H1B, H4 Visa Stamping Experience 2012 in Merida, Mexico

One of our readers, Giridharan, recently got his H1B Visa stamped in Mexico along with his wife for H4 visa stamping. Firstly Congrats to him.  He has taken time to share his experience with our readers. Thanks to Giridharan for taking time to write up his experience. You can share your experience here

Background Information
I got my visa successfully stamped in Merida, Mexico last week ( Week of June 20th, 2012) . I safely landed in the US this weekend and I wasn’t asked any questions at the Port of Entry (POE). I stayed at the Fiesta Americana hotel in Merida which is about 10 minutes walk from the US Consulate.

Process at US Consulate in Merida, Mexico
The visa stamping in Merida is a two step process. The first day we need to appear at the ASC for fingerprinting and Photo. I took a cab from the Hotel which cost me 50 pesos. There wasn’t that many people at the ASC, so I was let in early. My appointment was at 10:30 AM but they let me in at 9:30 itself. The process was very fast and I was out by 9:45.

The next day I had the interview at the American Consulate at 11:00 AM. I reached there at around 10:10 AM. They let me in immediately. There was a lady who checked my appointment letter and the Passport and arranged the documents in order and sent us in with a token number. There I was sent to one counter where again the documents was verified and the person at the counter was typing away something on the screen.

Then I had to wait my turn to be called. There were 3 counters and they were calling based on the token number. I went to the middle counter where a tall guy with specs was there. I work in EC model and I am with the same company for 7 years. I am with the same client for 5 years and I had been to India for stamping in 2010. Here are the questions he asked,

H1B Visa Interview Questions from Visa Officer ( VO)

• What brings you to Merida?
• What does your company do?
• How long you have been with this employer?
• What is your role at your client place?
• How long have you been with this client?
• You have done your masters in US, where did you go to school?
• Which client did you work for prior to the present client?
• Where in —- state is your client located?

He finally said “Your visa is approved and you can collect your passport tomorrow”. He did not ask for any documentation other than the I-797 and I-129. He did not ask any questions to my wife who was standing with me. The interview lasted for about 10 minutes. He was in between turning off the mic and talking to the fellow officers about my case. Don’t know what he discussed. I collected my passport on the same day but had to collect my wife’s the following day. The return flight was smooth and I wasn’t asked anything at the port of Entry (Atlanta).

Please let me know if you have any questions.