Below are User experiences starting from September 15th to October 19th, 2022 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 New Delhi
I was eligible for DB but as I was struggling to get DB appointment went for Regular Interview. I did appointment booking via one of referred agent. I was initially skeptical about it but went for it.
Appointment was on 11th and 12th Sept.
11th Delhi VAC – Biometric experience was pretty smooth. Though I had appointment at 3.00 PM, I went around 2 and went through all formalities. Overall experience was pretty good and co-ordination was really good.
12th Delhi US Embassy – My appoint was at 10.10AM but I reached around 8.15 because I never visited this embassy earlier. I planned little early because I was alone and knew embassy doesn’t allow Electronic goods inside such as Phone, smart watch etc. There was locker available right outside embassy with 50Rs each item. For bags as well there is one person who charge it separately.
One suggestion,do not go too early to embassy as management team is really not good. There is no shed where you can wait. I was sweating like anything due to warm weather and no shed. Also this may be because there were too many people including all type of Visas.
Interview Exp-
VO – Good Morning
Me – GM
VO – Passport and I797
Me – provided
VO – What would be your role.
Me – Provided details
VO – Is it internal Project
Me – provided details
Here if you are going through consultancy VO was asking for multiple docs such as client letter. Employer Employee relationship doc etc. As I am FT so did not ask any
VO – work lotion
Me – provided
Overall interview exp was good
Experience 2: H1B with In Person Interview at Chennai
Visa interview date 16th sep 2022 .. appointment time : 8:30 AM
Arrived by 7 am and left mobile at locker for rs 50… they allowed us at embassy by 07:45 am… all security checks completed with in 30 mins.. entered counters and 10 more candidates standing infront of us it’s time 08:15 am… waited in queue for 10 mins and by 8:25 am three visa officers started at give counters and they started sending 3 candidates to each counter.. one candidate directly to interview and 2 waiting in front of counter.. My turn stated..
Me : good morning officer
VO : good morning can I get your passport.
Me : gave my passport here it is.
VO : who is your petitioner
Me : answered
VO : where will you be going to in USA
Me : Florida
VO : Will you be working for end company or end client
Me : answered as end client, told client name and what they do
VO : do you have employment letter from end client
Me : answered no My Hr team will give at the time off flying.
VO : how much are you getting paid
Me : answered per annum.
Vo : Put your left hand four fingers on the scanner.
Me : Sure put the same.
VO : Congratulations
your Visa pproved Passport will arrive after 5 days.handed over pamphlet, That have confirmation print one.
Me : thank you officer
I took a long Breath and tears fell down with out knowing me.
Happy moments!!!
Hope it will be helpful someone. — feeling blessed.
Experience 3: H1B with Dropbox, 221g, In Person Interview at New Delhi
Dropbox timeline
30 Aug document submission in Hyderabad for Delhi appointment
31 Aug Holiday
01 sep application received
02 sep Refused
07 Sep Got email to collect passport and collected with 221g letter
Asked to attend interview in any business day before 10AM
16 sep Attended interview in Delhi and Approved
Now waiting for issued status and passport delivery
Questions asked:
- took my passport and 221g letter
- how long you been working for employer
- Where did you stay in US
- how long your previous duration in US
- Asked me LCA went through for around 30 sec
- As mg client is from another location, why are you working from other location
- Tell me about your client
- Whats your project
- What’s your role
Your visa is approved and can be collected in 5 business days
I didn’t realize that moment for coupe of seconds 😊 then came out with happy face.
Experience 4: H1B with 221g, In Person Interview at New Delhi
Finally 6years wait over 🥳🥳🇺🇲 Never give up story attitude
Picked in 2015
Mumbai consulate issued 221 in 2016
Then changed company in 3months transferred
Again by seeing last one
Hyderabad US consulate issued 221…no updates i followed up for 2yrs. Left org.
In 2021 joined new org and got big client and H1 transferred 2022.
Again attended new Delhi 2022 sept 08.
All questions answered last question critical one why do last 2visa refused.
I said like Today last 2times also i have answered honestly and i am genuine person.
