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
You can check out our 221(g) tracker that has anonymous data with users like you, who added the details for community benefit.
[prompt type=”left” title=”Check out 221(g) Case Tracker ” message=”Check out our 221(g) Tracker with anonymous data from everyone.” button_text=”View your 221(g) Tracker !” href=”https://redbus2us.com/trackers/221g-tracker/”]
Waiting for the 221(g) response from US Consulate can be very painful…To help everyone be informed on average processing time and other similar cases, we have built an easy way to track for users their 221(g) status and let the community have an idea on the timeline as well. It is fully anonymous. Please add your case to the 221(g) Tracker.
[prompt type=”left” title=”Add your 221(g) Case ” message=”Please add your 221(g) Case for everyone’s benefit. It is fully anonymous and will help many waiting for it like you.” button_text=”Add your 221(g)Case!” href=”https://redbus2us.com/trackers/221g-tracker/”]
Hi Again Saurabh
Thanks for anwsering my other queries. Here is another problem I am worried about now.
Got extension approval till 2014 but I got my stamping rejection at New Delhi consulate, I was in EVC model and not able to submit client letter because client didn’t provide letters to consultants.
This year another staffing company ready to file cap exempt H1B with In house project and same project documentation they have used for some other employee and that got approved. so this is kind of my employer is my client and I have to report my employer only.
Please let me know Is it good to file H1B with staffing company having Inhouse project or Is there any chances of stamping rejection with this.
Regards
Sidh
Hi Sidh,
Yes, it is good to file H1B with staffing company having Inhouse project that means you don’t have any layer and directly reporting to your employer only. My freind also had similar issue like you and his company filed the petition for inhouse project and got the Visa immidiatly in April 2012. Please make sure you read all the page of peition specially the position content because VO may ask in details about your inhouse project,
Sidh,
You should go for in-house project only if such a project really exists. VOs know that lot of times this is just a sham to avoid client letter.
Hi,
My H1B stamping was on 15-June-2012 at Hyderabad Consulate.
A 221g White slip to submit Client Letter and Latest Resume.
I emailed them on 20-June-2012. It is already more than a week but my CASE No on the portal is not updated with the Response Date? I got an Auto-Reply when I emailed them the Client Letter.
Is this normal for them to not update the Response Date? Please suggest.
Thanks,
Ismail Mohammed
Ismail Mohammed,
It can take several weeks or months for the processing to be completed.
Hi Sourabh,
This is Manish again. to brief my H1B stamping journey:
1. Went for H1B stamping at new Delhi consulate on May 2011. I’m working on EC model
and case sent back to US for Employer Employee relationship.
2.My case got Reaffirmed on May 2012 and went for stamping again and consular asked for some time to review.
3. In June my Wife and Daughter Passport got stamped and received. My passport is still under processing at US Embasy.
4.I sent an Email to Embassy asking the status of my passport and got a positive response that my Visa has been issued and i will be getting the stamped passport soon.
4.When I haven’t received my passport for 3 week I wrote an email back to consulate asking status of my passport . Below is the response i got from them today:
Dear Sir/Ma’am,
As per the Embassy the passport is still in the possession of the US embassy, you may collect it directly from the Embassy between 4:00pm-4:30pm on any working day (Monday-Friday), kindly carry the Original HDFC Receipt and any national ID proof along with you.
Note: Please carry the printout of this email for your reference.
Please suggest if still chances that my visa is rejected? if everything is OK then why they are not dispatching my passport to my location through VFS instead asking me to come to Delhi to collect it.
Thanks in advance for your suggestion.
Manish
Hi Manish,
If they said your Visa is issued so be postive and you will get the passport with Visa stamp. Your passport validity is more than six months or all the pages are in good condition?.
Manish, that sounds strange. Unless they are again processing or verifying something, it is very unusual. But if they need additional processing, they would have given you another 221g and that is not done. So be positive, go and collect you passport.
BTW, I am also share same visa interview date and reaffirmation date. But since my client contract is already terminated I have no clue how to proceed. Can you share your email Id or any contact information brother to discuss the matter?
Good luck for your stamping.
PS: Sorry for putting the question here Saurabh.
Manish,
I agree w/ Deepak’s comment that their response seems unusual. If you can go to the consulate then you should go there and collect it in person.
Hi Saurabh / 221g experienced Friends,
Please guide me.
Visa interview in Feb 2012 in Chennai Consulate …Got 221g as a gift, asked me to submit employer documents. after 4 months… June 2nd week asked me to submit some more documents (client letter, client contract with the employer etc. ). I have the client letter but its of the month Jan 2012. There is a situation – i am on EC … my client couldn’t wait that long and he already terminated the contract long back…
Now what should I do in this scenario , should I submit the letter ? Does US consulate contacts the end client to verify or they just look at the letter?
Seniors please help me.
Thanks,
Venkat
You have nothing to lose now.
submit the same letter and lets hope for the best.
Hi Saurabh / Seniors,
Could you please suggest. Also could you please let me do they verify the info with end client everytime. They already took 4 months to ask me to submit the document. (They haven’t yet enquired my end client yet.)
Thanks.
Hi Venkat,
It depends on the issue some time they do validate and some time not.
Your employer can not file a LCA for different location?. Because 4 months to long and if they validate then your Visa will be on risk.
If you don’t have any option then only go with old one.
Thanks RC for your suggestion.
Saurabh your valueable inputs — will they contact the end client after 4 months ..how was the experience to other candidates … will they verify every time after submitting the employer docs/end client docs??
Venkat_Reddy,
I have seen instances where they contacted the end client. If you submit the letter knowing that the project has ended, it may do more harm to your case. Find a new project, and then submit those project details.
Hi,
I got RFE green slip to submit some more docs on the salary front. My company submitted the required docs to the Consulate . within a week I received the VISA stamped passport, but they did not return the I-797B , LCA and other docs. Please let me know how to approach them to get these docs.
Thanks,
SKAjey
Hi Ajey,
I am in similar situation and I called consulate and they asked me to mail them with case details and after 10 days got the reply that they have sent me the documents already, but thats not true. Did they take your original I797 ? and what are the other important documents they have ?
you can also personally email me at [email removed SPAM alert ]
Hello Ajay,
I am not sure if my previous post got published. But you can approach consulate through phone or email. Usually they would prefer email and the will look for the documents.
In my case, they replied saying that they have already sent, which is not true. So my original I797 is missing now and i am figuring out on can i still travel to US without that.
you can mail me on dienagtyATgmail for further queries.
skajeylakshman,
It is ok to not return copies of LCA and I-129 (I assume your employer also has a copy of these documents and can email them to you). If the 797B was submitted in original, then it needs to be returned and you should follow-up w/ consulate on this.
Hi Saurabh,
I have a question for you, I got my H1B visa stamped on the last page of my passport whereas all other pages on my passport are empty, whether i will be having any issues during immigration or during port of entry.
Thanks in Advance for your response.
Regards,
Navid
Doesn’ t matter. 🙂
I had interview on 15th Nov 2011 , i am in EVC model
My employer got NOIR and replied to USCIS . Its been 1.5 month.
DOes any one know how long USCIS take to decision.
Current status is : Request for Evidence Response Review
Please share your experience.
Thanks
Sanjay,
It can take 2-6 months for USCIS to review the response.
Thanks Saurabh..
Hello,
My current H1b petition will be expired on 30th Sep, 2012. I’m planning to file my extension in 10 days. Is it advisable for my wife to go h4 visa stamping with old(expires on 30 sept 2012) or extended petition?
