VFS Details

[ms_jinga_lala 0]

My fiancee is very shy. He's nervous about if there is a woman at the counter taking his papers, he's nervous they may speak Hindi to him (even though he speaks hindi)....in short he's a nervous wreck. To calm his fears I promised to ask here for personal experiences with the VFS. What I want to know is are there mostly women employed there? Do they speak the native language of the state, multiple languages or just Hindi? How long do you have to wait to be seen usually? Do they allow/permit/accept/deny for anyone to come to the window/counter with you? Do they look through the documents to double check that you have them all? Do they ask a lot of questions? And last, do they itemize the documents you bring in to give you a receipt or just take them and your money? Do they look through the documents to double check that you have them all? Do they ask a lot of questions? As many details as you can provide are greatly appreciated. Thank you so much in advance!

[CTRL+ALT+DEL 1]

please click 'review: embassy/uscis' (http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/) at top of the page. top right. and then select india - and you'll find all the details about embassy visits.

Edited September 27, 2009 by CTRL+ALT+DEL

[trinket 30]

please click 'review: embassy/uscis' (http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/) at top of the page. top right. and then select india - and you'll find all the details about embassy visits.

she asked for VFS not embassy/consulate.

Anyways OP, from what I can tell you about my experience, no one other than the applicant is allowed to enter VFS office.

-- Immigrant visa holders and non-immigrant visa holders are separated.

--There are only 3 IV windows at least at Mumbai VFS.

--They double check every document the applicant has submitted, sometimes the applicant might be asked to take photocopy of certain document, there is a photocopier machine within the building.

-- They spoke with me in English, but I did see the gentleman next to me was conversed in Hindi.

-- How much time it takes? It takes time, because they go through all the documents of the IV applicant, I went through IR-1 visa, so took me only 15 minutes but I had to wait for around 2 hours before I got a call to come to the window. Since your fiance is going through K-1, it will take around half an hour or more is my assumption. How long will he have to wait before his call.......well that will depend upon how many people came to VFS before him.

--Ask him to be relaxed, this isn't the actual interview, VFS Mumbai people were really cool, they don't interview you, their job is to verify all the documents have been submitted correctly or not.

--Yes they will give your fiance a receipt, make sure he keeps it safely because he will need to show that same receipt on the day of his interview, also if he wishes to collect his VISA approved passport from VFS, he will have to show that receipt again.

[k.loveh 0]

My fiancee is very shy. He's nervous about if there is a woman at the counter taking his papers, he's nervous they may speak Hindi to him (even though he speaks hindi)....in short he's a nervous wreck. To calm his fears I promised to ask here for personal experiences with the VFS. What I want to know is are there mostly women employed there? Do they speak the native language of the state, multiple languages or just Hindi? How long do you have to wait to be seen usually? Do they allow/permit/accept/deny for anyone to come to the window/counter with you? Do they look through the documents to double check that you have them all? Do they ask a lot of questions? And last, do they itemize the documents you bring in to give you a receipt or just take them and your money? Do they look through the documents to double check that you have them all? Do they ask a lot of questions? As many details as you can provide are greatly appreciated. Thank you so much in advance!

Hi ms_jinga_lala,

I've called the VFS myself and know for fact that they speak both Hindi and English, so no worries, And yes, there are women working there. But tell him not to worry, they won't bite!

They will tell you what to hand them in order, then write down each and every item you've submitted and will give you a reciept of same.

The VFS is not the Embassy, they are a courier service that you are paying with 'your' money. So I don't see them telling someone that they can't accompany them to the counter.

[ms_jinga_lala 0]

Thank you both!! That was very helpful. He's so cute when he's nervous, but at the same time I can't leave him suffering lol. I think now that he knows what is going to happen he will be ok. If I could afford to stay there for the entire visa process I would then he wouldn't have to worry so much.

[k.loveh 0]

Thank you both!! That was very helpful. He's so cute when he's nervous, but at the same time I can't leave him suffering lol. I think now that he knows what is going to happen he will be ok. If I could afford to stay there for the entire visa process I would then he wouldn't have to worry so much.

Don't we all wish that, that we could be there for the entire visa process... Yeah, I just talked to another VJ'er here who's leaving on a plane tomorrow afternoon to India. She gets to be there throughout the entire process, thanks to her supportive parents. There's also another VJ'er who's already there with her fiance for support as well. I envy them both.

If you don't mind my asking, when is your interview date? Ours is Oct. 29th.

