H1B at OCT 23rd Montreal, 221g but Visa approved still waiting-help

maulik239

By maulik239,
in H1B : Visa Stamp

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maulik239 Newbie

maulik239

Posted
Posted

I had my interview at Montreal on October 23rd. The interview was simple. I am an Indian citizen and came as student in 2003 and finished Doctor of Pharmacy in 2008. My student visa was rejected first time with no reason and was asked to come back and apply in few days. I applied again in 2 weeks and student visa was approved. Have been working on H1B since graduation with change of employer in 2011. Both the employers are non-profit hospitals.

The visa officer asked me following questions :

Took my passport and I-797A.

I asked visa officer if he needs my old passport. He said not necessary

Purpose of appointment today?

--stated H1B stamping. Visa officer got confused and asked whether I am applying for change of employer or new H1B. I said for H1B stamping after change of status, then he finally understood that I was traveling outside US for first time after change of status and apologized to me.

Where I work?

--stated name of the hospital

What is my role?

--stated Clinical Pharmacist which is my role

Where did I study?

--stated name of the university

What did i study?

--stated my degree Doctor of Pharmacy

You had change of employers?

--stated yes and explained that new employer is a medical center so bigger hospital and more opportunity to learn.

He did not ask for any documents.

Just took my passport and I-797A and stated that I am approving your visa but have to do little administrative processing. I said I understand each case is different but can you please tell me how long it might take since I am planning to visit my grandmother in Indiaand have an idea when should aim to book tickets. He said around 2-3 weeks but I should wait till I get passport and check for any spelling mistakes on Visa before I book tickets.

It is 3 weeks today and still have not heard anything. It is more confusing why so much wait since the visa officer said that he is approving the visa. My employer havenot received any emails from consulate.The attorney for the hospital thinks the state department might be running background check.

Please Help

h1b_seattle Member

h1b_seattle

Posted
Posted

I had my interview at Montreal on October 23rd. The interview was simple. I am an Indian citizen and came as student in 2003 and finished Doctor of Pharmacy in 2008. My student visa was rejected first time with no reason and was asked to come back and apply in few days. I applied again in 2 weeks and student visa was approved. Have been working on H1B since graduation with change of employer in 2011. Both the employers are non-profit hospitals.

The visa officer asked me following questions :

Took my passport and I-797A.

I asked visa officer if he needs my old passport. He said not necessary

Purpose of appointment today?

--stated H1B stamping. Visa officer got confused and asked whether I am applying for change of employer or new H1B. I said for H1B stamping after change of status, then he finally understood that I was traveling outside US for first time after change of status and apologized to me.

Where I work?

--stated name of the hospital

What is my role?

--stated Clinical Pharmacist which is my role

Where did I study?

--stated name of the university

What did i study?

--stated my degree Doctor of Pharmacy

You had change of employers?

--stated yes and explained that new employer is a medical center so bigger hospital and more opportunity to learn.

He did not ask for any documents.

Just took my passport and I-797A and stated that I am approving your visa but have to do little administrative processing. I said I understand each case is different but can you please tell me how long it might take since I am planning to visit my grandmother in Indiaand have an idea when should aim to book tickets. He said around 2-3 weeks but I should wait till I get passport and check for any spelling mistakes on Visa before I book tickets.

It is 3 weeks today and still have not heard anything. It is more confusing why so much wait since the visa officer said that he is approving the visa. My employer havenot received any emails from consulate.The attorney for the hospital thinks the state department might be running background check.

Please Help

Most probably background check specially if you employer has not received any email. especially if you have a common muslim name.

did you get 221g?

mit_k Advanced Member

mit_k

Posted
Posted

Probably a TAL check (Security clearance), becoz of ur pharmacy background.

Mine was also same, VO said i am eligible for visa but handed over me 221g blue at Ottawa, took 28 days to get clearance.

Be patient and gud luck.

Blueracer Advanced Member

Blueracer

Posted
Posted

Hi mit_k, I am also from same background and waiting for visa clearance. It has been 21 days since my visa interview. But I was not told that my visa is approved , instead given 221g yellow form and administrative processing checked on the form.

mit_k Advanced Member

mit_k

Posted
Posted

VO has mentioned i am eligible for visa and need to go through AP to get it approved, he did not mention as my visa got approved at the time of interview.

This was for my h1 extension, i even had AP at my 1st time of H1 too.

Per my attorney, security clearances are not uncommon nowadays if we fall under TAL ( here i am not talking about name checks). Many of the APs (in india and canada) have been cleared in 2-5 weeks, recently. I believe because they r done by DOS and its affiliated agencies, only in US, the timeframes would be close for all the consulates.

There is nothing to worry if u r working in the same field.

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