Hello All,

I am British citizen, but have lived in India all my life. I am in the process of having my H1B petition applied for by my employer. Is there any reason why I should attend the visa interview at an Indian consulate vs. a British Consulate. Does it make a difference?

Also besides details of the employment and having all the appropriate forms filled up, what other questions should I be prepared for during the visa interview.

Advance thanks for your inputs,

g4giri

Your interviewing Consulate is determined by your normal residence; you don't get to choose, and it is not based on citizenship. Good luck!

Hello meauxna,

I do have residences in both UK and India. Can you explain what normal residence means ?

Thank you for your time,
g4giri

Not sure this is correct. My (British) husband had his H1b interview in Canada...

The one in which you spend most of your time.

Could also be the one in which you maintain your main residence or the one in which you file your taxes. And of course any of these activities may actually be split between either (or all!) of the countries in which you are resident.

When he was living in the US to start with, not when he was living in the UK, right?
Canada seems to offer some special accommodation to the employment folk.


g4giri, each Consulate's website should have a description of the consular district they serve, and who they serve.

My statement is based on observation, and our own experience. My UKC spouse interviewed in the country of his residence, not his citizenship. London was not an option for us.


You originally wrote "I am British citizen, but have lived in India all my life." That led me to believe that your principle residence is in India.

Hi:

Neither the Indian nor British consulates have the power to issue H-1b visas -- that would be done by an AMERICAN consular post. There are instances of other countries' embassy issuing US visas -- but that is in the case of "US Interests Section" where the US does not have diplomatic relations. And not all of the US Interests Sections issue visas. Also, there is no US consulate in Taiwan -- however, there is a private organization called the "American Institute In Taiwan" that does the visa work on a contract basis for the Consulate General in Hong Kong. [Curiously, all the Americans at AIT are former US Foreign Service Officers who resign to accept this private employment. When they leave AIT, the Department of State takes them back, reinstates them as FSO's as if they never left! Go figure.].

No, he wasn't living in the US - just passing through on the VWP...

Hi g4giri,

Find below consolidated list which was prepared by me.
Not all docs are compulsory but having most from below will definitely help you.

Docs / Letters
- Degree evaluation
- Background on company
- Offer of Letter
- Clients list of company
- Letter of support (mentioning XXX is qualified with so and so degree and experience)
- Contract document-A copy of the contract between the U.S. employment agency and the job site
- Co's property photograph
- Interview date and who took interview
- A letter from the personnel department at the U.S. job site stating that there is a vacancy for you.
- The applicant’s complete itinerary of services including company names and addresses (This can be include with Letter of Support or separate letter)
- A detailed and specific description of the internal development project to which you will be assigned. Include a complete technical description of the project, employer, timeline and current status, no. of employees assigned, worksite location, and marketing analysis for the final product.

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS:
- Where were you born
- What will you be working as
- What will your salary package be
- Who were you previously working for and when were you in the US last
- When will you be starting employment
- What does the company I'll be working for do?
- How do I qualify for the job?
- What was my degree in?
- Asked to see paperwork for my degree
- Where is your degree from?
- What is the degree in?
- How much experience do you have for this job?
- How did you get the job?
- Do you have any plans to remain in the US permanently?

Hopefully this will give you some brief idea.

Cheers,
Homer