Below are User experiences starting from February 28th, 2024 onwards for H1B Visa and H4 Visa for both regular visa stamping and Dropbox. You can check US Visa Stamping Experiences for the entire collection
Experience 1: H1B+H4(Spouse+Kid) with In Person Interview at Hyderabad
Date: February 27th, 2024
Location: Hyderabad
I went for stamping after 11 years since my first H1B approval in US. I attended my last visa interview in year 2008 when i went for F1 visa.
This is first time F1 to H1B stamping along with H4 and USC kid. I am working for direct client and attended my interview at consulate on February 27th. I had biometric on 26th.
I would recommend to carrry US passport if you are planning to take you kid inside the consulate. They took about 30 minutes just to verify US passport since we want to take our kid inside the consulate and we had to wait outside the consulare until verification done.
Appointment time 9:15AM but it took us around more than hour to reach the window.
VO: Hi paas me your passport.
Me: Did paas on the both passport & i-797 (myself & spouse)
VO: so you are on H1B and working for xyz client?
Me: yes
VO: give me your LCA.
Me: i did paas on the copy of LCA
VO: which state you are going?
Me: Answered
VO: what is your salary?
Me: Answered
VO: what is your designation?
Me: Answered
VO: Did verify in her system and asked me so are you working from office or outside office telecommuting?
Me: Answered that my role is hybrid (since i have 2 address in my LCA.)
VO: What is your highest education?
Me: Answered
VO: Again she did verify in her system and asked me so you have done your Bachelor’s in US and this is first time stamping after your F1?
Me: yes
VO: she did verify in my old expired passport where i had F1 visa stamped in 2008.
VO: she asked to my spouse when did you had your last visa stampped?
Spouse: Answered
VO: she had my spouse new passport where she didn’t find any visa stampped so she got confused and asked for old passport. After some verification she again asked to my spouse so when did you first time travelled to US and on which visa?
Spouse: I did travelled first time in xyz year and on F1 visa.
VO: She did verify both stamp on old passport and asked that do you have all old I797 approvals?
Spouse: Passed all the copy of i797 from first H4 to the latest.
VO: She did verify all the copy and asked Why do you couple of overlapping on dates in i797?
Me: Told her that i changed my employer couple of time in between renewals.
VO: She again verify in her system and typed something and collected all the documents except passport and gave it back to us and told your visa has been issued.
It was around 11:45AM when we came out the consulate.
I had good experience. There is no seating chairs inside consulate at least for non-immigrant visa section and expect to stand on other sidenof road outside consulare until your appointment time called.
Thanks and good luck to everyone 
Experience 2: H1B with In Person Interview at Chennai
Date: February 14th, 2024
Location: Chennai
Slot time : 11 AM
Status: Approved.
I reached there by 10 A.M and went in the consulate at 10.15 and was out by 11.15 A.M
Interview duration: 5 minutes.
Vo: Good mrg
Me: very good morning officer.
Vo: please pass me your passport and DS-160
Me: passed
Vo: have you done two internships in MS?
Me: Yes
Vo: who’s your current employer and location?
Me: told him about the employer details
Vo: how long have you been working with your employer?
Me: told
Vo: did they start your Green card process? And typing something…
Me: told
Vo: what’s your current salary?
Me: told as per LCA
Vo: are you living in xxx state for the past 4 years??please confirm the location?
Me: was surprised when VO asked about my location and I told him.
Vo: your client is all over the world?? How long have you been working with this client?
Me: I was laughed and said Yes.
Vo: do you have any past W2’s or pay checks with you? If not that’s fine.
Me: I told him i wasn’t carried any W2’s
Vo: Congratulations, your visa is approved.it will be ready in a week.
Me: Thanks a lot officer
CEAC site status: Feb 14th Approved
Feb 14th eve changed to Issued
Feb 16th got Ready for pick up mail
Experience 3: H1B with In Person Interview, 221g at Hyderabad
Date: February 28th, 2024
Location: Hyderabad
H1 Interview at Hyderabad, February last week, Received 221g Admin Processing. website status is Refused.
Applied from consultancy old in business from past many years.
1st Round at Counter American lady
VO: So you will be working with company name
Me: Yes I will be working for Company name…
VO: What is your designation ?
