[签证经历] H1B 上海 12/23/2008 通过

Change status from F1 to H1B in Oct 2008. This is the first time for H1B interview at Shanghai, used to be on F1 for the last three interviews. Got checked once in 2004 for 2 weeks, that is my first time to renew my F1 visa in Shanghai.

My major is Physics for undergrad and grad. But I have quit my Phd study and left the school with two masters: one in Physics and the other in Computer Science. My job is software engineer for Financial Industry. This is one of the areas not so sensitive in terms of "check". But I was worried a lot because I have Physics background. I have consulted my company lawyer and she said it shouldn't be a big deal since my job is totally irrelevent to Physics. I was still worried until I got my visa stamp. So I want to give some peace of mind to other people who share similar experience as me.

The administrative procedures at Shanghai consulate are a little different than other consulates as far as I read on the internet. First you go through the security check---good thing is you can bring your cell phone; then you get in the line to submit your forms---meanwhile, you need to fill out the delivery serivce form, no matter you select delivery or pickup; then you submit passport, DS156, 157 and I797 in return of a number; when you hear your number is called after some time(for me it is about 30 minutes), you get back your forms in a plastic folder and wait in another line to print your fingers; after they get your fingerprints, you are finally put in the line to interview with the visa officer---this line is relatively short, you don't have to stand for a very long time before you can talk to the visa officer.

The VO I met is a nice white guy. He asked me what I do and asked my for my old passport to check my previous visa stamps. And that's it. Then I asked him when I can get back my passport coz I need that to get on the plane, he said tomorrow afternoon. And I actually got my passport on the third morning. I called the post office at 3pm on the second afternoon, they did not have my passport yet, but they said more passports will be sent over at 5pm, however the post office closed after 5pm so I had to come back the next day. For people who have to use their passports, I have one tip: you can tell VO you need your passport then he will give you a notice saying you already get the visa but you can have your passport stamped after a few days, meaning you can use your passport for a while then come back to the consulate for the stamp.

Bt the way, I have faxed and emailed my I797 copy to the consulate before I went to interview, but never got any reply, neither did anybody say anything about that to me at the consulate. So I don't know if that helps or not. But I still recommend people do so since it does not hurt any way.