Updated : Dec 9, 2014 (H1B 2016 FAQs )
H1B Visa 2015 season is over. Check below for H1B Visa 2016 Season.
Applying for H1B Visa 2016 ? Did you miss FY 2015 lottery ?
Check out -> H1B Visa 2016 – Start Info, Sponsos, Fees, News , FAQs
Flash News Update :
- May 5th : USCIS announced today that data entry of all FY15 H-1B cap petitions has been completed. USCIS will now begin returning all H-1B cap petitions that were not selected in the lottery. They have announced it on their twitter and facebook pages.
- April 18th : USCIS announced that they will begin H1B FY 2015 premium processing from April 28th, 2014. Previously they announced that they will begin, ‘no later than April 28th’. They just clarified that. You can read on USCIS website
- April 11th : USCIS announced that it received about 172,500 petitions for the H1B Visa 2015 Quota. Read USCIS : 172,500 Received – H1B Lottery Summary
- April 7th : USCIS H1B Visa 2015 Cap Reached on April 7th.
H1B Visa 2015 – Latest News Updates , Articles
- Applying for H1B 2015 ? Read : Step by Step Plan to Apply for H1B 2015
- How to find H1B Visa 2015 Sponsors ? Various Options
- H1B Visa 2015 Lottery Prediction – USCIS Data, Trend, Analysis
- USCIS Official News Release : H1B FY 2015 Petitions Accepted from April 1st. Summary
Looking for H1B Cap Daily Updates ? Check H1B Visa 2015 Cap count Updates Page
Frequently Asked Questions about H1B Visa FY 2015
When will H1B Visa 2015 Season Begin ?
USCIS accepted H1B Visa 2015 applications from April 1st, 2014. They had the window open for 5 working days. USCIS stopped accepting H1B Petitions for FY 2015 from Monday April 7th as more applications were received than the required cap of 85,000 petitions.
What would be the Cap count for H1B Visa 2015 quota ?
No changes to the H1B Cap for FY15, the immigration reform discussions did not go through, the cap limit remained same as last year.
- Regular H1B Quota : 65,000
- Masters H1B Quota : 20,000
- It is to be noted that 6,800 visas every year are set aside for Singapore and Chile Free trade agreement filings, which is called as H1B1 program.
Would there be lottery for H1B Visa 2015 ?
We had H1B visa Lottery for fiscal year 2014. USCIS received about 172,500 petitions for FY 2015 . Our predictions were right, you can read the article H1B Visa 2015 Lottery Prediction analysis
How soon should I start planning for H1B Visa 2015 ?
[ Updated : H1B Sesaon is over for FY 15, plan for next year FY 2016 ] Well, there is nothing like too early… Getting a good H1B Sponsor can be a challenge these days. You need to find a job that fits your profile and find a sponsor that has a job for you. Some employers want to test out the capabilities of the candidate before they plan to sponsor H1B Visa. Typically, they would like students with masters from US work for them on internship or co-op. If they like the candidate then they will sponsor H1B visa. If you are planning to land in US from overseas countries like India, it could be even challenging to find a good sponsor. Maybe you would need to work with global IT services companies and make your way up. It can involve lot of internal process to get the process initiated… You are never early…. Read Step by Step Plan to Apply for H1B 2015
How do I find Sponsors for H1B visa 2015 ?
This is probably the most asked question. It can be a challenge to find a good sponsor. We have written quite a few articles on this topic. The fundamental concept of finding a good employer does not change. You can use our H1B Visa Sponsors Database and search for sponsors in a city or zip code. Check out the above links under 2015 latest news and updates for the current year’s article to find sponsors. You can also, read our last year’s article : How to find H1B Visa sponsors, avoid fraud
What would be the H1B Filing fee for Fiscal year 2015 ?
There has not been any changes in the filing fee for the past couple of years. It did not change for fiscal year 2014. The H1B Visa 2015 filing fee can range anywhere from $1,575 to $4,325 based on the size of the company (number of employees ). Also, the attorney fee can range from $700 to $3000. If you go for premium processing again that is $1225. You can check out the detail break up of fee at : H1B Visa Filing Fee Details – Who Pays for What ?
H1B Visa Immigration Reform – CIR – Proposed Changes ? The comprehensive immigration reform has not passed yet. But, lets say, if it gets passed, the below changes may happen.
