Interview Date assigned - now let's get down to business

[rajee 1]

Hey guys - this is a thread for all of us to put our heads together to make sure we have the necessary topics/concerns covered for those of us who are blessed enough to know our loved ones' interview dates!

Here's some brainstorming from me ...

Medical - make sure to have the beneficiary call the physician they want to use and find out exactly how many trips they may have to make (get the maximum number to be safe) and how far apart these trips to the doctor will be (again get the maximum amount of time outlined to be safe). Get details on the procedure for how quickly the medical report is generated by the physician and available for the beneficiary to take to the interview.

VFS - I think the courier fees have to be paid less than 10 days but, at the latest, a week before the interview date ... So let's keep our beneficiaries on top of this fact! It would be helpful to know whatever provision, if any, the consulate/VFS has for the beneficiary to PICK UP their passport rather than wait for it to be sent via courier to their current home address ...

Interview questions - I think I've seen a TON of them online - they are all pretty basic ... but let's make sure to send our beneficiaries questions to help alleviate their nerves in advance

Documents - make sure the beneficiary remembers to take PHOTOCOPIES of all original documents submitted to the NVC with the DS-230 packet to ensure that they get their originals back without a hitch.

Proof of relationship - this is something we've all probably discussed ad nauseam but make sure your beneficiary is already organizing (or has organized) letters, emails, photos, cards, telephone calling records, wedding albums, etc into a packet/parcel

Just a couple questions for feedback from you guys:

Are you guys planning on having the beneficiary pick up the passport?

How much time are you leaving between the interview date and the ticket you are booking for the beneficiary to come here? Also, have you been able to arrange things with travel agents/airlines to be able to hold tickets at present prices for about 1 1/2 months from now with the payment due AFTER the interview date (just to be safe - even if a small "holding fee" is applied, it's worth it I think)???

I'll add more questions as they occur to me ... Loto posted a great list of stuff the beneficiary (esp. in India) could take as ID for the interview also - I'll look for his post and add the info later....

Edited June 11, 2008 by rajee

[Bani 0]

Hey guys - this is a thread for all of us to put our heads together to make sure we have the necessary topics/concerns covered for those of us who are blessed enough to know our loved ones' interview dates!

Here's some brainstorming from me ...

Medical - make sure to have the beneficiary call the physician they want to use and find out exactly how many trips they may have to make (get the maximum number to be safe) and how far apart these trips to the doctor will be (again get the maximum amount of time outlined to be safe). Get details on the procedure for how quickly the medical report is generated by the physician and available for the beneficiary to take to the interview.

VFS - I think the courier fees have to be paid less than 10 days but, at the latest, a week before the interview date ... So let's keep our beneficiaries on top of this fact! It would be helpful to know whatever provision, if any, the consulate/VFS has for the beneficiary to PICK UP their passport rather than wait for it to be sent via courier to their current home address ...

Interview questions - I think I've seen a TON of them online - they are all pretty basic ... but let's make sure to send our beneficiaries questions to help alleviate their nerves in advance

Documents - make sure the beneficiary remembers to take PHOTOCOPIES of all original documents submitted to the NVC with the DS-230 packet to ensure that they get their originals back without a hitch.

Proof of relationship - this is something we've all probably discussed ad nauseam but make sure your beneficiary is already organizing (or has organized) letters, emails, photos, cards, telephone calling records, wedding albums, etc into a packet/parcel

Just a couple questions for feedback from you guys:

Are you guys planning on having the beneficiary pick up the passport?

How much time are you leaving between the interview date and the ticket you are booking for the beneficiary to come here? Also, have you been able to arrange things with travel agents/airlines to be able to hold tickets at present prices for about 1 1/2 months from now with the payment due AFTER the interview date (just to be safe - even if a small "holding fee" is applied, it's worth it I think)???

I'll add more questions as they occur to me ... Loto posted a great list of stuff the beneficiary (esp. in India) could take as ID for the interview also - I'll look for his post and add the info later....

Thanks Rajee for the great information you provided in this thread. Congrates for getting the interview date and best of luck to your wife..

Take Care

[hyd617 1]

Hey guys - this is a thread for all of us to put our heads together to make sure we have the necessary topics/concerns covered for those of us who are blessed enough to know our loved ones' interview dates!

