Interview Tips for Chennai/ Mumbai/ Delhi/ Calcutta

[Navyk 78]

Man... going to India for just 6 days... mine shortest trip to India was 15 days.... even that felt too short... u r going to India, man... Spend some good time there, at least 2 weeks.. take her to some nice places there and enjoy the food which is miss the most..

It is my new job after graduation and have 2 weeks of vacation and I need a week during Thanks Giving for a reception in Houston. We just want the interview to be done and be together. Moreover I was in India in Dec-Jan (meet future wife), March (Civil Marraige during Spring-Break) & May-June (Reception & Honey moon - after graduation).

[Dave and Kinnari 31]

You can print multiple pages on 1 page that way it will atleast cut down 500+ pages to maybe 200 pages. That's what we did but they never asked for any sort of proof of relationship at all except for wedding ceremony pictures.

I plan on doing just that. I am almost done with it. I hammered down some good time last night to get it all completed so I can print it and send it to India by the end of this week. I just need to finalize this month, next months and some of March and I should be good to go.

looks like everyone is getting ready with interviews...

Almost done with it...

Man... going to India for just 6 days... mine shortest trip to India was 15 days.... even that felt too short... u r going to India, man... Spend some good time there, at least 2 weeks.. take her to some nice places there and enjoy the food which is miss the most..

I would have to do almost the same type deal. My sis-in-law might be going to India for some weddings on her side of the family so that would help us in having an immediate family member travel with my wife.

[Dave and Kinnari 31]

Has anyones AVR changed to "we have forwarded your case to xxx consulate" yet? Mine still has not changed yet.

[Navyk 78]

Has anyones AVR changed to "we have forwarded your case to xxx consulate" yet? Mine still has not changed yet.

Same here - no change.

[Ni-Pra 0]

Has anyones AVR changed to "we have forwarded your case to xxx consulate" yet? Mine still has not changed yet.

Same here - I check it every alternate days, but its still the same: "ur case ws completed ..... plz allow 6-8 weeks...."

[singhisking 1]

Hopefully everything will go smooth at our interviews as we all waited so long for our loved ones... it is indeed a long and stressful journey....

[ganesh86 0]

Has anyones AVR changed to "we have forwarded your case to xxx consulate" yet? Mine still has not changed yet.

Same here, however I am just checking this message once in every 2 days. If I hear any update, I will let you guys know.

[ganesh86 0]

Yes, trying to book my tickets to reach Chennai on 10/24 - a day before interview. We will stay at Chennai till 10/27 or 10/28 to collect passport and visa packet from VFS, Chennai (we have train tickets booked for both days).

Also taking the risk of booking return jouney tickets for both of us on 10/30 from Hyderabad. Do you think it is risky and whether I need to give more time. I request those who had been to Chennai to guide me regarding getting the passport and Visa at VFS, Chennai.

I also have taken a risk by buying a one way ticket for my spouse on November 9th. Her interview is scheduled on October 24th. If everything goes well, she will travel to US on that date. I am trying to be positive though.

02/20/2011 - Married

03/14/2011 - I-130 sent

03/15/2011 - I-130 received

03/18/2011 - NOA1

06/16/2011 - NOA2

07/17/2011 - NVC received

08/06/2011 - Received DS-3032 and I-864 bill

08/06/2011 - Emailed DS-3032 and paid I-864 bill

08/10/2011 - I-864 sent to NVC

08/15/2011 - DS-3032 accepted and IV bill received

08/15/2011 - Paid IV bill

08/18/2011 - DS-230 sent to NVC

08/19/2011 - DS-230 received at NVC

08/24/2011 - SIF & Case Complete

08/26/2011- RFE on missing PCC and Case re-opened

08/27/2011- Wife Sent PCC from India(In fact she did get PCC on end of 27th from passport office in India and she mailed PCC following day upon getting RFE from NVC. Otherwise we thought of submitting during interview)

08/30/2011 - Case Closed(Thank God)

09/13/2011- Interview Date Received

10/24/2011- Interview Date at Chennai @ 1PM

[I_love_my_hubby 0]

Has anyones AVR changed to "we have forwarded your case to xxx consulate" yet? Mine still has not changed yet.