She said no worries I will kept your passport and client letter and will do verification within 7-20days
Sept 08 – Refused
Sept 13 – case updated – Refused
Sept 15 – Approved
Sept 16 – Issued ❤️
Today picked PP from Bangalore VFS recieved sms at 3pm drived fast and reached 4.30 it’s closing time but when your time on…
Security said go and check …went n got my PP with 3yrs stamp.🥳🥳🇺🇲🇺🇲✈️
Experience 5: H1B with Dropbox, 221g, In Person Interview at New Delhi
30 Aug document submission in Hyderabad for Delhi appointment
31 Aug Holiday
01 sep application received
02 sep Refused
07 Sep Got email to collect passport and collected with 221g letter
Asked to attend interview in any business day before 10AM
16 sep Attended interview in Delhi and Approved
Now waiting for issued status and passport delivery
Questions asked:
- took my passport and 221g letter
- how long you been working for employer
- Where did you stay in US
- how long your previous duration in US
- Asked me LCA went through for around 30 sec
- As mg client is from another location, why are you working from other location
- Tell me about your client
- Whats your project
- What’s your role
Your visa is approved and can be collected in 5 business days
I didn’t realize that moment for coupe of seconds 😊 then came out with happy face.
Experience 6: H1B with Dropbox, 221g at New Delhi
I was stuck in India for 8 months. Timeline for everyone:-
3rd Feb 2022 – drop box appointment for H1B renewal
7th Feb – status updated to refused
11th Feb – received passport with 221(g) yellow slip asking to appear for interview
14th Feb – went to embassy for interview and was told need more time to process your case, was put under administrative processing and passport returned to me.
15th Feb – received form DS5535 in email from the embassy and asked to fill the form and submit.
15 Feb – DS 5535 form submitted to New Delhi Embassy
No action on my case for 200 days. Same status.
1st Sep- received email to submit my passport at the nearest VAC
8th Sep – Approved
9th Sep – Issued
12th Sep – duly stamped passport picked up from VAC
Lessons learnt
- For H1B drop never send your relative/representative to drop your documents, appear yourself
- When embassy takes more than 8 weeks to process your visa, consults an immigration lawyer and consider filling a writ of mandamus
Hope this is helpful for people stuck in similar situations as I
Experience 7: H1B with Dropbox at Hyderabad
Ds160 – Mumbai
Appointment location – Hyderabad
Dropoff location – Hyderabad
Appointment Time -11.15 am
Reached the facility at 10.05 am.
After dropping my bag, mobile and smart watch at locker (100Rs), joined the queue for entering VAC at 10.10 am. (10-15 people in dropbox Queue and 2-3 people in biometrics queue…..Biometrics and Dropbox queues are different)
Entered VAC, passed through security check, took the token, in 30 seconds my number came and was asked to go to a window.
Hardly 5 mins at Window Counter where documents were asked.
Documents submitted- DS160 (first page), Appointment confirmation (first page), passport, 2 photos, Latest 797 approval, Employment letter (offer letter).
Process completed and was told you will be notified on the phone number (They confirmed the phone number).
I left the VAC and collected my things from locker facility at 10.22 am.
Hope this helps….Hardly 30 mins in total…Everything was smooth…Took me in before my appointment time.
First time Stamping Timeline
12th Sept – Dropbox Appointment
14th Sept – Application Recieved
15th Sept – Approved
16th Sept – Issued
17-18 September weekend (Sat-Sun)
19th Sept – Updated in CGI federal portal (“Passport recieved from consular section, being ready for delivery”)
20th Sept – Delivered Home in Vadodara
I think it was quicker for me….Make sure you submit only requested documents…..
Experience 8: H1B with Dropbox at Chennai
Appointment Location: Chennai
Appointment Date: 01-Sep
Documents dropped at: Chennai
Application received: 02-Sep
Application received: 19-Sep (status remained again, but date was updated)
Application approved: 20-Sep
Issued: 21-Sep
Got SMS and email on the same day (21-Sep) stating passport is ready for pickup
Things to note:
Chennai location on average takes more time than others. 18-23 calendar days based on my observation (some even longer) +2 days if you choose delivery to home
It did improve for roughly 2 weeks during weeks where processing time was about 15 days.
