Applicant Background
The applicant is an F1 visa holder transitioning to an H1B visa. Biometrics were completed in Chennai, followed by the visa interview at the Hyderabad consulate. No personal identifiers are disclosed to maintain anonymity.
Visa Interview Experience (Hyderabad Consulate)
Biometrics: April 9, Chennai
Interview Date: April 29, 2025
Location: Hyderabad Consulate
Interview Conversation:
Applicant: Good morning.
Visa Officer (VO): Good morning.
The applicant handed over the passport. The visa officer scanned it and reviewed the details on the system.
VO: Which company are you working for?
Applicant: Answered clearly.
VO: Your visa is approved.
Applicant: Thank you.
As the applicant was about to leave, the visa officer paused and revisited the application.
VO: Hey, could you please hold on? I think I rushed too fast. I see that you had worked for a company named Dream Chase Technology. I don’t think they offer any projects. What were you doing there?
Applicant: Yes, I wasn’t actually working there. Initially, I believed it was a legitimate company, but later I realized they were exploiting F1 students.
The visa officer then asked a few follow-up questions:
- When did you associate with this company?
- Did you include this experience in your resume?
The applicant answered all questions honestly and clarified the situation.
221(g) Administrative Processing
Following the discussion, the case status was changed from approved to pending, and the applicant was issued a 221(g) slip for additional administrative processing.
After approximately one week, the applicant received an email from the Hyderabad consulate requesting passport submission.
- Passport submitted via VFS center in Bengaluru (JP Nagar)
- Passport returned within a week
- H1B visa successfully stamped
Key Takeaways
- Even after verbal approval, applications can be re-evaluated based on past records.
- Transparency about questionable employers or experiences is critical.
- 221(g) administrative processing does not necessarily mean rejection—it can still lead to approval.
- Timely response to consulate requests helps avoid delays.
If you need expert assistance, contact LeSo. We help applicants with profile evaluation, documentation checks, and interview preparation to minimize risks like 221(g) delays and unexpected queries.
