H1B Visa Stamping 221(g) Tracker
Not everyone are lucky to get H1B visa stamping at first attempt…Some of you might have got 221(g) query from the Visa Consular officer ( blue, white, yellow) asking to submit documents. The most frustrating thing about 221(g) blue form is that there is no way to track your application…You just have to wait….it can be frustrating to wait…This page is meant to help others get an idea about processing times and how long does it take to process a 221(g) issued H1B case…If you were ever given 221(g), please share your details to help others get an idea. You may check out below articles as well.
- 6 tips from H1B stamping – 221(g) experience
- Drop Box submission process – 221(g) – No Box
- Chennai H1B visa – 221(g) stamping experience
To update, Click link : H1B visa 221(g) Tracker
{ 1124 comments… read them below or add one }
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Hello,
I received a mail from Chennai consulate on Apr 30th with a blue form asking to submit passport.
I have submitted my passport on may 1st. But still now haven’t received it yet. Vfs passport status says “your passport is in process at US consulate”
Does it take this long? Its been 18 days
Hi Saurabh,
I rcvd email to submit the passport on 8th May and I submitted it on 10th may. Now 5 working days completed. Is there still possibility that stamping gets denied?
Do you know any case in which stamping denied even after 221g cleared?
Ashish,
In most of the cases, they ask for the passport only when they are sure that they would issue the visa stamp. However, there is no set processing time. It can even take few weeks.
Ashish when have you went for visa stamping? How long they took for all this process? Are you on EC model?
Thanks Saurabh,
Hope I will get stamp soon and it will not get denail.
Avni – Here’s my detail
Model – EC
Interview @ Mumbai Consulate – 20 March 2012
Doc submitted – 10 Apr 2012
One more doc asked by consulate – 20 Apr 2012
Doc Submitted – 30 Apr 2012
Rcvd mail to submit PP- 8th May 2012
PP submitted-10th May 2012
Are you aslo waiting for response?
Hi Ashish,
I too got 221g( green) form on 14th march 2012 and still waiting for the response. I just wanted to know that when you received the mail from VFS to submit the passport, what exactly they have written in that mail. Did they mentioned something like this, that your 221g is approved or your h1b visa is approved, please submit your passport for the stamping.
Thanks
Aditya
Hi Saurabh
Today I rcvd my passport with Yellow form. In which they mentioned “further review of H1B docs” .
My passport having stamp with issue date 14th may and then there is seal of ” Cancle Without Prejudice” . On yellow form date is 16th May.
Please let me know what it means?
Not sure how long this painful time will continue…
No Ashish, I am not waiting but I am afraid to visit India because of these problems so I am just exploring how long I can be stuck. I am on EC model.
Hi,
My H1B case was send to USCIS for review & possible revocation
I rec’d a mail from USCIS “On April 23, 2012, we mailed a notice to you reaffirming the approval of this case and returned the case to the Department of State for visa processing”
But still my employer has not rec’d new i797c
I forwarded Vfs mumbai with the mail rec’d from USCIS & embassy ask for my passport & CEAC barcode number
So far no further update from mumbai embassy ??
Pls let me know wht will be the further process
Thanks
@Anand
I had received the same email on Mar 23 from usics, but till now my employer/attorney haven’t got new i797c.
Can you please let me know.
when did your case was send back to uscis and to which service center.
Thanks
S
Anand,
Your employer should call USCIS and ask about the re-affirmed petition. Once you have the re-affirmed petition you can contact consulate and/or VFS and ask when you can re-appear w/ the re-affirmed petition.
Hi Sourabh,
Thks for reply
Once i receive new i797c & then reappear for interview
Which documents do i need to carry 2 consulate again ?
I have rec’d yellow 221g from embassy & hdfc receipt along with Ceac barcode
i.e s’ it or any more documents ?
I am a full time employee with EC Model & same client & employer
If stamped then can i fly anytime 2 Usa or wait till Oct ??
Anand,
You can go through the interview experiences posted on this page. There are few people who re-appeared for interview after getting the petition re-affirmed. I would suggest carrying the same set of documents in addition to re-affirmed petition. Also carry a more recent employment offer letter. It is better to err on the side of caution and carry more documents and not give them an excuse for another 221g. You can travel even prior to Oct 1.
Hi Saurabh,
I have been waiting with the 221g Blue form under administrative processing since 25th August 2011. They asked for the client invite letter, Agreement copy between my company and client and itinerary on 9th Jan 2012 and again on 26th Feb 2012which I have submitted, last one being on 28th Feb 2012. Still I havent heard anything from the consulate. My case doesnt show on website either. My petition is expiring on 30th sept 2012. Could you please suggest me if there is way I can get in touch with the consulate directly(other than the usual mail process through VFS) and try to get a decision out of my case?