If she goes visa with extended petition, Can she travel with my old petition before oct, 2012, may be in july 2012 while visa is with extended petition?
Can someone please help us out?
Thanks for your help.
H4VisaHelp,
She would get visa valid until petition expiration date. So if she carries old petition then it will be valid till Sep 30th.
Hi Friends,
Here is my experience on 221g.
Interview date 12.04.2012 Chennai same day got 221g green
Almost all documents checked. I have them, but VO asked to submit them at vfs with resume.
Documents submitted on 18.04.2012 with passport.
passport came back with out stamping with 221g Blue stating Additional administraction process.
On 16.6.2012 All documents came back with another 221g blue to sumit PP
On 21.6.2012 stamped PP Came home.
I was regualarly following this web site. So friends dont worry. If your genuine dont worry, you will get It.
All the best.
Congats.. Leela
Which model u were working in ? Direct Client or EVC ?
Hi Sanjay
Its EVC model.
Congrats Leela!
Hi Saurabh,
I had my H1 interview on May 18 and Officer told me that my visa was Approved but put on hold as my current passport given name is having initials and he asked me to get new passport with full name or add the abbreviation of my name in Observation in Current passport and issued a 221 (g) white form . I applied for new passport and with Full name and i submitted my 2 passports along with 221 (g) form on June-11-2012. On 221 (g) form at case number he wrote my passport no,Until now i did not received my passport can you please let me know your thoughts on this one. When i checked in the site its showing Your Passport is under Process at US Consulate.
Hello All,
I got my h1 visa … Hurray… Just keep your fingers cross and pray god ….
I wish all the very best to every one… Hope every one here gets the H1.
Cheers
Ranga
Congrats Ranga!
Hi Saurabh,
My wife is stuck in India from last 4 months because the VO put her H1B in pending status and said they will review the document and get back to her, but they never got back. Her client was generous enough and they allowed her to work from India but she is fed up now and wants to go for a H4 stamping. I have two questions regarding this.
I know that there is 50/50 chance that she might get H4 approved or they put her H4 also in pending because of her pending H1B.
1) In case if they put her H4 in pending, can she still continue to work? Will it be legal? In theory since her H4 is not stamped, I am assuming she can still work, please let me know your thoughts on this.
2) What is the process to withdraw the pending H1B stamping application?
-Shailesh
Hi Shailesh,
May I know when did your wife appeared for visa, Consulate and what type of 221g slip?
I have been waiting from last week Jan, I saw one more person in the same forum for H4 from last week of Jan.
Hi Jan30221g,
Here are the details.
when did your wife appeared for visa : Feb 22nd 2012
Consulate : New Delhi
What type of 221g slip : No 221g was given, VO said they want to review all the documents which my wife gave to them. No additional document was requested.
-Shailesh
Shailesh Sinha,
1. As she is outside of US, she can continue to work. Only when she enters US on H-4 visa should she stop working.
2. As different consulates have different policies, it is better to contact VFS and ask about your particular consulate. Usually it is by submitting a written application.
Hi Saurabh ,
I have attended for H1B stamping on April 26th in Hyderabad and is given a 221g white slip requesting for Wages document in the state where my Client location is.
I submitted them in 3 days . The problem is I don’t have a case number on the white slip when it was given , and I was told by VO to only submit the required doc and once processed they will ask to submit the passport later. All my H1b documents are with the VO .
I tried reaching thru mail and phone , no use.
I am not able to track my case as well as there is no case number given.
Please let me know is there a way to get the case number , or any one in same situation as mine and also how do you think my case will move , is it a positive scenario ?
Shiva,
You can call VFS and ask them if they know the case number. You can provide them your name, passport number and HDFC receipt number to locate your case.
If you don’t have a case number, then how did you submit the documents?
Hi Saurabh,
I called VFS , but they said they will not have any information , and asked me to email . And I did emailed , but no response from past 2 months ,mailed a couple of times.
A person from my consultant company submitted the documents , with the 221 g case sheet and the passport number .
I didn’t know how to proceed further.
Shiva,
Even I don’t know what other options you have now. The only way to follow-up is by calling or emailing VFS. It is possible that documents were correctly submitted and just not showing up in VFS system (they don’t have access to full system like DOS).
You can call DOS at their Washington DC number and see if they can provide more information.
Hi Saurabh,
I got my Visa stamped and received the passport today .
I was asked to submit the passport on June 27th and submitted it the next day and received the passport stamped today.
Thanks for your support !
Hi Saurabh,
Got my visa , received passport stamped with visa .
I was asked to submit the passport on June 27th and received it stamped today.
Thanks for your support !
Congrats Shiva! Have a safe flight to US.
My husband attended Visa stamping interview in Chennai consulate on march 22 and got 221(g) green Slip.WE found that his company is delaying to provide the required docs.
So now he found a new job and his new h1b petition under premium processing got approved with the new employer.Now he has to get his visa stamped for his new job while there is a pending 221(g).
1.Should we cancel the old visa stamping request before applying for a new one?
2.Can we answer that old company did not provide required docs during the visa interview?
3.Can we say ,we found new job through job search site (monster) ?is that negative point while answering?
Aki,
1 > No need to do that
2> not required since the VO may not ask this if they ask you can mention that this is one more opp
3> yes (most probably they will not have info like you have previous query 221(g) kind of thing )
so go ahead and attend the interview . in the mean while if you are succesfull with any one of the h1 stamping then you can simply travel no need to answer sepeartly for that
Thanks krish
Hi Aki,
I am also traveling on same boat,Please call me 8886878679.
Saurabh,
I had my Visa interview last month on May 14, 2012, EVC Model and was asked a lot of questions on Employer-Employee relationship and at the end was made to sign the document which had all answers I gave to the VO for the questions he asked. At the end he gave me a white 221g slip with additonal admin processing checked.
After 6 weeks of my interview date when I try to track my case online it still says case number not identified, not sure why. I tried contacting VFS through emails and phone but was of no use. Any idea why my case number is still not identified online and also roughly how long might this white 221g take depending on the similar cases this year.
Thanks for the help.
I see minimum 3.5 to 4.5 months regular pattern for all the 221(g) cases . but some of the cases even cleard in one month .. so this is just a pattern
Vishal,
I have seen instances where the case number was never identified online during the entire lifecycle and case eventually got approved. Did they mention that your case can be tracked online as not all cases can be tracked online?
In general it can take few weeks to several months for the process to be completed.
Thanks for the info Saurabh ! Yes they gave me a case no and asked me to track it online, when I contacted the Hyd embassy 2 days back they said not all case numbers are listed on our website and my case is under review and they will notify me if they require any documents further. Its been 6 weeks now and no update yet.
Vishal,
Not much you can do at this moment.
Saurabh-
yesterday my employer received a call from USCIS and they asked questions for about 20-30 mins regarding the company details, H1 Employees etc etc,. Also some of my friends from same employer received a call as well a email from USCIS and were asked some employer-employee based questions.
Do you think this a +ve sign for my 221g ? Any such similar case in a white slip under admin processing !
Thanks
Vishal
Any comments for my above situation please !!
Vishal,
It shows progress on your case. However, its positive or not depends upon what USCIS gathered from that conversation.
Appeared for H4 interview last week of Jan. submitted documents on 8 the Feb and still no email to submit the passport or the case number doesn’t appear on the website.
H1 is on E-V-C model.
already contacted via email and phoene so many times. also contacted local senator but no help..
Starting to loose ,, anyone still waiting since that long.
Priya,
Welcome to the world of eternal waiting…Feb3′ 2012 H1 interview and till now no news!!
