Interview Tips for Chennai/ Mumbai/ Delhi/ Calcutta

[Navyk 78]

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

Probably this is the link to tracking the passport. But am not sure if this is what others used.

http://www.vfs-usa.co.in/usindia/trackyourpassport.html

[Navyk 78]

Probably this is the link to tracking the passport. But am not sure if this is what others used.

http://www.vfs-usa.c...urpassport.html

Which is correct? Probably VFS but not sure.

Information from US Consulate, Chennai web site - it says SMS to 7333

SMS at “VISA US [passport number]” to 7333 and check for status before visiting the center to avail the Counter Passport Collection. The Counter Passport Collection is between 4.00pm and 5.00pm

Information from VFS Web site - it says SMS to 57333

Get your visa status now on your mobile phone!!!! just type in visa (space) US (space) passport number and sms to 57333

[Dave and Kinnari 31]

Sunny- what is this SMS for VFS technically? Is this when you get the nod at the interview that you will received a visa and then when vfs actually processes your visa to pick it up?

[msupreme2284 0]

A Question (New Delhi Consulate specific but please feel free to provide input):

1. All my documents were accepted at NVC. The Passport Clearance Form was submitted as copy to NVC and I know that I need to provide original at VFS. Do I need to complete any other forms other than paying the courier fee and providing copies of passport + photos. Should I be submitting proof of ongoing relationship documents to VFS?

Another thing:

My friend recently was in same boat as us. He was IR/ CR1 petitioner. He told me that at New Delhi embassy the guy asked his wife about his (her husband) favorite meal. LOL.. please make sure your spouse knows what you like to eat. Also, he said that being present either in the consulate or outside is considered as major plus point.

[I_love_my_hubby 0]

Which is correct? Probably VFS but not sure.

Information from US Consulate, Chennai web site - it says SMS to 7333

SMS at “VISA US [passport number]” to 7333 and check for status before visiting the center to avail the Counter Passport Collection. The Counter Passport Collection is between 4.00pm and 5.00pm

Information from VFS Web site - it says SMS to 57333

Get your visa status now on your mobile phone!!!! just type in visa (space) US (space) passport number and sms to 57333

NavyK I had suggested my husband to send SMS to 57333 after he was done with his interview so that way once the passport is transferred to VFS office he would know whether it's ready to be picked up or not. Since he didn't have access to the internet to check status on the website about his passport we went with the SMS options. SMS would be the better option.

[I_love_my_hubby 0]

A Question (New Delhi Consulate specific but please feel free to provide input):

1. All my documents were accepted at NVC. The Passport Clearance Form was submitted as copy to NVC and I know that I need to provide original at VFS. Do I need to complete any other forms other than paying the courier fee and providing copies of passport + photos. Should I be submitting proof of ongoing relationship documents to VFS?

Another thing:

My friend recently was in same boat as us. He was IR/ CR1 petitioner. He told me that at New Delhi embassy the guy asked his wife about his (her husband) favorite meal. LOL.. please make sure your spouse knows what you like to eat. Also, he said that being present either in the consulate or outside is considered as major plus point.

Msupreme2284 my husband went to Mumbai VFS and he took copies of all the paperwork which we submitted to NVC and whatever the papers that were asked from him he gave it to them. They didn't accept anything about proof of ongoing relationship and he was suggested to bring it with him at the time of interview. If I were you I would take everything to VFS so atleast you will have all the documents on hand and will able to provide them whatever they ask for it.

[msupreme2284 0]

Will do. Thank you.

[I_love_my_hubby 0]

Sunny- what is this SMS for VFS technically? Is this when you get the nod at the interview that you will received a visa and then when vfs actually processes your visa to pick it up?