It took us almost a month for our AVR message to change after we received our interview letter.

Yes, trying to book my tickets to reach Chennai on 10/24 - a day before interview. We will stay at Chennai till 10/27 or 10/28 to collect passport and visa packet from VFS, Chennai (we have train tickets booked for both days).

Also taking the risk of booking return jouney tickets for both of us on 10/30 from Hyderabad. Do you think it is risky and whether I need to give more time. I request those who had been to Chennai to guide me regarding getting the passport and Visa at VFS, Chennai.

Good luck NavyK & I wish that everything turns out the way you have planned

Safe journey to India.

[Dave and Kinnari 31]

Just curious as you what services you guys are using to book tickets to India. We usually use a travel agent.

[ganesh86 0]

Just curious as you what services you guys are using to book tickets to India. We usually use a travel agent.

Dave,

I generally use Makemytrip for cheaper internatinal fares especially to india, however this time I directly booked from British airways as they do have sale going. For instance my wife ticket only cost me $780 inclusive of taxes.

02/20/2011 - Married

03/14/2011 - I-130 sent

03/15/2011 - I-130 received

03/18/2011 - NOA1

06/16/2011 - NOA2

07/17/2011 - NVC received

08/06/2011 - Received DS-3032 and I-864 bill

08/06/2011 - Emailed DS-3032 and paid I-864 bill

08/10/2011 - I-864 sent to NVC

08/15/2011 - DS-3032 accepted and IV bill received

08/15/2011 - Paid IV bill

08/18/2011 - DS-230 sent to NVC

08/19/2011 - DS-230 received at NVC

08/24/2011 - SIF & Case Complete

08/26/2011- RFE on missing PCC and Case re-opened

08/27/2011- Wife Sent PCC from India(In fact she did get PCC on end of 27th from passport office in India and she mailed PCC following day upon getting RFE from NVC. Otherwise we thought of submitting during interview)

08/30/2011 - Case Closed(Thank God)

09/13/2011- Interview Date Received

10/24/2011- Interview Date at Chennai @ 1PM

[Ni-Pra 0]

Just curious as you what services you guys are using to book tickets to India. We usually use a travel agent.

I use Yatra.com, but this time I directly booked my two-way flight from AirIndia and they charged me conversion fees (I did get it refunded though).

[Dave and Kinnari 31]

Dave,

I generally use Makemytrip for cheaper internatinal fares especially to india, however this time I directly booked from British airways as they do have sale going. For instance my wife ticket only cost me $780 inclusive of taxes.

I use Yatra.com, but this time I directly booked my two-way flight from AirIndia and they charged me conversion fees (I did get it refunded though).

Yes, that's why it easier with a travel agent. I do use kayak.com, makemytrip and yatra.com to check if I am getting the best deal against the travel agents quote.

[Navyk 78]

Yes, that's why it easier with a travel agent. I do use kayak.com, makemytrip and yatra.com to check if I am getting the best deal against the travel agents quote.

I use Alanita from Boston. Unfortunately the prices of 10/30 return have been hiked by BA. Fortunately I got my ticket blocked in time and will have to pay more for wife's ticket. Of course I may have to pay even more if we have to reschedule our return journey but I am more interested in being there at Chennai for interview and wife will make sure that the CO knows about it. I know that I won't be allowed inside but I guess this is another strong evidence of continued relationship.

Can someone let me know how we can get SMS from VFS regarding the visa status! Meanwhile I will search for it.

I wish all of you the very best with your interviews.

[Dave and Kinnari 31]

I use Alanita from Boston. Unfortunately the prices of 10/30 return have been hiked by BA. Fortunately I got my ticket blocked in time and will have to pay more for wife's ticket. Of course I may have to pay even more if we have to reschedule our return journey but I am more interested in being there at Chennai for interview and wife will make sure that the CO knows about it. I know that I won't be allowed inside but I guess this is another strong evidence of continued relationship.

Can someone let me know how we can get SMS from VFS regarding the visa status! Meanwhile I will search for it.

I wish all of you the very best with your interviews.

Search Nilu and Bhakti's posts. I think on there review they had something about this.