Below are User experiences starting from January 1st to February 27th, 2024 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 with In Person Interview at Chennai
Date: January 24th, 2024
Location: Chennai
After security checks & standing in the queue for long time…
VO: Good Morning. Please give me your passport.
Me: Good Morning. (Gave passport. Tried to give I797 after 2-3 seconds.)
VO: Nothing else.
Me: Ok
VO: How long you are working in XXX?
Me: I have been working with XXX for about 3 and half years.
VO: Where are you staying?
Me: In the US or in India?
VO: In the US.
Me: I will stay in Austin, Texas.
VO: What is your salary in the US.
Me: My salary will be XXX in the US.
VO: Place your left hand four fingers in the scanner.
…..
VO: Have you read this? (Know your rights pamphlet)
Me: Yes. When filling the DS-160 form, I have read.
(VO gave me the pamphlet)
VO: Your visa is approved and you will receive your passport within 7 days.
Me: Thanks 
Experience 2: H1B with In Person Interview at New Delhi
After security checks & standing in the queue it was around 7:30 AM, despite my slot at 10:00AM.
(better to reach little early to the location)
Documents carried:
Passport
DS-160 confirmation
l797B
I129
Employment letter (client)
Questions:
VO: Good Morning. Please give me your passport.
Me: Good Morning. (Gave passport.)
VO: Give your l797B.
Me: I gave it.
VO: What’s your company name?
Me: Said (xxxxx)
VO: Where are you going to stay?
Me: I will stay in Dallas, Texas.
VO: Client or in house project?
Me: Client and said the client name.
VO: What is your compensation in USD.
Me: My salary will be….
VO: What are your roles and responsibilities?
Me: Told my job roles and responsibilities, she heard me for few seconds and proceeded to next question.
VO: What is your highest education?
Me: Bachelor’s of Technology
VO: What is your job role?
Me: Answered (as mentioned in the offer letter)
VO: Your visa is approved and you will receive your passport within 7 days.
Me: Thanks
Sharing as this experience might be helpful.
Be confident while answering.
All the very best!
Experience 3: H1B with Dropbox, 221g, In Person Interview at Mumbai
Approval after 2 years
Timeline:
15th February 2022 – came to india
18th feb 2022 – Dropbox at Mumbai consulate
March first week of 2022 – 221g to attend interview
15th March 2022 – attended interview at Mumbai consulate and received 221g
May 2022- Submitted all documents
Sept 2022 – lost my full time job
15th November 2022- received passport submission request from Mumbai consulate, I didn’t submit my passport as I lost job (as per attorney’s advise)
Transferred my H1 to Consultancy.
Dec 2022 – approval of my new H1b
January 2023- attended interview in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
3rd Jan 2023 – received 221g, no docs asked
28th Feb 2023 – my file was returned to uscis for revocation.
After waiting for 7 months, filled writ of mandamus on 15th October 2023
15th December 2023 – they asked for one more month extension
15th January 2024 – my employer received reaffirmation notice
Sent reaffirmation notice to Vietnam embassy
19th January 2024 – asked to come for interview
29th January 2024 – attended interview
30th January 2024 – status changed to approved.
Finally got approval after 2 years of struggle.
Experience 4: H1B with Dropbox, 221g, In Person Interview at Chennai
Date: January 25th, 2024
Location: Chennai
I had my dropbox on the 29th of December(First time H1B COS from F1)
Application Received : 2nd January.
Application Refused Status: 8th January.
Passport returned with 221g for interview on 11th January.
Interview on 25th of January:
VO: Can you tell me what does your company exactly do? Told
VO: What is your role, and what do you do in the team?
VO: Educational qualifications?
VO: Salary?
VO: Do you have any documents?(for eg Payslips, W2) gave him all my payslips right from when I started working.
VO: Your visa has been approved, you will get back your passport within a week.
Application Approved Status: 29th January( first working day after 25th)
Issued Status: 30th January.
Passport Collected : 31st January.
