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A new pattern at H1B visa interviews you need to know about
Last week I had four to five clients go through their H1B visa interviews, and they all had one thing in common: they each had to sit through two separate interviews on the same day, with two different visa officers. This is not something most applicants are prepared for, and I want to make sure you are not caught off guard.
What happens in the first interview
The first interview follows a fairly standard format. The officer asks about your location of work, the name of your employer, and whether you are working directly for the company or for a client. Your documents are also checked at this stage. The documents that were asked for — and that you should absolutely have ready — are your I-797 approval notice, your LCA (Labor Condition Application), your MSA (Master Services Agreement), and your client letter if one applies to your situation.
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Book a Mock InterviewThe waiting period and the second interview
After the first interview, my clients were asked to wait. That waiting period ran to roughly 45 minutes to an hour. Then they were called back for a second interview with a different visa officer. This second officer went deeper — asking more detailed questions about your role in the US, your salary, and specifics about your location and place of work. The same documents were checked and verified again during the second interview as well.
What this means for your document preparation
There is clearly an increased emphasis on document verification right now. With two rounds of checks happening on the same day, you cannot afford to show up with incomplete paperwork. At a minimum, make sure your I-797 and LCA are with you and well organised. If you have a client letter, an MSA, or any other project-related documents, bring those too. Having them ready for both rounds will make a real difference.
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