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| New Delhi, India |  Review on August 21, 2017: |
amul
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
Our interview was scheduled at 8 am and we arrived at the US Embassy in Delhi around 7.45 am. Got in line across the street as per directions from the Embassy personnel.
At 8 am, we were able to cross the street and get in line in front of the Embassy and after showing our (P4) interview appointment letter and our passports, we were told to follow the red line and made our way to the interview location.
We passed the security check and once inside, we continued walking along the red lines until it lead us to an area where we had someone arrange our paperwork. We were told to sit down -- far left side of the building had booths with benches across. We sat waiting for our turn and noticed that we did not have a number yet. When asked, we were told that our number would receive one in a while.
This leg of the process was conducted by Indian officers -- most of the time it was done in Hindi and once in Punjabi (as per my hubby). I was the only spouse there.
20 minutes later, we were called back to the same area and a sticker with 3 digits were affixed to our interview appointment letter. I came to realize that this was what others here referred to as a "token". So you are not actually handed a token or a piece of paper, but a sticker gets affixed onto your paperwork. Even better!
After that we were told to go back to the same seating area and wait for our number to be called. Once our turn came, we went up to the booth and I was asked if I was the petitioner (yes) and after that the whole conversation was in English. He brought (well, carried it with both hands is more like it) our case folder out and sat it by his desk. He collected all the documents we handed him (medical, originals). Did not ask for any further evidence, my W2 as it was mentioned on our "missing document letter" which I received 2 weeks prior to our interview. Â
At the end, he gave a domestic violence pamphlet to my husband and asked him to read it. Handed back some documents that were no longer needed (stuff from my AOS file) as well as all of our originals. We were told to move to the middle area, where there was only two interview booths. Nevertheless, do not worry about the sections and booths, as you will be told where to be.
The number that was assigned and affixed to our interview appointment letter was used both times we were called up -- once, for the paper inspection and collection process where the officers were locals and then the interview.
Once our number flashed, we got up and went up to the booth. The VO did not ask me who I was, instead she asked my husband if he was comfortable with having the interview in English. Then she asked both of us to raise our right hands and swore us in.
I was surprised to say the least -- did not expect to be allowed to stand by my hubby let alone being sworn in. I was nervous yet excited at this point. We were not asked to produce any chat records, photos or evidence and so began the interview.
The questions seemed very methodical and pertaining to our case, hence I knew that the massive 7 lb file I carefully, lovingly and meticulous cultivated was definitely scrutinized over.
The VO fired off questions to the both of us. She was very professional, had a poker face and sublimely efficient.
Hubby: How did you guys meet?
Hubby: How do you guys communicate?
Me: Ma'am, when was your first visit?
Me: How long was your stay?
H: What did you do (on the first trip)?
H: Did you guys get married on that trip?
H: How did you marry each other?
H: Did you have your parents at that time?
H: Why not?
H: What's your religion?
M: And you Ma'am?
M: Did you have any of your family on your wedding day?
H: Have you ever been out of the country?
H: Where?
M: Ma'am, do you have any children?
H: Do you talk to her (child)?
M: Ma'am, why did you get divorced?
M: You have custody of your daughter, is that correct?
M: Anyone else living with you besides your daughter?
Both of us: What do you do for a living?
H: What will you do in the US?
Then we heard, "Ok, so your visa is approved."
Time stood still and we hardly remember what she said to us after that, but we managed to smile, thank her (a lot!) and hug each other and walk out. It took another 24 hours for us to really adjust to the news -- that it was finally over, that we had made it!Â
Overall, the US Embassy in New Delhi runs like clockwork. Efficient, clean, orderly, comfortable and we have received courteous and professional service! While the whole thing took us about 2-2.5 hours, our main interview lasted about 5 minutes.Â
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Important Note:
1. Do NOT wear a digital watch, especially a smart watch! Even if it looks remotely like a smart watch, you will be removed from the queue and need to find a place to stash your watch. The person in front of us had a digital watch and no matter how much he tried to explain that it was not a smartwatch, he was not allowed to stay in the line (or enter the Embassy) with it. We watched his entire family leave the line as well.
2. During your VAC/Biometrics visit your Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application Form DS-260 confirmation page will be stamped. You *will* need this on your interview date -- please do NOT forget it. This is one of the papers the officer specifically asked for as he gathered our originals, sealed medical envelope etc. -- when he asked for my husband's DS-260, I went in our files and he noticed the first print out, which had no stamp on it. He said, "no I need the one with the stamp on it". I had that one right behind it as I printed duplicates of everything and secured them in twos with paperclips.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #22377