- Annual H1B Cap will be increased from 65,000 per year to 110,000. If exteme demand, it can go up to a maximum of 180,000.
- The H1B quota for STEM degree holders from American Schools will increase from 20,000 to 25,000
- H1B Visa fees can up to USD $10,000.
- More stringent rules on H1B visa adjudication.
- Mandatory LCA posting on DOL website for at least 30 days, before it is certified.
You can read Summary of CIR – Immigration reform – H1B Visa and Green Card . We will keep you posted with updates on CIR and H1B visa changes for this year, if any. Did I miss anything ? Do you have any other questions ?
Note : Some of the below comments about H1B Sponsors are negative. Please be aware that these are comments added by individuals of companies, competitors and many others that may hate such companies. We do NOT vouch for any of the comments made as they are not made by us.
Under federal law (Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act), our Blog RedBus2US.com is NOT legally liable or responsible for information posted by public, general users or third parties that contains remarks that are defamatory for a company or individual.
Hi everybody,
I am in a state of confusion. I was on CPT from sullivan university and my employer filed my H1B and COS. H1B has been approved but COS is denied. Now I want to leave the US for stamping. Now I have a prior charge on me of selling beer to underage. It is 3 years old now. Now in DS 160 i have to mention it. I am just confused what would the out come be in this case!!!!
Any suggestions….
RFE response review on Sept 19 onwards
Vermont service center, still waiting … how long will it take for next step..
RFE response review on Sept 19
Vermont service center, still waiting … how long will it take for next step..
Hi,
I had approved petition till Sep 2014, but never went for stamping due to project requirement closed. I heard that if one never went to US for approved petition, they can be cap exempt for next application. Can I apply again in FY 2016. Does this comes under cap exempt?
I had approved petition for only one year and let me know how many extensions can be possible.
Could any one please clarify on this.
You can apply for Cap Exempt petition within 6 years from the start date of your expired petition.
RFE RR status since 15th Aug. Any clue or pointers. Employer had submitted RFE without client letter. It was employee employer relationship RFE
I just got my approval on 7 OCT from RFE RR since Aug 13. So you must be getting it by this week mostly.. Keep up the confidence..!!
Thank you for the reply
was it employee employer relations rfe
Hi,
I am going to India (Mumbai consulate ) for h1b stamping.
I am working for a bank as a contractor and my contract is getting over in Dec 9th. Will it be a problem during my stamping ?
Experts, please comment.
No It doesnt create any problem unless and untill you have Valid Contract.
RFE response review on July 30
California service center
still waiting
Guys pls post if u have got any updates today
Still waiting from last two months after submitting RFE docs. When I asked FDFU for the updates, they replied with “RFE is submitted to USCIS”
I got RFE mail today 🙁
I commented abt 10 days back saying neither me nor my colleagues heard from the Visa team after lottery results. However in the last 2 days , 3 of my colleagues got their approval mails from the TCS visa team. And believe it or not , one of those mails was sent by USCIS on July 7th to TCS. And they sent it to the applicant after 3 months. So its clear that TCS has been screwing around on this front . To add to the misery the applicant was asked to fill DS160 only once they have details on upcoming projects at client side. The wait continues….
Hi everyone. …
I have been following this site from 6 months. It has been very helpful in clearing many doubts. Today attended the interview with wife and kid.
visa approved.thanks and goodluck to everyone.
Hi,
Congrats. !!
Where did you attend the interview.. It’s also time to payback to this forum by sharing ur interview experience…
Attended the interview in chennai consulate.
Had appointment at OFC on 9th october.There was a long queue outside and only at the appointment time will you be allowed to get inside. We had an appointment at 10.30 and had a long queue for that slot too.
Once you get inside, it hardly takes 10 minutes to finish everything.
On 10th october we had an appointment at 8.30 and were allowed to go inside without having to stand in the queue because of having a 2 year old kid with us.
Interview:
Me: Good morning
VO: Good morning, passports please.
VO: Who is your client
Me: XXXX
VO was entering somethinh into the system and then handed over a sticker to our kid who became happy and told thanks to the VO. VO was in a good mood and asked kid his name.
VO:Sir your visa is approved. Have a safe journey and handed over a pamflet.
By God’s grace my petition approved .
RFE June 13
Document submitted on 26 July
RFE review Aug 4
Approval Oct 8
Those who are still waiting, keep your hopes high!!
All the best!!!