If you have time travel of 3-4 weeks then picking an appointment at Chennai VAC would be tough (I know getting a visa slot in itself is a huge task and not like we have a lot of options to choose from)
Just cautioning those who would need to make travel plans if their appointment location is Chennai.
Your visa gets processed only at the appointment location you picked. i.e even if you drop off at Delhi it will only be processing at Chennai if that is appointment location
Experience 9: H1B with In Person Interview at New Delhi
Date: 20th Sep 2022
Appointment time : 10:40 AM
Arrived by 9 AM and left mobile at locker for rs 50… they allowed me at embassy by 10:30 AM… so reaching too early won’t work. Recommended to reach 30-40 minutes before appointment time.
All security checks completed within 30 Mins..
Entered to consulate waiting area… and waited almost 2 hours for my Turn
My turn stated..
VO: Hi
Me : Good Afternoon Officer
VO : Good Afternoon can I get your passport.
Me : Gave my passport along with I 797 B
VO : Who is your petitioner?
Me : Answered
VO : Will you be working for end company or end client
Me : It is End Client
VO : Which Client?
Me : Answered
VO : What is your role there?
Me : Answered in 2-3 lines
VO : How much you are getting Paid ?
Me : Answered per annum
VO : Are you aware of US work related Rights ?
Me : Yes
Vo : Put your Right hand four fingers on the scanner.
Me : Sure put the same.
VO : Your Visa approved.
Me : Thank You soo Much Officer.
I took a long Breath while walking outside with a Big Smile On face.
Happy moments
This group really helped me a lot to prepare for the interview. Thank to all those who have share their interview experiences.
Hope this one will also be helpful for someone.
Experience 10: H1B + H4 (3 Dependents) with In Person Interview at New Delhi
I was trying to get appointment of 4 slot together (1 H1B+3 H4) since May’22 end, but got appointment on 13 July’22 for 13/14 April 2023.
Later when bulk slots got released in July end, on 23rd July I was able to reschedule first for 19/20 Oct 22 and then just after 10 minutes was able to reschedule it for 14/15 Sep 22.
I was trying for 4 slot in one go, hence got slot in bulk release, otherwise I think I could have booked much earlier if it was 1 slot.
Tips:
- I request you all and this is important that DO NOT Fall for ANY type of agent.
- Agents do not have special privileges to book appointment.
- They will take your credentials and change the data to book the appointment faster.
- For any data change obviously applicant will be responsible not agent and we may end up with application cancelation.
- Follow telegram group timing and check the slot release. This is immense helpful. But also beware of agent fraud msg since they also send msgs to waste your logins.
I attended biometric on 14th Sep. 2-3 simple questions about name, Date of birth, primary applicant etc and took biometric.
Then attended CA on 15th Sep:
They in general says reach on time, but you actually can reach 30 minutes before the report timing.
No gadget, mobile , bag allowed in embassy. Need to go to embassy only with docs in a transparent file. Small bag will also be fine.
Questions I faced:
Provide your passports, I797 and LCA
Are you going USA first time?
What is your role and responsibilities here in offshore and there in US?
Will you be working for another client or for your organization ?
Have you reviewed employment rules and your rights in US?
What will be your annual salary in US?
How long you are here in current organization?
Only one Question for dependents:
Have you reviewed employment rules and your rights in US?
questions were Simple for me..
She said: your visa got approved, you will get Passports with visa within 10 days
I was checking the status on website as well for delivery of Passports. It always said ” issued”.
Within 3 working days, On 20Sep 2022, I got my all 4 Passports with approved US H1B visa.
Hope this helps!!
All the best 👍
Experience 11: H4 with In Person Interview at Mumbai
Slots booked on May 2022
Biometric – 18th Sept 2022
Interview – 19th Sept 2022
I flew from Bangalore to Mumbai on 17th September.