Also what happens if my case remain pending beyon 30th Spet 2012, when my petition expires. Is there a way I can apply for extension with the case still pending?
Thanks
Diwakar
Diwakar,
You can apply for an extension with your case still pending. Please check with your attorney as well.
Diwakar,
This article has the details you are looking for.
I was interviewed by embassy, new delhi on 11th April, interview was for 45 minutes. submitted all documents as asked, embassy took passport. given green slip to submit client letter and letter submitted to DHS at time of i129 filing. Submitted both documents on 13th April. Till today i do not have any hearing from embassy, they still had my passport. Checked with VFS many time, they always said its under process. Even embassy is saying case is under administrative processing. Anyone has any idea how long is this kind of process or is there any other way to track the case status.
Hi NP,
We all are having same issue and there is no such way to track or priorities the case. The administrative process is very long and it take from weeks to months.
You can only track in VFS site but they are totally depends on US embassy.
Thanks Darshan!.. I spoke to my attorney he said already informed the consulate about the new petition..
I have posted my experience detailed a while back. Went to india for 2 weeks Nov/11, chennai consulate gave me 221g because of EVC, submitted requested documents, again another 221g in jan stating that my petition is being sent back to USCIS for further review. Filed another cap-exempt with same employer and same client but no vendor and went again for visa interview on Apr/2012 and got visa stamped and right now i am in US and filed my I-485 just 2 days before retrogession in Apr/2012
5 days back i got a email from VFS chennai to collect my documents, my dad went to documents and VFS returned all documents i have submitted for earlier 221g along with another 221g with handwritten like “Please submit your passport and we may issue your visa”. seriouly, these guys in consulate are really kidding ? not sure what to do with this now ? i think i am just going to ignore this since i should be getting my EAD and AP within next 2 months.
my new cap-exempt petition is only for 1 year whereas my old 221g’d petition was for 3 years.
hopefully others who had 221g during last quarter of 2011 start getting visa issuance 221g like me from VFS… just want to share these info to you all.. Thanks and Good luck
Raj,
I’m having the same situation as you. I went for an interview in Feb 2012. Got 221-g, i’ve submitted all docs and in April end – i’ve been notified that my file has been sent to USCIS. I’m working in EC model.
Now i’ve three options
1)file new H1 with new employer and same client
2) file new H1 with same employer and same client
3) file new H1 with same employer and new client.
Do u have an idea….If I file New H1 with new employer or same employer, does my current pending process will get withdraw or it’ll be still continued???
Neha,
I work on EC model too and received a 221(g) blue form earlier in Jan 2012 and my case was sent back to USCIS. The attorney gave me 3 option :
1. Wait for USCIS to reply
2. File for a “new” petition (cap-exempt) with the same employer (same client) [Probably you wont stand a good chance here since your petition was previously refused. Also, check with your attorney if the old petition needs to be withdrawn]
3. Get full time with the client by applying “new” petition (cap-exempt). More like H-1B transfer. (Best case scenario to get your visa stamped)
I went with option no. 3 and got my passport stamped last week. I didn’t have to withdraw my old petition and apparently its still under review with USCIS.
Now all the 3 options that you have mentioned above are valid but I would recommend you to move away from EC model and go as full time employee (if possible of course)
Also, as you asked if you file for new H-1 with new employer, you don’t need to withdraw the old petition and it will still be under review (this was the case with me as well as I mentioned earlier)
But if you file for new H-1 with same employer, then you might need ton withdraw the old petition ONLY after your new petition gets APPROVED. Check with the attorney on this one though.
Neha,
Your option 2 worked for me. Also when you file a new H1 now (Cap-exempt) it wont affect your pending 221g’d petition. Infact I did file my cap-exempt H1 when my current valid 221g’dpetition was pending under “Administrative review”. Also most importantly eventhough chennai Embassy said that my 221g’d petition is being sent back to USCIS for further review, till date in USCIS case tracking website i did not see see any change of status for my 221g’d petition and this tells me all these days the consulate was holding my petition locally and never send back to USCIS.
When i went for 2nd visa interview with my new H1, i did not withdraw my old petition before that and no one from VFS in first level or the VO asked me about that…. I was prepared to answer like “i can withdraw my old petition if you are issuing me a visa for my new petition” to the VO.
I would personally not recommend you not to do anything with your old petition, but please talk to your Attorney about this.