Some background, I think the 221g for interview is mostly for companies who do not already have a lot a of people on H1B. I was among the first few from my company and a few other guys with me for the interview were either from startups or smaller companies with not many H1B employees.
In hindsight, I would directly go for the interview, instead of a dropbox atleast for the first time stamping, to avoid the unnecessary anxiety between getting the 221g and the interview.
Cheers!
Experience 5: H1B with In Person Interview at Hyderabad
Date: February 1st, 2024
Questions asked:
Me: Good morning mam
VO: Good morning
(Asked Passport)
VO: Is this your first H1B application?
Me: Yes mam
VO: Who is your petitioner?
Me: Told name of the petitioner
(Asked LCA)
VO: Which state you will be travelling to?
Me: XXX state
VO: What is your designation?
Me: Software developer
VO: What is your salary?
Me: I will be getting xxxx per annum(Tell the exact number in LCA)
VO: For this job, what you will do exactly?
Me: Explaining job responsibilities
Tips:
– First thing first, Visa officers are not there to find reasons to reject your application, they are just verifying your details that if you are genuine or not and ready to give you the visa.
– Prepare well and be confident
– Communicate as you daily speak. You don’t need to use great vocabulary, you can use simple English. And give straight forward answers.
Experience 6: H1B with In Person Interview at Hyderabad
Date: January 30th, 2024
Sharing my experience with kind of combo of everything in recent times ( I was Eligible for drop box from last year interview waiver criteria , Had to do Emergency request for earliest appointment & in-person H1 visa ).
I had a drop box appointment on February 6th 2024 . However in early January i had to travel to India due to family emergency. In mid January i came to know from this group some people getting 221 G for in person interview who had their visa expired before 48 months ( Due to new rule published U S Department of state in Jan 2024).
I did cancel my 02/06/24 drop box appointment & paid new visa fees (Due to some new portal website issue I couldn’t retrieve old payment receipt ) I have got in-person appointment at Hyderabad location in First week of February.
FYI : I created new profile using new email id & new credentials & got new in-person appointment at Hyderabad location.
Also, I did request emergency appointment request by providing supporting documents & my request got approved in 2 business days & I was able get new in-person appointment ( 01/29&01/30) with-in a week followed by emergency request approval email.
01/29 – Biometrics at Hyderabad VFS
01/30 – Visa Interview at Hyderabad Consulate Interview questions:
Salary, office location, Employer name ,
Designation&Job duties , highest study , last visit in India on H1B visa .
VO: Your visa is Approved. Have a Good Day!
01/31 – Approved ( CEAC website Status )
02/01 – Issued (CEAC website status )
02/02 – Origin scan ( Visa scheduling portal status)
02/03 – In transit ( Bluedart Tracking by using UID # )
02/03 – Vadodara Bluedart called me Passport is ready for pick-up .
Note : Good thing about in-person interview that you will review your passport within in a week & worst part is you have to wait in long line (2 hours at Hyderabad location) at Consulate to attend 5 minutes interview.
Good luck everyone !
Experience 7: H1B with In Person Interview at Chennai
Date: January 29th, 2024
First time H1-B stamping, last stamp was F1 more than a decade ago. FTE since 7 years with the same company. Applicant only and no dependents.