Me: answered my designation as per documentation
VO: What is your highest qualification ?
Me: MS and MBA (however in documentation there is only MBA)
VO: What is your work location
Me: given city and state name
Then visa officer calls another American colleague, shuts down the bottom drawer and shuts down the speaker, and discusses for around 3 to 4 minutes while I was waiting at the counter. And then tells me…go to counter No.6 my colleague will be discussing with you.
(only after 4 questions moved to 2nd round for review)
Now was waiting at counter No.6. All people who joined me all 2nd round are for H1 at Hyderabad are being scrutinized in depth for at least a minimum of 15 to 30 mins per person. Some over the counter and some inside the room. And 2nd round is Indian VO if it’s counter and if it’s inside room 2 persons 1 Indian VO and American VO.
My name was finally announced after reporting to admin team and waiting for hours. Now Indian Visa Officer asks me following questions.
2nd Round Counter Indian Lady VO
VO: Inhouse or Client project
Me: In house project
VO: can you let me know the client details?
Me: said few client names
VO: what is the app name?
Me: said Application name
VO: Can you let me know the project details ?
Me: I will be working in….etc..all explained
VO: What type of product it is? What kind of applications ?
Me: It is an business application…and said have the details of the product pint.
VO: But you said app name is X…(watching the print in my hand from her side over the glass window)
Me. Given explanation and shown the actual product name on the print.
VO: Is this product for the client you have mentioned ?
Me: This app will be deployed at any of their clients.
VO: For this there is no client assigned to you now ?
Me: No, I will be assigned once I join the office…
VO: Do you have any agreement between your company and and their Clients ?
Me: No
VO: Your case is neither approved nor refused it’s under Administrative processing. And VO will update you on the status. If approved you have to hand over the passport at VAC at Hitech city.
After hours of waiting and exertion due to waiting I have tried my best to answer however, However still got 221g. The level of scrutiny at Hyderabad for H1 is the highest.
Counter Numbers does not play any role all are same if sent for 2nd round review.
My Experience and understanding: I was moved from 1st round to 2nd round for further scrutiny immediately after 4 basic questions. At least if I haven’t answered any question or shown some signs then could understand…this may be due to my company having any issue as two VOs discussed for around 3 to 4 mins me waiting during my first round. Also at 2nd round the VO was prepared to issue 221g since the notes she was taking was just for a name sake on a paper which was full of other notes already and she was writing on the edge of free space on her notepad. The casual and hurry nature of the VO at 2nd round and her note taking and the initial round questions all drive me to understand that they were prepared in advance to issue 221g.After hours of waiting and exertion due to waiting I have tried my best to answer however, However still got 221g. The level of scrutiny at Hyderabad for H1 is the highest at the moment.
Experience 4: H1B with In Person Interview at Hyderabad
Date: February 29th, 2024
Location: Hyderabad
I had my visa interview at 9:15 AM, counter num 32.
I saw many posts in this group saying a young lady in counter num 32 is giving 221g. So there were many thoughts running in my mind if i can jump to other queue when no one is watching. But finally decided to stick back to counter 32, and thought what ever happens it is for our own good sake.
There were 2 persons before me- seems like both are h1b, i can listen to their questions and their interview was hardly 2-3 mins and also got approved. So some how i got confidence.
And finally my turn arrived-
VO:GM
Me: GM Ma’am
VO: Passport pls
Me:Handed off
VO: She’s typing something in her screen
VO:after a minute, what is your designation
Me:Answered
VO: Roles & Responsibilities
Me: Answered
VO:pass LCA and I797
VO: inhouse or end client project?
Me: End client from a consulting firm
VO: place your four fingers, your visa is approved
Me : Thank you
Whole interview time was around 3-4 mins.
Experience 5: H1B with In Person Interview at Hyderabad
Date: March 1st, 2024
Location: Hyderabad
I appreciate everyone sharing their stories, and many of us find this group to be very helpful.
I used to read the posts in this group daily, took note of the interview questions for my preparation.
My appointment was at Hyderabad on 01-MAR-2024 at 10:00 AM and I reached there by 8:45 AM. I waited outside for my turn, and at around 10:30 AM the 10:00 AM slot was announced.
Then finally at around 12:40 PM I was sent to counter:29 and my interview was for 3-4 minutes.
