VFS Stars and Stripes Lounge?

[SankuNiku 0]

My wife told me about this service VFS provides for around 250 rupees.

Instead of waiting on line at the Consulate, VFS provides its own lounge for you to wait at. Then around the interview time, they provide bus service directly to the Consulate and my wife would not have to wait on line.

Has anybody used this service? What did you think about it? Wife and I were thinking of getting her signed up. Thanks.

[classicrock68 0]

My fiancee signed up as well for our early March K1 interview. Don't know what the service is but would sure beat the heck out of waiting in line.

[queuedup 1]

I plan on using it as well, no sense on waiting on line if you don't have to

Edited February 23, 2009 by queuedup

[trinket 30]

Ok here is the deal with the lounge. Firstly you will have to be there by 6:30 or so, and they dont let you in by 6:45 or so. Once you are inside, you are being searched and also you can deposit your things that time to them. Once that is done you are then taken to the snack room. Just gives 2 types of sandwhich and coffee, I swear you won't even be able to finish one of your sandwhich before they start calling names to get on the bus for the 7:30 am interview.

Its good if you have things like mobile phones and other electronic stuff, you can keep it with them, but otherwise its waste really.

Another thing, please don't take any zip folders, try plastic sea through folders or paper bags. They confisticate any zip bags/folders.

Edited February 24, 2009 by trinket

[dagnytaggart 0]

Ok here is the deal with the lounge. Firstly you will have to be there by 6:30 or so, and they dont let you in by 6:45 or so. Once you are inside, you are being searched and also you can deposit your things that time to them. Once that is done you are then taken to the snack room. Just gives 2 types of sandwhich and coffee, I swear you won't even be able to finish one of your sandwhich before they start calling names to get on the bus for the 7:30 am interview.

Its good if you have things like mobile phones and other electronic stuff, you can keep it with them, but otherwise its waste really.

Another thing, please don't take any zip folders, try plastic sea through folders or paper bags. They confisticate any zip bags/folders.

What about clear plastic zip lock bags to hold the paperwork? Will they let you take that in? Also will they let the USC go with their fiance to the interview?

Edited February 24, 2009 by dagnytaggart

[trinket 30]

I am not sure about zip lock bags, they also confiscated belts from men, so I guess basically they don't allow any sharp objects.

As per rule USC should be allowed to the consulate because that technically is US land, but my USC husband wasn't allowed. The day of my interview I had 5 more CR-1 applicants and none of their USC spouse were allowed either. We did email consulate before the interview to get the permission and they did give us the permission but on the day of the interview they just didn't let my husband get in.

So be prepared, just make sure if you are going with your SO, to give her your Passport, so she can show that during the interview that you are waiting for her right outside.

[kyle.sari 0]

Ok here is the deal with the lounge. Firstly you will have to be there by 6:30 or so, and they dont let you in by 6:45 or so. Once you are inside, you are being searched and also you can deposit your things that time to them. Once that is done you are then taken to the snack room. Just gives 2 types of sandwhich and coffee, I swear you won't even be able to finish one of your sandwhich before they start calling names to get on the bus for the 7:30 am interview.

Its good if you have things like mobile phones and other electronic stuff, you can keep it with them, but otherwise its waste really.

Another thing, please don't take any zip folders, try plastic sea through folders or paper bags. They confisticate any zip bags/folders.

What about clear plastic zip lock bags to hold the paperwork? Will they let you take that in? Also will they let the USC go with their fiance to the interview?

They do not let USC inside for the interview. You can wait comfortably at VFS.

[queuedup 1]

Have the rules changed that they no longer allow the USC inside for the interview?

[CJ Vasani 0]

USCs are absolutely not allowed at the Mumbai Consulate. You are better off deciding a meeting point with your loved one to meet up after the interview. There are couple of street side cafes near the consulate. They are low-key, but near the beach and a garden.

The consulate is also really strict about standing right in front of the consulate. They keep on whistling at people to move along. I resisted every time!

[queuedup 1]

I guess it just adds to the anxiety of the process....thanks for the info CJ.