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| Mumbai, India |  Review on July 19, 2019: |
Vik1992
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
I will provide one review for both of my wife's experiences at the US Consulate in Mumbai.
The first experience was a major fail. It was a one-star experience for sure! The security officials were rude, the agents who walk around helping organize your documents were not very helpful and the Immigration Officer who conducted my wife's interview left us puzzled. In the end, my wife was handed a 221G letter that stated we needed to "Re-interview" when we are ready. Side note: Please read our full story, from the 1st interview, here: https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/700589-221g-re-interview/
Our first interview, in March, was much like everyone else's reviews. My wife's interview was at 7:30 am. She had arrived at the consulate at 7:00 am {we recommend arriving at least 15-30 minutes early before interview time} where a line to enter the Embassy had started forming.
Outside, there was an Embassy official who checked my wife's passport and interview letter among other documents. Once validating her identification, my wife was allowed entry into the building. Here, there is a waiting area where you can sit before entering the building.
Next, she went through security, much like the one you through at the airport. {FYI: Water/ water bottles are allowed} After her security check, she proceeded to the area where the interviews are conducted.
Inside this building, there are officials who ask you to separate based on the language of your interview. Once separated, you sit down and an official comes and helps organize/ check your documents:
1. Passport
2. Interview Letter
3. Original PCC + Copy,
4. DS-260 Confirmation page
5. Original Birth Certificate + Copy,
6. Original Marriage Certificate + Copy
7. Medical Examination packet
Once confirming all of the documents, my wife was given a token number.
Once she received a token number, she waited about 20 minutes and her number flashed on the TV monitor calling her to Counter number 6. Behind the glass window was an Indian lady who took my wife's passport and reviewed the medical packet and documents above. My wife was not asked any questions, but was handed a Domestic Violence pamphlet and was told to look over it. Then, my wife was asked to have a seat and wait until the interview is conducted.
This is where things got a little scary. Everyone who got tokens before and after my wife were called up for their interviews. My wife was the last number to be called. The American Immigration Officer started off by saying, "Good Morning" then proceeded to ask my wife the following questions (via a translator):
- Who is calling you?
- What is your wedding date?
- Was it a love marriage or arranged marriage?
- What are you plans once you get to the U.S?
- Do you have any family in the U.S?
- Where does your sister live?
- Where does your husband live?
- What good things have you heard about California?
The IO proceeded to ask my wife a few more questions about me (the petitioner) and what I like to do, where I work, and how often I visit. After the fire round of questions, he asked to see our wedding pictures. My wife presented him with the wedding album. The IO pointed to a few people and told my wife to tell him who they were and their relationship to her. Then, the IO told my wife to be patient and wait a few minutes.
The IO, my wife's translator, and what seemed to be the IO's supervisor gathered in the back and discussed the case. A few minutes later, the IO and the translator came back and presented my wife with the 221G letter, stating we needed a re-interview. My wife asked for a reason, but no reason was told. She was only told that the file is incomplete and told to come back for another interview.
During the 1st interview
Fast forward 4 months, and my wife attended her second interview. This time, fortunately, the security officials were happy, the agents were actually helpful, and the Immigration Officer was in a good mood. Total 180 of our first experience. The check in process, waiting for our token, and taking part in the interview was same as above. This time the only difference was WE WERE APPROVED!! The IO, an American lady, had only asked for wedding photos and presented my wife with the Approval letter.
2 hours after the interview, I had checked CEAC and our visa was issued.
2 days later, as I am typing this review, we have the passport in hand with my wife's visa inside.
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #26700