H4 visa in Chennai-Experience

R

rkanda1

Registered Users (C)
Hi,
We went in for H4 visa stamping on 29th Aug at Chennai. Wanted to share my experience as it may help some. About myself, I've been working in the US for the past three years without break. So fortunately I did'nt have the LCA vs W2 pay difference issue as some of us have.
We had interview scheduled at 2:15-2:30. We were there at 1:45 pm. A point to note here is that this timing is not when the consular officer will interview you but the time when the applicant will enter the building. So there's no point in going a lot early. 30 minutes should be enough.
Only my wife was allowed to enter the consulate. It took approximately 2 and 1/2 hours for her to come out. On entering, she was asked the ttservices web appointment letter. Then she paid the 4900 non refundable fee. The officers then collected the following documents: ds156 form, 797, I129 and LCA, her passport original, my passport copy, marriage invitation, marriage certificate, marriage photos(we gave a small album of 30, but the visa officer asked only 6). She was issued a token and asked to wait. She had to wait approximately 2 hours.
After the wait, she was called and she proceeded to meet with the officer. Questions asked.
How many years has your husband been in the US.
Give me the tax return forms.

She gave the tax forms, the officer verified, approved her visa and asked to pay the 3675 fees. I should expect the passport in 3 business days.

Hope this helps some.
Bye
Ravi
 
Hi Ravi,

Did you submitted last year W2 or all the three year W2's to the consulate in chennai ?

please give me reply soon.

Thanks
Naga
 
Successful H4 stamped in Chennai

My wife submitted her H4 application on 29th July and got back the PP without Stamping with a Check list

She again resubmitted as per check list on September 28th and got the H4 stamped on 3rd October.

Saba
 
H4/I-94 expired..Overstayed

Gurus:

I was working for Company A and got visa valid upto sept 20th 2003. Based on this my wife and daughter got their Visa upto sept 20th 2003. In May 2002 I switched to Company B and got new H1 and I-94 valid upto May 2005. My wife and my daughter Joined me in the month of July 2002 thru my Old Company’s VISA stamped on their pp.
They got I-94 valid upto sept 20th 2003. The blunder I made is, I forgot to apply for their new H4 from my new company B. I realized this on sept 20th 2003, the day their H4 and I-94 expired. I immediately booked tickets and sent them to India. Still they Overstayed for 5 days.

My wife applied for new H4 for herself and my daughter thru dropbox at Hyderabad on Sept’ 29th. She is still waiting to hear from Consulate.

The following documents were submitted

1) I-797 (Original)
2) I-129 (Lawyer Certified)
3) DS-156
4) PP copies of principal
5) Marriage certificate
6) Marriage Card
7) Birth certificates
8) Fee
9) Employee verification letter
10) Pay stubs for one year
11) W2 for year 2002
12) ITIN - cards
13) Tax Papers
14) Electricity Bills for year
15) Phone Bills for one year
16) Rental lease agreement (My wife’s and daughter’s name included)
17) Bank Statements (My wife is joint a/c holder)
18) Cell phone and CC bills.
19) Company’s monthly newsletter Brochures for one year.
20) A letter from my daughter’s school


I don’t have marriage photos. First time when she applied for H4, she was aksed to produce the pictures. We explained our inability to produce them. She was given the VISA.

My Q’s are

1)Will she face any problems due to Overstay?
2)Will the consul ask again for producing the pics?.
3)Any chance of getting H4 denied for not producing the marriage pics?


Please Reply ASAP..

Regards

Vinrush
 
Reply to U

What ever U did is okay. It all depends on your luck. Pray to GOD. Nothing in your hand. It should reach reasonable counslor officer: Saba
 
Hello,

I got appointments at chennai consulate for H4 and H1B visas for my fiancé and me on the same day at different times.

She got the appointment on Dec '9th 9:00 - 9:15 A.M
I got the appointment on Dec '9th 9:15 - 9:30 A.M


The reason I took different appointments is I have sent the passport to ST.Louis for H1B Revalidation in case if I get visa stamp here so that I can cancel only my appointment. If I took as a single appointment then I have to cancel both the appointments.

The status of my visa stamp at ST.louis will be known only in the month of NOV.

Now my question is, do i need to carry two sets of documents for each individually? Or is it Ok to carry one set and share the documents inside.

Any suggestions? Please advice.

Thanks
Raj
 
Re: Reply to U

Hey Raja

What did they (consulate ) asked your wife .. what papers or checklist they asked ..Could you please explain ..Is there any tricks??

Originally posted by Raja Saba
What ever U did is okay. It all depends on your luck. Pray to GOD. Nothing in your hand. It should reach reasonable counslor officer: Saba
Click to expand...
 
Docs

I have been asked to submit ORIGINAL PAY STUBs, W2s, House lease agreement, My company's other H1 details and their whereabouts, W2 of rest of the employees, since 2001. I have submitted all these things even more. No personal appearence. Got the visa by TT service :Saba
 
Hi Raja Saba,

Is it enough if we drop the H4 application in drop-box in hyderabad tt services?. My wife is appearing for the first time.

Can we use the drop box facility for the first time also? or should we fix an appt with consulate and appear in person?

Let me know

Thanks,
lalithananth
 
Book an Interview

Hi,

Since it is a first time H4 filing you need to reserve a date for personal appearence. Don't waste time by way of sending by TT services. My wife is extended the H4 for that they asked so many original documents. So, give all relevant documents to Ur wife like

Original W2, All Original PAY STUB, Original TAX return, Original Phone bills, Original house lease recepits along with other mandatory documents in the web site.

If it is your first H1 and H4 then no need to provide above extra doc.

If they ask 10 documents provide 15 so screening will be defficult. Try to give true information. If any of the Doc not looks okay don't submit it.

Educate your wife how to answer if they ask routine questions.

She should be confident and bold. Thats it. They are not doing any favour for us. Since we are qualified they approved H1 and its their duty to go according to Doc.

all teh best, Saba
 
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