As most of you know, since September 1st, 2019, it is mandatory to book appointment for Dropbox for US Visa in India. Some got successful Dropbox Stamping for US Visa with Appointment, but we have noticed few users reported that they got 221g and have been called for interview. One of our readers, Surya Teja Muthyala, had a similar situation and had to attend US visa interview after dropbox. He was kind enough to share a copy of the 221g/ Interview letter given to him and share the process. Thanks a lot to him for sharing all the process info and experience with our readers. We really appreciate it. You can share your experience by emailing at redbus2us (at) gmail.com
Background : Timelines for Dropbox Appointment, Interview :
Applied for H1B Dropbox Stamping at Hyderabad location. Received 221g letter to attend Visa Interview. Below is the copy of the 221g letter that was given. It has three boxes, I was only asked for the interview and not biometrics. Depending on the case, some may get both.
Documents Submitted for Dropbox : Passport, DS-160 Confirmation, 2 Passport photos, Copy of I-797.
Returned Documents after Dropbox Submission : They only returned Passport along with 221g form ( see below)
- Nov 18, 2019 – H1B Dropbox
- Nov 20, 2019 – Case changed to Administrative processing
- Nov 22, 2019 – Passport Pickup, got 221(g) to attend Visa Interview
- Nov 25, 2019 – Visa Interview
221g Letter given by US Consulate to attend Visa Interview
The letter would have your passport number and your case number. See below.
Process at the US Consulate for Visa Interview with 221g letter :
It was fairly easy process at the consulate. No need to book appointment. The 221G slip given to me said to walk-in on any business day between 10 AM to 11 AM. As per given 221G document to me, biometrics was not required for me but depends on case to case. I just walked-in during those hours and was able to get into consulate.
Documents Checklist for H1B Stamping after 221g at Dropbox
I have carried the below list of documents for my visa stamping.
- Employment Verification Letter
- Vendor Letter ( I didn’t had Client Letter)
- On site pictures & Email Screenshots
- Purchase Order, Master Service agreement & Other Agreements
- LCA
- Payslips
- W2’s
- Timesheets
- All my previous Legal immigration Documents
- I-20’s
- I797’s
- EAD cards
US Visa Interview for H1B Stamping after 221g at Dropbox
My visa interview lasted about 20 minutes. Below are the questions asked and documents reviewed.
- ME: Good Morning
- VO: Good Morning
- VO: Who is your employer?
- ME:…..
- VO: What are your Pay and Designation?
- ME:….$ & Software Developer
- VO: Is this your first time H1 stamping or Extension?
- ME: Extension
- VO: Do you work for Client or Direct Employer?
- ME: I work for the Client.
- VO: Do you work at your client Location or Employer Location
- ME: Client
- VO: Who is the Client?
- ME: ……
- VO: Can you please spell the Client Name?
- ME: ………..
- VO: Is your designation the same at the client location?
- ME: Yes Sir
- VO: What is your highest level of Education?
- ME: Master’s in computer science
- Gave my passport to staff in the background they returned it after 2-3 min
- VO: Can I check your LCA and Paystubs?
- ME: Yes… Checked if I am getting the same wage as LCA
- VO: What is the address of your Client location?
- ME: Told him address
- VO: Can I check your Client Letter?
- ME: (I didn’t have Client Letter) Gave him my Vendor Letter, PO & MSA.
- He Just read Vendor Letter
- VO: Do you Have your Employer agency registration certificate?
- ME: NO
- VO: OK no problem
- VO: Do you know your rights in the USA?
- ME: Yes
- VO: Your Visa is Approved
- ME: Thank you Have a good day
Important Note : You must carry every detail document, Visa Officer reviewed my Vendor Letter , MSA , LCA and Pay slips.
Passport Stamped, Arrival : received my passport with Visa stamped after 2 days.
What has been your experience going for Visa Stamping after Dropbox ?
I had the same experience. My Dropbox appointment was on Nov 8th. Got 221g white to appear for interview along with passport on Dec 1st. My interview was scheduled on December 28th which is today.
The interview was super chill.
Questions asked:
1. What is your salary?
2. Who is your employer?
3. How long have you been with Draftkings?
4. What is your role?
5. Can I see your driving license?
6. Can I see your w2?
Visa approved. I was told that I will receive the visa within 2 weeks.
Good luck guys. Please carry all relevant docs even though 221g doesn’t ask for documents.
It’s gonna be okay. Sending positive vibes to everyone who has to go through similar situation. 🙂
Both my Dropbox appointment and Follow up visa interview were at Chennai consulate.
Cheers!
hi
I have some questions and seeking answers here.
I am planning to go for dropbox appointment for my visa stamping. In my DS 160, i have selected Mumbai Consulate. however i can book appointment for chennai only. after dropbox appointment if they call me for interview my question is
1. do we need to book new appointment? OR they will provide me date? and time?
