specified in DS156 and DS157.

After 2 months, around 3rd week of feb, 2007, the online status has been changed from “pending process” to “Send PPT”. Then I checked with VFS about the documents to be submitted. Since the status is just “Send PPT”, they told it is not necessary to send any other documents another than DS156, DS157 and pink Slip.

You can fill DS-156 online @
http://evisaforms.state.gov/

You can download the editable DS-157 from
http://foia.state.gov/FORMS/visa/ds0157.pdf

I have submitted DS156, DS-157, Pink Slip and Passport of mine and my wife to VFS office. Within one week, I got the stamped passports (H1b, H4)

Hope this will help to you.

Thanks,
Sundar

[Simran14]

hi,congrats to all who got visa.i too got 221 pink in dec,after 3 months i got mail to send ppt and ds156,157 which i did 15 days back,yet to get ppt back,so i mailed to consulate i got reply stating my case has been put for further administrative process.plz any1 wht cud be the reason,wht they do generally?

[mytrip]

Hi all,

I have been a silent member of this discussion group from last four months or so. I have benefited immensely from experiences of many members of path2usa.

Here is my experience. I appeared for H1B under non-profit research organization (does not come under normal H1B cap) on 31st Jan 2007 at Chennai. Since my work comes under high-tech studies, I was handed 221g pink handout. I send all the details via email as *.txt file on 2nd Feb 2007. I was checking the case status at Chennai consulate website regularly. Finally on 30th March (after 8 weeks), my case status changed from "Pending process" to "send ppt". I send the ppt at vfs center Bangalore on 2nd April and got the ppt today (11April) with visa. I hope my case gives some info to people waiting for visa under 221g pink cases.

I am little surprised because they gave me visa for 2 years only. I was expecting it for 3 years because my appointment was for 3 years. Can anybody suggest me why it is so?

thanks to Murali/Simran and all other active members of path2usa

[shahzadmasih]

Hi, this post is very informative; however I would like some specific information. If someone can help me then please send me a private message. Best Regards,

[James07719]

A request from a member to everyone especially to new members

I see many new members joining.I see that they just post a query which they have and then they just disappear after they get the answer.They don't even take the pain to come back to this forum and post their experience or say thanks.

My request to all people is If you want to keep this forum active and helpful, please post your experiences or please share your knowledge on this forum.

Why bother, when they can’t even be bothered to reply to your posts

[divya18]

Hi all,

Did any one received the H1 receipt this year. This Year H1 is like a 50-50 chances lottery system. How many days it take to receive H1 receipt. My consultant says it is purely luck to get the H1-visa this year.

Plz share info about the latest H1 cap

Thanks
divya

[sachin]

First of all let me congratulate Path2usa team including all the loyal users who have been contributing to buildup this knowledge powerhouse. This is one and only one source who helped me immensely in last 5 yrs, for my visa, my family visa, while I am USA to get information about various things without which I wasn’t sure that I could have confidence to make certain decision in my many day to day life in America.
Recently my parents and in-laws both got 10 yrs multiple Visa and Path2usa again helped to make it happen. I can express how happy I am . I spent lots of time gathering all the information and reading though path2usa forums and experiences etc and got more then enough information to prepare for my parents and in-laws visa. I was in desperate situation since we are expecting baby and both my parents and in-laws can come in turn to help us, At any cost I wanted to have them visa. Path2usa really really helped me .. I owe a lot to this website

I think everyone who have consulted path2usa information, has increased the chances of getting the visitor visa for atleast 99%.

As gratitude, I urge to all the users to please help:

1. Please share your experience, after your work is done. The best thing you can give to any one is Knowledge.
2. Spread the word - Please send the link of path2usa to your friends, HR, intranet team to include in their internet so more people can have access to such a informative source.
3. If you have website Or you a part of any mailing group, or part of any organization Please place path2usa link to your website.

I am personally committed to do what ever best I can, even if the webmaster allows me to Pay some donation If I can ….

[tchennakesh]

I went to Chennai for H4 Revalidation on 30-APR-2007. My husband was not there with me.
The good news is that I got visa without any problem. I was initially doubted as lot of people are mentioning it is not a good idea go to India for stamping. I always had some doubts in my mind, like what the questions they will be asking. Here is my experience, may be useful for someone

We are in US from past 2 and half years and my husband changed his employer after one year. Here are the questions..

Interview Time: 15:00

Reached there at 14:30 and entered inside. Lot of people are inside but only two couters are open. I felt it is going to take more time to get out of the consulate. Finally at 17:00 my turn came. before that, I see around 2 or 3 people got some queries. I was confident until I enter the office, after seeing this I was nervous.

VO: Good Afternoon
Me: Good Afternoon

VO: BY SHOWING THE earlier stamped employer name AAA, Is he not working with AAA NOW?
ME: NO, HE JOINED WITH EMPLOYER BBBB

VO: When did he join with this company?
ME: ANSWERED THE DATE

VO: Where are you living now in USA.
Me: XXX Answered

VO: WHERE DID YOU LIVE BEFORE THIS PLACE
ME: ANSWERED

VO: SHOW ME YOUR TAX RETURN PAPERS (W2)
ME: I SHOWED.

VO: OK, YOU WILL RECEIVE THE VISA IN COUPLE OF DAYS
ME: THANK YOU VERY MUCH


That's all
I don't know if this is useful information or not. I just want to share my experience with H4 (Who are already in US) people going to India for stamping.

Thanks to path2usa.com for all the information provided.

[aone999]

Hi All

I thank this forum for all the help extended. I have been watching this forum since last 1.5 years. Since I cleared my visa interview, I want to share my experience:

my H1 interview was on 23/04/2007 at Mumbai. It is a fresh H1, so I collected as much docs as I can from my employer. The only ones I was lacking are the Client letter and contract, as my employer dont have a project on hand for me. So, I was a bit tense.

I tried to procure a client letter from friends. Though it is verifiable, the US company that issued the letter was also a consulting company (like my employer). So, I decided not to show it to the Visa Officer. Let him/her give me a 221g, if that's an issue.

My interview was scheduled at 8:30AM, but it was delayed and I was at the VISA counter at 10:30AM. The VISA Oficer was a lady in her early 30's

Me: Hi, how are you doing today?
VO: Fine and you?
Me: Fine too...except for the heat (smiling)
VO: (smiled too)

VO: Can I see your original I-797?
Me: (Handed over)

VO: (Looking at my DS-156 on computer screen)Oh...you have been to US on H1 before?
Me: No...I went on B1

VO: Ok...so you got your H1 from the same company?
Me: No...this is a different company

VO: What is the web site of your US employer?
Me: (told her)

VO: How many employees they have now?
Me: they have around 30 employees

VO: So...how did you came to know about this company?
Me: One of my team mates (when I was in US onsite on B1) is from this company, and he referred me t this company.

VO: who paid for the H1 expenses and your air ticket?
Me: (I know I am lieing, but I cant help) my US employer

VO: OK...can you elaborate on the interview PROCESS?

(here, I had a problem understanding her accent. I had to ask her 3 times before I understood her accent for the word "Process")

(I never faced any interview, as I paid for my H1 expenses and probably Iam the senior most experinced consultant in that company - about 10yrs. But you know, we all have to lie)

Me: First, there was a tech interview for about 35 mins. After few days, their HR office called me and we had an interview for about 15 mins. Finally, I had an interview with the CEO himself to negotiate the salary and terms and conditions of employment.

VO: Ok..are you taking your family with you?
Me: (I haven't yet boked apointment for my family)No...they are not present here

VO: But ultimately, you would - wouldn't you?
Me: Yes

VO: What are the names of your family members?
Me: (told her)

VO: (Now, the magic words!!!)OK. Iam giving you visa. Your passport will arrive in 2-3 working days.
Me: Thanks a lot - wish you a nice day ahead
VO: Thanks - and wish you the best in US


That's all!!! the only document she looked at is my I-797

[shareviews]

My wife and son ( 1 yr old) got H4 visa. in April 2007.

Here are the experiences:

VO ,a lady, has asked questions:

1) company name
Ans: XYZ company
2) Client name and location
Ans: ABC in location name
4) Pay stubs
Ans: shown 3 play slips ( monthly)
VO replied that 4 are required.
3) Date of marriage and pictures
Ans: Show certificates and Pictures
.... Our Son (1 yr old) was crying around the time when marriage pictures are shown. VO got irritated for some reason...

VO asked what is wife's mother tongue
Ans: Telugu

VO asked my wife to wait for 1 hour to attend interview in Telugu.

This happened to 4 others in the same counter.

When child is crying staff has sent to other counter.

There VO ,a gent, asked the same questions and visa was approved.


I think it is better to attend the interview in native language.

[manolito]

Hi Murali & all the prospective users of Path2USA,

I agree with you as every one has to share there experiences...its just because of these site i was success in my VISA....and the same moment i have posted my experience i these....and i helped many of friends from than but none of them do...but every one say thanks to me for giving them the advice of visiting path2usa....

I would request all and new users plz do post your experiences so that these will be a great help to many of them like us who struggled intially and got benefited by these...

Let's hope every one does it....

Cheerz and all the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[naga992]

Hi! how r u doing?

On 6th june,2007,i got mail from USCIS like
------------------------------------------------------------
Application Type: I129 , PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER

Current Status: Case was shipped to the Department of State for visa
processing.

On June 6, 2007, we shipped this approved or re-affirmed case to the
Department of State for visa processing. For more information, please
contact them directly.
-------------------------------------------------------------

I got mail from USCIS (re-affirmed case was shipped to Department of State for visa processing) .This message was sent to Chennai consulate and asked them about my H1B VISA case status. They replied me like this,
------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Whenever you receive a hard copy of the reaffirmed petition, you may come to the consulate on any Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 10am and 12 o'clock with your 221(g) letter, DS forms, passports and updated documents."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

my question is what is the meaning of the hard copy of the reaffirmed petition?.please reply me about this message if you have any idea about it.


Nagaparvatham Pasumarti
Mail Id : naga992@yahoo.com
Mobile : 9290543868

[pankilmpatel]

Hi to All User,

Thanks for the information provided by you.

It helps me a lot.

My interview details are as below.

Me : Hi Good Morning Sir!
VO : Hello Good Morning, How are you?
Me : I am fine, Thank you.
VO : So pankil Why you want to go to US?
Me : For better opportunity and for career growth
VO : Where is your company located?
Me : Ez Solutins's Corporate office is in Nashua, New Hampshire and it's branch office is in New Jersy.
VO : Tell me something about your current Job?
Me : Currenlty I am working at Patni Computers System,Gandhinagar,Gujarat as a software Engineer.
VO : What is your current salary.
Me : ## lacs per annum.
VO : What will be your new Salary.?
Me : ##K $ per annum.

Now In my I-797 address was NJ and I mention NH address in DS-156.

During the above all question he was looking into the computer screen but for the following question he just stared at me.

VO : What is this Motel 6,Progress....?
Me : It's the address where I will stay.
VO : This approval contain NJ address and you said you will stay at NH.
Me : Yes, Initially I will reporting to New Jersy Office. Then I wil relocate to NH office.
VO : Why you need to relocate?
Me : I will be working at NH only.
VO : Why you will work over there?
Me : Company is currently implementing projects for Alliance Capital and Verizon, So I will involve in those projects. That's why I will stay at NH.

He had not ask for any documents.

Be confident and prepared for the interview.

Best of Luck.