Biometric experience:
My slot was 3.30 pm I reached at 2.30 pm and I was allowed to enter at 3.00 pm. You are not allowed to carry any electronics inside. Documents required for Biometric was my appointment confirmation page, DS-160 confirmation page and passport. My documents were checked and I was allotted a counter and the lady inside took the documents mentioned above and took my fingerprints and picture. Everything was done in half an hour ( including the wait time in the queue)
Interview:
My slot was 8.50 am and I reached at 8.00 am and I was allowed inside at 8.30 am. Same no electronics are allowed inside. There was a officer sitting outside who was checking the barcode behind the passport which was the process at Biometric centre. Then there was a thorough security check, then I was let inside the main building. I was told to documents handy, documents required were 1797A, My husband’s Visa copy, my passport and my marraige certificate.First was the counter where the officer checked my documents and then I was send to the other counter when an American (VO) took my interview. I gave the documents mentioned above to the VO.
Questions asked were as follows :
VO – When did you get married ?
Me – Answered
VO – He congratulated me
Me – I thanked him
VO – When did my spouse visited last to India ?
Me – Answered
VO – Where is my spouse working ?
Me – Answered
Then he asked was typing and asked me place my fingers on the scanner
Then casually he asked me about what are you looking forward to see in DC and I answered yaa I am looking forward to visit new places but I am dying to meet my husband. He laughed and said Congratulations your visa is approved and you will receive it within 7 days. After thanking him I exited the building.
Then I was checking my status online
19th September – Approved
20th September – Issued
21st September – I received it as I had opted for Premium delivery and I paid Rs.650/- to the courier person.
THANK YOU
Experience 12: H1+H4 with Dropbox at Pune
Background – my passport was valid only for less than 4 months after visa interview and my daughter’s passport was valid for less than 9 months. I had confirmed with ustraveldocs support that it doesn’t matter for visa stamping, all they need is valid passport on the date of interview/Dropbox submission. India is exempt from 6 months minimum validity rule.
Another note about passport renewal in India- if your previous passport issue was in USA, you don’t have police verification on file, so passport cannot be renewed in tatkal, it has to be submitted for normal processing for which SLA is not strict. I got to know it hard way by taking tatkal appointment, going to passport office and coming back without submission. I did not take the risk of losing visa appointment if passport doesn’t come in time.
I am on full time position in a US headquartered non-IT services company from last 7 years, no job change.
7 Spet – Dropbox appointment. You can carry mobile and smartwatch, no issue. They only took my I-797, passport copy, current original passport, wife/kid original passport and copy, 2 photos each. Nothing else, they removed all other documents I spent hours putting together.
8 Spet – AR
9 Sept – Approved
12 Sept – Issued
13 Sept – Ready for collection
Now about experience at VFS Pune – Only two counters were operational serving both submission and collection. You have to get in line at entrance, get token inside the hall (the security guard who handed over the token in random number and I got number after the ones came after me). The processing took about 10 min per candidate. You have to give rs. 650 per passport at the time of submission+ 650 per passport at the time of collection no matter you pick the passport yourself from VFS or get it delivered home. Has to wait for almost 3 hours to get to the counter. Lady was helpful though.
Experience 13: H1B with In Person Interview at Chennai
Done with visa interview on 16th sep 2022 .. appointment time : 8:30 AM
Arrived by 7 am and left mobile at locker for rs 50… they allowed us at embassy by 07:45 am… all security checks completed with in 30 mins.. entered counters and 10 more candidates standing infront of us it’s time 08:15 am… waited in queue for 10 mins and by 8:25 am three visa officers started at give counters and they started sending 3 candidates to each counter.. one candidate directly to interview and 2 waiting in front of counter.. My turn stated..
Me : good morning officer
VO : good morning can I get your passport.
Me : gave my passport here it is.
VO : who is your petitioner
Me : answered
VO : where will you be going to in USA
Me : Florida
VO : Will you be working for end company or end client
Me : answered as end client, told client name and what they do
VO : do you have employment letter from end client
Me : answered no My Hr team will give at the time off flying.
VO : how much are you getting paid
Me : answered per annum.
