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Hello Folks,
I want to share my recent experience with H1B dropbox.
Employment: Employer - Client model
Reason for travel: Family emergency/attend funeral
Expected stay in India: 10 days
Visa: Valid till Dec 2018 from my previous employer. Employer changed afterwards.
Travel History: I have lived in USA for 4.5 years already . this is my 4th time coming back to India
2018 Jul 09 : Filled DS 160. Said I am eligible for Visa interview exemption program. Mentioned that I need to submit all of my approval notices (I797) + Passport + 2 Photos
2018 Jul 12 : Drop box location Chennai VFS location . Front desk asked me to submit only the above mentioned documents and gave back all other supporting docs
2018 Jul 13 : Case has been created and I could track online
2018 Jul 18 : Online status shows 'Administrative Processing' but received email saying 'Passport is ready for pickup'
2018 Jul 20 : Received passport. My existing visa has been sealed as 'Cancelled without Prejudice" . Found a blue slip 221G. Ticked off - Appear for interview on any Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri between 10 - 11 am. Bring this form along with the following documents
1) Last 2 years of IT returns of the employer
2) Client letter stating there is a vacancy for you from Personnel department of your client
3) Agreement between your employer and client stating the details
4) Project description, iternary and duration
Note: Asking for IT returns from an employer is very unconventional and a worst nightmare. I work for a consulting firm, I had good relationship with the management so they agreed to give me the documents after signing NDA. I don't know how many can get through this.
2018 Jul 24: Visa interview - Appeared for Interview with literally my life history (400+ pages worth of documents)
Me: Good morning sir
VO: Morning
VO: Who is your employer?
Me: ABCD
VO: What is your salary?
Me $XYZ
VO: What is your highest education?
Me: BE Electronics and Communication
VO: Where did you live in USA?
Me: Atlanta
VO: Who is your client? Hand me over the Client letter if you have
Me. XYZ company. Here is the document sir
VO: Give me the copies of all petitions (This was not mentioned in the 221G - guys, pls take everything to interview)
Me: Sure, do you want LCA as well ? they are pinned together .
VO: Do me a favour, give me all documents you have .( This was very unexpected , i gave everything in my hand )
VO: Do you know your rights in USA?
Me: Yes sir, I do.
VO: Handed me an yellow slip, please take a seat in the lobby. I will call you back
Me: Sure. I have waited there for about an hour . It felt like the longest hour of the day. In between - 1 guy got 214b in the next counter which means his application is denied and no further appealing and 2 guys got 221G
VO: Calls my name.
Me: Yes sir. I am here
VO: Sir, your application requires additional processing. I cannot issue Visa right now. He is handing over all my documents back along with passport .
Me: I was puzzled .
VO: He consoled me saying, "just hang tight - its not going to take long. I am sure it wont take long ". If we require additional documents we will email you. If visa is approved you will know it soon. You can check the status online
VO: Issues me another blue slip(221G) . Ticked - Your application requires additional processing
Me: Thanks! Have a good one
Website: Status show 'Administrative processing' , Last update date (24-Jul)
2018 Jul 27: My client received a call from USCIS, verifying my employment with them. I am thankful to my client because they answered the questionaire with at most care and sent prompt response on the same day.
2018 Aug 2: I received an email from USTraveldocs saying "Submit your passport along with this form at one of the VACs or VFS locations" which is a White slip (another 221G).
2018 Aug 3: Submitted passport to VAC location Chennai along with White slip 221G
2018 Aug 10: Website Status show 'Administrative processing' , Last update date (10-Aug)
2018 Aug 13: Website Status show 'Issued' , Last update date (10-Aug)
Verdict: This is a really frustrating and painful process. At every stage there is a pain point and "can do better" opportunity . Technically - If you have an employer change - You should never be eligible for drop but the site forces that. While submitting the docs - you should have the liberty of submitting more documents that supports the case rather than called later for interview with additional docs
My trip was horrible. I came to attend a funeral and got penalized for employer change. I had loss of pay, cancelled/rescheduled my flight 3 times, had to travel back and forth so much to get everything done. The irony is that My employer has submitted all those above mentioned documents while filing my Petition I129 and got approval. I dont understand why I have to go thru all these again to get the stamping done. If you have an employer change - kindly opt for Interview if at all possible. Nowadays 221Gs are becoming very common - there is a separate counter in Consulate and they place "Administrative processing" for most cases under 221G.
I would be glad even if the timelines above helps one person. After all i got 3 221g until approval and i feel its worth sharing!