Biometric – Hyderabad VAC – Sun 14th Jan:
DS-160 confirmation page
Appointment confirmation pages (usvisascheduling)
Passport (more than SIX months to expiry since biometric/interview date)
Thu 25th Jan – CEAC case created
Interview – Chennai – Mon 29th Jan:
Asked to give passport
Questions:
- how long with current employer? – 7 years
- is it client or in-house? – no / am FTE since Day #1
- where is work location? – ‘City & State’ but remote due to COVID and we meet in that location
- confirmed again regarding 7 years with company
- you attended ‘This USA University’? – yes
- what is your pay per annum? – $
Scanned left hand’s FOUR fingers
‘Approved’ and will receive in a week
Took many documents, but Consular Officer did not ask for any – I-129’s I-797 ‘approved’ PHOTOCOPY AS ORIGINAL NOT WITH ME, W2s until recent, payslips until recent, work location images, organizational chart, ‘usvisascheduling’ payment confirmation, LCA, Employment Verification Letter, AND OTHER DOCUMENTS NEEDED like DS-160, appointment confirmation, passport
- Mon 29th Jan – CEAC Approved
- Tue 30th Jan – CEAC Issued
- Tue 30th Jan AND/OR Wed 31st Jan – ‘usvisascheduling’ ‘created’
- Thu 1st Feb – ‘usvisascheduling’ ‘origination scan’
- Fri 2nd Feb (PREMIUM PICKUP) (after 4 PM hence could not pick it up the same day) – (Email + SMS) stating ‘documents are ready to be picked up’ AND ‘usvisascheduling’ ‘ready for pickup’
- Mon 5th Feb – picked up passport AND VERIFIED THE DETAILS ON THE VISA (like Entries, I-129 Petition Number, Name, Passport Number, Company Name, Visa Type, other details, etc.)
all the best!
Experience 8: H1B with Dropbox at Chennai
Date: February 1st, 2024
Dropped off/Picked up in Bangalore VFS collection centre Stamped at Chennai consulate. Employer Change last year. 2nd time Dropbox
CEAC Statuses:
1/17/2024 (drop off day) – Wednesday
No status (using NA for surname and passport number
1/24/2024 – Wednesday
Application Received – (some time around midnight)
1/26/2024 – Friday
Approved – (around 8 am on Republic day which was super weird since the embassy was closed)
2/1/2024 – Thursday
Issued – (around 11 am . was literally shitting bricks since Approved to issued takes a day or two but took a week for me. Turns out the delay may have been due to the backlog built up by Republic day long weekend and the following Wednesday being a holiday for chennai since they are closed on the last Wednesday of every month)
US Visa scheduling portal Statuses:
1/18/2024 – Thursday
In Transit to Post
1/19/2024 – Friday
Delivered to Post (Reached Chennai)
2/2/2024 – Friday
Origination Scan (Around 12 pm. started back from Chennai)
2/5/2024 – Monday
Ready for Pickup (9:30 am. Email.)
Experience 9: H1B with Dropbox, 221g, In Person Interview at Chennai
Date: February 8th, 2024
H1B renewal after 7 years.
Dropbox was on 19th Jan.
Refused status on feb 2nd due to change in rule.
Received passport on 6th with 221g to appear for interview.
Attended interview on 8th feb.
Interview questions:
Your employer
How long you are working with them
Who is end client
How long working with end client
Salary
Work location
Took 10 fingers print and said approved.
All the very best to all. It’s painful to keep waiting and it’s a big relief once approved.
Experience 10: H1B+H4 with In Person Interview at Hyderabad
Date: February 9th, 2024
Appointment Time 8:45am.
Reached there by 8:20 am. Security allowing to queue for only 8:45am appointment. So was in the queue directly.
After initial screening of passport, even though we had 2 different appointments ( 1 for H1 and 1 for H4) security asked us if 1 window. I said yes.
Was in queue for window to be assigned. Queue was moving quickly.
Time takem from main gate to interview window/counter — 1 hrs.
VO – Good morning!!
We – Good morning officer.
VO – Passport please.
We – we gave all 3 passports.
VO – I-797 please
Me – Gave my I-797.
VO – LCA please
me – Passed on my LCA.
VO – After looking at the LCA, So uou worked for xyz company?
Me – Yes.
VO – How long have you been working with this company?
Me – Answered.
VO – Where are you going?
Me – Told city, state.
VO – Do you have a client?
Me – Yes, client name.
VO – where do you work?
Me – Told client office address as per LCA.
VO – Do you work from home too?
Me – yes, home address as per LCA.
VO – What is ur salary?
Me – Answered according to LCA.
VO – Tell me ur Designation n role n responsibility.
Me – I started explaining according to DS-160, LCA
Before I could finish,
VO – Tell me again when did you start working for this company?
