May 2010 Interviews

[gistereb 0]

immigrant visa approved interview may 7, 2010 7:30 am - mumbai consulate. received the visa thru blue dart couriers may 8, 2010.

well! i am in the family based F category and i had googled for the u s visa interviews and i landed on this site. but then i realised i was amidst a bunch of very nervous people.

for those interviewing at mumbai -

vfs lounge : opens at 7:00 am sharp. no point in arriving at the lounge early and standing in the mumbai heat there. and please have a nice hearty breakfast, if you wait for the vfs sandwich and coffee you might miss your early shuttle. also you can leave your bags and restricted items at their lockers. well they are not actually lockers but they issue coupons against your bags. the vfs lets you in at 7:00 am sharp. and then taken in the shuttle at 7:15 (those being interviewed at 7:30). takes you to the consulate. made to stand in a separate Q and let in first. as you enter there is a security check and they also go thru your plastic documents bags. no cellfones, electronics, flash drives, cds, water bottles, baby food, etc and they also dont allow ladies handbags. once that done they hand you wooden tags which you retain till end of interview.

next are the finger scans at a counter handled by an young american woman. four fingers right hand, left hand and thumbs. then you are seated in a waiting area at one end of the big hall where all the iv interviewees wait for their name to be called out and the corresponding window number for your pre screening. the presecreening processes start at 8.00. i was called at 9.15. here i was called by a middle ages indian gentleman, very efficient and jovial and very helpful. he asked a couple of questions about the sponsor and returned all my original documents back and even the photos that i had submitted at the nvc. all was very neatly arranged. the only documents they retained were the original i864, the latest ds 230 1&2, the original police certificates, medical reports and the photos submitted at the vfs. he also took my passports the currect and previous ones since i had valid u.s.visas on them and they needed to cancel them. i had forgotten my xrays, but no one asked and no one cared.

next the main interview. 10.00 am : i was called to a window managed by a young indian woman. very efficient but very cooperative too. i was administered the oath and i signed the ds 230 part 2. she asked me a couple of questions about my sponsor. she did not even look my way but was busy inputting data in her computer and next she told me that your visa is approved and i would receive it thru the courier or alternatively try to collect from the vfs at 5:00 pm if its ready. i wasnt asked for updated financial or relationship evidences, no latest tax returns or transcripts (the one submitted at the nvc were final and approved within the last 6 months they are not here to check whether you have paid taxes or not but only to ascertain the creditworthiness of your sponsor).

i opted to leave mumbai immediately as i was out by 10.10 and i hate driving back to ahmedabad after dark and decided to wait for the courier instead. i thought i would receive the passports early next week. but i received it on the next afternoon very promptly thru the blue dart couriers and it was delivered to me against id.

also forget about the visa alert regarding the delays in visa printing. their system is up and running and at least i got mine promptly.

my advise here is to relax before you go in for the interview and please, please do not volunteer information. this will only lengthen your interview and your ordeal and irritate the VO. the mantra is keep cool, communicate well and answer honestly and to the point. i think at mumbai, the average interviews per day for May is 32. the visa officers at mumbai are very efficient and helpful and their system is very well organised. i was a family sponsored beneficiary so it was a easy but you guys might be asked a couple of questions extra but i am sure all of you will sail smoothly through. and keep your relationship evidence ready and the older the evidence, the better. the mumbai post has had a high number of marriage frauds so i think they are extra careful. but all those into genuine relationships/marriages do not worry and each one of you will get the visa. the consular officers are there to approve visas but at the same time not to let the wrong people through. so take it easy and my best wishes to you all for a very good life with your loved ones in america and all your dreams and aspirations come true.

[hobokenworkingman 4]

Thanks, Tat!

Here's the VFS website:

https://www.vfs-usa.co.in/USIndia/ivmumbai.html

I also purchased a VFS Stars and Stripes Lounge ticket. I figure it's best to get into the consulate as soon as I can instead of waiting outside in a queue in this frightful weather.