What’s your processing center ? California or Vermont? Thanks in advance !!
Vermont.
Hi All,
I have question once the visa is approved and if the status changes to post decision activity how long does it take for the 194 to reflect as H1. Kindly help me understand.
Thank you,
Applicant
You will get updated I-94 with your I-797. Its attached in the approved document.
Hi Everyone ,
How long it will take for the status to be changed as RFE Response Review
My employer responded on Tuesday evening.
Thanks.
I am currently in L1B (I-94 expires by Dec 2014) status for Employer X and applied H1B through Employer Y which got approved (i-797 – 2017 Jun). But I recently come to know that My H1B was applied as Consular processing.
Question:
1) Emp Y saying, its mandatory to apply H1B as Consular processing, since I am switching from Emp X’s L1B. is it mandatory?
2) Since I am already finished 4.5 years in L1B. I can only stay in USA for another 1.5 years on my H1B. So Can I go out side of USA and stay in my home country for one year, then use this approved H1b for stamping to reset the count. Will there be any issue doing that?
hi all,
Have a question regarding DS160 which is submitted and interview also booked: For the question regarding “Provide your employment information for the last five years, if applicable” I should have left it blank as I am in the same company for last 8 yrs but I filled in my previous 2 employers information by mistake. I noticed this today only. But now that I have submitted it, do I need to fill one more DS160 to get a new BARCODE or do I tell the visa officer if asked that I did that by mistake.
regards
SS
No need to Fill another DS160.. doesnt harm even if you have Mentioned..
All the best for your Stamping !!!!
thankyou RMM…relieved now..
Hello all
RFE came 4 jun
RFE responded 1 aug
RFE cleared 14 aug
Document received by employer 21 aug
My quaition is why he is not arranging ofs n stamping interview?
Appreciate ur feedback.
Hi Info,
Thanks for your reply.
But as in my DS 160 i am adding there names as my Travel Companions? Please suggest i am confused why separate DS 160 is required for my wife and Kid
refer those
http://www.path2usa.com/forum/showthread.php?46840-DS-160-Application-H1-and-H4
http://redbus2us.com/qa/8461/spouse-and-kids-have-fill-separate-160-for-visa-appointment
Hi Forum Readers,
I need a suggestion from your end.
Do i need to file a single DS 160 form (Mentioning my wife and kid’s details) or separate DS 160 forms for my wife and kid.
Please help
you should fill separate DS 160 for each person.
Today i went for H1b stamping with my wife at Kuala lumpur malaysia .VO given yellow slip. marked “No need to take interview again” at one side and written “Wait for us to contact ” on other side.
Interview procedure at embassy
1)Security Check
2) First call :Submit Ds160, passports and photos
3) Second Call :Bio metric signature
4)Third call :Submit Study certificates,All previous employment certificates
5)Fourth Call: Interview
Following was the conversation.
Me:Good morning officer.
VO: Very Good morning
VO:Can i have your marriage certificate ?
Me: given the same
VO to my wife :you can go and sit in waiting room
VO:Where are you working now ?
Me: Answered
VO:Howlong have you been in malaysia ?
Me :Answered
VO:What’s your highest qualification ?
Me: Answered
VO: He returned all my study certificates and previous employment certificates and asked who is your petitioner?
Me:XXXXXX
VO:Tell me something about u r employer ?
Me:I explained in simple
VO:How do you know about this company ?
Me:Throught my friend
VO:do you think it’s good company ?
Me: Yes it’s good company .my friend has been working from last 5 years
VO:He read the out the comments which was posted by someone in glass door reviews website and asked me how would you say this is an good company ?(Comments :Worst place to work,Never ever think to work with this kind of company .people don’t know anything about recruitment process.fire the employees without giving notice.don’t pay salaries on time)
Me:I told my friend has been working with them from last 5 years their conduct has been good
VO:what do you do for them ?
Me:Senior programmer analyst
VO:Where you will work ?
Me:I will work at Employer’s location
VO:How can you work there as they don’t have any space ?This people will hire the candidates and send them to client places.. so for which client you will be working ?
Me: I told him that i will be working at my employers location(my petition was filed for in house project)
VO:Where your friend work ? client side or employers location ?
Me: I told him at client
VO:is your friend taken interview for you ?
Me: No
VO:How many people taken interview for you?
Me: 2
VO:How much you paid for petition fees ?