Me – Told her according to LCA.
VO – You have in the US before and have ben working?
Me – yes, had my H1 with my previous employer.
VO – Kept typing, Keep your left finger on the scanner.
Me – I did.
VO – Golden word, Your visa is approved.
H4 Experience….
VO – Turns to my wife and asks for marriage certificate.
Her – Passed on the photo copy
VO – How long have you been been married?
Her – Replied.
VO – Where do you reside?
Her – Answered with our home address.
VO turns to my 13 yr old son and asks how old are you?
Son – 13
VO – which school do you go to?
Son – Answered.
VO turns to my wife and asks my wife if she was out of status, though there is nothing in my system?
Me – Yes, they were due to attorney missed to file their extension and I missed to notice it. It was mistake on both myself n attorney. As soon as we realized, within 10 days My wife n son left the U.S.
VO- I will be back.
Me- Sure.
Officer consults other officer
VO come back to desk and says – You are good as there is nothing in my system.
VO to my wife – Place ur left hand on scanner and keeps all 3 passports aside.
Her – She did.
Me – Starting to realize that visa is kinda approved.
VO – Returns all documents and says Your visa is approved.
Me n Wife – Happy n smile!! Left the counter.
Note – Keep smile on ur face and stay relaxe
Experience 11: H1B with In Person Interview at Chennai
Date: February 7th, 2024
Attended h1 visa interview and below is how it went
VO- Good morning
VO-pass me your passport and approval copy
Me-gave
VO-who is your employer?
Me-Answered.
VO-client name?
Me-Answered
VO-where you will be working from?
Me-Answered from employers location
VO-Number of employees working for your employer?
Me-Answered
VO-Do you have your client letter?
Me-Passed client letter.
VO-explain your project?
Me-Answered
VO-Please put your fingers forward
Me-Fingers scanned
VO-gave yellow slip and asked to wait in the lobby(There were atleast 6 people who were given yellow slip and asked to wait in the lobby)
Waited in the lobby for about 90mins and then called to the counter
VO-Asked client name again and is it your end client?
Me-Answered
VO- what exactly will you be doing for the client?
Me-explained.
VO-whats your salary?
Me-mentioned as per LCA.
VO-employers location?
Me- Told.
VO-Is there any vendor between your client and employer?
Me-No vendor.
VO-how did you get this oppurtunity
Me-Answered that i have applied for their online listed position.
VO-asked for client letter again
Me-handed over and explained verbally.
Asked to wait again at the lobby…waited almost for another hour.
Then called upon to the counter handed over the documents to me and VO said your visa has been processed you will receive your passport in 7-10 working days.
Feb 7th status- approved
Feb 8th status- Issued.
Thanks.
Experience 12: H4 with Dropbox, 221g, In Person Interview at Chennai
Date: February 9th, 2024
Jan 23rd : drop box at Chennai for h4 for myself and my kids
Feb2: Application received
Feb5: Refused
Feb 8: passport received for all with 221g (for my self alone not for kids)
Feb9: in person interview done
Status changed to approved within an hour.
Asked for my husband’s current visa and gave back to me.
Question:
Where do you live in US?
Is your husband here or in US?
Is this first visa for your kids ?
That’s all approved and said passport will in a week.
Kids are compulsory to attend but most of them brought kids. Some babies were crying inside and kids can’t stand in queue for such long time incase.
No finger prints
Took my father to hold my belongings like handbag and mobile . Nothing allowed. No locker.
Outside auto people will trouble you alot , if they know you are from out of town they charging you in thousands. If you know Tamil you can bargain them if you have no other option to hold your belongings.
Went in at 8 am came out around 9.15
Their is a separate initial screening for 221g and joined the main queue which is very long.
Reach consulate as early as possible will be help you to come out sooner.
Hope this helps.
Experience 13: H1B with Dropbox, 221g, In Person Interview at Chennai
Date: February 9th, 2024
This is my first time, fresh employment.