Thanks,
Pankil Patel

[delhiramanathan]

I request those who post their success stories in this forum to please give the center were they were interviewed. This will help others to choose the center where the % of success is greater.
Gud Luck

[optimusprime]

I am not an active poster here at the site as I was preparing for the interview. I am a Filipino and I had my interview last July-27 at the US Embassy here in Manila, Philippines. I read through all the pages on VISA Stamping Interview questions and I learned a lot from this website. I would like to commend everyone who shared their experiences. I will in return help in sharing my experiences too.

I just got my H1B, and I am planning to request for a green card applied for me too. I promise to frequent this site and let everyone know how I progress!

Thanks again!

-Regards,
Optimus =)

[prakashnadar]

I am not an active poster here at the site as I was preparing for the interview. I am a Filipino and I had my interview last July-27 at the US Embassy here in Manila, Philippines. I read through all the pages on VISA Stamping Interview questions and I learned a lot from this website. I would like to commend everyone who shared their experiences. I will in return help in sharing my experiences too.

I just got my H1B, and I am planning to request for a green card applied for me too. I promise to frequent this site and let everyone know how I progress!

Thanks again!

-Regards,
Optimus =)

Congrats, The place where you will be going seems to be like a very cold place, so dont forget your warm cloths.

[prakashnadar]

My interview was scheduled today at mumbai. I was worried about the wheather coz it was raining for from last night, and in the morning it was raining non-stop for 2 and half hours.

anyway, after reaching there, we finished with the security stuff and finger printing, we took our seat at 8:30am.

We were called at 10:30 to the counter. There were 3 guys & 1 gal in front of us, 2 guys got 221(g) other 2 got their visa ( i guess the lady was there for h4 visa coz she had brought her marrage album with her)

And here's how our interview went.

Me: Good morning.
VO: (didnt say anything, just noded his head but he was cheerfull)
VO: (Before he had a look at the papers) Why do you want to go to USA?
Me: (confused, I wondered why they issue H1B for?) To Work.
Vo: (he didnt like the answer so he asked again) What will you do in USA
Me: (now it clicked to me that he was trying to know what i will be doing in USA with h1b visa) Explained him the project and about the company that has hired me.
VO: What will you be doing in the project?
Me: Explained him the area that I will be working on.
(i was kinda worried coz our discussion wasn't "smooth")

VO: (to my wife) Whats your marrage date?
(at this point I tried to talk to the VO to tell him that my wife is not very confortable with english, but he asked me not to talk)
Wife: June 1st, 2006 (yeah i got married last year) :)
VO: When did you meet your husband?
VO: How did you meet him?
Wife: answered them.

VO: (back to me) Whats your salary?
Me: xxx$ per year.
VO: Where will you be going to?
Me: Told him the city name
VO: Will you be living in an appartment?
Me: told him that i will be living at a hotel during my initial stay and then look for an appartment myself.
VO: I am granting you the visa, the passport will come in 2 days, Good luck.
I thanked him and left.

All this in 2-3 min only and he did not ask for any other documents, only doc provided was I-797.

Thanks for this website, it gave me very good understanding of the process and helped me to understand the procedure and complexities.

Wish you all with good luck for your interview and approval.

[tiger33]

Congrats Prakash for getting your Visa.

[ankitpatel]

congartes prakash
now let us c what happens with all of us.

Ankit

[ankitpatel]

Hi to All User,

Thanks for the information provided by you.

It helps me a lot.

My interview details are as below.

Me : Hi Good Morning Sir!
VO : Hello Good Morning, How are you?
Me : I am fine, Thank you.
VO : So pankil Why you want to go to US?
Me : For better opportunity and for career growth
VO : Where is your company located?
Me : Ez Solutins's Corporate office is in Nashua, New Hampshire and it's branch office is in New Jersy.
VO : Tell me something about your current Job?
Me : Currenlty I am working at Patni Computers System,Gandhinagar,Gujarat as a software Engineer.
VO : What is your current salary.
Me : ## lacs per annum.
VO : What will be your new Salary.?
Me : ##K $ per annum.

Now In my I-797 address was NJ and I mention NH address in DS-156.

During the above all question he was looking into the computer screen but for the following question he just stared at me.

VO : What is this Motel 6,Progress....?
Me : It's the address where I will stay.
VO : This approval contain NJ address and you said you will stay at NH.
Me : Yes, Initially I will reporting to New Jersy Office. Then I wil relocate to NH office.
VO : Why you need to relocate?
Me : I will be working at NH only.
VO : Why you will work over there?
Me : Company is currently implementing projects for Alliance Capital and Verizon, So I will involve in those projects. That's why I will stay at NH.

He had not ask for any documents.

Be confident and prepared for the interview.

Best of Luck.

Thanks,
Pankil Patel

hi pankil
i m from ahmedabad
i hv been selected in random selection nd got scan copy of mt I797 bt am waiting for other docs to cm from my employer.
Hv u got ur passport back on the same day????????

Ankit

[delhiramanathan]

Hi Prakshnadar, I am a keen follower of your postings in the forum. I am very glad that you got through in your HIB visa. Have a nice time in USA with your wife.
Please continue to post and guide others in the forum.
Good wishes

[prakashnadar]

Hi Prakshnadar, I am a keen follower of your postings in the forum. I am very glad that you got through in your HIB visa. Have a nice time in USA with your wife.
Please continue to post and guide others in the forum.
Good wishes

Thanks for your wishes. i will do my best to help other guys.

[bmoola]

Hi Prakash,
Congrats dude!.. Wish you best of luck :-)

Regards,
mvb

[prakashnadar]

Hi Prakash,
Congrats dude!.. Wish you best of luck :-)

Regards,
mvb

Thanks, and wish you the same with your stamping.

[pbs_v]

Hi

I am trying to schedule an appointment for myself and for my wife together in chennai consulate. After filling DS-156, DS-157 (for my wife and myself) and petition details, i did not see an option to go ahead and schedule an appointment even though the dates are avaiable.Only two options are being present; Delete the application, Save and Exit the application.
am I missing something.

can anybody advise me how can i proceed further and schedule the
appointment.

Thank you

[bilpongs]

Guys, thanks so much for such a forum on the net. It was very useful for me to make my mind for both +ve and -ve result. Unfortunately Im on the negative side but as I said I have made my mind and still looking to make every thing to be alright through this blog. I attended my interview on 16th August 2007 at Chennai. There were many applicants for H1B that day. I could see few people waking away without their passports in hand which I assume they are through with the visa, but many were walking from the window with a blue paper issued. I even noticed a guy been given a White paper and the officer announcing "sorry sir, i cannot approve your visa this time" and all. My VO had a terrible time with a guy who appeared just before me. He was giving vague answers to the questions put to him. He was apparently bad in communication or may be was too nervous. VO was frustrated and started saying straight at him that he will be rejected visa if he tries to give vague answers. She repeatedly shouted "answer only to my question". End of the day he was given a blue sheet. It was my turn now and i was not nervous but bit worried about the lady VO's grin face; she was beautiful though ;)

Me: Hi
VO : She started talking even before I approached the window from the wait line 2 metres behind the window. So could not catch up the words she spoke
Me: I passed on the folder onto her. She opened my D156 form
VO: How many years are working with XXX (my current company)
Me : X years
VO : What you do there
Me : I explained her in brief on what I do.

She reacted as if she was ridiculed as my profile was complex and the technology was Telecom

VO: How did you come to know about this company?
Me : Friend of mine
VO: Is ur friend still working with this company
Me: No, he has moved

VO: Which domain does your US employer work on?
Me: Telecom domain

She was entering lot of stuffs on her pc, may she must have taken down whatever I said or some comments ( or may be for future user who comes across my profile again) all throughout my interview which lasted for say 8-10 minutes

VO : Do you have a client letter
Me : I have some documents which shows my employer has contract with his clients
She asked for it. I had it binded as a booklet along with the company's tax returns and other documents. Meanwhile she took some time to enter stuffs into her comp. after 2 -3 min she flipped through my docs for couple of more minutes. I was preying in mind just asking her to put my passport into a file and say those golden words. But she continued

VO: I dont see any contract made on ur name.
Me: Its just a proof saying that my emp has clients for long years now. The contract with my name on will be made on my physical presence only.

She was not happy with my answer but insisted to have my client letter. She suddenly turned to ask me my offered salary. I told her and I dont know why she reacted strangely.

VO : I dont see any of the other employees of ur employer with that kind of salary.
(I was thinking to myself whether my offered salary was too high or too low and I still dont know)
Me : I quoted that much and I was offered.
VO: The salary is not with the wage act which you have given (No idea what she meant and I said that to her as well)

Now she took much more time on the booklet, entered something on the pc, again flipping the pages, again entering somethin; man my expectation with her was not to take up a pen in hand and write a blue sheet. While flipping thru the sheets, she suddenly looked into the bag in which I carried all the docs into the embassy. It was large size green paper cloth envelope. She asked me to pass them on to her. I just showed from my side of the window and asked Y does she want them to see.

VO: Is this what you got from ur employer? How did these documents come from your employer?
Me: DHL
I now started to know that she has doubts on my employer whereas he is a genuine consultant. I expressed confidence on my chat. Now that my prayers were not accepted for that day...she took the pen and started to say those rusted words,
VO: I have serious doubts about ur employer if he can pay you that salary. The tax sheets he has provided are outdated ones. I wish to see his latest tax returns (hands now on the blue sheet), I also need the salary details of each one of the workers in the company. ( she almost mentioned all the points that in the blue sheet 221g and ticked all of them) and more specifically I want you to concentrate on this part (she encircled the wages of all employees column).
Turned over the Blue sheet and said
VO: You can drop all these documents marked there at the address here (VFS addresses) and importantly no passport along with the documents (she writes it on the sheet as well).

I said thankyou and left the scene quietly. My emp had given me company 2005 tax sheets, client contracts of other employees, my project details, the company photographs. After this episode was over, i rang him up to update. He said he will get them all ready with his attorney. About the tax returns of the company, he said he will file it only in Oct for year 2006.

Guys, seniors of this forum and well wishers, after me writing so much, request your help in going next step forward. I know this board keeps much of everyone’s hopes alive till the end. I wish to know what all documents would be perfect and its source to make it clean when I submit. I also would like to know the extreme case, like for example, I provide them all the documents they have asked for through his attorney and they are still not satisfied. What will they do now? Will I be rejected or issue some other sheet or will be asked to appear again for the interview? Your suggestions and comments will be very much appreciated. I knew the eagerness of those potentially appearing for the interview in near future to read this big blog written by me. Wish you all good luck. Thanks so much for everything and for the replies in advance.


Regards
Bil

[amaranadha]

I have seen one of my friend had negotiations till 70K. The employer accepted it and was ready to pay him ... ERP - Key Module. But he has given him only $48k on his petetion.

When he cross checked with the employer, he told that based on your Qualification & current experience, anything more than that will raise some serious concerns @ USCIS & also in your Visa interview. You will be certainly given 70K on project when you are here.

However, if one's employer doesn't pay what was assured, He always have a chance to SWITCH to another company;) .

[mukeshmuk]

Hi all,

First of all, i have to thank this community to increase my confidence in my H1 transfer process(I didnt have any paystubs).

I arrived USA on 23rd july 2007 and got a transfer done successfully from company A to company B without any paystubs from company A. The transfer happened on 20th august 2007.

When i was in India, I have posted many queries on this community regarding my H1 transfer (without paystubs) and got it solved here.

Thanks for all the replies(especially "Simran") which increased my confidence and the reason i am here today.

Thanks to everyone for this.

[pratik1810]

Hi Friends,

I faced Visa interview at Mumbai Embassy on 30 th September.
It was a successful one.