@aarthi & @Priya
I have been waiting since Jan 30, appeared in chennai consulate for H1B. No status update as of now
By the way mine is EC model, cleint and employer had been verified during last week of march but no update from consulate. Couple of weeks back one guy got for EVVC itself after 4 months wait time in 221g blue.
In my case, nobody bothered contacting my client in Columbus, OH. I have lost hope as well….
Aarthi,
If the US consulate neither contacted your employer nor the client, then have they decided purely based on your visa interview and your H1b docs ? Have you answered /signed Employee-Employer answers correctly as to who has your day to day activity control or was there something you didn’t make it clear to VO ?
Priya,
Are you guys thinking about moving to a different model like direct client or may be EC? EVC is pretty tough these days.
Saurabh,
We are planning to go for Direct full time. our I140 is approved and PD is may June 2011. Right now we are not sure we should switch or not as we will need to start the GC Process again. and not sure when new employer would start the process. They are saying they will start immediately
Would this worth? Any suggestion?
Prita,
If the new employer is planning to start the GC process immediately and if they are a direct employment, then it definitely helps your case.
Hi Saurabh,
I have received an email from Mumbai Consulate to attend interview on any working day. Please let me know if original I797 is required for the interview.
My lawyer and employer have received a photocopy of the reaffirmed
I-797 and am not sure if I need to wait
for the original I-797 to attend the interview. Also, please provide me the pointers to the thread for the second interview of reaffirmed cases.
Regards,
Rajesh
Rajesh,
Reaffirmed petition experiences are on this thread only. You can search for them using keywords like reaffirmed etc.
Here is one such experience: http://redbus2us.com/h1b-visa-stamping-221g-tracker/comment-page-4/#comment-36202
As per this, the person was asked for original copy of reaffirmed 797.
Hi raj_reaff,
Have u been for interview for reaffirmed h1b petition in mumbai consulate
Pls share ur experience
I am also going through similar problem
Hi Anand,
Have you received the original reaffirmed I797 from USICIS. My lawyer has recieved the photocopy of this reaffirmed I797 and he claims that it is sufficient for the interview. I dont want to be in a situation where they refuse to interview me due to originall reaffirmed I-797. Please let me know your situation. Thanks
Hi Raj,
I did receive the orginal reaffirmed petition but I think photocopy should be fine but your petition must be updated in PIMS I mean the reaffirmed petition that USCIS sent to DOS. So now you have two optition.
1. Send a email to VFS and told them that you have received the photo copy.
2. Since you are not going to schedule the new appointment so you can appear for second interview and they will ask if original is required.
Since you are appearing for second interview then please make sure you well prepared on the last question that you answers because what ever anwers you given it will be stored in their system. Good luck and I wish you should get the Visa this time.
Hi Raj,
I also rec’d photocopy of i797c still waiting for original & other documents from employer.
I already send photocopy of i797c to mumbai embassy but they ask me 2 refer mumbai website for my CEAC barcode number
I ask VFS when can i come for the interview but so far no answer i m confused normally in reaffirmed cases i have seen people attending interviews
Hi ,
Friday 15 th june i got mail from VFS to sumbit the passports.
My case details :
Attended the visa at hyd @feb 12,2012 issued yellow 221(g) for the project descripiton,project analsys
sumbited documents @feb 22,2012
USCIS Officer visited client location and verified with them regarding client letter and project status @june 8,2012
Got email from VFS @15 jun 2012.
Today i went to submit the Passports to VFS office and the server is down .. so i have to back afternoon to sumbit once again passports
Krish,
Seems like your 6 month wait is about to end. Good luck!
Hi Sourabh,
Me and my family attended for H1b interview on 26th April 2012 at,VO issued yellow slip by writing PIMS..On 11 June we received a mail to submit copy of I797 and we submitted the same along with passports,But on 13th June we received passport along with yellow sli with Administrative process and check website for CEAC code.
I work for Direct Client who is fortune 100 company +100k employees.
I’,m fully confused and unable understand what happening with my case?I am much worried further delay can loose my job.
Sowmi,
Unfortunately, there is no set processing time for this, and it can take few weeks to several months. I would suggest talking to your employer/client about it and work on alternative options like working remotely while it is under processing.
Saurabh
On following your articles for probable reasons for Admin aka 221g processing –
1. PIMS system update – Is there a way to check whether the petition is in system or .My employer says that the access is only available to DOS/USICS
2. The other reason is verification- I have FNU on all my records, previous student visa,I94,petition,DL and SSN. Is there a delay attributing to this too.Can we get any help to update Consulate on this.
Also, I happen to get an update from my employer that E-verify on me last year was put on TNC and now has been verified – Can this also add to processing delay
3. My petition expires on sep’12. Can we file for extension from India with the present petition under processing.
Appreciate all your help.
Thanks
SK
SK,
1. The employer cannot know for sure. Usually they file the petition in duplicate and ask USCIS to send the other copy to KSC (Kentucky Service Center) where PIMS information is maintained.
2. Yes, in case of FNU it becomes difficult to do background check on the person. This also happens when the person has a very common name. You cannot do anything to speed-up the process and consulate will do it their way on their time.
3. Yes, that can be done
Thank you Saurabh.
Will E-verify verification has to do anything with processing , as said, my e-verify was completed on Mar 20th,2012 for the request made in June,2011. Please advice.
3. My employer suggesting that we would have to wait for the present processing to get through. How do I convince them
SK,
I don’t know if e-verify will have any impact or not. AFAIK, e-verification is done of the employer and not the employee.
If the extension is filed on same terms and details, then that doesn’t help as it would again run into 221g. So unless the employer is planning to change underlying job terms, it may not help filing the extension. The only thing it would help w/ is that you will get visa valid until petition expiration date. So you may get a visa stamp valid for a longer duration if extension gets approved.
Are you working for a consulting company? If yes, then is it EC or EVC model?
SK,
Also, do you have a common Muslim name, which is another reason for lot of 221g. What color slip was issued when you went for stamping and at which consulate?
Saurabh.
Yes, I do have a common muslim name. I have been given pink slip at the chennai consulate. My employer is MNC working for a client in US. So , I guess I fall under EE category. Do you suggest me request my employer to file in the extension or wait for this one to process by.
Thanks in advance.
SK,
Pink slips are usually issued for background check, and can take 3-8 weeks to resolve. In some cases it can take even more that that. Most of these result in approval, but yes they can take some time to process.
If the employer goes for extension, then there is a high probability that it will also get stuck during visa stamping. My suggestion would be to let the current one complete the processing.
Saurabh.
Its more than 14 weeks now.My client has agreed for me to work remotely till date thinking that this would be resolved with in time frame of max 12 weeks.
With the current petition valid till SEP,2012. I wish to know can my employer file in for extension in CAP exempt in case this goes past through Sep,2012 time frame.
Please advice.
SK,
Yes, they can file extension even after Sep 2012. In case your visa is not approved by Sep 2012, employer will first have to file for extension, get it approved and then you will have to travel to US (you may have to go for another visa stamping).
Thanks Saurabh.
1. E-verify as mentioned is done against employer but with mismatch in names(FNU) the approval was received on March,2012. So thought this is adding to delay too.
2. With the present Visa under processing , can we go to different consulate (HYD/DEL/MUM/KOL)with present petition for new stamping.
3. Thinking of another scenario,if extension can be filed from India, can we not have it filed now so that when if at all it crosses the SEP,2012 time frame when consulate reaches out, we can show the new petition for the same processing and not have to appear fresh.
