H Visa

I would like to share my latest H1B visa stamping experience Islambad. My brief background: I came to US first in Aug 2004 on F1 visa with my wife and kid on F2 visas. We visited Pakistan in Jun 2006 while on F1. My H1B status started in Oct 2007. We came to Pakistan in last week of December 2008 and needed to obtain H1B visas to return back to USA. We got our appointment for Jan 9, 2009. VO asked few general questions related to job etc. and examined my original educational documents, letter from my employer, my tax returns and my salary slips. He later gave us a paper saying our visa is subject to additional admininstrative processing that could take upto 2 months or more. I'd been reading on internet that it could take upto several months too so was bit concerned. But alhamdolillah yesterday (Jan 22) we got a call that our passports are ready to be collected from American Express office Lahore. I visited them and collected our passports with visas in them. So I am now believing that may be many people are getting visas fast, but on the forums only those people are posting their comments who have had bad experiences. So I was determined to share my experience with people in my situation so that the positive news should also be available.

I went to Pakistan in January 2006 to renew my H1B stamp. My passport was about to expire, so first I applied for passport and got a new biometric passport. I went there for marriage, so was very busy in it. After the marriage I applied for H1 and H4 at the same time in February 2006. There wasn’t any interview date for H1 visa in Islamabad. We went to Islamabad for interview on February 23rd 2006. The interviewer asked couple of routine questions to me and just asked two question to my wife, which I replied. First question was, can she speak English? I replied “No”. Second question Has she ever be in USA before? I replied “No”. That’s the only questions she (interviewer) asked about my wife.

She (interviewer) asked me the following thing, approved I-979 (Notice of action), Marriage certificate (both in Urdu as well as translated in English) and Offer letter from the employer with salary on it. That’s all she asked to me, not a single pay stub, company profile, Tax return, W2, marriage photographs nothing.

Then she said to me your application has been approved, but there is some administrative process and it may take 4 weeks. You will get your passport in 4 weeks. After that she further added, actually you may get it in 2 weeks, but usually we said 4 weeks to all the applicants.

To my surprise I got the security clearance in just 5 days on Feb 28th 2006 (This date was written on the visa stamp on my passport that security clearance received on Feb 28th 2006). I got my passport back literally within 10 calendar days.

Here is some more info about the cases. I don’t know weather any one of this will make any change in the security clearance process or not.

I got my first H1B after the 9/11. I don’t know this may create any difference or not, but few of my friends said that they have already did security clearance on you when you applied the first time.

My wife didn’t change her last name, and she is still using her father name in her passport, H4 visa and medical insurance. Therefore it is not necessary to change the wife last name before applying for a H4 visa.

Both I and my wife had biometric passport.

I was (and am) never be out of status in the USA for a single day (for a single second )

I had a return ticked with me of April 2006 (Yes I was on long unpaid vacations) and at the visa application form, I wrote that I want to come to USA on April 5th 2006 (Date of my return ticket).

I had already applied for Labor Certificate 11 months ago (Applied for Labor on March 2005 using pre PERM process).

I-140 (using EB2 LC sub) (TSC) ROW
PD = June 30th 2006
RD = 24/01/2007
ND = 29/01/2007
Upgrade to PP = 19/04/2007
AD = 25/04/2007

I-485, I-131, I765 (TSC)
RD 06/07/2007
ND 06/21/2007
LUD (I-485) 06/24/2007, 07/14/2007, 07/30/2007, 07/31/2007, 08/07/2007 (Card Production Order), 08/08/2007 (Approval Notice Sent), 08/09/2007, 08/10/2007 (Card Mailed), 0812/2007, 08/13/2007
FP 07/13/2007, (Card Recv) 08/17/2007
LUD (I-765) 06/24/2007, 07/31/2007
LUD (I-131) 08/12/2007, 08/20/2007

My Year 2004's Pakistan Visit Experience:
Applied for my H1B stamp
================================================== ====
1. I came to Pakistan in June 15, 2004 with I-797 H1B approval notice
2. Applied for US visa stamp within a week or two
3. Got my passport back with interview req. after 2 weeks of application
4. Went the following day and showed them the following documents
a. I-797 H1B approval notice
b. Job Letter
c. Two recent paystubs
5. I was asked briefly about my job duties and was told that I'll get my passport back after security clearance
6. Got my US visa stamped on August 13th

Total processing time = one and a half month

Documents required for application were:
1. DS-156 (Fillable online with barcode from State Dept. website)
2. DS-157 (PDF fillable)
3. DS-158 (PDF fillable)
4. Parent's Info form (Hard to find online, but available at a third party site)
5. 2 x 2 size white / offwhite background passport sized photo

=================================================
I travelled in December 2004 for two weeks to get married and my wife had already applied for H4 visa, and she got it stamped after showing my I-797 form, my passport and visa copies and marriage photographs in October 2004
================================================== =