I personally feel, it is predetermined whom they are going to approve, bcoz my meeting was of a short duration of hardly 3 minutes.

following questions were asked by VO: (Indian)

Me : Good morning sir
VO :reciprocates

VO: why do u want to go to USA?
Me: I have an offer from XYZ for position as XXX

VO: whats ur current profile:
Me: my profile is same, i am an XXX doing XYZ for LMN company.

VO: why was ur VISa rejected in 2004?
Me : I applied for tourist visa, no reasons for rejection specified by VO that time.

VO : where is ur brother living?
Me : in USA , NJ as It technician

VO : And ur parents?
Me : Mumbai

VO : what salary are they offering?
Me : ---- US $ PA

VO: Ok, buddy your visa is approved , will get it within 2 days.
Me: thank you sir, how will i get it?
VO : by courier
Me : thanks !

Thats all, all over in less than 3 minutes.
I answered all queries confidently, no papers seen ,no certificate seen by him.

Thanks to path2usa forum, it helped me alot, i understood i need to answer with confidence its very important, even i was nervous at start, but then idid it. All d best to aspiring candidates !!

**** Also i want to add that my client in USA is not confirmed, i had letter reasoning that from my new employer, but anyways, he didnt bothered to ask for any documents.

[sanjay2kp]

Can You guide me once I get petition approval how much time does it take to complete formalities of H1 stamping. and the document required for same.

[jasonjaswani]

Hey Guys!

Got my stamping done today! no problems what so ever.

Procedure explained below.

Got to first counter, handed in Ds'156, DS-157, Photographs, Passport, and I'797 Notice Of Approval.

I was then said to take a seat and I should be called next for fingerprintings and interview.

Phase 2 - Fingerprints.

Young lady took my fingerprints and asked to to be seated once again.

Phase 3 - Interview

Me; Hi There!
VO: Hi Jason, how are you¿
Me: Im fine, not too bad.
VO: So your going to be working in the USA, that must be exciting!.
Me: yes it is, very much looking forward to it.
VO: Sounds Good, I believe from our records you have visited the states before, for tourism correct¿
Me: Yes I have, very much enjoyed southern california.
VO: And you are a resident of Gibraltar (United Kingdom)
me: Yes I am.
VO: How long have you been in Gibraltar.
Me: Well all my life, so around 22 years.
VÖ: Sounds good, Jason everytihng is fine, your visa is approved, enjoy the states! Your passport will be with you in 2 days
Me; Thanks very much, have a good day.
VO: You too!! And dont work too hard! (Gave a smile)

END

VO did not ask for any documents, or anything, just a 2 min converstation.

For those who are wondering how come I visited the madrid consulate, Reason, I am a national of Gibraltar (United Kingdom Territory) So to get to madrid from Gibraltar is about 40 mins by flight - makes it easier than going all the way to London!

I just thought I would share the news with you guys - as has been mentioned before, be confident, nice and patient. All will go well!

All the best for all those waiting!!!! Im of to los angles next week!

My good wishes to everyone, and thanks for being a great support!

Regards,

Jason

[delhiramanathan]

Hi Jason, It is very nice of you to get your stamping and hearty congratulations. This is like India winning twenty twenty cricket tournment. 2 good news at a time.Good Luck

[poonamst2001]

hello everyone !!

i m just writing my experience so that it may help others...

my case was a bit different.. i got married in february 2007 .. i was in final yr engineering. so wanted to apply after my final exam in june.. As my husband was on OPT status (and his H1b was approved and will be valid from 1st oct 07) i applied for visitor visa.. i thought i can convert it to H4 once i go to US..
i gave Visitor visa interview at Delhi Consulate on 7th August 07. but the consular rejected my visa saying that i shud directly apply for H4.

so i applied for H4 and my interview was on 25th Sept 07..
it went as below..

i was there at 9 am.. my interview started at 9:20 am

ME : Good morning Sir
VO : (smiled) give me the pink receipt
ME : (i gave the receipt)
VO : Why have u applied for B1/B2 Visa in August?
ME : Sir i wanted to visit my husband
VO : when did u get married?
ME : (answerd)
VO : why u went to Delhi consulate for B1/B2 interview?
ME : Sir because earlier dates were not available at mumbai consulate
VO : where did u get married?
ME : (answred)
VO : Why u didnt apply for H4 in august itself?
ME : Sir because my husband's H1b will be valid from 1st Oct so i this is the
best time to apply for H4
VO : how did u meet ur husband for the first time?
ME : Sir we belong to same place and we r family friends
VO : since how long ur husband is in the US?
ME : he went there on Student visa in Jan 2005
VO : when did u get married? (same question 2nd time)
ME : Sir i got married in February 2007
VO : Okay mam. Your Visa has been approved. You will get ur passport by
courier. Best Luck! :)
ME : Thank You Sir! :)


The Visa officer didnt ask for any pay-stubs or tax returns of my husband...
but he asked many questions abt my wedding and also about my previously rejected visitor(B1/B2) visa.

[sunymuny2]

:D Hi ALL,


First of all I want to thank everyone who share there experiences and make this Forum successful. It’s a great Site for everyone who wants to understand things better and get results as expected. I am sharing my experience here with everyone because someone might get moral support or can understand the whole process easily. SO here I am

Me and my Brother we both applied for H1B together and as everybody knows this year’s process after a long wait and random selection and then approval we both received our approval notices along with the other documents. Well initially there were some minor mistakes in our docs which I was able to get them fixed through my employer, of which I want to share one just in case someone is having the same problem.

My passport had expired and I applied for new and got one with new passport number. But due to some clerical mistake from my employer’s lawyer, he mentioned my old passport number with the new dates of issue and expiration in Form I-129. I was not able to get that rectified somehow but thanks to all mighty, VO was not bother about this as long as your DS-156 and DS-157 are having the right passport number and as well the HDFC bank receipt. So anybody who got same situation can lean from my experience.

So me and my brother got dates for interview.
I was there at 10.00 am and there was a long queue in front of me. It took 30 min to reach to the counter. Before this a guy from VFS came to me and asked me to just pull out passport, i-797, ds-156 and ds-157 and yellow receipt. So I did that... AND REMEMBER EVERYONE in form ds-156 there is an option to write your name in native language, don’t leave that option blank as they ask you to write ur name in your native language (e.g.- Punjabi or Hindi, Tamil), so do that before you go and write it in your handwriting.


Okay so at the counter it took 3 min for her to staple i-797 with my passport and feed all the data and then I was sent to finger print section and prints were taken.
Now I was in the queue of 25 people, and I can see people giving interview standing in front of the VO at the different counters. Some of them I could here as well. But while I was there I noticed that most of the visas were granted for h1b maybe 8 out of 10. And believe me guys I think it’s already pre decided if they r giving u the visa or not. Cause once they pull your records up, u can read there face and can know what is happening... If they just try to ask common questions abt company or education and experience, hopefully you are fine, but anything all of sudden and getting into real detail they check you how much do you know abt your company or your profile which u r going to work.

My interview as simple. As follows:-

VO: good morning
Me: wished her back. And handed over that same packet which that VFS guy helped me to put out. (ONLY THOSE PAPERS, I would suggest everyone not to try giving all the papers straightaway, cause they have everything in there systems, give them papers only which they need and when they demand)

VO: What is XYZ COMPANY?
Me:- explained her.

VO: - What is your Role, what will you do there
Me:- explained everything abt my profile and my past experience as well

Vo: - how many employees are there in this company only H1B`s
Me:- told her

VO: - she checked my pass and asked to you have been to UK, what u did there and when u come back.
ME:- told her.

Vo: - Tell me abt your education, is your degree was of four year study or three years?
ME:- I was`t sure what she is trying to find out, but I explained abt my education what all I have done and then abt my degree. (I don’t think they particularly stress abt masters if they r pre decided abt the person that they r issuing the visa to the person)


VO: - how much experience does u have?
ME; - 5 years


VO: - whts your date of birth?
Me:- Told her (and then she started smiling, I guess she was trying to calculate that I have 5 years on experience in my small age?)

VO: - and then THOSE GOLDEN WORDS SHE SAID, “I AM GRANTING YOU THE VISA HAVE A GREAT TIME IN US)
ME:- said thanks to her she DID NOT see ANY docs at all... and I just ran away from that place.


And then my brother had interview after few days


He was interviewed by some GUY and everything went well with him , BUT VO tried t find out abt me from my brother and was checking if he will lie or not... But my brother did not lie or try to hide abt anything and he was happy abt it and my brother got the VISA as well.

We both were really shocked to know that how could they found a relatives petition as well.


GUYS AND GALS FOR EVERYONE, my tips are
1. Do not Fumble in front of the VO abt any question , better prepare yourself enough so u can answer VO questions straight, without hesitation, This is the biggest thing I think to be successful in clearing this interview, We both literally prepared ourselves by writing the questions and answers to those question my our hand ,even though it looks stupid But believe me friends it helps allot to be focused on your answers and not try to think at that time in front of VO while interview is going on.. Please do a written practice if possible and then ask some one to take your interview at least five times (your friend, brother sister, or anybody)

2. keep smiling in front of VO don’t show your heart beat pumping at your face.

3. Be there in time cause it might take longer in queue and u will be late for actual interview.


So this is what our experience was, if anybody has any questions or droughts pls feel free to contact me here or at sunymuny@hotmail.com... I will be glad to help anyone.

ONCE AGAIN thanks to everybody who share there views and experience it gives allot of confidence in others, thanks MURALI and all other seniors who are doing great job here.;)

[sunymuny2]

We both wants to go and visit our family in USA before we join our project with our employer, but problem is oue family is in Utah and our employer in in diffrent state reall farr from them.

Does anyone think if we go to them we can be questioned at the port of entry about any are we going to Utah rather going to our employer and this can create issue. Please please anybody who knows anything abt this reply me Or who is been in this situation, our employer is not having any problem with it. They are okey but they just out this dought in our mind about this.


THANKS ONCE AGAIN TO MURLI, JAZZ, AND EVERYBODY FOR HELPING everybody out here and giving your true advises. I am really now stuck with this site... i always keep myself updates abt anything from here and try to help if i can to anyone seeking any suggestion.

[dimpu]

i came to usa in feb 06.my visa was then till june 07.now i got my new I94 toll 2010.I am plannin to go to india in nov.,i have to go for stamping,will i come under renewal category? or not?...and i am lookin for dates in chennai..only dates available for renewal..as my visa expired more than 12 mths...do i have to apply all over again or as renewal?
please answer..

[90210]

hi all,
i've joined this forum after my visa interview.however,i did read ppl's experiences,inspite of not joining..so evrybody THANK YOU.it was quite helpful as in what kind of quetions one can expect ,and reading these experiences, it prepares you for tricky questions.


i think people by and large are asked the same questions....here is how mine went.
VO:smile and hello
ME: smile and hello

VO: have you ever been to United States.
VO:NO, i havent been to US.

he has taken set of docs 156, 157, i797....
VO:your education details
ME:Btech....

VO :can i see your degree certificate?
handed them in..

VO:so what are you going to do in this compnay ABC?
ME: explained what we are going to do(developing sos and so named so and so, it does so and so)

VO:Do you have any document to support it?can i see it?
ME:yes, here it is.
(he checked the 1st page , middle page , last page and also contents and gave it back)

VO:your current employer
ME:XYZ?

VO:how long have you been with current employer?
ME:123...

VO: what kind of work did you do?
ME: blah blah....