Me: I have not paid anything
VO:We need to do some admin processing for your case and he handed over me the yellow slip.
He kept my I797 with him.
Please suggest me friends …….
Any updates today after submission of docs for rfe
I got RFE mail today, may I know how long will it take to process after if I submit all required documents by this month end ?
Hi All,
Is there any problem if I apply for a new LCA(since my office address mentioned in petition is diff to where im going) while I wait for my h1b stamping which is 10 days away, so that I can save time.
Thanks
If the previous address and current address distance is less than 50 miles, then no need for a new LCA. Again if it is less than 50 miles comes under a different state, then new LCA is required.
All, Mine is approved today. The status changed to Post decision activity from RFE response review.
This was selected and put into initial review on May 9th. On Sep 30th the status changed from initial review to RFERR. Dont know how RFERR came up without RFE but within a week the petition got approved.
Mine was also changed to ‘RFE Response Review’ directly from ‘Initial Review’ on Oct 2nd and still in the same status. Anyone else in the same boat?
Got the news that my petition approved today.
RFE July 28
Document submitted on Sep 16
RFE review Sep 17
Approval Oct 7
Those who are still waiting, keep your hopes high!!
All the best!!!
Validity period after RFE ?
Hi,
Yesterday I had an interview in the US embassy. After 6 long months it’s finally over.
Got picked up on lottery in April.
Regular processing, Vermont centre.
Got RFE on 30 of June.
Sent additional documents to confirm my experience.
Nothing happened till Sep.
Asked the petitioner to upgrade me to premium and they did.
Got approved in October.
Interveiw in the embassy lasted less than 5 minutes. No documents asked.
Told visa approved.
Waiting for the passport.
Hope this helps.
your being Interviewed at US Conulate of Which Location ? and if you can tell us the Questions which were asked then helps us a lot?
Hi,
I am filing DS-160 form and in the past experience section I am not able to add more than 2 companies (Current and two past companies). Are you only allow to provide only two past companies experience ?
Experts, Please advice.
So u have 2 companies in the last 5 yrs?..I filled my last 2 companies and submitted but now I realize that it was last 5 yrs and I am in teh same company..so dont know if i need to create new DS160 to get new barcode…
anyone any help..Also i dont see option to fill more than 2 companies..
thx
SS
Hello Everyone,
I’m going to schedule my H1b interview and I was wondering what documents I would need! Please help! I appreciate your help! Also, any website to look at is welcome!
Thank you,
Sandra
H1b decision pending
RFE RR since Sep 15
General processing
Vermont centre
Does it make sense to change it to Premium processing? My employer is not willing to change it to premium processing with no specific reasons. But I am really suffering here. So much time, parents money is getting spent here with parents worrying. It is suffocating.
I having been reading here and I know I am not alone. But this is getting really tough, really.
I got 2 RFE and waiting from August 18th. I am checking every day for status change but no other go other than waiting. It is almost close to the end of H1B process which might go till Jan 2015 so no point of changing to premium. My employer will not do premium since they dont need it. It is an unwanted expense for them 🙂 Let us hope for the best and pray to God 😀
So tough man.
My prayers for all of us here, wandering souls
Guys,
My Employer Sent my H1b Docket Parcel via USPS..can anyone tell me how much time it will take to reach India, Mumbai ?
2 Weeks
I have my petition got approved today from RFE after 2 months of waiting. Thanks To God!!!
RFE – Jun 30
Submitted – Aug 12
RFERR – Aug 13
Approved – 7 OCT
Now I have a question, my passport is going to get expire by APRIL 2015. Should I get my new passport before I go for interview or I can get the visa and can renew the passport later after my travel to US?. Please help me.
NO, You shoul first renew your passport as , On stamping time it requires a minimum of 6 months validity before expiry.
Thanks RMM!!
Hi, Could you tell us your processing center ? California or Vermont ? Thanks !!
Any updates for today tcs guys …waiting for results after rfe
Just got email from Chennai team my petition got denied by USCIS after submitting RFE Docs. Its been 5 months since the day i got to know that i am selected in lottery and today the journey gets over….
It will take 2 to 3 weeks to get denial reason.
Does anyone know if my employer can re-apply after getting denial or once it gets denied nothing can be happen?
Yes i think..have seen somewhr in the forum regarding the same.wht Ws ur rfe for..check with Chennai visa team as well
I have checked with them and they are saying it will take 2-3 weeks to get the reason for denial. RFE was usual what everyone is getting.
