Home » US Visa Stamping Experiences » 25 min of H1B Visa Stamping Interview – No Client Letter, Only Vendor Letter, India 2013

25 min of H1B Visa Stamping Interview – No Client Letter, Only Vendor Letter, India 2013

One of our readers, Sathish, got his H1B visa stamping done successfully without client letter. He was gracious enough to share his experience with us. Firstly, congrats to Sathish and Thanks a lot for taking time to write up his experience. Appreciate your kinds words on redbus2us as well. You can share your experience with our readers here

 

Background Info:
————–
I am working on EVC model. I was working on L1B visa for an employer last year until Oct 2012 and changed the status to H1B post Oct with different employer. I visited India this June, 2013 and went for stamping in Chennai

Timelines:
OFC Appointment – June 6th 2013
Visa Interview – June 11th 2013

List of Documents which I carried for H1B Visa Stamping Appointment:
—————————————————
1. I797 Approval Original Document
2. Passport
3. LCA
4. I129 Photocopy
5. Letter from Vendor stating Client Name, Project Description, Roles and Duration of the Project
6. Copy of MSA Letter between my employer and vendor.
7. Copy of 2012 W2s
8. Copy of 2012 Federal/State Tax documents.
9. Paystubs for last one year.
10. Employment Verification Letter.
11. Experience Letter from Previous Employer.
12. Degree Certificate
13. Semester Mark sheets
14. Client Supervisor’s Name, Work email id, Phone Number.
15. My Client ID Card.

H1B Visa Interview Questions and Answers
—————-
Visa Officer : Good Morning.
Me : Good Morning Sir.

VO : Please give your passport.
(Given)

VO : Please give your 797 approval document.
(Given)

VO : Who is your employer
Me : XXXXX

VO : Who is your client
Me : XXXXX

VO : Are you working in Client’s location
Me : Yes Sir.

VO : Are there any middle vendors between your Employer and Client.
Me : Yes Sir.

VO : What is the Vendor’s name.
Me : XXXXX

VO : Can you give me the client letter
(I provided the vendor letter along with my client supervisor’s email id, phone number which I printed in separate page and attached along with Vendor Letter)

VO : Don’t you have letter from Client.
Me : No Sir, as per their policy my Client XXXX will not provide any kind of letters to the contractors. All the paper works are done by their preferred vendor XXX so the letter was provided through them.

VO : Who’s contact number is this (He was referring to my Client Supervisor’s details)
Me : He is my supervisor for reference.
(He returned Vendor letter and Supervisor’s contacts letter back to me. At this point, I was sure he was OK with the model I am working).

VO : You were holding any other visa before.
Me : Yes Sir.

VO : Which visa was that and was it through same H1B employer.
Me : L1B visa and different employer.

VO : You switched from L1B to H1 from USA.
Me : Yes Sir.

VO : Why do you want to do that.
Me : Better Opportunity.

VO : Better Opportunity like what, brief me.
Me : Better Opportunity in terms of Salary, Exposure.

VO : What kind of exposure.
Me : I got opportunity to work for leading Healthcare clients, healthcare domain in one of my strengths.

VO : Give me all the H1B petition document which your employer filed.
(I provided LCA and I129)

VO : Can you give me your 2012 W2 of H1B employer.
(I provided one)

VO : When did you join your H1b employer and what is your salary. (At this point he was checking my 2012 W2 figures).
Me : I joined him by MM/2012 and my salary is XXXXX.

VO : How many employees are working for your employer.
Me : Approximately XXXXX.

VO : How do you come to know about your H1B employer.
Me : Through one of the references.

VO : Did you pay for the H1B Petition.
Me : No Sir.
(I really didn’t pay anything for the petition, but the answer should be always NO)

VO : What is your maximum education.
(At this point I was very sure, I will get my visa approval)
Me : BE with blah blah major

VO : Where did you do.
Me : In India.

VO : Your Visa is approved Sir.
Me : Thank you sir.

Interview last around 20-25 Minutes. VO was taking good amount of time checking all the documents and asking questions on them.

Preparation Strategy for Successful stamping
One reason for my successful H1B stamping is my preparation through sites like redbus2us. I was well prepared with all the documents and answers, when VO asked me either a document or question I was very prompt and quick with my answers. I looked very confident. Even without Client Letter, I was promptly able to answer why I don’t have one and why I have Vendor letter as an alternative.
We are there to get our visa approved, so be prepared with all the documents and be prompt on your answers your confident will definitely get you Visa Approved.

Thanks for reading and good luck for all my H1b friend looking for stamping specially ones in EVC model.
My big thanks to redbus2us site, this site was hugely helpful when I was preparing for my Visa Interview.

Sathish.

   

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56 Comments

  1. HI, I am going for stamping next week, I dont ahve a client letter. I will be working for my employer for their internal project. will this workout?