VO:please show of anything you have from ABC....exp letetr, ofeer, pay slips..
ME: handed him, pay slips, offer letter

VO:so you are going work in what technology?
ME:me said..yyy..(with an ofcourse expression...same as i've been doing since years)...got a (got a nod and very well! expression)

VO:ok....we need to see few more docs from your employer, you dont have to come for the interview again,please drop them in the dropbox.we just want to verify if you have a suitable job there.
ME:what all docs?

VO: showed me the blue slip, where he ticked all of them and said"you have most of these, except for one or two, but please make sure you drop all of these in the dropbox."
ME: THANK YOU.

about the guy who interveiwd me....he was polite and patient,willing to listen if you say something and answers your questions just in case you ask.i think it went well, but all the ppl from my employer had query..so i was anticipating it.

so guys....i think these people believe you if you explain things well and ofcourse if u are from a known company and show them what you've asked for, they wudnt have any questions for you.
your employer....in this case, depends on who filed for your H1.....my employer usually files for MS candiates, its his first time in INDIA, but he's genuine.

[90210]

for ppl who are attending the interview....esp chennai(bcos i went there, i dunno abt other places).

all i can say is....you be your best and tell them clearly whatever is asked about you, especially when they would ask for project description....i think everyone's target should be like, do not give them a reason to suspect your credentials...its upto you guys to accomplish that.if they have questions abt your employer in US, you'll still have a query, but u dont want them to think of you as "doubtful".

i mite have missed listing few trivial questions in my previous post...

VO:so will this be an IN-house?
ME: yes, it is an inhouse proj.

VO: any idea how is going to use this application?
ME: i do not know who is going to use this, but i know we are going to develop this....
VO: oh ok...very well(a nod of approval)....

being confident wud not get you a visa...BUT being confident, perfectly explaining what u'd do there..will substantiate your IT experience and avoid unnecessary queries from your side ..afterall, when you falunt few years of work exp...one must be able to convey what you did and what you are going to do.

[90210]

i never understood, why few are asked to drop their passport and few are told plz dont drop your passport for the same 221(g) blue slip.

2 of my friends, same employer, same blue slip same docs were asked....but one was asked to drop passport along with docs in drop box, another was striked off the option passport in the blue slip.

any clue as in why this discrimination? does it mean anything in the first place..???

[90210]

hi all,
i've joined this forum after my visa interview.however,i did read ppl's experiences,inspite of not joining..so evrybody THANK YOU.it was quite helpful as in what kind of quetions one can expect ,and reading these experiences, it prepares you for tricky questions.


i think people by and large are asked the same questions....here is how mine went.
VO:smile and hello
ME: smile and hello

VO: have you ever been to United States.
VO:NO, i havent been to US.

he has taken set of docs 156, 157, i797....
VO:your education details
ME:Btech....

VO :can i see your degree certificate?
handed them in..

VO:so what are you going to do in this compnay ABC?
ME: explained what we are going to do(developing sos and so named so and so, it does so and so)

VO:Do you have any document to support it?can i see it?
ME:yes, here it is.
(he checked the 1st page , middle page , last page and also contents and gave it back)

VO:your current employer
ME:XYZ?

VO:how long have you been with current employer?
ME:123...

VO: what kind of work did you do?
ME: blah blah....

VO:please show of anything you have from ABC....exp letetr, ofeer, pay slips..
ME: handed him, pay slips, offer letter

VO:so you are going work in what technology?
ME:me said..yyy..(with an ofcourse expression...same as i've been doing since years)...got a (got a nod and very well! expression)

VO:ok....we need to see few more docs from your employer, you dont have to come for the interview again,please drop them in the dropbox.we just want to verify if you have a suitable job there.
ME:what all docs?

VO: showed me the blue slip, where he ticked all of them and said"you have most of these, except for one or two, but please make sure you drop all of these in the dropbox."
ME: THANK YOU.

about the guy who interveiwd me....he was polite and patient,willing to listen if you say something and answers your questions just in case you ask.i think it went well, but all the ppl from my employer had query..so i was anticipating it.

so guys....i think these people believe you if you explain things well and ofcourse if u are from a known company and show them what you've asked for, they wudnt have any questions for you.
your employer....in this case, depends on who filed for your H1.....my employer usually files for MS candiates, its his first time in INDIA, but he's genuine.

[vamshikrishna18]

HI
This is Vamshi,
I am working in an Top MNC in India,
I have got 15 Months of Work Exp in Java.
i have got 2 Java Certifications.

I would like to apply for the H1-B Visa 2008.

Can u Please answer the following questions

1)i Need Details of the H1-B Sponcorers for me ,
can u plesae provide me the contact of details or mail ids of the consultancies which sponcers the H1-B .

2) Check list dates
i heard that April 1 Every Yr, H1-B has to be filed right??
3) is H1-B Filed by the employer(In USA)

4) Documents employer needed.

Thanks in advance.


Pleease reply to the quieris.

Thanks

vamshi

[sunymuny2]

I Have Got H1B Visa last month, I wants to go and visit my family in USA before i join my project with my employer, but problem is my family is in Utah and my employer is in diffrent state really farr from them.

Does anyone think if I go to my family in utah I can be questioned at the port of entry about why am i landing in Utah rather going to my employer and this can create issue. Please please anybody who knows anything abt this reply me Or who is been in this situation, my employer is not having any problem with it. They are okey but they just put this dought in my mind.


THANKS ONCE AGAIN TO MURLI, JAZZ, AND EVERYBODY FOR HELPING everybody out here and giving your true advises. I am really now stuck with this site... i always keep myself updates abt anything from here and try to help if i can to anyone seeking any suggestion

[ActAccord]

Hi All,
Hope this will help few people....

Questions i had faced and the answers i gave is given below...definitely it will help others.

VO : Good Afternoon...
Me : Good afternoon

VO : Can i see your documents....
Me : I handed over the documents....VO started looking into the I197

VO : Where are you currently working
Me : XXXXX company

VO : What is your role there ?
Me : xxxxx and managing xx No of people

VO : Working for which client ?
Me : xxxxx is our client

VO : What you did in xxxx company (my previous company) ?
Me : I was working as xx.

VO : What technologies you worked there ?
Me : .NET

VO : In .Net which language you use ?
Me : C#

VO : What yyy (my consultant) company does in US ?
Me : yyy (my consultant) is basically helps their client in various technologies like BI, DB, Support etc. And there are more than 80+ people working for them


VO : How does your experience help yyy (my consultant) to help their client ?
Me : I have experience in Analyzing requirement, providing right solution, design, and development so this will help them to help their client.

VO : Whats your role in yyy (my consultant)?
Me : I will be working as Programmer Analyst and my job would be Analyze, design, develop and deploying of applications

VO : Where would be your work place ?
Me : yyy (my consultant) Office

VO : As you told you are working for clients do you work in client location ?
Me : May be

VO : To which client you will be working for ?
Me : As yyy (my consultant) can't give any commitment to their client until i get my stamping, so i have not assigned to any client as of now. Initially i will be working in yyy (my consultant) office and once the client got identified then i will work for them. And as of now only my roles and responsibilities are defined.

VO : Can i see your offer letter ?
Me : Yes please...

VO : Can i see your Degree Certificate
Me : Yes please...

VO : You are a Electrical and Electronic Engg then why you opted to working computer technologies....
Me : Yes i am EEE but still we have good number of programming languages covered in our engineering and moreover i had done some courses in programming languages other than my engineering.

VO : We will courier your passport in a day or two...Thank you...
Me : Thank you...

[thakuranamika]

Hi
i got stamping in chennia on the 12 of October. I was very tensed by seeing the people coming out of the embassy. Some came very happily some other with apologetic feeling by seeing we can understand them that they got visa or not.
Getting visa it will depends on two things.
1. Luck
2. Proper documentation, confidently attending the interview. the information which is provided by u should 100% genuine . eye to eye contact should be there , should be relax and answer coolly to question asked by the vo . my interview started at 3.05 pm
vo : can u pass the file
me: sure (passed the file) which contain 156,157,hdfc, receipt ,passport
vo : can u give me the i129
me: yes
vo: can u give any letter which is written to chennia consulate from ur employer
me: yes
vo: ur company name is xxxx?
me: yes
vo: on which project u will work?
me: yyy
vo:can u explain me he project ?
me : gave the project description (stopped in between )
vo: asked me to explain still about project
me : gave the complete description about project
vo: what is ur company business?
me software development and consultancy
vo: can u show me ur degree?
me : gave
vo: can u give me the memo and marks sheet
me: gave , then he passed me the i797b and all other document to me .( it is i got visa)
vo : u can leave now u got visa
me: thank u ( but did not here what vo was saying because i was thinking that he gave me the i797b form i got visa then i collected all my paper and kept in my file i was thinking some document might be missing so looking at vo i saw my passport in vo's hand Actually iam having two passport ie old and other is new with (surname included )in my passport vo gave me the old passport and said that ur passport will be courier it will reach u with in seven days
iam happy to share my feeling with all of the u thanks to path2 usa .com

:cool:

[YARLAGADDA]

Dear Sir,

Some times they are asking about Employer tax filing details of last 2 years,I can i get it.

[sunymuny2]

I Have Got H1B Visa last month, I wants to go and visit my family in USA before i join my project with my employer, but problem is my family is in Utah and my employer is in diffrent state really farr from them.

Does anyone think if I go to my family in utah I can be questioned at the port of entry about why am i landing in Utah rather going to my employer and this can create issue. Please please anybody who knows anything abt this reply me Or who is been in this situation, my employer is not having any problem with it. They are okey but they just put this dought in my mind.


THANKS ONCE AGAIN TO EVERYBODY FOR HELPING everybody out here and giving your true advises. i always keep myself updates abt anything from here and try to help if i can to anyone seeking any suggestion

[delhiramanathan]

This sort of questions were posted in this forum and many answered;You can go through the same. What you have to do at POE is to show your onward air tickets to the place of work and when the immigration officer asks, you have a ticket to the place of work and before joining duty I would like to visit my relatives.
Of course this is not a legal advise.

[tv_manojkumar]

Dear All,

Thanks to all, this site is tremondously helpful and gave me both information and confidence to attend my stamping.

Following is my experience at chennai consulate.

Please avoid the young lady in chennai, she is taking 30 minutes for every candidate and rejecting most of them. I prayed God not to put me in her queue. Male VO's are the best take.

Me: Hello Sir, Good Afternoon (with smiling face)
(professional wear, present employer's ID card hanging around, so that it is visible to VO)
VO: Good morning, How are you doing.

Me: Fine, Thanks, How are you doing...?
VO: Fine, Please give me those docs

VO: What is educational b/g?
Me: Told him...

VO: To which Client you are going to work for..?
Me: Inhouse project, sir.

VO: What would be your position there
Me: Programmer Analyst.

VO: Explain your project?
Me: I am inbetween my explanation but he stopped me and said my passport will be sent to my address in a week.

He did not ask me for any of the documents. But for a person before me, he asked for project details and he told him that he will be allocated to project once stamping is over. Then VO took the blue form out. So everyone please have all the details.

I did lot of work, read through all the experiences in this site, all queries and prepared well. God also helped me.

Once again thanks to all the members of this group.

Regards
Manoj

[Rockey]

Hello All,
I had an interview with Mumbai consulate and it went coollll. Was very very easy and no document check.

Here is how it gone,

VO : Good Morning...
Me : Good Morning. How are you?
VO : I am fine.

VO : Wha are you going USA?
Me : To work for ABC Organization.

VO : What is your designation in new Organization?
Me : ABC.

VO : What is your salary in new Organization?
Me : $ ABC

I gave answers speedly and confidently. She said relax. I said Thanks.