Who was your client…
This increases the tension. Phewww…
I have no updates post lotery selection. Wait getting longer
Can you pleas tell what was your RFE about and what all documents you have submitted? I think employer can re appeal if they wish to. But now sure how it works in TCS.
Can you please tell us which all docs you were asked to submit. Were you able to manage all the docs required…?
RFE – July 5th
RFE Response Review – July 17th
Initial Review – Sept 30th
still in Initial Review… do not know what is happening…why it got changed from RFE Response Review to Intial Review again?
Appreciate, if anyone has any info.
Still in Initial review since April, 10.
Is anybody still waiting?? Can we expect positive response??
simha,
mine also same.. I observed last year few cases approved in jan-2014 also.. we should ready to wait till jan-2015. heheh… Goodluck..
Is it approved from RFE or initial review in Jan – 2014??
Initial Review….
same here too..looks like i too will have to wait till january..
hope i get it atleast by januray considering the pace at which uscis is processing cases. 🙁
this wait is suffocating
Really.. it is… worried actually… long way to go… God Bless us.
Same here, Initial review since April.
Hi All,
My petition is approved, yet to receive the documents. My H1b Petition has been raised for a Client X, but there is an immediate requirement for the Client Y, for whom I am working now. Should i file the Amendment for the change of the client from X to Y then attend the VISA Interview or go with the Client X’s documents to attend the interview and file the Amendment for changing the client?
I am bit confused because all my documents I submitted for filling H1b Petition belong to Client X. Will VO ask why did I change the client and all? Any help would be highly Appreciated .
Clients doesn’t matter if both are located in same city. If the cities are different, I believe LCA needs to be filed again.
Go with client X documents. Get the visa approved. Later file for LCA change which shud not take more than 2-3 weeks. Client Y will be aware on LCA changes and documentations needed post ur visa gets approved for client x
Thanks for your comments guys!!!
Thanks, Clients are based on different locations!!
I think you should go with the client details of originally filed petition. I wouldn’t do more paperwork before stamping. Those can be done AFTER stamping.
Hi all
I want to schedule visa interview and when I login to the ustraveldocs site I see 24th oct as the first available appt….and this changed from.16 to 24th in just couple of hrs…pls let me know how to get an early date…i mean..will dates be released because of cancellation or reschedule…and what time do we need to check to know abt this…one of my frnds told to check at 7 am in the morning howevr i dint see any differnence in the last 2/days…
Pls provide me some inputs..
Thanku
Regards
SS
Hi ,
Which location is it? Mumbai, Hyd etc??
Regards,
H1b Guy
Chennai.
Any inputs for me…please
Chennai is a busy consulate. I doubt you will get earlier dates now. But you never know. Keep trying. However, make arrangements according to the current appointment date.
Dear Friends,
Pls update news about your application..
Initial review/RFE/Approved..
Anyone from Accenture who have attended visa interview….Pls share experience.
I am sooo tired waiting for RFE Response to be cleared since 28th August…:(((
Everyone in my company got approval for the same RFE…
Me too.
RFE June 15th
RFERR August 29th (stupid lawyers took 2.5 month to respond)
And now it’s waiting for the California Service Center. Seems like the Vermont one is faster at the moment.
Waiting so long is the worst part.
rfe: mid May
rfe response: early Aug
It’s been over 60 days and still waiting… California Service Center.
RFE: June 20th
Replied on Sept 8th
RFERR: sept 9th
Still pending
California center
Mine is vermort centre…its slow too
Mine Response Review date is 3rd Sep..still no update…
RFE: July 29th
RFERR: Aug 15th
Still pending
Vermont center
RFE::july 18th
RFERR:: sep 11th
still waiting
california center
RFE: June 30th
Replied on Aug 11th
RFERR: Aug 13th
Still pending
California center
RFE=10July
RFE Response=10 Sep
RFE RR=12 Sep
Still pending
Calfornia Center
Do you think tht there will be any benefit of calling USCIS customer centre asking for update???
Hi Guys,
Like several others, I too have been a silent member of this forum.
Today was my H1-B Visa Interview, at the Mumbai Consulate.
ME: Good Morning
VO: Good Morning
VO: Passport and I 797 please
ME:
VO: (looking at my papers) What will be your designation for xxx (my company)
ME:
VO: How much will be the salary you earn in the U.S.