23rd Jan 2024 – Dropbox submitted at Hyderabad (VAC selected: Chennai)
30th Jan 2024 – Status changed to Open
05th Feb 2024 – Status changed to Refused
07th Feb 2024 – Message received to Pick Passport
08th Feb 2024 – Picked Passport from Hyderabad, It has 221g slip with message to appear for interview in Chennai on or after 09th Feb 2024 between 9am to 11am.
09th Feb 2024 – Attended interview, was informed Approved.
10th Feb 2024 – Status changed to Approved
12th Feb 2024 – Status changed to Issued
Waiting for ready for pickup message…
Overall Interview Experience:
- Reached to Chennai VAC on time by 8.30am.
- Security did not let me into the queue with me carrying Mobile, Backpack, Laptop with chargers etc. (missed to check whether I can carry any electronic items inside VAC.)
- Some auto person asked if they can keep my goods in Locker, tried that option but did not feel safe. So, called my friend, he came.
- Entered into security queue by 9.15am
- After security scan, entered into 221g queue
- Verified my passport and 221g letter.
- Entered into Interview queue.
- Infront of the Interview officer around 10.15am.
- Interview took about 5 minutes
- Came out of VAC by 10.30am
Interview Q&A
Good morning
I gave my passport and 221g paper to Interviewer
Q1) Do you have Interview schedule today?
Answered, Yes.
Q2) Where are you working?
Answered current company name, also told this process is for my future employment.
Q3) How many years you are working in this company?
Answered my work years current company.
Q4) Who is your client?
Answered future employment client company name (tried to spell the company name).
Q5) Do you have any client document showing their company name?
Shared client contract document (I believe this to see the exact name of the company).
Q6) What is salary?
Answered future employment salary.
Q7) Are you married?
Answered.
After that took my finger prints both hands – left 4, right 4, both thumbs.
After that said your Visa Approved.
Experience 14: H1B with In Person Interview at Hyderabad
Date: February 9th, 2024
H1B visa interview on Feb 9th in Hyderabad US consulates slot timing’s is 9am
Visa status changed to “ISSUED” Feb 12th
Below is my interview experience,
Me : Good morning officer
VO: Can you provide your i797 and LCA
Me: Yes, here it is
VO: Which place you are travelling to?
Me: Answerd the travelling place
VO: Have you worked for the client previously?
Me: Yes
VO: What does your client do?
Me: Explained about the client’s business briefly.
VO: What’s your salary
Me: Tell the exact number mentioned in your LCA
VO: Roles and Responsibilities
Me: Explained my job duties and responsibilities
VO: For H4 she asked my wife “What you will be doing “
My wife: Answers I will be staying at home
VO: Since you are visiting U.S can you provide your wedding photos
Me: I have my marriage certificate and marriage invitation but I didn’t bring photos.
VO: Your visa approved , For H4 she gave pink slip 221g and mentioned to send wedding photos to the provided mail id in that slip
Me: Ok thanks
After coming out I sent the wedding photos , my visa status changed to “Approved” around 11am and Wife’s and kid’s visa status is “Approved” around 5pm on the same day.
Experience 15: H1B with In Person Interview at Chennai
Date: February 13th, 2024
Location: Hyderabad
Interview at 8am:
Analog watch allowed, Wallet allowed, Small water bottle allowed, File allowed
Go as early as possible. They are allowing everyone with 2 hours window slot. That is at 7.45 they allowed people with slot at 9 or 9.30.
Questions:
1. Passport
2. What document you got – Gave only 797
3. Company name
4. Role
5. Company city and state
6. Salary
7. What does your company do
8. Internal or client – Internal
9. What is the project
10. Current company
11. Current company location
12. Highest education
Visa approved
Dont panic
Dont rely on questions asked to others
Others bad experience may not happen to you
Collect as much detail about your company and project. That’s it your will get visa approved.