VO : How is your Organization?
Me : Explain in detail.

VO : In which field it is?
Me : Explain in detail about all the domain.

VO : What is your degree?
Me : ABC.

VO : How long you are married?
My Wife : So and So years.

VO : Where do you go?
My Wife : Replied the city name.

Thants done..She was happy and replied with good smile "You will get your Visa", and next day I got the visa through courier.

Dont be nervous. Be happy and confidant. Get smile on your face is must to get the Visa.

Wish you all good luck.

[aijazmahar]

Hi Murali

plz explain that If I will pay $1500 to H1B sponsor employer then in which conditions employer will refund my amount $1500?????

*If approval will refuse then employer will refund ??
* If approval accepted and Visa rejected by US Embassy then employer will
refund??
* If my name will not by randomly selected by computer draws then employer
will refund??
* OR in all above cases employer will refund $1500?

These are my questions so plz share ur experience and help me

Ghulam

[nanda_21]

hi friends,
this was my experience at the mumbai consulate on 1st nov which went through successfull......

after the secrity check i was issued a token and soon was called to a counter for the interview and as i enterd the counter doors..........

ME: GOOD MORNING SIR HOW ARE YOU TODAY?
VO: AM FINE HOW ABOUT YOU?
ME: AM DOING GOOD
VO: WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING IN USA:
ME: I GOT A JOB AS XXX IN ABC COMPANY
VO: WHERE ARE YOU WORKING NOW?
ME: IN YYY AS XXX FROM .......
VO: IS THAT THE ONLY EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE?
ME: I ALSO WORKED FOR ZZZ COMPANY FOR ...... YEARS
VO: WHAT DID YOU STUDY
ME: MS IN.......COUNTRY
VO: WHAT HAVE YOU STUDIED IN INDIA:
ME: .......
VO: CAN I SEE YOUR DEGREE AND THE MARKS MEMO?
ME: PRODUCED THEM
VO: HOW MUCH WILL THE COMPANY PAY YOU:
ME: $****** / ANUM

and that was the last question and he gave me back my i797(this will be given back only if the visa is granted....then i understood that i was getting the visa) and said i will recive my passport in 3-4 worknig days and congratulated me! thats it, after that all :) :) :) :) .....

Friends just answer each and every qustion confidently because that is the only thing which matters the most. all the best to all who are due to attend the interview and also for the people who got the visa and leaving to USA for their bright career.

REGARDS,
NANDA

[rajikonda]

hi friends,
this was my experience at the mumbai consulate on 1st nov which went through successfull......

after the secrity check i was issued a token and soon was called to a counter for the interview and as i enterd the counter doors..........

ME: GOOD MORNING SIR HOW ARE YOU TODAY?
VO: AM FINE HOW ABOUT YOU?
ME: AM DOING GOOD
VO: WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING IN USA:
ME: I GOT A JOB AS XXX IN ABC COMPANY
VO: WHERE ARE YOU WORKING NOW?
ME: IN YYY AS XXX FROM .......
VO: IS THAT THE ONLY EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE?
ME: I ALSO WORKED FOR ZZZ COMPANY FOR ...... YEARS
VO: WHAT DID YOU STUDY
ME: MS IN.......COUNTRY
VO: WHAT HAVE YOU STUDIED IN INDIA:
ME: .......
VO: CAN I SEE YOUR DEGREE AND THE MARKS MEMO?
ME: PRODUCED THEM
VO: HOW MUCH WILL THE COMPANY PAY YOU:
ME: $****** / ANUM

and that was the last question and he gave me back my i797(this will be given back only if the visa is granted....then i understood that i was getting the visa) and said i will recive my passport in 3-4 worknig days and congratulated me! thats it, after that all :) :) :) :) .....

Friends just answer each and every qustion confidently because that is the only thing which matters the most. all the best to all who are due to attend the interview and also for the people who got the visa and leaving to USA for their bright career.

REGARDS,
NANDA

Thanks for thew info nanda...all the best..

[pavanjami]

Hi All..

As most of you, my case also Unique. I had appeared for interview on 1st Nov.My interview went well until he had asked me Client letter. It seems, he had not satisfied with client letter..so He had given 221g marking some of the docs from Petitioner.

Until this its fine.. as usuasl.. But he had retained

1) my ORIGINAL I797 doc and
2) The bunch of docs sent by Petitioner to me (Original employment offer, I129, LCA, Study evolution etc...)

-At last, it had given 221g from and he had written "NO PASSPORT" in others region.

-And before leaving.. he had also asked me to provide my original previous experience certificates.(I denied the same)

Can any one of you answer..
1) Does VO retain or return Original I797 form?
2) Do I need to drop Passport along with other docs or not?

Awaiting your valuable comments
-pavanjami
pavanjami@yahoo.com

[vijuorcldba]

Hi All..

As most of you, my case also Unique. I had appeared for interview on 1st Nov.My interview went well until he had asked me Client letter. It seems, he had not satisfied with client letter..so He had given 221g marking some of the docs from Petitioner.

Until this its fine.. as usuasl.. But he had retained

1) my ORIGINAL I797 doc and
2) The bunch of docs sent by Petitioner to me (Original employment offer, I129, LCA, Study evolution etc...)

-At last, it had given 221g from and he had written "NO PASSPORT" in others region.

-And before leaving.. he had also asked me to provide my original previous experience certificates.(I denied the same)

Can any one of you answer..
1) Does VO retain or return Original I797 form?
2) Do I need to drop Passport along with other docs or not?

Awaiting your valuable comments
-pavanjami
pavanjami@yahoo.com


Hey,

Here are the answers:


Yes VO wil return your I797 if ur case is accepted.

Well, if he has specifically asked no to drop the Passport then dont do that, they'll ask when they require.

dont worry u'll get through!
It should take abt 2 - 3 weeks to get a response rom them.

[tchennakesh]

I went to Matamoros, Mexico for H1-b revalidation on 11/26/2007. The interview was pretty cool. I can say there was no interview at all for me.

But I noticed, officers in other windows taking 2 mins interviews, luckily it was just 30 seconds interview for me.

I went through an agent to Matamoros consulate office by early morning 7:00 A.M

After we reach the consulate office, we had regular baggage and security check. After that a person next to the security collects the bank check for 100$. If you go through a agent, the agent will give you that check from a specified bank. You don't need to worry about the bank name etc.

After collecting the check, he gave a token number. I went inside and waited for my number to be called for finger printing and photograph for DS-156. It is not necessary to stick the photos to the DS-156 when going to Matamoros, Mexico.

While the fingerprinting is going on, the consulate officers opens their window at 8:30 A.M. Then I waited again for my turn for the consulate interview. I was called at 8:40 and my stamping stamping was over at 8:40 A.M itself.

My experience with the consulate officer.

Me: Hi, Good morning.

VO: Whom you are working for?

Me: I told my company name.

VO: keep your right thumb and left thum.

I did that and he asked me to collect the passport at 2:00 P.M

ME: I told him I will wait here to collect the VISA

VO: Generally we don't recommend you to wait here, you please return at 2:00 P.M.

Here he didn't return my 797 form back to me. I didn't know generally VO return the 797 back or not. I inquired couple of people there and they told, it should be returned.

So, I waited for 5 more minutes, when that window (where I was interviewed) was free, I straight ahead went to him and he recognized me and returned my 797 form back.

that's all.

Very cool isn't it?

[JesusJoseph]

Hi All..

As most of you, my case also Unique. I had appeared for interview on 1st Nov.My interview went well until he had asked me Client letter. It seems, he had not satisfied with client letter..so He had given 221g marking some of the docs from Petitioner.

Until this its fine.. as usuasl.. But he had retained

1) my ORIGINAL I797 doc and
2) The bunch of docs sent by Petitioner to me (Original employment offer, I129, LCA, Study evolution etc...)

-At last, it had given 221g from and he had written "NO PASSPORT" in others region.

-And before leaving.. he had also asked me to provide my original previous experience certificates.(I denied the same)

Can any one of you answer..
1) Does VO retain or return Original I797 form?
2) Do I need to drop Passport along with other docs or not?

Awaiting your valuable comments
-pavanjami
pavanjami@yahoo.com


no need to provide the passport
just the document is enought

If you need any more details let me know

what u mean by this
-And before leaving.. he had also asked me to provide my original previous experience certificates.(I denied the same)

Thanks
Joseph

[rajikonda]

Hello Friends,

I got visa successfully on 27th of November and iam posting the interview here...

My report time was 3:15PM and i went to the long queue at 2:15PM and after 30 mins they send into the verification hall after that they gave me a blue folder with all docs(I-797,LCA,I-129,DS-156,DS-157,Appointment Letter,Passport).

then i went for the fingerprint after that finally i attended for the interview at 5:15PM.

VO: Hello, How are You?

Me: Iam Good Sir, How are you doing?

VO: Good...Please pass me the docs.

ME: Sure Sir...(passed the folder)

VO: What's your qualification?

ME: Master of Science.

VO: Which University?

ME: XXXXX University,London.

VO: So what are you going to do with XXXXX Company?

ME: Iam going to work as Programmer Analyst.

VO: Which project you are going to do?

ME: XXXXXXX

VO: What are the responsibilities in your Project?

ME: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

VO: Iam issuing the visa,you will get the passport in 3 days.

ME: Thank you sir.

Its done in 2 minutes very fastly.

I carried each and every document which we need for the interview but he did not ask me for a single document from my folder.

I believe My Masters Degree from london and My Company Background helpled me alot for this visa.

Here are the important things i need to suggest:

1.Choose a good employer with atleast more than 50 employees(generally minimum they see 10, my employer got 105 employees)

2.Employer should have much annual income at least more than 1 million. My employer's income about 9 million per annum.

3.If you chose a good employer ultimately you will have all the documents. Important thing is please carry all docs otherwise you cant epxect even a single thing from them.

4.Main and important thing is "Appearance" what ever you wear suit or formals but be like a smart professional unlike rough guy...i know most of all know this but seriously apperance and behaviour will give half of the marks to visa.

so basically

Good Employer + All The Docs + Appearance = VISA.

when we come to Confodence you will get confidence automatically once you have the above things.

Trust me you will get the visa as long as you have confidence in you.

Final thing is please avoid the Impression that "If you go to Chennai You will get 221(G)". there is no such a thing...most of the people getting visas as well i think they are not posting in the forums. But please leave the impression about Chennai and Lady VO's etc. Go ahead and make your self comfortable and get your visa.

Last but not least "Whatever Happens...That will be really Good for Us!"

Cheers,

Raji. :)

[dkpaka]

Thanks a lot to ‘Path-2-US’ and all its users, who helped me a lot to gain some idea about VISA Interview. It helped me a lot to prepare a questioner for my case. I prepared set of questions and answers related to my case. It helped me a lot to prepare for the interview and build a self confidence to face the interview.

My first interview was conducted by an Indian Visa Officer. He mainly concentrated about my employers conditions and asked very few questions about my related and issued me 221(g) white form. In that he marked nearly 7 points related to my employer. In that form 221(G) white, they asked me to attend personal interview at any working day between 10-10:30AM, along with the document proof marked in it.

I faxed the same form to my employer and got a complete set of papers after 25 days. It was bunch of all documents (nearly 100 papers), which are asked in the Form 221(g) white. Before going to interview, we have sorted them and arranged them in order as ‘Exhibit-1, Exhibit-2, Exhibit-3.., etc, as per the preference.

As mentioned in the form 221(G), I reached consulate by 9AM and stand in the separate queue allotted for pending visa. There were hardly 4 persons before me. Nearly 10 more people joined our queue by 10AM.