Thanks for all the help and advice.
SK,
2. Yes, you can go to any other consulate as well. You may be asked about the change and you will have to provide a satisfactory response
3. The employer can file for extension. If it gets approved by the time your 221g processing is completed, you can then carry the new petition and get visa for the longer duration. If they have kept the passport w/ themselves, then they would approve the 221g w/ visa stamp based on old petition date. Also, if they ask you to just submit the passport, then you will not be able to provided extended petition dates and will get visa valid until Sep 2012. You will have to talk to VFS on how to handle this (maybe submit passport, new petition and a letter explaining the new petition)
Hello Saurabh.
I heard that from a follow up stand point on case -we can request the local senator to email the consulate or the attorney to mail up. Is it possible. Please advice.
SK,
Yes, you can try that avenue as well. It used to work when only some people employed. It has become more common these days, and consequently more ineffective.
Hi Saurabh,
My wife’s H4 is under 221(g). We’ve sent the requested additional docs couple of times, but we are getting back green slip again for more docs. So, we almost lost our hope. I’m planning to quit the current employer and take up permanent job. Can we apply for H4 again with my new H1 approval ? Do we need to withdraw the current application ? or just leave it with out sending the requested docs.
Please suggest me. Thanks for your help.
– Sidhu
Sid,
Once your new H-1 gets approved, she can re-appear for H-4 visa stamping. I have seen both instances – consulate asking to withdraw previous H-4 visa and consulate not bothered about previous H-4 visa.
You can suggest w/ your new attorney on what should be done in your case.
Thanks a lot , Saurabh !
Hi,
Did anyone got H1b approved, whoes interview was happened in march/april (2012/ Delhi) and got 221g( green) at the time of interview.
Thanks
Aditya
Hey Saurab,
Had my h1 interview on Feb 3 (chennai), issued 221g green, no additional docs asked, I 797, I 129, LCA, CLIENT LETTER, VENDOR LETTER, EMPLOYER LETTER retained by VO. No paystubs or W2s were asked at the interview, a questionnaire of 25 questions answered and signed. The green slip indicates that papers would be sent to the USCIS for review as the consulate officer couldn’t come to a conclusion. I recd a courier from VFS on the 9th of june letting me know that my papers had been sent to the USCIS, along with it came my ds 160 confirmation page struck in red. The letter from vfs says the visa officer has revoked my visa and has sent all my docs to the USCIS and requested USCIS to do the same. When I sent this to my employer, he says this is customary and USCIS is sure to reaffirm my case. On calling the DOS, my papers have still not reached them. What should I expect. Its rather strange that the letter from VFS is dated feb 28 though i recd it 3.5 months later!! Thoughts??
Thank you,
A.
aarthi,
You will have to wait for USCIS to complete their processing and get back to employer. They will either reaffirm the petition, or issue notice to revoke it.
The other option is to file cap-exempt petition through same or different employer and again go for H-1 visa stamping.
Hi Aarti,
So said to hear about your case. Do you know if your employer/client were contacted by us consulate/uscis (visited) while your case was pending ?
Thanks
No, nobody from the USCIS visited my client and neither did anyone from USCIS contact my employer from what I gather. I doubt there’s a timeline on when they’d follow with the client.
Aarthi,
You are correct. There is no set timeline for them to complete all these processes.
Thank you Saurab- considering my approval (I 797) bears a date no longer than Nov 30′ 2012, I can only keep my fingers crossed that they get to finish necessary cross checks by then and keep me informed. My employer did tell me that he is closely following with USCIS, and thinks reaffirming my case is likely, again, reaffirming doesn’t really mean I drop my passport at the VFS drop box..it can very well mean a second time interview for h1 at the consulate. Please let me know if I have understood the scenario correctly..
Thank you,
Aarthi,
Yes, once the case has been reaffirmed you will have to call VFS and ask for a date to reappear for the interview. You don’t need to complete another DS form or submit HDFC fees. You will then appear for interview along w/ your documents including original reaffirmed 797 and then proceed from there.
Hi Saurab,
Does this mean I need to have a project in hand while appearing for my interview the second time along with the client letter? Since they have all my other details on file, will they try drilling me once again?
Aarthi,
Yes, those documents can be asked again during the subsequent interview. So its best to carry that information/documents. My rule of thumb is to be always over-prepared than to be under-prepared when it comes to visa stamping.
Hi All,
I would like to share my experience with respect to Visa stamping @ Hyderabad.
I have attended my interview on 25th may and received 221g white slip to submit additional documents from petitioner. Like others I was also unable to track my case online.
Documents submitted after 2 weeks.
Today I received my Passport with Visa Stamped, so the processing time was just 1 week from the time I submitted the documents.
Last thing I would like to mention you all that have confidence in yourself and in the creator of this world, he will surely listen to your prayers.
Regards,
Nav
Congrats Nav! Have a safe flight to US.
hi,
i have made H1B pitition in 2011 and my interview schedule on 1st april 2011
consuler required additional document which i have already and at the time interview
i saw that doc but without any check thay given a 221 g green latter state that submitt the required doc to the VFS center than embassy will contect you directly but after that
there is no any initimate from embassy still today there is more than 14 month passaway from date of interview and my petition is approved of 3 year so in this situation.
there is no any rules or inquiry which we can do with consuler in such type of situation
need some guidance so please provide proper guidance …..
and in such type of situation what can thay do..
thank you your reply will appriciate…
Rajnikant,
Refer this article
Which place is this?
All the processing of 221G is done at your consulate center where you have been interviewed. Just find out if this is a routine happening at that place. This will give you the avg waiting time for that location.
Hi Sourabh,
My H1B application was rejected by US consulate on grounds of EE relationship and was sent to USCIS for review to either revoke and reaffirm.
My questions is If USCIS revokes my H1 application, Will my H1 petition be still valid and cap exempted ?
Thanks
Meenal,
IMO, once it has been revoked by USCIS, you cannot use it for cap-exempt purposes. However, I have not seen any legal text about it, so I am not 100% sure. You can check w/ an attorney.
Hi Sourabh,
Thank you for your time, knowledge and energy in replying all the queries.
I have below query.
I’m currently on L1B in US from 2010 with employer A. I have a approved H1B and 221(g) from 2008 quota – valid from 10/2007 until 10/2010.
If I want to move to H1B, Can any employer B apply cap exempt for me using above approved , 221(g) H1B ?
If above is true, until what date or month approximately, I can use the above H1B as cap exempt?
is there any issues anticipated later in GC ?
thanks in advance …
Rao,
Yes, cap-exempt petition can be filed by B. You can use it for cap-exempt purposes within 6 years of initial approval. So in this case you can you have until 2013 to get it done.
Hi Saurabh,
i given a 221g they asked me to submit following additional documents can you please tell me what are those?
What is unemployment wage report for 2011- 2012
complete tax, financial and product documentation
thanks
Suma
Suma,
Your employer should have these documents. As a firm, they should have paid for the unemployment wages and have filed tax returns. Get in touch w/ employer about these documents.
Hi Saurab,
My details:
Visa interview date: 14-May-2012
Consulate office: chennai
working field: software, 10 years experience
result: pink slip 221g, took passport and I797B form with them
status: pending process
Now, I am planning to transfer my visa to one of the biggest MNC(Software), but waiting for the visa ie 221g get cleared and planning to travel same company if visa approved, otherwise planning to travel from new company.
I have common Muslim name, and company is consulting company.
They have informed me that processing will take 4 to 8 weeks. 4 weeks are over till now. From research through internet, I have found that, some time it takes more than 6 months or more than a year.