Vo : Put your left hand four fingers on the scanner.
Me : Sure put the same.
VO : Congratulations your Visa approved Passport will arrive after 5 days.handed over pamphlet, That have confirmation print one.
Me : thank you officer
I took a long Breath and tears fell down with out knowing me.
Happy moments!!
Hope it will be helpful someone.
Experience 14: H1B with In Person Interview at Hyderabad
Today I attended my Visa interview at Hyderabad consulate and visa is approved.
Step 1: will be waiting in line outside the consulate, they will allow you inside once your time slot comes, they will keep calling 6 people or 2 people.
Step2: Security check, you need put all your belongings in a tray and proceed for scanning and check. Like in airport.
Step3: They will form a line inside the interview windows, first you will give finger print and again wait in a line for the visa interview
Step4: Proceed for visa interview as per your window, your window no is mostly mentioned in the sticker which is pasted behind your passport during biometrics.
What ever i have seen around my window and next window, all are good experiences and visa getting approved. For me one lady officer has asked for very basic questions.
How are you ?
Is this your first time H1b?
Who is your petitioner?
Which client ?
Which place you will be travelling?
Salary in US ?
Thats it she mentioned your visa is approved. I went in formals professional attire and was wearing company id card .(my company suggested to wear but didn’t mandate anything)
I have not taken any xerox copies, when we go near the interview windows they will ask us to keep passport and ds160 confirmation page.
Hope this helps. All the best friends, thanks to this group.
Experience 15: H1B with Dropbox at Chennai
Went 1h ahead of the appointment. Submitted old and new passports, DS-160 page with new passport number, visa appointment confirmation page with new DS-160 number, current and previous I-797A COPIES, 1x photograph, Employer Verification Letter. The photo I took from CVS was rejected. Took photos in the studio that was in the same building. ₹300 for 6 photos.
Sep 28 – Submitted Documents
Sep 29 – Case Created
Sep 30 – Application Received
Oct 5 – Approved
Oct 6 – Issued
Oct 7 – Ready for Pickup
Oct 11 – Passport Picked Up
Sep 28, Oct 3, 4 and 5 were all consulate holidays.
I think the Chennai consulate is finally responding at par with other locations. The VAC officer said it’ll take 7-10 days for my application to be processed and they maintained that ETA.
Take appointment confirmation page and photocopy of government issued ID proof for passport pickup.
Experience 16: H1B with Dropbox, 221g at Mumbai
May 9,2022 – Visa Interview received 221g yellow slip.
May 14, 2022 – Submitted documents.
May 20,2022 – Case date updated status refused.
Daily/Weekly follow ups with help desk but no use.
August, 28 2022 – for help desk email received response from Mumbai consulate as “Your case is currently under review”.
Sep ,29 2022 – received email to submit the passport for final processing.
Sep,30 2022 – submitted passport at HYD VAC.
Oct, 06 2022 – status changed from refused to administrative processing.
Oct,07 2022 – status changed to approved.
Oct 11, 2022 – status changed to issued.
Oct 12, 2022 – received email to pick up the passport.
Oct 13, 200 – picked up passport.
It’s a long journey( 150 days ) but finally received passport. This group helps a lot to boost up my hopes while reading some long journey stories. GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE. Hope for the best.
Experience 17: H1B with Dropbox, 221g, In Person Interview at Mumbai
Dropped documents at Chennai VAC
29 – Dropbox appt ( Submitted passport, ds 160, current and past i797, employment verification letter )
Oct 4 – application received
Oct 4 – Refused
Oct 5 – holiday
Oct 7 – received passport and 221g white slip requesting to come for interview on any working day between 10.30-11. No specific documents were requested
Oct 11 – in person interview at Mumbai. Asked for passport, 221g slip, I-797 document. Asked me who my employer is, client, salary, location, what my spouse does and then said visa approved. Passport will reach within a week.
Oct 11- status changed to approved
Oct 12 – Issued
Oct 12 – Status in cgi website changed to : Passport left consular and is in transit
Oct 13 – Passport delivered
Experience 18: H1B with In Person Interview at Hyderabad
General note for biometric and interview
· Go just 30 mins before.
