H1 Visa Experience Chennai Consulate

**Dexter** · 22nd November 2003, 08:34 AM

Hello,
Had an interview at chennai consulate and here are the details

F1(CPT) to (First Time)H1B
Interview date 20 th nov - 8:45 to 9:00 am
stood in the line by 8:00 am, was inside by 8:35, paid tts fees by cash and then paid the 4600 rupees DD at the next counter(Write PassPort# and Name at the back of the DD's),you get ur tocken number here, then arranged the dociments in the order written on the notice board at the consulate .. i dont precisely remember it but its like DS156,157 , I797 orginal, I129 and LCA (orginal ) -- i Submitted Attorney Certified Copies, then Paystubs, W2's, Employer Letter, Degree certificates and transcripts --- arranged them and presentesd it at the counter, all my documents were put inot a file and i just got my token number back and i was asked to proceed to the mail hall, i waited in the main hall and my tocken number was called.
Was asked the following Q's
1) Do you work for a University ? -- Yes i Do
2) You Studied In the Same University -- Yes
3) Why did u tranfer -- Lack of funding (I transffered from the univ i Originally came in)
4) wats your Pay? $XXK
5) Wat do u do ? -- I program
6) She asked me about the State i live in and wats my opinion abt it
While asking me the Q's the officer looked at my I797
recent pay stub though i submitted for all months, and worked something on the computer
I was aksed to check all my docs and to go ahead and pay my visa fees.
I went ahead and paid the fees at the counter
Was out by 10:15 am

right now in india i may not befrequently be updating this thread .. but will try

Thanx for all the info on this site

DEX

**boeing777** · 23rd November 2003, 01:53 AM

Thanks for posting. That was very useful.

You didn't take your tax returns (Form-1040) ??? Didn't they ask for it?

Regards.

**Dexter** · 24th November 2003, 11:04 PM

I did take the 1040, I attached it to my W2, But the Consular officer didnt look into it.

Regards
DEX

**Anindya_72** · 26th November 2003, 06:14 PM

Hi Dexter, was it a new H1 stamping or a renewal of H1 stamping?

Thanks,

Anindya_72

**Dexter** · 27th November 2003, 12:32 AM

New H1

**Anindya_72** · 3rd December 2003, 08:17 AM

mvinays, did you get your visa stamped? How was the interview?

**Patcha_card** · 3rd December 2003, 03:20 PM

Hello Guys, I'm going for fourth time H1 Stamp to chennai.
Scheduled interview at Consulate (I can use the dropbox but, Don't have that much time.)

Do I still have to face the interview ?

- Sean

**pashwin** · 3rd December 2003, 08:37 PM

mvinays,
did the consul ask for previous years W2 and tax returns or did they just look at the most recent one? Were you on bench anytime while on H-1 ? Please reply.

thanks,

**Anindya_72** · 3rd December 2003, 10:12 PM

mvinays, thanks for the detailed information. what is this TT service? Is it similar to something I heard off like TTSVISAS.COM where you book your interview time and date?

Thanks.

**PainfulGC123** · 4th December 2003, 01:09 AM

They asked for the W-2s and 1040NRs for all the years I was present in the U.S. I was on F-1 for 3yrs and H-1B for 1.5 yrs. I submitted W-2s and 1040 NRs for 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 (for all the years I was in the U.S.). For 2003, I just submitted the payslips for the whole calendar year (Jan 1, 2003 to Nov 30, 2003)

I was never in a "no-job no-salary" kind of situatioon while I was present in the U.S on a H-1B status. The visa officer particularly asked me this question. I told him that I was never in such a sitution. The bottomline is that the visa officer is trying to check whether you were "out of lawful non-immigrant status".

Hope this helps!

Originally posted by pashwin
mvinays,
did the consul ask for previous years W2 and tax returns or did they just look at the most recent one? Were you on bench anytime while on H-1 ? Please reply.

thanks,

**PainfulGC123** · 4th December 2003, 01:14 AM

Originally posted by Patcha_card
Hello Guys, I'm going for fourth time H1 Stamp to chennai.
Scheduled interview at Consulate (I can use the dropbox but, Don't have that much time.)

Do I still have to face the interview ?

- Sean

Yes, I think you should face the interview which is simple and straightforward. It is very likely that you will get your passport with H-1B visa stamp within 2 days after the interview.

If you apply by drop box, it may take upto 2 weeks or more.
Good luck!

