H1B Visa

What to Expect During an H-1B Visa Interview

It’s time to write about the H-1B visa interview. I was planning to write about the interview process and interview questions for sometime now.

But, majority of them with H-1B approval for 2009 and 2009 fiscal year will appear for H-1B visa interviews after mid September.

Key to getting H-1B visa is to know what kind of H-1B visa interview questions will be asked and how to answer them.

If you fumble for any H-1B visa interview questions, then you are creating doubts about you during H-1B interview.

H-1B Visa Interview at Chennai

I was prepared with all the documents required for H-1B visa interview and also read a few forums about H-1B visa questions.

But I was sure that questions about company and projects I can be asked and it will be much different for someone who is appearing for visa interview to travel to U.S. for the first time and also who have applied through consulting companies.

I was confident, took more documents for visa interview than required. Since it’s always better to be prepared for the worst.

My files weighed more than 3 kgs. Yes, I had so much documents with me for my H-1B visa interview.

H-1B Visa Interview Documents

Here some of the documents I had:

  • H-1B Visa Approval I-797
  • Form I 129
  • Letter from Employer (with start date, salary, etc.)
  • Last 3 years W2s and 1040s
  • Passport, DS forms
  • Utility Bills for address proof
  • Degree certificates and transcripts
  • Labor Condition Application (LCA)
  • Many other documents

I haven’t listed all other documents I had in my file for 3 kgs., but I had it all covered.

Reserving H-1B Visa Interview Date and Time

I spent 4 months observing when dates opened in VFS site. It’s my observation that dates were opened 1 month in advance and every Thursday.

I had all required receipts from HDFC Bank to fill out the H-1B visa application, DS forms, and book the date.

In the first time when you fill the forms, it will take time. So I booked the dates for my H-1B visa interview, went to India for 4 weeks of vacation and H-1B visa stamping.

Also, I did read about DS-160 form will replace DS-156, DS-157, DS-158 and other immigration applications. But not sure when that will be done.

H-1B Visa Interview Questions

Some of the common H-1B visa interview questions for which you have to prepare

  • Which Company?
  • What is your role?
  • What is your salary?
  • Who is your client?
  • Work location?
  • How long have you been with this company?

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17 Comments

  1. Raghu and others, what can I expect for H1B stamping at Chennai. I have a MS, been working in the same US based company for 2.5 years now including Internship.. Full Time employee. Is it simpler for full time employees vs having a vendor and a client etc.. I want to start preparing the documents for an interview in June/July… Thanks in advance!

  2. Hi All,

    Thanks for your experiences..It was very helpful to clear my VISA interview last week.

    I went to VISA OFC (Hyderabad) on thursday for Finger prints and Photos…It was finished in 30 minutes…no worries on this day as all are Indians and they handled it very smoothly and they are helpful.

    On friday i got appointment at 8.30 AM and i was at Consulate by 7.45 AM. They allowed me inside after checking the Passport. i got my token number and it took 45 min for my turn…

    VO: Which company you are working for..
    ME: XXXX
    VO: Which client you are going for..
    ME: YYYY
    VO: to my wife…When did you got married.
    MY Wife: Answered
    VO: When did you meet first time.
    MY Wife: Answered
    VO: Is it a love or arranged marriage.
    My Wife: answered
    Then VO Said you VISA is approved. 🙂

  3. Hi,

    I have applied for H1B Visa for the year 2014. After applying for the same, I was notified by university people that there is a small clerical mistake in my MCA main certificate and the correction has been done. But the certificate I have send for H1B application is my old certificate which will be differing from my corrected certificate which is in my hand. Can you please check and let me know will it create any issue during stamping or any other process. Please guide me for the same.

  4. I got my H1B approved today, Jan 15, 2013 in MUMBAI. So just wanted to share my exp with you.
    My appointment at OFC was on Jan 10, 2013 @ 10 AM, i reached OFC at 9:40,
    Outside the building there was a security person who checked my OFC Confirmation (DS 160) and PASSPORT.
    He ticked all my details on the confirmation and directed to go inside.

    After going inside there is a security check, after that a person checks the DS 160 again and sticks a barcode on the passport.
    Finally your photo and fingerprints are taken and you are done.