Experience 16: H1B with Dropbox, 221g, In Person Interview at Hyderabad
Date: February 15th, 2024
Location: Hyderabad
Dropbox Jan30 at hyd
Feb 3rd case status changed to Application received
Feb5th refused
Got 221g slip to attend interview(my visa expired more than 48months back)
Attended the interview, below is the experience.
There is a separate line for 221g
Employment Type: full time
VO: Goodmorning pass me your passport and I797 please
Me: Sure
VO: how long you are working for this company ?
Me: from past 20 months
VO: what’s your salary ?
Me: told current salary.
VO: could you repeat again ?
Me: Sure, It is XXXX dollars per year
VO: What’s your job title ?
Me: software engineer
VO: What’s your highest degree ?
Me: masters degree
VO: Where do you stay in the US ?
Me: mentioned the state name.
VO: place your fingers.
Your visa is approved.
TIPS: There are no lockers in Chennai consulate so please keep mobiles at the hotels. The auto people charge you outrageous amount for storing cellphones.
If you are coming to US for first time on H1B be prepared to answer these questions, I see one of the officer issued 221g for two people after asking these questions, even thought they answered well.
1. Why do they need you in the US ?
2. You are working from India currently, why do they need you in US ? Why can’t you continue the same job here ?
Be prepared and all the best.
Experience 17: H1B with Dropbox, 221g, In Person Interview at Chennai
Date: February 12th, 2024
Location: Chennai
Dropped at Hyd for Chennai : Jan 18, 2024
Reached Chennai : Jan 22
Application Received : Jan 24
Application Received : Jan 27
Application Received : Jan 30
Refused : Feb 5th
Passport pickup : 8th Feb
221G in person interview : 12th Feb (chennai) today
Approved status : 13th Feb
Issued status : 14th Feb
Origination Scan : 14th Feb evening
Pickup mail : 15th Feb evening
Pick up the passport at hyderabad vac : 16th feb
Total time period : 30 days
Questions asked:
1) what’s your employer name
2) client details.
3) Designation.
4) Roles and Responsibilitys
5) Tell me about Client.
6) which state your going.
7) How much salary offerd
Experience 18: H1B with Dropbox, 221g, In Person Interview at Chennai
Date: February 13th, 2024
Location: Chennai
17 Jan Passport Submitted at Mumbal VAC
24 Jan Case Created Status Upadated to Application Received
26 Jan Status Upadated to Application Received
29 Jan Status Upadated to Application Received
6 February send email for requesting expedite process through portal
7 February Status Upadated to Refused
9 February Passport received back via blue dart premium process with 221g white slip only ticked Interview Reqired on or after 9th February
13th February appear for Interview at Chennai
VO : u previous had student visa?
Me: Yes
VO: which college u studied?
Me : ****** University
VO: still living in *** **** city??
Me: Yes
VO: the job you got is looks like a very small company
Me: Yes
VO: your visa approved and you will get Passport within 7 days
13 Feb Status Upadated to Administrative Processing when entered Consulate
13th Feb Status Upadated to Approved as soon as VO approved
14th Feb Status Upadated to Issued
16 Feb Passport received via Blue Dart premium processing.
One can check Passport tracking on bluedart. com by entering UID as a refrance no. In tracking tool.
Experience 19: H1B with In Person Interview at Hyderabad
Date: February 16th, 2024
Location: Hyderabad
Attended H1B Visa interview at consulate and Approved
VO: Good Morning
Me: Good Morning
VO: Give me your Passport
Me: Given
VO: Give me your LCA
Me: Provided LCA document
VO: Are you going to work with xxx employer
Me: Yes
VO: Which state are you travelling
Me: Told my state name
VO: What is your salary
Me: Informed my salary as per LCA
VO: What is your Educational qualification
Me: Explained
VO: What is your designation
Me: As per document I told.
VO: Tell me again
Me: Told my designation again.
VO: How ping you are working with your xxx company.
Me:Told the number of years.
VO: How long you are working with xxx client.
Me:Told the number of years.
After that VO asked me to keep my left hand for finger prints.
She took my passport and returned my LCA and given blue card.