Below are the questions, documents asked: LCA
1. Which state you are going to travel?
2. What is your salary with US?
3. What is your Role?
4. What is your highest qualification?
5. What is Biotechnology?
6. You mentioned your role as XXXXX and how is it related to Biotechnology?
VO: Keep your right hand four fingers and told your visa is approved, he gave a blue slip explaining about the rights in the USA.
Experience 6: H1B with Dropbox, 221g, In Person Interview at Chennai
Date: February 23rd, 2024
Location: Chennai
My Timeline :
1. Drop Box @ Chennai for H1B Renewal – Feb 7th
2. Application Received – Feb 9th
3. Application Refused – Feb 16th
4. Origination Scan (Visa Scheduling page)- Feb 21st
5. In Transit From Post (Visa Scheduling page) – Feb 22nd
6. Passport Delivered at home with 221(g) for 48 month visa expiry rule – Feb 22nd
7. Interview Attended – Feb 23rd 9 A.M (Friday)
8. Visa Approved in CEAC Site – Feb 23rd 10 A.M
9. Visa Issued – Feb 26th (Monday)
10. 2nd Origination Scan – Feb 27th
11. 2nd In Transit From Post (Visa Scheduling page) – Feb 28th
12. Passport Delivered at home with Approved Visa – Feb 28th
Note: I was able to track both the passport deliveries using UID. In Bluedart site when you give the UID from your appointment confirmation as reference number, it displayed 2 different waybill numbers for the 2 deliveries.
From my personal experience a general message to all: Unless there is an emergency for you to come to India for renewal, postpone your trip until this 221(g) madness ends. It puts unnecessary pressure on yourself, your family and your career. There are a lot of uncertaintes and unprecedented delays at this point. I had planned for a month vacation in India and I got the Final stamped passport just 1 day prior to my flight. It was a touch and go.
Experience 7: H1B+H4 with In Person Interview at Hyderabad
Date: March 4th, 2024
Location: Hyderabad
H1B and H4 visa got approved.
I attend my H1B visa interview on Monday March 4th, 2024, in Hyderabad and my family also came with me for the H4 visa.
My interview time was 8:15 AM, we reached the consulate by 7:15 AM, we were standing outside for 1 hr, by that time security check is completed it was 8:45 AM, we are standing in the queue, by that time we reached the visa officer counter, it was 9 AM.
Greeted the visa officer “Good Morning Officer.”
Visa officer asked the passports, gave 3 passports, me, my spouse and my daughter.
Question 1) You travelled to US in the past on B1-Visa, you stayed more than 1 month, why you visited US?
Answer) Yes, travelled to US 2 times in the past, 1st time in 2012 and 2nd time in in 2022.
In 2022, I was there for 44 days, I attended company meetings and client meetings.
Question 2) Who paid your salary when you are in US on B1-visa?
Answer) My company In India paid my salary when I was in US on B1-visa for 44 days.
Question 3 ) Can you show me your I-797B approval copy?
Shared my I-79CB approval copy to the visa officer.
Question 4) In-house or client?
Answer) I am a Senior IT Recruiter
Question 5) Which state you are going to?
Answer) Georgia
Question 6) What is your salary?
I told my salary.
Question 7) What is your highest education qualifications?
I mentioned my education qualification with the year of passing.
Question 8) Could you please share me your marriage certificate?
I gave my marriage certificate.
Took fingerprints of me and my spouse.
No question asked for my spouse and daughter.
Finally Golden words, your visa is approved
Experience 8: H1B+H4(Spouse+Kid) with In Person Interview at Hyderabad
Date: March 6th, 2024
Location: Hyderabad
On Feb 22nd myself, spouse and child had biometric around 9:30 in Hyderabad. We reached centre around 9:10. At Initial security they verified appointment letter and asked us join in Queue line. In the line they asked takeout ds 160 confirmation and passport in the in the reception they compared both passport and ds 160 information once everything looks they allowed us inside. For security verification they asked my name and dob and took biometric and pasted QR backside our passports.The whole process completed in just 15 minutes.
On March 6th we had consular interview for all of us in Hyderabad. My interview happened in counter no 37.