    On the interview day i went 45 minutes before my interview time.
    Initially security check was done. (This time they said the belt is ok, don’t remvove it. Other belongings we scanned)
    After that, i was made to sit in an open space, where row wise seating arrangement was nicely made, with a shed on top of it.
    While waiting there, a person came and checked my Petition Copy, Appointment Confirmation and Passport. Returned it back to me.
    Another person came and handed over a booklet which stated RIGHTS AS AN EMPLOYEE while working in US. Just go thru it once.
    (If you already know them, i will not force to)

    After 35- 40 minutes i was let inside (where actual interviews are conducted).
    i was made to stand in a queue and then issued a token number (which they stucked to my passport. My number was 559)

    After that, i had my left fingers scanned again (on another window) for confirmation and then off to a waiting area where i was waiting for my turn.
    (it was 482 number going on, unlike breach candy waiting area, at BKC,there is a screen where token numbers are displayed along with the window number, glad to see that)
    I took a nescafe and was enjoying every sip of it, (as i wanted to divert my nervousness while waiting for my turn)
    Then after waiting for 30 mins (approx), i saw 558 on screen and my heart started pumping, and then next number : 561
    (my brain started processing, is my number there? did they add my token number to their list? etc. etc.)
    But after that i saw my token number and i prepared my files and went on to a window (like Munnabhai…remember the dialog which CIRCUIT says to parsi doctor – “darne ka nahi re, aise confidence ke sath jaane ka”)

    QS

    ME : Good morning officer, how are you?
    VO : Good, how are you
    ME : I m fine, thank you
    VO : My machine is not responding, give me a minute
    ME : OK
    VO : Can i see your petition? (Becoz his machine was not repsonding, He asked me for my petition and i gave the entire bunch to him which was arranged by travel dept of my company. )
    (He just saw first page of the petition and said)
    VO : OH you are working for XYZ?
    ME : Yes
    VO : For which client are you going to work?
    ME : PQR
    (Returned the Petition bunch to me, As his machine was not responding he took a break and asked me to wait)
    VO : I am sorry give me a minute, I ll be right back
    ME : OK no probs.
    VO : Alright, are you going to work on clients location?
    ME : Yes, i will work at client’s location in ,
    VO : What are you working as?
    ME : I am working as Computer Programmer Analyst. I will be responsible to coordinate between my client and offshore team here in india. I will also (VO asked next question)
    VO : Whats you US Salary ?
    ME : USD XXXXX per anum
    VO : Are you married?
    ME : yes
    VO : Did you get this booklet? (Refering to a booklet attached to a bulletproof window – RIGHTS AS AN EMPLOYEE)
    ME : Yes i did get.
    VO : Ok, I am issuing you a visa, it will take 2 – 3 days bla bla bla. Have a nice stay and all the best.
    ME : Thank you officer
    VO : Have a good day
    ME : Thank you. have a good day.

    i hope this was not boring 🙂

  5. Harassment is the name of EU & US visa. At the time, when Southeast Asian countries and several other countries can provide visa on arrival, then I don’t understand why EU & US makes this drama of required docs for visa. I visited Thailand, Burma, Vietnam and visa was provided on arrival for 15 days. In the visa, it was written clearly as “employment prohibited”. Such a good system.

  6. i applied my documents at aug 18 2011…still i am in intial review only….when will i get my visa interview date..

  7. hi,
    my H1B interview on 1st april 2011 at delhi consulate and then thay required additional document so thay issue me a 221 g green latter and then i submited those document at VFS center after that till today almost 6 month is complete and no any responsse from consulate so what could be do in these type of case thay approve the visa or reject and what could be the expected time ..

  8. Hi

    Could u plse tell me for the requirements about visa and the things which are much important in getting visa,

    Help me out from this thing………………………/

  9. Dear Mr.raghu,

    i got the approval for H1B visa…..may i know from which date interview process wiil be start?can u help me to provide interviw tips like question& answer?is there anywebsite to be prepare for interview?waitinh for reply..

    thx

    javed

  10. Hello Mr.Raghu

    I have received my approval last month.Now my consultant is says that there are more chances of query or rejection right now,so he is not fixing the interview date.

    Can you please tell me what are the chances ant how will recession affect my visa?

    I am on a IT job

    PLEASE REPLY ME SOON….MY FRUSTRATION IS CLIMBING HIGHER AND HIGHER DAY BY DAY

  11. Hi Raghu,

    The copy of the I-129 petition I have got (from my company lawyer) is not signed one.

    Looks like the lawyer has made a copy of it before signing.

    Can you tell me if this would be a problem? My LCA is gud..

    My lawyer says she can provide me a letter stating that she filed my petition and that all information on it is true. Will that be okay?

    Thanks,

    Priyanka

  12. Hi raghu ,

    Please share your experiance in more details

    – H1B visa Interview experience & Visa Interview questions

    we really need it .

    what are Last 3 years W2’s and 1040’s & Labor Condition Application (LCA) documents . Do we really need these ?

    thanks in advance

    Aman

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