Finally she said Your Visa is approved.
Experience 20: 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 21: H1B with In Person Interview at Hyderabad
Date: February 20th, 2024
Location: Hyderabad
Hi everyone sharing my experience of my consular appointment which was done on 20th feb. Will mainly focous on the questions asked .hope it will be helpful for people who are attending the interview
1.VO please pass your LCA and Passport
Ans: given her my LCA and passport
2. Which location you will be travelling?
3. What is your salary?
Ans: Answered
4. What is you highest qualification?
Ans: I have told my highest degree
5. What is your total experience?
Ans: told her my total years of experience
7.Are you working for end client ?
Ans: told her my answer
8.what are your roles and responsibilities?
Ans: told my job duties
9. How did you come to know about this job ?
Ans: explained my scenario
Then she asked me to scan my right hand for finger prints
She has told my visa got approved!!
She has handed over my LCA and took my passport and handed over Blue card for rules to be known before entering the USA
Hope this will be helpful for people going for consulate interview to Hyderabad
Experience 22: H1B+H4 with Dropbox, 221g, In Person Interview at Chennai
Date: February 22nd, 2024
Location: Chennai
Jan 25th: Documents dropped at Hyd consulate (Appointment was at chennai)
Feb 1st: Application Received
Feb 13th: Refused
Feb 15th: Passport pickup with 221g slip
Mentioned to attend inperson interview with specified documents.
Feb 22nd: Went to consulate at 8am.
Interview started around 8:50am
VO: Pls come forward
Me: Good morning officer
VO: Good morning. Pls forward your documents
Me: Here are my passports followed with 221g and mentioned documents
VO: Since when you’re working with your employer
Me: More than 3+yrs
VO: Are you working for client of Inhouse project?
Me: Inhouse
VO: What is your designation?
Me: Software engineer.
VO: What is your project about?
Me: Design and implement solutions based on clients requirements using the cloud based providers.
VO: From where do you work?
Me: Orlando, FL
VO: Thats all i need, you are good to go
Experience 23: H1B with Dropbox, 221g, In Person Interview at New Delhi
Date: February 1st, 2024
Location: New Delhi
Guys, wanted to share my 221g Admin Processing experience which took almost 9 months to clear (F1 to H1B) and hope it helps anyone in similar situation.
Background:
1) FT employment, did CPT, OPT, STEM OPT and H1B with the same employer.
2) Renewed Indian Passport from USA before going to India for H1B dropbox stamping.
3) H1B filed by employer with title ‘X’. Later title changed to ‘Y’. No amendments were done to LCA
Experience:
1) Dropped Documents on May 09th, 2023 at New Delhi Consulate. Case created on portal on May 10th and status changed to refused on May 11th, 2023
2) Received email to pickup passport on May 25th, 2023. There was 221g white slip with the passport asking to appear for in-person interview.
3) June 5th, 2023 – Appeared for the interview. VO kept the passport and issued 221g yellow slip with note admin processing and told i will hear back within a week.
4) June 9th, 2023 – Passport returned again and this time with 221g blue slip asking to submit all petition documents via email.
5) June 20th, employers attorney provided all the documents.
6) Between June 21st, 2023 and January 31, 2024, there was no email or communication from embassy. However, the case last updated date changed 8-9 times and changed more frequently after the 180 day mark passed. In September 2023, i had also took help from a local congressman, but he also got generic response that case is under going administrative processing.
7) February 1st, 2024 – Received email from embassy to drop the passport. February 5th passport dropped, February 6th Approved and February 7th, visa was issued. Received the passport back via blue dart courier service
Takeaway:
1) Be very careful while filling out ds160 form. Slightest misinformation like title or experience dates etc., may trigger admin processing.
2) Always consult attorney and review LCA if there is a title change.
3) If stuck in admin processing, follow up via the visa scheduling portal; create a new case, attach passport copy and 221g letter. The case will be escalated to embassy.