VO: good morning
We : good morning officer
VO: asked me to pass me passport
Me : Passed passport
He scanned my baby’s passport who is just one year and asked me go to counter no 23 scan the baby photo come back to same counter 37. We went to counter no 23 there was an Indian officer asked all our three passports he verified information in the system and later he asked me to pass the baby’s photo. Once scan was completed he returned all our passports and baby’s photo. Again we went to counter no 37.
VO: good morning
We: good morning officer
VO: pass me passport and I797
Me: gave both
VO: Which state you are travelling
Me: Answered
VO: You completed Bachelor’s or Masters
Me: Answered
VO: who is your employer(MNC)
Me: Answered
VO: Again he repeated my employer name and i confirmed my employer name
(By looking at his face in my mind i felt he will approve my case)
VO: designation
Me: answered
VO: pass me your marriage certificate
Me: passed
VO: when was your marriage date
Me: told him
Then he said the golden words your visa has been approved and gave me blue slip.
Note : there were no questions asked to my spouse.
Everything completed in just 2 minutes.
Experience 9: H1B+H4(Spouse+2 Kids) with In Person Interview at Hyderabad
Date: April 3rd, 2024
Location: Hyderabad
26th March : Biometric
Docs required: DS-160, Appointment confirmation, Passport original
Time: entire process took 30 mins max.
3rd April: Visa Interview
Docs I carried: Ds-160, Passport original, I797, LCA, I-129, Marriage certificate and birth certificates, Photos of kids
Docs asked: Only passports nothing else asked.
Time: ~2Hrs.
Overall if it was smooth experience. Went with good preparation but question asked were simple.
Questions:
VO: Good Morning
Me: Good Morning, How are you. ?
VO: Passports please.
Me: Passed all 4 passports. (I was also holding I797,LCA and employment letter, but only passports were asked)
Then VO asked my wife to place the left hand four fingers who was beside the scanner followed by mine.
VO: Who is your petitioner?
Me: Answered (MNC)
VO: How long you are with current company?
Me: Answered
VO: Which place are you traveling to?
Me: Answered
VO: what is the salary per annum?
Me: Answered.
VO: Are you working for the US client?
Me: Yes
VO: What is the Highest education qualification?
Me: Batchelor degree with specific stream
VO: It’s almost done, a few seconds (Since my kids were running around and I was trying to keep them calm). Don’t worry I also have one at home 
Me: Smilled
VO: Your visas are approved. And gave us blue slip with QR code to know rights in US.
Me: Thank you officer.
VAC : Hyderabad
UPDATE:
April 3rd : Approved
April 4th : Issued
April 5th : Ready for pickup
Thank you all who have shared experiences they were really helpful
Experience 10: H1B+H4(Spouse+2 Kids) with In Person Interview at Hyderabad
Date: April 15th, 2024
Location: Hyderabad
Got my visa approved.
Me : Good morning officer
VO : Good morning
VO : can you give me your passport & LCA
Me: Gave my Passport & LCA
VO : In which role you are going to work in USa
Me: my Designation
VO: what are ur roles & responsibilities
Me: explained few of them.
VO: in house project or client
Me : client
VO: do you have the client letter?
Me : No
Vo : which client?
Me : i don’t the client name but, after going to USA and complete the onboarding, I will be deployed to the client location.
VO: how you know it?
Me : my employer explained me that after completing onboarding i will be assigned to one of their clients according to my skillset.
VO : can you give me your I-129
Me: Gave the I-129.
VO : kept me on hold and called her senior.
They discussed comparing my LCA and I-129.
VO: Your company is located in Alphareta, Georgia, where as In LCA your work location is mentioned as xxxxxxxx. Do you know that you will be working in xxxxx?
Me: Yes, my employer told me that they are having clients there and I will be deployed there.
VO: which type of clients your company have?
Me : clothing & accessories, telecom, manufacturing and supply chain management…
VO: what is ur highest qualification?
Me : B.Tech (Mechanical)
Vo : How you came to software from Mechanical?
Me : Undergone software training and shifted to software job.
VO: How many years of experience you have?
Me : 10 + years
Vo : How long you are working for Infosys?
Me : 6 years
Vo : how many years in Salesforce?
Me: 5 years
VO: what is your expertise?
Me : I expertise in migation projects where the clients existing legacy systems are migrated to Cloud based platforms.
VO: what will be your salary?
Me : Told as it is mentioned in my offer letter.