Here's some brainstorming from me ...

Medical - make sure to have the beneficiary call the physician they want to use and find out exactly how many trips they may have to make (get the maximum number to be safe) and how far apart these trips to the doctor will be (again get the maximum amount of time outlined to be safe). Get details on the procedure for how quickly the medical report is generated by the physician and available for the beneficiary to take to the interview.

VFS - I think the courier fees have to be paid less than 10 days but, at the latest, a week before the interview date ... So let's keep our beneficiaries on top of this fact! It would be helpful to know whatever provision, if any, the consulate/VFS has for the beneficiary to PICK UP their passport rather than wait for it to be sent via courier to their current home address ...

Interview questions - I think I've seen a TON of them online - they are all pretty basic ... but let's make sure to send our beneficiaries questions to help alleviate their nerves in advance

Documents - make sure the beneficiary remembers to take PHOTOCOPIES of all original documents submitted to the NVC with the DS-230 packet to ensure that they get their originals back without a hitch.

Proof of relationship - this is something we've all probably discussed ad nauseam but make sure your beneficiary is already organizing (or has organized) letters, emails, photos, cards, telephone calling records, wedding albums, etc into a packet/parcel

Just a couple questions for feedback from you guys:

Are you guys planning on having the beneficiary pick up the passport?

How much time are you leaving between the interview date and the ticket you are booking for the beneficiary to come here? Also, have you been able to arrange things with travel agents/airlines to be able to hold tickets at present prices for about 1 1/2 months from now with the payment due AFTER the interview date (just to be safe - even if a small "holding fee" is applied, it's worth it I think)???

I'll add more questions as they occur to me ... Loto posted a great list of stuff the beneficiary (esp. in India) could take as ID for the interview also - I'll look for his post and add the info later....

Thanks Rajee for the great information you provided in this thread. Congrates for getting the interview date and best of luck to your wife..

Take Care

Rajee great thread!! I am planning on leaving for india july 24 and coming back august 10 with my husband... our interview date is set for july 28 and he will be bookin his return ticket on aug 10 will me.. i think that is enought time for his to receive the visa in hand after interview...

yup we have been organizing manyt hings.. i sent his stuff that i sent to NVC

exacpt replicas - example

i130 app

i130 NOA1 and NOA2

AOS

copies of receipts- showing fees paid $70 and $400

DS230

photos of us together

my travel boarding passes throughout the year, shoing my visits to him in india

our hotel tickets from india

our admiision tickets to places we saw in india

emails we will be printingout

cards mailed to each other

receipts of all phone cards i have bought (reliablecom.com, and reliance india.com, and phone cards bought from stores)

etc etc

he got his vaccinatins donee in hyderabad ahead of schedule

and will be going to chennai for his medical 2 weeks before interview

i will keep yal posted! please keep adding to this thread

he will be submitting VFS fees 15 days prior to interview

i would want him to go to VFS and pik up his visa then have it come through courier if possible..

[rajee 1]

hyd - how did your husband know which vaccinations to get ahead of time? my wife has had vaccinations but she has no records

[hyd617 1]

he mailed DRSANJAN JOHN a letter, that doc is the one everyone goes to for their medical in chennai

so he repsonded to my husband through mail, saying what shots he needs since he has no records.. and he can get them done in hyderbabad and does not need to get them done in chennai..

he listed

varicella

mmr

and TDAP

thats all

so ur wife will prob have to get those 3 shots done since she has no records.. and for varicella there is a gap of 3 weeks.. so he wil get the second dose after 3 weeks...

then go to chennai 2 weeks before for the medical...

hope this helps...

[rajee 1]

he mailed DRSANJAN JOHN a letter, that doc is the one everyone goes to for their medical in chennai

so he repsonded to my husband through mail, saying what shots he needs since he has no records.. and he can get them done in hyderbabad and does not need to get them done in chennai..

he listed

varicella

mmr

and TDAP

thats all

so ur wife will prob have to get those 3 shots done since she has no records.. and for varicella there is a gap of 3 weeks.. so he wil get the second dose after 3 weeks...

then go to chennai 2 weeks before for the medical...

hope this helps...

