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What happened at the visa counter
One of my clients recently had his H-1B visa approved during what has been one of the toughest seasons for approvals. He was kind enough to walk me through exactly what happened, and I want to share it with you because the details matter.
When he walked into the consulate, he joined the queue and placed his documents on the scanner as directed. Once he was assigned to a counter, the officer asked only for his passport — not for any of his other supporting documents. That alone tells you something important: have everything organised and ready, but do not be surprised if the officer does not ask to see it all.
The exact questions the officer asked
The interview was short and focused. Here are the questions, in the order they were asked:
1. Where are you going in the US?
He answered with the city, the location, and the nature of his work. Be specific — name the city and give a clear one-line description of your role.
2. What is your job role?
He explained what his position involves. Keep this answer concise and jargon-free enough that a non-technical officer can follow it.
3. Are you still working with IBM?
He confirmed he was currently employed. The officer had already identified his employer from the petition — he was simply verifying active employment status.
At this point the officer briefly stepped away from the counter and then returned to ask two more questions.
4. Which project are you going to work on in the US?
He described the specific project. Know your petition. If your H-1B is tied to a client project, be ready to name it and describe it in plain terms.
5. Do you know how many employees work in your company?
He answered approximately 6 to 10 employees. Then the officer followed up: Are there other H-1B holders in the company? He said yes. The officer then asked whether he knew the exact count — and this is where his answer is worth noting carefully.
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When the officer asked for the exact number of H-1B holders at the company, my client said: "I'm sorry, sir, I'm not aware of the exact count."
That was the right move. He did not guess. He did not make up a number. He simply acknowledged that he did not have that specific information — politely and without panic.
Immediately after that, the officer told him his visa was approved and that he could collect his passport.
Do not let the fear of not knowing every answer derail you. Officers are not expecting you to have memorised every HR statistic at your company. What they are assessing is whether you are genuine, whether your story is consistent, and whether you clearly understand your own role and the purpose of your trip. Honest, calm, and specific answers — even when that specific answer is "I don't know" — carry the interview.
What you should take away from this
Three things stand out from this interview that you can apply directly to your own preparation:
First, know your basics cold — your destination city, your job title, your employer, and the project you are going to work on. These are the most likely first questions.
Second, be ready to confirm your current employment status clearly. If you are still working with the petitioning employer, say so directly.
Third, if you do not know something — especially a specific number or statistic — it is completely acceptable to say so. A composed "I'm not aware of the exact figure" is far better than a hesitant guess.
If you want to go through your specific situation before your interview, reach out and I can help you prepare.
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