BEST OF LUCK Sach!!! we're all eagerly awaiting the results nad the review! :thumbs: I know you'll do just fine!

[gistereb 0]

you are given back your passports with the visa sticker and sealed manila cover with a cut on the left top corner where the left top part of the documents are exposed and are stapled to visa summary sheet which is on the outside. there is also a bi-lingual pamphlet regarding social security info. the manila cover is to be opened only by the IO at the POE.

[gistereb 0]

I hope they will allow hubby to do the same even though he says the Xray is in a big envelope that he does not want to take on the train. To VFS he will go by car.

Whats the website you had for VFS again?

i think its a good idea to submit your medical reports at the vfs. so all your documents will be organised by the time of the interview. i had submitted the following documents at vfs ahmedabad for my interview at mumbai.

phoptocopies of biopages of the passport, photocopy of previous us visa, photocopies of b.c. and m.c., photocopy of local police certificate, original passport clearance certificate (as i had not submitted the original to nvc since the ahmedabad passport office is fussy about issuing the pcc without the interview letter or nvc checklist) 2 visa photographs, medical report sealed covers and ds 230 1& 2 dated then with original signature on part 1, page 2. (since this is the one which is accepted and retained by the consulate officer at mumbai and you sign on these) the earlier ds 230 (submitted at nvc) will be returned back to you.

they will issue a receipt for all papers submitted by you. which you take along with your interview letter to the consulate on the day of the interview. after reviewing the pre screener will return most of these papers back.

ok. here the mandatory documents for the vfs are only biopages of your passports and photographs. but i suggest you to submit the documents as above as it will reduce time considerably on the day of the interview. and i think the consulate appreciates if all the documents are arranged and organised by the vfs thereby reducing their time.

** on account of a fear of identity thefts : my sponsor had certain reservations on submitting personal info (especially ss nos and other financial details) to an outside agency (i.e. vfs). the sponsor would only trust the nvc or us consulate office. my sponsor would send me any document scans thru encrypted emails only. and i too wanted to respect that. but the vfs or the consulate did not ask for any i864 or related financial evidence. and the original i864 submitted at nvc is good to go provided it was dated within the past one year.

[TheBears 9]

Wow! Gistereb, thank you for the information. I'm sure it will be helpful.

[sachinky 465]

BEST OF LUCK Sach!!! we're all eagerly awaiting the results nad the review! :thumbs: I know you'll do just fine!

Thankyou so much! I can hardly wait!

[sachinky 465]

Thanks for a very detailed interview review, Gistereb. I now know exactly what to expect.

Edited May 9, 2010 by sachinky

[sachinky 465]

Good plan!!! I believe that you have alot of ppl routing for you!! I know that I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers After all that you have prepared and gone over I believe that you are def well prepared and organized.. just stay the cool chick that you are and you will breeze right through it!!

Thanks, Melody! It's now down to the wire!

Morning guys!!!

Happy mother's day for all mommies here on VJ!!!

Today we are packing to go to Rio!!! Leaving tomorrow morning!!!! I'm getting really anxious!!!

Happy Sunday y'all!!!!!!!!!!!!

OhMy! Nat, good luck, chica! We're on our way!

[gistereb 0]

Thanks for a very detailed interview review, Gistereb. I now know exactly what to expect.

no problem. sachinky - you are good to go. and well prepared too. only - just relax and unwind now - it will be good for you and also for your interview. you are surely going to make it. i know the suspense is killing. but, when you have the visa in hand you will look back and laugh.

[sachinky 465]

You're right. I am well prepared and organized. Alright. Confidence!

Now, I just need to relax and unwind. First off, I probably need to be sedated though.

Edited May 9, 2010 by sachinky

[vivekjay 1]

Yes yes its a great feeling to have the visa in hand. Thankyou all.

Good luck Sachi and Nat................You girls will do great. One day at a time is the mantra.