[catknit 144]

k.loveh - you talking about me????

Not only can you go to VFS and to the window at VFS with your husband, you can do it for him if you have everything they are requesting [including his passport and a copy of his passport].

The women there are nice and professional. There were a couple of men working there too the times I visited but women were working the windows.

They won't get very in detail with asking info - they have a little check list that they will read aloud and he just needs to hand over each item(s) as requested.

Good luck with the interview and we're here if you need more help!

Edited September 28, 2009 by catknit

[gundas 1]

please click 'review: embassy/uscis' (http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/) at top of the page. top right. and then select india - and you'll find all the details about embassy visits.

she asked for VFS not embassy/consulate.

Anyways OP, from what I can tell you about my experience, no one other than the applicant is allowed to enter VFS office.

-- Immigrant visa holders and non-immigrant visa holders are separated.

--There are only 3 IV windows at least at Mumbai VFS.

--They double check every document the applicant has submitted, sometimes the applicant might be asked to take photocopy of certain document, there is a photocopier machine within the building.

-- They spoke with me in English, but I did see the gentleman next to me was conversed in Hindi.

-- How much time it takes? It takes time, because they go through all the documents of the IV applicant, I went through IR-1 visa, so took me only 15 minutes but I had to wait for around 2 hours before I got a call to come to the window. Since your fiance is going through K-1, it will take around half an hour or more is my assumption. How long will he have to wait before his call.......well that will depend upon how many people came to VFS before him.

--Ask him to be relaxed, this isn't the actual interview, VFS Mumbai people were really cool, they don't interview you, their job is to verify all the documents have been submitted correctly or not.

--Yes they will give your fiance a receipt, make sure he keeps it safely because he will need to show that same receipt on the day of his interview, also if he wishes to collect his VISA approved passport from VFS, he will have to show that receipt again.

Since we are on this topic I thought I would ask you a question as well. We are in the CR-1 route and I received the interview letter for Nov 5 for my wife, and the only thing they requested was the Passport PCC at the time of interview. So should my wife take that to VFS photo copy and original? Will they take it there or will she just need to take it with her to the interview? Also should she take a photocopy of both the I-864 and DS-230 with her to the VFS? Do they take the medical package at the VFS (medical report and x-rays) or does she take that to interview as well?

Thanks

[k.loveh 0]

please click 'review: embassy/uscis' (http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/) at top of the page. top right. and then select india - and you'll find all the details about embassy visits.

she asked for VFS not embassy/consulate.

Anyways OP, from what I can tell you about my experience, no one other than the applicant is allowed to enter VFS office.

-- Immigrant visa holders and non-immigrant visa holders are separated.

--There are only 3 IV windows at least at Mumbai VFS.

--They double check every document the applicant has submitted, sometimes the applicant might be asked to take photocopy of certain document, there is a photocopier machine within the building.

-- They spoke with me in English, but I did see the gentleman next to me was conversed in Hindi.

-- How much time it takes? It takes time, because they go through all the documents of the IV applicant, I went through IR-1 visa, so took me only 15 minutes but I had to wait for around 2 hours before I got a call to come to the window. Since your fiance is going through K-1, it will take around half an hour or more is my assumption. How long will he have to wait before his call.......well that will depend upon how many people came to VFS before him.

--Ask him to be relaxed, this isn't the actual interview, VFS Mumbai people were really cool, they don't interview you, their job is to verify all the documents have been submitted correctly or not.

--Yes they will give your fiance a receipt, make sure he keeps it safely because he will need to show that same receipt on the day of his interview, also if he wishes to collect his VISA approved passport from VFS, he will have to show that receipt again.

Since we are on this topic I thought I would ask you a question as well. We are in the CR-1 route and I received the interview letter for Nov 5 for my wife, and the only thing they requested was the Passport PCC at the time of interview. So should my wife take that to VFS photo copy and original? Will they take it there or will she just need to take it with her to the interview? Also should she take a photocopy of both the I-864 and DS-230 with her to the VFS? Do they take the medical package at the VFS (medical report and x-rays) or does she take that to interview as well?

Thanks

The medical report will be submitted at the interview itself. Though you 'can' submit all other doc's at time of interview, it would not be advisable. No. 1-You will still be required to pay the fee's and No. 2- The embassy will have more opportunity to 'review' them if you submit them at VFS whereas, it is hit and miss if you take them to the interview because the CO may or may have the time to look at them. VFS is most definately the better route!