I can wait up to 10 weeks, otherwise i want take my passport and go for new visa stamping with my new job.
question
1: will they update within 4 to 8 weeks as they have informed?
2: time duration it takes for 221g pink slip?
3: How can I contact for getting passport if they are taking more time.
thanks
AK,
1. Most of the pink slips get resolved within 8 weeks, but it can take longer as well
2. Refer (1)
3. You will have to contact VFS about getting the passport back. They will direct you w/ the process.
Also note that 221g slip was related to you and not employer. So there is a high probability that you will be issued the same when you go for stamping through the new employer.
Hi,
I have got my H1 transfered after getting 221g in december.
In my I129 in the “Part 4 : Processing Information” the following is mentioned –
For point 1.
Type of office to be notified – consulate
Office address (city) – Mumbai
US state or foreign country – India (but the beneficiary is in US)
Beneficiary foreign address – my India address
Can I take an appointment at chennai?
What does “but the beneficiary is in US” mean?
Please suggest.
Also in my I797 notice there is nothing mentioned in front of the “Consulate:” section.
Swet,
I don’t know what it means but it looks misleading as you are the beneficiary and you are outside of US. Anyways, I think you can go to Chennai consulate as well. Did you check w/ attorney if the petition has been updated in PIMS?
Swet, you can take appointment in Chennai. Are you working there?
My petition was approved for Chennai but I took the appointment in Delhi. No issues at all.
Do check with your attorney about “but the beneficiary is in US”.
Good luck for your interview.
Thanks Saurabh and Deepak…..I booked an appointment at Chennai……the lawyer saud that (but the beneficiary is in US) should not be an issue………..and I think even if it is I cant do much now…….an amended petition has to be filed if tht is to be corrected…….another thing is i have been working from offshore location of the vendor and still getting paid in dollars which was discussed with the client as well…….will that cause any issues for me at the VISA interview?
Also people are telling me to go to the interview on monday instead of Friday…..Is their any truth to this?
I mean i have been told that on monday the visa approval chances at chennai consulate are more than on other days……is that true?
Swt,
It is ok to work for them remotely and get paid in dollars. It should not impact the outcome of the stamping. Also, I don’t know if Monday is better than Friday.
Hi Swet,
My Visa was rejected in Jan and they sent my petition for revocation but USCIS reaffirmed my petition immiditaly. but my employer said can not run the USA payroll even client was redy to pay so I am not sure if it is legal to run the USA payroll after getting the 221g.
Could you please send me your e-mail id so that I can talk to about your case and it is legal to run the USA payroll?.
RC,
On H-1, the employer is NOT required to pay you while you are outside of US. If you are still working for the client, then they should pay for the work you are doing. However, if you are not working for the client and are on break, then they are not required to pay you.
Thanks Saurabh,
I am in EC model and still working Remotly from Dec 2011 for my client. Enclosed is the details please assist if it is legal or illegal to run my USA payroll or not?.
– Reached India on 19th Dec 2011 and appeared for Visa Interview on 20th Dec 2011 at USA embassy New Delhi. They took my passport and said will come back to me in one week.
– On 24th Jan 2012 , I recived my password with Visa refusal letter because of employee supervison issue and they sent my petition to USCIS.
– USCIS immidiatly reaffirmed my petition on 24the Feb 2012.
– Second interview on 16th March at New Delhi and again they put on admin process.
– 4th Aprl 2012 recieved VFS e-mail to submit client letter, Itinerary and client contract. I submitted on 27th April 2012 and still my case on admin process.
Regards
RC
RC,
If you are still working remotely, then you should be paid for your services. This holds true irrespective of whether you are on H-1 or not. As you are doing productive work for the employer they should pay you either in USD or in your local currency. Are they not paying you either? I would suggest consulting a labor attorney about this.
Hi Saurabh,
What my employer did they just transffered me to Offshore location and paying me Indian Salary 1/3rd of my US payroll. But they are charging client the same onsite billing rate in $. I am asking because I was paying all my family expenes and home rent etc in USA.
RC,
I think legally they can do that. You can negotiate the terms w/ employer but you don’t have any H-1 rights here. If you want, you can have another employer file cap-exempt petition for you and work for them in US (after getting visa stamped).
Hi Saurabh,
I received my Passport with Visa stamp yeterday. Thank you very much for your help and will be flying to USA soon.
Regards
RC
I received the passport with VISA yesterday. Had to wait for 7 months in India to get it. Will be travelling to US on saturday.
Case –
Dec 1st week – went for H1B renewal stamping at Mumbai consulate. Was given a 221g for employee – employer relationship.
Feb 1st week – VFS responded(to the innumerable queries i sent them) saying that the petition was sent to USCIS.
Feb last week – USCIS reaffirmed the petition and sent the re affirmed petition to my employer. I sent a mail to vfs mumbai asking for next steps.
April 1st week – It took mumbai consulate 1 month to call me for interview. At the second interview the VO called the previous VO who took my interview in dec. They were very hostile and had the 221g ready even before the interview started. On the 221g they asked for documents that one has to submit only in case of civil court cases – like phone records, plane tickets, etc. In short, they thought I was a fraud. The next day I sent a mail to consulate to withdraw the VISA case to which they never replied back with.
April last week – Convinced the Vendor to transfer my H1.
May 3rd week – Transfer Petition approved by USCIS.
June 15th – VISA interview at Chennai (didnt want to go to mumbai). Granted VISA approval.
Questions asked –
1. Where are u going in US?
Told her the state
2. Which company?
Told her the name.
3. What do they (company) do?
Told her the answer I prepared for (The company is US based technology consulting firm and has good presence in US and India)
4. Where will you be working?
Told her the Vendor office address.
5. So you will not be working for a client?
I will be working for a client. Told her client name and address. But the employer has their own development center and I have nothing to do with the client.
6. What is ur highets qualification?
BE comp
7. So this is your first time with the employer?
Yes.
8. And you have been in the US before?
Yes.
9. Can I have ur old passport?
I gave her the old one. It had the previous VISA in it. She stamped it with “Cancelled without prejudice”
10. Can I see your I-129 and letter to USCIS?
Gave her the two documents. She checked them and said that she is approving the VISA and it should arrive in a week’s time.
I got the passport in 2 working days.
No questions were asked about the 221g case.
Hi Swet,
Congrates!!! and I will really appreciate if you can send me your personal id at majhali_126 at yahoo.com or guide me about your H1B transfer because my case is like you. My Visa was rejected due to employee- Employer relationship and petition was reaffirmed second interview but till now no update.
So did you file the H1B with same employer or transfer the H1B with diffrent employer?.
Congrats Swet! Have a safe trip to US.
Hi Saurabh,
I have applied for H1b from a US company but it’s under 221g processing. However, right now I am working in India with a MNC and they are going to file my UK visa. Will my 221g can cause any issue for UK visa.
Thanks
Aditya
Aditya,
No, it won’t.
Hi,
My petition is in pending for review (after 221g) with USCIS from more than a year now.. Since there is no updates from USCIS for long time my employer initiated fresh filling… I would like to know few things:
1. what all things i should be cautious about this new petition.. will there be any reference to previous petition, about 221(g) case in the current one?