**PainfulGC123** · 4th December 2003, 01:20 AM

Originally posted by Anindya_72
mvinays, thanks for the detailed information. what is this TT service? Is it similar to something I heard off like TTSVISAS.COM where you book your interview time and date?

Thanks.

You are welcome.

Yes, you are right. It is TT Services from TTSVISAS.COM

**gcbeku** · 4th December 2003, 07:41 PM

I dont have w2 for year 1999 in which I was F1 student with a assitantship. I have 1040 form that I got from IRS. I am leaving for India tomorrow and I thought we need w2 and 1040 for the years one is employed under H1. Will I be OK if I take the 1040 only.

Please Help!

Thanks

**PainfulGC123** · 5th December 2003, 01:14 AM

Hi Koti,
Yes, take xerox copies of 1040NRs. If you dont have them, request IRS for "Tax Return Transcripts". Dont worry if you dont have the 1040 NR for 1999. The visa officer has hardly any time to see the documents in detail. He will flip back and forth quickly and see certain key things. If he asks anything about 1040 NR of 1999 then tell him the truth honestly. It is very likely he wont ask this question. You seem to have almost all the required documents. So you should not have any problem in getting the visa. Be confident and go to Chennai. Since you were never out of lawful non-immigrant status, you should not have a problem.
Good luck!

itok wrote on 4th December 2003 01:14 PM:

I am in a similar boat as you were. I have an appointment scheduled for 16th Dec, and i don't understand 1040NRs being
submitted for visa documentation. You mean the xerox copies of 1040 NRs ?? Or, am i missing something here? I didn't file taxes for 1999 as i was a student and didn't have any significant earnings that year (only 120 dollars). But i have w2s for 2000, 2001 and 2002. I am on h1 in from Feb 2003. I was on PT for 2002 and on CPT from Oct 2001. I have all payslips in 2003.
Do you suggest me going to chennai?? I was never in a situation no job no pay. I was never out of lawful immigrant status.

Please reply as soon as possible.

Thanks for your reply,

Koti

**PainfulGC123** · 5th December 2003, 01:20 AM

You will need 1040 NRs and W-2s for all the years you were employed in the US on a H-1B status as well as F-1 status.

If you dont have the W-2 for 1999 during which you were employed for assistantship as an F-1 student, request your university to give you a W-2 for 1999. They should be able to fax you a new copy of W-2 for 1999 from their records.

Good luck!

Originally posted by gcbeku
I dont have w2 for year 1999 in which I was F1 student with a assitantship. I have 1040 form that I got from IRS. I am leaving for India tomorrow and I thought we need w2 and 1040 for the years one is employed under H1. Will I be OK if I take the 1040 only.

Please Help!

Thanks

**itok** · 5th December 2003, 12:22 PM

Thanks for the reply Vinay, that helps!

**vb123** · 6th December 2003, 04:24 PM

Hi guys,

I have scheduled an appointment with the chennai consulate for my H1B(->From F1 and OPT) and my wife(fiancee) for her H4.
1. Do I need to produce work experience letters from previous employers and the recommendation letters from my current and previous co-workers?
2. Also I don't have my 1040 forms with me though I have my w2's for previous years. Is is advisable to get them from IRS.
3. For bank statements- is it okay if take a statement from my bank stating my current balance etc or should it reflect all the trasactions?

Thanks in advance..

**Patcha_card** · 6th December 2003, 11:24 PM

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Patcha_card
Hello Guys, I'm going for fourth time H1 Stamp to chennai.
Scheduled interview at Consulate (I can use the dropbox but, Don't have that much time.)

Do I still have to face the interview ?

- Sean
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, I think you should face the interview which is simple and straightforward. It is very likely that you will get your passport with H-1B visa stamp within 2 days after the interview.

If you apply by drop box, it may take upto 2 weeks or more.
Good luck!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
mvinays, Thanks for the reply.
I have my H-1 (I-797) valid until 04/20/2004, Will this be a problem in getting the visa?

Thanks,
Sean

**PainfulGC123** · 7th December 2003, 02:03 AM

Sean,
This should not be a problem at all! The visa officer will issue a visa valid till 04/20/2004.

Good luck!

------------------------------------------

mvinays, Thanks for the reply.
I have my H-1 (I-797) valid until 04/20/2004, Will this be a problem in getting the visa?

Thanks,
Sean

**inUSA2000** · 8th December 2003, 12:33 PM

Hey Guys,
I have a appointment for my H1 revalidation visa stamping at Chennai on Jan 6th. If anybody have gone for similar one plz post ur experiences. I was told that they need pictures of the current company we are working in . Like the inside and outside pictures of the building etc. Is it true??