    Reply
  2. is Someone attended the Visa interview at Hyderabad, India
    already ? Please post your experience here. And what is documents required for the interview? and how tough it is? my petition got picked in 2017, so when will be the interview?

    Reply
  3. Hi Saurabh,

    I have H1B approved, but my employer don’t have any project to send me to US. I also have H4 stamped. I never traveled to USA on my H1B. Can I go to US on H4 and find employer there and get transfer done? Will it be free from cap?

    Thanks,
    Jatin

    Reply
  4. Hi,

    I had applied H1B Visa on 2015 , that time they had taken 4lakh and I had picked the H1B lottery but my company project is not approved .

    that did not give single rupees and how can I get money from www.logicg.com . and I had all document

    Reply
  5. Someone attended the Visa interview at Chennai
    already ? Please post your experience here. And what is documents required for the interview?

    Is it possible to attend visa interview in Nigeria,because presently i am working in Nigeria.

    Reply
    • Karuna,

      One cannot attend H-1B interview for FY-17 until July 1. If you are a resident of Nigeria, then you may attend the interview there. Still you should check w/ US embassy there about it, as they hold the option to refuse the visa interview and ask you to attend in your home country.

      Reply
  6. Hi folks,

    Today I have done my H1 B Interview. It was successfully completed finally my visa has approved. I feel so happy today. I just want to share my experience. Please find following questions they are asked.

    1) Your visa for working(H1B) Right?
    2) Who is your petitioner?
    3) What is your designation?
    4) How much salary per year?
    5) Who is your Client?
    6) Your petitinor location?
    7) Your work from petitioner location or Client location?

    Reply
  7. Hello Saurabh,

    My H1B is approved when I am is USA (Through 2015 Cap). Could not start working due to health condition. Changed my status from H1B to H4. Right now I am in a position to work, how do I get back to H1B status. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Naga,

      You need to find an employer (old or new) and ask them to file cap-exempt petition for you. You can submit old petition as proof of having made through the cap. They will have to file it w/ COS. Once approved, you can start working on H-1.

      Reply
      • Hi,

        Thank you for the response. Can I go for H1B stamping with the approved petition. Employer has not revoked approved petition. Thank you.

        Naga

        Reply
        • Naga,

          You can go w/ the old petition only if that employer still wants to hire you in US and supports your visa stamping.

          Reply
          • Naga,

            If the petition is revoked, you cannot use it for stamping. If the petition is revoked, that implies employer no longer needs you on H-1. Like I said earlier “You can go w/ the old petition only if that employer still wants to hire you in US and supports your visa stamping.”

  8. Hi,
    My passport is going to be expired on apr 2017. i am going to appear for H1B visa stamping in oct 2015 this year…As per approval notice my work tenure is till aug 2018…now because of this passport expiry in between, will it have any impact? pls tell me

    Reply
  9. I had given H1-B interview on 5th of February 2015 in mumbai, he asked me around 10 to 15 questions.
    He asked me about my client information and I have explained about my client X.
    Then he asked me to submit client letter but I was not having, then I got 221(g) to submit client letter and agreement between client and petitioner through an email to Mumbai.
    When I have contacted to my petitioner they are providing me different client letter Y
    Will it be okay if I submit Y client letter through email.

    Reply
  10. Dear all

    Thank God,i received visa without end client letter.I believe that it is need not for stamping visa but they want to know about the truthfulness of sponsored company……….Thank my God almighty!!!!save us!!

    Joseph

    Reply
  11. Dear all

    I’m looking an answer for regarding h1b visa.i’m a software engineer and got that opportunity to work in usa.my petition is approved with great long time but i do not have any end client or client letter.Coming 21st is my interview and i would like to know about h1b visa stamping.my petitioner is trying to collect but did not get yet.is needed for visa stamping?
    i go I727,LCA and PWD also

    What is the possibility to get a h1b? any one can answer me?

    Joseph

    Reply
  12. hi
    i have a question
    i just had the H1B amendment as i changed my client
    nw my contract if bieng renewed with the same client , but i am trying to bypass the mis vendor
    do i need H1B amendment to remove the mis vendor , before i go for stamping , my empployer , Client and the Prime vendor is same

    Thank you

    Reply
  13. I am planning to go for Visa interview in India(Hyderabad), I have client letter and employer letter for employee-employer relation to show up, but can any one send me middle vendor sample letter to carry( I have 2 layers in the middle of my employer to client ) , incase Visa office asks I can able to provide that info to them.Thanks for help.Ramesh

    Reply
  14. Hi Megha,

    Can u please tell me about the consultancy who sponsor H1B. I am stuck into similar situation and searching for sponsors.
    Please reply me asap.

    Reply
    • Try pegasys soft. It is a desi consultancy in Michigan. They owner is really nice, like really really nice. He will charge you money up front but your visa will be done then you will get good training and good marketing. They might add some lies to your resume to give you 4 years of experience in a programming language that is only 2 years old, but who cares? These American clients are toh dumb only. They don’t check such things.