ME:
VO: What is your highest qualification
ME: Masters
VO: What will you be doing for this company
ME:
VO: Your Visa has been approved, please collect your passport in a few days.
ME: Thank you
This forum is very helpful, please keep doing the good work.
You may never know who you might be helping.
Thank You
Guys heard tht some petition got approved after submission of docs for rfe..please post the details..rfe due date and all
In tcs
Yes…my teammate petition got approved after rfe..submitted docs on june 30th
What are the RFE’s your teammate got ? When did TCS submitted to USCIS?
I am having my interview in chennai on 9th and 10th october. how is the current political situation there in chennai?Will there be any issues?
No need to worry …
I attended on 1st Oct everything is fine..
What docs they asked in RFE?
H4 – H1
My H1b is approved. All glory to GOD.
Lottery selection notification Date – 28th April
RFE – 17th June
RFE Response – 17th July
Indent to Denial notice (NOID) – 14th August
Appeal filed – 26th August
Petition Approved – 3rd Oct
We received 25 RFE questions, we could not answer most of them. But still they accepted the response of RFE’s. But denied my H1b petition for a different reason. They were expecting H1b amendment of my spouse since we were transferred from West coast to East. We only had LCA and deputation letter, which we sent and told them that we do not have H1b amendment. I was praying for the whole of September with full faith that my H1b will be approved. I got the news from Employer today that they have received the approval on 3rd Oct. All glory to the Lord Jesus Christ! His Grace endures!
Thanks for everyone in this forum. Its been very useful.!
Hi Friends,
If h1 is approved, can we straight away go and attend H4 interview for dependents or we need to mention on H1b application at the time petition.
i doubt i’ven’t mention anything on h1b petition that i have dependetns.
Even i doubt that i have mentioned it when filing..but my Attorney Said that Family can go for H4 stamping anytime.. as they required your pititon documents of going for stamping Alone.
Hi,
My H1B petition got approved this year,my current employer(A) taking time to find project ,is it possible to transfer the H1B to another employer(B)who gets me project) without even working for Emp A even for a single day?.
I have same question. please answer
Same here.
Hi,
I got a info from my employer saying petition is approved when i checked with them on 2nd Oct 2014 and they mentioned we are waiting for approval notice once received will send to india.
Any idea like how much time will it take for me to get the approval notice?
After getting it when can i go and get visa?
Even i have applied for 3 years but i noticed a post above saying applied for 3 years but got petition approved for one year.Any reason for cutting it short to 1 year and does it happen to all?
Hi,
it will approximately take 1 week for you attorney to get the notice. From then on it depends on how you intend to receive it ie you can even get it in one day if you send it in express courier.
Im not sure regarding your duration question.
Hi All,
Today I received the good news of my petition approval from my employer. My employer has not shared the petition number with me and all the details/date which I have is through the employer (I used to call her up every other day). Below is the timeline.
Case: H4->H1
Lottery selection notice: 12 May
RFE: 26 May
RFE responded on : 21 August (3rd last day of the deadline)
Status Changed to RFE Review: ~23 Aug
Petition Approval: 3 Oct
Hi,
Which service center was this california or vermont?
Thanks
Vermont Centre
Admin, Not able to See the Comments
Fixed it ! We had an issue after upgrade. Apologies for inconvenience
Dear Kumar,
my case still on initial review. pls suggest ….
I think you’ll need to wait some more time. Mine was in ‘Initial Review’ till Oct 2nd and changed to ‘RFE Response Review’ directly. So, just wait till Oct 1oth, hopefully status will change.
Thanks MP.. All the best..
Hi all,
I have got my visa approved alst week. i received the I797
and noticed that the visa has been approved only for one year where as my employer mentioned for three years in I 129. Now am much confused how the extension will happen? How to approach and the procedure for all the same.
If suppose i travel after 6 months, then what would be my period of staty there?
Any one can guide me on this.
Thanks,
Gopi
Your Stay would be your End Date of your pititon but yes u can easily get an extension..getting extension is much more easier than new H1b..However you can stay maximum Six years on h1b in US.. excluding your Home Country trip (Days/Months/years).
Hi,
I have attended visa interview on 1st Oct and it went fine (Visa got approved)….Attended interview with family (Wife and 2 kids (4yrs boy 1yr old girl))
Background:
Working for US based MNC from last 4 and half years and having total 8 and half years experience.