Thanks
inUSA2000

**PainfulGC123** · 10th December 2003, 01:17 AM

Originally posted by inUSA2000
Hey Guys,
I have a appointment for my H1 revalidation visa stamping at Chennai on Jan 6th. If anybody have gone for similar one plz post ur experiences. I was told that they need pictures of the current company we are working in . Like the inside and outside pictures of the building etc. Is it true??

Thanks
inUSA2000

Yes, it is true. However, please note that they may or maynot look at these pictures during your visa interview. Good luck!

**vshaal** · 10th December 2003, 02:37 PM

hi,
i came to usa in 99 fall and i dont have w2 for 99 and 2000, though i filed tax returns, is there any way, i can get those w 2s re issued. whom shud i contact, please reply

**vshaal** · 10th December 2003, 02:42 PM

what is Attorney Certified Copies??? is that the LCA file we are given by the lawyer who applied for our H1???

**vshaal** · 10th December 2003, 02:52 PM

how to contact the IRS for Tax Return Transcripts, thank you

**PainfulGC123** · 11th December 2003, 03:12 AM

Originally posted by vshaal
hi,
i came to usa in 99 fall and i dont have w2 for 99 and 2000, though i filed tax returns, is there any way, i can get those w 2s re issued. whom shud i contact, please reply

You need to contact your employer's payroll department for 99 and 2000. Your employer must be able to re-issue another W-2 for 99 and 2000. The employer should have your W-2 in their records. Good luck!

**PainfulGC123** · 11th December 2003, 03:16 AM

Originally posted by vshaal
how to contact the IRS for Tax Return Transcripts, thank you

You need to go to www.irs.gov and run a search for "Request for Tax Transcripts". There is a 1-800 number which you can call to contact IRS to send you tax transcripts for the previous years you filed your tax returns.

Alternatively, IRS has a form (PDF format) that you can download, print and fill manually... and then mail it to them. Once they receive your signed request form, they will mail you the tax transcripts by mail within two weeks. Also, do not be surprised if the tax transcripts look like a simple computer printout. It is normal.

Good luck!

**PainfulGC123** · 11th December 2003, 03:30 AM

Hi Koti,

Here are my answers:
1. You need the original I-797 means.... "you need the small original I-797 slip on the left lower left hand corner of the original H-1B approval notice." The original lower right slip (I-94) will be taken by the airline carrier when you check in your baggage during your departure from the US. The upper portion of the original approval notice must be retained by the employer and only a photocopy of the same needs to be given by the employer to you.

(However, IF your employer gives you the original upper portion of the notice, just keep it with you safely and DO NOT present it to the visa officer unless the officer specifically asks for it. Also, make sure you return the upper portion of the I-797 H-1B approval notice to your employer after you return to the US).

2. A photocopy of the complete LCA must be sufficient. Also, a photocopy of the complete I-129 petition must be sufficient.

Good luck!!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Vinay,

I have two more questions.

1. Do i need original I-797? Or, would a xerox copy be sufficient?
2. What about LCA? Should it be original or a xerox would be sufficient?

My employer has sent me xerox copies of the above, when i asked for original ones.

Thanks
Koti

__________________
Koti

**vshaal** · 11th December 2003, 09:31 AM

hi,
what does it mean by attorney certified copies of the LCA and form 129
i dint get it. when i asked my attroney he issued me a photocopy of the whole petition is that enuf or i need to certify that with somebody else
thanx

**zipper** · 12th December 2003, 03:12 PM

Attornery Certfied just means that the Photo Copy he gave istrue and accurate. All he will do is sign the phot copies of your papers as true and accurate and give his License Number, if he goofs up i think his license will be suspended and again this is my understanding and i might be wrong
Thanks

**veerudu** · 22nd December 2003, 01:11 PM

Guys,

I am planning a trip to India in the first week of March 04 to attend my BIL wedding. I need to get my visa extension stamped (in Chennai Consulate) before entering into US. I know lot of things changed recently and getting visa stamped is not as smooth as it supposed to be. I heard ppl saying they need lot of documents and photos, experience letters etc etc., But I am not sure what they need excatly. Can any one tell how much advance I should take the appointment ? Is it better drop box or Interview? ( i am going on 3 weeks vacation), any other useful info/tips to expedite the process.

Thanks in advance for all your help