r/IndianH1Bs

Hi! This will be my first H4 visa interview. If you've had one recently, could you share:

1. What questions were you asked?
2. How long did approval/passport return take?
3. Did you attend the interview alone while your H-1B spouse stayed in the U.S.?

Thank you.

June 30th - Consular appointment( 221G refused pending social media vetting)

July 1st - approved

July 2nd - issued

Questions asked:

1. ⁠Are you going back with the same company?
2. ⁠Do you face any threats in India?

I was one of the few lucky ones that got B2 COS and COS back to H1B approved after a layoff, this was right before the rules changed. Timeline of that is below

July 1st 2025 - last working day

Aug 25 2025 - Applied for B2 COS to maintain status

Nov 2025 - secured a new role with the same company

Mid dec 2025 - applied for B2 COS to H1B in premium processing with pending pending B2 COS(included the receipt and requested concurrent adjudication)

Dec 15: COS to B2 approved

Dec 17: COS to H1B approved

Good luck everyone.

Citizenship - India

Credentials

1. Computer sc bachelors degree
2. Highest degrees - Masters in MIS and MBA
3. Experience - 5+ years of technical product management, worked at Amazon and Walmart
4. Publications - None

Please let me know if I even should pursue this path.

I had my H-1B visa stamping interview at the Delhi consulate last month. I got a 221g and went through administrative processing. It was stressful but it worked out eventually. I wanted to share my experience for anyone else going through this.

Here is my background:

• I work as a software engineer at a mid-size tech company
• I have been with the same employer for 4 years
• I have a master's degree in computer science from a US university
• This was my second H-1B stamping

The interview itself was short. The officer asked me:

• Who do you work for?
• What do you do day to day?
• What is your salary?
• Where did you get your degree?

I answered everything. Then the officer handed me a 221g white slip and said they needed additional administrative processing. They kept my passport and told me to wait for an email update.

The waiting period:
The CEAC status showed Administrative Processing for about 5 weeks. I checked it almost every day. On week 5, the status changed to Approved. Two days later it changed to Issued. I got my passport back about 3 days after that. Total time from interview to passport in hand was about 6 weeks.

A few things I learned:

• Do not panic if you get a 221g. It is not a denial.
• The waiting is the hardest part. There is nothing you can do except wait.
• Do not book non-refundable travel until you have your passport back.
• If they keep your passport, that is usually a good sign.

My advice for anyone going through 221g:

• Check your status once a day. Checking more often will just make you anxious.
• Be patient. Most 221g cases get resolved eventually.

Me and my spouse are both on H1B and need stamping, we need to visit India as soon as possible since my MIL is suffering from advanced stage of cancer.Unable to decide if only my spouse should travel and I should stay here in US or we both should travel(my spouse needs my support at this time but is also fine for me to stay here)due to visa uncertainty we both might lose our jobs if there is too much delay in coming back to US.we have a house here and 2 kids(middle schooler and a toddler).Living in india at this time is also challenging with a toddler due to extremely hot weather.Is there any possibility of appointments opening up anytime soon? Any pointers would really help.

I've been looking into the H-1B filing process, and I noticed that a huge number of petitioners (and immigration attorneys) still choose to mail in physical paper applications for Form I-129, even though USCIS has the online filing option available

From the outside, online filing seems like it would be much faster, drastically reduce shipping costs, and minimize the risk of mail delays or lost packages.

For those who still prefer the traditional paper route: What is the actual advantage of filing on paper?

I have a tricky question.

My spouse is on F1 and her F1 is expiring this week. I am also on F1 but I have an approved H1B (I-797A approval notice).

Should I apply for a H4 COS before her STEM opt expire this week or can I apply any time within the next 60 days.

Also my H1B is approved but it activates October 1st so does that mean I am still on F1 and should apply for her F2 COS and not H4 COS.

Your answer is appreciated Thanks 🙏🏻

Hi,

Has anyone received an RFIE (Request for Initial Evidence) for an H-1B extension recently?

My H-1B extension with the same employer received an RFIE today. I know we need to wait until the physical notice arrives to see exactly what USCIS is requesting, and both my attorney and I are currently waiting to receive it.

Is anyone else in the same situation? If you've received an RFIE for an H-1B extension, could you share what USCIS requested, how you responded, and whether your case was approved afterward?

Any experiences or insights would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I’m currently on H-1B and was recently impacted by cost-cutting layoffs. I was working full-time with my employer, and my last paycheck was generated on May 29. Based on that date, I believe I am currently around day 25 of my H-1B grace period.

I’m trying to understand the safest and most practical option to maintain my legal status and avoid falling out of status. These are the options I’m considering:

1. Find a new employer and file an H-1B transfer as soon as possible. This is my preferred option, but I’m concerned about timing because I’m already several weeks into the grace period.
2. Change status from H-1B to F-1 through a university that supports CPT. I’m considering either a business master’s program or a doctoral/PhD program, but I’m not sure how realistic this is within the grace period timeline. I’m also trying to understand whether Day 1 CPT is a safe option and what risks I should be aware of.
3. Temporarily move to Canada. I have a valid H-1B visa stamp until September 2027 and also have a Canada visitor visa. I’m considering moving to Canada temporarily for a few months while continuing my job search. If I get a new job offer and a new I-797 approval, I want to understand whether I can return to the U.S. using my valid H-1B visa stamp and the new approval notice.

I’m confused about which option is safest given my current timeline. Has anyone been in a similar situation? What would you recommend I do immediately? Are there any risks with F-1/Day 1 CPT or leaving the U.S. and returning later with a new I-797?

I know I should speak with an immigration attorney, and I’m planning to do that, but I wanted to hear from people who may have gone through something similar.

Thanks in advance for any guidance.

#H1B #H1BTransfer #GracePeriod #F1Visa #Day1CPT #I797 #CanadaVisitorVisa #ImmigrationAdvice #USCIS #Layoff

My husband has an H-1B visa application, and I am his dependent on an H-4 visa. We are set up as a group appointment in the US Visa Scheduling portal, and we have already paid the visa fees for both applicants.

We have been checking for over a month and haven't found any available appointment slots.

Has anyone in a similar situation (H-1B + H-4) been able to get an appointment as a group? Is it generally easier to find slots if the H-1B and H-4 applicants book separately?

Also, if we decide to separate our applications, how does that work when the dependent has already been added to the primary applicant's profile and the fees were paid together?

Would appreciate hearing about anyone's recent experience. Thanks!