By 10AM, VFS personals collected our passports, Form-221(G) and Form I-797 from us and issued a token for interview and told us to rejoin in the queue at 11AM
Note: Copy of e-mail conformation from consulate to attend 2nd time interview was also collected from those guys, who were asked to e-mail necessary documents in their Form-221(G).

We rejoined our queue at 11AM and we were permitted into consulate by 11:30AM after completing security formalities. My number was called for interview at about 2:30 PM. Mean while all VO’s finished their lunch in different shifts. During this period, we too had a coffee & Snacks inside the consulate.
Note: In Mumbai consulate, Mineral water bottles, soft drinks, coffee, tea and snacks will be available. They are available at reasonable price.

My interview went for 5-6 minutes. During my interview a female visa officer, who completed her lunch and started chatting with my visa officer. Because of this, my visa officer couldn’t concentrate much on my answers.

My interview went as follows:

Me: Good Afternoon Sir.
VO: Good Afternoon, Give me your Pink Token (Appointment Token).
Me: Passed the Pink Token.
VO: (Looking into DS-156, DS-157 and Form 221(g) white) have you got the documents from your
employer?
Me: Yes Sir, These are the documents (And passed complete bundle to him)
VO: (Verified the documents bundle care fully one after another) fine, so you are native of Hyd?
Me: Yes Sir
VO: How you have come to Mumbai Consulate?
Me: Because, we have started our new company in Mumbai.
VO: Since how long you are staying in Mumbai?
Me: Nearly 8 to 9 months.
VO: How frequently you visit Hyd?
Me: Very occasionally, especially during festivals time.
VO: Festivals?
Me: Yes sir, Dasara & Diwali are major festivals for us. We gather during those days to celebrate.
VO: Yearly how many times you visit Hyd?
Me: Not many times sir, 4-5 times in a year.
VO: So, you reside at (XYZ place mentioned in form DS-156) in Mumbai.
Me: Yes sir
VO: What is your role in your company?
Me: Explained my designation and role.
VO: How you reached Consulate today?
Me: By local Train.
VO: By train? Where you get down here?
Me: At “Mahalaxmi” station sir.
VO: So you come by a single & direct train from (XYZ in Mumbai) place to “Mahalaxmi” station?
Me: No sir, because I had a work at ‘Dadar west’, First I went to Dadar from my place & finished that work and cached another train to reach “Mahalaxmi” station.
VO: Ok fine, can you have you ‘Driving license or a Ration Card’ as a proof for of your residence here at Mumbai?
Me: I’m extremely sorry sir; right now I have only my business card and my ID card with me.
VO: Can I have your business card?
Me: Of course (passed my business card from my business card holder)
VO: We will send your visa, within two working days.
Me: Thank you very much sir.

At the end I suggest following to all:
 Be present genuine docu:) ments only.
 Prepare a ‘Questioner’ your self by guessing your case situation and prepare a set of answerers for those questions and have a rehearsal in front of your friend or well-wishers, before attending interview.
Definitely this will get you the success. Best of luck to all.
KPK

[bmoola]

I had visa stamping interview today morning (07Dec2007)at 1045 hrs @ Chennai consulate. At 1020 AM I have entered the main gate and the whole process completed within 1 Hour. I was able to get through and following is the conversation with VO

VO: Hello
ME : Hello Sir.. How are you?
VO : Fine thanks.

VO : Accepted my folder with ppt, I797, I129 so on.
(He kept typing some thing in the system, paused for some time and looked at the documents. I guess he was looking at the employer site).
VO : May I know what project you are going to work.
ME : Sorry sir.
(VO officer is speaking in low tone, as a reason I could not able to catch his words at the first time. But the VO is so friendly, who repeated the question second time without any hesitation)
VO : May I know what project you are going to work.
ME : Answered as XXX project to XXX client in XXXX module.
(Taken some time looking in to the system)

VO : What is your highest qualification.
ME : YY Degree from ZZ university.

VO : Can I see your original cerficates. (highest degree).
ME : Sorry sir.
VO : Can I see your original cerficates.
ME : I have showed all the original certificates including semister marks sheets.

VO : Just glanced all the marks memo and picked up convocation certificate and started examining it.

VO : After 2-3 seconds he has said the golden words of "Sir, I am approving your visa, you will get your ppt in week days time"

ME : Thank you sir.. Have a nice day.
VO : Thanks and same to you.


The conversation was less than 1 min. Thanks to all the path2usa contributors who made my visa interview a cake walk.

Thanks,
mb

[rajikonda]

I had visa stamping interview today morning (07Dec2007)at 1045 hrs @ Chennai consulate. At 1020 AM I have entered the main gate and the whole process completed within 1 Hour. I was able to get through and following is the conversation with VO

VO: Hello
ME : Hello Sir.. How are you?
VO : Fine thanks.

VO : Accepted my folder with ppt, I797, I129 so on.
(He kept typing some thing in the system, paused for some time and looked at the documents. I guess he was looking at the employer site).
VO : May I know what project you are going to work.
ME : Sorry sir.
(VO officer is speaking in low tone, as a reason I could not able to catch his words at the first time. But the VO is so friendly, who repeated the question second time without any hesitation)
VO : May I know what project you are going to work.
ME : Answered as XXX project to XXX client in XXXX module.
(Taken some time looking in to the system)

VO : What is your highest qualification.
ME : YY Degree from ZZ university.

VO : Can I see your original cerficates. (highest degree).
ME : Sorry sir.
VO : Can I see your original cerficates.
ME : I have showed all the original certificates including semister marks sheets.

VO : Just glanced all the marks memo and picked up convocation certificate and started examining it.

VO : After 2-3 seconds he has said the golden words of "Sir, I am approving your visa, you will get your ppt in week days time"

ME : Thank you sir.. Have a nice day.
VO : Thanks and same to you.


The conversation was less than 1 min. Thanks to all the path2usa contributors who made my visa interview a cake walk.

Thanks,
mb

Good One mate....yours one is best example to many members as so many feel shy to ask one more time the question to the visa officer.congrats and all the best.

[vsrved]

First of all thanks to the forum. This forum helped me a lot to get a fell of what type of questions VO might ask etc.

VO(lady):Good afternoon( with a smile.)
me: Good afternoon ! How are you doing?

VO: Can I have a look at your degree certificate(Voice was very low, I could not hear)
me: I beg your pardon, can you come again?

VO: Can I have a look at your degree certificate?
me: opened the folder gave it to her.

VO: What is you role at the current Employer
me: XXXXXX

VO: Which client are you working for?
me: Do you mean with the current employer?

VO: Yes!
me: XXXXX

VO: What are the products of the client?
me: X,y,z etc.

VO: Which product are you currently working on?
me Z.

VO: What did you do at your previous company? Role?
me: Explained my role.

VO: Can I have a look at your experience letter of previous company?
me: submitted

VO: Can I have a look at your current employer documents
me: submitted offer letters and appraisal letters

VO: Who is your client in US
me: BBBBB

VO: what is your role?
me: Explained role

VO: Do you have client letter?
me: Yes. submitted the letter.

VO: (looked at it for a minute, packed all my docs and gave back to me) Your Visa is issued, your passport will reach with in few days
me: Thank you:)

regards,
bobby
PS: If you are Confident in what you say you are sure to get stamping.

[lmaddipati]

Hi all,
I got my H1B approved on this month 10(dec10) from Ottawa(Canada).

I filed my H1B from india last year.
In sep 2007,I came to canada on the deputation of my present employer.
So I booked my interview date from Ottawa Embassy.
My interview time at 10.00 am.
I went inside at 9.50 a.m.
They took my figerprints before interview.
They called me to the interview at 12.00 pm.

Interviewer: Hi
Me: Hi Sir,

Interviewer: Can I have your present employement proof?
Me: I showed all the supporting document from my present employer.

Interviewer: can I have ur canada work permit?
Me:I showed my canada work permit.

Interviewer:Do you have credit card?
Me:I said,No I don't have sir.

Interviewer: For posting ur passport we need a credit card or postal cover?
Me:Ok sir, I will get the postal cover.

The post office is very near to Embassy(two block away).
I came out of the embassy and I went to post office to get the postal cover.

I came back and went inside with the postal cover.But the interviewer is not there in the window.
Some one from inside attended me and he ask what r u searching?
I said my interviewer ask me the postal cover.So i got that.
Then he took that cover and told me that i will keep in ur file.
I said ok.
Then he ask me to leave the embassy.
I said ok and i came out.

But that time i was littlebit doubt about H1B status.

After two days I got my passport with H1B stamped.I am so happy after seeing that.

[adrusya]

I thought I'd post my experience here.

1. Date of applying for h1b visa: Dec 3rd, Monday.
the interview smoothly but am not sure why the visa officer felt a security clearence is required. In any case gave me a dark grey 221(g) asking for complete resume, list of publications and details of my work.
I gave them on that day itself (I emailed them).

2. No response until the weekend. I was worried and emailed them requesting very earnestly about the status of my case as I needed to inform my employer and plan my travel accordingly.

3. I got a response from them on Monday Dec10th that my case was sent to USCIS in DC for adjudication and normal response time is 2-3 weeks although it may take longer depending on the specific case.

4. I guess on Dec 13th or so, I ran into another colleague of mine (Chinese) who had similar issue and she gave me a contact number of the USCIS. So, I called them on the Dec14th to check my status. I requested an expedited process if possible. I was told I was in the fast track and it takes 4-6 weeks.

5. I called them again on the Tuesday early morning (Seoul Time) on Dec 18th and again I was told the same. Despite my request for status and again a request for expedite process, I was told its not possible and I have to wait as usually it takes 4-6 weeks and my case hasn't taken even two weeks yet.

6. I emailed the embassy on the same day, Dec 18th requesting an update and seeking advice if its ok for me to travel to India and come back to Korea once I get an approval confirmation and also asked them for a possibility to pick up my visa from any embassy in India showing an approval reference letter from them.

7. I practically gave up hope but Lo and Behold! on the Dec19th I got a reply from the embassy that they got a response from the dept and I need to submit my passport for visa.

8. I gave them my passport right away and they also emailed me if I would like to choose to pick up my passport from the embassy instead of going through the courier service. I was very much obliged as I was planning to leave on the 22nd. Fortunately I did not extend my trip or cancel my London vacation that I planned from the 24th Dec to fly from San Francisco.

Not sure how it got cleared but it did!

I think if we give them the docs required, things should be ok even if it may take more time. Fortunately, in my case, it happened in two weeks.

[nithyanandan.j]

Hi All....Thanks to Path2usa. I got lot of info from this site...here is what hapened to me....

On 7th Sep i went for the interview at chennai counslate....
VO: Hello Sir good morning..
ME: Good morning sir..how r u...
VO: Fine thank you how r u.
ME: fine thank you...
VO: can i have the file
ME: handed over the file...which contained ds 156,ds 157, I797, I129,
hdfc receipt and passport.
VO: what's ur highest qualification...
ME: masters in computer application...
VO: from were did u get this degree
ME: Bharathiar university, coimbatore, Tamilnadu.
VO: can i see ur degree...
ME: gave him all the marksheets...and degree certificate....
VO: where r u working now...
ME: XXXXX..
VO: how did u find this position...
ME: through my friend...he is working for that company now...
VO: In what technology...
ME: data warehouse...i explained about what is etl and said that i'll
be using informatica....
VO: do u have the financial statement of that company.
ME: No sir..
VO: before we come to a conclusion on ur visa...we need some documents
from ur petetioner...(now he showed me a form)... you need not come
here...since u r from trivandrum...u can make use of the drop box at
the vfs office cochin... once u drop all ur documents we will notify
you to send the passport...
( then he handed me all the doc's )
ME: i collected and wished him a thanks and left the counter....