· Except purse, keys, certificates, put rest all in locker available nearby for Rs.100.
· Not allowed are bags, water bottles, smart watches etc.
3/Oct – Biometrics:
MUST to carry,
o latest passport, which you entered in DS-160. Good to carry old passports as well.
o DS-160 copy
o Appointment letter.
o NO need for any other certificates.
What they do…
* Stand in line and when ur slot comes, go to the counter.
* For namesake they ask your name and DOB. That’s all. No more questions.
* They will take photo & fingerprints.
* They will handover back all the above docs and you can leave happily.
11/Oct – Interview:
MUST to carry,
** List of documents carry based on F1/L1/H1 etc., so you can check on your own what all you need to carry.
What they do…
· Stand in line and when ur slot comes, they will call inside campus.
· Inside campus, under shed, you will be seated.
· Then scanning of your belongings happen. Post that you are sent inside
· Here again stand in line.
· First in one counter, fingerprint matching happens. (means you will be asked to place your both hand finger prints, to match with what you gave in biometrics. If you are lucky that your time is near Officer’s breaktime, they will ask to skip. I was lucky).
· Again, stand in line for interview.
· One lady handed over counter number token and asks you to go to that counter.
· Go and say “Good Morning Officer” …. he too says and starts with his questions.
· I was asked…
§ Who’s your end client?
§ Show your end client letter.
§ What’s your designation?
§ Which project you are going to work?
§ What’s your salary?
§ What’s your highest degree?
Finally, he said, “Your visa is approved” & retained my passport. He asked me to take the rights to work in US pamphlet, which was kept nearby. \
** Have lots of patience to wait in queue/sitting in chair/standing in line…If your time its break-time for those guys, you have to wait for 30 mins to 45 mins. I was called inside campus sharp @ 9am(my slot) and when I came out it was 11am). Apart timings inside, rest all went well.
Experience 19: H1B+H4 with Dropbox at Mumbai
My case was change of status from L1 to H1.
October 6:
Submitted passport at Pune Dropbox for Mumbai VAC.
Documents- Passport, I797 photocopy, employer verification letter, photos, marriage certificate for my wife’s H4 and kids older passports. They asked for my previous visa’s petition copy which I didn’t have handy. But they allowed me to download from One Drive in my phone and send it to their printer.
October 7:
Status changed to received
October 10: Status changed to issued
October 11: Status changed to passport received from consulate and being prepared for delivery
No update after this. I kept waiting for either status update on CGI portal as well as CEAC website or email/sms from VFS. But nothing was happening.
Finally contacted Blue-dart today which is October 14. According to Blue Dart, they received my passport on October 11 and did not bother to call me. They gave excuse that your number is international number and was not reachable which is absolutely untrue.
This means Mumbai consulate is processing faster but VFS is delaying final deliveries.
Thanks to this wonderful community.
Experience 20: H1B with In Person Interview at Hyderabad
Interview Date : 14/Oct/22 8AM slot.
Visa approved experience.
Arrived at 6.30 AM for 8AM slot. Not allowed even nearby the campus.
Waited outside till 7.45AM. Then finally asked 8AM slot ppl to stand in queue.
Initial passport and DS160 file check is done outside the campus by security.
Entered into the campus and straight away asked to come for security check (procedure).
Asked to removed belt and avoid all metallic properties as similar to Airport check.
After security scanning, they checked my files to see any enclosed envelope.
Then I asked to go to lobby and checked my passport. I was waiting in lobby almost half an hour.
Then they asked me to stand in a queue and took my passport. I thought it’s for interview. But not, it’s for verify your passport and your finger print.
We have wait for sometime in that queue. Then they allowed ppl one by one for finger print check.
Once it is done, they asked me to stand in a queue again and this time it’s a interview queue.
They gave token number for each person and that has counter number.
After getting token I was allowed to go near the counter and there were few ppl already standing.
Once my turn comes, VO greeted me Good Morning and asked me to take the rights pamphlet. Below are the questioned asked.
