I will begin with a sincere thanks for all the information I have got from these forums over the last few months and the amount of confidence I have gained through it.
Now, its my turn give back something by sharing my experience and hope this helps in giving some information to the others like me.
My visa was scheduled for 08:15 AM I reached the car parking in the nearby Malcha Marg parking by 7:45 AM. It is few minutes walk from there. I reached embassy by 7:55 or so. I was with my wife who would get an H4.
We filed a case on behalf of our client against USCIS where the H-4 dependents' application for a change status was denied by USCIS because the application was not filed in a timely manner. The dependents were Citizens of Canada who wanted to transfer from TN status to H-4 status. Due to circumstances beyond their control they were found by USCIS to have lost their lawful status in the U.S. We filed a Motion for Reconsideration with USCIS. USCIS approved the application and the applicants were granted H-4 status retroactively.
We filed a case with USCIS where the H-4 dependents of the H-1 visa holder were out of status since 2000. They believed that they were in legal status as long as the H-1 visa holder maintained status in the US. We filed a request for an extension of their H-4 status accompanied by a brief in support of the application. USCIS granted the extension of stay and issued approval notices with the I-94's attached.
We filed a case against the USCIS where the H-1B visa holder attempted to maintain legal status for both him and his H-4 dependents. The attorney at the time filed the application for the H-1 extension, but neglected to submit applications for the extension of the H-4 dependents status. We submitted a request to USCIS for the extensions of the H-4 dependents' status with a detailed legal brief. USCIS granted the request for extension and the I-94's were attached to the approval notices.
Our firm has been successful in numerous H-4 (and H-4 nunc pro tunc) out of status cases (involving unlawful presence leading to a three-year to ten-year bar). Of particular note, one gentleman assumed if his H-1 was renewed, his dependant's H-4s were automatically renewed. Upon learning of the need to file for H-4 renewals, this gentleman consulted various attorneys and even took his case to Court. He was unsuccessful in bringing his dependants back into H-4 status.