Then I conveyed it to my employer....he took some time to send it to me....i got those doc's (only by nov end i got it). then i submitted the doc' at the vfs cochin. there they asked me to submit my passport aswell... i did so...and i got my passport with H1B stamping on 20th dec through blue dart...

What i presonally feel is like, the first weak point is the tax papers of US employer...once that is asked and we dont have that at that moment, they will issue 221(g). we could then submit it leter. but in chance if we give that tax papers at the time of interview, there are high chances of the case officer to ask for another doc which we might get into troble....( I felt this because most of them are getting the same experiance)

Thanks.
Nithyanandan

[jagadeesh.y]

Hi all the members,

I attended my h1b on 11th jan 2008 at chennai.
My Interview was very cool.
VO asked only few questions

Give me ur degree certificate?
Wts ur current Experiance?
project INHOUSE or client?
Give me ur project detailes?
Ru from HYD?

VO didn't even asked abt my current company........


and i gave the project detailes and then asked for the US company docs.he is not asking any more,just typing on the system....after 5 mins typed, he took the 221g blue form and ticked for some more details tht are required from the employer.
And finally says, we need somemore info abt the employer,wen u get all these papers just go and submit ur docs along with ur passport in hyd ofiice,u need not come again here to chennai.
I finally says thank you and walked out.

Can anyone plz help me out abt this situation.
PLZZZZZZZZ reply me.

thank u all
jagadeesh

[sunny_poonam]

Hi Everyone,
Thanks for all the valuable inputs regarding ur experience's at the consulate . i was able to collect all the additional docs required and prepare for the interview well....for future aspirants this is how my interview went .
VO: hi ,goodmorning
me: good morning sir ,
VO: how did u know abt this company ??
me:my frd referred and i got selected
VO: how many years of exp do u have ?
told
VO: what are u going to do for this firm?
me: told abt the project iam going to work on and my role in it
VO: are u married???
told
asked for my project doc and checked in the system and said i have been granted a visa and my passport will come in 7 days..
after going through the exp, i felt the key lies in how well can u put ur case forward !!!! the visa officers need assurance that u will be back in india and ur capable enough to work in usa once ur there so that u will not any problems....
all the best and stay cool and positive !!!!

[softsuleman]

Hi all the members,

I attended my h1b on 11th jan 2008 at chennai.
My Interview was very cool.
VO asked only few questions

Give me ur degree certificate?
Wts ur current Experiance?
project INHOUSE or client?
Give me ur project detailes?
Ru from HYD?

VO didn't even asked abt my current company........


and i gave the project detailes and then asked for the US company docs.he is not asking any more,just typing on the system....after 5 mins typed, he took the 221g blue form and ticked for some more details tht are required from the employer.
And finally says, we need somemore info abt the employer,wen u get all these papers just go and submit ur docs along with ur passport in hyd ofiice,u need not come again here to chennai.
I finally says thank you and walked out.

Can anyone plz help me out abt this situation.
PLZZZZZZZZ reply me.

thank u all
jagadeesh

Hai Jagadeesh...
Don't fear..soon u will get the visa..Just drop all the documents which he mentioned in 221(g)..No problem..u will succeed. Be careful about the documents that u r going to submit..All the Best...

[Aneel]

Hello Friends,

I applied h1 in 2007, i got 221g (blue slip) stating

Application Processing Information
The petition is being returned to USCIS for further review. Upon completion of review, USCIS will contact your petitioner. Please wait for a notification from the consulate before returning.

Now my questions is
1) How long it will take to complete my processing.
2) Is it possible to apply H1 again this year.
3) Few of my friends said, I can apply for B1 or L1 but wont get visa stamping, because my H1 is under process. Is is ture?

Thanx in advance

Aneel

[mani7777]

HI All,

Just wanted to share my experience with delhi embassy. How easy it was for me to get my h1b stampped.


vo : how are u doing?
me : very well, thank you
me: given the documents ds 157 and ds 156, and h1b related doc.
vo: for how long are u going?
me: 2yrs
vo: what is ur salary?
me: 60K

VO: thanks, you will get your passport in weeks time.

I was surprised.
Me: I am done!
VO: yes.

Truely surprised, Not sure everything happened so quickly,Nothing was cross ref. for edu docs, employer verification ect.

Delhi Rocks!

[manoj113322]

Thanks a lot to all of who provided wonderful suggestions for visa interview in this forum. These suggestions were highly useful and it helped me a lot to clear the visa interview.

For the visa interview, I prepared 4 folders of documents as below.
Folder1 - All company provided documents like I797, I129, LCA etc
Folder2 - All my educational documents
Folder3 - DS156/157, Interview Appointment letter, HDFC reciept, Experience letters, 1 year payslip, 6 month bank statements, address proof
Folder4 - One copy of all the above documents
I carried these folders in one plastic bag, my wife also had two similar folders in one plastic bag.

Our visa interview was scheduled at 11:30 AM on 18-Mar-08, we reached there by 10:25 AM. At the main gate counter they checked the interview appointment letter and passport, then they let us inside the building.

After that the security check happened, they searched all folders for any sealed envalope, checked for restricted items like mobile etc.

Then we went to next counter where the lady asked me to give DS156, DS157, HDFC reciept, Passport, Original I797, I129. The same thing she took from my wife and put all these documents in one green folder, put some no on it and gave it to us. We gave the fingerprint impressions at that counter.

I took the green folder and went to next building. The person there put me in one queue, there was no rush, there was just one person before me whose interview was going on. It was over in a minute and then we arrived at the counter.

VO: Good morning. How are you?
Me: Good morning. I am fine.

I gave him the green folder.

VO: Whats your highest qualification?
Me: I have done Bachelor of Science Engineering in Computer Science in 1997. After that I joined IT industry and since last 10 years I am working in software development field.

VO: What's the experience?
Me: I have got 10 years of IT experience in software development. I have been doing the computer programming using C, C++ in OS like RTOS - pSOS, VxWorks, Linux, Unix for networking and embedded system application. Currently I am working at XXXXX since 3 years and this is my 4th company.

VO: What are you going to do there?
Me: The company is going to place me at the client site which is XXXX and I will be doing the software development project for XXXX in telecommunication and data network field.

VO to my wife: When did you get married?
My wife answered that.

The VO asked me to put my right thumb on machine reader to get the impression. Same thing he asked to my wife. Then came the final golden words from him:

VO: Your visa is approved, you will get your passport in 7 days at the address mentioned by you.
Me: Can I get the passport today itself from VFS office?
VO: No, there is some work congestion, we will be able to send it there by tomorrow only, you can collect it there tomorrow.

The VO handed over a small peice of paper which described the procedure to use Passport Collection Facility at VFS chennai.

VO: Thanks you.
Me: Thanks a lot.

I came out of the consulate building, it was 10:50 AM, the entire process took just 25 minutes for us.

[kpreddy123]

Hi ...

Here is my case. I went to Chennai consulate to get my H1-B visa renewed after the 3 years period last monday(03/17/08). I work for one of the big companies in bay area. The officer at consulate asked me if I had any issue with police during my stay in San Jose, CA. I said yes, that I had accidentally hit a parked car and the case was resolved fully and my insurance took care of all the expenses. The consular officer told me he needs to verify this was the case as I did not carry the relevant documents pertaining to this case to the consulate. If I had known the consulate would ask me this question I would have carried all the documents. The officer told me it would take about 2-3 days to verify my records and issued a 221g blue form.
Can someone please tell me if you had any similar experience like mine, how long will it take for the consulate to get back to me. I have an important company meeting to attend on April 06 in US. I am really worried. Can someone please advise.
- Thanks
Krishna

[ibsatya]

Hi
finally my wife and me attended h1b @ chennai, my interview exp :

VO: good morning, how are you?
me: fine doing good, how about you?
he asked about my petition
VO: do you have master degree in computers
me : yes, showed certificates
VO: checked my petition and asked any supporting docs about job offer?
me : I told I have client letter
unfortunately I have client letter from x consultant for to work with another
y consultant.
VO : who is end-client?
me : I told y consultant having his own projects and I am going to work in of the project

VO: understand that you submitted some documentation but required full bunch of docs, so unable to give visa at the point, required more documentation and issued 221G.

regds
ssatya

[piscesinblues]

Hi frens,

This is SURESH KUMAR DASARI from Hyd. I am a frequent visitor of this site from past 6 months.
first of all I thank for all the people who are posting their experience to this forum.
their experience helped me a lot. But my interview went very simple.
First their are only 3 counter opened 7th counter only aged people and ladies with less than an year old infants.
4th & 2nd counter for H1, H4 and student visas but 4th counter a lady who is normally rejecting, Before me 4 persons went to her, she rejected 3 and given visa to 1. so I am couting all the persons that where I am going to stand, by luck I am on 2nd counter where a young man who is cool and giving visas. My turn came I stood infront of 2nd counter but he went inside saying that I will come in a minute. started tension again. all of a sudden 3rd counter opened, one of the maintainer asked me to go to the 3rd counter where an young lady is there.
but she too cool I am the first person to that counter on the day.
My interview went like this...

Me: good morning
VO: no response, asked my folder(consist of DS156, DS157, I797, I129, LCA)
Me: said again Good Morning.
Vo: still no response, just asking my folder.
Me: Passed folder.
VO: Can I see your degree certificate.
Me: passed all the educational certifcates
VO: returned back 10th and intermediate. and checked Btech certificate. after checking that she given back degree certificate too. and said that your role is software consultan can I have details of your client where ur going to work.
ME: No mam I working to the company itself no on client side.
VO: how come ur role is software consultant, you should work on client side right.
ME: Just I showed my project description file to her.
VO: checked the project description and asked me to explain it.
ME: I explained the project for about a min.
VO: thoroughly checking in to the system. went inside, came back to the counter and called somebody through phone
ME: standing confidently with a smile on my face
VO: she asked the person who came to the counter to clean the scanner.
ME: now I am relaxed.
VO: asked to keep left ponting finger on screen.
ME: I understood that I am getting visa but I want to listen the words from her mouth. kept right hand pointing finger, she said left hand, soon I kept my left hand ponting finger.
VO: I am assuring visa
ME: Thanking you mam and left the building all of a sudden.
So My advise is just be confident thats it the day will be yours.
Wish you all the best for the people who are going to embasy interview.
feel free to ask any query My Mail Id piscesinblues@gmail.com

[Chida]

Hey Guys,

Just wanted to update that I got L1 to H1 stamped at Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.
I had posted several queries on this forum earlier to know if someone had really gone there for such cases, but didn't get any response and thought this might be helpful to someone going there.

Very simple and very light questions were asked and didn't find any issues.
It was a very big queue and had to stay in hotel in Juarez to collect passport next day. Even while entering US we didn't have any hassle,
it was very simple case.

This is just my generic experience and if any of you have any queries can post in this thread, I will try to answer whatever I know.

Regards,
:)

[rajanswami]

Thanks Chida, thats great ...even I was looking for this information from sometime but got different opinions.

I was on L1 and moved to H1B from Oct 2007 with COS....i don't have H1 stamping and wanted to get stamped from Mexico... Is this what your case too?

Thanks for replying

[Chida]

Hi Rajan,

Though my H1b emp applied for change of status from L1 to H1, I was asked to go to home country for stamping to get the status changed in Sep 2006, that is because I shouldn't have travelled outside US while change of status was in process, which I did travel several times. So H1 was not effective unless it was stamped though approved. Since I continued with L1 employer I decided to go to H1 stamping very recently.