So if she doesn't get the shots in advance, she won't have enough time between the medical and the interview??? I've told her to call the doctor and specifically ask EXACTLY what she needs to have done and to ask how long the whole process could MAXIMALLY take so that she doesn't miss her interview date - I'll talk to Neetu again and give her your husband's situational info so that she can ask the doctor in more detail

Thanks!

[hyd617 1]

he mailed DRSANJAN JOHN a letter, that doc is the one everyone goes to for their medical in chennai

so he repsonded to my husband through mail, saying what shots he needs since he has no records.. and he can get them done in hyderbabad and does not need to get them done in chennai..

he listed

varicella

mmr

and TDAP

thats all

so ur wife will prob have to get those 3 shots done since she has no records.. and for varicella there is a gap of 3 weeks.. so he wil get the second dose after 3 weeks...

then go to chennai 2 weeks before for the medical...

hope this helps...

So if she doesn't get the shots in advance, she won't have enough time between the medical and the interview??? I've told her to call the doctor and specifically ask EXACTLY what she needs to have done and to ask how long the whole process could MAXIMALLY take so that she doesn't miss her interview date - I'll talk to Neetu again and give her your husband's situational info so that she can ask the doctor in more detail

Thanks!

YA SURE, tell her to go ASAP in her city and get those shots done and THEN get it writeen on letter head from the hospital, listing what they gaveher..

then 2 weeks before her interview she can go get her medical done, and they will see she already got vaccinated!! so she doesnt need to do it then..

dont stress it , just ask her to call up a doc and tell her for US immigrant visas she needs to get vaccinated..

[LotofPatience 65]

Good Rajee and Hyd, I'll post the details here soon...

[rajee 1]

After having talked to Neetu, I'm hearing that she's contacted a panel doc in Delhi who has repeatedly said that there's no such concern of having to return after several weeks for a shot. From what she was told, once she has the letter, she can go to the doctor and get everything done most likely in one day. I hope that's accurate! I'm asking her to verify with other panel docs to see if anything changes when she talks to different docs!

[hyd617 1]

After having talked to Neetu, I'm hearing that she's contacted a panel doc in Delhi who has repeatedly said that there's no such concern of having to return after several weeks for a shot. From what she was told, once she has the letter, she can go to the doctor and get everything done most likely in one day. I hope that's accurate! I'm asking her to verify with other panel docs to see if anything changes when she talks to different docs!

yes rajee that is also perfectly fine! my husband did contact a well known panel doc in chennai who performs everything for immigrant visa interviews, and was told he can get it done ahead of time or come tochennai and get it done with medical itself..

just depends.. my husband wants everything done ahead of time.. so there is no delay god forbid something goes wrong u know..

so ur wife willbe fine, she can do it in delhi or in her city it does not mater, if she waits for letter that will be fine also..the only thing was the gap btwn vacinations, for varicella is 3 weeks. so my husband wil get it done in another 2 weeks then go to medical inchennai and then submit vfs fee etc...

[LotofPatience 65]

Hey guys - this is a thread for all of us to put our heads together to make sure we have the necessary topics/concerns covered for those of us who are blessed enough to know our loved ones' interview dates!

Here's some brainstorming from me ...

Medical - make sure to have the beneficiary call the physician they want to use and find out exactly how many trips they may have to make (get the maximum number to be safe) and how far apart these trips to the doctor will be (again get the maximum amount of time outlined to be safe). Get details on the procedure for how quickly the medical report is generated by the physician and available for the beneficiary to take to the interview.

VFS - I think the courier fees have to be paid less than 10 days but, at the latest, a week before the interview date ... So let's keep our beneficiaries on top of this fact! It would be helpful to know whatever provision, if any, the consulate/VFS has for the beneficiary to PICK UP their passport rather than wait for it to be sent via courier to their current home address ...

Interview questions - I think I've seen a TON of them online - they are all pretty basic ... but let's make sure to send our beneficiaries questions to help alleviate their nerves in advance

Documents - make sure the beneficiary remembers to take PHOTOCOPIES of all original documents submitted to the NVC with the DS-230 packet to ensure that they get their originals back without a hitch.

Proof of relationship - this is something we've all probably discussed ad nauseam but make sure your beneficiary is already organizing (or has organized) letters, emails, photos, cards, telephone calling records, wedding albums, etc into a packet/parcel

Just a couple questions for feedback from you guys:

Are you guys planning on having the beneficiary pick up the passport?