Visa Priority: BEP
Consulate Location: Hyderabad
Booked Appointment on 16th September
OFC : 18th September
Appointment time is 3:30PM, we reached there around 2:30 and they asked us to wait up to 3:00. As we have 2 small kids, they allowed us inside straight away by avoiding Q line.
One person at main door is checking passports, DS160 confirmation page and visa appointment confirmation.
Then, second person is entering our DS 160 application number in his tablet and checking, and then they allowed us inside.
While generating bar code, person at counter asked couple of questions.
1. “Have you ever modified DS-160”: I told “NO”, then he repeated same question, they I said, ‘Yes, while filling the form we need to get some details from employer, those details I have updated’.
2. “What is purpose of visit”? I said, it’s “Work Assignment”. Then he said, ‘OK’ and asked to proceed inside.
3. At photo taking & Finger printing counter, there is no Q and I’m first person, lady asked for my finger prints and taken photo. They send my wife to separate counter. For our kids they scanned the photos, which we have carried.
That’s all over, and we came out in 10-15 mins.
For visa interview, I got very long gap and I gone through all different user experience in this forum.
Visa Interview:
Time is at 9:30, we reached consulate office by 8:00 and we waited 20 mins (Thought they may not allow 1 and half hour early) and started in the line at around 8:40
Initially (At main gate) they manually checked for the visa interview confirmation and passport and allowed inside.
In the first counter scanned bar code (pasted at OFC) and given token number and asked to proceed further.
Next is security check (similar to airport final security check), and they asked put all the belongings in a tray (Including wallet, Belt, lady ornaments, etc.).
We entered to a common area, one lady assisting there and she asked me to put my passport and Original I797 together and asked us to wait in the common area.
Then, I observed already so many people are waiting over there. My token number is 200+ and that time running token number is 100+, thought we may get our number faster as we have infant baby. Waited 15-20 mins (By that by kids started making big noise), then checked with that lady is there any faster processing possibility as we have kids, she told ‘no’, we have to wait.
Finally we waited for around 1and half hour, by that all the preparation and enthusiasm is gone in the interest of covering 2 kids.
Finally our turn came after 10:00, no one is there at counter, and we went straight away.
Me: Good morning, how are you doing today?
VO: smile and fine
VO: Passport please
Me: Given passport
VO: Which company you are going to work for?
Me:
VO: Who is your client?
Me:
VO: What is your salary?
Me:
VO: What is your highest qualification?
Me: Master of Computer Applications, M.C.A
VO: To My wife: scan your left hand four fingers
She has done
VO: TO ME: Scan your right hand four fingers.
Me: Done
Now golden words came: “Your visa is approved”, I said than you and came out.
He has not asked any other document like: I797, etc.
After came back to office, I checked status by using DS-160 APP ID, it is showing….
ISSUED
Application ID or Case Number: XXXXXXXXXX
Case Creation Date: 30-Sep-2014
Status Updated Date: 01-Oct-2014
Interview is less than a min and I thought VO make me to engage for a while, when he is typing (Copy/Paste) something on his system.
My suggestion is: Proceed in the line at main gate to go inside as early as possible and plan to maintain your kids properly.
Me: Good morning, how are you doing today?
VO: smile and fine
VO: Passport please
Me: Given passport
VO: Which company you are going to work for?
Me: Answered
VO: Who is your client?
Me: Answered
VO: What is your salary?
Me: Answered as per I797
VO: What is your highest qualification?
Me: Master of Computer Applications, M.C.A
VO: To My wife: scan your left hand four fingers
She has done
VO: TO ME: Scan your right hand four fingers.
Me: Done
Now golden words came: “Your visa is approved”, I said than you and came out.
I have my visa stamped on 28th August. Till now my employeer neither asking me to join nor giving me any speicifiq timeline. I have given 3 interviews for my employer ( last on 19th september) and still dont have any update. What are my options? Should I wait patiently ?
Dear All,
my case is still initial review from april.2014. pls suggest.. need to upgrade to premium ?
any applicants same my situation?..
pls share information.
I think you’ll need to wait some more time. Mine was in ‘Initial Review’ till Oct 2nd and changed to ‘RFE Response Review’ directly (though my employer didn’t get any RFE). So, just wait till Oct 1oth, hopefully status will change.