I think your case is that you are already working on H1 after getting COS approval and you just need to get stamping is that correct?
If yes, then I think it should be ok in my opinion assuming you have all
required documents.

Good luck.:)

Ps: Not a legal advise just my view.

[rajanswami]

yes, the only issue is I joined little late ...mid of dec 2007 not from oct 2007 and there are suggestions that first time H1 needs to be stamped only at home country......

thanks chida for the informations

[chiranjiv22]

Hi All,
Please calrify bellow.

what all income tax need to carry during the H1-B interview.

If return is not filed will be OK to carry Form 16 or all filled income tax return required?

Is their is any issue if all the marklist & certificates are plasic laminated.


Kindly reply ASAP.

Thanks..

[simplyshree]

Hi Rajan,

You mentioned u filed L1 to H1 COS last year. I thought its mandatory with COS that u must start working from 1st October for your H1b company. How come u started mid-dec? did you face any problem? do let me know your feedback on this as I also am in same boat this year.

Shrijata

[boyind]

hi Murali
i checked on vfs site there is no date available before jan 07 in bombay
is there any way to book earlier date
thanks

******

[vm_kriss]

For question no 12 (in ds-157) - list your previous two employers name and phone number.

My situation is like this

present employer - xxx

Previous employers were -yyy,zzz,aaa

Same were mentioned in above order in resume submitted for petition

Point is yyy and zzz technologies were same. while i was joining it was "zzz". They changed the company status to pvt limited and named as "yyy". They have given a new offer letter for "yyy" and letter stating the change in name.

Again they changed the name as "xxx" with new investors. While doing so they gave new offer letter for "xxx" and experience certificate combining both "yyy" and "zzz" in single letter

For us (employees) xxx,yyy,zzz are all same.
Address of xxx (present employer ), yyy, zzz are same. only phone number was changed.Phone numbers of yyy,zzz donot exist now.

My query is how should i mention ds-157 form..

example 1

present employer - xxx

previous employer -yyy,zzz

example 2

present employer- xxx

Previous employers

1. only yyy (combining yyy and zzz.since they have given

letter stating name change and combined experience letter)

2. aaa(where i was working before joining zzz)

Also regarding phone numbers of yyy,zzz whether i should give

old phone number or leave it blank (since phone number

doesnot exist now) or could i give present phone number of

xxx or else i can carry seperate sheet informing all these

Friends please help me...i am about to attend interview on tuesday...
i have to fill ds-157 within sunday

thanks in advance

[ssreddy.india]

Hi jagadeesh,

i was attended h1b on 28th jan 08, i got the same 221g blue... me also from hyd, hav u get nything upto now... eventhough i was submitted my ppt may 08, but i hav valid u k w.h.m visa in my ppt... planning to takeback my ppt 4m the consulate, is it wl disturb nything for me nd the consulate..... still waiting for my h1b from chennai consulate,

thanx nd regards,

SSREDDY


I attended my h1b on 11th jan 2008 at chennai.
My Interview was very cool.
VO asked only few questions

Give me ur degree certificate?
Wts ur current Experiance?
project INHOUSE or client?
Give me ur project detailes?
Ru from HYD?

VO didn't even asked abt my current company........


and i gave the project detailes and then asked for the US company docs.he is not asking any more,just typing on the system....after 5 mins typed, he took the 221g blue form and ticked for some more details tht are required from the employer.
And finally says, we need somemore info abt the employer,wen u get all these papers just go and submit ur docs along with ur passport in hyd ofiice,u need not come again here to chennai.
I finally says thank you and walked out.

Can anyone plz help me out abt this situation.
PLZZZZZZZZ reply me.

thank u all
jagadeesh[/QUOTE]

[dhaval_mody9]

Hi Friends,

I did my change of status from B1 to H1 and i got my pettition approved and got the work permit from Oct 07. Now if I have to go for stamping (visa), do you think I will face issues... and if yes then what kind of..

Can anyone post some of thier experiences.

Thanks,

Dhaval

[pandu42k1]

First Of all Thanks to all who shared their experiences in this site which helped me to boost up my confidence.

I am from Hyderabad, and I went to Visa Interview on 14th November 2008 at Chennai. I carried all the documents with me. The documents that I've carried are

Passport
HDFC Bank Receipt for Visa Appointment
Interview Appointment Letter
DS-156, DS-157
Original I-797 Document
I-129
Labor Condition Application (LCA)
Education Evaluation Certificates
Client itinerary Services / Client Letter
Client Purchase Order
Agreement between company and client
US Company Building Lease Agreement
Company Hyderabad Offer Letter
Company US Offer Letter
Company Hyderabad Experience Letter
Previous Company Experience & Offer Letters
All Original Academic certificates
Personal Tax Documents (Form -16)
Pay Slips (for last 6 months)
Personal (Salary Account) Bank Statements, Letter From Bank
Company US Tax Documents (for last 2 years)
Quarterly Wage Reports (W – 6)
Company HYD Employees & Company US Employees list
Updated Resume
Project Description Document
Business Cards (Visiting Cards)
Company ID Card
Passport Size Photos (50 x 50)
Company US Photos
Company brochure

All these documents may not be necessary, but the reason I'm listing them is that no one should neglect to take them if they have it.

My interview was scheduled at 10:30 am, but in a tension I went to consulate at 8:15 am.
I dressed up very well White Shirt, Black Pant, Tie and company ID card.
I did not speak to anybody there, straight away went and stood in the line. Though it took half an hour to come to the starting point of the line, they did not allow me to go inside, because still there were other people whose scheduled time was before me. I observed 95% people are from Infosys, I felt a bit nervous, because my company is very small one and in my I-129 it’s clearly mentioned that my company has only 2 employees and the gross annual income of the company is around 84K only.

I’ve also seen that even people form Infosys returned finally with 221 g slips.
After waiting for an hour when my turn has come, they asked me to go inside, and when I went inside they were informing not to carry closed envelopes or closed covers. After that I’ve gone through the security check. The one who has done my security check told that vfs guys will guide me where to go. Don’t panic, here you will find nearly 10 -15 counters and they are just security check counters. The actual interview counters will be in the other building, and they sent me to other building adjacent to it.

Once you enter into the building you will find two partitions doing interviews one is for immigrants, and other is for non immigrants. For immigrants there are exactly 7 counters just like counters in any bank. There, one vfs guy asked me to stand in the line, you can see the VO here but don’t stare at them and don’t see here and there just wait for your turn. I stood in the line and finally my turn has come and before I said good morning to him VO wished me good morning.

VO: Good Morning Sir.
Me: Good Morning Sir, How are you.
VO: I’m fine, How are you.
Me: I’m fine & thank you.
VO: Give me your documents
Me: Gave the documents
VO: What is your highest qualification?
Me: I have done Masters in Computer Applications sir.
VO: When did u finish?
Me: Sorry
VO: When did u finish?
Me: Sorry sir, I could not hear you properly.
VO: (He hit the mic just wondered what happened to the mic) When did u finish your MCA?
Me: 2004 Sir.
VO: Which University?
Me: Osmania University.
VO: What is your total experience?
Me: 3 years 10 months.
VO: What is your experience in the current company (abc)?
Me: 2 years 8 months.
VO: How much is your salary?
Me: Its xx lacs xx thousand per year sir.
VO: Put your fingers on the machine.
I did it
VO: What do you do in current abc company?
Me: I’ve started telling my roles, responsibilities, before I finish,
VO: Mr. Xyz I’m issuing visa to you. It will reach you in 7 business days.
Me: Thank you, Have a Great Day sir.


That’s it I drank some water there and just came out of the interview. I could not believe that it was a visa interview and I did it successfully.

So guys the interviewer was very polite. Don’t worry about anything. Most of us will have problems with our documents. But be prepared for the interview, for me when he asked my responsibilities I answered confidently. That’s where I got the positive impression.

I have prepared well for the interview. I have prepared notes for these topics.

1. Project description for 10 lines. (Before telling 5 lines, he’ll ask us to stop)
2. US Company Address & Client’s address with phone numbers
3. Exact Experience.
4. 5 lines about the current company & 2-3 lines about the client.
5. 5 lines about your roles & responsibilities.


That’s it.

All the best friends.


-Pandu

[ashoka6]

What are all the docs given to VO ..
Pandu plz sahre this aslo

thx Ashok G

[pandu42k1]

What are all the docs given to VO ..
Pandu plz sahre this aslo

thx Ashok G


Though I have all the Docs with me... VO didn't ask any docs..

[ashoka6]

I gone for the Mumbai consulate for interview

by 9o clock

I carried the docs as follows

HDFC Bank Receipt for Visa Appointment
Interview Appointment Letter
DS-156, DS-157
Original I-797 Document
I-129
Labor Condition Application (LCA)
Education Evaluation Certificates
Client itinerary Services / Client Letter
Previous Company Experience & Offer Letters
All Original Academic certificates
Personal Tax Documents (Form -16)
Pay Slips (for last 6 months)
Personal (Salary Account) Bank Statements, Letter From Bank
Updated Resume
Project Description Document
Business Cards (Visiting Cards)
Company ID Card
Passport Size Photos (50 x 50)
Company US Photos

photo copies of all the docs from above.



I gone to VO s cabin by 11 : 25

SHE:Good Morning sir,how are you ?
me: Good morning ,i am fine ,How are you ?
SHE:fine,which project are go for?
me:started the description of project she concentrated carefully.
SHE:give the employment agreement?
me:given
SHE:asked you belongs to AP whay you came here?
me:from last 14 months i am working for XXX company in PUNE.
SHE:what is your designation here?
me: Program analyst
SHE:why you are changing from this big company to small company?
me: i current company i cannot get the chance to design all the thing .
in small company like XX i can get the chance.
SHE:how many employees working ?
me:6, they are targeting to increase thier strength by 2011
SHE:what exact count?
me:6
SHE:what is your client?
me:i am not going to work with the client, i am going for XXX(employer) company
SHE:how many are working for this project?
me:2,names
SHE:what are your parents do?
me:my father is teacher and my mother is house wife.
SHE:what your father will teach?
me:he will teach XXXX.
SHE:asked for I 129
me:passed ,along with i given latter for employer also
SHE: she red the docs carefully, which degree you have masters or Bachelors.
me:i had bachelors degree.
SHE:Photos of US company?
me: given
SHE:I am approving your visa.
me:Thanks
SHE: have a nice trip
me:Thanks have a great day..

maintain face to face contact ,say point to point ans
dont panic and dont tense but i am in tension only ,dont talk with any body ..

anyway thx pandu

Ashok

[kiranb17]

we have success full H4 stamping at hyd on July 28th 2009. below are the questions they have asked:
1. how long your husband is in usa?
2. why you did not travel along with him ? and why you took 3 months to apply after he went to usa? (i was in india for 2 months for marriage and after coming to usa it took 1.5 month to get job and for pay slips 1 more month)
3. when did you got married?
4. how many ppl attended your marriage?
5. what is your husband eats, veg or non veg?
6. to which company your husband works?
7. from the beginning your husband working for this company? (i have worked 6months for x employeer, 1.5yrs for y employeer)
8. show me your pay stubs? -- showed recent 2 pay stubs.(i have only recent 2 paystubs, as i was in vacation before that)
9. show me your recent w2 tax returns?
that's all.

all the best for new applicants.

[Sawalk]

Anyone already tryied to config this.

Can someone leave a small tut or the key word for "last stand"?