SMS to VFS is pretty much a notification that they send you once your passport is ready to be picked up with a visa stamp on it. They told my husband that he will receive visa via postal mail within 3-5 business days but I suggested him to send SMS to VFS and see whether the passport is ready to be picked up the same day or not since he was gonna be in Mumbai till 7 p.m. Luckily, he received SMS from them at 4 p.m. that the passport was ready to be picked up between 5-5:30 p.m. and he went there to collect his passport the same day.

Will do. Thank you.

Your welcome. Good luck for the interview. Don't worry everything will go well

[Navyk 78]

A Question (New Delhi Consulate specific but please feel free to provide input):

1. All my documents were accepted at NVC. The Passport Clearance Form was submitted as copy to NVC and I know that I need to provide original at VFS. Do I need to complete any other forms other than paying the courier fee and providing copies of passport + photos. Should I be submitting proof of ongoing relationship documents to VFS?

Another thing:

My friend recently was in same boat as us. He was IR/ CR1 petitioner. He told me that at New Delhi embassy the guy asked his wife about his (her husband) favorite meal. LOL.. please make sure your spouse knows what you like to eat. Also, he said that being present either in the consulate or outside is considered as major plus point.

Thanks for sharing. Yes, VFS will not accept any other documents except those that are required in the interview letter and the courier fee and we need to take the other evidence to interview (I am not sure if the front loaded evidences get to the Consulate, as those were not mentioned in the interview letter - including the local PCC).

[Navyk 78]

NavyK I had suggested my husband to send SMS to 57333 after he was done with his interview so that way once the passport is transferred to VFS office he would know whether it's ready to be picked up or not. Since he didn't have access to the internet to check status on the website about his passport we went with the SMS options. SMS would be the better option.

Nilu&Bhakti, thanks for the clarification - we will send an SMS to 57333. Since I am also going to Chennai for interview (I know they don't allow me inside) and tips regarding that is appreciated - at what time you husband went, how many were there for interview and when did you husband send the SMS message...... We plan to go early and try to be the first one, so that there is a better chance of getting the visa the same day (of course as the Lord grants the visa).

Sunny- what is this SMS for VFS technically? Is this when you get the nod at the interview that you will received a visa and then when vfs actually processes your visa to pick it up?

Dev, you got the clarification. How is your preparation going on!

Edited September 22, 2011 by NavyK

[VisaJourney2011 14]

Hi,

How is VFS different than the Consulate/US Embassy where you go for interview?

Whats the address of VFS in Delhi?

Edited September 22, 2011 by VisaJourney2011

[Navyk 78]

Hi,

How is VFS different than the Consulate/US Embassy where you go for interview?

Whats the address of VFS in Delhi?

VFS does all the support work for the US Consulates. This link has all the addresses of VFS including Delhi.

http://www.vfs-usa.c.../contactus.html

Edited September 22, 2011 by NavyK

[I_love_my_hubby 0]

Nilu&Bhakti, thanks for the clarification - we will send an SMS to 57333. Since I am also going to Chennai for interview (I know they don't allow me inside) and tips regarding that is appreciated - at what time you husband went, how many were there for interview and when did you husband send the SMS message...... We plan to go early and try to be the first one, so that there is a better chance of getting the visa the same day (of course as the Lord grants the visa).

Dev, you got the clarification. How is your preparation going on!

He was in line by 6:30 a.m. and they call you in according to your scheduled interview time. He went in at 7 a.m. and he was out of the Embassy by 11:30 a.m. and he sent SMS to VFS around 12 p.m. when he got to the hotel and between 4:00-4:30 p.m. he received SMS saying that the passport was ready to be picked up. There were a lot of people there to get all sorts of visas.

Once my husband was done with his visa he was informed that his visa is approved and they will send the visa via postal mail and he should receive it within 3-5 business days to the address which they had it on file. My husband also asked them whether he can pick it up the same day and they told him that they are backed up right now so it won't be possible. But I recommended him to send SMS to VFS and see whether the passport gets ready to be picked up the same day so that way if there is any sort of spelling errors in the visa stamp then he will able to get it sorted out right there and then rather than making too many unnecessary trips to Mumbai. So he stay in Mumbai till 7 p.m. the day of his interview and he picked up his passport from VFS passport collection counter around 5 p.m. without any sort of issues.