How much time are you leaving between the interview date and the ticket you are booking for the beneficiary to come here? Also, have you been able to arrange things with travel agents/airlines to be able to hold tickets at present prices for about 1 1/2 months from now with the payment due AFTER the interview date (just to be safe - even if a small "holding fee" is applied, it's worth it I think)???

I'll add more questions as they occur to me ... Loto posted a great list of stuff the beneficiary (esp. in India) could take as ID for the interview also - I'll look for his post and add the info later....

Rajee, here you go with my suggestions.

Medical - Interview appointment letter describes about medical procedure as per NVC. So, we have still NOT taken the vaccinations so far, just waiting for the appointment letter. Can somebody throw more light on this - if letter contains the vaccinations list. Otherwise, we need to take them now.

In my case, her both parents are doctors and they own their own hospital, so vaccinations are not a problem.

VFS - As per the Chennai U.S consulate web site, it says - ""All new immigrant visa applicants are expected to visit VFS for document processing 10 – 15 days prior to their scheduled interviews at the Consulate."

http://chennai.usconsulate.gov/immigrant_visas.html

Interview questions - I have a basic list and posting here as attachment. If you have more, please add them. Some of the questions may not be applicable to you.

Documents - Yes, PHOTOCOPY of all originals is a MUST. Also, don't forget to collect the originals back after the interview.

Proof of relationship - whatever you listed are good. For some religions, it is MANDATORY to produce RELIGIOUS marriage certificate too, in addition to the CIVIL marriage certificate.

Passport Pickup - Only Mumbai consulate allows this in India. Rest all will courier it. Thanks to Indianheart for this beautiful link to track your passport delivery after the interview.

https://www.vfs-usa.co.in/ApplnForms/TrackYourPassport.aspx

Ticket purchase - It is a gamble

Visa - The visas are affixed inside each passport and the applicant is given a sealed envelope which should be hand carried, UNOPENED, to the United States and submitted to the immigration inspector at the U.S. port-of-entry.

If the sealed envelope is opened prior to arrival in the United States, the immigrant visa fee of $400 must be paid

again at the American Consulate, and a new sealed envelope will be handed over to the applicant.

Final Tips (Add more here) -

1) Please fill everything in CAPITAL letters and BLACK ink

2) All dates are in the format MM/DD/YYYY (ie. for Aug 15, 2001, write 08/15/2001)

3) All names must be in the form of FIRST NAME, MIDDLE NAME/INITIAL and LAST NAME as in the passport

4) Both Index fingers should not have any cut or wound since there may be fingerprinting at Consulate and at POE, USA.

5) Do not fold any of the documents, please take a large envelope (A4 size or letter size)

6) Have a nice attire for the interview with less jewelry etc.

7) Have pencil, black ink pen etc.

Your Loto

Edited June 11, 2008 by lotofpatience

[indianheart 2]

VfS fees can be paid no later then 3 days prior to interview...my husband paid them at 4 days.

He arrived in Chennai went from train station to lab before 1030 am and was able to return at 4 to pickk up results, between 1030 and 4 he went to VFS and paid fees, after 4 went to Dr. Rajkumar and physical was completed. All this was done in one days time

[hyd617 1]

GOOD STUFF

thanks for adding! Loto

[hyd617 1]

Hey guys - this is a thread for all of us to put our heads together to make sure we have the necessary topics/concerns covered for those of us who are blessed enough to know our loved ones' interview dates!

Here's some brainstorming from me ...

Medical - make sure to have the beneficiary call the physician they want to use and find out exactly how many trips they may have to make (get the maximum number to be safe) and how far apart these trips to the doctor will be (again get the maximum amount of time outlined to be safe). Get details on the procedure for how quickly the medical report is generated by the physician and available for the beneficiary to take to the interview.

VFS - I think the courier fees have to be paid less than 10 days but, at the latest, a week before the interview date ... So let's keep our beneficiaries on top of this fact! It would be helpful to know whatever provision, if any, the consulate/VFS has for the beneficiary to PICK UP their passport rather than wait for it to be sent via courier to their current home address ...

