Received visa

[trinket 30]

We had kind of a peculiar case than most of you guys, so my interview was based on 2 issues which I don’t think I have ever encountered with any other couple in these forums.

1--- We had Arya samaj wedding but we never registered that marriage, we were told that Arya samaj certificate is sufficient enough as its valid and legal in India.

2—After marriage in 2004, my husband couldn’t make it back to India due to severe financial issues, he did come a few days ago, but we haven’t been able to physically meet with each other for 4 years.

7:15 am – Reached Consulate by taking shuttle bus from VFS

7:25 am – Finger printing

7:45 am – Prescreening interview—gave me my original documents also asked these questions—

i) where is your husband currently

ii) when did he come to India

iii) how long you two are married

iv) asked me for my marriage registered certificate—I said I don’t have it because we had Arya samaj wedding and its legal in India………she said its not legal and I will need registered marriage certificate……she also said that just because I have my husband’s name with my passport and other govt. issued certificates, that doesn’t make him as my husband legally

Was all scared for the next few hours, couldn’t breath or anything, thought I am done for good.

12:40 pm—Was called for the final interview. Was a nice American lady and she asked a lot of questions, but was very friendly with her questions.

i) who is your petitioner

ii) how did you meet him, when did you decide to get married

iii) did your parents agree to it (me and hubby are inter-racial couple)

iv) why he couldn’t come to India after marriage

v) why was he laid off from work

vi) what is he working now and where

vii) does he live alone or does he live in shared apartment

viii) will you guys be living in the same place after him taking you to US

ix) now that he is in India, how long is he going to stay in India

x) does he have any brothers and sisters, is he the youngest or oldest of them

xi) have you ever talked to any of his family member

xii) show me wedding photographs

xiii) do you have any other proofs, then please show me.

xiv) Do you work? What was your last job.

I did give her around 20 photographs, both wedding and non-wedding ones and she looked at each of them closely. About proofs, I was giving out all the postal letters we send to each other, telephone bills, western union receipts, I was going to pull out other proofs too as emails and chats and insurance papers and others, but she asked me to stop.

She typed something out on her computer and said that my Visa has been approved and I can pick it up from VFS either this evening or it can be couriered to me.

CO didn’t open up any of those proofs which I gave to her, she only saw those photographs closely and talked to me, I was just piling up those proofs and she didn’t even open up one single phone bill or letters or anything. She didn't even bring up the marriage certificate question, so that was a big relief.

Overall the experience was good, though a long wait and plus they didn’t let my USC husband enter the consulate, even though we did confirm through email and him showing the print out of that email didn’t work. So my husband had to wait in the sun for around 5 hours.

Also please don’t take any zipped folder or bags, they take those away.

We got our passport this evening after making a second tour to VFS.

[KAHM 0]

Congratulations!

[yeye 0]

Congratulations on your approval! Thanks for sharing your detailed interview experience which was very helpful.

Few questions I have if you could answer:

1) Is there a separate line for CR1 visa holders outside of the embassy or you have to stand in same line as visitor visa, student visa etc.?

2) How did they call you? Do they have token system or just announce your name on broadcast system?

3) You said not to take bags etc. Are even plastic bags not allowed? You need some kind of bag to carry so many docs and wedding album. Please advise.

4) How did you find out from VFS that your passport is ready for pickup? As I understand they hold the passport for only few hours and then they courier it.

Thanks and Good Luck!

[WaitingforRakesh 0]

Congradulations!

That is great news!!!!

[trinket 30]

Congratulations on your approval! Thanks for sharing your detailed interview experience which was very helpful.

Few questions I have if you could answer:

1) Is there a separate line for CR1 visa holders outside of the embassy or you have to stand in same line as visitor visa, student visa etc.?

I went to the consulate from VFS office, so we were taken directly to the consulate from there. But as far as I can tell you IV interviews are scheduled at 7:30 in the morning while others as tourist visa and all are for later timing.

2) How did they call you? Do they have token system or just announce your name on broadcast system?

They called me by name. For both prescreening and then the actual interview. Interview happens behind close doors, so whats your business remains yours.

3) You said not to take bags etc. Are even plastic bags not allowed? You need some kind of bag to carry so many docs and wedding album. Please advise.

You can take bags, but don't take ZIPPER bags. We did carry one zipper bags but then had to take out all the stuff out from there and carry in plastic bags.

4) How did you find out from VFS that your passport is ready for pickup? As I understand they hold the passport for only few hours and then they courier it.

No, you can't call VFS to know if your passport is ready for it or not. Basically I was told by the consular officer that I can go to VFS that evening and check if my passport is ready or not, but CO also said it might not be ready because they were going through some technical problems. Anyways I did go to VFS on 20th and then at VFS they told me its not yet ready and asked me to get back again on 21st at evening hours.

Timing for VFS passport collection is from 5pm to 6pm, and they let IV applicants enter first at VFS.

Thanks and Good Luck!

Hope this helps, good luck for your own interview.

Best wishes.

[PJB 0]

Congradulations!!

[KandD 1]

Congratulations !!!

[savina 0]

hey congrats...all the best for the future:)u must be so relieved the wait is finally over.

[vsmtghdy 2]

[rmusic 0]

Congrats on your visa approval.

Thank you for sharing your interview experience.

Rmusic.

[Aman 0]

Congrats...That was close

Hope u have a blessed life.