Edited September 28, 2009 by k.loveh

[k.loveh 0]

Since we are on this topic I thought I would ask you a question as well. We are in the CR-1 route and I received the interview letter for Nov 5 for my wife, and the only thing they requested was the Passport PCC at the time of interview. So should my wife take that to VFS photo copy and original? Will they take it there or will she just need to take it with her to the interview? Also should she take a photocopy of both the I-864 and DS-230 with her to the VFS? Do they take the medical package at the VFS (medical report and x-rays) or does she take that to interview as well?

Thanks

The PCC's are also sumbitted via the VFS.

[k.loveh 0]

k.loveh - you talking about me????

Did you recognise yourself in that statement? Yeap, I was talking about you!

Not only can you go to VFS and to the window at VFS with your husband, you can do it for him if you have everything they are requesting [including his passport and a copy of his passport].

The women there are nice and professional. There were a couple of men working there too the times I visited but women were working the windows.

They won't get very in detail with asking info - they have a little check list that they will read aloud and he just needs to hand over each item(s) as requested.

Good luck with the interview and we're here if you need more help!

Catknit is right, we are here if you need more help!

Edited September 28, 2009 by k.loveh

[trinket 30]

The medical report will be submitted at the interview itself. Though you 'can' submit all other doc's at time of interview, it would not be advisable. No. 1-You will still be required to pay the fee's and No. 2- The embassy will have more opportunity to 'review' them if you submit them at VFS whereas, it is hit and miss if you take them to the interview because the CO may or may have the time to look at them. VFS is most definately the better route!

Agree Also I submitted my medical at VFS, they don't take the x-ray report, actually they don't take the X-ray report anywhere, just the medical report.

Your wife should only take photocopies of DS-230 package, not the i-864 for VFS. But on the interview date, let her take photocopies of everything, from i-130, i-864 and ds-230, because you never know what they might question for and its good if she has things handy. Also all the relationship proofs should be saved for the interview, VFS won't take any of those.

[gundas 1]

The medical report will be submitted at the interview itself. Though you 'can' submit all other doc's at time of interview, it would not be advisable. No. 1-You will still be required to pay the fee's and No. 2- The embassy will have more opportunity to 'review' them if you submit them at VFS whereas, it is hit and miss if you take them to the interview because the CO may or may have the time to look at them. VFS is most definately the better route!

Agree Also I submitted my medical at VFS, they don't take the x-ray report, actually they don't take the X-ray report anywhere, just the medical report.

Your wife should only take photocopies of DS-230 package, not the i-864 for VFS. But on the interview date, let her take photocopies of everything, from i-130, i-864 and ds-230, because you never know what they might question for and its good if she has things handy. Also all the relationship proofs should be saved for the interview, VFS won't take any of those.

Thank You K.loveh and Trinket for the help.

[ms_jinga_lala 0]

Thank you both!! That was very helpful. He's so cute when he's nervous, but at the same time I can't leave him suffering lol. I think now that he knows what is going to happen he will be ok. If I could afford to stay there for the entire visa process I would then he wouldn't have to worry so much.

Don't we all wish that, that we could be there for the entire visa process... Yeah, I just talked to another VJ'er here who's leaving on a plane tomorrow afternoon to India. She gets to be there throughout the entire process, thanks to her supportive parents. There's also another VJ'er who's already there with her fiance for support as well. I envy them both.

If you don't mind my asking, when is your interview date? Ours is Oct. 29th.

I don't have an interview date yet. We just got our NOA2 a few days ago. I'm expecting our interview sometime in December or later depending on how long the wait is in Delhi and how fast they catch up before then.

[k.loveh 0]

If you don't mind my asking, when is your interview date? Ours is Oct. 29th.

I don't have an interview date yet. We just got our NOA2 a few days ago. I'm expecting our interview sometime in December or later depending on how long the wait is in Delhi and how fast they catch up before then.

Ahh, I see. Well, it's good that you're trying your best to keep on top of things. And yes, Dec. sounds like a fair enough guess. In the meantime, go to the embassy website and print out those Packet 3 documents and begin working on them now, especially the PCC from the passport office as this seems to take the longest to get.

Then when you get the Packet 3, and you have everything together, you'll be all ready and thus able to send them back the DS-230 and Applicants statement right away. Then soon after, (maybe 1-2 weeks later), you'll get the Packet 4 with your interview date. Yay!

The Key though, is to work on Packet 3 check list asap.

My best wishes for you and your SO.