There is a perception that if you are 221g’d then do a transfer to new employer. I personally don’t agree with that since i got my 2nd H1 approved and obtained visa with same employer/client with whom my previous petition was refused because of Employee-Employer relationship.
When i filed my Cap-exempt petition, we did make sure in “Letter to USCIS” we specifiy in detail about 2 detailed paragraphs one for “Employer-Employee” relationship and other for “Right to control” and during the visa interview VO indeed went through the “Letter to USCIS” in detail and i believe VOw was convinced with the contents in the letter. Also when you file a new LCA make sure your client name and address are specified explicitly, HR always tend to give only client address in LCA and VO may not have patience to verify the address against the client name.
Hey Raj,
Thanks for ur quick response. In my case my employer has a direct client but the problem is I’m the only one from my employer working at the client place. So when I went for an interview, VO asked me questions about whom do u report to?? I said my employer manager and then VO gave me 221-g and I guess it’s I should report to my emplyer manger and he shud be sitting with me at client place. which was not true in my case.
So if I file new H1, VO might ask me the same question as I’m filing with same employer+same client. What should I reply then?
Also I’ve to mention properly in letter that how the relationship works..
can u please share the format if possible to my email id nehapandya42 at gmail dot com.
Thanks dear
Neha
Hi Raj/Neha,
I am also in similar position. I filed my new petition with the same employer and same client. I also have the same question what if the VO asks the same questions and what should i say if the VO ask about previous petition query??
Please advise.
Thanks,
Kiran
Neha/Kiran,
I had the same questions during my first visa interview, note that i am also the only one from my employer working at the client place and my employer manager sits 15 miles away from client site, both my client and employer are in same city though.
When i went for the 2nd visa interview, i did get a detailed letter from my Employer manager stating that he will visit the client site 2 days in a week to assign me the work and attend client meetings, talk/email/IM chat with me everyday, do have weekly meetings for status updates/reports etc. and the reasoned out that he is right now managing multiple projects and hence could not sit at client place all the time at least for now. Its like my client manager will assign work to my employer manager and in turn my employer manager assign work to me. He also mentioned that this is new client for us and hence i will be the only one working in this project initially and will gradually add more resources few months later from my employer based on client requirement. I did also get same kind of letter from Client manager that he quite often talk/meet my client manager for project updates etc. and i did ensure that there is no conflict of information in both employer manager and client manager’s letter…. i filed these letters along with my new H1b petition and took along for 2nd visa interview too.
To recap, this is how actually my 2nd visa interview went,
VO: Hello
Me: Hi, how are you today ?
VO: Good and can you give the documents
Me: passed on I-797 and interview letter
She did check something on her system for a while.
VO: Looks like your petition is in administrative processing and your case has been extensively followed up (i can see surprise in her face) is it the same petition ?
ME: No,this is a new petition which was filed last month
VO: are you sure ?
ME: Yes mam
She again checked something on the system
VO: Is this petition from same employer ?
ME:Yes
VO: Is it for same client ?
ME: yes
VO: Is you kid born in US ?
ME: Yes mam
She again checked something on the system and typed at least for 3 to 4 mins
VO: Can you pass on you Letter to USCIS, LCA and I-129
ME: Passed on the documents (Read it carefully and compared the client name, Offered salary etc.)
VO: Is you kid American citizen (2nd time asked not sure if she was expecting me to show my kid’s passport)
ME: Yes
VO: ok you will get your passport in 5 working days
ME: ok thanks and have a good day.
One of my friend was struck in Canada with the same issue and during end of his 2nd visa interview conversation VO asked him ” Are you going to withdraw your old petition” and he responded like “I am willing to withdraw my old petition if you are approving visa for my new visa petition” and VO replied back “Yes, i am approving your visa” and ended the interview. i talked to him few mins back and he never tried to withdraw old 221g’d petition and it was also not withdrawn by Consulate no status change in USCIS website too… i have a feeling that only Petitioner( employer) can withdraw the petition.
Neha, i will email you my “Letter to USCIS letter” soon today . Please do not hesitate to ask me more questions.
Thanks and good luck guys.
Hey Raj,
Thank you so much it was very informative. Can you please send Employer manager letter and client manager letter. I just want to see the format and few things about EE relationship.
Here is my email: kiranborelli at gmail dot com.
Thanks,
Kiran
Raj,
Thank you so much dear. it was very informative..
waiting for ur email regarding that letter….whenever u get a chance
Neha
Hey Raj,
Got a quick question…
As you have file new H1 with same employer and same client…..
Did you file it as H1 amendment or a fresh new H1 itself.