      Reply
  15. Saurabh/Satish,

    I am going for stamping to the Mumbai embassy. I am working for a company A and company B is the preferred vendor of company C . So company C is my client. My case matches almost to that of Satish. I would like to know among the documents regarding employment. I have
    1)Employment verification letter (provided to me by Company B my vendor)
    2) A contract copy between the Vendor company B and the client Company C
    3)Purchase order between vendor comapny B and the client Company C.

    Apart from this do I have to carry some document from Company A my employer who filed my H1-B, proving employer -employee relationship. Do I have to mention that my work assignments are determined by my employer? Also I work remotely(WFH) for my client. My LCA has the location of home and the client’s main office. Will this create any issue?

    Your help is appreciated

    Reply
  16. today on 9/20 i have visa interview at Mumbai. I have asked below question

    employer name
    state where u r travelling
    single or married
    any plan of the marriage
    salary

    visa is approved.I have 5-6 people with me for h1b and all visas got approved so don’t take any tension for the h1b as of now.

    Reply
    • RK..How are you doin? Hey I’m from Cloudeeva as well..I don’t know whether you went for your H1B stamping or not. Im planing to go in Feb 2014.
      So if you have already gone through your stamping please share your experience. I would appreciate it . Thanks

      Reply
          • i am joining to Cloudeva and i wanted to know how is the job environment with Cloudeva. Has anyone recently attended H1B interviews from Cloudeva?

            Please kindly share me interview questions and i have heard that Cloudeva processed H1B for Inhouse projects and How Embassy would ask based on this in house projects?

  17. Hi Saurabh,
    I’m working on L1B visa in USA from May 2011. This year I applied for L1 to H1 COS from a new employer and got it approved from Oct 01 2013. I will be leaving to India by Second week of September and planning to go for Stamping in India and come back to USA on Stamped H1B Visa . Will there be any complications in my stamping in India, Appreciate your response.

    Regards,
    Ram

    Reply
    • Hi Ram,

      I am also in similar situation, but waiting on my petition approval. Would be traveling to India on Sep 15th and would go for stamping if petition gets approved.

      Saurabh,
      Would you let me know which location between Hyderabad and Chennai has better success rate for these cases ? I will be working on EVC model.

      Thanks,
      Srinivas.

      Reply
  18. hi

    did someone get visa stamp from small sized company (with 10-15 employees) ?

    would appreciate if you could share details of stamping and questions asked

    Reply
  19. Saurabh,

    Mine is COS from H4 to H1. so it was all regular set of documents that was used for my H1B processing. This is my first H1B which got approved in 2011 nov in US, petition was filed for in house project, but I started working for a client directly.

    Thanks,
    Megha

    Reply
    • Megha,
      So you have been working on H-1 since Nov 2011. As your H-1 petition was filed for in-house project, it is completely out of sync with your current work. Talk to your attorney to discuss what documents are needed and whether H-1 amendment needs to be filed to make the petition in sync w/ current work.

      Reply
    • Satish,

      Thanks for sharing your experience, its very helpful. I have something similar situation except that i work from vendor’s location.

      My vendor is ready to give me supporting documents and state Client policy of not issuing client letters to contractors.

      Will you be able provide me the document check list needed for H1B visa stamping.

      Reply
      • Megha,
        You are welcome, glad that I my experience was helpful.

        Please refer to “List of Documents which I carried for H1B Visa Stamping Appointment” section in my above post for documents checklist. These documents should pretty much work, no harm carrying any additional documents though.

        Reply
        • Thanks so much for quick reply.

          Only concern is that i work from vendor’s location for a client. Do I need to carry to any extra document for this case.

          Please let me know.

          Thanks,
          Megha

          Reply
          • Megha,
            Saurabh or someone would give you better insight. But my take on your scenario would be you dont have to show client name at all. You can show your vendor as client and get letter from Vendor accordingly (as client letter with project description, duration of project etc). This is assuming you LCA is having the vendor location where you are currently working. Hope this helps.

          • Megha,
            So your arrangement is Employer -> Vendor -> Client, w/ you sitting at vendor site and providing services for the client.

            You still need to carry the same set of documents had you been working at the employer site. You need to answer truthfully about your work location. If you are asked about employer-employee relationship, then you will have to show how employer will manage your tasks and duties at the client site.

            What kind of documentation did your attorney submit to USCIS?

          • Thanks so much Saurabh.

            Yes you got it right, I am in the structure mentioned as above.

            I need to say that i work from vendor place and provide my services to Client ABC. is that right?

            What all documents are needed to show employee employer relationship at client site? when you say client site(in my case its vendor right?)

            Please correct me if I am wrong.

            Thanks,
            Megha

          • Megha,
            Do you know what documentation and information your employer submitted to USCIS when H-1 was filed?

            Yes, in your case client site is the work site i.e. vendor location. As this is an uncommon work arrangement, whatever information you get from here or elsewhere online, you should run it by your attorney.

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