2. Is there any disadvantage to have fresh filling when the previous petition is still under review?
2. Can counselor refer/question about previous petition during the interview?
Ragesh,
1. Usually petition processing doesn’t refer to previous 221g. But when going for visa stamping, they may refer to previous 221g
2. No
3.Yes
If you are filing through same employer, then make sure the questions raised during 221g are addressed during the new filing.
hello all,
i attended my interview in chennai in may first week, they took my I797 orginal, LCA , client letter, agreement and asked for some more documents from the company. I provided them after 2 weeks along with passport in Hyderabad consulate. I got the Visa today, with all the documents submitted second time. But i didnt get any documents that were taken during the interview (including the orginal I797).
1. Is it necessary to get the orginal I797 ? (for GC or later ?)
2. How to get the document from consulate ?
3. Can i fly without it ? and later ask for it from US or do you advise to ask for it now and collect it and only then fly to US ?
Thanks alot for all you help and esp Saurabh , you have been so helpful to so many people and the work you are doing is invaluable, congrats on that.
thanks.
Missing_797,
1. Yes, it is required. You also need to it when entering US.
2. You need to call VFS and ask them about it
3. Do not enter US w/o the 797. If the consulate has lost it, then your employer will have to file an application w/ USCIS to get a duplicate 797.
Hi Saurabh,
I contacted consulate and they responded that they have already sent the document before, which isnt true.
1. Can i enter US with a copy of I797?
2. Is there a way i try to argue with consulate on this and ask them to recheck ?
3. What is the procedure for applying for a duplicate of I797 and usually how long does it take? I may have to go to US soon for the client.
Thanks for your valuable answers.
Missing_797,
1. Last time I entered US I wasn’t even asked for 797, but in general one should have original 797 when entering US. Talk to your attorney about it.
2. You can but if their records show that it has been sent then that will be their final word.
3. Ask your employer to request one from USCIS. I think it is form I-824 but not 100% sure. It can take 1-2 months, and I don’t know if PP service is available for it or not.
Hello,
I have a question regarding my visa appointment. I had attended visa interview on feb and got 221g since I did’t have client letter. My employer failed to give client letter. Another company has transferred my H1B which got approved under PP category. My question is when taking the appointment what should I answer to the following question?
Are you applying for the same class of visa which is currently valid or has expired within the past 12 months?*
I am guessing answer is NO since I didn’t have visa stamped on my Passport. Just want to make sure I am not wrong here.
Thanks!
Are you a first time applicant? OR renewal?
I think for renewal, the answer to that question should be YES unless your previous VISA expired more than 12 months ago.
For first time, the answer to that question will always be NO.
Vinay,
The answer is No.
HYD Consulate.
Finally … feeling got my life back. Received Stamped PP today.
For my case took 4+ months.
I was working with direct client in EE model
31-Jan-2012 : Interview date. Questions related to EE relation.
19-Apr-2012 : Asked to submit additional documents for client letter and itinerary
24-Apr-2012 : Submitted docs.
29-May-2012: USCIS Personal had visit to my employer location.
30-May-2012: Got an email to submit PP. Submitted same day.
Now they are in my hands with stamping after a week’s waiting.
Be patient and pray for you luck. ALL THE BEST.
Congrats Siva_blue221G ! Have a safe flight to US.
Hi Siva,
Congrats!!
Mines also same got 221 g on feb 23rd 2012 @ hyd consulate VO retained passports h1 and h4 issued 221 g blue saying AAP.it is almost 3.5 months no response from them .Mines EC model and asked EE relationship qtns answered all.
Shall i expect any +ve on this.
wish u happy journey…enjoy…
🙂
mine is feb @12 and sumbited documents on feb @21 and got mail on jun 15 so you might get in a couple of weeks .
HYD Consulate.
My Personal Life and Family life is spoiled. Now I’m in dilemma whether to continue the relation with my Husband or not – as he is having illegal / financial hidden links with his sister’s Mother-in-law. And they are not leaving him.
And now in this situation he is trying for VISA Stamping.
Can any one please advice me “How to approach to put a Query on his VISA Stamping”. Since now he is planning for Long Term Job (Permanent Job). And I can’t go with him……because……if I go there…..no guarantee for my life.
Already first Pregnancy was mis-carried.
Please let me know What details I need to send in process of putting Query on VISA Processing.
His Details in brief For Your Reference:
Name: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Present Working Organization: YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
Leaving this message in hope that “Some body will reply!!!”
Your Sister,
Madhavi M
Madhavi,
As a dependent you cannot do something to put a query on this visa stamping. I am also removing personal information from your post.
Hi Madhavi,
Really sorry to hear about it.
if we can defenetly can stop him.
email me.
chances are high to stop him in india.
Hello Saurabh,
Mine is a reaffirmed case and USCIS website is showing that my case has been reaffirmed and sent to DOS on May 7th. But when I spoke about it to the VFS, I got the following response from the VFS today.
As per the U.S Consulate, The Mumbai consulate will contact you once they receive the copy from USCIS for further procedures.
Does it mean that PIMS update is not done. I spoke with DOS and they said the inforamtion is already sent to the Mumbai consulate regarding my reaffirmed status. Can you please guide me Thanks
raj_reaff,
I am not sure how quick Mumbai consulate is in getting back to the applicant once the petition has been reaffirmed. Unfortunately, one cannot contact consulate directly, so you will have to wait for communication from the consulate.
Hi,
raj_reaff,
I have experience the same
Can v have chat pls share ur email address
Anand
Hi Anand,
Please feel free to email me rajesh dot mulge at gmail
Rajesh
Hello Saurabh,
I attended visa interview on 6th Jan and got 221(g) and asked to submit documents. After submitting required documents I got email from Mumbai consulate that my case has been sent to USCIS. I do not have any update after that. My employer also did not receive any letter/notice from USCIS. My petition is going to be expired in August 2012. I have completed 7 years and I was on 1 year extension when I went for visa stamping. I have also approved I-140
Now my employer is ready to file new petition with premium processing but I am not sure whether he can do it or not ?
What option I have if I do not hear from USCIS in next two months? Please let me know.
Nilesh,
He can file another petition for you based on your I-140 approval. USCIS can take several months to respond to the review request. However, if the employer plans to file another petition for you, then they should make sure that they address the concerns raised by the consulate in the 1st petition. If you are working in EVC model, then it is better to move to more direct employment.
There is an article on this blog (go to archives and then ‘The Beast called 221g’), which has more information on this.
Saurabh Thanks for your reply. You are really at big help. I or my company have not received any updates from USCIS so we do not know what concerns they after submitting all documents.
USCIS has reaffirmed my h1b petition after 1 yr, I had send new soft copy of my i-797c to embassy.Embassy ask for my passport & CEAC barcode number which i had send. I even ask them whether i have to come for interview again? but no reply from embassy for quite long time.
I m confused since they have ask my Passport & CEAC barcode number do i need to refer website for my number daily ??
or i need 2 attend interview again ?
Pls help me
which consulate you had went for first interview/when was your interview.
Thanks
S
Jigna,
You should wait for communication from their side. Have you submitted your passport?
Hi,
No i have not submitted my passport becoz they had ask for passport & ceac barcode number which i have send
But normally on reaffirmed petition cases i have seen the embassy calls beneficiary for interview again.
I m confused
Pls help me
Jigna,
Yes, reaffirmed cases are called for subsequent interview. You can follow-up w/ them after some days, and wait for their response. There is not much you can do about it.
Hi Saurabh,
My case history:
Hi Saurabh,
If possible please clear my doubts.
I went with my Daughter and Wife to New Delhi Embassy on 3rd May 2011 for H1B interview .