Please let me know…
Hi Neha,
I did filed new H1 (Cap-Exempt) using my existing H1 quota.
btw i will send you the letter later today. Thanks.
Raj,
Waiting for ur email….whenever u get a chance… no rush
Thanks
Neha
Hi Neha/Kiran,
I have emailed the letter to you guys. Thanks.
I have posted my experience detailed a while back. Went to india for 2 weeks Nov/11, chennai consulate gave me 221g because of EVC, submitted requested documents, again another 221g in jan stating that my petition is being sent back to USCIS for further review. Filed another cap-exempt with same employer and same client but no vendor and went again for visa interview on Apr/2012 and got visa stamped and right now i am in US and filed my I-485 just 2 days before retrogession in Apr/2012
5 days back i got a email from VFS chennai to collect my documents, my dad went to documents and VFS returned all documents i have submitted for earlier 221g along with another 221g with handwritten like “Please submit your passport and we may issue your visa”. seriouly, these guys in consulate are really kidding ? not sure what to do with this now ? i think i am just going to ignore this since i should be getting my EAD and AP within next 2 months.
my new cap-exempt petition is only for 1 year whereas my old 221g’d petition was for 3 years.
hopefully others who had 221g during last quarter of 2011 start getting visa issuance 221g like me from VFS… just want to share these info to you all.. Thanks and Good luck
Hello All,
Another strange thing happened.. got email form USCIS as below :
Application Type: I129 , PETITION FOR A NONIMMIGRANT WORKER
Your Case Status: Post Decision Activity
On May 14, 2012, we shipped this approved or re-affirmed case to the Department of State for visa processing. For more information, please contact them directly.
For approved applications/petitions, post-decision activity may include USCIS sending notification of the approved application/petition to the National Visa Center or the Department of State. For denied applications/petitions, post-decision activity may include the processing of an appeal and/or motions to reopen or reconsider and revocations.
I got visa rejection letter on 8th may saying my case returned to USCIS . The letter actually was dated of 26th april , I received it on 8th may.
Any now today I got this email from USCIS saying that my petition has been reaffirmed .
Indian consulates are taking so many days for reviewing the documents and taking decision. And USCIS is reaffirming case in few days . I do not understand the purpose of all this long processes…..
Now my concerns are :
What if my employer says that he does not have job for me ,then for taking a new job do employer need to apply for H1transfer or have to file a complete new petition .
What if I go for l2 stamping at this point , will it impact my visa stamping process .
Please clarify my doubts.
Thanks
@Jaya
which consulate you had attended the interview.
i had received the same email from USCIS on mar 23 ,but there is no progress on my case after that.
Thanks
S
Hi S,
Did you send e-mail to VFS stating that my petition is affirmed and please assist for nextion action I mean intrview schedule etc. They will definitly response with action and ask you to apear for interview or just submit the passport etc.
Did your employer receive the affirmed petition? it will be one page I-797 docuement?.
Regards
RC
@ sh1b
I had attended interview at Delhi embassy .
Hi Jaya,
You’re lucky..you got the response so quick form USCIS.
I received the same thing on April 29th that my application has been sent to USCIS. Letter dated April 2nd. They took a month to send that letter.
I did not hear back anything from USCIS. you’r lucky..u got it so quick..
Did ur employer or lawyer tried to contact USCIS and expedite process??? Please let me know..
Thanks
Neha
Hello Neha,
No my employer has not tried anything . I am not lucky dear , because most likley my position has been terminated and moreover my employer is not replying my emails about confirmation of termination. My company has never supported me in this entire process .
Hope your case resolve soon.
Jaya,
New employer can file cap-exempt petition for you (aka H-1 transfer). If you go for L-2 visa stamping, it should not be impacted by H-1 221g. This is b/c from consulate’s perspective, they have already closed the case at their end and send the petition to USCIS for review.
Thanks a lot Saurabh for your reply .
All,
I attended H1-B interview on 10th April,2012 and I was issued with 221g Pink slip.My NIV case number was not updated in the consulate webiste for more than 4 weeks.But Today I could see my case number in the consulte website & its showing as ‘Pending Process’.Could some body tell me why my case number was not updated till 4 weeks.?
SS,
Case numbers do not show up immediately. I know cases where the number never showed up and the case eventually got approved. It can either be a technical glitch at the end, or they may just have a slow process.
Thnx Saurab,
When I contacted VFS, tey told like if the case is being closed, then only the case number will get updated in consulate webiste.is tat true?
Also, VO told me that it will take 8-10 weeks for issuing the passport stamped with visa.do they follow the deadlines?Its more than 5 weeks now.
