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H-1B Lottery: 12 Tries, 1 Hour Approval!
4 Mar
Summary
- Tech professional secured H-1B visa after 12 lottery attempts.
- Visa stamping process in Mumbai and Chennai was remarkably fast.
- Social media profiles were a key focus during the visa interview.
A tech professional's seven-year pursuit of an H-1B visa concluded successfully after entering the lottery 12 times. This journey, marked by near misses and a temporary transfer to Canada, finally culminated in a swift visa approval process in India.
Aditya began his H-1B applications in 2019, facing repeated rejections over several years. A brief stint in Canada and subsequent return to the US on an L-1 visa provided alternative pathways, but the H-1B remained elusive until his recent success.
His visa stamping in India involved biometrics in Mumbai on February 10, followed by an interview in Chennai on February 17. Despite concerns about potential administrative processing, the interview was surprisingly brief, focusing primarily on applicants' social media presence. Both Aditya and his wife, applying for an H4 dependent visa, were asked about their online profiles.
Unexpectedly, their visa status changed to 'Approved' within an hour of the interview, and 'Issued' the next day. Their passports were ready for collection within 72 hours, showcasing an efficient processing timeline.
