Watch this guide as a video
The documents the officer actually asked for
The interview started at exactly 8:00 AM. The officer called her up and immediately asked for three documents: her LCA, her I-129, and her passport. Notice what was not asked for — the I-797. Many applicants over-prepare for the I-797 and under-prepare for the LCA and I-129. Make sure those two are on top of your document stack and that you know their contents before you walk in.
The salary question — and exactly how to answer it
The officer flipped through the LCA and stopped at the page showing the salary. She looked up and asked: 'What is your salary?' My student answered clearly — she stated the dollar figure ($77,000 USD) and then converted it into rupees on the spot. That level of confidence and specificity signals to the officer that you genuinely understand your own offer. Know your LCA salary by heart, and know roughly what it converts to. Do not make the officer feel like you are reading your own documents for the first time.
The client letter question — and the right way to handle it if you don't have one
The next question was: 'Do you have a client letter?' This is a common sticking point for H1B applicants who will be working at their sponsoring company's own office rather than at a client site. My student did not panic. She answered with a clear, calm statement: 'I will not be working from a client location. I will be working from the company location in New Jersey. They have an internal team, and I will be joining that team.' The officer nodded along — she understood immediately. If you are in the same situation, prepare that one sentence in advance. You are not evading the question; you are explaining your actual work arrangement.
Want personalized feedback on your answers?
Shachi does 1-on-1 mock interviews — get real-time coaching before your consulate visit.
Book a Mock InterviewFollow-up questions about the company — prepare these numbers
After accepting the work-location explanation, the officer asked two more questions in quick succession: 'Where is this company located?' and 'How many employees does this company have?' My student was ready for both. She answered that the company is based in Princeton, New Jersey — the officer cross-checked against the LCA and nodded. For the headcount, she gave a detailed breakdown: 20 regular full-time employees in the US (all US citizens), 15 contractors in the US, and roughly 60 to 65 employees in India. That level of specificity is what earns a nod. Before your interview, find out the approximate headcount of your sponsoring company — full-time, contractors, and any offshore staff — and be ready to say it naturally.
The moment that sealed the approval — your current employer matters
The final question the officer asked was: 'Where are you working now?' My student answered that she was currently employed at IBM. The officer's expression visibly changed — she nodded with clear satisfaction. My student told me later that she genuinely believes her IBM employment helped tip the interview in her favour. A strong, recognisable current employer signals stability and credibility. If you are currently working at a well-known company, do not undersell it. State it confidently and let it land.
The bottom line before your December 2025 interview
The entire interview covered: your LCA salary, your work location (especially if there is no client site), your company's address, your company's employee count, and your current employer. These are not trick questions — they are straightforward verifications. The officer is checking that you understand your own petition. If you walk in knowing your LCA inside out, your company's basic profile, and a clean one-line answer to the client letter question, you are in a strong position. Prepare those specifics, stay calm, and answer exactly what is asked — nothing more, nothing less.
Need help with your visa preparation?
Have questions after reading this guide? I’m happy to help.
Chat with Shachi on WhatsAppNext steps
Continue your preparation with these resources.
Related Guides
What is the latest update on H1B and H4 appointment reschedules?
If your H1B or H4 appointment was rescheduled in the last week, here is exactly where things stand as of December 15th — and what you need to do right now before your interview.
H1B and H4 visa appointment cancelled or rescheduled — what should you do now?
If your H1B or H4 visa appointment in India was suddenly rescheduled to March or April, you are not alone — and it does not mean your visa will be denied. Here is exactly what is happening, what your options are, and how to protect yourself while the situation keeps changing.
Is social media screening now mandatory for H1B and H4 visa applications?
Starting December 15th, 2025, USCIS is making social media screening mandatory for all H1B and H4 visa applications — and if your biometric or interview is scheduled on or after that date, this directly affects you.