Delhi Consulate: Mar 06. Successful stamping of H1B 8th year extension.

D

dmashok

Registered Users (C)
Hello All,

Just wanted to share my H1B stamping experience in New Delhi on 23rd March 06. I'm on a 8th year H1B extension (extensions based on pending greencard application).

1. Had made the appointment via. VFS website in Jan, 06.
2. My appointment was at 11:45 AM. I was at the consulate (Chanakyapuri) around 10:00 AM. I was asked to comeback 15 min before my appointment time.
3. Went in around 11:20 AM. The security did the security check, backpack checks, etc. They allow a backpack (no cellphones, or other electronic items) with documents only.
4. An Indian employee at the first window checked my Passport and I797. He pasted a "smiley" sticker on my passport and asked to get in the "expedited line" inside. I guess the sticker says "this guy has already visited US once".
5. Did the finger printing and got into the line. I had 3 people in front of me, all with the smiley stickers.
6. Got to the interview counter in 3 minutes. She asked me only a couple of questions - which company you work for? What is your position? Has the company already applied for your greencard (for which I said yes)?
7. The officer told me that I would have the visa by mail and wished me good day. She did not ask for any documents, other than my passport/I797 (no bank papers, W2s, edu. docs etc).
8. I was out by 11:40 AM. So the whole process took only 20 minutes. I got the stamped passport in mail in 2 days (went to interview on Thursday and got the passport on Friday in Bangalore).

So for all the folks, who are apprehensive about H1B extension stamping, nothing to worry about. Good luck to you all.

- Ashok.
 
documents

hi ashok,
what all documents did you carry with you. Can you please mention the list.

thanks in advance
 
Ashok,

Could you let us know which state are you from? I am from AP, can I get VISA stamped from NewDelhi consulate (Instead of Chennai)? I am also in 8th year extension.

Thanks
 
Doc list etc

Guys,

I'm from Bangalore, KA. The VFS website says if you are an indian national living and working in the US, you can go to any of the US consulates in India.

I carried the standard documents with me:
1. Passport.
2. All I797s.
3. A letter from the company verifying my employment & status.
4. All W2s & last one year's paystubs.
5. Bank statements for the last 3 months.
6. 5 Pics of the workplace along with collegues.
7. Original degree cretificates + markscards.

Thats it! It was a smooth experience.

On another note, I took AirDeccan from Bangalore to New Delhi (Rs 2400 one way from Blr to Del) and moved around in Delhi in an auto. Visit Delhi Haat when you are in Delhi.

Good luck,
Ashok.
 
Question on supporting documents

As per New Delhi embassy link http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov/nivhlovisas.html, the supporting documents include

Original Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
Original Labor Condition Application (LCA). Applicable to H-1 applicants only

But i doubt if we can get "Original" I-129 or LCA. I did get copies from my company. Is that a problem or shall I ask for Originals?

Please help.
 
Congrats for successful stamping. Did you take DS-156 printed back to back or seperate pages. Does that matter?




dmashok said:
Hello All,

Just wanted to share my H1B stamping experience in New Delhi on 23rd March 06. I'm on a 8th year H1B extension (extensions based on pending greencard application).

1. Had made the appointment via. VFS website in Jan, 06.
2. My appointment was at 11:45 AM. I was at the consulate (Chanakyapuri) around 10:00 AM. I was asked to comeback 15 min before my appointment time.
3. Went in around 11:20 AM. The security did the security check, backpack checks, etc. They allow a backpack (no cellphones, or other electronic items) with documents only.
4. An Indian employee at the first window checked my Passport and I797. He pasted a "smiley" sticker on my passport and asked to get in the "expedited line" inside. I guess the sticker says "this guy has already visited US once".
5. Did the finger printing and got into the line. I had 3 people in front of me, all with the smiley stickers.
6. Got to the interview counter in 3 minutes. She asked me only a couple of questions - which company you work for? What is your position? Has the company already applied for your greencard (for which I said yes)?
7. The officer told me that I would have the visa by mail and wished me good day. She did not ask for any documents, other than my passport/I797 (no bank papers, W2s, edu. docs etc).
8. I was out by 11:40 AM. So the whole process took only 20 minutes. I got the stamped passport in mail in 2 days (went to interview on Thursday and got the passport on Friday in Bangalore).

So for all the folks, who are apprehensive about H1B extension stamping, nothing to worry about. Good luck to you all.

- Ashok.
Click to expand...
 
dmashok said:
Hello All,

Just wanted to share my H1B stamping experience in New Delhi on 23rd March 06. I'm on a 8th year H1B extension (extensions based on pending greencard application).

1. Had made the appointment via. VFS website in Jan, 06.
2. My appointment was at 11:45 AM. I was at the consulate (Chanakyapuri) around 10:00 AM. I was asked to comeback 15 min before my appointment time.
3. Went in around 11:20 AM. The security did the security check, backpack checks, etc. They allow a backpack (no cellphones, or other electronic items) with documents only.
4. An Indian employee at the first window checked my Passport and I797. He pasted a "smiley" sticker on my passport and asked to get in the "expedited line" inside. I guess the sticker says "this guy has already visited US once".
5. Did the finger printing and got into the line. I had 3 people in front of me, all with the smiley stickers.
6. Got to the interview counter in 3 minutes. She asked me only a couple of questions - which company you work for? What is your position? Has the company already applied for your greencard (for which I said yes)?
7. The officer told me that I would have the visa by mail and wished me good day. She did not ask for any documents, other than my passport/I797 (no bank papers, W2s, edu. docs etc).
8. I was out by 11:40 AM. So the whole process took only 20 minutes. I got the stamped passport in mail in 2 days (went to interview on Thursday and got the passport on Friday in Bangalore).

So for all the folks, who are apprehensive about H1B extension stamping, nothing to worry about. Good luck to you all.

- Ashok.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the information! I am from AP and currently resident of US and planning to book at Delhi for visa revalidation in Nov/Dec 2006.

Do you know what hotels are best near to Delhi consulate or can you tell what hotel that you were accommodated?

Thanks again.
 
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