Interview questions - I think I've seen a TON of them online - they are all pretty basic ... but let's make sure to send our beneficiaries questions to help alleviate their nerves in advance

Documents - make sure the beneficiary remembers to take PHOTOCOPIES of all original documents submitted to the NVC with the DS-230 packet to ensure that they get their originals back without a hitch.

Proof of relationship - this is something we've all probably discussed ad nauseam but make sure your beneficiary is already organizing (or has organized) letters, emails, photos, cards, telephone calling records, wedding albums, etc into a packet/parcel

Just a couple questions for feedback from you guys:

Are you guys planning on having the beneficiary pick up the passport?

How much time are you leaving between the interview date and the ticket you are booking for the beneficiary to come here? Also, have you been able to arrange things with travel agents/airlines to be able to hold tickets at present prices for about 1 1/2 months from now with the payment due AFTER the interview date (just to be safe - even if a small "holding fee" is applied, it's worth it I think)???

I'll add more questions as they occur to me ... Loto posted a great list of stuff the beneficiary (esp. in India) could take as ID for the interview also - I'll look for his post and add the info later....

Rajee, here you go with my suggestions.

Medical - Interview appointment letter describes about medical procedure as per NVC. So, we have still NOT taken the vaccinations so far, just waiting for the appointment letter. Can somebody throw more light on this - if letter contains the vaccinations list. Otherwise, we need to take them now.

In my case, her both parents are doctors and they own their own hospital, so vaccinations are not a problem.

VFS - As per the Chennai U.S consulate web site, it says - ""All new immigrant visa applicants are expected to visit VFS for document processing 10 – 15 days prior to their scheduled interviews at the Consulate."

http://chennai.usconsulate.gov/immigrant_visas.html

Interview questions - I have a basic list and posting here as attachment. If you have more, please add them. Some of the questions may not be applicable to you.

Documents - Yes, PHOTOCOPY of all originals is a MUST. Also, don't forget to collect the originals back after the interview.

Proof of relationship - whatever you listed are good. For some religions, it is MANDATORY to produce RELIGIOUS marriage certificate too, in addition to the CIVIL marriage certificate.

Passport Pickup - Only Mumbai consulate allows this in India. Rest all will courier it. Thanks to Indianheart for this beautiful link to track your passport delivery after the interview.

https://www.vfs-usa.co.in/ApplnForms/TrackYourPassport.aspx

Ticket purchase - It is a gamble

Visa - The visas are affixed inside each passport and the applicant is given a sealed envelope which should be hand carried, UNOPENED, to the United States and submitted to the immigration inspector at the U.S. port-of-entry.

If the sealed envelope is opened prior to arrival in the United States, the immigrant visa fee of $400 must be paid

again at the American Consulate, and a new sealed envelope will be handed over to the applicant.

Final Tips (Add more here) -

1) Please fill everything in CAPITAL letters and BLACK ink

2) All dates are in the format MM/DD/YYYY (ie. for Aug 15, 2001, write 08/15/2001)

3) All names must be in the form of FIRST NAME, MIDDLE NAME/INITIAL and LAST NAME as in the passport

4) Both Index fingers should not have any cut or wound since there may be fingerprinting at Consulate and at POE, USA.

5) Do not fold any of the documents, please take a large envelope (A4 size or letter size)

6) Have a nice attire for the interview with less jewelry etc.

7) Have pencil, black ink pen etc.

Your Loto

LOTO i need to email NVC about me flying to india to attend the interview with my husband, when should i email them? after they receive my casE?

and also, I need to email them confirming my interview date with them.. when should i do that? after receiving mail from NVC or after knowing that chennai received our casE?

im kind of confused ?

[LotofPatience 65]

LOTO i need to email NVC about me flying to india to attend the interview with my husband, when should i email them? after they receive my casE?

and also, I need to email them confirming my interview date with them.. when should i do that? after receiving mail from NVC or after knowing that chennai received our casE?

im kind of confused ?

Hyd, you need to wait couple of days to forward the case to Chennai. Then you can email to Chennai consulate for the interview status since you're not in official July list.

You will not be able to enter inside the Consulate on interview date, though you are citizen. You'll have to wait outside. I think I am not wrong. If they want to ask you some questions, they may call you inside.