We initially had our biometrics scheduled for December 17 and December 28, 2025 (both in Chennai), but they were postponed to July 7, 2026 (also Chennai).
We finally completed biometrics on March 17 and then went through the emotional turmoil of trying to secure an earlier interview slot. We tried everything! Constantly checking for slots, joining multiple Telegram and WhatsApp groups, applied for ER twice with all info(denied twice) even considering TCN (third-country national) options, but nothing worked for a while(also I wouldn’t suggest going through TCN even if it seems promising)
Toward the end of March, we started seeing messages in these groups about slots opening up for applicants who had already completed biometrics. That’s when we finally managed to grab an earlier interview date: April 14, 2026 (Hyderabad).
Interview Experience:
Only 3 questions were asked for H1B:
What is your role?
Which company do you work for?
How much do you earn?
No questions were asked for H4. They didn’t ask about social media or request making accounts public.
Timeline after Interview:
April 15 (3 PM): Approved
April 16: H4 visa issued
May 1: H1B visa issued
We returned to SFO on May 4, and it was the smoothest immigration experience ever, no questions about the extended stay or anything else.
Helpful Tip:
If you’re applying for H1B and H4 together, you’ll receive only one case number after the interview. To check your H4 visa status, you need to enter the H4 DS-160 number along with that case number.
Also, we didn’t receive any SMS for passport pickup. If that happens, just check your status on the visa scheduling website—it will show:
Created → Issued → Ready for Pickup
I know how stressful this process can get, but slots are opening up slowly. Hang in there—you’ll get through it. If anyone has questions, I’m happy to help!