K1 Interview - Mumbai India

[subz 6]

Background:
My K1 interview was scheduled for 9:15 AM, 20th June 2014.

Onward journey:
I took 6 AM flight from Bangalore to Mumbai. Landed at 7:20 and took an autorickshaw to American consulate at BKC. Some autos quoted 200 some 250 rs but one guy agreed to go by meter and bill came out to be 60 rs only. I reached consulate at 8:15.

Initial hiccup:
They do not have any locker or arrangement for mobile and keys etc. so guards asked me to leave them outside. I inquired around and found that Trade center has lockers. Trade center houses US visa application center (VAC/OFC) and is about 1 KM (20 rs by auto) from consulate. Next to trade center there are small shops in a alley which offer Internet and lockers. I went to one named Hitech . The guy put my mobile and house key in pouch and gave me a slip with my name written on it. He said you will need to pay 100 rs. I said fine. Then I came back to consulate.

Preliminary procedure:
I went inside at 8:45, proceeded to security. Then in the waiting area there was a long queue in form of chairs where people were moving one by one. For a moment I thought it will take time. There were facilitators wearing pink color uniform. I asked one of them is queue same for both non immigrant and immigrant visas. She said no. Queue is only for non immigrants since yours is K1 one you need to go to window 15 directly in immigrant section.

I went in immigrant section. Facilitator asked me to give her:

Appointment letter
DS160 with stamp of fingerprinting confirmation at VAC
Passport
2 photos (2x2 size)
Birth certificate
PCC
Medical report

For birth certificate, I told her my birth was not registered so I have brought non availability certificate (NAC), my high school marksheet which has by date of birth and affidavit from mom and uncle. She said give me NAC and affidavits. She did not take high school marksheet.

She arranged everything in above order in a file and stapled photos on top of the file.

After 5 minutes of this, my name was announced asking me to go to window 2.

First interview:
An Indian lady asked for file. I noticed that she had complete original petition with her too. She asked:

Who is calling you? --- Name told---

Is she in India currently? --- No she is in the US---

You do not have birth certificate? --- Yes maam my birth was not registered. I have submitted NAC and affidavits---

She said I see original of NAC but no photocopy --I sad sorry I think I missed it. There is a photocopier in the same hall who charged 5 rs for a copy so I submitted it to her. Now back to window.

Have traveled to US before? -- Yes four times--

On which visa? --B1/B2

Give me her financial papers -- I gave tax return Form 1040, W2, last 3 pay stubs, and bank letter--

Will you be giving interview in English or another language ---English--

She gave a domestic violence paper to read.

She gave me back originals of NAC, birth affidavit and stapled a interview token number on appointment letter. I was asked to wait. Token numbers were being displayed on a monitor as well as announcements were made.

Final interview:
After two minutes, my token number was assigned to window 8 and announcement was also made. I went there. An American lady greeted me Hi GM how are you and I in turn asked how are you. She asked me to put left four fingers on scanner to confirm identity. The she asked me to raise right hand and read out the oath. Oath is a printed laminated paper hanging by the side of window that you are supposed to read out

Questions:
So how did you guys meet?
Has she been married before?
Has you been married before?
Is this love or arranged marriage?
What does she do?
When was the last time you met?
Its bit late for your marriage-- I told her I had relationships before but did not work out.-- she said happens.
So where will you guys get married?
Why this place?
What do you do?

Have you read domestic violence paper?
She said everything looks fine. I will approve it. You will receive the passport in about a week.

I thanked her. Came out by 9:30 AM and went on to collect my mobile. I then called my fiancée and gave her the news.

Such a quick interview tossed my plans because I had booked evening flight for return. Since I had nothing else to do, I went to Juhu beach and enjoyed kalakhatta, pav bhaji and pani puri to kill time.

Return journey:
Return was a pain. I had booked 5:15 flight by spicejet. It was first delayed to 6:30 then we boarded aircraft. Captain announced there is some technical problem so we will take off by 7:30. Then he announced this plane cannt fly we are arranging another plane which came by 8:45. We took off at 9 and reached Bangalore at 10:20 PM. They did not even arrange meals for us even when passengers were willing to pay. Finally reached home and hit bed at 12 AM.

Hope this helps.

[TBoneTX 45,273]

Great write-up! Be sure to post this as a review for your consulate.

*** Country-specific thread moved from K-1 Process forum to the India regional subforum. ***

[subz 6]

Thank you. And yes I have added consulate review too.

[vkrishn 97]

You might have to do the run around if your flight from B'lore to mumbai was delayed. Lucky!

[subz 6]

Yeah it was a calculated risk. Morning flights from Bangalore have excellent record of ontime take off. In addition, consulate is not very adamant for time slots. I saw few people coming late and they were ok.