VO: keep your right hand four fingers on the scanner.
Me: did the same.
VO: Your Visa is granted. Good luck.
Me : Thank you officer.
Experience 11: H1B+H4 with In Person Interview at Hyderabad
Date: April 16th, 2024
Location: Hyderabad
I reached consulate by 9:15 AM, but my slot was at 10:15 AM. So I had to wait for 1.5 hours before entering the Visa office premises. Finally my number came around 12:45 for the interview.
VO- Hello
Me- Hello, Good Afternoon Officer
VO- Good Afternoon, Can I have your passports
Me- Gave Passport
VO- Is this your renewal application or fresh Visa
Me- Fresh Application
VO- Can I see your LCA
Me- Gave the LCA
VO- Is this an internal project or client project
Me- Client Project
VO- which location
Me- Answered client location
VO- What does your client do?
Me- Answered regarding my Client work.
VO- What will be your designation
Me- Answered as per LCA
VO- What will be your salary?
Me- Answered as per LCA
VO- How long have you been working for your company?
Me- I stated the joining date and total years.
VO- How long have you been working for your client
Me- Answered the question.
VO- When did you get married
Spouse- My spouse answered that question
VO- Can I see your marriage certificate
Spouse- Gave the marriage certificate
VO- Checked my name on my spouse passport
And then asked us to put our fingers for scanning.
Your visa is approved and gave blue cards.
I would suggest everyone if their appointment time is after 9, please reach only 30 minutes before in order to avoid standing in queues.
Experience 12: H1B+H4 with In Person Interview at Hyderabad
Date: April 17th, 2024
Location: Hyderabad
Reached the consulate at 7am for 8AM slot and they allowed inside at 7:30am.
5 to 6 visitor and h1B visas (mostly consultancies or in-house) are rejected or issued 221G and got nervous.
1.Pass Passport and i797
2.Are you going to work at employer location
A)will work at client location
3) what is their business
A) explained client business
4)where it is located?
5) roles and responsibilities
6) pass LCA
7) What is ur salary
8) how many children’s
9) Are they travelling with you
They didn’t ask any documents aprart from passport,lca and 797.
Good luck to all.
Experience 13: H1B+H4(Spouse+Kid) with In Person Interview at Hyderabad
Date: April 22nd, 2024
Location: Hyderabad
I have attended group(H1B and H4) visa interview at consulate, my visa got approved.
Here are the questions asked.
VO: Pass your passports
Me: passed all 3(mine, spouse and kid) passports through the window.
VO: Pass your I797 and LCA
Me: passed.
VO: are you going for xxx company?
Me: Yes
VO: In-house or client project ?
Me: I said client
VO: which state you are going ?
Me: Answered.
VO: what is job title ?
Me: Answered.
VO: What’s your salary ?
Me: Answered.
VO: what’s your highest qualification?
Me: Answered.
No questions to my spouse. Just asked to scan her left hand 4 fingers and my right hand 4 fingers.
That’s all. VO said, your all Visas approved congratulations.
Kept our passports and gave us blue slip to know the rights in US.
Thank you.
Experience 14: H1B+H4(Spouse+Kid) with In Person Interview at Hyderabad
Date: May 9th, 2024
Location: Hyderabad
Appointment booked: 02 May 2024 ( if you want to know about open slots Download the app
” Check US visa slots” from play store )
Biometric: 08 May 2024
Interview: 09 May 2024
10-May Visa status changed to issued
Collected passport: 14 May 2024
Total Counters: 40 (Only 7 is operating)
Questions asked:
Officer: Hey, Good Morning
Me: Good morning Officer
Officer: Passport please
Me: Gave
Officer: Give i129, LCA, i797
Me: Provided
Officer: You are going to work with XYZ ?
Me: Yes officer
Officer: Do you have client letter?
Me: No but I have supporting
documents with me ( I have Sow, contract details for my employer and end client details)
Officer: You had end client interview?
Me: No
Officer: Which state?
what’s your annual income?
Highest Degree?
Current Employer?
How long you have been working with current Employer?
Officer: What’s your designation in current company?
She gave blue card and asked me to scan and read after reaching home and said I’m approving your Visa. Land safely and Good luck.