My wife kept herself so busy in Chennai she had no time to think about the interview. She went shopping, met up with some old friends and relatives and kept herself relaxed. She had her medicals too during that time so time flew by. We did not speak for more than 5 minutes the 3 days she was in Chennai so we don't discuss about the interview too much. She had things under control so I didn't want to rattle her with all the reminders about the interview.

Get some good sleep the night before and you wil be sharp at the interview. It's go time

[yohino 22]

After a loooong weekend of just doing yardwork (we have a big yard) I now feel so much calmer. Leaving tomorrow around noon heading for Stockholm.

All the papers are organized,outfit picked out and I feel like I'm ready!

Just got a question. The doc gave me back my x-rays,saying something that I should keep 'em blah blah blah. (Don't remember what the Blah's was,haha) Should I bring them along to the interview aswell? My completed medical is already there with them,the x-ray result is also in there. What do you think? Bring 'em just in case?

Just a day and a half left of this crazyness now.

Another Q..

When finally travelling in on my visa,what papers do you fill out on the plane? I normally fill out the blue declaration-paper and a green I-94 (VWP). What do I fill out this time? Just the blue form? I'v seen a white I-94form too,will I get one of those?

Good Luck to all of us 2nd weekers! We WILL do GREAT! Can't wait for all the happiness that'll be in this thread this week!!

[vivekjay 1]

Good luck Yohino......... Hope to hear the good news soon

[mrs. wife! 3]

Hey guys!!!

Thanks for the good wishes!!

Hubby is feeling a little sick today

He has sore throat and cough. I really hope he feels better by tomorrow. It will suck to travel to Rio if he is sick.

Anyway, Sachi and Yohino relax girls. I know its easier to say but as Juls told me, don't let the nervous and anxiety trick you at the interview. Everything is gonna be just fine!

About the x-ray, someone told me in Brazil there is no need to bring it to the interview. Especially because it's a huge envelope and it doesn't fit in any bags. So I'm not bringing it. If they request for some reason I can go to the hotel and get it though.

I'm really anxious today! Most of it is because we'll fly out tomorrow and flying makes me nervous. Although it will be only a 40 min flight. lol

So we'll keep in touch, I'm bringing my laptop with me, just in case I need to print something for the interview, or if they request something additional. Having my laptop is easier. I'll have free wireless at the hotel, so I'll keep you guys posted!

Hang in there!!! This journey is almost over!!! Thank God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[yohino 22]

Hey guys!!!

Thanks for the good wishes!!

Hubby is feeling a little sick today

He has sore throat and cough. I really hope he feels better by tomorrow. It will suck to travel to Rio if he is sick.

Anyway, Sachi and Yohino relax girls. I know its easier to say but as Juls told me, don't let the nervous and anxiety trick you at the interview. Everything is gonna be just fine!

About the x-ray, someone told me in Brazil there is no need to bring it to the interview. Especially because it's a huge envelope and it doesn't fit in any bags. So I'm not bringing it. If they request for some reason I can go to the hotel and get it though.

I'm really anxious today! Most of it is because we'll fly out tomorrow and flying makes me nervous. Although it will be only a 40 min flight. lol

So we'll keep in touch, I'm bringing my laptop with me, just in case I need to print something for the interview, or if they request something additional. Having my laptop is easier. I'll have free wireless at the hotel, so I'll keep you guys posted!

Hang in there!!! This journey is almost over!!! Thank God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm also convinced that we will all be fine! But what would I be doing if I wouldn't be worrying? Been doing it since we sent the I-130 in,it would be sooo lonely! HAHA!

My x-ray envelope isn't that big at all actually,so I'm probably just going to bring it,and then have no one look at it,haha, like most of the stuff I'm bringing I guess. Sweden isn't really the hardest place to go through I'v heard.

I hope your hubby feels better soon, it's such a hassle travelling when sick,been there done that.

I won't have my laptop with me to Stockholm,so you'll have to wait until I get home to know how it went,or I might (read probably) be to filled with joy and find an internet café to tell you all my friends the (hopefully) great news!!

What would I do without you all?