VO: you are working for (my company name)?
ME: Yes
VO: What’s your client Name
ME: Mentioned
VO: where you will stay?
ME: mentioned
VO: What is your designation?
ME: Mentioned
VO: What’s your salary?
ME:Mentioned
VO:What’s your educational qualification
ME: Mentioned
VO: perfect, your visa is approved.
ME: Thanks and left ……
Experience 21: H1B with In Person Interview at Hyderabad
First time h1b interview: Slot 14 oct 8.30 am
We were allowed to enter @8.15, taken 15 mins for security clearance
Waited in pantry kinda area for 30 mins after that there was no proper queue followed when being called for biometric verification
Post biometric verification was handed over with #16 counter, which was actually last one
Couple of people before for h4 visa and i could hear their questions about 10 feet away
Then came my turn,
Me: good morning officer
Officer: ———-
I could hardly hear him, he tried to adjust speaker volume but i couldn’t still hear him.
Officer: please pass the passport
We managed to continue, I could hardly hear him
Few basic questions were only asked, I had to ask him to repeat questions as I could hardly hear him.
1. Are you going to working for xxx organization
2. Is it an client: I mentioned it’s in house project
3. Which city you’re going to
4. What’s your role
5. Whats your salary
6. What’s your department
7. ——-
I couldn’t understand the next question, asked him to please repeat the question.
Actually he said visa approved and i will get it soon and mentioned i can leave for now.
No documents verified.
Experience 22: H1B + H4 with Dropbox at Chennai
Both the appointment and dropoff location was Chennai.
Dropbox appointment – 5th October
Status updated ‘Application Received’ – 11th October
Status updated to ‘Approved’ – 12th October
Status updated to ‘Issued’ -13th October
Passports home delivered – 15th October
Hotel Stayed – The Kings Park Grand – walking distance to the VAC. Breakfast included.
Reached the centre 1 hour prior to the appointment and were allowed inside. However only one person was allowed to go to submit documents. Mobiles are allowed in switched off mode , no smart watches though.
Documents –
-DS160 confirmation and appointment confirmation.
-Passports (old one is required if it has the last stamped visa) for both H1 and H4
-I797 photocopies only (only latest two if you have more)
-Employment letter – for H1 B holder only
-Marriage certificate -photocopy
-Photos – we were asked to reclick the photos though we carried the one we clicked in CVS. I ‘d recommend get them clicked there in the VAC centre itself (they have a photo studio) as its only Rs. 300 for 6 photos vs $20 that you pay in cvs for 4.
Experience 23: H1B+ H4 with Dropbox at Kolkata
Dropped at Chennai
9/29 – Dropbox Appointment date
Application accepted on Dropbox (1 H1B + 2 H4) –
- All 3 latest passport collected (all old passport verified)
- 1 Photo of each applicant
- Appointment Confirmation letter
- DS160 confirmation letter of each applicant
- Marriage certificate
- Employment verification letter
- Only Primary applicant latest & previous I797 (did not ask for dependents or until last visa stamped of primary applicant I797)
Kolkata consulate closed until 10/05
10/07 – AR1
10/12 – Approved
10/13 – Issued
10/14 – processed for delivery (opted for premium delivery to tamilnadu address)
10/15 – able to track using appointment UID
10/16 – passports delivered.
Experience 24: H1B+H4 with In Person Interview at Mumbai
16th Oct – biometric. Only documents required are Ds160 confirmation, appointment confirmation and passport. Appointment was at 1.30 PM …Time required 15/20 minutes
18th Oct – appointment at 8.50 AM, they called out for us only at 8:30 am, no use reaching 1 hour early. They took us inside consulate at sharp 10am. At main gate entry verified passport sticker and ds160 verified during biometric. Inside there is one document verification counter, indian girl asked to keep only i797, employee letter, LCA, passport and client letter, rest everything to be kept inside. After that In a queue for biometric verification by a US guy. Post that finally waiting in interview queue.
Me – Good Morning
VO – Good Morning, Passport?
Me – gave him passport and other documents.