Recent Travel:
================================================== ===
My Year 2006's Pakistan visit experience:
Applying for my H1B stamp + my wife's H4 stamp
================================================== ===
1. I came here in Pakistan on Oct 18, 2006 with my I-797 H1-B approval
2. Applied with all the aforementioned forms and Rs. 6,600 application fee
3. Applied via AMEX Travel Services on Oct 20, 2006
4. AMEX told me that due to Eid, US embassy will get my papers after a week and after a week, I'll get my passport back and will be told if interview is required.
5. Got the passports (my wife's and mine) back from AMEX on October 29th and interview date is given on November 9, 2006
6. Went for interview, took four hours from Paking lot to interviewing window and took less than 5 minutes for the interview. We chose English as a mode of communication during interview. The councelor asked questions from both my wife and I, some of them that I remember are the following:

a. What is my job function
b. How long have I been working
c. Does my wife work or no
d. When did I visit USA last time
e. Saw our marriage certificate (I already had it in English along with attestation from US State Department)
f. Saw original I-797 notice of action forms
g. Told us that we both got the visa, my wife will get her passport in a week, and I'll get mine in two weeks or three.

7. Got my wife's passport along with US visa stamp on Nov 14, 2006
8. Got my passport along with US visa stamp on Nov 30, 2006
a. Clearance recieved on Nov 27, 2006 (11th business days of interview)
b. Visa issued on Nov 29, 2006 (13th business day of interivew)
c. AMEX got the passport on Nov 30, 2006 in their 3:30pm mail

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prepare all the forms prior to your travel and submit them the same day as you arrive in Pakistan and give yourself a month. That was my experience.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here is a recent visa stamping experience narrated by one of our team members.
-------------------------
I went for an H-1B visa stamping at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto, Canada, in November 2012. This was my first H-1B visa stamping. I wanted to share my experience with you and hope that it will be helpful in providing some insight into the entire process.
Scheduling the Interview
The official website for Toronto Consulate is http://toronto.usconsulate.gov/. All the basic information about various visa types is available at this website. After going through the relevant information, I scheduled my visa interview by making an appointment online at http://usvisa-info.com/. This link enables you to make an online payment, submit the applicable DS-160 Form, and electronically attach your photograph. Once you submit the application, the website will direct you to print a confirmation page that you are required to carry with you at the time of interview. The website also asks you to indicate the location where you want to pick up your passport.
Obtaining Canadian Visa and Crossing the Border by Car
Unless you are visa-exempt, a visitor’s visa to Canada is required to secure entry to Canada. A Canadian visa can be obtained by electronically filing the applicable forms and mailing your passport and supporting documents to the respective Canadian Consulate in your jurisdiction. Generally, an in-person interview is not required and, if approved, the Canadian Consulate will mail you the passport with a visa stamp. More information can be found at http://www.cic.gc.ca. A valid I-94 or other evidence of lawful status in the U.S. is one of the requirements for obtaining a tourist visa to Canada. I had already obtained the visa. I drove to the Buffalo/Niagara border and easily secured an entry into Canada. The officer simply looked at my passport and put an entry stamp on my passport. 
Please note that while driving into Canada, you will not face any U.S. immigration authorities, and you should never surrender your I-94 in case you are questioned by immigration. The reason is that, upon your return to the U.S., immigration will ask you for your original I-94 before giving you entry. Canadian immigration authorities may or may not check your baggage and car to ensure that you are not carrying any food products or prohibited items. I crossed around 3:00 a.m., and there was no traffic at the port of entry. I was able to cross the border in less than ten minutes.
Entering the Consulate
My appointment time was 9:45 a.m. Consulate had instructed me previously, while submitting the application, to arrive no more than 20 minutes early. Therefore, I reached there between 9:25 to 9:30 a.m. There was a long waiting line in front of me. There was a person in charge checking the appointment page and passports for all the applicants standing in the line. He asked me to step out of the line and join the line again at 10:00 a.m. because of the waiting times. Therefore, there is no point in arriving earlier for the interview. Just arrive 20 minutes before as directed by the Consulate. In addition, if you are interviewing in the winter, please make sure to dress up warmly, because it gets pretty cold in Canada in the winter, and you might have to stand in line for several minutes, if not hours.
Once your turn comes and you reach near the window, they will again check your confirmation page and passport. Then you enter the consulate, and they will scan you and your carry-ons for security clearance. Once you have passed through security clearance, you will be directed to a desk, where the person in charge will again check your paperwork and direct you to the main hall where interviews are being conducted. Once you enter that room, you straightaway get into a line to reach one of the windows, where the person in charge will collect your appointment confirmation, passport, and related visa petition (I-797 in case of H-1B). They will give you a slip assigning you a number.
Fingerprinting
Once you have received the slip assigning your number, you will sit in the waiting area with digital screens placed in front directing the candidates to appear at specific window for fingerprints. When my number came up, I went for the fingerprints. The person in charge informed me that there was some problem with my photograph, and I needed to retake the photograph. There is a photo booth in the same hall that you can use to get new photos. Make sure you carry Canadian $10 or lower bills or coins, as the machine does not accept higher bills. I provided my new photograph, and they took my 10-finger scan.
The Interview Process
After fingerprinting, I again went back to the seating area and waited for my number to appear on the screen. When my number appeared, I went to the specified window and greeted the officer. The interviewer asked me questions related to my field of study, the nature of my employment, and information about my employer. The officers were very polite and gave me time to look for and provide them with the requested documents. Within two or three minutes, the interviewing officer asked me to collect my passport from the pick-up location. It was a great relief. 
My advice is to be confident and polite with the officer. Just let him do his job and answer only the questions he is asking. Mostly, people were dressed up in formal attire. It is not a requirement, but, in my opinion, it definitely is more presentable to dress up formally. The interview was quick, but I would say that the entire process lasted for about two to three hours.
Collecting Passport and Re-entering the U.S.
I interviewed on Monday, and was able to collect my passport at the designated location only on Thursday. They will send you an email containing the tracking information once your passport is ready to be picked up. You will need to carry a photo ID to pick up your passport. After picking up my passport, I again drove back to the Niagara border. There was a large waiting line during the daytime. When my turn came, I presented them with passport containing my visa, original I-94, and H-1B petition (a copy is fine). The officer asked me a simple question on what was the purpose of my visit. My answer was that I will be working on H-1B and gave my employer’s name, city, and state. I was given an entry without any problem.