Consular asked me questions related to Employee Employer Relationship and finally given me 221g handout without asking for any documents.Now on 7th March 2012 my petition got approved and i went for interview for my reaffirmed petition on 18th May 2012.this time consular was different and she was not aware about the case. she asked me same questions again and said there are chances we can send this petition for cancellation again.She kept our passport and said she will talk to her manager and let me know. Since then there is no update. Every time i check my passport status and it say it is pending with Embassy/Consulate.
Question:
After all this i got an offer from us based company.According HR the company attorney is saying since i was out of US for more then 1 year I need to apply for new H1B under CAP.Please correct me if this is not the case.
Manish,
That is not true. You are still eligible for cap-exempt petition based on your previous approved petition. You also have the option of going through cap-subject route and reset your 6 year H-1 clock. In other words, you can go either way.
Hi Saurabh,
Just wanted to update you and other forum users that finally I got an email from VFS that Visa has been issued.This is indeed a good news.
Issue1: I received Passport for my wife and daughter stamped with H4 on 8th of June.But my passport is still with Embassy. When i check it online I get the same status as passport is with Embassy/Consulate.Please let me know if there can be any issue.
Issue2. I want to travel to US after 2 months is it possible to stay in india even after passport is stamped?
Issue3.My I140 has been approved in 2009 and i have almost used 5 years on my H1.IF i transfer my H1b to a product based company then is it the case that i will get 3 years again considering my I140.
Thanks again for you help and support.
Congrats on the approval Manish!
1. It should get approved soon. It would make no sense to approve dependents’ visa and not yours
2. Yes, it is possible. When travelling to US, make sure you carry recent offer letter and other recent dated documents
3. Yes, they can ask for 3 year extension based on your I-140 approval
Manish,
Your case is similar to mine. Except after reaffirmation I have not visited the consulate yet.
Keeping the passport does not say visa is approved. They sometimes keep it just to process it. VO are usually upfront telling if visa is approved.
But as Suarabh said, nothing can be commented at this moment so take it as a positive sign.
BTW in my case, they returned PP after one month without visa stamp.
Question for you, after it was reaffirmed, did you go to consulate with all supporting documents? like updated client letter, contract etc? What is your work model? EC? EVC?
Good luck for your visa and wish you get it this time. Keep up your faith and don’t lose the hope.
Deepak
Hi Saurabh.
I have been issued 221G when attended the VISA interview on Feb 2012 on new H1 from student Visa conversion. The consulate has collected My passport at interview it self. I have following questions
1. I have the petition valid till SEP,2012, so can I file for renewal from India or ?
2. Does the consulate refer to 221G every time we go in for Visa stamping.
Javed,
1. H-1 extension can be applied from India as well
2. I don’t know what your question meant. You have to go for visa stamping if you plan to travel to US, and don’t have an unexpired valid H-1 visa stamp in the passport.
Saurabh.
Thanks for clarification.
1.As my H1 renewal is being done in India, Can I travel to US once I have a valid Visa.
2.I have been referred to 221g present stamping, can I be referred again when I go for a new visa stamping.
Thanks in advance.
Javed,
1. Correct
2. Yes, it is possible. You can referred to 221g for same or different reason, or the stamping can go through fine.
Thanks Saurabh.
Also –
1. Could you please let me know whether we can know why the 221(g) was referred to a person.
2. As the consulate is holding my Passport since the interview date , is it advisable to request for update or just track my status.
All your help is greatly appreciated.
Javedm
1. Not always. At times they issue a 221g slip w/ certain documents selected and that can given an idea. But that is not always true, and they can do 221g processing even w/o asking for additional documents.
2. You can ask for update, but it might not be much helpful. Check out the article called “The Beast called 221g”.
Thanks Saurabh.
With regard to 2 on checking the article as directed, there is reference that we can reach out to DOS in DC?Also on slip it is mentioned that after 90 days, please drop a mail to check the status? Do you suggest me to reach out to consulate or .
Thanks once again.
Javed,
You can call DOS after 60 days, but may not get much information about the case. At times, the entire processing is like black box (even blacker than USCIS processing). You can start by contacting the VFS and then reach out to DOS if the former doesn’t have any new information for you.
If you have an attorney, then they can also contact DOS as it has been more than 60 days since 221g was issued.
Saurabh.
Sorry to trouble you again.
1. I have FNU problem, would this be delaying the admin processing
2. Also, while traveling to India, I gave in the I-94 which I had as a student but is it correct to give the one or should I hand in the I-94 in new petition.
Appreciate all your response.
Javed,
1. Going by your screen name, you seem to have a common muslim name. If that is correct, then it could be one of the reason for 221g. Were you issued pink slip? If that is the case, then FNU may delay the processing as it may take more time to do background check on the basis of just one name
2. Giving at least one should be fine as both of them carry the same number.
Saurabh.
What do you suggest me to do here. Can we reach and inform Consulate regarding this. Also my e-verify was approved on Mar-20,2012 for the request made in August,2011.
All help is appreciated.
Javed,
Your attorney can contact DOS (there is no way to directly contact the consulate). This may work out or not.
Hi all,
I have attended the interview on May1st and submitted the asked documents: client letter and employment tax returns, unemployment wage reports, employees list on 25th May along with passport. But i dont see the case id yet on chennai site, am i missing something? I am planning to call up consulate tomorrow at 0120-6611411, is there anything else i can do to know the status?
Thanks in advance.
chennai_221g,
Those are the only ways to know the case status – on the site (if applicable) and calling VFS. It can take few weeks to several months for them to process the case (as much as a year at times).
My passport validity is till 9th Jan 2013 , i rec’d reaffirmed h1b petition from USCIS after 1 yr which mumbai embassy had send to USCIS for review and possible revocation. so far i didn’t get any response abut my case from mumbai embassy after getting reaffirmed
They say to refer mumbai consulate website for CEAC Barcode number of mine 2 appear
Now only 7 mnths are left for my passport 2 get expire will embassy mumbai stamp visa if everythings goes right on my passport ?
At POE will the officer give me 194 based on stamping on the passport or till my h1b Petition validity i.e Sept 2013 ?
Pls help me ..
Anand,
I-94 is issued until passport expiration date in case it falls earlier than petition expiration date.
My passport validity is till 9th Jan 2013 , i rec’d reaffirmed h1b petition from USCIS after 1 yr which mumbai embassy had send to USCIS for review and possible revocation. so far i didn’t get any response abut my case from mumbai embassy after getting reaffirmed
They say to refer mumbai consulate website for CEAC Barcode number of mine 2 appear
Now only 7 mnths are left for my passport 2 get expire will embassy mumbai stamp visa if everythings goes right on my passport as they have mention on their website that passport has to have 6 months validity ?
Pls help me
Anand,
You should go for passport renewal and then appear for interview. Hopefully by the time your passport is renewed, you will see your case number appear on the site.
Hi guys,
Hyd Consulate refused Visa for my H1 and sent my petition to USCIS with recommendation to revoke. I attended visa interview on Feb 1st 2012 and got 221g white with AAP check. VO took my USCIS documents at the time of interview and no additional documents.
Reason for refusal was lack of Employee-Employer relationship. Actually after inteview Visa officer mentioned E-E relationship is maitained in my case and it should not be a problem. Bad luck.
when did u got refusal mail ?
HI Saurabh,
Can you please help me with below question:
1. Can I transfer my H1 petition while it’s with USCIS for review and possible revocation? Which gives me chance to use any employer (A/B) for stamping.
2. If USCIS revokes my H1 petition the only option I have will be to file cap exmpt H1 with same or new employer??
3. Client terminated my contract a month back and petition is with USCIS for review. Should I ammend the petition after USCIS reaffirms or is it better to ammend it right away even before USCIS responds?