4) If you are in admin processing for more than 9 months, file mandamus. But keep in mind that if you file mandamus, it will always be in your record and whenever you go for stamping in future, it will show up in the system and the case will be scrutinized again. Weigh the pros and cons with the attorney
Finally i wish all the luck to those who are stuck. It is frustrating, nerve wracking but each experience teaches something new. I hope you get stamp ASAP. Good luck!🍀
Experience 24: H1B with In Person Interview at Hyderabad
Date: February 27th, 2024
Location: Hyderabad
I attended my first H1B interview at the consulate. I had prepared for AR as I got to know that for the Hyderabad location people are getting Administrative Processing.
My slot was 9:45am. I went 2 hours ahead. I met a few H1B guys who were also for the first time.
We entered the consulate, where we had a few checks of your belongings before the interview. after that, we are in a big line.
Then at 10:45, I was sent to a counter no 34. There was an American lady mid 30’s. Before me, there were 2 two people for H4’s got approved for both in 6 mins.
Coming to my turn
She became friendly, I think because H4’s people were friendly.
Vo: Good Morning Dear,
Me: Good Morning officer.
Vo: What is your company name?
Me: Ans ( she searched my company and she didn’t find it and she kept a doubtful face)
Vo: Where it is located?
Me: Ans
Vo: What is your role?
Me: Ans
Vo: What type of Business, do they do?
Me: Ans
Vo: What is your Project name?
Me: Ans ( spelled out the project name and she searched it, she was confident) and parallelly I explained about my project.
Vo: How many years of IT experience, do you have?
Me: Ans
Vo: What is your Highest qualification?
Me: Ans
Vo: what is your company size?
Me: Ans (shocking face)
Vo: When was your company established?
Me: Ans
Vo: How many rounds of interview and did they take any test?
Me: Ans
Vo: In-House or End client?
Me: Ans
Vo: How did you get this job and how did you contact the company?
Me: Ans
Vo: What is the nature of the job?
Me: Ans ( she laughed at the answer I had given and I also laughed at myself )
Until now I was nervous, the last question
Vo: What is your salary?
Me: Ans
After that, she told me to keep my right hand 4 fingers.
While she was asking, she asked for my i797, I gave the document and after that, she asked LCA.
She has taken 20 sec, just checking the main things and she gave a blue slip explaining about rights in the USA.
As I was not prepared for approval, I was in shock. I was not listening to her. I took my documents and came out at 11:20.
TIP: Book your slots in the morning around 9, if possible.
Note: Tell them what is mentioned in LCA only, If you are an In-house project. You should have project details. As it was a new employer for me I asked.
Guys, I almost got 13-14 questions in 4 mins. I have just posted the questions I remembered. 10 questions were basic only. Be cool and be confident. All the best for the future guys who are taking their interviews hope this will help you.
Experience 25: H1B with In Person Interview at Hyderabad
Date: February 21st, 2024
Location: Hyderabad
Entered the Line for Counter No. 32 there were “Three” People before me “Two” were for tourist Visa and “One” is H1B Visa, All are Approved.
Q&A:-
Good Morning Officer with Smile, Asked me to Pass the Passport.
1.To which company you are going to work?
2.What is your current company?
3.Which state your going to Travel?
4.Can you explain about your project and What are your Roles and Responsibilities with US Employer?
5.What are your Roles and Responsibilities with Current Employer?
6.Is this is In-House or Client Project?
7.Who is your Client?
8.Why Only USA to Work?
9.How was your Interview Conducted Explain the Process?
10.How Many Employess work with the client from Employer?
11.What is your Salary with US Employer?
12.What is your Highest Degree?
13.What is your Specialization in Graduation?
14.What is your Experience in years with your Current Company?
15.Please Pass your I-797 and LCA.
Then the VO Returned My I-797 and LCA, Replied me
Your Visa is Approved and passed me a Blue card said Go through the Human Trafficking and US Rights Before Travelling.
– Do maintain smile on your face, Give Eye to Eye Contact that Reflects your Confidence, Make sure your Answers should be Precise and Clear.