Having benefited a lot by reading all the posts here, just want to share my experience to benefit others.

Background: 
• Haven’t been back home for over 10 years since first entry to the States.
• Status: J-1 -> F-1 -> H1 -> F-1 -> H-1
• Canadian PR 

Scheduled the appointment in Toronto with the new system (I think it is much easier to book appointment now than the older system).

Drove to Toronto 2 days before the appointment

In the morning of appointment:

• Check appointment letter
• Security check (make sure no cell phone)
• First screen ( I don’t know why they have two interviews, but I guess this step is to make sure you have all the documents ready and check your status to make sure you are legal at US if you come for a return visa?)
• Wait for finger print -> Finger print -> Wait for interview
• Questions I can remember:
Your purpose to US?
What is your responsibility?
Why US? Why this company?
How did you know this company?
What is your degree? 
Which school did you graduate?
Any relative in the State? What do they do?
Any kids?
What is your purpose to Canada?
Your visa is approved.

I waited 7 business days to get my visa. I guess this may caused by the new system. Be patient (I was nervous)

My advise to you is to stay confident, be prepared (do some study on possible interview questions), dress business.

Good luck to all of you.

Stayed at HolidayInn rented a car , got the scottia bank deposit slip from a near by bank. 
Morning 9:55 AM eached embassay, interview was at 10:00,Security checked my confirmation letter and asked me to go to cashier window , cahier window person was realy sweet and was joking all the way. Asked 1) what visa am i applying for ?- H1b 2) what is my status in canada - Tourism - visitor visa , took the scotiia bank slip and gave me a number 
my number was annouced and they called my number for finger printing. after finger printing again waited for my interview. my number was announced
VO officer
Is it same company you are renewing your visa for ? 
nope, i changed company.
Which one are you working for ? and what do they do 
xxxx
what is your role in it
xxxx
could you please explain company business once again
xxxxxx
i took out my emp verification letter and he saw that and asked my payslips, after payslips he was just chatting with me regular chats. and told me that visa is issued and you could collect passport day after tommorow. 
 Keep life simple with keeping everything straight and legal and there wont be any issues ...

I  will begin with a sincere thanks for all the information I have got from these forums over the last few months and the amount of confidence I have gained through it.
Now, its my turn give back something by sharing my experience and hope this helps in giving some information to the others like me.

My visa was scheduled for 08:15 AM I reached the car parking in the nearby Malcha Marg parking by 7:45 AM. It is few minutes walk from there. I reached embassy by 7:55 or so. I was with my wife who would get an H4.

I have contacted you in the month of June, 05 regarding my F1-H1 Issue. My H1-B visa was approved by the American Consulate in Mumbai with out any problems and I am in the US right now. I would like to genuinely thank you for all your help and advise and I am glad that I took your services as I tried a number of lawyers before you and everyone gave me conflicting advises. I am writing to you my whole experience in detail so that you can put this in forum as other people may get help from this.

My status: on H1, visa expiring in September 2007. Rajiv's team applied for my H1 extension and I had I797 approvals till 2010. I had an H4 extension approval done for my wife as well. There is no employer change from first 3 years on H1 to second approval.

If anyone's interested: I had an appointment today for H1B visa revalidation. Overall it was a smooth experience. I was asked for my paystubs though.

Degree etc was not asked for. Total interview time was 2 minutes. The only question I was asked was whether I am working for the same company for which I had received an H1 visa previously. In my case that holds true. I also had an F1 visa previously. US Degree.

If anyone's interested: I had an appointment today for H1B visa revalidation. Overall it was a smooth experience. I was asked for my paystubs though.

Degree etc was not asked for. Total interview time was 2 minutes. The only question I was asked was whether I am working for the same company for which I had received an H1 visa previously. In my case that holds true. I also had an F1 visa previously. US Degree.

Also they are very strict about electronics. do not get anything electronic into the building. You'll be asked to toss it or leave it someplace. Strollers etc are also not allowed. I saw a few people with kids asked to leave their strollers someplace.