I have a common muslim name and I work for large Indian IT firm.
SS,
Not exactly. I have seen case numbers show up on the site even when it is under process (at least for New Delhi). They are not bound by deadlines. Probably your case has undergone name check as you have a common Muslim name.
Hi Saurab,
For name checks with common muslim names, how long they would take to adjudicate?@least u could tell me the tentative time as u may have idea about this.
Looking forward u r reply.
SS,
I think it takes on the higher side. So it may take 2-3 months to check common muslim names.
Hi
today I had attended H1B interview in chennai, confidently answered all queries, but VO gave Pink slip and go for admin process. They have taken my passport and told that, it will take 4 to 8 weeks.
Admin process they have asked: expereince details, brother details, qualification.
1) How long it takes to get visa approval?
2) are they going to do back ground verification again like visiting my hometown and checking brother details? and also going to university and verifying my qualification? I have done BE(CS)
3) there is another company which is ready to transfer my visa now, can I apply with them for transfer now or I need to wait till visa admin process tasks to be completed and then apply for transfer.
4) since transfer will take 2-3 weeks, can apply now or wait and watch?
thanks
AK,
You could wait and that would be wise.not advisable to transfer the petition.
AK,
1. Pink slips usually get resolved in 3-8 weeks, at least that was the trend earlier in the year
2. What industry will you be working in?
3. You can go or you can wait for your current one to get resolved. Most of the pink slips have a positive outcome
4. It is up to you. As the pink slips are tied more to you and offered position, it is a possibility that the new stamping will also end-up w/ pink slip
I am working for software company.
1. If I transfer for another very big mnc, mean time this visa approves, then I can travel without going for stamping again, isn’t it?
2. Suppose if I don’t get cleared with present 221g then mean time visa will be transferred to this mnc and I can travel with this mnc after visa stamping ?
3. Is it ok to transfer now or better to wait till visa get approval? If I apply for transfer now will it cause any problem for present 221g?
4. As I had asked earlier, do they going to verify with my university, brothers details, experience details or previous company again?
AK,
Here are the answers to your questions as asked in order :-
1. You still need to get your visa stamped on your passport
2. Yes, you can travel with this mnc after visa stamping
3. You can transfer it now (I did the same). It won’t cause any problem for present 221g
4. If they want, they could verify.
1> You mean, even if my 221g cleared and got visa stamped, i need to go visa stamping again?
2> in thins case if i get 221g again, can i travel in my previous visa?
Hi Saurabh,
I am applying new petition with the same employer. I just changed to full time employee with my employer and filed amended petition. If i attend interview with the same employer will there be any problem?? what should i say if the VO officer ask me about my previous petition query with the same employer??Please advise..
Thanks,
Kiran
Hi Kiran,
I was kinda in a similar boat as you where as in I worked on EC model and I went full time with my client who applied for a “new” petition for me. I had my visa interview last week (got my passport stamped) and luckily the VO did not ask anything about my previous petition. All that he said was “[Mentioned by old employer's name] and said that you are leaving” and I replied, “Yes, I left that company since I got hired as full time employee with the new one”
There is just 1 difference in mine and your case that I went for the interview with a “new” petition and you will be going with “amended” one.
Now in case the VO does question you about your previous petition query, they you have to be honest while replying. State very clearly as to what was the exact reason for you to file for the amended petition and do mention the fact that you are now a full time employee.
You could also talk to an attorney regarding this. In my experience the VO is looking for an honest answer and as long as you are confident and convincing, I don’t really see a problem with this.
Good Luck!
Darshan,
I am also working on EC model. In your case you have converted to full time with the client. In my case i have converted to full time with my employer not client(before i was working as salaried employee) and my employer filed the amended petition. My previous petition on which i received query was with the same employer.
Thanks,
Kiran
OK. As long as you give the VO the right answer and convince him , I don’t think there should be any problem. All that the VO cares is that you exactly know everything about your employer. Things like :-
1. Employer’s Name and Address.
2. When was the company established ?
3. How many employees work there ?
4. What does the company do ?
5. What is your role ?
The above were the questions that I got asked during my 2nd visa interview.
And of course the most important thing : Employer-Employee relationship
Now that you are a full-time employee and your petition was also amended, the above relationship should be satisfied.
By the way, was the consulate (where you will be interviewing) notified when your petition was amended ? In my case the Mumbai consulate was notified when the client filed for a new petition. You should probably check this with your attorney.
Lastly, I would also recommend going through the full I-129 petition and remember all the relevant details (things related to the questions I mentioned above)
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