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| Mumbai, India |  Review on November 11, 2011: |
Dave and Kinnari
Rating:  | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
My wife's interview was on November 10th at 7:30 AM at the old Lincoln House Consulate in Mumbai.
She arrived at the consulate around 6:30 AM and was the second one in line.
At 7:30 AM sharp, the doors to the consulate were opened and she went inside.
After clearing security she was taken for bio-metrics (finger printing).
After finger printing she was IMMEDIATELY called up by a male Indian officer and he asked her the following questions:
Q: Who's calling you to USA?
Q: What is your husband's name?
Q: Who is your joint sponsor?
Q: Do you have the I-864 packet with you? Please give me your joint sponsors tax information (IRS Tax Transcripts and W-2's). This is the 3rd time we submitted these. At NVC, VFS Ahmedabad asked for it again, and here at the consulate.
She was then returned her original documents that were submitted to the NVC and was then told to have a seat the American Officer will call you shortly.
About 30-35 minutes later she was called up by an American (Caucasian) female officer that was accompanied by a male Indian translator. My wife had requested to have a Gujarati translator even though she understands English fluently. She felt more comfortable answering in Gujarati.
The American IO asked her the following questions:
Q: Who's calling you to USA?
Q: What's his full name?
Q: Was this an arranged of love marriage?
Q: Who was all present during the first meeting?
Q: Did your parents talk to your husband during the meeting?
Q: What does your husband do in America currently? (Employment based question)
Q: Oh, he does not work right now, why is that? (He's in Nursing School, in a fast paced accelerated curriculum).
Q: Does he not have a previous Bachelor's Degree? (Yes, a Bachelors of Science in Biology)
Q: Wow...he's 26 years old and still in school!?! That's a rare thing! (I think the IO was trying to fluster her with the way she asked that question. We all know that people of all ages are in college...I am the youngest in my class, lol.)
Q: When will he be done with his nursing school? (End of next year)
IO's Reply: Oh, that's not bad then.
Q: Who is your joint sponsor? (Her Father in Law-FIL/My Dad)
Q: What does he do?
Q: Does your MIL work?
Q: Oh, she was layed off work..so sad after this many years of service with the same company. When was she layed off? (They had to have looked up my mother as the only thing of her's I turned in was the joint tax return of my mother and father)
Q: How many people stay at the current residence that you will be living at? (Checking the poverty line here)
Q: What is the address you will be living at?
Q: How long do you plan on living with your in-laws?
Q: Does your husband have any siblings?
Q: How old is he?
Q: What does he do?
Q: Please show me some pictures of your wedding? (Phera-Fire Rounds,Sindoor and Mangal Sutra pictures is what she wanted to see)
Q: How many rounds did you take around the fire(Phera)?
Congratulations your visa is APPROVED!
My wife then asked if she can obtain the visa today. The IO stated you can check with VFS at 5 PM this evening. They will issue your visa, we do not here at the consulate.
My wife was in and out in 1 hour and 10 minutes. I was quite shocked how fast she was done.
You can see they are very hardcore on the tax information so make sure you have that in line and in order before the interview. It's always good to carry extra's of these documents.
She then waited around most of the day near a hotel close to the VFS office. At 4:30 PM she went to the VFS office to see if she could claim her visa. She had to provide her Interview letter, passport copy and an ID (Driver's License or PAN card) to enter the VFS building. She was able to get her passport with visa stamped inside and the DO NOT OPEN Packet.
Finally...the big day is over!
My wife wanted to share some tips as well...
1. Even if you are comfortable with English still ask for a translator. By speaking your native language it really helps keeping the stress down.
2. Do not be afraid of the questions the IO can ask. If you talk to your spouse and your relationship is truly bonafide, you should know the answer to these questions VERY easily.
3. Remain calm and professional during the entire interview. They are not only looking at your answers but more so they are looking at your gestures and way of answering the question.
Overall she said it was an easy and good experience even though the old consulate is really in bad shape and cramped. She's happy for the new consulate opening up for future visa interviews.
We both want to thank everyone for all of your help, prayers and support during this process. It was not an easy one, but with your help it was far more organized and structured!
We wish everyone all the best!
--Dave and Kinnari
(updated on November 11, 2011)
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Consulate / USCIS Member Review #8697