By the way, be sure you have extra copies of interview letter because you will need them when you go to pick up your passport.

[Navyk 78]

He was in line by 6:30 a.m. and they call you in according to your scheduled interview time. He went in at 7 a.m. and he was out of the Embassy by 11:30 a.m. and he sent SMS to VFS around 12 p.m. when he got to the hotel and between 4:00-4:30 p.m. he received SMS saying that the passport was ready to be picked up. There were a lot of people there to get all sorts of visas.

Once my husband was done with his visa he was informed that his visa is approved and they will send the visa via postal mail and he should receive it within 3-5 business days to the address which they had it on file. My husband also asked them whether he can pick it up the same day and they told him that they are backed up right now so it won't be possible. But I recommended him to send SMS to VFS and see whether the passport gets ready to be picked up the same day so that way if there is any sort of spelling errors in the visa stamp then he will able to get it sorted out right there and then rather than making too many unnecessary trips to Mumbai. So he stay in Mumbai till 7 p.m. the day of his interview and he picked up his passport from VFS passport collection counter around 5 p.m. without any sort of issues.

By the way, be sure you have extra copies of interview letter because you will need them when you go to pick up your passport.

Thanks for the heads up. I will have to stay and collect the visa after interview on 10/25 (staying at Chennai on till 10/27or 1/28 - 10/26 is holiday), as I booked our tickets back to US by 10/30.

Unlike Mumbai, all the interviews at Chennai start at 1 PM and there are around 20 - 25 on average per days (1/3 of Mumbai). I don't know if everyone got 1 PM time but I got 1 PM time. So I hope we get it on 10/25 or at least on 10/27.

Ganesh86 and other Chennai guys, can you let me know if you all got 1 PM or different times for interview. Thanks.

Edited September 22, 2011 by NavyK

[ganesh86 0]

Navyk,

Sorry I have had limited access to internet till this afternoon and that is the reason I was unable to actively involve with Visajourney. My wife visa inteview is scheduled on 10/24 @ 1PM, however she decided not to stay in chennai for the following day in the event she gets visa. Hopefully VFS will deliver the visa within 7 days. By the way, tomorrow she is going to visit Vijaya Diagnostics for medical test(Day 1). I will keep you posted.

USCIS:

3/14/11 - I -130 sent to USCIS Chicago Lockbox

3/18/11 - NOA1

6/16/11 - NOA2

NVC:

7/19/11 - NVC Case Number

8/31/11 - Case Completed

9/13/11 - Interview Date received

9/23/11- Medical Test Scheduled

10/24/11- Interview @ Chennai Consulate at 1 PM Chennai Consulate

Thanks for the heads up. I will have to stay and collect the visa after interview on 10/25 (staying at Chennai on till 10/27or 1/28 - 10/26 is holiday), as I booked our tickets back to US by 10/30.

Unlike Mumbai, all the interviews at Chennai start at 1 PM and there are around 20 - 25 on average per days (1/3 of Mumbai). I don't know if everyone got 1 PM time but I got 1 PM time. So I hope we get it on 10/25 or at least on 10/27.

Ganesh86 and other Chennai guys, can you let me know if you all got 1 PM or different times for interview. Thanks.

As per my knowledge, chennai consulate always schedule IR-1/CR-1 interviews @1PM.

USCIS:

3/14/11 - I -130 sent to USCIS Chicago Lockbox

3/18/11 - NOA1

6/16/11 - NOA2

NVC:

7/19/11 - NVC Case Number

8/31/11 - Case Completed

9/13/11 - Interview Date received

9/23/11- Medical Test Scheduled

10/24/11- Interview @ Chennai Consulate at 1 PM Chennai Consulate