I want to share my recent experience with H1B dropbox.
Employment: Employer - Client model
Reason for travel: Family emergency/attend funeral
Expected stay in India: 10 days
Visa: Valid till Dec 2018 from my previous employer. Employer changed afterwards.
Travel History: I have lived in USA for 4.5 years already . this is my 4th time coming back to India
2018 Jul 09 : Filled DS 160. Said I am eligible for Visa interview exemption program. Mentioned that I need to submit all of my approval notices (I797) + Passport + 2 Photos
2018 Jul 12 : Drop box location Chennai VFS location . Front desk asked me to submit only the above mentioned documents and gave back all other supporting docs
2018 Jul 13 : Case has been created and I could track online
2018 Jul 18 : Online status shows 'Administrative Processing' but received email saying 'Passport is ready for pickup'
2018 Jul 20 : Received passport. My existing visa has been sealed as 'Cancelled without Prejudice" . Found a blue slip 221G. Ticked off - Appear for interview on any Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri between 10 - 11 am. Bring this form along with the following documents
1) Last 2 years of IT returns of the employer
2) Client letter stating there is a vacancy for you from Personnel department of your client
3) Agreement between your employer and client stating the details
4) Project description, iternary and duration
Note: Asking for IT returns from an employer is very unconventional and a worst nightmare. I work for a consulting firm, I had good relationship with the management so they agreed to give me the documents after signing NDA. I don't know how many can get through this.
2018 Jul 24: Visa interview - Appeared for Interview with literally my life history (400+ pages worth of documents)
Me: Good morning sir
VO: Morning
VO: Who is your employer?
Me: ABCD
VO: What is your salary?
Me $XYZ
VO: What is your highest education?
Me: BE Electronics and Communication
VO: Where did you live in USA?
Me: Atlanta
VO: Who is your client? Hand me over the Client letter if you have
Me. XYZ company. Here is the document sir
VO: Give me the copies of all petitions (This was not mentioned in the 221G - guys, pls take everything to interview)
Me: Sure, do you want LCA as well ? they are pinned together .
VO: Do me a favour, give me all documents you have .( This was very unexpected , i gave everything in my hand )
VO: Do you know your rights in USA?
Me: Yes sir, I do.
VO: Handed me an yellow slip, please take a seat in the lobby. I will call you back
Me: Sure. I have waited there for about an hour . It felt like the longest hour of the day. In between - 1 guy got 214b in the next counter which means his application is denied and no further appealing and 2 guys got 221G
VO: Calls my name.
Me: Yes sir. I am here
VO: Sir, your application requires additional processing. I cannot issue Visa right now. He is handing over all my documents back along with passport .
Me: I was puzzled .
VO: He consoled me saying, "just hang tight - its not going to take long. I am sure it wont take long ". If we require additional documents we will email you. If visa is approved you will know it soon. You can check the status online
VO: Issues me another blue slip(221G) . Ticked - Your application requires additional processing
Me: Thanks! Have a good one
Website: Status show 'Administrative processing' , Last update date (24-Jul)
2018 Jul 27: My client received a call from USCIS, verifying my employment with them. I am thankful to my client because they answered the questionaire with at most care and sent prompt response on the same day.
2018 Aug 2: I received an email from USTraveldocs saying "Submit your passport along with this form at one of the VACs or VFS locations" which is a White slip (another 221G).
2018 Aug 3: Submitted passport to VAC location Chennai along with White slip 221G
2018 Aug 10: Website Status show 'Administrative processing' , Last update date (10-Aug)
2018 Aug 13: Website Status show 'Issued' , Last update date (10-Aug)
Verdict: This is a really frustrating and painful process. At every stage there is a pain point and "can do better" opportunity . Technically - If you have an employer change - You should never be eligible for drop but the site forces that. While submitting the docs - you should have the liberty of submitting more documents that supports the case rather than called later for interview with additional docs
My trip was horrible. I came to attend a funeral and got penalized for employer change. I had loss of pay, cancelled/rescheduled my flight 3 times, had to travel back and forth so much to get everything done. The irony is that My employer has submitted all those above mentioned documents while filing my Petition I129 and got approval. I dont understand why I have to go thru all these again to get the stamping done. If you have an employer change - kindly opt for Interview if at all possible. Nowadays 221Gs are becoming very common - there is a separate counter in Consulate and they place "Administrative processing" for most cases under 221G.
I would be glad even if the timelines above helps one person. After all i got 3 221g until approval and i feel its worth sharing!