Experience 15: H1B with In Person Interview at Hyderabad
Date: September 16th, 2024
Location: Hyderabad
OFC – Biometric
Date: Aug 30th
Appointment time:10 AM
Showed my appointment confirmation, DS160 form, and passport. Got a sticker affixed to my passport and was sent to the biometric counter.
Had my photo taken with a DSLR camera and provided biometric data. Was instructed to attend the US Consular Office on the scheduled date with the same DS160 form and passport.
Biometric process completed!
Interview with Consular Officer:
Date: September 16th
Appointment time: 9 30 AM
Status: Visa approved status but not issued yet
Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Step 1: All 9 30 AM interview candidates were called in by 8 45 AM. After the announcement, we crossed the road and stood in the queue under the building.
Step 2: Stood in a long queue, but it moved quickly. My DS160, appointment, and passport were verified.
Step 3: Proceeded to the scanning room, where we were scanned for metal objects. Then, we moved to the next queue.
Step 4: Reached the Consular Office, where we met with US Consular Officers (38 counter). I was randomly assigned to a counter.
Step 5: Conversation with the Visa Officer:
Me: Good morning, officer.
VO: Morning. Please pass your I-797 form.
Me: Passed the form.
VO: What’s your company name?
Me: Answered.
VO: What’s your designation?
Me: Answered.
VO: Which state are you going?
Me: Answered.
VO: which project going to work?
Me: Answered.
VO: Place your fingers on the scanner.
Me: Placed fingers on the scanner. Scanning complete.
VO: Once we verify petitioner details , your visa will be processed! No slip given for us (The officer took our passports.)
Status showing as approved but it’s been 2 days it’s not getting to issued status.
Now waiting for the passports to be delivered with the visa.
Need your help , please tell me how many days it will take to change from approved to issued.
Note:
– Lockers are available at the office and consulate buildings.
– The consular verify your documents and pay attention to your answers.
– Outfits are not a major concern.
– Carry I-797, LCA, DS160, appointment confirmation, employment letter, and passports for the H1B interview.
– You can wear a belt, carry a wallet, wear an analog wristwatch, and small jewelry (ring).
– Stay positive and keep your hopes high! You will succeed. All the best!”.
Experience 16: H1B with In Person Interview at Hyderabad
Date: September 16th, 2024
Location: Hyderabad
Interview Time : 9 Am
Status : Approved ( Received Blue Slip)
Below are the questions:
1. Who is your Petioner/ Sponsor? Told
2. What will be your Annual Salary ? Told
3. Where are you Travelling?
4. What is your highest qualification ?
VO : Congratulation your visa is approved, passed me blue card with employee rights and kept my passport, approximately interview was less than 3 minutes
Note: There were many people infront of me who were interviewed were asked to wait in waiting hall for further rounds of interview , i was really scared I would say lucky escape.
Thanks for all the posts and clarification it helps to prepare better
Pro tips :
1) Be in formal attire ( proper dressing matters)
2) Be confident and make eye contact while responding to VO
3) Modulate your Tone while responding to VO it should not be so loud or slow
4) Greet VO when at desk with a gentle smile
All the Best Wishes for upcoming Interviews
Experience 17: H1B with Dropbox, 221g and In Person Interview at Chennai
Date: September 19th, 2024
Location: Chennai
First at most, I would like to thank the group members for sharing their experience, suggestions, opinions, decisions, etc. It helped a lot for new bees like me and its been a long journey for me. Thanks Again!
H1B first time overal experience from India:
Registration Received Date: 03/17/2023
Registration Selection Date: 07/29/2023 (got picked in 2nd lottery)
Petiton Applied: 10/24/2023 (regular process)
Case is being actively reviewed by USCIS (egov.uscis.gov site): 10/24/2023
RFE Sent to us (egov.uscis.gov site): 03/05/2024 (due to education foreign degree)
RFE response received to USCIS (egov.uscis.gov site): 05/02/2024
Case is being actively reviewed by USCIS (egov.uscis.gov site): 07/24/2024
Case Approved (egov.uscis.gov site): 07/26/2024
Booked drop box appointment in Chennai VAC for 09/10/2024 (usvisascheduling site): 07/29/2024 (I had L1B previoulsy, expired in 2021, was eligible for dropbox)
Received I797B physical copy: 09/08/2024 (there was a delay from USCIS to send us the approved petition)
Submitted DS160 (CEAC site): 09/08/2024
Documents dropped off at Chennai VAC: 09/10/2024 (I797 copy, 1 photograph, DS160 confirmation page, Appointment confirmation page, Passport)
Application Received (CEAC site): 09/12/2024
Application Received (CEAC site): 09/16/2024
Refused (CEAC site): 09/16/2024
Passport picked up from Chennai VAC along with 221(g) notice: 09/18/2024 (asked for inperson interview and to bring LCA, I129, Petition documents)
Walked in to US consulate in Chennai for Interview (10:45AM): 09/19/2024
- VO: Good Morning
- Me: Good Morning Officer
- VO: Give me your passport
- Me: Passed on the passport, 221(g), I129, I797B (original), LCA
- VO: Great, thanks!