VO – role at the company?
Me – mentioned
VO – Location?
Me – mentioned
VO – client name?
Me – answered
VO – project description
Me – Answered
VO – kids age
VO – Your Visa is approved. You can collect your passport in a week. Please go through your rights for when you are there.
Me – Thank you!
All the best to everyone!!
Experience 25: H1B with Dropbox, 221g, In Person Interview at Chennai (Prior history of Reckless Driving Case)
Hey folks, I received my visa on Oct 17th. So sharing my visa renewal experiences and timelines here…
This was my 4th H1-B renewal working as an FTE. I had a prior history of Reckless Driving case and was 10-finger printed. The case was closed about 5 years ago. My visa was initially Refused and then Issued on Oct-17th after over a 100-day wait. Timelines for which are as follows:
Jul-07-2022: Dropbox at Kochi VFS for Chennai Consulate. Submitted documents – passport, I797A approval copy, and EVL.
Jul-12-2022: Application Received
Jul-22-2022: First update to case with status Application Received.
Jul-25-2022: Case was Refused on CEAC with passport status preparing for delivery
Jul-26-2022: Received 221(g) white slip and passport from Chennai Consulate asking to appear for an in-person interview on Aug-19-2022 at Chennai between 9am – 11am.
Aug-19-2022: During the interview, the VO (lady) asked about my role, location, gross pay, approved I-140 immigrant petition, and the company which filed my immigrant petition. After about 5 mins of Q and A the VO spoke with her supervisor, probably about my prior case I guess. At the end of the interview, I was issued another 221(g) white slip asking for additional documents like previous W2s, 3-month payslips, and court documents showing case closure. VO said she was putting my case under further administrative processing and that she needed more time to review the case. This is the 2nd time I have undergone administrative processing over my past four visa renewals.
Aug-22-2022: Emailed the documents in pdf format and ensured each file did NOT exceed 5MB to ChennaiHL@state.gov. No acknowledgment was received.
Aug-24-2022 to Sept-25-2022: Weekly email follow-ups to support-india@ustraveldocs.com and ChennaiCIU@state.gov. I received standard replies mostly, and the consulate or support team asked me to continue waiting. The case remained Refused.
Sep-15-2022: I emailed ChennaiHL@state.gov inquiring about the documents I submitted on Aug-22-2022 and requested an expedited review of my case because the delay was causing me professional and financial hardships.
Sep-16-2022: Chennai consulate acknowledged receipt of documents but asked me to continue waiting until administrative processing was completed.
Sep-19-2022: Received a 221(g) from Chennai Consulate via email to appear for Medical Re-Examination at Appollo Hospitals (APHC block) in Chennai.
Sep-22-2022: Got an appointment at Apollo Hospitals for US non-immigrant visa medical examination. It was a whole day process which included blood tests for certain diseases required by the State Department, eye and body examination, chest x-ray followed by physician consultation.
Sep-24-2022: The Apollo Hospital directly submitted the results of my medical examination to Chennai Consulate. Thereafter no updates to my case.
Oct-06-2022: Case date updated but status remained Refused.
Oct-07-2022: Case moved to Approved. Finally, I was able to breathe a sigh of relief.
Oct-07-2022, late evening: I received an email from the Chennai Consulate containing another 221(g) white letter asking me to submit my passport along with the 221g letter at the Chennai VAC directly. I had to travel to Chennai again just to submit my passport; ugh!
Oct-07-2022 to Oct-13-2022: Case Approved but no updates to the case after Oct-07-2022.
Oct-14-2022: Case moved to Issued.
Oct-17-2022: Received passport with visa stamp.
There was so much uncertainty with my case remaining in Refused status from Jul-25-2022 to Oct-06-2022, the medical examinations, and the delay in just stamping the visa. I recommend that you remain focused and keep yourself distracted as much by focusing on things that you can control. Obviously, there is nothing much you can do to expedite any consular processing except thinking about it and being stressed. This group was good support and a reliable source of information. Thanks to this community and I hope you all get your visas soon and that you can move on with your lives! 🙏
