Day at Chennai Consulate for H1 VISA Interview

Hi friends, This information has been posted just to make life of an Individual easy while he is going for the H1 VISA Interview.
Congratulations on getting your H1B Approval notice. Please read below for understanding the process further.
After you get the Approval Notice, you need to schedule a Visa Interview appointment for which you will need to pay $131.00. This amount needs to be paid only at HDCF banks (Please follow the link to find the registered HDFC Banks) : https://www.vfs-usa.co.in/ApplnForms/HDFC/HDFCAddressList.aspxHDFC receipt will take two working days for getting activated. Once HDFC Receipt gets activated, please follow the link for booking the interview slot https://www.vfs-usa.co.in/ApplnForms/IsBEP.aspx
You can also check for estimated dates for your visa interview :-https://www.vfs-usa.co.in/Frame.aspx?param=MsXW4V7i/9YyDxdZNpjLTPh0rd1pvj7/F7V1wzlj7Nik/F+DVlt/uFbHbeIoR226%0b
Next, start filling the DS 160 form. Please make sure that you are using Internet Explorer browser to enter all the details on DS 160 form, as other browsers may not work properly. You also need to upload your passport size photograph scanned. Once you SUBMIT the forms you will be asked to select the Visa date, you will not be able to select the time of your interview. Once submitted, you will then be given 4 PDF files (DS 160, Interview Letter, and Class-H-L-O consulate letter with some info).
Remember that you will be allowed to re-schedule your interview date only twice, after which your HDCF receipt will not be valid.
Note: If you fill up the DS form but don’t want to take the interview (i.e. you don’t submit the form since you don’t have the right dates or if you have not received the documents from your employer), then you can SAVE the DS form but this will be accessible only for one week. If you do not book a date within one week, the form will expire and you will have to fill the DS form again.
Make sure the Photo you take is of the below specification:https://www.vfs-usa.co.in/Frame.aspx?param=MsXW4V7i/9YyDxdZNpjLTPh0rd1pvj7/F7V1wzlj7Nik/F+DVlt/uFbHbeIoR226
Once you have printed the forms:

a)Collect all your personal & educational documents.

b)Send your Visa Interview appointment info to the employer and collect the Consulate Letters for your interview.
c)Collect the necessary documents from your employer.
d)Carefully review all of the documents you will carry.

BEFORE YOUR INTERVIEW, take the time to carefully review and organize the documents you are going to carry to the interview.
Read through your H1B package (which contains your Approval Notice, Form I-129, Labor Condition Application: LCA, and Employer H1B Letter to USCIS).
Read Employer Letters (Containing Project Info, Job Duties, and Work Location)
D Day at Chennai Consulate:
When going for your visa interview, it is very important that you dress and behave professionally. From the moment you enter the Consulate to the moment you leave the Consulate, you need to act in a respectable and professional manner. Be prepared and organized, relax and listen carefully to the instructions given to you, and do not hesitate to ask questions if you do not understand the instructions or questions being asked of you.
Use common sense during the entire process, and be prepared to follow instructions and answer the Consulate Officer’s questions concisely.

Regardless of what you’ve heard or been told about other peoples’ experiences, do NOT assume that your visa interview will be easy or difficult. Go to the interview prepared and relaxed, follow the instructions given to you, concisely answer the questions asked of you, and do your best.

As they say in the U.S., “HOPE FOR THE BEST, BUT PLAN FOR THE WORST.”

You can only enter the consulate 15 to 30 minutes before the interview. You will have three check points in total. Remember that you will not be allowed to carry any water, eatables, mobile phones, or sealed envelopes.

Check point 1

At the main entrance of the consulate, you need to show your visa interview appointment letter and your passport along with HDFC receipt. Keep them handy.

Check point 2:

There will be a thorough security check, during which you will need to open your file bag in front of the security officer. Make sure you arrange all the documents immediately and don’t misplace any documents.

Check Point 3:

Here an official will take your finger prints and ask for Visa Appointment letter, DS form, H1B Packet, Passport and HDFC Receipts. Official will do some data-entry and place all these documents in a file and give it back to you. The same file must be carried for the final visa interview.


Final Interview with the counselor

Now you must be having two files with you, FILE A the one arranged by the official which contains (Visa Appointment letter, DS form, H1B Packet, Passport and HDFC Receipts) please carry this file as it is, and FILE B which contains your experience and academic documents.

In my opinion if you follow the below list of segregation of documents things will be very easy for you. The reason for arranging the documents into folders and in the same particular order are in direct relevance to the possible sequence by which you will be asked for them.
Please arrange FILE B in the following format

EMPLOYMENT DOCUMENTS

Offer letter from your US Employer - Signed by you and your employer - Very important.
Company Pics in USA if Available.
Project & Job Duties Letter (provided by your employer).

Current company Offer letter

Last six months pay slips

ID card

Bank statement
Previous Employer Documents

Company A – Offer letter & Relieving letter

Company B- Offer letter & Relieving letterand so on…
Other Documents

Resume

Form 16All previous managers contacts
EDUCATION DOCUMENTS

Post Graduate – Mark sheet & Degree Certificate

Under Graduate– Conciliated mark sheet, All mark sheets, Degree certificate

12th Std Mark sheet

10th Std Mark sheet (Not Mandatory)

Professional certificates

Face to Face with the Counselor
Provide FILE A to the counselor as it is. He/she will do some data entry and start asking you a few questions. Please see the other page on this blog for possible questions that he/she may ask.

Be confident in answering any questions asked by the counselor. Your answers should be to the point, never try to elaborate any answers. If you do not understand any questions, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification. Remember, you have got everything that’s required to get your VISA stamped. All you need to do is show the counselor that you are ready for the challenge of working in U.S.

So as said, you need to be very professional, organized, and concise. The keys to a successful interview are to be confident, carefully follow instructions, and answer questions concisely.

All the very BEST…