Friend received 221g and asked to fill form DS5535
My friend is on H1B visa and works for a service company and his end client is a big bank. He is dropbox eligible but was called for an interview. VO asked him why he visited India only twice in 6 years and issued a 221g and asked to fill and email form DS-5535. Has anyone else had similar experience? How does not visiting India often is a problem for visa? #h1b #workvisa
Is your friend submitted client letter ?
I don't think the bank gives letter so it would be an internal invite letter from own employer
That might be one of the reason(s) for 221g,seen few posts in fb H1B/H4 immigration group
I haven't visited home in last 6 years. I wonder what they are going to ask me
Same here. After 6 years I am planning a trip and this makes me scared. I mean its a stupid question, we were in pandemic for past 3 years so many people have not gone.
Yeah
Damn, I haven’t visited in last four years and may not be able to do for one more year. This is a very weird question.
DS5535 has nothing to do with the question, there was already checkmark in the internal system. His visa got picked for random security check so he needs to submit this DS5535 information and then wait few weeks to months to get the visa issued. I have seen anywhere from 2 weeks to 16 months for them to verify the information you provide on DS5535.
Why this weird question then about the frequency of India visits?
Random security check? Is there any criteria or this is completely random?
Is this your friend’s first H-1B stamping ??
No its not
Read this one -https://www.am22tech.com/ds-5535-security-checks/
Good luck getting stucked for 3-6 months. If he is lucky, he may get a reply in 1 month but either way get ready for a long vacation.
90+ days n waiting….
Middle east n some people in group waiting since dec…
I am in the waiting game as well. 53 days and counting … no update as of now
He got approved in 15 days. Do you know or can guess the reason? Are you in India?
Could have been for n number of reasons A match in Interagency counter terrorism database A hit on consular lookout and support system - Name, alias , dob Applicant being a resident of or is citizen of state sponsor of terrorism. Even specific studies in sensitive areas can raise a flag Travel to non US friendly countries. Etc. There is no point figuring out the reason as they don’t give one. So all the speculations leads to nothing. DOS would ask for clearance from multiple agencies before they could grant me a visa. Those telegram and WhatsApp groups are helpful. But don’t be afraid to travel, only a handful of folks actually get it.
H1B