2. Will i need to go to Chennai for Interview or Mumbai?
During the Interview , do we have to submit the DS 160 ? I realized I in my Kid’s DS 160 I have given his H4 approved petition number instead of my H1B. Wondering if it would be a big problem during the interview, I have received a white slip and asked to appear for an interview on June 16 , 2023 ! any inputs would greatly help
I went to drop box on 10-April-2023 and got 221g and I went for interview on 19-May-2023 and again they have given 221g and it says “ YOUR APPLICATION REQUIRES ADDITIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEs. THIS APPLICATION WILL BE RECONSIDERED WHEN ADMISTRATIVE PROCESS IS COMPLETE.
Was your DS160 that was submitted in Dropbox taken into consideration/ referred during your interview?
Have you got yoir visa now or still its in adimistrative processing only
Hi, I had my drop box appointment at Bangalore on May 11th 2023 I submitted all the documents incuding current i797 copy except old i797 copy, will that be problem? Should I be prepared?
I can share my Drop Box + 221g experience in details if admin Kumar can connect with me
Venkata,
Thanks. You can post it here as comment or email it to redbus2us (at) gmail.com
Hi Venkata, I got 221g after dropbox and they have called for an interview, can you share your email please, I want to connect with you. Thanks,
Hi,
I had applied for J2 extension by dropbox on March 21. Visa status on March 28 was refused. I got my passport, my ds2019,other documents along with 221g.
221G asks me to schedule an appointment at the US consulate & appear with the passport & other documents.
Provide evidence for J1 status.
I got visa appointment after 3 months.
Hello,
I am also in a similar situation. I submitted the documents in Bangalore dropbox on 21 April 2021. I got back my passport with the 221g white form. The box with appear for interview after consulate resumes regular operations was checked. I have been calling the number given on the white 221g form at the bottom to ask when the Chennai consulate will process 221g, they replied that walk-in interviews are not accepted yet.
I wanted to schedule an emergency appointment but the system does not let me use my receipt number. I get the following error message – no valid record can be found for this receipt number. Should I fill up a new ds-160 in order to get emergency appointment?
Thanks,
Gaury
Hi,
After I received 221g, I emailed support team asking for next step, they gave me the available slot to book appointment in the same location where I had dropbox appoinment.
I got my appointment scheduled for April 1st (today ) and got my visa approved.
The questions were about my education , work location, salary and am I a direct employee or working for client. Question were mostly about myself.
Hope this helps!
All the best!
Hi Gopi, I got 221g after dropbox and they have called for an interview, can you share your email please, I want to connect with you. Thanks,
Following, in same boat
Hi,
I received a 221 (g) after dropbox appointment at Bangalore VFS center. Below are my details:
US Visa Type: H1B Visa Extension
Amendment and Extension: Same employer changed client
Current US H1B visa expired on: 28th July, 2019
Stayed an extra 238 days (legally allowed) and left US on 20th March, 2020 before 240 days expired
Petition went to RFE and was finally approved on July 1st, 2020.
Dropbox appointment: March 11th, 2021 in Bangalore
221 (g) issued on: March 17th, 2021
Received passport on March 18th with white paper 221(g) form. The 221 (g) form did not have any requests for additional documents, only checked box was for interview.
I’m not sure why I received a 221(g). Any help regards to this?
Following your case. I also have a similar one submitted documents for dropbox in chennai on March16th and received a 221g on March 20th to appear in person. But the chennai consulate are not accepting walk in for 221g right now.
If you have any updates on the next step please share.
Thanks
Hi Gopi
I’m also in the same situation. I submitted the dropbox on 10th March. On 13th I got 221(g) and ask to appear for the interview. The 221(g) says the same as above
“You can come for interview on any Mon , Tues & Thu from 10 to 11”. Since the consulate are not accepting walkins.
At US travel doc site i got follow up interview appointment( on my login account) for 12th April/ , however i got Mumbai Consulate.
I’m confused whether it is allowed or not to change the consulate.
Can someone please confirm.
Sahil,
In general, you are normally supposed to attend the same consulate which falls under the dropbox location…It is better to check with consulate once as you have time. Write to consulate and do update community here as well.
Updating the thread as it may help someone.
Hi,
After I received 221g, I emailed support team asking for next step, they gave me the available slot to book appointment in the same location where I had dropbox appoinment.
I got my appointment scheduled for April 1st (today ) and got my visa approved.
The questions were about my education , work location, salary and am I a direct employee or working for client. Question were mostly about myself.
Hope this helps!
All the best!
Hi Gopi,
My parents also received a letter to appear for interview for their 221G case(B1/B2). We e-mailed the support team and they asked us to check back on scheduling a follow up appointment. She did manage to get a date, but however once she booked she did not see my dad’s information in the appointment confirmation. So my question is while booking the 221G appointment , does it show option to add family members? Did she miss it?
Now the number of applicants shows only 1 on her confirmation. We did e-mail them about this and didn’t get a proper response. And they are asking us to contact call center for further techincal queries, But the call center nobody picks up!!
Thanks!
Hi Gopi,
Did you parents get the Visa?
We’re they asked any documents or they just went along with the passport and 221 g?
Have they asked any questions?
Any update on ur case? Please share