Thanks,
Anand
Anand,
1. Yes
2. If USCIS revokes the petition, then you will have to file cap-subject petition
3. What will you amend it to? Do you have another project/client?
Hi ,
I got 221(g) feb 12 th and sumbitted documents on 22nd feb at hyd hyd consulate. they gave me yellow . now i am planing to transfer my h1 to another company with premimum processing. my question is
1) what will happens if new h1 got approved and mean time hyd consulate asks me to sumbit passport ? will i need to go once again for interview with new H1 petition or can i use the old petetion and send the passport to the hyd consulate.
krish,
You can submit the passport if you still want to continue w/ stamping through old employer. Else go for new stamping through new employer if you do not want to continue w/ the old stamping process.
Hi Saurabh,
I have attended my interview on 31st may and received 221g green request to submit 2012 pay slips and 2011 W2 along with passport, but my case number does look like 221g case number its different it doesn’t start with the year like 2012 …. it starts with something like 1215…….
I am not sure whether its a 221g case or something else? I have attended the interview at chennai do you know how we can track it?
Thanks,
Kiran
Kiran,
You can go to US consulate’s Chennai website to see the tracking mechanism. Not all case numbers can be tracked, and different consulates have different tracking mechanism.
Yes, the receipt number might be wrong as they usually start w/ year (like 2011, 2012 etc). Call VFS and see if the case number is correct or not. Is the case number hand-written on the 221g slip?
Yes Saurabh the case number is hand written by VO…
“make sure PIMS system is updated with ur latest I797, check with your petitioner on that.”
what does this mean? can you please elaborate ?
Also how are the chances of getting the stamping done in Canada before i go to India.
i need to understand. if my h1b is issued 221g in Canada … what happens next ? can i come back to usa n start working ?
if my h1b is issue 221g in India, how easy it is to switch to h4, come to usa then back to h1 ?
PIMS stands for “Petition Information Management Service”, these are the system where VO able to access the details of the approved petition’s , for more details please refer “http://travel.state.gov/visa/laws/telegrams/telegrams_4201.html”.
also read “PIMS Processing Update” paragraph in “http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1271.html#4”
I will always prefer to attend visa interview at home country.
once ur are issued with 221(g), consulate will do thorough check on the petition as i said in my previous post it may take atmost 60 days for each request to be processed to make a decision on issuing the visa to the applicant and this will cause you to stuck in canada, you can’t come back to USA or fly to India
please refer “INA Section 221(g) – Incomplete Application or Supporting Documentation” in http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/denials/denials_1361.html for better understanding.
I am not sure about switching back to h4 in case 221(g) is issued on H1.
refer “http://redbus2us.com/the-beast-called-221g-process-faqs” to understand when commonly 221(g) is issued.
Padma,
I agree w/ Harish’s response. In case H-1 stamping is refused, you can go for H-4 visa stamping and then travel to US on H-4. Later you can file COS from H-4 to H-1 (same or different employer). You can also go through experiences posted on this page about applicants who went through this.
Hi Saurabh,
If possible please clear my doubts.
I went with my Daughter and Wife to New Delhi Embassy on 3rd May 2011 for H1B interview .
Consular asked me questions related to Employee Employer Relationship and finally given me 221g handout without asking for any documents.Now on 7th March 2012 my petition got approved and i went for interview for my reaffirmed petition on 18th May 2012.this time consular was different and she was not aware about the case. she asked me same questions again and said there are chances we can send this petition for cancellation again.She kept our passport and said she will talk to her manager and let me know. Since then there is no update. Every time i check my passport status and it say it is pending with Embassy/Consulate.
Please let me know if there is any hope for approval. I think they would have returned my passport in case if they wanted to refuse my Visa. Please suggest.
Hi Manish,
Did your employer get NOIR or it just reaffirmed itself ?
My H1B got reaffirmed itself.
Manish,
It is tough to say what will happen. Yes, keeping the passport is a positive sign. If she goes back and look into case history, she will know the same concerns were issued earlier and that USCIS re-affirmed the petition after those concerns. So they should not raise the same concerns again. But consulate officers have done strange things in the past, and so nothing can be guessed.
Hey Saurabh,
After 9 months of wait, I finally got a mail from the Hyd Consulate on 24th May to Submit the passport, which I did on 30th of May and now when I check the VFS website, it shows the status as “collect your passport” or will get couriered. I will wait for the courier to reach me. I hope its with the visa this time. However, I have a question here. My I-797 was only valid until 30th Sept 2012, which is barely 4 months from now. When the consulate had asked us, we had submitted a client invite letter for a duration of three years. But I dont think that would in anyways increase the visa validity. Would it still be advisable to travel on this visa with only 4 months of validity?
Hi Diwakar,
Can you please specify if you are in EVC or EC model H1, documents asked, any client or Employer Audit, etc. Please let us know.
I attended Visa Interview for EVC model H1 on Feb 1st and I have been waiting since then to hear from the consulate. At the time of interview VO took my I797, passport and other documents but a week later Consulate returned my passport with 221 g attached. Still waiting.
Ananad
when did u submitted your documents again or they didn’t ask the documents
@ Krish,
At the time of Interview
Hi Anand,
I am in EC model and I had attended my interview on 25th Aug 2011. At the time of interview they did not ask for any documents, just returned my passport with a 22g blue form with AAP checked.
On 9th Jan 2012 they asked me to submit the Client Invite letter, Itinerary and the Copy of Contract between my employer and customer.
I submitted the docs on 13th Jan and then again(seems like they lost them the first time) on 28th Feb. And then I finally got the email to submit the passport on 24th May. I just hope it got stamped this time 🙂
Diwakar,
Congrats and hope it has the visa stamped 🙂
They usually issue visa until petition expiration date i.e. Sep 30th 2012. You can still travel on this petition and visa, and then file for H-1 extension soon after landing in US.
Thanks Saurabh 🙂
Hi All,
Any one got their visa stamped from chennai consulate who attended in Mar/Apr?Its more than 8 weeks in my case.No updates.
Hi,
Anyone got approval of 221g which issued by Hyderabad counslate in Mar/Apr??
Please share the info here
Thanks
Hi Suma,
Mine is issued feb 12 th and sumbitted documents on 22nd feb. still pending at hyd consulate. they gave me yellow .. wat about u what color of 221(g) they gave ?
HI Krish,
I got white slip on Apr 11th,no docs asked till now no mail or any other communication from counslate don’t know what to do ??
really very frustating
thanks
Hi Suma,
I received 221 g blue AAP retained H1 and H4 passports awaiting since feb 23rd 2012.
still no update from them really lost patiency…:)
is yours EC or EVC model?
email me
thanks
I am planning to go to India next month. Will do stamping (H1 got extended in october by 3 years) in Mumbai. I work in an EVC model. I have been working on h1 since 2008 oct and never without a project. All documents are intact. WHat are the chances of getting the visa successfully done. I had stamped it back in 2009 without any issues. Any thing in particular i need to know ?
Padma,
EVC model is highly susceptible to 221g. They can issue 221g related to client/project and/or employer-employee relationship. The latter went into effect in 2010 before your previous stamping. Make contingency plans so that you can work remotely in case 221g is issued and delays your return.
Hi Padma,
make sure PIMS system is updated with ur latest I797, check with your petitioner on that.
with my experience for most of the EVC model’s VO are putting the cases for additional administration processing under 221(g) & also make sure to have clear understanding on employer-employee work model.
AAP takes max of 60 days to get visa issued,although time frame varies from case to case.
good luck !!!