I got my visa successfully at Bombay in late October and want to share my experience since mine is a "special" situation.
My H1B was valid till Jan 07. But, the H1B stamp on my pp expired on 9/30/06. I changed employers in Apr 06 and my new employer got my H1B extended till Jan 08 based on a labor pending (filed by previous employer). I needed to go to India on personal work in October urgently. In effect I was leaving the US with an expired Visa (but a valid petition). I was apprehensive whether the consular officer would raise some vague query that could create problems - for example would they ask whether my original labor was still pending? I had confirmed from my previous company that yes, they indeed had not withdrawn it, but who knows whether the officer at the desk will be able to verify that real time or at short notice? I had to return to the US immediately after, so that was a bit of a worry.
My interview was in Bombay. It went very smoothly. The officer, a very nice and courteous lady, asked me whether I have been in the US before and I replied that I've been working there for a few years now. Qn - whether old employer or new emp. Ans - new employer. qn - Why change jobs? Ans: Best co in industry + chance to go to India frequently on job. Qn - Is wife getting Visa stamped now. Ans - no, I'd to come to India on an urgent personal visit. Qn - educational qualifications. Ans - Engg + US MBA. Qn - Child US citizen? Ans - Yes. Officer - Fine, visa approved. Me - Thank You, have a nice day.
So it was a breeze through.
The only sour note was, initially during the screening process at the entrance where they check our belongings, the guard was behaving rudely with the person ahead of me. Once he checked my belongings, he asked me to rush. I lost my cool and gave him a piece of my mind. He as taken aback - people who go to the consulate are usually tense and inconsiderate behaviour by security doesnt help at all. I'd suggest that people should remind these guys they need to be courteous and not bully candidates.
My H1B was valid till Jan 07. But, the H1B stamp on my pp expired on 9/30/06. I changed employers in Apr 06 and my new employer got my H1B extended till Jan 08 based on a labor pending (filed by previous employer). I needed to go to India on personal work in October urgently. In effect I was leaving the US with an expired Visa (but a valid petition). I was apprehensive whether the consular officer would raise some vague query that could create problems - for example would they ask whether my original labor was still pending? I had confirmed from my previous company that yes, they indeed had not withdrawn it, but who knows whether the officer at the desk will be able to verify that real time or at short notice? I had to return to the US immediately after, so that was a bit of a worry.
My interview was in Bombay. It went very smoothly. The officer, a very nice and courteous lady, asked me whether I have been in the US before and I replied that I've been working there for a few years now. Qn - whether old employer or new emp. Ans - new employer. qn - Why change jobs? Ans: Best co in industry + chance to go to India frequently on job. Qn - Is wife getting Visa stamped now. Ans - no, I'd to come to India on an urgent personal visit. Qn - educational qualifications. Ans - Engg + US MBA. Qn - Child US citizen? Ans - Yes. Officer - Fine, visa approved. Me - Thank You, have a nice day.
So it was a breeze through.
The only sour note was, initially during the screening process at the entrance where they check our belongings, the guard was behaving rudely with the person ahead of me. Once he checked my belongings, he asked me to rush. I lost my cool and gave him a piece of my mind. He as taken aback - people who go to the consulate are usually tense and inconsiderate behaviour by security doesnt help at all. I'd suggest that people should remind these guys they need to be courteous and not bully candidates.