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H1B 221(g) Stamping Experience – Approved – Docs submitted after 6 months.
One of our readers, Prasad, shared his H1B Visa 221(g) experience with us. It gives hope for those who have been having tough time with H1B 221(g). Firstly Congrats to Prasad and Thanks for sharing his experience. You can share yours here
Background Info : Visa Interview , 221(g)
I was issued a 221(G) for my H1-B in 2011 August 1st.
Here is my Personal Visa Interview experience in consulate. Visa Officer asked the below :
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Experience with my employer and client.
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Asked about my project details .
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Asked me to give client letter
As I was not having client letter, once the interview over she told that she cant issue the visa due to lack of client letter. Then she issued 221(G)- in which she put ticks for lot of documents along with other documents. Here is the list.
1) Proof of contract between employer and client.
2) Proof of contract between employer and me.
3)Project description and timelines of project.
4) A notarized list of all the petitioner’s employees at job sit listed. This list should show all employee’s names, their specific job titles, start ,end dates and their individual salaries & Immigration status
5)HR US vacancy letter on my employer letterhead etc…
Submitting 221(g) Response to US Consulate
I was able to submit all the above listed documents by Febraury 23rd 2012. Then I got stamped passport with visa on March 2nd 2012. It took just about 10 days to get the visa stamped on my passport after I submitted the documents.
I had gone through lot of pain to get my pain. Since I got the visa I can say all that patience had not gone vain.
So please be patient and wait for visa. don’t get frustrated. Good Luck !
Also, check out the Beast called 221(g) Process and FAQs
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{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Saurabh,
How are you?
I just recently got H1B visa (during December 2012) which is valid till December 2013. I am traveling to India this May and going to get Visa stamped in Chennai consulate. Also, i am planning to Switch company after i comeback from India (may be in July 2013) via consultancy (80-20% ratio). I may go to India again during Jan/Feb 2014 for my marriage. Is it safe to travel within six months after company change? i am worried my visa may get rejected if go for stamping again in six months.
Please suggest what will be the best option you think, i wanted to switch company and but wanted to make sure that does not affect marriage plans as well.
Thanks for all your help!
Regards,
Ashok
Ashok,
The consulate will not reject the visa only b/c you appear for another stamping in 6 months. It is ok to go for another stamping within 6 months. The chances of approval will depend upon the submitted documents and the presented information.
Thanks a lot Saurabh! I will make sure all necessary documents present before going for stamping.
I heard from few friends who switched job earlier, they suggested to go India after 9 months or more to make sure visa does not get rejected during stamping. I may be required to go more early than that after switching job, is there any criteria that, it’s safe to visit India after certain number of months to make sure visa stamping does not fail, can you please tell me based on your experience when travelling will be safe.
Also, I will get my first H1B stamping with current employer this May, is it safe to go to Canada and get stamped after my job switch or going to India and stamping is better.
Thanks again for all your valuable information’s!
Regards,
Ashok
Ashok,
There are people who went for stamping after 3-4 years and still faced rejection/221g. So there is no safe wait period. As long as you have been maintaining legal status and have correct documents to support your H-1 employment, it should be fine. Consulate can still put the visa processing in administrative processing if they need additional time/documents to go through your case.
For the first time stamping, it is always recommended to go to home country – especially if you have not done your Masters in US.
Thanks Saurabh!
This site is more helpful and more informative!
Regards,
Ashok
Hi Prasad,
I also got the 221g at recent interview on 14th feb for H1b renewal. The reason was I did not have client letter. I am going to get the client letter soon, so hopefully I should be OK after that. Can you share your email id, as your case looks very similar to mine. I am going to submit documents soon by next week. Feels good to hear such encouraging cases.
I can be reached at shaileshrl at yahoo dot com Pls do drop a email.
Thanks & Congrats.
Shailesh
Hi All/Sourabh,
I attended h1b interview on Jan 25th 2013 at mumbai consulate and they asked me few ques and cancelled my L1B ( saying cancelling on prejudice) and issued 221g yellow slip which does not requrie any additional docs…just passport , 221g yelllow form and I 797 copy….to nearest vfs drop box.they issues the same yellow slip for my L1b when i attended on May 2009 ..is that because of muslim name ? and can i change my LCA from one location to other now ? since my visa cell says it wll take 2 weeks to get new LCA and no need to worry about 221g and i didnt get stamped yet …they say LCA and 221g are diff process and you can apply for new LCA now( when i am waiting for administrative process)…please suggest
Mohamed,
It could be b/c of your name as they didn’t ask for any client/project information.
Yes, they can change the LCA while this 221g is under process. Is your employer planning to file H-1 amendment as well after getting the new LCA?
Is your employer planning to file H-1 amendment as well after getting the new LCA?
No
Yes Saurabh–they just asked 1.passport 2. SEVIS fee receipt 3. I-797 copy…
what is SEVIS fee receipt ?
Mohamed,
SEVIS is for F-1 visa. I don’t know why they will ask for it. Check w/ your attorney.
Saurabh thanks and thanks to redbus…i got my H1b visa last week ….it took 3 weeks for me to clear the 221g yellow slip….
Saurabh,
can we goto US and change LCA ? or we have to do that before going to US …my loc is st loius and may be i need to change bcoz of proj..pls suggest.
Mohamed
Mohamed,
Congrats on your stamping.
The correct way is to get the new LCA followed by H-1 amendment and then travel to US. No need to go for another stamping as long as the current one is valid.