- Me: Sure, no problem
- VO: Is XYZ your petitioner?
- Me: Yes Mam!
- VO: Will you be in working in ABC (state)?
- Me: Yes Mam!
- VO: What is your designation?
- Me: Answered
- VO: Is this your new job?
- Me: Yes!
- VO: What’s your salary?
- Me: $$$ per year
- VO: Place your left four fingers on the device, then right four fingers, then 2 thumb’s
- VO: Your visa has been approved
- Me: Thank you!
- VO: Congratulations on your new job
- Me: Thanks Again!
Case Approved (CEAC site): 09/19/2024
Issued (CEAC site): 09/20/2024
Origination Scan (usvisascheduling site): 09/23/2024
Ready of Pick up(usvisascheduling site) : 09/23/2024 (usvisascheduling site)
Picked up at Chennai VAC (usvisascheduling site): 09/24/2024 (Stamping done)
Experience 18: H1B+H4 with In Person Interview at Hyderabad
Date: September 23rd, 2024
Location: Hyderabad
Visa status – Approved
Stamping number – First time.
Time taken – Overall 2 hours and VO interview is just less than 1 minute.
Me: Good Afternoon officer and provided my passport
VO: Asked me to Give my I797
Me: Provided
VO: Scanned the passport and asked the name of my Employer
Me: Answered
VO: Which state are you travelling?
Me: Answered
VO: How long you are Working with XYZ Company?
Me: Answered
VO: What is your Designation?
Me: Answered
VO: What’s your highest qualification?
Me: Answered
VO: Show me your Marriage Certificate(For Dependent H4)
Me: Provided
VO: Place your four finger of left hand, then right hand and then both the Thumbs on to the scanner and gave me blue card and said “Your Visa is Approved”.
Me: Thank you so much officer.
Please go in formals, be confident while answering, Carry 1 Copy of 2/2 photo in white background (Will be required Incase the photo clicked during Biometric is not loaded in their System).
All the best!!
Experience 19: H1B with In Person Interview at Hyderabad
Date: September 16th, 2024
Location: Hyderabad
Already in US with H-1B. Posting this as most of the experiences shared are for new H-1B and I haven’t traveled in the last 7 years hence was not Eligible for interview waiver. Might be helpful for others who are already in US with stamp but not exempted from interview.
Me: GM officer, how are you doing today?
VO: very GM. I am doing fine, yourself?
Me: I am doing well, thank you for asking.
**Passed on my passport paralelly**
VO: can I see your I-797 and LCA
Me: Sure, here they are.
VO: do you already have h1-b with us?
Me: Yes
VO: do you have any issues staying the US so far?
Me: no, it’s absolutely fine. Great place to live.
VO: what is your current designation?
Me: **Answered**
VO: what do you do in that position?
Me: **Answered**
VO: **cuts me off in middle** how much are you paid?
Me: Answered Base, bonus + company benefits
VO: what is the highest level of education?
Me: masters in CS XYZ university
VO: which city are you planning to live in?
Me: I live in xyz city, state.
VO: keep your right hand for prints.
VO: your visa is approved, you will get your passport in 7-10 days.
The 3 folks in front of me in the line were also given the H1-B visa and common questions were which company? Is it in house or client? Who’s your client? What do they do? Your role?
One candidate was asked to explain a tool as well.
Just be confident with your answer and you will be fine.
Update on passport pickup:
Received email to collect passport on sept 18tg and picked it up on the 19th
